The first ordinance was not adopted in conformance with the law.
One of Moorestown Township’s affordable housing ordinances is once again up for discussion. The ordinance rezoning 160 West Route 38 as an affordable multi-family residence district passed back in May is being altered in response to a recent court decision.
Earlier this month, Superior Court Judge Ronald Bookbinder invalidated the ordinance. Some residents brought forth a lawsuit challenging the legality of the rezoning.
“The judge invalidated the last ordinance because it was deemed to have been not adopted in strict conformance with procedures set forth in law,” said Township Manager Thomas Neff.
Neff said when an ordinance that is not consistent with the Master Plan is adopted, a resolution must be adopted at the same hearing stating the reasons. In May, council voted for the ordinance at one meeting but did not adopt the resolution until the subsequent meeting.
The ordinance brought forth at last Monday night’s meeting is “substantively identical” to the May ordinance. Neff said the resolutions are required on final adoption. He said if necessary, the Planning Board will review the ordinance again at its Dec. 6 meeting, and can, again, find it inconsistent with the Master Plan. The resolution can then be simultaneously adopted at the Dec. 17 meeting along with the ordinance.
Council is also taking a critical look at professional services and vendors. Neff said at the staff level, they are putting out Requests For Proposals and soliciting bids for everything from attorneys, engineers and planning consultants.
“It’ll be an open process based on merits,” Neff said. “We hope that as many people as possible will apply.”
Township Clerk Patricia Hunt said in the past, council has directed that any council recommendations be sent to a point council person who works with clerk and advises on the appointments. Councilwoman Lisa Petriello agreed to serve as the point person this year.
Hunt said anyone from the public who wishes to volunteer can consult the township’s website and send in a request to serve.
In other news:
- The township recently completed the state’s “Best Practices Survey.” The survey is a questionnaire submitted to every municipality. Municipalities are asked to provide examples of their best practices or agree to put certain practices in place to receive all of their state aid. Neff said the township received a good score on the survey, which is available for public consumption on the township’s website.
- Neff recognized Connie Gooding from the Department of Community Development as the first “Employee of the Month” under the Employee Recognition Program. He said Gooding was recommended by her supervisor, Anthony Zappasodi, who referred to her as “the heartbeat of the department.” Gooding has worked for the township for more than 20 years.
Mayor Stacey Jordan thanked Gooding for service in a department that can be intimidating for residents.
“We really do appreciate everything you do,” Jordan said. “The residents appreciate going in and seeing a friendly face.”
- Moorestown joined the City of Burlington, City of Bordentown and Township of Florence in opposing the application of Elcon Recycling Services. The township passed a resolution “strongly opposing” Elcon’s proposal to construct an industrial waste treatment facility in Falls Township, Pa.
“I think it’s a good move, and we’d be joining other towns that have done the same,” said Petriello of the resolution.
- The next meeting of Moorestown Township Council will take place on Monday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
