Woolwich adopts park facility fee ordinance and adds DPW grooming option for tournaments

The Woolwich Township Committee on Sept. 2 adopted Ordinance 2025-15, updating fees, forms and procedures for use of township-owned park facilities and approved a related resolution that adds a Department of Public Works (DPW) machine grooming fee for tournaments.

Mayor Matthias read the ordinance by title and the measure passed on a unanimous roll call vote (Frederick, Minhas, Williams, Nocentino, Matthias — all YES). The ordinance establishes formal fee schedules and procedures intended to standardize booking and use of township park fields.

During consideration, Committeewoman Williams raised concerns about organizations operating their own grooming equipment because of safety and liability risks. The committee noted that the township's Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) previously prohibited non-municipal employees from operating such machinery on township fields; the minutes record that the committee agreed the related resolution would clarify the policy.

The committee also considered Resolution R-2025-248, which amends the tournament application to add the updated DPW grooming fee. Williams moved — and Committeeman Frederick seconded — an amendment requiring that if an organization does not elect DPW grooming, all grooming at township fields must be done manually without machines; the amendment and the resolution as amended were adopted unanimously.

The ordinance and amended resolution take effect as provided by township procedure. The minutes note that the clerk will file the adopted documents and that the township will clarify grooming and insurance authority in the accompanying resolution language.