| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
June 2nd: A "trespasser" who was walking on the tracks of the New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line was struck and killed today around noon. The incident occurred about a quarter-mile north of Route 30. No further information was available but the incident is being investigated by the Winslow Police and the transit police. May 25th: By a vote of 7-2, the Winslow Township Committee voted to approve its 2010 municipal budget of 29.8 million dollars. The budget includes the layoff of twelve police officers as well as eight furlough days by the township's civilian employees--including administrators--by December 31. Even with the cost cutting measures, township taxes will still go up by 6.5 cents per hundred or about $70 per home. Voting against the budget were Mayor Sue Metzner (D) and Committeewoman Karen Gibison (R).
Norman F. Tomasello Steps Down From
New Lisbon, NJ - Norman F. Tomasello, who served as the Acting Chairman of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and was a 14-year veteran of the Pinelands panel, has resigned from his post. A resident of Winslow Township, Tomasello has served as Camden county's representative on the Commission since July 12, 1996, was chosen the Commission's vice Chairman in 2006 and became the Acting Chairman in October 2008. He tendered his resignation on May 1. "It is with deep regret that I must submit my resignation as a member of the New Jersey Pineland Commission after serving nearly 15 years as both a Commissioner and Acting Chairman," Tomasello said. "I appreciate the faith that the Camden County board of Freeholders has placed in my decision making, and would like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to serve both them and the residents of Camden County." "I would also like to thank all of the Pinelands Commissioners that I have had the privilege to work with over these many years," Tomasello added. "I extend my sincere appreciation to all of the Pinelands Commission staff for all of their service and friendships over the years." Tomasello will be missed by the Pinelands Commission staff and Commission members. "Norm is a genuine friend of the Pinelands who years of dedicated service has greatly strengthened the Pinelands Protection Program," said John C. Stokes, Executive Director of the Commission. "His service, insight and affable personality will be greatly missed." Candace Ashmun, who has served on the Commission as a gubernatorial appointee since its creation in 1979, praised Tomasello as an effective Commissioner and gentleman. "He know his constituency, and he represented them very well," said Ashmun, who will now serve as the Commissioner's Acting Chairperson. "Mostly, I appreciated him as a person. He was always a gentleman, always fun to be with and did his job well." Paul E. Galletta, who has served as Atlantic County's representative on the Commission since 2007, said Tomasello will be remembered as "one of the most giving, caring and committed members the Commission has ever had." "His personality, full of charm, wit, compassion and statesmanship, can't be replaced," Galletta said. "I think I will miss Norman Tomasello the most from the Commission because of the rides we took together to and from the Commission's offices in New Lisbon. I promise to keep his lively quotes fresh in the minds of the Commissioners in the meetings ahead." Tomasello retired after 50 years of operating a 110-acre fruit and vegetable farm in Winslow Township. He served as Mayor and Committeeman in Winslow for 15 years. There, he also served as Public Safety Director and on the township planning board. He is Chairman of the Camden County Agricultural Development Board, and is a member of the County Mosquito Control Commission. Tomasello also served as president of the Camden County Board of Agriculture for 10 years and as Chairman of the Gloucester and Camden County Farmers Home Administration. He is a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, on which he served as a past Director. He also is a founding member of the Elm Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. During his tenure on the Pinelands Commission, Tomasello served on the Policy and Implementation Committee, Personnel and Budget Committee and Audit Committee. He was an alternate member of the Commission's Public and Governmental Programs Committee and Permanent Land Protection Committee. The Pinelands Commission consists of 15 members. Seven are appointed by the Governor of New Jersey. One member is appointed by each of the Seven Pinelands counties, and one is appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Members of the Commission serve staggered, three-year terms and are uncompensated for their service.
Winslow Township Plans For the past two years, the employees of Winslow Township have been luck--unlike the employees of the Winslow Township School District. Luck has just run out, however. If the proposed budget is approved, twenty three employees--including twelve police officers--will be eliminated. According to township officials, employees could get pink slips in the coming days as the result of the state aid cut of $1.6 million by Governor Chris Christie. The layoffs would save the taxpayers $846,260 but the budget deficit is nearly $4.5 million. In order to raise the additional $3,653,740 the proposed budget includes an increase of 6.5 cents in the tax rate. With the current rate at 0.782 cents per hundred, the new rate would be 0.847. This would result in a tax increase of $81. A house assessed at $125,000 would now pay $1,058.75. The budget hearing is set for May 25th at the municipal building. If approved, the layoffs will begin on June 14th.
School No. 1
Voters Reject School Budget; In the unofficial vote totals that do not include absentee ballots, it appears that the 2010-2011 budget for the Winslow Township School system has been defeated by township voters. According to the numbers submitted to the township clerk's office, the budget was defeated by 142 votes -- 1518 No and 1376 Yes. This is a sad day for the children who attend Winslow School No. 1 as school officials indicated that if the budget failed, the school would be closed at the end of the year and students will be shifted to other district schools. The defeated budget already included the elimination of 40 teaching positions, three central office administrators, three principal/assistant principals, three school nurses, two guidance counselors, and fifty-five custodians. In the race for three members of the board of education for three year terms, Julie Peterson, Aleta Sturdivant, and John Tomasello seemed headed for election. The vote count was as follows (with no absentee ballots):
In the race for the one year unexpired term, Christopher McGinnis is currently in the lead:
The defeated budget now goes to the mayor and township committee to determine what cuts, if any, will be made to the budget. (4/20/2010 @ 10:56 PM)
School Vote Calls For Winslow Township voters are being asked to approve a $42.51 million school budget that calls a four percent increase in taxes. If approved, taxes will go up by seven cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This would make the tax rate $2.67 and would add $74.37 to the tax bill. A home assessed at $106, 245 would pay $2,837 in school taxes. Even with the four percent increase, the budget will eliminate 40 teaching positions, three central office administrators, three principal/assistant principals, three school nurses, two guidance counselors, and fifty-five custodians. The custodians will again be privatized by the board as was done unsuccessfully about fifteen years ago. Voters will also select four residents to serve on the board of education.
This event is free for residents up to age 10.
Fire Budget Defeated;
There was also a special referendum on the ballot to exceed the budget cap and that was also defeated by a vote of 112 to 202. Re-elected to another term on the Board of Fire Commissioners was Michael Passarella. Passarella, who serves as vice-chairman, ran unopposed.
WTPD Apprehends Kidnapper
Squibb Wins Wing Bowl Again
Winslow Police Seek
Large The Winslow Police Department is still seeking information on a large tan cat that is possibly the size of a German Shepherd dog that is being blamed on the attack of a horse on September 28th. According to police, there have been continued sightings of a large cat in the Tansboro, Cedar Brook and Warterford sections of the township.
ACE Bridge Work The projected was deemed necessary because of the increased traffic flow in the area as the result of new retail developments in the area. The Mayor and Township Committee will be holding their annual reorganization meeting on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Municipal Complex located on Route 73 in the Braddock section of the township. In addition to the annual appointments, four members of the township committee will receive their oath of office: Ward 1 - Anthony Tomasello; Ward 2 - Barry Wright; Ward 3 - Thaddeus Mackey; and Ward 4 - John Wilson. |
|
|
Winslow
Township's annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, Marcy 20th, at
Patrolman Daniel Calabrese Memorial Park located on First Avenue and North
Central Avenue in the Cedar Brook section of the township. The event
begins at 11 am.
Winslow
Township has announced the following spring leaf collection schedule for the
spring of 2010. Leaves will be collected at the start of each week listed.
