by Robert Holt
WOOLWICH TWP. — The Woolwich Township Committee heard a presentation from Paul Miola, Executive Director of the Trico Joint Insurance Fund, at their meeting on Sept. 18. Miola discussed JIF’s Retro program.
Miola explained that the program would keep a community’s rates low for a length of time. There would be a modest rate increase in the beginning, and a town wouldn’t have to pay more if there weren’t any claims on the back end.
Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland Counties are part of JIF. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016.
Elsewhere, in resolutions, the Committee approved a shared services agreement and lease agreement with Gloucester County for Emergency Medical Services. Woolwich Mayor Alan Schwager explained that the lease agreement had gone back and forth between each party’s solicitors, but had now been settled.
Another resolution approved the purchase of police vehicles under a state contract. One more authorized the use of revised park and field use forms. “An influx of requests have come in, and we decided to put something in place,” commented Deputy Mayor Frank Rizzi.
During the public portion of the meeting, Jacob Mitchell, of Boy Scout Troop 13 in Swedesboro, spoke to Council about his Eagle Scout project. Mitchell intends to build a regulation horseshoe pit in High Hill Park. The location for the pit was uncertain at the time of the meeting, but was expected to be behind the basketball courts.
Also, Constance Cardillo requested permission from the Committee to post signs on certain locations of her horse farm on Russell Mill Road. Carrdillo said the signs would warn drivers to be on the lookout that horses may be crossing the road.
Schwager had no objection, but he wanted to know how far off the pavement Cardillo wanted the signs. Woolwich Police Captain Sheldon Lewis suggested sending an officer to the area to check on locations for the signs.
In liaison reports, in finance, Rizzi reported that as of September, Woolwich was on 70 percent of its budget, and was looking good for the end of the year. In Fire, Rizzi listed 41 calls for August, with 68 percent of them coming from Woolwich and 32 percent from Swedesboro.
Rizzi noted that the Farmer’s Market held its grand opening on Sept. 7, and would continue through Oct. 26. Rizzi also reminded the Committee that Parks and Recreation would be hosting a High Hill Park Block Party on Oct. 14.
For Environmental, Director of Community Development Matt Blake reported that the Green Team had been reformed, and would be submitting for bronze certification from Sustainable Jersey. Sustainable Jersey provides training and financial incentives to help communities improve their environmental quality.
Kingsway Regional High School liaison Committeeman John Carleton reported that the high school’s enrollment had risen to 2,726 students from 2,691 last year, and the Middle School enrollment had jumped from 920 to 963.
Carleton also mentioned that the Christmas Parade would be held on Dec.2, and he thought it would be “bigger and better than ever before.”
