Moorestown Council Makes Final Decision On Roof Replacement

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council passed a pair of bond ordinances on second reading, including one concerning roof replacement for various buildings that drew some questions about the possibility of mold, during Monday night's meeting at town hall.

Council unanimously passed a proposed bond ordinance that calls for the township to set aside $910,000 and borrow $865,500 in bonds or notes for roof replacement at the Department of Public Works building and various sewer treatment plants. The vote was 5-0.

The money would go toward a complete replacement of the roof on the public works building, as well as the replacement of the roofs on 12-13 sewer treatment plants. The roof on the public works building is about 24 years old, according to Township Manager Tom Merchel.

Councilwoman Lisa Petriello voiced concerns about the possibility of mold in the building. She said the township is already aware of internal damage in the building, and she believes the township should be more proactive in being aware of all problems as much as possible before work begins.

She cited the discovery of an “abnormally large amount of asbestos” that was found in the old library building last year. That discovery increased the overall cost of that project from $421,000 to about $600,000.

Councilman Mike Locatell pointed out that asbestos was discovered in the building’s foundation, and it would’ve been nearly impossible to detect ahead of time, and that there are contingency plans in place for the project in part because it’s “tough to design for something when you don’t know it’s there.”

Merchel said Public Works General Supervisor Doug Nims and Superintendent of Utilities Martin Pratt agree with the township’s strategy at this point.

“All we can really do with this is add money because it’s just a bond ordinance,” Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said. “We don’t want to add money to this if we don’t know if there is a mold problem.”

Resident Michael Babcock raised the issue of mold during the public hearing. He said he was surprised to find mold during a roofing project he’s working on residentially, and advised the township to be aware of the possibility ahead of time. Merchel said he would raise the issue with the professionals.

The other proposed bond ordinance calls for the appropriation of $3,675,000 and the borrowing of $3,495,000 in bonds or notes for the replacement of various water mains throughout the township. The proposal calls for the replacement of about 4,700 linear feet of 4 and 6 inch portions of pipe with 12 inch portions on North Church Street from Central Avenue to New Albany Road, and the replacement of about 2,200 feet of 6 inch pipe with 8 inch pipe on Centre Street from Lenola Road to Red Leaf Road.

Petriello asked if a chart of all water main replacement work taking place in the township was available, and Merchel said he would check with public works. That proposal also passed with a 5-0 vote.

Council also unanimously passed proposed ordinances to add an additional $440,000 to a 2013 bond ordinance for various improvements to water and sewer utility infrastructure, as well as a proposed ordinance for amendments to the stormwater management ordinance of the township. To see the proposed changes, click here.

Patch file photo