EAST GREENWICH TWP. – The East Greenwich Township Committee approved several purchases of police equipment during their bi-monthly meeting on July 14, that were all included within the township budget for 2022.
These purchases included taser equipment and accessories, two Stalker Radar units, two Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, upgrades for a township owned Chevy Tahoe vehicle, and three Springfield Saint rifles.
“We’re very thankful again for our 2022 budget that came with a zero percent [municipal tax] increase for the seventh year in a row,” Mayor Dale Archer said, “but still be able to provide the top-notch top technical equipment to our police department.”
Currently, the East Greenwich Police Force is helmed by Chief Matthew Brenner, who has served in this position for two years. Brenner has served the community of East Greenwich Township as a member of the force for 16 years overall.
“For those that are concerned with the state of affairs out there and with some of the recent news and things going on in the country, especially in Texas, it is important to be able to equip every officer out there,” Brenner said.
Further along in the night, the committee approved several alcohol beverage licenses for East Greenwich businesses. These included a renewal license for Ronald E. Zeck, a renewal for Mt Royal Management, and a BYOB permit for DIY space, Pinspiration.
“They [Pinspiration] do a great job over there at the Berkely Road Shopping Center,” Archer said. “A phenomenal job for kids. They just hosted our last ‘Coffee with Cops.’ Phenomenal job.”
The East Greenwich Township Committee also made adjustments to their 2022 budget. One amendment to adjust the budget was due to the township receiving their Clean Communities grant from the New Jersey Clean Communities program. The grant amount totaled $25,472, an increase of over $3,000 from 2021.
The other budget adjustment made was due to the township receiving their Click it or Ticket grant from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS). As with the Clean Communities grant, the HTS grant exceeded the expectations of the council and therefore an amendment must be made to adjust the 2022 East Greenwich Township budget accordingly.
By Berry Andres
