Want to Let Your Dog Off the Leash?

Come fall, you can, thanks to one resourceful Moorestown Boy Scout.

Tired of not having a place to let your dog run free in town, or feeling like a scofflaw when you let him off the leash at Memorial Field or the golf course at the Moorestown Field Club? So is John Matthews. The 16-year-old Boy Scout has proposed the creation of a dog park at Pryor Park for his Eagle Scout project. Town council gave John its blessing Monday night to move forward with his plans.  John, a member of Boy Scout Troop 44 at the First United Methodist Church, said initially the idea for a dog park stemmed from a personal interest: He wanted somewhere to take his family's dog, 8-year-old Australian shepherd, Maggie, that didn't require driving to Cherry Hill, or Marlton, or Delanco. On the other hand, trips to the dog parks in …

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What Would You Improve in Moorestown: Mayor Answers 2013 Wish List

We asked the question, you answered it, and Mayor Stacey Jordan weighed in on some of readers' suggested improvements for the township in 2013.

At the beginning of the month, we asked readers "What would you improve in Moorestown in 2013?" A number of you shared some ideas in the comments section, and rather than just let those great ideas go to waste, we tracked down Mayor Stacey Jordan for a quick Q&A on some of your suggestions. Here's what she had to say. How can the township make planning and zoning more “user-friendly” for businesses who want to come to town? One reader called it “an expensive process,” with a lot of paperwork, that discouraged potential businesses from coming here. I totally relate to those frustrations because I have businesses in other towns and I experience the same exact frustrations, the same problems. So I don’t think it’s unique to our town. It’s the…

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Moorestonians Should Embrace MLK's Message

Mayor Stacey Jordan and Deputy Mayor Chris Chiacchio thank those who already give back to the town, and urge residents to take advantage of the "day on."

To the editor: During his life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for a society rooted in equality, opportunity and justice for all. His vision for America was one of unity, without division by race, religion, social status or gender. Today, as our nation honors the life and legacy of Dr. King, we are proud to be serving as elected officials of a town that remains on the front lines of continuing his work. Every day, Moorestonians from all walks of life find ways to give back to the town we love. Whether it’s coaching a sports team or educating our children, caring for our open spaces or protecting our town’s historical treasures, our town is full of citizens who carry on the efforts of Dr. King through service. Today, we urge all …

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Mayor: No Conflict of Interest on Solicitor Appointment

Mayor Stacey Jordan says the appointment of PREIT's attorney as the township attorney won't represent a conflict of interest.

New Mayor Stacey Jordan insisted there won’t be any conflicts of interest after township council’s decision to hire an attorney who also represents Moorestown’s largest taxpayer. Town council voted unanimously last week to appoint Capehart Scatchard attorney Anthony Drollas, replacing former solicitor Tom Coleman. Drollas also represents PREIT, owner of the Moorestown Mall. PREIT and the township have been tied up in a longstanding appeal over the mall’s assessment for a few years. The property is valued at more than $110 million. PREIT CEO Joseph Coradino has previously stated the company believes the property is worth closer to $80 million. Tax assessor Dennis DeKlerk said a settlement conference date has been scheduled for September of …

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CORRECTION: Moorestown Makes History with First Female Mayor

"I don’t see this mayor’s job as a job being suited for a man or a woman. I see it as a job for someone who genuinely cares about our town," said Moorestown's first female mayor Stacey Jordan.

CORRECTION: Monday night was not the first time two women have served on council together. Kathy Einstein and Diane Powell served on council at the same time in 2000, after Einstein was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Councilman Salvatore Alessi after he stepped down. Patch apologizes for the error. ____________________ Moorestown made history Monday, ushering in its first female mayor. Township council—including newly sworn-in members Phil Garwood, Victoria Napolitano and Greg Newcomer—unanimously selected Councilwoman Stacey Jordan to be the township’s first female mayor during its reorganization meeting. Jordan said she was “truly honored” to be chosen, but added, “With all of tonight’s excitement, I want to make it clear, I don…

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Councilwoman Tapped to be Moorestown's First Female Mayor

Stacey Jordan is expected to be chosen as the new mayor at township council's reorganization meeting on Jan. 7.

In its long, illustrious history, Moorestown has never had a woman as mayor. That won’t be true for much longer. Councilwoman Stacey Jordan is in line to take current Mayor John Button’s place at township council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 7. Councilman Chris Chiacchio, who ran with Jordan two years ago, said the councilwoman is more than qualified to hold the position, given her experience on council and previously, as a Burlington County freeholder. “She interacts well with the township employees … She has deep community ties. She’s actively involved with Home & School. Politically, she’s been involved for a number of years,” he said. “She just seemed like a logical choice.” According to Chiacchio, there was an “open dialogue” with…

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Wesley Bishop Bonded, But Fate of Open Space Fund Still Unclear

Moorestown council voted unanimously to bond $1.4 million for improvements to Wesley Bishop North, but Mayor John Button left open questions of how it would be paid.

Following last week’s talk of compromise on the Open Space debate, township council voted Monday to bond $1.4 million for the Wesley Bishop North project. But anyone looking for assurances that council won’t use the Open Space Trust Fund to pay for it will have to wait. Council was full of positivity Monday night after approving unanimously—on first reading—a $1.4 million bond for improvements to the park, seemingly clearing the path for progress on the long-stalled project. Prior to the vote, township manager Scott Carew ran down a list of all the major capital projects before the township—Wesley Bishop North, the municipal complex, recreation center improvements, etc.—and their total price tag: roughly $19 million. Over a 20-year bond, …

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Council Budget Discussion Gets Testy

If Moorestown Township Council doesn't introduce a budget by the end of next week, council members will face fines from the state.

After receiving a letter of reprimand from the state threatening fines if a budget isn’t introduced by next week, township council still couldn’t come to a consensus Monday night. Township manager Scott Carew said the state has threatened to fine each individual council member $25 a day if the budget isn’t introduced by next Friday, June 22. A plan presented by financial officer Tom Merchel would funnel $365,000 of revenue from the sale of liquor licenses into the general fund and impose a slight tax increase—$53 more for a home assessed at the township average ($529,800)—to balance the budget. But when it came time to approve the budget for introduction Monday, council split 3-2, with Mayor John Button, Deputy Mayor Greg Gallo and …

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Project Graduation Lawn Signs Swiped

Several signs, put on display by proud Moorestown parents, were stolen from front lawns last week.

Mere hours after they were handed out, someone stole about a dozen signs congratulating Moorestown High School graduates. The personalized graduation lawn signs have been sold to proud Moorestown parents for years as a fundraiser for Project Graduation, according to organizer Mara Jacobs. The Moorestown Education Foundation sold about 140 this year—a little less than half the graduating class—for $25 apiece. The signs were distributed Wednesday, and by Thursday morning several households reported their signs had been stolen, Jacobs said. “It’s a way for the parents to show pride for their kids … So it’s a little bit of a downer,” she said. “The kids are upset. That’s their sign. That’s their moment.” As a result, Jacobs said some parents …

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Photos: Moorestown Pays Tribute on Memorial Day

Moorestonians turn out to remember the true meaning of the holiday.

Hundreds of Moorestonians crowded on the grass at Memorial Field Monday to mark the holiday as something more than an excuse to grill and go to the beach. Councilwoman Stacey Jordan welcomed the crowd to the township's 26th annual Memorial Day ceremony and thanked them for turning out to pay tribute to the fallen servicemen and -women who have given their lives for America's freedom. "If I can leave you with anything," she said, "when you see a serviceman or servicewoman in the grocery store, or walking down the street, thank them." Gold Star Mother Judith Young, mother of the late Jeffrey Young—who was killed in action in Lebanon and subsequently had a park in Moorestown named after him—read the lyrics to "More Than a Name on the Wall," …

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