Moorestown Council To Appoint Engineer For Lenola Project Monday

MOORESTOWN, NJ - During Moorestown Council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 7, there was some dispute over a number of appointments, including the appointment of Bach Associates as the Township Landscape Architect/Park Design Consultant and Environmental Resolutions as the alternate.

Republicans Victoria Napolitano and Mike Locatell argued that Scott Taylor should be kept on at least for the Lenola revitalization project, which focuses on a quarter mile of the Lenola Town Center Camden Avenue corridor. Taylor helped procure a federal grant for the project.

On Monday night, Moorestown Council will discuss appointing an engineer design consultant for the project, but it is not a previously authorized professional. Council will consider a non-consent agenda resolution to appoint McCormick Taylor as the engineer design consultant for the Lenola Town Center Improvement Plan.

Council will meet at 7 p.m. at town hall, 111 West Second Street. There will be no workshop portion, and the official action meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

According to theresolution posted on the township’s website, the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) can’t be used to cover the costs of services of an engineer for the development of plans, specifications and estimates for the plan.

It further states that a township looking to receive support for eligible design services must select from a pool of six engineering design consultants selected by the state. None of Moorestown’s previously appointed professionals were designated for this pool, and their services would not be reimbursable as far as this project is concerned.

If the township chose an engineer not on the list, the taxpayers would be solely responsible for picking up the cost. Picking an engineer on the list “will allow taxpayer savings with continued quality engineering services,” according to the agenda posted on the township’s website.

Of the six engineers, the township has determined that McCormick Taylor is the most qualified, according to the resolution. It is a non-consent agenda resolution, indicating that there may be some disagreement among council members.

One other resolution is not on the consent agenda. That one deals with the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. According to the agenda, this resolution is identical to the one passed last year and “promotes healthier living through municipal best practices.”

Participation doesn’t mandate activities or otherwise regulate private behavior, but it does encourage “best practices.” This includes sharing information about healthier living and structuring recreational activities that encourage exercise.

There are seven items on the consent agenda, including amending a lease agreement with Big NJ Portfolio over the property on North Church Street that houses the police department.

It abates base rent for the property for January 2019 due to a delay on the closing of the purchase of the property by the township. Closing had been expected in December, but not will take place in February.

The meeting will begin with a closed session so council can discuss a potential property purchase and litigation related to affordable housing.

The potential purchase of a property currently classified as affordable housing is up for introduction. If the township doesn’t buy the property, it would become market rate housing and trigger the need for the township to find an alternative spot for affordable housing to maintain its affordable housing obligation.

The township is able to buy the property at an artificially low rate and re-sell it as an affordable housing unit. The maximum restricted price on this unit, which is located at 468 North Church Street, is $124,348.

There is one other proposed ordinance up for introduction. It proposes implementing a previous council decision to rename “Little Woods” on Creek Road as “Barbara Rich’s Little Woods.”

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