WOOLWICH TWP. — At their July 16 meeting, the Woolwich Township Committee adopted a resolution authorizing Renwick & Associates to conduct an appraisal of the abandoned Nike Base property.
Director of Community Development Matt Blake recommended an appraisal of the property, and learned that Renwick & Associates have done appraisals of similar properties. The cost of the appraisal would be $6,500.
Currently, the property is owned by the township. “We are looking for two appraisals of the property, one being as is, and the other would be for cleaning it up,” explained Woolwich Township Mayor Jordan Schlump. “Once we get the two, we’ll be able to determine the best way for the township to move forward.”
Nike Missile Battery PH-58, located on Paulsboro Road near the intersection of Route 322, became operational in 1957, and was decommissioned in 1974 and has been abandoned. Committeewoman Gina Santore said that Renwick & Associates were highly regarded. “An appraisal speaks of things we don’t get on a certified market value,” Blake added.
Elsewhere, the Committee adopted an ordinance on its second reading that would establish No Parking Regulations on Wayne Drive. Kingsway students are required to pay to park at the school, so Wayne Drive has seen vehicles parked on both sides of the street on a number of occasions.
That number of parked cars makes it difficult to navigate Wayne Drive and impossible for emergency and delivery vehicles to get through the street. The Committee agreed to set parking hours at 7a.m. to 4 p.m. during the school year. Schlump advised that signs would be going up this summer.
In other resolutions, the Committee authorized hiring of temporary help in the Joint Municipal Court Office. They also approved placement of liens on certain Woolwich Township properties for lawn maintenance.
Other resolutions saw the elevation of Patrolman Matt O’Laughlin to 2nd Class Patrolman, and the elevation of Patrolman Stephen Spithaler to 1st Class Patrolman in the Woolwich Township Police Department. At the beginning of the meeting, Cpl. Christian Gregory was elevated to the position of Sergeant.
Schlump administered the Oath of Office. Gregory thanked the Committee and those in attendance for supporting the Woolwich Police “as we continue to grow.” Woolwich Police Chief Richard Jaramillo praised Gregory and thanked Schlump for allowing the process to continue.
In liaisons, Committeeman Dan Battisti reported that the township had done well in the 2017 audit, and mentioned that Kingsway Regional would be seeing about a 22 percent increase in funding for the next term.
In Parks and Recreation, Committeeman Vernon Marino said that feedback had been tremendous on the recent Swedesboro/Woolwich Fun Day, and the event had made a little money.
Committeewoman Santore explained that 10,700 pounds, or 5.3 tons of items, had already been turned in to the Curb My Clutter program.
In Zoning, Schlump listed 41 zone applications and 88 permits being received by the township in June.
In his Business Advisory Development Committee report, Deputy Mayor John Carleton reported that the Business of the Month program had begun, beginning with David and Sons. The operation is owned by Chef David Weiderholt, who lives in Mullica Hill with his family. David and Sons is located at 120 Center Square Road, Suite # 201 in Woolwich.
Carleton pointed out that Christmas Parade meetings had begun, and this year’s event is scheduled for Dec. 1.
The deputy mayor also mentioned that the increase in Kingsway’s funding was a step in the right direction. Carleton gave credit to the members of the Fair Funding Action Committee for moving along the process. “But we’re not fully there yet,” he added.
Also, at the time of the meeting, the Swedesboro-Woolwich Little League Juniors Softball team won the New Jersey state championship and moved on to the East regional tournament in Connecticut. The Swedesboro/Woolwich team defeated the Lyndhurst Little League 11-5 in the championship game.
— by Robert Holt
