Police Equipment, Awards, Salaries On Tap For Moorestown Council

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council will hold public hearings and final votes on a pair of proposed ordinances and discuss three non-consent agenda resolutions Monday night.

Council will meet on Monday night, Sept. 23, at town hall, 111 West Second Street. The regularly scheduled workshop session is being replaced by a closed session discussion of affordable housing related to attorney-client privilege, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The regular action meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Two proposed ordinances are up for a final vote.

The first would amend the salaries for Moorestown Police Patrol Officers, Detectives, Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants. This would reflect a 1.75 increase in salaries that took effect on Jan. 1.

The second would establish the title and salary range for two part-time code enforcement officers as established in this year's budget. These code enforcement officers will not receive benefits.

Council will consider a non-consent agenda resolution that would allow the police department to acquire excess Department of Defense (DoD) equipment through the federal 1033 program, which makes equipment available to municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies.

In 2017, the Moorestown Police Department acquired an armored humvee vehicle through the program for use in emergency situations, including flooding and snow emergencies, as well as dangerous situations in which they would have to rescue officers and citizens.

Read more here: Moorestown Police Consider Acquisition Of Military Humvee Through Federal Program

The equipment the police department is looking to obtain this time is more mundane. It includes office supplies, office furniture, computers, electronic equipment, generators, field packs, non-military vehicles, clothing, traffic signal systems, exercise equipment, moving equipment, storage devices and containers, tools, medical and first aid equipment and supplies, personal protection equipment and supplies, construction materials, lighting supplies, beds and sleeping mats, wet and cold weather equipment and supplies, respirators, binoculars and any other supplies or equipment of a non-military nature if they become available at any time in 2020, according to the resolution posted online.

Council will also consider a resolution to enter into an agreement with Cameron General Contractors, an intervenor looking to build 130 market rate, age-restricted (senior) rental units on 8.29 acres of property on Centerton Road. This would include 81 age-restricted affordable units. Under the agreement, Cameron would provide utility improvements and make a $2 million payment to the township to facilitate affordable housing.

Once a developer is selected, the township will work with the developer to establish a design and seek federal tax credits to minimize financial impacts to the township. An agreement is a required condition of an upcoming Compliance Hearing.

The final non-consent agenda resolution would authorize an application for $250,000 in grant money from the Burlington County Municipal Park Development Program for the reconstruction of two softball fields at Wesley Bishop Park. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $610,300. Read more here: MYSA Packs Council Room, Makes Plea For New Fields

The action meeting will begin with swearings-in and awards ceremonies for the police department. Ptl. Andrew Weist will be promoted to sergeant, and Ptl. Christopher Menges will be promoted to corporal. SLEO II Alex Humes and Sheriff’s Officer Luke Stewart will be sworn in as patrolmen.

Menges and Ptl. Jason Witkowski are set to receive awards of life saving. Corporal William Mann, K9 Officer Kevin Sloan and Ptl. Frank Gregorio are all set to receive awards for gallantry on duty.

There are also nine items on the consent agenda. To view the full agenda, visit the agenda center on the township's website.