Mayor Gattinelli reflects on recent strides in community savings, events, roadwork and more
With summer underway, I would like to highlight some of the community events along with some significant improvements in Washington Township. It is important to me that I follow through on the vision I have from my campaign for our community.
While we are only six months in, residents and businesses have given us positive feedback and feel that the township is moving in the right direction. The biggest accomplishment thus far was the 2017 municipal budget with no tax increase and improvements in municipal services. Other changes include improved banking, Internet and information technology services that are at a reduced cost to the township. We have established a Human Resources department to implement positive management strategies to provide the best possible service to our residents. The Shop Washington Township Program, which encourages residents to support local business while receiving property tax benefits, is moving forward. I would like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for its efforts to move this forward with our administration.
I am also very proud of the many community outreach opportunities we have initiated. From the small-group budget workshops to “Coffee with the Mayor,” we have worked hard to create open lines of communication between the residents and our administration. The Summer Concert and Movie Series has also kicked off, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy everything Washington Township and Washington Lake Park has to offer. Make sure to follow us on social media, such as our website sand Facebook page, along with our new Instagram @washingtontownshipnj and Twitter @TwpNJ accounts, to stay up-to-date on all these events and ways to get involved!
Last but not least, you may have seen some renovations and improvements around town. Roadwork has been completed in several areas and is still being completed in many others. We also have several improvements in progress at our Washington Township Municipal Golf Course, which is a par-three nine-hole course, open to the public. Some of these improvements include upgrades to fencing, the course turf and a new sign. I would like to thank the township Public Works Department, as well as golf course superintendent Anthony Benfield who oversees its management and maintenance.
I am enthused about continuing to make improvements in Washington Township that the residents can benefit from and enjoy.
Joann Gattinelli is the mayor of Washington Township. She can be reached at mayorgattinelli@twp.washington.nj.us.
