By ROBERT LINNEHAN
It may be old, it may be dangerous, and it may be structurally unsound, but the farmhouse at Swede’s Run Field is one of the most historic structures in Moorestown Township and needs to be preserved, according to several members of the township council.
But lets be clear, it’s most likely not going to happen for a current price tag of $160,000, Mayor John Button declared, which is why Township Manager Tom Merchel is exploring different avenues to repair the structure.
It’s been at the Swedes Run Field since the 1800s, but the historic farmhouse is not on the state’s historic registry. It has, though, become a symbol of Moorestown Township’s past.
An engineering report completed of the structure showed that it was rapidly deteriorating. The most pressing problem of the structure, Merchel said, is the farmhouse’s roof. It’s rapidly deteriorating and either needs to be repaired or completely replaced, which would most likely be an expensive proposition, he said.
To completely bring the structure up to code, Merchel said it would cost about $160,000.
It’s a steep price tag to put into a very unstable building, Button said.
“It’s currently a liability to the town,” he said.
The township is exploring new strategies to conserve the farm, Merchel said. Several Eagle Scout troops in Moorestown have expressed interest in taking on the repairs and letting their Scouts give back to the township. The Scouts would be guided and supervised by township representatives and engineers to ensure that the project was completed to the exact specifications required by the township.
Button said several private citizens have also approached the township willing to donate money to the project to help save the farmhouse.
But right now, Button said the structure is unsteady and standing alone in a field. The township needs to take steps to make sure that nobody enters the structure or tries to take on repairs by themselves.
A fence system or something of that nature would be the best option, he said. Merchel said he would look into how much it would cost.
