Washington Township, New Jersey

WASHINGTON TOWNSHI P , NEW JERSEY On the green front, Vicky Binetti, a sustainability champion and community volunteer, reports, “Over the last two years, we have created a cross- community green team because we knew it was important to focus on environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The group is a broad pull from our community with all the sectors represented. Washington Township has grown from an agricultural area to a mix of rural and urban. We have a very strong family-oriented, residential component, but we also identify with our rural, historic beginnings. So, we have a lot of regard for open space and our wonderful parks, our trees, our drinking water, and recreational facilities. We’re also raising appreciation of the arts in town.” “Our portfolio emphasizes that we can only be a sustainable community if our business core is sustainable, as well,” says Binetti. The Township’s sustainability effort promotes potential collaborative programs that benefit by drawing on the skills, resources and strengths of its varied constituencies. For example, “The hospital has been a wonderful partner in our bikeshare program – marrying environmental with health. And we’re sharpening our emergency management and resiliency programs so that we’re sure our communications are reaching the entire community to safeguard them – even during temperature extremes.” Keeping the community safe is the reason behind establishment of the “Washington Township Saves Lives” program; a partnership of local restaurants and bars with Uber to ensure residents can enjoy themselves, but get home safely. The program has been in operation over a year and has been very successful. Sean Longfellow, Vice President of the Township Council, also touts the Police Department’s “community caretaking” programs, initiated under Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik and through which law enforcement personnel enhance their relationship with the public. Among others, these include “Coffee with a Cop,” an opportunity for casual conversation over coffee and dessert; “Cops and Bobbers,” a summer series with officers grilling hot dogs and burgers and pictured below Sustainability Champion/Community Volunteer, Vicky Binetti