By AUBRIE GEORGE | The Moorestown Sun
Township officials continue to work toward erecting a new municipal complex, but due to an environmental issue and the design of one of the buildings, construction may be completed later than originally anticipated.
During last week’s Council meeting, officials gave a presentation on the status of the project that will eventually adapt and reuse the current town hall facility in order to fit an expanded police department, municipal court facilities, a Council chamber and a relocated municipal library. The plan also includes the addition of 14,000 square feet to be added to the current complex and the subsequent addition of a new municipal office building adjacent to the existing building.
Design work for the second building is still being completed, causing part of the reason for the delay. A soil contamination issue caused by oil also needs to be taken care of and then must receive approval from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Officials said bids for the project will likely go out in mid-March and will be due in mid-April. The chosen company will be given notice to proceed in May 2010 with construction slated for a Nov. 2011 completion date.
The police department is on schedule for its Feb. 12 relocation to a leased space at 1245 N. Church St., where it will operate while construction is taking place.
Officials said they continue to work against a $15 million budget cap for the project but are continuing to look for alternative funding sources in various areas, including green or energy-related funding, in order to drive costs down.
Mayor Dan Roccato urged officials to bid the project to a Moorestown company if they are qualified and offer the right price.
“We want them to win,” Roccato said. “That’s our stimulus.”
Regular updates on the process of the town hall project are given at Council meetings and are posted on the township’s Web site, www.moorestown.nj.us.
In other news:
n Council gave direction for Finance Director Tom Merchel to negotiate a contract with T-Mobile so that a 90-foot monopole may be installed at the Department of Public Works site.
Merchel and T-Mobile representatives will work out the terms of the contract, including issues such as height and whether the township wants to take ownership of the pole.
Merchel said he would come back to Council with what is negotiated.
He said the decision will need approval from the township planning board and by township ordinance. Roccato suggested that T-Mobile hold several public outreach and information sessions so that residents can stay informed about the process.
n Township Manager Chris Schultz said he would likely have a preliminary municipal budget to present to Council by late February.
Despite optimism officials have discussed regarding this year’s budget, he told members he planned to proceed with caution.
Council is scheduled to meet for its next regular action meeting on Monday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
