ROBBINSVILLE: Township to move municipal offices

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   ROBBINSVILLE — After six years of having its municipal offices dispersed in two separate locations, the township has decided to purchase a condominium that will place the majority of the municipal departments in one location by 2014.
   The township has been a tenant at 1 Washington Blvd. since 2006 after it was forced to abandon the prior municipal building due to significant environmental conditions.
   Ultimately, the building had to be demolished, reads the resolution for the condominium purchase passed July 12 and adopted July 13.
   So when an opportunity arose to acquire a condominium in the future Roma Bank building, the township seized it.
   The new offices will be in a new 30,000-square foot building that is going to be built next to the existing Roma Bank building on Route 33. The township will own the entire third floor of the building, which will be about 8,930 square feet.
   The cost to acquire the condominium unit is $2,009,250, reads the resolution, which will be paid for through a bond. The first down payment for the bond recently was made for $150,000, the money coming from an emergency appropriation made by the township Aug. 9, reads the bond ordinance.
   All of the offices in the basement and second floor of the current municipal building will be moved to the new location. That includes the administration, tax, finance, clerk, recreation, engineering, construction, planning and zoning and affordable housing offices.
   In addition, the Township Council meeting room will be moved to the new location, Councilwoman Sheree McGowan said.
   The council holds its meetings in the courthouse at the municipal complex at 1117 Route 130.
   The municipal departments are split between the 1 Washington Blvd. location and the municipal complex.
   Councilwoman McGowan said having all offices in the same place and same floor will be more efficient for staff and residents. Also, the township will own the condominium, making the decision more cost effective.
   ”This purchase will be more economical than renting or constructing a new building and will be a permanent location,” said Joy Tozzi, township business administrator, in an email. “It will also be more convenient for our residents as all departments will be on the same floor.”