WOOLWICH TWP — At their meeting on Oct. 16, the Woolwich Township Committee passed a resolution that would authorize design and construction of sewer infrastructure along the Route 322 corridor. Back in July, the Committee approved a redevelopment plan and named South State as a redeveloper. Then they began contract talks, and executed the contract through the resolution.
Now the redeveloper is going to get necessary permits for the sewer lines, and begin survey work. “That’s about a six-month process, so they hope to begin construction of the sewer in the spring,” noted Woolwich Mayor Alan Schwager. “That would be a nine to ten month completion, so lines could conceivably be completely done by the end of 2018 or early 2019.”
“Everything Woolwich has been working on for years to bring sewer lines to the corridor is done, so now it’s a matter of execution of the work,” he added. “They’ve actually started engineering work already. The wait is over.”
“Woolwich has also received a commitment from Aqua New Jersey, our water franchise owner, that they have started the process of providing water along the corridor in conjunction with our installation of the sewer lines,” Schwager concluded. “All we have planned for is becoming a reality.”
In other reports, Committeeman Dan Battisti reported that the community had obtained Bronze status for its Sustainable Jersey standing. Sustainable Jersey offers tools, training and financial incentives to communities to support their efforts to improve their environmental standing and cut waste.
To receive bronze certification, Woolwich Township had to establish a mandatory green team,
and complete a series of energy efficient actions. “Certification is based on a point system,” Battisti explained in his Green Team report at the meeting. “We’re on track to receive silver status.”
A community reaches bronze standing by totaling 150 points, while silver certification requires 450. These certifications are voluntary, but a municipality that achieves these levels is looked at as a leader by top level New Jersey cities and organizations. “We’re going to be among the elite,” commented Schwager.
So far this year, 445 New Jersey cities are participating in the program, while 203 have received Sustainable Jersey certification.
Elsewhere, in his Parks and Recreation report, Deputy Mayor Frank Rizzi said that the community’s Oct. 14 Block Party at High Hill Park was run well, and it may return in 2018. He mentioned that the Farmer’s Market ended on Oct. 12, and was expected to return in 2018.
In his fire report, Rizzi listed 39 calls to service for the Woolwich Fire Company during September, with 70 percent of them coming from Woolwich and 30 percent from Swedesboro. For finance, Rizzi maintained that Woolwich was still on target with its 2017 budget.
Committeeman John Carleton reported that Woolwich’s 2017 Christmas Parade was scheduled for Dec. 2, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Stratton School. In Buildings and Grounds, Committeeman Jordan Schlump noted that mowing was still ongoing at open space areas. Also, Schwager listed 33 zoning permits issued in Woolwich Township for September.
In other resolutions, the Committee approved making an elevation within the Woolwich Township Police Department. They also authorized the submission of grant applications under the 2018 New Jersey Department of Transportation state aid grant program for the High Hill Road shared use path, and Back Creek Road reconstruction.
by Robert Holt
