Officials also announce upgraded bond rating
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
ROBBINSVILLE — The township is moving forward to purchase a land situated between two Robbinsville parks on Meadowbrook Road.
An ordinance was introduced unanimously at the April 10 council meeting to authorize the purchase, which will be done through open space funds, according to township officials.
Mark Roselli, township attorney, initially announced an agreement had been reached between the township and the property owner during the March 27 Township Council meeting.
According to a copy of the ordinance, the purchase price is $750,000. The 9.56-acre piece of land is on Meadowbrook Road sandwiched between Tantum and Blakely parks.
Mayor David Fried told the Messenger Press the move was made with the hopes of connecting the two parks.
”This is a really nice piece of property because it will allow us to connect those two parks,” Mayor Fried said. “So it really makes a lot of sense.”
The land, which only came up for sale recently, was discussed at a recent council meeting, the mayor noted.
”It’s an unique property,” he added, noting there’s a lake on the property that could allow officials to provide ice skating during the winter.
In addition, the mayor opined the land, the rear of which runs along the Assunpink Creek, could host township summer camps due to a home located on site.
”Right now we use the schools for summer camps, so this will allow us to use our own property for the camps in the summer,” he said. “This is a really nice purchase for town.”
Tantum Park, according to the township website is 36 acres and includes a playground, picnic pavilion, two tennis courts, two-lighted basketball courts and three baseball/softball fields. The park is home to the township’s little league.
Tantumn Park also includes the Thomas J. May Nature Trail, which is adjacent to the Assunpink Creek. The hiking/walking trail is approximately a half-mile loop.
The land purchase will allow for trail connections as well, the mayor said.
Blakely Park, is 28-acre park that has three athletic fields, which are utilized by the Robbinsville PAL football program and the Robbinsville Lacrosse Association.
A public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, April 24, after which the council may formally adopt the ordinance.
In other township news officials are touting a recent upgrade of Robbinsville’s long-term bond rating by Standard & Poor’s.
In a township release, officials announced from AA to AA+ even as the state’s rating was degraded from AA- to A+. In addition, the S&P determined the township’s outlook as “stable.”
Bond ratings, among other things, impacts costs of borrowing funds for projects such as schools and roads.
”It is rewarding that while government across our state is being downgraded, the changes we have made here in Robbinsville are being noticed as this upgrade proves,” Mayor Fried said in a press release.
The mayor lauded the work of his staff as well as township decision-making as primary reasons for the rating upgrade.
”Making hard decisions is not always politically popular, but when you do the right things for the right reasons people will take notice,” he said. “I could not be more grateful to my staff for their hard work and willingness to be part of the solution.”
According to S&P, Robbinsville’s projected per capita income is at 154.8 percent of the nation. In addition, per capita market value was strong at nearly $171,000 for fiscal year 2013.
Factors S&P took into account, according to the press release, included the township’s payment in lieu of taxes agreement with Amazon.com, leading to the construction of a warehouse, which expected to create 1,400 full-time jobs.
In addition, other factors included the township’s budgetary performance and flexibility, weak debt and strong liquidity, which provided cash levels to cover debt service and expenditures.
Officials further touted the development at the April 10 Township Council meeting.
”We’re really excited about (this),” said Business administrator Joy Tozzi. “It is very hard to go from a high grade level to an even higher grade level.”

