After the initial shock of Councilman Greg Newcomer resigning last week wore off, council continued with its business for the night under a more melancholy atmosphere.
At the meeting, there was discussion of the naming of Lenola fields, a public hearing on a grant application and an announcement of the cancellation of the Township Council Boards and Committees Dinner. All ordinances and resolutions were passed unanimously that night by a 4–0 vote.
Toward the end of each year, the township hosts the Township Council Boards and Committees Dinner. This year, it was planned for Dec. 7 at the Moorestown Community House. It was announced the dinner would be cancelled and the funds usually used for the dinner would instead go toward the MCH for its rebuilding efforts, Township Manager Scott Carew said.
The MCH was damaged by a fire on Nov. 17. The fire was mostly contained to the attic, and the house has since begun the process of reopening, but still isn’t fully operational.
The township staff was working hand in hand to help the MCH early on by hosting events the MCH was to host and told the groups that moved their events to township facilities to, instead of paying the township, make a donation to the MCH.
For its next meeting, council is inviting the firefighters, police, volunteers and citizens who helped with the fire that night so council can honor their efforts, according to Carew. The MCH board is also invited to attend.
Also during the meeting, there was the discussion of name considerations for two ball fields on Lenola Road, located near the Lenola Firehouse on the opposite side of the street. The name of former Mayor Walter T. Maahs was brought up, and Mayor Victoria Napolitano read a “poignant” email from his granddaughter on the naming. Council was unanimously in support of naming the fields after him.
Maahs was described to have had a tremendous influence on the Moorestown and Lenola community and continues to have influence that is still positive and significant today. Councilwoman Stacey Jordan said he was an inspiration for her to follow in terms of civic involvement when she moved to town, according to Carew.
After the discussion, Carew said he would report back to council on what needs to be done to officially change the names of the fields and all other details at the next council meeting.
The public hearing for the resolution authorizing the 2016 Application for Funding Under Community Development Block Grant was held last week as well. The township would like to use the grant to install ADA-compliant curb ramps in certain areas of the township known to be used by elderly residents and those with physical disabilities. It was legislation that Newcomer pushed for while on council.
“He brought this idea to my attention earlier this year. Unfortunately, he left and didn’t get to vote on it,” Carew said.
The rest of council unanimously approved the resolution. If the township is able to secure the funding, ramps would be placed at: Union Street/West Main Street; Union Street/West Third Street; Somers Avenue/Highland Avenue; Crescent Avenue/Highland Avenue; Crescent Avenue/Pembrook Avenue; Somers Avenue/Pembrook Avenue; and Highland Avenue/Shady Lane.
Three ordinances of note were approved on second reading:
• The ordinance to replace various water mains, calling for the appropriation of $1.65 million and the issuance of $1.57 million in bonds or notes
• The ordinance replacing the position of police director with a police chief
• The ordinance that would set the police chief’s salary between $110,000 and $165,000. The longevity cap is set at $8,580.
Lt. Lee Lieber was officially named the acting police chief, having full power as police chief, since the previous police director Harry Johnson passed away in April. There is a civil service process the township must go through to determine the permanent chief. The process to appoint the police chief will take place in 2016.
Other ordinances approved on second reading were for the 2016 Roads Resurfacing Program, reconstruction of Walnut Avenue and a portion of Third Street, purchase of police vehicles and equipment, purchase of various public works vehicles and equipment, installation of field lighting controls at Wesley Bishop Park and Pryor Park, and various pavement repairs.
Two ordinances were introduced and approved on first reading at the meeting as well. The first ordinance was a change to salaries and compensation for an additional position at the Recreation Department. The second ordinance will have some changes in fees under the construction code.
Further details on each ordinance can be found on the township website, www.moorestown. nj.us/AgendaCenter.
The next Moorestown Town Council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall with a 7 p.m. workshop.
