Mayor Joann Gattinelli sets dates for Coffee with the Mayor conversations, while reflecting on Senior Service Day
Coffee with the Mayor
Transparency has been very important to my administration. We have worked hard to increase the level of services provided to residents without increasing taxes. I am passionate about the issues that are important to our residents. I strive to provide residents a way in which to express positive and constructive ideas for our community directly to me. I am scheduling casual meet-and-greet conversations with small groups of residents. These meetings will be held each month from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., starting Thursday, June 22. Beginning in July, meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month. Residents will have the opportunity to send questions in advance to allow me time to prepare background information that would be helpful for our discussion. Please check township social media pages including the website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on township event details. Signing up is required, so please contact Alicia Rotella to reserve a session by calling (856) 589–0520, ext. 283, or emailing arotella@twp.washington.nj.us.
High school Senior Service Day
I was proud to be a part of the Washington Township High School’s Senior Service Day on Friday, June 2. I was lucky enough to participate in the service projects at Bells Elementary School and at the fire department. These projects involve young adults contributing to the community, as well as being wonderful role models for our younger students. One of the projects at the fire department involved the high school seniors helping to clean the firetrucks. The students also experienced some demonstrations with Chief Patrick Dolgos and the fire department to gain a better understanding of what the department goes through.
Another initiative organized by the Changing Our World Project, involved students creating lanterns to be used in a candlelight vigil. The lanterns were started by the middle school students and then were delivered to the elementary schools where they were completed with the help of high school seniors. The lantern project is for the candlelight vigil in Washington Lake Park on Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. The vigil is to bring awareness to the issue of drug abuse, as well as to remember any family members and friends who have lost the battle to drug addiction. I am proud of all our students for having a hand in this project. I am pleased these students took the time to give back to the community and contribute to a good cause.
Joann Gattinelli is the mayor of Washington Township. She can be reached at mayorgattinelli@twp.washington.nj.us.
