Dear Neighbors,

This issue has an update on the on-going Wal-Mart expansion saga as well as several new items including plans to clean up the old EPSCO site, a few county road projects in town, the potential sale or lease of the Gaun Building, recognition of a local resident, a new consumer discount card, and some new events in the community calendar. 

Wal-Mart Expansion:  In February, the NJ Superior Court remanded, or sent  back, the decision of the Lumberton Land Development Board approving the Wal-Mart expansion to a Super Wal-Mart.  The judge ruled that the notice for the hearing provided by Wal-Mart contained a sentence stating something to the effect that the proceedings before the Lumberton Land Board would not impact Mount Holly.  However, the plan includes another entrance off Route 38 that crosses through a small strip of land in Mount Holly between Route 38 and the Wal-Mart parking lot.  Wal-Mart received a separate approval from the Mount Holly Planning Board for this new entrance. 

This is the second time in the past few years that the court has remanded the Land Development Board's decision to approve Wal-Mart's expansion.  In each case, the parent company of the Hainesport Shop-Rite and a member of the Food Handlers Union have sued the Township to prevent the expansion.  

At this point, Wal-Mart has to decide whether they want to appeal the judge's ruling, go back in front of the Lumberton Land Board again, or give up on their expansion plans.  Wal-Mart has not indicated their intentions. 

EPSCO Clean Up:  After two years of pressure from the Township, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has communicated a plan to complete the hazardous waste clean up at the  former Electronic Parts Specialty Company (EPSCO) site located at 41 Coles Ave. or across Main Street from the Village Green.  The site was polluted with heavy metal discharges from the former manufacturing facility.  The DEP remediated the site in the late 1990's and declared the project complete in 2000.  However, many of the heavy metals under the cap that DEP installed did not remain contained and traveled under the properties of several homes on Harrogate Drive and Whitby Court toward the Bobby's Run Creek. 

The DEP's plan calls for demolishing the old factory, removing the cap they installed several years ago, removing the remaining contaminated soil.  The project is expected to be disruptive to the affected homeowners and will start later this year and finish by the end of 2010.  The Township Committee has requested the DEP to present their project plan at a future Township Committee meeting.  No date has been set yet.

Crispin Road Bridge:  The Burlington County Board of Freeholders announced that they plan to replace the bridge on Crispin Road in 2009.  The newer bridge will include a bike and pedestrian way and will remove some of the curve to make the roadway safer.  

County Road Resurfacing:  The Burlington County Board of Freeholders also announced plans to resurface two county roads in Lumberton.  The county road department will mill and resurface Stacie Haines Road from the Mount Laurel border to Fostertown Road and Creek Road from Main Street to Chase Lane.  

Ridgeway Gaun Building:  In February, the Township Committee directed the Township Administrator to explore selling the Ridgeway Gaun Building.  The Gaun Building is the old township hall and home of the Lumberton Historical Society.  After three years of discussions with the Historical Society, the Township Committee recognized that there was not a feasible way to raise the over $400,000 required to bring the building up to code for a public building and that $400,000 is a lot of money to spend for 1,400 square feet of usable space.  The Township Committee also directed the Administrator to find a way to use the proceeds to create a new home for the historical society so they can set up a permanent museum.

Since then, the Lumberton Historical Society has indicated a willingness to pay the operating cost of the building and has begun discussions on a long term lease of the building from the Township.

Local Photographer Recognized:  A Lumberton photographer, Steve Greer, was recognized on Philadelphia NBC-10 for his new book, Our New Jersey, a photo essay on New Jersey.  To view the interview, click here.  To purchase the book, click here.

Jackpot Card:  Earlier this year, a local business introduced the Jackpot Card, a local discount card for consumers.  The card is available for purchase and is recognized my many local retailers.  For more information, visit www.jackpotcard.com.  

Community Calendar:  Here are some upcoming events in Lumberton.  More events can be found on the Lumberton E-News Community Calendar.  You can also add your own events to the Community Calendar - no middleman!  

• Flashlight Egg Hunt:  The flashlight egg hunt will be held on Thursday, April 8th at the Village Green.   The event starts at dusk.  The event is for children from 3rd-8th grades.  Children are reminded to bring their own flashlights and bags.
• School Board Elections:  The School Board Elections and Budget Referendums will be on Tuesday, April 21st.  All Lumberton residents vote at the Ashbrook School.  Polls are open from 3:00-9:00 PM.  
• Stepping Stones Golf Outing:  Stepping Stones Preschool Cooperative will be holding its Fourth Annual Golf Outing on May 1, 2009 at the Golden Pheasant Golf Club. For more information, contact sspcchair@gmail.com.
• Mulch Sale:  The Boy Scout Troop 5 is holding its annual Mulch Sale Fundraiser.  To purchase mulch or to learn more contact puglisi2nj@comcast.net.
• Memorial Day Parade:  The annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 25th at 1:00 PM on Main Street.  The memorial ceremony will held immediately following the parade at the Village Green Memorial.
• Bike Rodeo:  The Lumberton Police Department will hold a "bicycle rodeo" on June 13th from 9:00-12:00 PM at the Municipal Complex.  The goal is to promote bicycle safety.  There will be safe riding instructions, prizes, handouts, free bike registration in case of theft, and more.  The rain date in June 14th.
• Farm Fair:  The Burlington County Farm Fair is coming to Lumberton for the last time - really - from July 22nd-25th.  The county has started construction of the fair's new home in Springfield.  The fair expects to open in Springfield in 2010.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for your continued support.  

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