SWEDESBORO — At the Swedesboro Council meeting on Aug. 19, Woolwich Township Police Chief of Police Richard Jaramillo reported that he didn’t expect Kings Highway to be opened for the first day of school.
Back in June, the New Jersey Department of Transportation closed the southbound lane of Kings Highway between the intersection of Route 322/Swedesboro Road and Garwin Road in Woolwich Township to add a lane near the intersection of Route 322 and Swedesboro Road.
Both lanes were shut down as the project widened. Drivers traveling north or south have been detoured, and new lanes would be constructed as others were finished. This is a $5.6 million project funded by the NJDOT.
Jaramillo hoped for a smooth transition back to school for the students. “The earlier you leave for school, the better off you will be,” he recommended. He added that Bridgeport Avenue would be getting repaved on Nov. 6.
In his police report, Jaramillo noted that members of the Woolwich Township Police Department Youth Academy had gotten through their classes. Woolwich and Swedesboro students entering sixth, seventh and eighth grade were invited to attend from July 22 to 26 at no charge.
In other news, Jaramillo mentioned that Captain Sheldon Lewis had filed for retirement after 29 years of service. Lewis had been a law enforcement officer in Winslow Township, Lawnside, and Paulsboro, along with six years with Atlantic County Corrections and 19 with Woolwich.
Lewis also spent time as a Patrolman, DARE Instructor, School Resource Officer, Police Academy Instructor and Bike Patrol. Lewis also served in the Marines, reaching the rank of Sergeant.
In Public Works, Mayor Tom Fromm reported that a truck the town was going to trade in had broken down and would not be worth the price to repair. Another new truck was due about the end of September.
Fromm pointed out that Public Works had already been painting curbs and crosswalks in preparation for the return of students. Councilmember Sam Casella pointed out that Public Works would need a new manager, as current head George Wagner would be leaving at the end of the year.
In resolutions, Council authorized a catering affair permit to Earl C. Rode Jr. Inc., and they approved outdoor seating for the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant. Also, the town’s 2018 audit was certified.
“There were no real findings, it was a good audit,” Fromm explained. There were just recommendations and suggestions.
Also, the Woolwich Township Business and Economic Development Advisory Committee would be holding an affair on Sept. 13. The event was set to feature wine tastings, dance talent, face painting, and a visit with the Woolwich Fire Company fire fighters and fire truck. The event would be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Woolwich Municipal Building.
For Parks and Recreation, Councilmember Joanna Gahrs said there would be no evening Christmas parade in Woolwich Township this year, but Swedesboro would be trying to put together a Holiday Village plan.
“We’ll be trying for a big, long day of entertainment,” Gahrs elaborated. “Churches and fire companies will be invited to attend.”
“We’re not giving up our Christmas tree lighting,” she added. “It’s a nice little tradition.”
Gahrs and Councilmember Diane Hale touted the success of an August movie night in the community, which was attended by about 60 people. In other upcoming events, Hale added that there will be a Sunflower Festival in September and a Tulip Festival in the spring in Logan Township.
Woolwich Fire Company Chief Dave Valichka said that three firemen are currently training at the Academy and mentioned that Tuesday nights in October were fire prevention nights.
by Robert Holt
