Moorestown had its fair share of changes in 2012. With the New Year approaching, here is a look back on this past year in Moorestown.
July
Prior to one of the busiest Moorestown School District Board of Education elections in recent memory, the BOE had to decide on a replacement for one of its own who tendered her resignation.
The board replaced Linda Alexandroff after the BOE member resigned.
More change might be coming to the BOE in November, as eight candidates registered to run in the board of education election, according to the Burlington
County website.
August
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 to pay for improvements to Wesley Bishop North.
The council voted 3–2 in favor of using $1.5 million toward installation of a turf field, repairs to the parking lot and drainage improvements.
Carew said 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.
After a unanimous vote, the council rescinded the bidding for the project and will hold off on the improvements until next year.
An estimated $400,000 was set for the Wesley Bishop South project to improve the parking lot, irrigation system and the recreational field.
Button mentioned that the discussion between engineers and Carew, along with requests from various sports groups, prompted the decision to delay the project until next year.
“The sports groups felt that if we moved forward now, it would negatively impact their season,” said Button. “They asked that we delay the project.”
Habitat for Humanity Burlington County held its groundbreaking ceremony at 45 E. 3rd Street on Sunday, July 29, making it the first Habitat for Humanity home in Moorestown.
Kayla and James Lyons, who currently reside in Maple Shade, are the siblings who are getting a chance to be homeowners.
September
Moorestown Council members met on Wednesday, Sept. 5 to discuss possible alternatives after a judge ruled the township is not allowed to confine alcohol within the Moorestown Mall.
During a meeting on Monday, Sept. 10, the council was presented two solutions after Superior Court Judge Roger Bookbinder ruled that the second referendum on the ballot last year was considered illegal.
Approved by voters in November 2011, two questions appeared on the ballot — the first entailed approving the sales and consumption of liquor in Moorestown and the second restricted the sales to the Moorestown Mall.
After Bookbinder ruled in favor of East Gate, which challenged the restriction to the mall, the council had to decide on an alternative.
For the second time, council approved amending the consumption and sales of alcohol in Moorestown on Monday, Sept. 24.
During the last council meeting, council came up with a solution after Superior Court Judge Roger Bookbinder ruled that the second referendum on the ballot last year was considered illegal.
Officials came up with two options for the council. Council could either choose to limit the sales in the SRC zone (Option A) or limit it to the south side of Route 38 where the Moorestown Mall and East Gate are located.
Council unanimously voted for Option B.
October
Some light was shed on a tenant for the old Acme location in October.
The former Acme property on Chester Avenue will finally have a resident after being vacant for five years.
Deputy Mayor Greg Gallo announced at a council meeting that an architecture firm would move into a portion of the building.
According Carew, the Moorestown Appearance Committee began reviewing proposals for exterior improvements and permits for demolition of the interior were received.
Carew mentioned there is no current time frame for the move in date and additional information is needed to determine if council’s approval is needed.
November
Between the elections, Hurricane Sandy and improvements around town, November was an eventful month.
More than 2 million New Jersey residents were without power as of Thursday, Nov. 1, and eight counties were included in the direct federal assistance declaration announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Oct. 30. Damage in Moorestown did not reach the extent of damage done to towns closer to the shore, but the township did experience power outages causing most of the town to come to a halt.
As for the elections, two Republican candidates and one Democratic candidate were chosen to fill three seats on Moorestown Council. Republicans Garwood and Napolitano, and Democrat Newcomer were elected.
Napolitano took the lead with 4,632 votes out of the 39 precincts reported.
Newcomer was right behind Napolitano with 4,547 votes.
Garwood with only 115 votes above his running mate, Republican Palko (4,422 votes), said it was a close call but he is ready to get to work.
In Board of Education race, a recent Moorestown graduate, a former teacher and an incumbent to the School Board, hope to improve the quality of education for the students of Moorestown while improving communication between faculty, board members and Moorestown residents.
David Weinstein (3,731 votes) spent four years as a Board of Education member, and he said he is looking forward to continually provide tools for teachers, parents, and students in order to advance education in the school district.
Brandon Pugh (3,238 votes), 19-year-old volunteer EMT, is the youngest board member to be elected. He said he believes his ongoing involvement in the Moorestown community ultimately got him elected.
Like Pugh, Sheryl Sawin (3,572 votes) is a newcomer to the board.
Sawin, a former college professor, said in her Meet the Candidates submission that her experience in education will allow her to understand what students need to prepare for college, as well as educational practices should be created for students, teachers and parents to have a better experience in the school environment.
The plans for Percheron Park slowly moved forward in November.
The park will begin to form as soon as enough money is raised for the project, friends of Percheron Park’s spokeswoman Julie Maravich said.
Between creating a logo, building a website and 501© 3 certification, the organization will continue to raise funds until enough money is gathered to start construction.
A Moorestown High School graduate (1959), Dave Robinson is one of two seniors selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Yet, his superstition limits his thoughts on the final results.
“To tell you the truth, I am a superstitious type of guy. I don’t talk about it because it’s the ultimate honor. It’s the one team you can’t get cut from,” he said.
Robinson hopes to get into the Hall of Fame for his wife.
“She is the one that I really want to get in the Hall of Fame for,” he said.
But even if he doesn’t make it, there is one place he will be on the day of the announcement.
Instead of heading to New Orleans in February, Robinson said he going to visit his wife at the cemetery in Cinnaminson to “celebrate or cry with her.”
December
Low-income children in Moorestown had their holiday wish list fulfilled because of efforts from MooreKids and the community.
For the first time as an official organization, MooreKids hosted a holiday drive.
Moorestown public school staff members collected wish lists from Moorestown children in need. MooreKids members take each list and match them up with families wishing to donate, MooreKids vice president Jennifer Brinkman said.
“The holiday effort is the most notoriety at this point. It is just once piece of what we do. It’s not the main attention-getter,” MooreKids president Maura Rafferty said.
