Woolwich committee adopts consent agenda, names Thomas E. Daniels Jr. police chief and moves forward on ladder truck purchase

Woolwich Township’s governing committee adopted a consent agenda at its Dec. 29 special close-out meeting that cleared a set of year-end resolutions, including a grant application for resurfacing Russell Mill Road, authorization tied to purchase of an aerial ladder truck, and the formal appointment of Thomas E. Daniels Jr. as chief of police effective Jan. 1.

Mayor Matthias asked that the committee move the consent agenda of Resolutions R-2025-336 through R-2025-343 and clarified several items on the list. Mayor Matthias said the township was "excited" about the appointment of Thomas E. Daniels Jr. as chief, noting a swearing-in would immediately follow approval and a ceremonial swearing-in is scheduled for Jan. 20. The committee adopted the consent agenda and then approved the resolutions by roll call vote; all five members voted yes on the consent agenda items.

The resolutions include R-2025-336, a resolution to submit a grant application and execute a grant contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for resurfacing Russell Mill Road; and R-2025-337, authorizing the purchase of one E‑One Typhoon HR100 aerial ladder truck under Sourcewell contract #113021‑RVG. Committeeman Frederick emphasized the "importance of finding alternate funding for the ladder truck to avoid the full bond amount of approximately $2.8 million with interest." The minutes record that the bond or line of credit associated with the ladder truck purchase had been opened but not drawn upon, and that grants or other sources may reduce the need to use that financing.

Other items approved on the consent slate include a totally disabled veteran deduction (R-2025-338), a resolution to cancel interest due to a lost check (R-2025-339), year-end budget appropriation transfers (R-2025-340), the appointment of Deputy Chief Thomas E. Daniels Jr. as officer in charge during Chief Joseph A. Morgan III’s terminal leave period (R-2025-341), and a hold‑harmless agreement for retired Chief Joseph A. Morgan III related to release and registration of his township‑issued service firearm (R-2025-343).

The committee also approved prior meeting minutes and bills and purchase orders later in the meeting; the roll-call vote on bills recorded an abstention by Committeeman Frederick on Verizon bills. The committee adjourned at approximately 1:10 p.m. The next meeting is the reorganization meeting on Jan. 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., with the business meeting to follow.