Moorestown Sets Sights On Strawbridge Lake Improvements

MOORESTOWN, NJ — About six months after the project was first discussed, Moorestown Council has taken the first steps toward making improvements along Strawbridge Lake.

Council unanimously approved a proposed ordinance on introduction to set aside $420,000 and borrow $399,000 in bonds or notes for various improvements along Strawbridge Lake at its Nov. 15 meeting.

Council was first asked to consider the proposal in May, but at that time, concerns arose about dredging costs. There was concern about a price range of $100,000 to $300,000 in dredging costs for the children’s pond.

During the public presentation, Princeton Hydro designer Christopher Mikolajczyk said the disparity had to do with the cost of trucking.

"You're paying for mileage, and you don't know where they will be going," Mikolajczyk said at the time.

The company that performs the project works out the best deal it can to dispose of spoils, but they could end up taking them anywhere. That cost is passed onto the township through the contract.
Councilman Mike Locatell didn’t think the township should pay more so the contractor can get the best deal, and Township Manager Thomas Neff said the township had to be careful not to get ripped off.

Mikolajczyk later said that price range was just a guess, which raised even more questions. Read more here: Moorestown Council Delays Call On Strawbridge Lake Improvements

“The project has been bid in a manner that ensured disposal costs must be covered in the competitively procured base bid, and costs beyond bid amounts cannot be passed along to the township,” according to the proposal introduced last week. “Amounts necessary for construction are less than estimated at a previous council hearing, and below engineer refined estimates that were prepared since that meeting.”

The previous proposal had called for the appropriation of $760,000 and the borrowing of $532,000 in bonds or notes. In addition to the dredging of the children’s pond, the proposal covers the rehabilitation of Haines Drive storm water features.

Council also gave final approval to a proposal setting aside $250,000 and borrowing $51,500 in bonds or notes for the construction of a pedestrian path along Haines Drive, adjacent to the lake.

Council also gave final approval to two other proposals that were not related to the lake on Nov. 15. The first sets aside $310,000 and authorizes the borrowing of $294,500 in bonds or notes for the purchase of public works vehicles and equipment.

The other sets aside $240,000 and authorizes the borrowing of $228,000 in bonds or notes for the purchase of police vehicles and equipment.