Twp. Gets $10K, Will Expand Easement Monitoring

Washington Township recently received a $10,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey and will use the funds to help , according to Mayor Ken Short.

The Washington Township Committee passed resolution R135-11 at its most recent regular meeting, which placed the funds in the budget. A check for $5,000 has been received by the township, and the remaining monies will come at League of Municipalities meeting on Nov. 14 in Atlantic City. Vice Mayor Jim Harmon will be on hand to formally accept the grant.

“This grant will allow Washington Township to aggressively monitor our more than 500 conservation easements with the help of the Environmental Commission, zoning officer and engineer,” Short said.

A conservation easement restricts real estate development and certain other activities agreed upon by the landowner and township.

The grant will help the township expand its monitoring program and provide a better quality of life for its residents, Short said.

“We have always been very conscious of our natural resources and beauty,” Short said. “The Township has been a leader in pro-active measures to protect our environment.  The Township Committee, Planning Board, and Environmental Commission spend numerous hours developing environmental ordinances and taking proactive measures for enforcement.”