The meeting opened with resident Bob Stickle addressing what he described as a “system failure” in the township’s emergency response system, highlighting a critical 34-minute delay in ambulance response for an unconscious three-year-old. Stickle called for an immediate review of the Township of Washington Volunteer Ambulance Corps’ staffing, response gaps, and reliability. He stressed that such delays represent a crisis and necessitate systemic changes rather than focusing on the individual incident. Stickle also questioned the results and actions taken from a taxpayer-funded EMS study for Pasc Valley, urging the council to address these inaction issues. Council members acknowledged the urgency of the matter, with one noting the need for enhanced accountability and transparency, particularly given the police department’s efforts during the emergency.

Attention then turned to the contentious $58,000 improvements at the Bethany property without a finalized lease. Stickle and other residents questioned the rationale behind such expenditures and the potential risks to taxpayer funds. Residents probed the township attorney for clarity on the legal implications, seeking assurance before further financial commitments. Discussion revealed significant resident apprehension over financial decisions and their long-term impact, with calls for strategic guidance from township leaders.

Environmental and safety concerns surrounding the Bethany lease further dominated discussions. Residents, including Kevin Janos, criticized the plan to store Department of Public Works (DPW) vehicles at the site due to its proximity to Moose Brook and the potential for contamination from hydraulic fluids and engine oil. Janos questioned whether environmental impact assessments had been conducted prior to site approval. A council member suggested documenting these concerns for follow-up, indicating that the town engineer had reviewed the potential impact, but residents remained skeptical about the sufficiency of these evaluations.

Chris Romeo proposed relocating the entrance to the storage site to Pascak Road to mitigate community concerns, expressing frustration about the lack of consideration for alternatives. Residents emphasized the need for transparency and community involvement in decision-making, voicing dissatisfaction with perceived closed-door sessions.

The potential impact on local traffic and safety was a recurring theme, with residents like Mary Roth expressing concerns about heavy vehicles on narrow roads, particularly near schools and pedestrian paths. Roth and others urged the council to implement an environmental response plan before taking possession of the Bethany site. A council member assured that such a plan was in place, but questions about accountability and preparedness persisted.

Mark Levy advocated for acquiring property owned by Valley National Bank. Debate ensued over the feasibility and potential costs of such an acquisition, with Levy proposing eminent domain as a solution, although council members cited financial constraints and recent municipal project experiences as limitations.

They urged for greater involvement in decision-making processes and emphasized the need for safety and environmental considerations to be prioritized alongside fiscal responsibility.