Woolwich committee introduces Community Cat Program ordinance for first reading

Mayor Matthias read Ordinance 2024-15 by title for first reading, an ordinance authorizing the implementation of a Community Cat Program (CCP) in Woolwich Township. Committeeman McGovern moved to introduce the ordinance and said the draft had been under research for seven months; he described revised sponsorship language that a local 501(c)(3) had reviewed and said the ordinance was drafted to match similar programs in other Gloucester County municipalities.

Public comment on the ordinance was raised earlier in the meeting when resident Jordan Schlump asked for the names of residents requesting the ordinance; Solicitor Alice explained that some ordinances do not require resident requests. Dawn Frenza spoke in response to Mr. Schlump during the public comment period. The minutes do not record changes to the ordinance at introduction; the ordinance was introduced by the committee on a voice/roll call that recorded unanimous consent to introduce the measure for later consideration.

The introduction puts the Community Cat Program on the township’s legislative calendar for subsequent consideration and a future public hearing or second reading, per standard ordinance procedure.