WOOLWICH TWP. — At their meeting on Jan. 21, the Woolwich Township Committee honored two local people, Ryan Duffy and former mayor Alan Schwager, with proclamations for outstanding achievements.
Ryan Duffy was recognized for winning the Boys 9-10 Division of the 2019 National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in December at Yahara Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin at a time of 10:36.8.
Ryan won the NJ State Championship race to qualify for this event, according to Woolwich Township Mayor Vernon Marino. Marino said Ryan beat over 300 qualifying athletes around the country in winning the National Championship.
Ryan worked extremely hard all year to achieve his goal. Upon receiving notice of Ryan’s win in an email, Marino felt it was important for the local residents to know. “Ryan could often be seen training at High Hill Pike and Tranquility Trail,” Marino read from the proclamation.
Ryan beat top runners in the country to win the National Championship,” Marino explained. “Thousands of other runners competed in their states/regions for the chance to qualify.”
Marino issued another proclamation to Alan Schwager for 21 years of service to Woolwich Township. Schwager has been the township’s Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and joined the Joint Land Use Board in 2003 before becoming JLUB Chairman.
Schwager had previously lived in Westhampton. After his family moved to Woolwich, his wife told me to get involved. “I’ve enjoyed it,” he commented.
“The municipality is better than it was when he began his tenure,” commented Marino.
Also during the meeting, the Committee saw a presentation from Remington and Vernick regarding the Locke Avenue Park expansion concept. Engineer Travis Greiman said fields can be moved back to accommodate parking.
“Our project has four times as much parking as the original concept,” Greiman added. Committeeman Craig Frederick noted, “An expansion lot can be used for overflow parking.”
Marino has recently announced that Woolwich Township would be receiving $260,000 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2020 Municipal Aid Program towards their High Hill Road Recreational Bike Path Project. Phase 2 of the project will connect the public parking area and trailhead at Tranquility Trails to High Hill Park.
This marks the third such grant that Woolwich Township has been awarded by NJDOT for their ongoing projects. Greiman said his goal was to have further progress by spring. Marino moved for the engineer’s plan to go forward.
Elsewhere in resolutions, Woolwich has entered into agreements with the Swedesboro-Woolwich School District and the Borough of Swedesboro for the purchasing of gasoline. Also, Woolwich has authorized a shared service agreement with Logan Township for collection and disposal of solid waste and recycling and providing costs. Marino has indicated in previous emails that the Logan Township agreements will save Woolwich taxpayers about $60,000 per year.
The Committee also approved the renewal of a shared service agreement with Swedesboro for Police service, in a five-year deal.
by Robert Holt
