Also, school district prepares for upcoming start of the school year on Aug. 30
Against many members of the public in attendance to last week’s meeting, Washington Township Council voted to change the zoning of 367 Hurffville Cross Keys Road, at the request of Kennedy Health from rural to institutional. Also, the council authorized Township Solicitor Stuart Platt to take legal action, including filing suit, against former Business Administrator Robert Smith. Check out more of the top stories from the past week in the Weekly Roundup.
Council votes to change zoning for two properties on Hurffville Cross Keys Road
Many residents were in attendance at last week’s council meeting to share concerns on ordinances proposing to change the zoning of two Hurffville Cross Keys Road properties. Residents shared apprehensions about an ordinance that was up for adoption, extending the commercial zoning designation on 268 Hurffville Cross Keys Road to encompass the entire property, whereas at the time, a portion of the lot was zoned as rural. The ordinance was tabled. Council approved a second ordinance, by a vote of 3–2, to rezone 367 Hurffville Cross Keys Road from its rural designation to institutional, at the request of Kennedy Health System. Councilwomen Angela Donato and Dana Pasqualone voted no.
Council authorizes township solicitor to take legal action against former Business Administrator
Council has authorized Township Solicitor Stuart Platt to take legal action against former Business Administrator Robert Smith. Months ago, Platt, on behalf of Mayor Joann Gattinelli, claimed Smith obtained a direct deposit of more than $17,000 on Jan. 12, weeks after his appointment had expired. Council voted at last week’s meeting to authorize the solicitor to take legal action, including the filing of suit against Smith, to obtain the funds appropriated by the former employee, costs of suit and “any other damages permitted by law.”
District bus drivers get hands-on training for emergency bus evacuations
Washington Township Public Schools transportation manager Genia Sullivan and her assistant Suzanne O’Donnell hope their 80 bus drivers and aides never encounter such an incident, but thought it crucial to give the transportation staff a thorough, hands-on training on emergency bus evacuation procedures on Monday, Aug. 21.
Road improvements made to improve safety for start of school year
In an effort to improve road safety for the start of the school year, Police Chief Patrick Gursick, Mayor Joann Gattinelli, Councilwoman Angela Donato and the township administration are making several updates to the roads near the Washington Township schools. Additionally, the township will provide increased police presence at Hurffville-Crosskeys Road at Newtown Commons and on Greentree Road at TLC Childcare. Buses stop at both locations and drivers often do not stop for the buses. The speed bumps at Birches were also re-striped.
