The year in review: Looking back at Moorestown

Moorestown Township had a productive and bright 2022, with social gatherings and projects creating a new normal for the community post COVID. An exciting event was the completion of Percheron Park, a project 14-years in the making, that saw residents welcoming Percheron statue Diligence to Main Street.

Government

Congressman Andy Kim officially swore in Councilman Quinton Law and Deputy Mayor Sue Mammarella to town council at the township’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 3.

“This past year has been an incredible, incredible year for Moorestown and I’m very proud to be a part of it,” Law said. “I’m thankful for my council colleagues. We don’t always agree, but I know that every person sitting up here is dedicated to making Moorestown the best that it can possibly be.”

Mayor Nicole Gillespie addressed several issues that were seeing progression or completion in 2022: repairs on the 100-year-old concrete water main that runs through Kings Highway’s water treatment plant to Poplar Avenue, progress on the Lenola Streetscape and Percheron Park projects and wrapping up a final conditional judgment of compliance and repose for Moorestown’s Affordable Housing plan.

Gillespie also announced that Brightcore Energy had received funding from New Jersey to install 19 solar projects on commercial buildings in Moorestown’s business project district off North Church Street. That award, along with the work of Sustainable Moorestown, made 2022 the year of the environment in Moorestown.

“This will be a year for us to learn together, explore ideas and changes that we can make now and start developing plans for even bigger and happier changes,” Gillespie said.

Moorestown’s Appearance Committee discussed the proposed Lenola Streetscape Improvements at its Jan. 19 meeting, and upgrades for the project include a median that will act as a center left turn lane; narrow travel lanes to promote calm traffic; colored brick sidewalks and crosswalks; a signaled pedestrian crossing at New Albany Road; additional signage; trees; furniture and ornamental lighting.

“The goals of the project really are to create a safe environment, encourage more pedestrian and bicycle traffic, provide a sense of place and identity for Lenola and promote local business development and investment,” said Vittorio Anepete, project manager for McCormick Taylor.

In February, Moorestown’s Better Together Task Force presented results and recommendations from its community survey – launched in late 2021 – at the township’s council meeting.

“In February 2021, Moorestown council members unanimously agreed to the formation of a diversity, equity and inclusion task force whose mission would be to explore how Moorestown can better protect and celebrate diversity among our residents, businesses and visitors while promoting an innovative, engaged and informed community,” said Deputy Mayor Sue Mammarella. 

“Since then, this task force has analyzed the results and continues to research and come together frequently, spending many, many hours on continuing this effort.”

“The recommendations that we’re putting forth on this night is to establish a permanent diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) town council committee,” said Rev. Thomas Holmes of Moorestown’s Second Baptist Church. 

“We will continually plan and take action to foster and sustain a culture where all groups feel welcome in our town, and work to celebrate the strength of our diversity and to ensure that communities are well represented in policy decisions.”

In March, council acknowledged the retirement of Police Chief Lee Lieber, who had been with the police department for more than 43 years. Council also discussed a bond ordinance that would appropriate $900,000 and distribute $460,750 for improvements to Cox and McElwee roads. 

After the township authorized engineering firm Pennoni to submit a New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Municipal Aid Grant for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years, it was awarded DOT funds in the amount of $415,000 for the road repairs.

For the project to be up to DOT standards, both roads need to be widened, which accounts for a cost increase from $415,000. Council agreed on Feb. 28 to proceed with funding and adopted a bond ordinance related to improvements for Cox and McElwee roads at its April 25 meeting, a vote that only applies to funding for the project.

Before summer, council authorized the purchase of a portion of Flying Feather Farm for preserved open space of approximately 12 acres, a project that had been in the works for some time. 

“I remember this acquisition as a target when I was first on the open-space committee a few years ago, and I’m just happy that it came to fruition, as I’m sure most members of open space are,” said Councilman Jake Van Dyken.

In June, council unanimously passed the budget it has been focused on since March.

“The big takeaway for most residents is that there’s no increase in the municipal tax,” Gillespie said. “ … We’re really proud of the fact that we’ve been able to maintain services and operations without increasing the tax burden on residents.”

In August, Better Together Moorestown presented a Better Together Advisory Committee draft proposal to council. According to the proposal, the Better Together Advisory Committee will advise and assist the township council and other officials on matters involving diversity, equity and inclusion in the community, ensuring that cultural, economic and ethnic differences are considered in decision-making.

“ … I think the next step is that we get an actual draft ordinance that will go on the agenda when we get it ready when we can,” Gillespie said. “I think how this committee starts off will determine its trajectory.

“I think we need to strike a balance between ‘hurry up and get to work’ and not thinking through some issues that might cause problems as we move forward,” she added.

Representatives from Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and two other stakeholders held a public information meeting at the Moorestown Mall on Sept. 19 to announce the trust’s vision for reinventing the site.

Plans announced include residential development by Bel Canto – a development and property management company based in Philadelphia, and new facilities for Cooper University Health Care.

According to the Courier Post newspaper’s website, Moorestown’s planning board advanced a developer’s application earlier this year for The Pearl, a seven-building, 375-unit complex – 20 percent of which will be affordable housing – that will rise in the corner of the parking lot between Nixon Drive and Boscov’s.

“Our view of the Moorestown Mall has always been that it needed to be differentiated from Cherry Hill (Mall),” said Joseph Coradino, chairman and CEO of PREIT. “ … That we needed to do something that a customer – a resident of South Jersey – could shop at the Moorestown Mall (or) visit the Moorestown Mall and the Cherry Hill Mall, maybe even on the same day. That kind of a different experience.”

Heading toward the end of 2022, council presented a proclamation to Scott McCleery in appreciation of township volunteerism; a proclamation for board and committee members’ appreciation week; and a proclamation to Charles Robinson, III, who turned 103 years old.

“I would just like to say thank you for this,” McCleery said. “ … The other reason that I do it here is that my great aunt Anne Yarrington lived in Moorestown for many, many years … 

“I know that she volunteered a lot of time to this town, and the fact that there was an opportunity here, I felt it was just kismet for me to follow in her footsteps in this town.”

Back to school

Moorestown schools welcomed a new superintendent in December: Michael Volpe.

“I want to develop relationships over the course of this first half year, so that when we do need to move the district forward, that people feel comfortable with my leadership and are ready to come along with me,” Volpe said.

At its Jan. 4 reorganization meeting, the board of education selected Maurice Weeks as its new president and Dr. Mark Snyder as its new vice president.

Before Weeks and Snyder were sworn in, Board Secretary James Heiser performed that service for new members Melissa Arcaro Burns, Cheryl Makopoulos and Jill Fallows Macaluso.

In February, the Interact Club at Moorestown High School hosted Soup for the Soul at the Community House of Moorestown to benefit Philabundance, a Philadelphia nonprofit that focuses on food insecurity and hunger.

“By helping out with this organization, Philabundance, we’re tackling the global problem as a whole,” said Keyan Vojdani, junior chair of Soup for the Soul, “So the ripple effect that it causes goes on and on from here.”

The board of education held its second monthly meeting on March 22 to approve the proposed 2022-’23 district budget. 

“Not only is the budget that will be proposed balanced, it also contains new and enhanced programs that are aligned with our strategic goals of providing a world class learning environment for our students,” Weeks said.

The high-school’s girls lacrosse team hosted a Youth Appreciation Day in April to recognize the Moorestown Lacrosse Club (MLC).

“When it comes to Youth Appreciation Day, there’s just a lot of love everywhere,” said senior captain and goalie Laura Sullivan. “I think it’s so cool to see the little girls’ faces when they’re on the field and when they’re with us learning the cheers.”

In May, the high school hosted a new event, Quaker Games. In June, the junior and senior prom was held in a venue for the first time in three years, with a theme of “Big City, Bright Lights.”

“It’s something that doesn’t really happen that much in your lifetime,” said Keyan Vojdani, senior student council member, of the special moment, “so while you can, you should enjoy the moment.”

The board of education held its final meeting of the school year on June 14, with a room full of red shirts worn to support teachers in their contract negotiations.

“You’ve shared how much you value our educators; it’s time to show them,” said Moorestown resident Amanda McComas. “You’ve mentioned tonight how much you admire their expertise and dedication. It’s time to show them … 

“These educators are not asking for the world, although that is what we ask of them each and every day.”

Moorestown High School held its graduation ceremony on June 17, with students, teachers, faculty and family excited to celebrate the momentous occasion.

“ … Class of 2022, I am not scared for the future, because I have had the honor to watch us all make those impactful choices over the last four years,” said valedictorian Maya Butani. “Whatever a successful future looks like to you, it is within your grasp. The future depends on the change we embrace and the choices we make.”

Moorestown High’s students started the 2022-’23 school year off strong with Spirit Week, a pep rally and homecoming dance.

“Everybody, no matter who you are, you’re excited to be there,” said Adam Connor, senior class president, of the pep rally. “I think that the atmosphere there is something that you can’t experience any other time during your time at Moorestown High School. 

“Everyone looks forward to that day and everyone looks forward to that night.”

The high school’s performing arts department kicked off the holiday season with its choral winter concert on Dec. 1, and guests were treated to classics performed by the high school’s madrigals, concert choir and ensemble.

Engaging the community

Moorestown residents Tamara Johns and Karen Reiner led an interactive discussion – “Conversation on Culture” – on Jan. 18, the National Day of Racial Healing.

“The idea is to provide a safe space where people can share both the things that they have experienced that are painful and also maybe some things that they don’t understand that they would like to ask questions about,” Johns said.

In collaboration with the Moorestown Jewish Association and MooreUnity, Moorestown’s Perkin Center for the Arts hosted an event for Purim in March.

“I think all of our organizations really focus on bringing that sense of unity back in our community,” said Caryn Shaw, former president of the Jewish association. “Helping each other and learning from each other is really critical for our community to grow and thrive.”

For the first time in two years, the township held its annual Daffodil Day in April, an event that included a horse-drawn carriage, live music, family activities and the flowers that represent the event lining Main Street. In May, nonprofit MooreUnity held two workshops for children and teens to learn how to deal with bullies, and held a panel discussion on misinformation and disinformation at the township’s library.

June was a busy month, with Moorestown Day, the Strawbridge Lake Beautification Committee’s fourth annual Moorestown Paddle Board and Kayak Race and the township’s annual Juneteenth celebration taking center stage. End-of-summer events included the Jadon Strong Foundation’s “All Gas, No Brakes” car show, the Rotary Club of Moorestown’s 2nd Street Market and the Moorestown Business Association’s (MBA) third annual food truck festival on Aug. 17.

Heading into fall, the Friends Enrichment Program (FEP) of Moorestown celebrated its 25th anniversary at Perkins Center for the Arts, and the MBA hosted its annual Autumn in Moorestown festival on Main Street on Oct. 8.

“It’s so fun, and that’s what I personally get out of it, that’s my reward, seeing it go off and at the end everybody saying, ‘That was awesome,’” said Craig Dennin, MBA president, of the festival.

On a cool and crisp fall day, residents gathered on Main Street to witness the unveiling of Percheron Park’s main attraction – the Diligence horse sculpture. According to Percheron Park’s website, the township purchased the Main Street location – formerly a gas station – in 2008, but the tract of land sat vacant for the next 14 years as the lot underwent soil remediation and the township awaited the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s signoff.

“I don’t think we could have imagined it being a better day weather wise and crowd wise,” said Kathy Logue, president of the Friends of Percheron Park. “It was wonderful, and the crowd was waiting to see that statue …

“Joshua (Koffman), our sculptor, cut the ties so that we could unveil it, and the sounds and the applause and the roar of the crowd … It made it all worth it,” she added.

The township’s library held its first local authors picnic on Nov. 5, an opportunity for connection in the community.

End-of-the-year festivities included the MBA’s Main Street Candlelight Stroll; the Relief Engine Company’s beer festival; Christmas concerts; the Lions Club’s annual holiday parade and the township’s tree lighting at the Community House of Moorestown.

“It’s a brief event, but it packs a big punch within the time frame,” said Caryn Lynch, the community house executive director. “This is a great example of a community coming together. It really is such a collaborative, community effort, and it is really wonderful to see, especially at the holiday season.”

Carving their own paths

The Moorestown Service Clubs Council selected longtime residents Kathy and John Logue as the 2022 Citizens of The Year, who are ready for the younger generation to follow in their footsteps.

“We’ve given it our best shot; maybe we did it right, maybe we did it wrong,” John said, “but it’s time now for the thirtysomethings and the fortysomethings to step up … pass the torch on.”

Moorestown resident Abe Speller, a husband, father and freelance drummer who plays in his own group, the Abe Speller Jazz Trio, marches to the beat of his own drum and enjoys sharing his sound with the community.

“There’s a saying, ‘If you’re practicing, you’re not gigging. If you’re gigging, you’re not practicing,’” Speller said. “My thing was always playing with other people; that’s what I enjoy the most.”

Earlier in the year, Moorestown council recognized resident Saima Bhutta and the Muslim Federation of South Jersey for their commitment to helping local communities. Bhutta is the vice president of the federation, and regularly works with religious organizations to find out who is in need.

“We have about 25 different mosques in this area of New Jersey,” Bhutta explained. “Each mosque has a record of people who require monetary assistance because they are registered there … We go to them and we say, ‘You don’t have to give us the names, just identify those people and tell them to come and get food from us.’”

Moorestown resident Steve Emerson is battling Parkinson’s disease but helps others through his work with the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s.

“When someone has a friend or a relative or a loved one who’s diagnosed …  if they’re up for it, I’ll sit with them, have coffee and talk about my experience, because when you first get diagnosed it’s scary,” Emerson noted.

Trumpeter and Moorestown native Liam Sutcliffe was among this year’s recipients of the New Jersey Jazz Society Awards’ juried scholarship competition, a contest with a $1,000 prize for performance.

On June 10, Moorestown track star James Burrus won the NJ Group 3 100-meter championship with a record time of 10.58, and on June 18, came in fifth place at the NJ Meet of Champions for the state’s 100-meter championship.

“I just love how free track makes me feel … I’m always willing to put in the work,” Burrus said. “ … I just love the grind. I love seeing improvement and getting better.”

Moorestown High alumna Elizabeth Gladden received a full, four-year scholarship from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program. Gladden graduated high school with the highest honors and was an AP scholar with distinction, and she also competed with the Moorestown Crew Team for four years.

The Friends Enrichment Program of Moorestown Meeting (FEP) helps provide underserved children in Moorestown with life-enriching activities and scholarships and celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

“I would lie if I said I did it alone,” said Monique Begg, leading founder of FEP. 

“I didn’t do it alone; I could not have done it alone. I did it with a lot of help and support from many different people, including some who unfortunately are no longer with us, though they served us very, very well.”

Triathlete Matt Coleman participated in this year’s IronMan 70.3 World Championship in Utah and credits his wife Celie and two sons for their support.

“For me, it really just comes down to finding the perfect balance, because I know what I do, it definitely stresses our family,” Coleman said. “There’s a lot of times that I am away from the kids, but I know and I trust that Celie is helping me out and doing all the right things.”

Contemporary novelist and Moorestown native Charity Alyse released her debut novel, “Other Side of the Tracks,” on Nov. 22.

“Writing ‘Other Side of the Tracks’ became like a form of therapy for me,” she said.

Life Scout and Moorestown High School senior Xavier Ladik gave back to his community by helping construct an outdoor classroom on the grounds of Our Lady of Good Counsel School.

“It feels like an accomplishment,” Ladik said. “When it boils down to it, this is something that has been achieved, not for myself but for others. It’s an incredible feeling to sit back, to do something and realize that it’s going to be appreciated, that this was done for a good cause.”

Arts for art’s sake

Starting off fresh, the MoorArts Fine Art Exhibit and Sale was held on Jan. 29 and featured paintings, photography and mixed media on display and for purchase.

“It’s always astonishing to me how much amazing art is made here in town and here in our area,” said Amy Penwell, vice president of MoorArts.

Moorestown’s Perkins Center for the Arts held its “Photography 41” exhibition through Feb. 25, and for the first time, the exhibit had a theme: Looking up.

The center’s DeCafe Concert Series welcomed musical duo McDermott’s Handy in the spring. Spouses Kathy DeAngelo and Dennis Gormley play a variety of instruments ranging from the harp, fiddle and banjo to the guitar, flute and mandolin.

“The attraction to me in playing any kind of music – even when I was doing folk music – was the ability to play with other people who enjoy the same music without actually having to sit around and rehearse,” DeAngelo said.

Moorestown Creates, a subcommittee of Sustainable Moorestown, demonstrated how to make “plarn” objects – yarn made from recyclable plastic bags – at its Daffodil Day on April 23.

For the first time in three years, MoorArts supported the school district art show at the Community House of Moorestown on June 4.

“It’s a nice event (and) it’s a good way to highlight and close the year,” said Georgean Wardzinski, president of MoorArts.

Wrapping up summer, Perkins hosted its World Stage Series festival to celebrate different cultural backgrounds and designed a way to showcase students’ artwork throughout town with “Art About Town.” And in September, it hosted Handcrafted 2022, an event that brought together artists, musicians and the community.

“ … Something that we really try to focus on and put a lot of energy into is free and reduced-fee art programs that are available to everybody in the community,” said Isabella Lee, development manager for Perkins. 

“We really believe that the arts should be available to everybody, and part of that means that we can’t always charge for arts experiences.”

This 2022 fall annual Juried Exhibition at Perkins had its most entries ever at 125 pieces. This year’s first-place winner was Charles Kirkpatrick for his wooden bowl piece, second place went to Maria Papadopoulos for her oil painting, Barbara March was awarded third place for her multimedia piece and an honorable mention went to Catherine Scannell for her painting.

“I don’t call the artists ahead of time to tell them they won a prize to make sure they’re in the audience,” said Sharon Kiefer, curator of exhibitions. “It’s a complete surprise to everyone … It’s pretty exciting that way, because everyone is pretty much shocked, so the artists were really happy to see their work up on the wall.”

Now in its 14th year, MoorArts’ holiday arts festival gave students in the township’s public school system an opportunity to showcase their work for the community on Dec. 3.

“I think that is really something to take home to,” said Diane Cairoli, the center’s visual arts trustee. “The whole concept of art as being a way to express yourself in ways that you can’t otherwise do and it gives you that outlet, and I think that’s so important, especially in these times where people are saying, ‘Oh no, we don’t need an art program.’ Yes, we do.”