Trader Joe's to open in Shrewsbury March 11

The Shrewsbury Borough Council announced Tuesday night that the new Trader Joe's on Route 35 will open for business on Friday, March 11. 

Council President Thomas Menapace said the Shrewsbury Police Department is in touch with officials of the popular specialty grocer regarding the heavy traffic anticipated for the store's grand opening. He said the department is planning to have additional police offers monitoring the entrance to the shopping center on Route 35.

The council also authorized Borough Engineer David Cranmer to proceed with soil test borings in preparation for parking lot improvements at the shopping center, as well as for the replacement of Blades Run Drive, a road that Menapace said is "degrading badly." 

"The  condition of the road's subsurface is very wet and that has contributed to the deterioration of the street," Menapace said. He said the soil test borings will be spaced 25 feet apart for the length of Blades Run Drive. "The council doesn't know the final costs yet until the soil test borings have been done, and then we can accurately assess the sub surface of the road," he said.

In other matters, the council authorized Borough Administrator Thomas X Seaman to apply for a grant  through the Megan Kanka Foundation to begin background checks for adult coaches and managers at borough-sponsored youth athletic programs at a cost of $40 per person.

"Hopefully the background checks will be in place before the borough's recreation baseball season begins," Seaman said. 

The council approved a resolution authorizing several entitlements for Police Sgt. Alan Morris when the officer retires  after 25 years on the force on June 30. According to the resolution, Morris will be paid $15,000 for unused sick leave and $25,681 for 60 unused vacation days for a lump sum of $40,681. He will also receive an $18,000 term life insurance police. Morris will also receive full medical and dental benefits as provided for all full time employees with 25 years of service.

"Sgt. Morris has been an excellent police officer, and has been our traffic safety officer, and we wish him well," Menapace said.