By ROBERT LINNEHAN
Do synthetic athletic fields, parking lots, and lighting fit under the umbrella of recreation? About 1,500 residents in Moorestown seem to think it doesn’t, as three groups in town presented the township with a petition asking the governing body to sure up the definition of “recreation” in its open space trust fund.
Representatives from Save the Environment of Moorestown, Moorestown Save Open Space, and Concerned Moorestonians presented the township with a petition of nearly 1,500 signatures from township residents who are protesting the expenditure of money from the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
The township spent nearly $217,000 from the fund on engineering, design, and bidding expenses for phase one of the K.I.D.S initiative.
“We feel council has taken way too much latitude and has taken a loose interpretation of what recreation is,” said Mark Hines, co-creator of MSOS with his wife Elizabeth Endres. “What goes under open space, recreation, and conservation…synthetic athletic fields? Paved parking lots? We’re not saying this isn’t a valid need for the community, but whether or not funding from the open space fund can be spent on this.“
Throughout the process, Mayor John Button has contended that the use of the money from the fund has been a perfectly legal and acceptable use.
The Moorestown Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund was created via referendum, it contains money collected through a one-cent open space tax per $100 of assessed home value.
Betsy Schnorr, president of STEM, said her group has contended that the original intent of the fund was not to be spent on active recreation. About 1,500 residents in town agree, she said.
“As far as I’m concerned the belief of the mayor was based on an opinion by the township solicitor. That is not the opinion of many people based on the petition. I don’t believe it’s the will of the people based on my opinion,” she said. “We feel with this petition that we will tighten the language of the ordinance. This way there will be no room for doubt in the meaning of the use for the open space trust fund money.”
Mayor John Button said he has not seen the petition yet so he cannot comment. The petition first goes to the township clerk who must first verify the document. If verified, a resolution will be brought to council, he said, to be placed on the November ballot.
