Thursday, May 23, 2013
Governing body considering organizing all-volunteer group to keep the peace in Washington Township.
At its monthly work session meeting in May, the members of the Washington Township Committee discussed the possibility of a mediation committee. But what does that mean, exactly? Often times the police, mayor or other township officials will receive a call regarding neighborly disputes. Sometimes it’s about commercial vehicles in driveways; other times it’s about the height of a privacy fence. But no one is looking to press charges are take legal action, and that’s why Mayor Ken Short asked his fellow committeemen if a mediation committee would be helpful to the town. “It might be worth having five people be available to volunteer and mediate these disputes,” Short said. “This way we can keep folks from having to go to court or take action…
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Communications company says FiOS not coming to area for at least four years.
If you see Verizon personnel roaming the roads and replacing utility poles in the next 90 days, don’t be concerned: they’re cleaning up a months-old mess. Verizon Area Manager Mark Bocchieri met with the Washington Township Committee recently to introduce himself as the new representative, but to also discuss some issues the company hadn’t addressed. The township has counted 21 Verizon-owned utility poles in the township that were either cut, broken, or dangerously situated since Super Storm Sandy devastated the area. “Admittedly so, there may have been some areas not taken care of during the power restoration phase after Sandy,” Bocchieri told the governing body. But now, more than six months later, the phone company is ready to fix the …
Monday, May 20, 2013
Washington Township Committee helps Community Events Organization with financial aid for annual event.
Washington Township’s annual Fireworks Festival received a much needed punch in the financial arm recently, as the governing body approved a donation to help the event reach its spending goal. In April, members of the Washington Township Community Events Organization (WTCEO) came to the Washington Township Committee asking for financial aid, citing a budget shortfall that could hinder the town’s single largest annual event. No set figure was requested, rather a request for consideration from the township. At its May work session meeting, the five committeemen discussed how much from its special projects fund it could expend for the event. That fund allows the committee up to $12,000 to use for non-budgeted items throughout the year. The …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Community Events Organization asks township committee for some municipal help for the 2013 Fall Festival, set for September.
The annual Washington Township Fall Festival and fireworks show was a fun time for all who attended in 2012. After a one-year forced hiatus due to Hurricane Irene in 2011, the event was welcomed with open arms. Unfortunately, it drained the Washington Township Community Events Organization’s bank account, leaving them to make tough decisions going forward on entertainment. And that’s why the group has asked the township committee for some financial aid. Set for September 21, 2013, this year’s fall festival is expected to be the biggest event of the calendar year in which the township is celebrating its 275th anniversary. With such a monumental milestone, the organization is looking to go big. But a $13,000 loss from the 2012 event has …
Monday, April 8, 2013
Commissioned report says three fire companies may need to make major changes in the coming years.
Part-time paid members of the Washington Township Fire Department, along with a new structure and location for the Long Valley Fire Company building could be very possible in the coming years. That’s the charge made by fire Chief William Kramer of Kramer & Associates, a consultant who spent two and-a-half months analyzing the town’s three fire companies. Kramer spent a night meeting with all five members of the township committee, as well as nearly three dozen members of the township fire department to explain his findings and the reasons behind his recommendations. The $17,000 study was commissioned by the township late in 2012 and was completed at the beginning of February. Spanning more than 100 pages, details include everything from …
Two major meetings in Washington Township this week on Monday and Wednesday.
There are two municipal meetings of note this week, both of which will be touching on issues that could change the face of Washington Township. On Monday at 7:30 p.m., the Washington Township Planning Board will meet at the municipal building with two major agenda items on the docket. The first is a courtesy review of rooftop solar panels at the Benedict A. Cucinella School on Naughright Road. The district is currently in discussion with the township to reach a deal on a land swap that would allow for a solar farm behind the Long Valley Middle School as well. Also on the agenda is a concept plan presentation by executives from Quick Chek, who are proposing a convenience store be built at the intersection of Rt. 46 and Hearthstone Road in …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Don Babb running for a three-year Washington Township Committee seat in the June Primary.
Don Babb says there’s only so much complaining one can do from a coffee shop without taking action. And that’s why he’s running for township committee in the June Primary Election. Babb, 75, has never held public office. The 43-year Washington Township resident is a former Department of Public Works employee who taught in the Parsippany School District before that. “I’ve been thinking about [running for office] for a long time,” Babb said. “I’ve got no agenda and no axe to grind. I just want good management in town.” Committeeman David Kennedy announced Monday–the deadline day to file a petition for the June Primary–he would not seek a second three-year term. Commiteeman James LiaBraaten, still serving his first three-year term, did file …
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Township Committee to discuss results of commissioned analysis April 3.
Editor's note: This story originally ran March 28 and inaccurately stated the meeting would be held at the Washington Township Municipal Building. The Washington Township Committee will hold a special meeting Wednesday, April 3 to discuss the impact of an independent study done to analyze the municipality’s fire department. A meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. The agenda states a “fire study” is up for discussion, but makes no mention of action being taken or an executive session being called for. "We plan on going through recommendations (from the study) and talking with the fire companies," said Washington Township Committeeman and fire department commissioner Tracy Tobin. Members of the fire department will be…
Monday, April 1, 2013
Two Washington Township Committee seats up for grabs in 2013.
Of the two Washington Township Committeemen up for re-election in 2013, just one will be seeking another three-year term. James LiaBraaten told Patch last week he filed his petition to run for a second term. The deadline to do so is 4 p.m. on Monday, April 1. David Kennedy, on the other hand, has decided not to run for a second term. Kennedy, the top vote getter in November 2010, said his occupational commitments are preventing him from “having the time to properly invest with all the responsibilities of being a Committeeman,” he said. “I do not believe I can complete another term without having the proper time and effort needed to represent the residents properly.” A seat on the township’s governing body was Kennedy’s first foray into …
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Average homeowner to see $35 hike in next year's taxes.
Washington Township’s 2013 municipal budget is set for introduction by the township committee at its regular meeting March 18, and has a tax levy increase–the portion paid by property taxes–of 1.94-percent. The total spending plan comes to $15,787,000, and includes a handful of new equipment for the police department and department of public works, according to Mayor Ken Short. At the onset of the budget preparation season, the committee approved two new police vehicles, when a total of five were requested by the department. The governing body approved a third Chevy Caprice at its February meeting, and at its final budget meeting, gave the go-ahead for an additional two sport utility vehicles, Short said. The Department of Public Works was…
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mommy1
11:39 am on Friday, May 24, 2013
maybe we can test it out by having a mediator working on the patch comments? more ›