Also, council introduced the 2017 municipal budget at recent council meeting.
A safe exchange zone was created in the police department parking lot for residents and community members to use a safe place for exchanges, meet-ups, or family drop-offs. Also, Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik announced a new department-wide philosophy called community caretaking, an initiative that encourages police officers to engage and build relationships with the community. At last week’s council meeting, Mayor Joann Gattinelli presented the proposed budget for 2017 with no municipal tax increase. Check out some of the top stories from the past week in the Weekly Roundup.
No tax increase for proposed 2017 municipal budget
Council introduced the township’s 2017 municipal budget on first reading at last week’s council meeting. The budget proposes no municipal tax increase. This year’s proposed total budget amounts to $38.77 million, an increase of approximately $450,000 from the 2016 budget, however, the tax rate from 2016 will remain the same. If adopted, residents with an average assessed home value of $210,000 would pay approximately $1,380 in municipal tax. Council scheduled a special public budget meeting for April 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building and a public hearing on the budget and tax resolution will be held at the Municipal Building on May 10 at 7 p.m. where the budget will be up for adoption.
‘Changing the culture of policing’
Chief of Police Patrick Gurcsik announced a newly implemented outreach philosophy called community caretaking, encourage officers to get out of their cares and engage with residents. Gurcsik hopes community caretaking will build relationships through non-enforcement interaction and, in turn, open lines of communication and trust between residents and the department.
Earth Day programs planned at Heggan Library
In celebration of Earth Day, the Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library has partnered with the Environmental Commission to bring two programs to the library in April. On Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m., Gloucester County Certified Gardeners will offer guidelines and tips on planning and planting gardens for birds and butterflies. On April 30, at 1:30 p.m., the whole family will enjoy “Night Hunters of the Sky,” presented by Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge.
Safe exchange zone offers safety, protection for residents
Washington Township now provides a space for residents and community members to meet, under surveillance, at the police station in a safe environment. The safe exchange zone can provide protection to reduce chances of residents being taken advantage of, financially or physically. The space is marked at the police station parking lot with yellow signs and pavement paint, and is monitored by police officers with surveillance cameras.
Man shot in chest during home invasion
A resident suffered from a gunshot wound to the chest after an altercation in his home on Friday. According to police, the victim was confronted inside his residence and struck in the head by a yellow crowbar and shot once in the chest. The accused fled the scene. The case remains under investigation by the Washington Township Police Department.
