Fielding a bond ordinance in Delanco

Levittown -

DELANCO - The Township Committee will vote on a bond ordinance tonight that would fund the construction of a soccer field on a portion of Pennington Park off Creek Road.

The township owns nearly 22 acres of the 140-acre park, which was created in 2006. The remaining 118 acres, owned by the county, include hiking trails and picnic areas.

The project would be funded by a $300,000 loan from the state Green Acres program, which is part of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The loan would be repaid at a 2 percent interest rate through Delanco's dedicated open space tax fund, so the project would have no impact on the local purpose tax, township officials said.

The annual loan payment would be about $20,000. The township collects $100,000 per year in open space taxes.

To obtain the loan, Green Acres requires the town to authorize an ordinance to certify that it has the capacity to bond for $300,000.

According to a summary of the project posted on Delanco's Web site, the township and county agreed to an open space land exchange that gave Delanco ownership of a portion of Pennington Park. The agreement was finalized earlier this year.

Members of the township's Recreation Commission and Delanco Youth Sports Association decided that soccer fields were a priority.

Committeewoman Marlene Jass, who serves as a liaison to the commission and association, said the youth soccer teams have 152 games and practices each year on two fields. She said an additional field would benefit the community's numerous teams. A second field at the park also might be possible.

"It's a positive thing for the township," Jass said. "Part of what makes a town is the schools, the recreation and the sports. It's one of the many good components of the town."

Contact: emoorhouse@phillyBurbs.com or 609-871-8057

MORE FROM PHILLYBURBS.COM

PhillyBurbs.com Section Front

Witnesses of Philly shooting say officer was drunk   Mays leads Youngstown State over Geneva 88-47   Jon Runyan announces he will run for Congress after finishing season   Drexel downs Penn 58-49   Pa. man trying to save his dog needs rescuing PhillyBurbs.com Section Front   Add PhillyBurbs.com headlines to your news reader: