The meeting opened with a discussion about the township’s handling of the snowstorm that occurred on January 25th. Public Works representatives detailed the scale of the storm, which brought 8 to 9 inches of snow and over three inches of ice, sleet, and freezing rain. The storm was described as unprecedented, posing significant challenges for the relatively inexperienced workforce tasked with snow removal. The township is responsible for clearing 700 roads and 200 courts across 21 square miles, which requires considerable resources and time. Frank Altoro from Public Works noted that the department’s resources were limited, with only 32 pieces of equipment available from contractors, restricted by Maggie’s Law to 14 hours of work.

Brian McGaffrey elaborated on the operational difficulties, citing the freezing temperatures that solidified snow and ice, complicating plowing efforts. He defended the department’s response amid social media criticism, emphasizing the department’s proactive measures and clarifying that the priority was to make roads passable rather than achieve perfect conditions. Despite their efforts, the storm’s severity and the presence of parked vehicles on streets led to complaints about insufficiently cleared roads.

The council recognized the hard work of Public Works and the challenges faced by other departments, such as police and emergency services, during the storm. Acknowledging the feedback from residents, council members expressed a willingness to learn from these events and explore improvements for future storm responses.

The meeting also addressed the contentious issue of cannabis licensing in the township. Rich Croft, a local business owner, raised concerns over the township’s pause on issuing new cannabis licenses. Croft, who has invested in a potential dispensary location, questioned the rationale behind the delay, emphasizing the potential economic benefits of a new dispensary. He pointed out that other towns were successfully operating dispensaries and argued that Washington Township was missing out on potential tax revenue. The council explained that they were evaluating the performance of existing dispensaries before issuing additional licenses, but Croft urged for a clearer timeline, stressing the financial implications of the delay.

During the public comment segment, several residents voiced concerns about snow removal operations and other municipal services. Maxine Canelos criticized the township’s snow clearance, sharing her experiences of inadequately plowed roads and suggesting the implementation of a snow emergency ordinance to facilitate better removal efforts. Other residents discussed the challenges posed by large trash bins and the potential for smaller bins to address space constraints in townhome communities.

In addition to these issues, the meeting celebrated various community events and initiatives. The council praised the success of the Super Bowl Sunday Hogy Sale, which raised funds for families facing medical challenges, and highlighted upcoming events, including a “sip and support” fundraiser and a grand opening for a wrestling-themed gym. The “Night to Shine” event, aimed at providing a prom-like experience for individuals with physical and developmental challenges, was also promoted as an opportunity for community engagement.