Township Work Continues In Moorestown Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown continues to be open and continues to work as the pandemic of new coronavirus continues across the state and across the country.

Part of that work was done Monday night, when Moorestown Council gave final approval to a pair of bond ordinances and another proposal amending a bond ordinance during its remote meeting.

“The township is open,” Township Manager Tom Merchel. “It’s not open to the public, but our employees are back at work and work is getting done. We’re keeping business moving.”

Employees are wearing personal protective equipment to get the township’s business done. The budget process has been delayed, according to Merchel, but other aspects are running smoothly.

Councilman Mike Locatell said work on the township’s three water plants continues, and they just got their electricity hooked up.

Operations at the recycling center continue to operate seamlessly, Deputy Mayor Brian Donnelly said. And the community is coming together to help each other during this trying time.

“Seeing the way people help each other is nothing short of astounding,” Mayor Nicole Gillespie said. “But it’s not surprising because I know what kind of community Moorestown is.”

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Monday night marked the second remote meeting council has held since the outbreak of new coronavirus began to impact the way New Jersey operates last month. All five council members, the township manager and the township clerk attended the meeting by phone, and members of the public were able to participate in the public portion by calling in.

One resident, John Logue, gave public comment, praising the township for a lease agreement that allows it to collect gross revenue of $75,000 annually for a property on North Church Street.

One bond ordinance sets aside $3,740,000 and allows for the borrowing of $3,553,000 in bonds or notes for the township’s road resurfacing program. The ordinance funds all projects included in the road resurfacing plans for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

The other sets aside $325,000 and allows for the borrowing of $80,750 in bonds or notes for improvements on Farmdale Road between North Church Street and Flynn Avenue.

The township had applied for a municipal aid grant for work on Farmdale Road and Sentinel Road, and was approved for a $240,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), according to a letter from Township Manager Tom Merchel that was included in the agenda packet.

Since the cost to do both roads would’ve been about $1.7 million, the township decided to move ahead with the project on Farmdale Road, using the full grant from NJDOT, and pursue improvements on Sentinel Road at a later date.

The final proposal adds $475,000 — $450,000 of which can be borrowed in bonds or notes — to a previous bond ordinance calling for various improvements to the township’s water and sewer systems. The total amount of the project is now $2,090,000, with $2,005,000 to be borrowed in bonds or notes.

There were also 11 items approved as part of the consent agenda. Those items can be seen in the agenda center on the township's website.

The community continues to come together amid the pandemic, as well. Locatell said the township’s travel sports groups recently collected 3,000 pounds of food for Live Civilly.

Councilwoman Lisa Petriello said volunteers have made cards, donated food to each other and gone grocery shopping.

“It’s nice to see everyone pull together,” Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said.

The township’s businesses continue to operate. Patch has set up a directory business owners can use to let people know they are open. Details on the directory and the form to enter your business can be found here.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know