Rezoning, Water Upgrades On Tap For Moorestown Council

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council will discuss affordable housing and upgrades to the wastewater treatment system when it meets Monday night.

Moorestown Council will meet on Monday night, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. at town hall, 111 West Second Street. There will be a workshop session at 7 p.m., with the official action meeting commencing at 7:30 p.m.

There will be three sets of public hearings and final votes concerning the water treatment system in Moorestown.

One proposal will call for the appropriation of $990,000, including the borrowing of $940,500 in bonds or notes for various studies and improvements to the wastewater treatment system.

This includes conducting a vulnerability assessment and capacity study of collections system and asset management plan of overall waste water system; engineering and design services for the replacement of the headworks system at the wastewater treatment plant; repair and cleaning of the primary digesters at the treatment plant; and upgrades of the South Valley, East Oak Avenue and Allison Court pumping stations, according to the township's website.

Council will also consider additional funding for projects at the North Church Street and Hartford Road water treatment plants.

One proposal calls for the allocation of an additional $1,905,000 to be appropriated for upgrades at the North Church Street plant. The full amount would be borrowed in utility bonds or notes.

A bond ordinance was enacted to pay for the project in December 2018, based on Alaimo Engineering's estimate of construction costs. However, the low bid received on the project was approximately $3 million higher than the estimate, triggering a need to authorize additional funding.

The township said it was better to wait until the project was nearly complete so it would have a better understanding of the full costs needed. This ordinance would authorize additional funding, but by less than $3 million, because contingencies budgeted for in the ordinance will be less than anticipated.

The other proposal calls for the allocation of an additional $1,100,000 to be appropriated for upgrades at the Hartford Road plant. The full amount would be borrowed in utility bonds or notes.

A bond ordinance was enacted to pay for the project in December 2018, based on Alaimo Engineering's estimate of construction costs. However, the low bid received on the project was approximately $1.3 million higher than the estimate, triggering a need to authorize additional funding.

The township said it was better to wait until the project was nearly complete so it would have a better understanding of the full costs needed. This ordinance would authorize additional funding, but by less than $1.3 million, because contingencies budgeted for in the ordinance will be less than anticipated.

See related: $3 Million More Needed For Moorestown Water Plant Upgrades

Council will introduce a pair of rezoning ordinances related to their affordable housing obligation.

One proposal calls for the rezoning of the Diocese Site, a 17.8 acre property on Centerton Road next to the Burlington County Agricultural Center. The rezoning would allow for the construction of 83 townhouses, including 17 of which would be set aside for affordable housing. Read more here: Council Introduces Senior Housing Proposal; Diocese Proposes Site

The other calls for the rezoning of 307 Harper Drive, at the corner of East Gate Square and Harper Drive near the Moorestown Mall. The rezoning would allow for the construction of 75 affordable housing units and an additional unit for the property manager. Read more here: Moorestown Paving Way For Affordable Housing Complex Near Mall

There will also be a public hearing and final vote on a proposal to allow for the sale of club licenses for alcohol. Nonprofit organizations are not permitted to sell liquor at their facilities to their members and guests without a "club license" which is permitted by state law.

In the absence of a local ordinance (none exist in Moorestown), eligible nonprofit organizations that meet statutory definitions) can obtain a club license directly from the state. This ordinance gives the township jurisdiction over club licenses and restricts them to bona fide clubs that meet stringent conditions so the township has greater control of such licenses going forward.

There are also three bond ordinances set for introduction.

One calls for the appropriation of $310,000, including the borrowing of $294,500 in bonds or notes, to purchase public works vehicles and equipment.

Another calls for the appropriation of $240,000, including the borrowing of $228,000 in bonds or notes, to purchase police vehicles and equipment.

The final calls for the appropriation of $280,000, including the borrowing of $76,000 in bonds or notes, to build a pedestrian path along Haines Drive adjacent to Strawbridge Lake.

One of three consent agenda resolutions would authorize the purchase of two new 2019 Dodge Journeys for $39,036 to be used by the Department of Community Development.

Another would authorize a one-year extension for a contract with Main Pool and Chemical Company for hydrated lime in an amount not to exceed $40,600. The other authorizes the cancellation of certain water and sewer charges.

Read more here: Moorestown Council To Discuss Energy Aggregation Program Monday

To view the full agenda, visit the agenda center on the township's website.