Harry Delgado’s presentation was a major highlight, recognizing the Washington Township Police Department for achieving their accreditation status. Delgado emphasized that out of nearly 600 eligible agencies in New Jersey, only about 54% have attained this status. Current Chief John Calamari and retired Chief Richard Skinner reflected on the collaborative effort required to reach this milestone. Skinner recalled the vision set five years ago, highlighting the support from various stakeholders. Calamari noted that the accreditation process involved scrutinizing all departmental functions.

Following the presentation, the council moved on to discuss the payment of bills. A specific resolution, number 24317, authorized payments for a specified period. Councilman Michael Ullman raised concerns about the volume of questions he had regarding the bill list, which he felt were more suited for the budget process rather than individual council meetings. Ullman cited several specific items, such as a charge for oil for police vehicles, questioning the necessity of such purchases and expressing concern about the timing of his inquiries.

Ullman emphasized that his questions were not trivial but focused on larger budgetary implications, expressing frustration about the need for clarity regarding significant expenditures. He referenced the new Department of Public Works (DPW) building, questioning whether it should include a vehicle maintenance pit, arguing that this was a relevant discussion point in the context of future expenses. He also brought up concerns regarding recycling fees and whether they were part of regular municipal operations, prompting inquiries about why certain fees were incurred and whether they could be anticipated regularly in the budget.

One council member suggested that questions about specific line items might be more addressed offline with the administrator, as addressing them during the meeting could consume valuable time.

Financial matters continued to dominate the meeting, with a revelation that $7,185 of unused American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the previous year’s budget were being redirected for general acquisitions of equipment. This included funding for various municipal needs, such as purchasing equipment for the fire department. It was noted that the guidelines for using ARPA funds had expanded, allowing for more flexibility in spending. The council needed to ensure that the funds were utilized by the end of the fiscal year, with the potential for unused funds in 2023 to be redirected.

The council also discussed costs associated with curbside recycling pickup and maintenance expenses for essential equipment in municipal buildings. The costs for curbside recycling were noted to be $133,000 per month under contract, with a focus on ensuring the community was receiving proper service for waste management. Maintenance of significant equipment like the compressor unit at the employee services building, which required regular inspections, was also highlighted.

Further debate ensued regarding the expenses related to the League of Municipalities conference, which included additional nights of stay for council members to facilitate networking opportunities. One member raised the question of possibly requiring reimbursement from attendees for the extra night, emphasizing the importance of cost management in budgeting for such events.

In addition to financial discussions, the council addressed important public service announcements. These included the replacement of existing electrical and gas meters with new smart meters, urging residents to respond to any correspondence regarding meter replacements to avoid service interruptions. Important election dates were also shared, highlighting residents’ responsibilities in the voting process. The modernization of the town hall elevator was noted, with expectations set for its completion in early November, providing assistance for residents who may have difficulty using stairs during the renovation.

The council also deliberated over sidewalk compliance and the responsibilities of property owners versus the township, particularly in the context of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. There was a consensus that the township should take responsibility for ADA compliance at intersections but raised concerns about the fairness of placing the burden on homeowners for repairs to the sidewalk sections in between. The need for a clearer ordinance was brought to the forefront, with one member expressing a desire for better-defined guidelines.

Discussions about the potential use of Safe Street Community grants to support sidewalk repairs or offset costs for installing ramps were also brought up. Another council member suggested gathering information from surrounding towns to understand how they manage similar issues.