Along with the 2012 budget approval, Moorestown Council voted in favor of using funds from the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund in order to pay for improvements to Wesley Bishop North Monday July 23.
The Council voted 3–2 in favor of using $1.5 million towards installation of a turf field, repairs to the parking lot and drainage improvements.
Scott Carew, Town manager, said over a phone interview that the issue is with the legality of the appropriate use for the funds.
“The main contention was whether or not to use the Open Space Trust Fund for these projects,” Carew said.
Along with the installation of artificial turf, other improvements at Wesley Bishop North include parking lot improvements and drainage improvements. The funds are not being completely drained. Both Wesley Bishop North and Wesley Bishop South will receive improvement to its recreational fields.
The Wesley South development includes, parking lot improvements and improvements to the irrigation system. These repairs are estimated to cost $400,000, but the final decision will be determined during a Council meeting July 31.
If the South project is approved, $400,000 will remain in the Trust Fund. If denied, $800,000 will remain in the fund, according to Moorestown’s Chief Financial Officer Thomas Merchel.
Council candidates Phil Garwood, Victoria Napolitano, and Pete Palko released a statement regarding the use of the Open Space Trust Funds.
“We feel this spending is unacceptable and out of step with the will of the voters of Moorestown,” the council candidates mentioned in a news release, “the fund cannot both support these recreational capital improvements and fulfill its prior obligations and traditional functions.”
