Washington Township Council unanimously adopts six ordinances, approves consent resolutions and redevelopment agreement

Council President Peter Del Borrello called the Washington Township Council to order at 6:00 p.m. on May 20, 2026, at council chambers in Sewell and led the Pledge of Allegiance before the body moved through routine business.

The council unanimously approved the May 20 bill list after a motion from Councilmember Brown and a second from Councilmember Yerkes. Members also unanimously approved the minutes of the May 6, 2026 regular meeting following a motion from Councilmember Pasqualone and a second from Councilmember Brown.

The council opened and closed public hearings on six ordinances and adopted them by unanimous roll-call votes. The ordinances adopted were: • Ordinance 0016-2026: Amending Chapter 108 of the township code ("Graffiti"). • Ordinance 0017-2026: Amending Chapter 80 ("Fees"). • Ordinance 0018-2026: Amending Chapter 185 ("Rental Property and Landlord Registration"). • Ordinance 0019-2026: Amending Chapter 285-15 ("Building and Zoning Permits"). • Ordinance 0020-2026: Amending Chapter 179 ("Property Maintenance and Housing Standards"). • Ordinance 0021-2026: Adopting an amended redevelopment plan for the Washington Square Redevelopment Area under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.).

For each ordinance the council opened the public hearing, recorded there were no public comments, and then adopted the measure after the required motions. Motions to adopt were typically moved by Councilmember Brown and seconded by Councilmember Yerkes; roll-call votes recorded Councilmembers Harris, Pasqualone, Yerkes, Brown and Council President Del Borrello voting in favor.

The clerk read a consent agenda of resolutions, which the council approved in a single vote. Among the items were acceptance of several state grant awards and appropriations: R129-2026 (New Jersey Historical Commission grant, $2,500), R130-2026 (2026 Clean Communities Grant, $113,594.75), R131-2026 (Opioid Settlement Grant, $7,926.07) and R132-2026 (2026 Aggressive Driving Campaign grant, $3,360). The consent agenda also included R133-2026, appointing Kevin Convery as the township's code enforcement officer; R135-2026, authorization to solicit bids for property maintenance services for 2026; R136-2026, approval of a large-gathering application for the Dolce Vita Gelato car show on May 24, 2026; and R137-2026, confirming a final agreement appointing Nexus Watson Drive, LLC as redeveloper and approving a redevelopment agreement for the Washington Square project. Councilmember Harris moved approval of the consent agenda; Councilmember Yerkes seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

During the reports section Councilmember Harris provided updates on upcoming events at Washington Lake Park. Councilmember Pasqualone announced community events including the Fourth of July parade (with past mayors as grand marshals), a returning wine festival and National Night Out in August. Other officials noted they had no reports.

In public participation, Robert Davis of Saddle Brook Drive noted that "Mr. Muscle is open on Clements Bridge Road" and asked whether the township planned a Christmas event and tree lighting. No further comments were recorded.

The council voted to enter executive session under R138-2026 to discuss pending litigation in Cartier v. Washington Township; the session began at 6:39 p.m. and the council returned to open session at 7:44 p.m. No formal action arising from the executive session was announced when the meeting reconvened. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.; the next scheduled council meeting is June 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.