Mayor Joann Gattinelli provided a “Shop Washington Township” and Human Resource update, as well as addressed concerns at the most recent council meeting.
By Krista Cerminaro
Mayor Joann Gattinelli commenced the Washington Township Council meeting last Wednesday by honoring three Gold Medal Environmental employees — Rashaad Fleming, George Warrington and supervisor Rob Ritz — with certificates of recognition for a recent act of kindness.
“They actually helped a gentleman who was disabled — went up to the home, and helped bring his trash out to them so they could take it with them,” Gattinelli said. “I just wanted to recognize them (for) thinking of others. They saw that he had a little bit of a struggle coming out, they went back and helped him.”
Gattinelli also honored public works employee Ken DePrince as March’s Employee of the Month for helping residents bring disposables by the public works department in the rain.
The council adopted two ordinances at the March 14 meeting. Ordinance 004–2018 would allow additional stop signs and yield signs to be placed in the township, and make them enforceable by the police department to better control the flow of traffic.
“I believe that would do really well for the township, because there are areas where additional yield and stop signs would definitely slow down the flow of traffic,” resident Ralph Campana said.
Ordinance 005–2018 would allow the local government to mandate direct deposit for certain governmental employees, which would save the township money.
Three resolutions were approved as well. R065–2018 would accept a performance bond and escrow for the parking garage being built at Kennedy Hospital; R066–2018 would release a maintenance guarantee for the Johnson Road project; and R07–2018 authorized a contract for e-waste recycling services that would allow the disposal of electronic waste. This includes televisions, computers and other electronic devices being thrown away.
During reports, Councilmember Dana Pasqualone noted there will be a budget presentation scheduled for March 21 at 7:30 p.m at the Board of Education meeting, and encouraged residents who are concerned about the school budget to attend.
Gattinelli, in addition to recapping the Washington Township Saves Lives program, provided a Shop Washington Township update and thanked each of the local businesses, including Duffield’s Farm Market and Allied Mortgage Group for their participation.
“My administration set out to implement this program in the hopes that it would benefit residents with their property taxes, while also benefiting the local business owners in Washington Township. We’re extremely pleased with the results thus far,” Gattinelli said. “We currently have 31 participating businesses and are still speaking with more each week. There are about 2,300 residents who have registered their ‘Shop Washington Township’ card. The program has only been active since Jan. 8, — we are very positive about the continual growth of the program and are looking forward to more growth in the near and distant future.”
Additionally, Gattinelli provided a human resource update, stating the newly-established human resource department is “making strides to protect the township, continuing to train employees and increase morale and productivity within the township.”
“Several steps we have taken to make this happen include providing a two-part supervisors training, implementing background checks and drug screens for all potential employees, implementing a human resource software and revamping the policies and procedures manual and the evaluation process,” Gattinelli said.
Gattinelli also referenced the 2018 municipal budget, and provided rationale to residents who previously made comments about the budget and maintaining amounts in the surplus.
Gattinelli explained that according to the township’s contracted financial advisors, fund balance means there are more assets than liabilities, and all towns have some level of fund balance or surplus.
Council Vice President Sean Longfellow mentioned community garden applications are now available online, and the Environmental Commission and Open Space committee is now in the works of planning Earth Day events, which would be finalized and released in the coming weeks.
According to Council President Joe Perry, the Senior Citizen Advisory Board will hold an indoor garage sale on Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and residents interested in having a table at the event can pay $10.
Councilmember Angela Donato mentioned PJ Whelihan’s in Washington Township would be partaking in a “Change the Luck of a Child” fundraiser, and guests can purchase a shamrock for $1, $3 or $5 at the restaurant to benefit local families through Ronald McDonald House. You can also make a donation of $25 or more, which is considered the “Pot of Gold.”
A few members of the public spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting, thanking the council for the Washington Township Saves Lives program, and expressing additional concerns. One resident presented the idea of being provided a quarterly cash flow analysis, noting citizens might like to see where the money is going in and out on a quarterly basis.
Campana spoke again about business in Washington Township, stating the cost to get permits approved, and other additional fees, are the hardest thing about owning a business in town.
Gattinelli responded to one resident’s concern about hiring sources outside of Washington Township as opposed to Washington Township residents.
“We put the offer out there, anyone can come in and bring in an application,” Gattinelli said. “Sometimes it works that they’re in town, or outside of town, but we do look for the best candidate,” Gattinelli said.
