Moorestown Council Approves $540K In Water Tank Improvements

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council gave final approval to a pair of proposed bond ordinances for about $540,000 in water tank improvements, while introducing a proposed bond ordinance concerning new equipment for the Department of Public Works when it met Monday night.

One proposal calls for the allocation of $170,000, including the borrowing of $161,500 in bonds or notes for preliminary engineer and design expenses for painting and improvements to the Westfield Road Water Tank.

Another calls for the township to set aside $375,000, including the borrowing of $356,250 in bonds or notes for improvements to the North Church Street Water Tank.

They were both unanimously approved after public hearings in which no members of the public spoke.

Both projects are for routine upgrades, such as painting, the replacement of valving at the bottom of each tank and the installation of a vent at the top of each tank, Township Manager Kevin Aberant said.

The North Church Street water tank was last painted 15 years ago, so the township will power wash the tank to preserve the paint that is on there now.

The Westfield water tank was last painted 30 years ago, so both the outside and inside of the tank will be painted. This means it must be drained first, Aberant said.

When the tank is drained, there will be a slight drop in water pressure for those who are serviced in that area, but it won't be noticeable because they will just get their water from North Church Street in the interim, Aberant said.

Both projects were anticipated by the township and included in the capital budget, Aberant said.
Township Council also introduced a proposed ordinance to appropriate $360,000, including the borrowing of $342,000 in bonds or notes, for five vehicles for the Department of Public Works.

The Department of Public Works is looking to replace the following vehicles:

• A 2006 Mack Dump Truck with a plow and spreader, worth about $190,000;
• A 2003 Ford F-350 Dump Body Truck, worth about $65,000;
• A 72” Z-Rider Mower, worth about $15,000;
• A 1997 Ford F-350 pickup truck with plow, worth about $40,000; and
• A 2000 F-350 pickup truck with plow, worth about $40,000.

The public hearing and final vote on this proposal will take place at the Nov. 8 meeting.