Washington (Gloucester County) Town Council Celebrates Horse’s Preakness Qualification, Tackles Community Concerns

The Washington (Gloucester County) Town Council recently convened to address a variety of community topics, including a special recognition of a local horse qualifying for the Preakness Stakes, discussions on resolutions pertinent to public welfare, and responses to pressing public concerns ranging from environmental issues to public safety.

At the forefront of the meeting, the council acknowledged Uncle Heavy’s achievement of qualifying for the prestigious Preakness Stakes, with the owners expressing their gratitude for the township’s support. This celebratory moment was not just about a local horse making headlines, but it also symbolized the spirit of community and shared success.

The council introduced an ordinance to amend the Cannabis Use chapter, a critical step toward establishing a process for the collection and enforcement of transfer taxes for cannabis-related businesses within the township.

The meeting’s agenda also included a discussion on Resolution 154, which dealt with the awarding of a contract for solid waste and recycling collection. The resolution drew discussion as it impacts the daily lives of residents and involves significant municipal resources. The council recognized the efforts of individuals in managing the bid process and highlighted the achievement of securing a favorable contract, which was eventually approved following extensive deliberation.

In addition to these topics, the council covered a range of resolutions including the authorization for the foreclosure of tax sale certificates, awarding a contract for a fireworks display, and approving a grant application for road improvements.

Public participation played a role in the meeting, with residents taking the opportunity to voice their opinions and raise issues of concern. A new business owner offered his engineering expertise to the township. Another resident addressed the council about the condition of a particular road and the effectiveness of a street sweeper in the area, revealing the ongoing dialogue between the council and the community on matters of public interest.

The meeting took a contentious turn as several residents brought up concerns that prompted debate and disagreement. Issues such as the nuisance caused by white rabbits from a nearby petting zoo, proposals for public transportation enhancements, and the need for more police presence to combat speeding and trespassing were discussed. The council responded to grievances with information on processes for addressing the problems, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and communication.

A heated exchange occurred during the meeting when a resident expressed frustration about trespassing on their property and the perceived lack of action from the council. The resident’s discontent was met with the council’s explanation of the limitations on discussing ongoing legal matters. Another resident highlighted the absence of police presence in their neighborhood, particularly regarding ATV and golf cart usage, pointing to a broader concern for public safety and the enforcement of local ordinances.

The council members, though not explicitly named, took active roles in addressing the concerns and facilitating the governance process.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Laurie Burns
City Council Officials:
Peter Del Borrello, Iii, Anthony DellaPia, Richard Bennett, Donald Brown, Jr., Johnson “Jack” Yerkes, Iii

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording