By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP Recreation and smart development have topped the township’s priorities this year, with the recent opening of several new Route 130 businesses, but in 2008 township officials will continue fighting a proposed N.J. Turnpike expansion, with meetings expected in January.
Committeeman Bill Morelli said the township will continue to work to preserve the township’s “destination” appeal by strongly opposing an expansion project that could threaten houses in the Williamsburg Village community.
In late fall, township officials started several petition drives to deter the Turnpike Authority from moving forward with its $2 billion six-lane expansion plan.
Mr. Morelli has said he believes the plan will negatively affect the entire township.
Currently, the township is in the process of trying to set up meetings with the Turnpike Authority to present its case, said Mr. Morelli.
He noted that state Assemblyman Joseph Malone, R-3rd, has been instrumental in arranging these meetings.
”Our goal is to have that meeting sometime in the first three weeks in January,” he said.
The township has seen the addition of some new shopping and dining destinations in 2007, he said. “The new Acme is up and running, and we also have Alstarz (restaurant) up and running, both of which we are very proud of,” said Mr. Morelli this week.
”This is a prime example of how private business and government can work together,” he said.
He noted both of these projects serve a large part in making the Route 130 corridor “a place that people want to stop, not just pass through.”
Up next for possible redevelopment is the old Agway site, on Route 130 south. The township is working to revitalize the site into a viable part of the corridor.
Mr. Morelli said there are a variety of projects slated for development in 2008, including a former ship salvaging yard, which is currently a brownfield, and will likely see revitalization with a possible transit village and mixed-use buildings.
Another development in 2007 was sharing court services with Bordentown City, which Mr. Morelli said could save residents money. The towns are in negotiation to also finalize the consolidation of emergency services.
Recreation also saw some changes in 2007, with the opening of Seth C. Hand Park on Palmer Avenue, and significant improvements slated for Northern Community Park on Groveville Road.
Seth C. Hand Park, which was the first to come to fruition with the township’s open space acquisitions, recently won the Project of the Year award in November from the state League of Municipalities.
The Township Committee in August approved a 20-year loan from the state Department of Environmental Protection for up to $742,000 in renovations to Northern Community Park, including dredging its pond, installing new lighting and replacing fences around the tennis courts. The usable part of Northern Community Park is around 7 acres, while the rest of the park is made up of trees and not accessible for recreation. In total, the park is around 90 acres.

