As Mt. Laurel Council prepares to apply for a new round of Burlington County Municipal Park Development Grants this fall, progress is being made on the park Mt. Laurel put grant money toward last year.
Township manager Maureen Mitchell asked Mt. Laurel council at last Monday’s meeting for suggestions on what specific projects the township could apply for grants toward this year and also gave an update on the proposed park at the corner of Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Road and Elbo Lane.
The new Elbo Lane park site looks different than prior to construction. Mitchell said much of the overgrowth has been taking out and the property has been mostly cleared out.
“(Public works) started clearing out some of the property,” Mitchell said.
The park will be low-key and mainly consist of walking and biking paths for local residents. Mitchell said public works could start installing the paths in the coming months.”
“We’re waiting for the soil conservation permits from Burlington County,” she said.
The township also plans to put benches at the park. Councilwoman Linda Bobo suggested possibly contacting local Boy Scout troops or other volunteer organizations in Mt. Laurel to see if they would like to construct benches as part of a service project.
As for the next round of park grants, the township is expected to decide what projects it will apply for prior to the next council meeting on Sept. 14. The deadline to apply for 2015 grants is Sept. 28.
Further changes to Fellowship redevelopment area
Mt. Laurel council adopted on second reading another change to the Fellowship redevelopment plan.
The Red Roof Inn property located near the intersection of Route 73 and Fellowship Road has been placed into a separate, non-condemnation redevelopment zone and the property itself can only be used for hotels and motels moving forward.
The change comes after the approval of a settlement between the Mt. Laurel Planning Board and the property owners in July. Mt. Laurel originally had included the Red Roof Inn with the other areas of the redevelopment property and could have potentially condemned or taken the property through eminent domain.
Township solicitor Tyler Prime said the changes to the plan allow the Red Roof Inn to continue operating as a permitted use on the property and sets standards for the development of other hotels and motels in the future.
“The changes were related to the size of the hotel properties,” he said.
New ordinance gives preference to hiring township residents as police officers
Council unanimously adopted a new ordinance giving township residents preference when the police department hires new officers.
The new ordinance creates a preference list when new officers are hired in the township. The police department must first give preference to qualified applicant officers who live in Mt. Laurel. After township residents, preference is given to Burlington County residents, residents in counties neighboring Burlington County and finally all other New Jersey residents.
Applicants still need to fulfill all of the state’s requirements to be considered for a position. The township will not force officers to be residents of Mt. Laurel as in the past.
