Catch up on the biggest stories in Moorestown this week.
Moorestown Township reached a settlement in principle with Fair Share Housing, and the township is looking for a new manager. Catch up on everything from the past week in the Weekly Roundup.
Township reaches settlement in principle with Fair Share
Moorestown Township has reached a settlement in principle with Fair Share Housing Center. While Fair Share Housing originally proposed a 1,667 unit affordable housing obligation, the township negotiated its obligation down to 606 units through the use of a vacant land adjustment. Council held a special meeting in Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 9 to share the news with residents. Despite being unable to discuss the locations of the affordable housing sites, council shared the news it had reached an agreement on the number of units.
GALS give back with Mardi ‘BRA’ collection
Mardi Gras came to Moorestown Thursday night as a group of five retired teachers decorated the newly-renovated former library wing of the Moorestown Community House with sequin embellished mask, beads and streamers in shades of purple, green and gold. Giving A Little Support, or GALS, a Moorestown-based community service group, threw a Mardi “BRA” themed party to collect supplies for Providence House Domestic Violence Services in Riverside.
Moorestown Township seeking new manager
Moorestown Township Manager and Chief Financial Officer Thomas Merchel announced at the Monday, Feb. 5, council meeting he will be stepping down as township manager. Merchel will continue on in the role until the township finds a replacement, at which time he will serve solely as CFO. “I’ve been in the job position for one year,” Merchel said. “I did inform council at the time that I was going to try to do both jobs for one year, and as everyone knows, it’s been two full-time positions basically since the inception.” Merchel said he is proud of the township’s accomplishments over the last year, but acting as both manager and CFO has been “very demanding.”
Proposed ‘Town Hall Green’ could transform the Town Hall complex
Township Manager Thomas Merchel said Scott Taylor, vice president of Taylor Design Group, has been working on how the township can utilize the open space adjacent to the Church Street Recreation Center and put together the proposal for a “Town Hall Green,” which he brought before council last Monday night. Taylor presented the concept of a “Town Hall Green,” which he said is a term they use in lieu of square since the space is not square in shape. Taylor proposed the concept of a raised pavilion, which would be attached to the Church Street Recreation Center. He said this shaded area could be used for summer camp programming, municipal employees who want to grab lunch outside or for small events such as career fairs.
