Judge In Pennrose Lawsuit Against Moorestown Residents To Retire

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The judge presiding over litigation involving Moorestown’s affordable housing obligations is retiring at the end of the month.

Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder is retiring effective July 1 after 29 years of judicial service to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington Vicinage, the Burlington County Bar Association announced.

Members of the community are invited to attend Bookbinder’s retirement party on June 26, 5:30 p.m., at The Merion, 1301 Route 130 South in Cinnaminson.

Bookbinder was nominated as a judge of the Superior Court in June 1990 by Gov. Jim Florio. Bookbinder has served in all divisions of the court.

On July 1, 2008, Bookbinder was appointed by New Jersey Chief Justice Stuart Rabner to serve as assignment judge for the Burlington Vicinage. The assignment judge is the chief executive of a court district and has overall administrative responsibility of the vicinage.

Bookbinder has presided over Pennrose’s lawsuit to have a restrictive covenant invalidated so it can begin work on an affordable housing unit off Route 38. Pennrose sued residents in the area in order to have the restrictive covenant invalidated.

The township has offered The Miles Technology Site as an alternative site to the Pennrose Site. It is now up to Bookbinder to rule on whether Pennrose can move forward with its site. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Prior to his judicial appointment, Bookbinder served as an attorney for many municipalities and agencies. Anyone interested in attending his retirement ceremony can contact the Burlington County Bar Association at 609-261-4542 for registration and further information.

See related: Moorestown Amenda Affordable Housing Plan, Approves Proposals