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Woolwich committee amends police-assistance language, adopts tri-party traffic-signal agreement with developer
Summary
The Woolwich Township Committee unanimously amended and approved a tri-party agreement for a new traffic signal with Woolwich Residential LLC on Aug. 19, 2024, striking language in section 11 after committee concern about potential uncompensated police assistance; a developer representative urged no changes.
The Woolwich Township Committee on Aug. 19 amended and adopted a resolution authorizing an agreement among Woolwich Township, the Gloucester County Planning Board and Woolwich Residential LLC to install a tri-party traffic signal. The committee voted 5–0 to remove the words “routine or” from section 11 amid concerns about whether the clause could require free police assistance to the county.
Committee members said they wanted to ensure the municipality would not be required to provide uncompensated police resources. Committeeman Frederick raised the specific concern about section 11, saying the language could be interpreted to obligate police assistance without reimbursement. Mayor Matthias replied that costs would be charged to the developer. Deputy Mayor Nocentino questioned whether the clause governed installation only, not ongoing maintenance. Police Chief Morgan told the Committee that emergency responses for traffic signals were infrequent. Solicitor Alice said the provision likely referred to routine maintenance but acknowledged the Committee could amend the resolution to remove ambiguity.
After debate, Frederick moved to strike the words “routine or” from section 11; the amendment passed on a unanimous roll call. The Committee then adopted the amended resolution, R-2024-218, by a 5–0 roll call vote.
During public comment, Steve Gallo, representing NVR, urged the Committee to adopt R-2024-218 without amendment, saying the county might not sign an amended document and that delaying the project could jeopardize schedule or approvals. The Committee proceeded with the amendment and adoption despite that warning.
The action amends the agreement text to narrow the clause in section 11; the adopted resolution directs implementation consistent with the amended language. The Committee recorded the vote and filed the resolution as part of the meeting minutes. No further procedural steps were announced at the meeting regarding county acceptance or timing of construction.
