In past Washington Township Council meetings, Mayor Joann Gattinelli spoke frequently about her administration’s effort to boost economic development and its desire to fill abandoned buildings in town. At the latest council meeting, Council President Joe Perry gave an update on the mission to fill abandoned buildings.
“I’m liaison to the zoning board, and I’ve sat in on a lot of meetings about, ‘what’re we going to do about these abandoned buildings?’ Here’s a success story,” Perry said. “If anybody has seen it, it’s the old green building on Fries Mill Road, it used to be a county building. We have a group that’s going in there.”
The group is a pain management and spine center that currently owns a small place on Route 42. According to Perry, once they pass the zoning board’s approval they will move to the building on Fries Mill Road.
“That’s a success story here,” he said. “We’re working to fill these buildings.”
In other news:
- Council approved three resolutions that will allow the township to apply for three grants. The three grants are all a part of the state Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Enabling Resolution, but will affect different areas. One is for the Washington Lake Park Cedar Lake Improvements project, one is for the Washington Park Playground Improvements Project, and the third is for the Washington Township Open Space and Recreation Plan.
- Perry announced the date and time for the senior center’s annual indoor yard sale – June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“You’re going to ask, ‘Why are you telling me this in March?’” Perry said. “It’s so you can reserve a table.”
The table fee for the yard sale is $10. To reserve a table contact Carol Albert at (856) 589-3108.
- Opening Day for Washington Township Little League is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at 9 a.m. Gattinelli boasted the upgrades the facility has made in the offseason.
“If you have not been past recently, please pass through and see all the upgrades and everything we’ve done. We’ve paved the parking lot, there’s been some fencing replaced, we’ve maintained the fields, just a betterment project all the way through. We also partnered with the county in reference to the guide rail that’s out there. I’ve spent a lot of time in those bleachers, and to me, it’s a fresh experience for everyone. I’m proud to be a part of that program.”
- Finally, Gattinelli reminded residents to be safe this spring.
“Spring is here, so I want everyone to be mindful. Safety first, for our children. We want to make everybody aware – keep an eye out for the bikes out there, the children crossing, the buses, the bus stops and whatnot. We want to keep everybody safe, happy spring!”
- The next council meeting is scheduled for April 10 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building.
