MICKLETON — The East Greenwich Township Committee passed conditional approval of a resolution to institute a short-term shared services agreement with the Woolwich Joint Municipal Court during their Feb. 25 meeting.
The resolution, developed during an executive session closed to the public and passed unanimously, will lend administrative support to the joint court system serving the Township of Woolwich, the Borough of Swedesboro, and the Township of South Harrison
in the wake of recent staff departures.
The resolution will allow staff members from the East Greenwich Municipal Court to hold court in Woolwich on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. In addition, they will be assisting with the administrative workload associated with the Woolwich court system, which hears disorderly offenses, petty disorderly offenses, local ordinances, and traffic offenses.
All administrative duties executed as part of the shared services agreement will be conducted on-site in East Greenwich to prevent the disruption of home-court services.
Planned to run until May 30, the shared services agreement is expected to cost Woolwich Township approximately $4,500 per month to cover the cost of the additional work being conducted by East Greenwich court staff. Funding for the agreement will be provided through the Woolwich court salary line-item breakage to avoid any financial impact on residents.
At the conclusion of the agreement in May, Woolwich Township will have the option to fill the currently vacant court administrator and deputy court administrator positions of the municipal court, extend the existing shared service agreement with East Greenwich, or pursue a new shared service agreement with another town.
“Shared services are a positive,” said East Greenwich Township Mayor James R. Philbin Jr. “We understand things happen with personnel, and you just have to address them as they come along. We both recognized there is a need, so we are both in step.
“We are trying to be a good neighbor and help out how we can. If we ran into a similar issue, we would appreciate that help as well,” he added.
Approval of the resolution is considered conditional at this time, according to Philbin, pending approval from East Greenwich Township’s insurance company and the bonding of court staff. If changes in language or protocol are needed for the shared service agreement as a result of consultation with the township’s insurance company, Philbin said they will be expedited to ensure Woolwich Joint Municipal Court proceedings can continue without interruption.
According to Woolwich Township Mayor Natalie Matthias, the joint court system’s deputy court administrator recently stepped down from their position, leading to the position being advertised both internally and externally. However, before the hiring process was completed, the court administrator also resigned.
Matthias said that the shared service agreement with East Greenwich will allow for seamless court services for residents while Woolwich determines the best long-term solution for court administration needs.
“East Greenwich has a proven track record of providing excellent court services, ensuring our residents receive the best possible support,” said Matthias. “We are grateful for this shared service, as it allows Woolwich the time needed to determine our next steps while ensuring our courts operate without interruption and continue to provide high-quality services to our residents.”
By Caitlin Ware
