After two years of the back and forth fighting, it would be nice if the two sides found a compromise that worked. The question is whether the other four members of council are ok with a compromise...

...put it on the ballot. Let the people decide!

Wow, impressed by Chiaccho on this one. Good for him, hope it works

A compromise? Do people still engage in such things???

Folks,

Once again, let's kick the can down the road.

Are we going through this same exercise for the next field that "needs" artificial turf? Once a precedent is set it will open the "slush" fund up for all types of pet projects.

What is even worse is the idea of using these funds for the payments on bonds. So not only will we spend money that we do not yet have, we will spend money and obligate the next generation to pay it off. Not only that, but we probably will never pay it off as undoubtedly the field will "need" to be replaced because it is "unsafe" before the bonds are paid off.

Also, lets make certain we understand the cost; roughly $100,000 PER YEAR for ONE FIELD.

I am glad to see that our local officials are learning from our federal government; spend all you want today and let future generations worry about paying it off.

I am sensing a Mayor Chiacchio come January? Looking good.

Another case of I was against it before I was for it. Congratulations on rising to the level of a true politician. How does this answer the legal challenge of "such lands". It is still illegal.

Paying down a debt service is specifically not an allowed use of Open Space monies

It surely is always about compromise isn't it. Kudos to the folks who are trying to resolve the issue of funding sports projects without draining the open space fund, or completely undermining its' intended purpose. It appears that the township, OSAC, and the KIDS proponents may come up with a solution where all will participate, and hopefully in a fair and acceptible manner.
I understand that Councilmembers Chiacchio and Jordan have been meeting with Councilman Gallo to find a fair solution that will not put the OS fund in jepordy. If the OSAC votes to accept a compromise, maybe they could do so with the stipulation that the governing ordinance be revisited and improved in a way that avoids misinterpretation or unintended use of the fund in the future.
The discontent, fingerpointing and unfounded comments by sideliners on this issue are damaging to community spirit and cohesiveness. Let's hope it works out.

Compromise? Really? In Moorestown? That's POSSIBLE?! I'm really, really impressed here!!! Good job by Chiacchio (and if the guy above is right, good job by Gallo and Jorden too!) There may be hope for this town yet!!!!!

I'm confused. is this deal just for the turf field or is it also for the flag field and the lights and the rec center? how much is the turf cost really and how much are all of the other pieces?

George W. how could the 3 of them meet to discuss a compromise without breaking the law?

Good for Councilmember Chiacchio for doing this. Took some guts, and shows some real leadership. Kudos.

KUDOS to Jordan and Chiacchio for raiding the open space fund along with GBT!

This is ridiculous clumsily believe he would just go ahead and do that? How about the communication? Doesn't it seem some people are so disorganized? Doesn't he want to talk with some of us first? Just send an email or just hop on the phone and call? Tell me in your mind what you think? If you had such an idea like that, what would
you say? Doesn't that get you pissed?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Council already voted, and approved, use of 1.5 million from the fund.
They await the judges decision.

If he says no, they can't use the money period.
If he says yes, the work starts.

What difference does it make what the people at OSAC think or wish at this point ?

Yeah that's my point why not talk to te few of us, hop on the phone and call. You guys seem disorganized, right?
I don't what just happened these past few days..

I don't know what happened either. I hope that Newcomer, Sattingger and Hines will fight this.

HomeBrew,
This is just my own opinion, but I thought a compromise of utilizing a much smaller amount of the Open Space fund for the fields would protect the reserves, and avoid a million and a half raid on the fund. I agree that there should be a proper clarification of the governing ordinance, especially defining its future use.

I am both hopeful and concerned about the upcoming decision by Judge Bookbinder, hopeful that "such lands" does apply, but concerned that the local ordinance could be interpreted as sidesteping the intent of the statute.

I understand that the recent communications amount to nothing more than a request for an opinion from OSAC on whether it would endorse any use of the fund towards a field project. I am not privy to the specifics of the use, repairs or improvements. I am confident that OSAC will thoroughly review the options.

To Ed ex, I don't the setting in which the three members of Council had their discussion. I assume you don't either. It could have been with the other two, but only three were mentioned to me.

Great stuff,,,,,,go Chiacco!

Ed ex,
Actually, it is for acquision, including preservation and maintinence of such lands. Councilman Chiacchio asked for your opinion. I didn't hear him say he would ignore it.
Why would you say he abandoned OSAC simply because he asked, or feels that somewhere there is a solution. Your charge that there were illegal meetings are only based on a pie in the sky assumption, as is your Mayor comment.
Your comments seem to mirror the rants of others who want to drain Open Space.
I didn't think any of the Open Space supporters operated on that level.

This is what leadership looks like.