Bond Ordinances to Launch Township's Capital Plans

The approved the introduction of five ordinances at its April 12 meeting to beginning several capital projects in the township.

The ordinances will appropriate funds from the capital improvement fund, and include using $61,500 for street improvements, $80,000 to replace two older boilers in the municipal complex and the complex annex (with the courtroom and police department), $25,000 for softre for the finance department, and $17,000 for a new police vehicle.

A fifth ordinance authorizes a $250,000 bond issuance to pay for two dump truck cabs and chassis. 

"I'm happy to see we're moving forward and to see we've got some appropriations going in that direction," Committeeman Gary DiNardo said regarding the street overlay funding. The ordinance does not specify what roads will receive overlays, but in February, Township Administrator Mark Krane said he believed parts of King George Road between Ferguson and Mt. Horeb Road, parts of Old Stirling Road, from Forest Drive south to No. 41 and from Forest Drive north to Route 78.

During public comments on the ordinances, Horseshoe Road resident Joe Lakatos noted the township had ordinances on the agenda authorizing nearly $1 million in bonds (the committee also OK'd an ordinance to borrow $695,000 to pay for the ).

"I am concerned that we're kicking debt down the road...and that future generations are going to wind up with an extraordinary amount of debt," he said.

Lakatos made his comment after the committee adjourned, but Mayor Carolann Garafola reopened the meeting to allow him to speak on the measures.

Public hearings for the capital fund ordinances will be held at the May 3 meeting.