The Washington Township Police Department will be treating children and families in need this holiday season with Shop with a Cop initiative
Zone changes and community events were topics of discussion at last week’s council meeting. Council voted to pass two separate ordinances that would change zoning on Chapel Heights Road and Route 42, as well as approved a resolution to authorize the Washington Township Police Department “Shop with a Cop” program.
Upon second reading, council voted to approve an ordinance changing the zoning of 245 and 241 Chapel Heights Road from institutional to rural. According to the ordinance, the property owner Jason Giloley requested the re-zoning as the “religious institution previously existing on the site is no longer in use.”
According to attorney Robert Mintz, with the rural zoning, located within a residential community, the property is projected to provide space for homes similar to those around it, such as single-family style.
An additional re-zoning was approved for 4110 and 4120 Route 42, from neighborhood commercial to highway commercial. Mintz said the property is comprised of existing buildings for rent. However, with the neighborhood commercial zoning, he said, it has been difficult to fill the vacancies.
“We had a prospective tenant who needed a use variance because the zoning was so narrow,” Mintz said, “and by the time we could do that, and could afford to do that, we lost the tenant.”
Neighborhood commercial zones are intended for small sites located nearby residential communities, providing space for “pedestrian-oriented” businesses. Highway commercial zoning, on the other hand, is used to attract “highway-oriented” businesses, which attract traveling public. By changing the zoning designation, which exists in the surrounding properties, Mintz said, the township will hope to attract new businesses to the area.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing the township to spend $1,750 in conjunction with the “Shop with a Cop” program in support of the Washington Township Police Department.
According to Chief of Police Patrick Gurcsik, as part of the department’s Community Outreach Program, Shop with a Cop provides a “fun-filled day” for children in need throughout Washington Township, while creating a positive relationship with law enforcement officers.
“The purpose of Shop with a Cop is to provide a fun-filled day for children in need throughout Washington Township, while creating a positive relationship with law enforcement in their community,” Gurcsik said. ““This initiative aligns with our department’s community caretaking goals.”
While Shop with a Cop has existed for years, this will be Washington Township’s first year participating in the initiative.
Through the program, children in kindergarten through sixth grade are selected, with the help of their school’s guidance counselor, to be given a sum of money determined on the size of the student’s immediate family. With the money, the children will be escorted by a local police officer as their “shopping buddy” to pick out gifts for their family this holiday season. After shopping, the children are treated to lunch with members of the police department, and have an opportunity to wrap their gifts at the station.
Residents or local businesses interested in sponsoring a child for the event, or who would like to contribute by making a donation, should contact Office Gary Egizi at ggegizi@pd.twp.washington.nj.us.
In other news:
• The regular scheduled meeting for Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. has been canceled. The next council meeting will be held on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
• According to Solicitor Stuart Platt, in response to resident suggestions, council and the administration are working toward putting the meeting video footage on the township website. At this time, options are being considered in regard to quality and accessibility, as well as expense. Platt said more information should be available at the next meeting.
• Councilman Sean Longfellow said the Washington Township Green Team is scheduled to be recognized at the state League of Municipalities on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for their achievement in receiving bronze certification with the Sustainable Jersey Program.
