Mayor Michael Mignogna outlines the township’s new and continued focuses in 2018.
Kicking off the new year, Voorhees Township strives to continue its focus on business growth, preserving open space and strengthening public safety.
In 2017, 44 businesses opened throughout Voorhees, according to Mayor Michael Mignogna. The township hopes to continue opening more during 2018.
Some commercial organizations are already in the works, as Lidl and Aldi grocery stores are scheduled to open in the new year. Also, sometime this year, a Royal Farms will open at the property that once occupied the township’s old town hall on Haddonfield-Berlin Road. A Dooney’s Pub will also open next to A.C. Moore in the Cedar Hill Shopping Center on Route 73.
“We are continuing our aggressive approach regarding abandoned properties, compelling banks to pay for the maintenance of those abandoned properties and bringing in companies to help rehabilitate them,” Mignogna said.
In December, Penn Medicine announced plans to start building a new proton facility on the campus of Virtua’s acute care hospital at the Voorhees campus. The $35 million center, which will allow cancer patients to undergo innovative proton therapy in single-room treatments, is expected to be completed by 2020.
Also aligning with health initiatives, the township plans to continue its conservation of open space, specifically utilizing the areas for fitness services.
“We’re working hard to make Voorhees walkable and bikeable,” Mignogna said.
In 2018, a bike path will be paved from Kresson Road up to Lion’s Lake. A sidewalk will be installed along Somerdale Road along the Town Center, specifically from Evesham to Burnt Mill roads. A sidewalk will also be installed on Evesham Road near Voorhees Middle School. Additional sidewalks will be added on the stretch of Burnt Mill Road that expands from the Ashland PATCO High Speedline stop to the Town Center.
A sidewalk and traffic light will also be built at the intersection of Voorhees Town Center Boulevard and Echelon Road.
As far as infrastructure, 2018 marks the second year of the township’s Five-Year Road Plan.
Satisfying other recreational objectives, the township plans to rebuild and expand the pavilion at Connelly Park. Lighting will also be added to the soccer fields at the Maiaroto Sports Complex.
Along the lines of protecting its residents, the township plans to hire three new firefighters — one for each shift.
“Public safety is always our top priority,” Mignogna said.
It also intends to purchase a new fire truck and fire turnout gear. Two new police officers will also be hired.
Of course, aside from the township’s essential elements, Voorhees hopes to host its signature events such as National Night Out, Halloween Festival, Adult Police Academy, Junior Police Academy, International Day, Voorhees Got Talent , Green Fair, Police Car show, Coffee with a Cop, Fire Prevention Night and Arts on the Boulevard and Summer Concert Series with beer garden.
The township also plans to add more names to its Veterans Wall Ceremony in November.
“We continue to make (our events) bigger and better,” Mignogna said.
