Council approves resolution, ordinances to redevelop Econo Lodge
Page 4 • Wednesday, August 7, 2019 • The Hammonton Gazette
COUNCIL, from Page 1
this is the current site of the econo Lodge,
which is qualified as a non-condemnation
area in need of redevelopment pursuant to
the Local redevelopment and Housing
Law.
at the January 28, 2019 meeting of
mayor and council, White Horse HMt
Urban renewal LLC was designated to re-
develop the land, consisting of the renova-
tion, construction and equipping of an
approximately 162-unit assisted living res-
idence for low income seniors. this in-
cludes, among other things, the renovation
of an existing private room hotel and the
new construction of additional units and
kitchen, dining, administrative and resident
activity areas, including an approximately
5,000 square foot adult medical day care fa-
cility.
in order to facilitate the beginning of that
redevelopment, mayor and council voted on
three interrelated, successive action items
at the special meeting.
the first, resolution #119-2019, allowed
for a capital budget amendment in the
amount of $25,000. this resolution allowed
the town to raise the necessary funds for the
next item on the agenda.
that item, Ordinance #21-2019, author-
izes the issuance of bonds in an amount not
to exceed $25,000 to fund infrastructure im-
provements near the property, including in-
tersection and traffic improvements.
Mayor Stephen DiDonato was quick to
point out that there would be no cost
to the town for these bonds.
“this money will be reimbursed
by the developer,” DiDonato said.
according to the language of the
ordinance, the financial obligations
authorized shall mature in annual
installments commencing not more
than two and ending not more than
40 years from the date of issuance.
the bond ordinance shall take ef-
fect 20 days after the first publica-
tion thereof after final adoption.
the maximum interest rate on the
bonds shall be nine percent without
further authorization of town coun-
cil.
the third item on the agenda re-
lating to the White Horse Pike re-
development
project
was
Ordinance #22-2019, which author-
izes a financial agreement between
the town and White Horse HMt
Urban renewal LLC. this not only
encompasses the aforementioned
bond, but also allows a long-term
property tax exemption for which
the project is eligible, as it is clas-
sified as a single purpose urban re-
newal entity.
White Horse HMt Urban re-
newal LLC had previously demon-
strated to the town that the
redevelopment project would not
be feasible in its intended scope but
for the provision of financial assis-
tance by the town, through both the
bonds and the tax exemption. it was
determined that the relevant bene-
fits of the project for the town out-
weigh the loss, if any, of property
tax revenue in granting the long
term-tax exemption.
“all this is necessary for the de-
veloper to get funding,” DiDonato
said of the three action items, which
passed unanimously, with Council-
man Michael torrissi absent.
in other business, mayor and
council voted unanimously to pass
resolution #118-2019, which au-
thorizes the town to submit a grant
application with the New Jersey
Department of Community affairs
Please recycle this paper .
for the Small Cities Public facilities Grant
Program up to $400,000.00.
“there will be no local tax dollars spent.
this is our state and federal tax dollars that
we’re trying to identify and secure,” DiDo-
nato said.
Should the town be awarded grant
money, the plan is to use it to make the
playground at Hammonton Lake Park more
accessible and all-inclusive.
“this will hopefully increase the play-
ground. Years ago we tried to start the walk-
ing path where a wheelchair could go from
field to field. We’ll see how far we get, but
that’s where we’re trying to go again,”
Councilman Sam rodio said.
Mayor and council also voted favorably
on the approval Pinelands Commission ap-
plication fees to adams, rehmann & Heg-
gan for demolition of two properties: 130
railroad avenue, with an application fee
not to exceed $850; and 782 Bellevue av-
enue, with an application fee not to exceed
$1200.
“these are two properties that we’ve
needed to clean up for a long time,” rodio
said.
the next meeting of town council will be
held on Monday, august 26, 2019 at 7 p.m.
in town hall. Council will present outgoing
Hammonton Police Chief robert Jones
with a plaque in appreciation for his 34
years of service to the town. residents are
encouraged to attend.
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