Five Things to Know About Tuesday's Council Meeting

Galloway Township Council had a full agenda for its public meeting on Tuesday (Aug. 13), but here are five things that might be of special interest:

• Towing Ordinance: In a 4-2 vote, Council gave final approval to an ordinance that reduces the required amount of insurance coverage from $2 million to $1 million for companies that are on a list to tow cars for the township after accidents or impoundments. Councilman Tony Coppola and Councilman Brian Tyrell cast the dissenting votes, and Mayor Don Purdy, owner of DP Towing, recused himself from the discussion and vote. "In this litigious society, you need to insulate yourself and insulate us," Coppola said of the towing companies and the township.
• Taste of Galloway Donations: Galloway Township Business Association President Mary Crawford made donations to the township's five fire companies and to the Hope Chest Food Pantry. The contributions were from the proceeds of the successful Taste of Galloway event on July 11.
• Municipal Website: Councilwoman Whitney Ullman reported that the redesigned municipal website is ready to launch on Monday, Aug. 19. "It looks really good, and it should be easy to navigate," she said.
• Background Checks: Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that makes minor amendments to procedures for background checks for coaches and anybody who supervises children on public fields or property. A second reading and pubic hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.
• Township Insurance: Council heard a presentation from the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, which insures the township against lawsuits and other liabilities. Galloway will pay a base premium of $706,000 this year. Galloway's premium has increased by about 50 percent over seven years, while other towns in the JIF have seen average 25 percent increases. That's a function of the JIF paying out more in claims against Galloway than the township pays in contributions, according to JIF Executive Director Paul Miola.