Redevelopment of the Flying W took center stage at a Medford Township Council meeting on April 20.
The Fostertown Road road area was designated in need of redevelopment at a March 24 planning board meeting. The township expects to use the site to build affordable housing.
After Medford Leas resident Kay Roberts posed questions related to the redevelopment, Township Solicitor Tim Prime noted that the Flying W meets the criteria for that designation.
“The buildings are substandard, unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated or obsolete,” he said.
Roberts said she and other residents weren’t given an opportunity to learn about the redevelopment and noted her belief that Flying W does not need the project.
“I don’t think the public knows what is going on with an important issue like this,” Roberts added. “This affects our community for a long time.”
Prime said the redevelopment issue has been discussed at several prior meetings, including planning board sessions. During an April 6 meeting, council held a public hearing on the topic.
“This was a property that had problems,” he explained. “We had an obligation to provide areas in the township for redevelopment and for affordable housing.”
Also at the meeting, council voted unanimously on the final passage of the 2021 municipal budget. The $21.5 million-plus plan has no tax increases and provides for increased costs in landfill and trash collection, leaf disposal and pension allocations. It also allocates funds for two turf fields and handicap accessible improvements near the new municipal/library complex and projects $2 million for road improvements.
Council honored Matthew Felicia, a local Boy Scout who recently became an Eagle Scout. Felicia built storage facilities for St. Mary of the Lakes Church that took more than 150 hours of work to complete.
“As a result of Matthew’s project, he better understands the value of community involvement, civic duty and leadership fundamentals,” Mayor Chuck Watson read from a statement. “Matthew’s leadership skills are an asset to the Boy Scouts of America, his church, his community and his family and friends.”
The next township council meeting is scheduled to be held on May 4 at 7 p.m., via Zoom or in person at the public safety building, at 91 Union St.
