Most of the Moorestown community is now aware that our Council, in April, voted to take $217,845 of Open Space trust funds for initial work for proposed recreational field improvements, commonly known as the K.I.D.S. initiative. Along with other “left over” funds, Moorestown Township Council has now appropriated one quarter of a million dollars for design and study of artificial fields, paved parking lots, scoreboards, and artificial lights, most from the Open Space Trust fund. Along with a sizable number of my fellow citizens, I am outraged by this action, rushed through with the minimum required legal notice. It’s important to note that not all of our Council voted to raid the Open Space funds. Stacey Jordan and Chris Chiacchio voted ‘no’ for the resolution to appropriate open space funds.
I want to clarify: I am not opposing the K.I.D.S. initiative. Field maintenance and investment is needed for nearly all recreational facilities in Moorestown. But I am firmly against using open space funds for doing so. It is the wrong source of funds.
The overwhelming portion of voters approved the 1998, 2007 and 2009 open space referendums believing that the open space trust fund was solely for conservation through the acquisition and maintenance of undeveloped land. To use these monies for artificial fields, pavement, scoreboards and lights is antithetical to the conservation of natural resources and undeveloped land. Artificial turf fields do not support wildlife; do not generate oxygen or consume carbon dioxide. They bring a burden of disposing of a large amount of unnatural materials in a landfill within 10 years. This is certainly not the intent of a referendum that relies heavily on the word “conservation” making reference several times. Indeed, the interpretative statement for the 2007 referendum demonstrates that open space funds can only be used for maintenance and development of land acquired by open space funds. The key phrase within the interpretative statement states: “the fund will continue to be used exclusively for the acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes; development and maintenance of such lands.” The word “such” can only refer to the lands acquired by the open space fund. There are no other lands defined within this statement.
Perhaps as egregious as the misappropriation of open space funds for artificial fields and scoreboards, is the irresponsible fiscal manner in which our Council is now spending our money. They have now appropriated one quarter of a million dollars from Moorestown taxpayers, without a plan to fund the remaining estimated $2.5 million. Moorestown citizens, please be aware. When the study team comes back this summer, expect a hastily called, but legally required “public hearing”, where our representatives, John Button, Greg Gallo and Michael Testa will again be looking to use our remaining open space trust funds, for artificial fields, scoreboards, paved parking lots, and artificial lights. Did I forget to mention that this is only phase one? The Recreation Advisory Committee already has Phase two on deck.
Mark Hines
