Gattinelli reviews the past six months of her administration’s first term.
At last week’s council meeting, Mayor Joann Gattinelli presented a “State of the Township” address, reviewing the new administration’s progress and goals during the first six months of her term.
Transparency, taxes and municipal budgets, quality of life, business and community programs were just some of the topics Gattinelli discussed with the public at the July 26 meeting.
For the first time in Washington Township history, Gattinelli said, the municipality established a human resource department with the goal of enhancing employee relations and customer service with residents.
Gattinelli described the balanced 2017 municipal budget as an accomplishment for her new administration in regard to township finances, having provided no tax increase for residents while also maintaining a “healthy surplus” and contracting a banking service to provide “increased reliability and reduced fees and expenses.”
According to Gattinelli, the administration continues to work toward attracting and retaining business in Washington Township.
“For a number of years, there has been a decline in Washington Township business,” Gattinelli said. “While the Internet and great recession are some of the reasons for the downturn, it is imperative for me to encourage and promote economic development and business in the township.”
A marketing strategy and information guide about Washington Township has been created within the last six months, Gattinelli said, to highlight why businesses and developers should consider relocating to Washington Township. A business directory section has also been added to the township website, www.washington.twp.nj.us, which categorizes and organizes registered businesses in Washington Township. According to Gattinelli, at the time there were 703 businesses listed, however the township is working to ensure the list is inclusive of all businesses.
Residents are also invited to take part in the new Shop Washington Township program, created at no cost to taxpayers. Community members who shop locally are eligible to earn tax credits in their annual tax bill, Gattinelli said.
Gattinelli also spoke of infrastructure investments, such as renovations to the Municipal Building, as well as the police administration building and the ongoing 2017 Road Program. The program is paid through grants, rather than taxpayer dollars, and aids in road repairs throughout the township.
According to Gattinelli, NJDOT grants have funded the concrete work, and upcoming asphalt improvements within the next few weeks, on Bethel Mill Road, as well as two phases of concrete work and asphalt improvements for Stagecoach Road, to name a few.
“I want to thank all of our residents who have supported the administration and have given us the opportunity to make positive changes for our community,” Gattinelli said. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve services, promote economic development, generate non-tax revenues and cut costs.”
In other news:
• Council voted to approve an agreement between the township and PBA Local 318 Sergeants Association effective Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2019, as the previous agreement expired in 2015.
• Council authorized public auctions for a number of retired public works and police vehicles, tractors and equipment. The online auction will be taking place on Aug. 18, as well as a public auction on Aug. 19, both conducted by auctioneer JJKane.
