Cherry Hill Township is preparing to move forward with its capital improvement plan for 2015 after council passed a pair of bond ordinances on first reading at last night’s meeting.
The first bond ordinance appropriates $4.9 million for facility and municipal park upgrades. The money also funds technology improvements and vehicle upgrades.
The second appropriates $3.55 million for the township’s road maintenance program.
All projects listed in the ordinance were included in the township’s fiscal year 2015 budget approved in September.
“This is just taking the entire capital plan and putting it into bond ordinances,” township CFO Michelle Samalonis said.
A significant portion of the upgrades listed in the first ordinance revolves around upgrades for the public works and police departments. A little more than $1.8 million is being appropriated for a 14-foot dump truck, two mowers, a trailer and new trash and recycling containers at the public works facility.
The police department will receive almost $1.7 million for radio replacement, 9–1–1 emergency equipment and audio and video equipment.
Director of communication Bridget Palmer said the ordinance allows the township to borrow money if needed to complete the projects. Last year, Cherry Hill was able to complete its capital improvements without borrowing money.
The bond ordinances will be up for second reading and a public hearing on Dec. 8.
In other news:
• Council approved four separate grants to help offset various police department costs, three of which helped to pay for additional personnel costs. The police department received $41,600 as part of a DWI crackdown enforcement grant, allowing for extra DWI patrols and checkpoints.
The police department also received a $10,733 Justice Assistance Grant to help with enforcement in areas where it is most needed.
Finally, the department received a $60,000 Safe and Secure Communities grant to help pay for traffic and community resources officers.
“They deal with a lot of community outreach in the high schools,” Police Chief William Monaghan said.
• Cars will no longer be able to park northbound on Chapel Avenue near Kilmer Elementary School during school hours after council passed a new ordinance. Parking is prohibited on the street between Forge Lane and Bellows Lane between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
During the first reading of the ordinance, Monaghan said the change was made after consulting with the school district and members of the community.
“We had some safety concerns,” Monaghan said. “So there was some re-routing of the vehicles at Kilmer School. It eliminated the need to park along Chapel Avenue.”
• The time has changed for the next Cherry Hill Township council meeting. The meeting on Dec. 8 was moved up to 5:30 p.m. at town hall. The township’s holiday lighting ceremony will follow the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Carmen Tilelli Community Center.
