If you have driven through Moorestown this summer, you have probably encountered road work, detours, uneven pavement or construction equipment somewhere along your route.
I know that can be frustrating. These projects affect commutes, local businesses and the everyday routines of our residents. I appreciate the patience Moorestonians have shown while this work moves forward.
The good news is that much of what residents are seeing right now is the result of significant investment in our roads and infrastructure.
One of our largest ongoing projects is the replacement of the water main beneath Main Street. Much of that infrastructure is roughly 120 years old and stretches from the Kings Highway and Lenola Road area toward Marter Avenue. We are currently in Phase 3 of what will ultimately be a once in a generation five-phase replacement project.
Water-main replacement is a multimonth process. Crews must open the roadway, install the new main, reconnect individual water services, pressure-test and disinfect the system, complete inspections and allow excavated areas to properly settle before permanent paving can occur.
That sequencing is important. Paving a road before completing the underground work would simply mean tearing up a newly paved road later and asking taxpayers to pay twice.
Work on the Chester Avenue water main has been completed, and Chester Avenue is expected to be fully repaved this fall. Main Street will be fully repaved after the underground work is complete, with final paving anticipated next year.
We are also continuing our annual road-overlay program. This year, Moorestown is funding repair and resurfacing work on Bramley Road, East and West Spruce Avenue, Courtland Shire Drive, Jeffery Road, North Stanwick Road, the Valley View Terrace alleys, and targeted patches on East Main Street.
In addition, our partners at Burlington County recently completed work on approximately 0.7 miles of Bridgeboro Road, from Riverton Road to Stanwick Road.
Taken together, these projects represent a significant amount of work happening across Moorestown at one time. That can create short-term inconvenience, but it also means we are making real progress on infrastructure that residents depend on every day.
As we make these investments, I also know residents are paying close attention to their property-tax bills.
The Township recently released a graphic explaining where your property-tax dollars go and what is driving this year’s municipal increase. For the average assessed Moorestown home of $465,873, the municipal portion increased by approximately $176 for the year, or $15 per month.
It is important to understand that the Township receives only a portion of the total property-tax bill. Approximately 65% goes to the School District, 16% to the County and County Open Space, 14% to municipal services, 3% to the Fire District and 2% to the Municipal Library.
On the municipal side, some of the largest cost increases this year include employee health insurance, contractual wages and salaries, debt service for previously approved capital projects, trash collection and sanitation, and the state-mandated library appropriation. The Township also received no increase in State Aid.
This budget supports the services residents see and use every day: public safety, roads, water infrastructure, trash collection, recreation and other essential municipal services. Our responsibility as council is to keep investing in Moorestown while remaining thoughtful about what we ask of taxpayers.
There will be some inconvenience along the way, especially when major infrastructure projects are underway. But I am encouraged by the progress we are making. Roads are being resurfaced, aging water infrastructure is being replaced, and long-term improvements are moving forward throughout town.
Thank you for your patience, your feedback and your understanding as we continue investing in a stronger Moorestown.
Mayor Quinton Law
