Moorestown introduces measure that would fund three projects to improve Strawbridge Lake

The measure provides funding for the dredging of the Children’s Pond, stormwater improvements along Haines Drive, and the installation of a pedestrian/bike path along the lake and Haines Drive.

MOORESTOWN — Some big improvements could soon be coming to Strawbridge Lake.

The Township Council introduced a $760,000 bond ordinance at its April 29 meeting that would fund three projects to improve Strawbridge Lake and the Children’s Pond.

However, two council members, and some members of the public, expressed concern over the projects’ large price tag and if some of the work even is needed.

According to Township Manager Thomas Neff, the measure provides $300,000 for the dredging of the Children’s Pond, $150,000 for stormwater improvements along Haines Drive, and around $275,000 for the installation of a pedestrian/bike path along the lake and Haines Drive — of which $200,000 will be covered by a 2016 parks grant from the county.

While supportive of the measure’s introduction, council members Michael Locatell and Victoria Napolitano both said they would like to see a line item breakdown of each project prior to voting for the adoption of the ordinance.

“I am growing frustrated with the overviews rather than the details on how we spend the money on these types of expenditures,” Locatell said.

“I think they are all worthy projects, but we need to know that we are doing them in the most efficient way possible,” said Napolitano.

The township council is set to hold a public hearing and final vote on the measure on May 20.

Resident Roberta Scott agreed, questioning whether some of the projects were wants, rather than needs.

“I’m concerned that the three projects are being lumped together. There is a great variety of need,” Scott said, adding she had concerns over the price of Children’s Pond dredging and the cost of maintenance after the pond’s dredging. “I want to see something that would back up that that’s a necessity and not a luxury.”

According to Neff, the dredging is expected to last anywhere from five to 10 years, and will not have an annual maintenance cost. Once the pond is filled back in with silt, it will have to be dredged again, Neff said.

Mayor Lisa Petriello said the dredging of the Children’s Pond was identified by the township’s environmental committee several years ago as one of a number of steps needed to get the lake to a point where it could be regularly maintained.

“Once we start taking things off that list, we can get to the point where we can have a regular maintenance standard,” Petriello said at the April 29 meeting.

In addition to the dredging helping the health of the lake, Neff said that the stormwater improvements along Haines Drive will also improve lake health.

He added that the township will provide both the council and the public with a more detailed cost summary of each project prior to its public hearing, scheduled for May 20.

_{Source: burlingtoncountytimes.com}