Moorestown Considering Purchase Of Building For PD, Courthouse

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council approved two measures on introduction to purchase the current building being used by the Moorestown Police Department and expand its services at its meeting on June 25.

Council approved a proposed bond ordinance on introduction to appropriate $4,300,000 and borrow $4,085,000 to purchase the property at 1245 North Church Street for municipal purposes. A separate proposal would allow the township to buy the property for use by the police department.

The police department is currently using that building, but the township was looking to move it elsewhere, Township Manager Tom Merchel said. However, the township couldn’t find a suitable replacement, so it is looking to purchase the building from Big Portfolio, LP.

The township entered into an agreement with Big Portfolio to lease the building back in 2009, and that agreement has been amended three times since then. A related consent agenda approved during the June 25 meeting calls for the extension of the lease through Sept. 30, while the township goes through the process of purchasing the building.

There are two buildings on the same lot, so a sub-division will be necessary because the township is only interested in one property, Merchel said.

Expanded municipal services would include municipal court services, which Moorestown currently holds in Cinnaminson. Other municipal services are possible, but Merchel didn’t go into detail as to what they may be.

Council also approved a proposed ordinance on introduction to amend the speed limit on Pinehurst Lane to 15 mph from Kings Highway to Crescent Avenue.

The public hearing and final vote on all three proposals are scheduled for July 9.

Patch file photo