Dear Haddonfield Resident, 2010 CENSUS INFORMATION
The 2010 Census will be starting in April. This is a reminder that it is important for everyone to participate. Your answers are completely confidential. More details regarding the Census will be available on our web site in the coming months.
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MUNICIPAL MATTERS
■ BUSINESS DISTRICT BURGLARIES UPDATE
The Police Department reports that charges have been filed against a Camden resident in connection with a number of burglaries in the business district.
The break-ins took place in late January during the late evening or early morning hours. In most cases, a small window adjacent to the front door lock was broken. The perpetrator presumably reached inside to open the door.
Danny Wiles, 46, has been charged with four counts of burglary, four counts of theft, and one count of criminal mischief.
He is being held in the Camden County Jail.
■ FIRE COMPANY APPOINTMENT
The Commissioners have accepted the application of Donald M. Carmody for membership in Haddon Fire Company No. 1.
The Commissioners remind residents and those who work in town that the Fire Company welcomes opportunities to speak with interested parties about the rewards of volunteer service with the second oldest volunteer fire company in continuous service in the USA. Call Chief Joe Riggs at 856-429-4308.
During 2009, the company accepted six new members as fully fledged firefighters, as well as six high school-age participants in the Explorer program.
■ FIRE COMPANY ADVOCATES USE OF KNOX BOX
Haddon Fire Company No. 1 is encouraging the owners of businesses in Haddonfield to consider installing the “Knox Box” rapid entry system.
The Knox Box, which is usually installed on an outside wall near an entry door, typically contains entrance door keys, access cards, elevator keys, and many other items that are of use to firefighters in an emergency. The boxes can be opened only with the Fire Company’s master key.
With the Knox Box, emergency personnel do not have to wait for a building’s owner or manager to arrive in order to gain access. The contents of the Knox Box enable them to enter a building without (in most cases) having to use force on doors or windows. The benefits are obvious.
Several property owners in Haddonfield have installed the Knox Box on their buildings. Members of the Fire Company stand ready to demonstrate the system to other property owners who are interested. Call Tim Green at 856-429-4308.
Detailed information is available at www.knoxbox.com.
■ TALKING AND TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
The Police Department reminds residents and others who drive in Haddonfield that using a hand-held cell phone while driving is illegal in New Jersey. (The fine is $130.)
The consequences were demonstrated recently when a vehicle traveling on Haddon Avenue struck a parked car, spun around, and struck another parked car. The police report noted “heavy damage” to all three vehicles. The driver told police that when her cell phone rang, she “looked down to see who was calling.” She said she “did not know what happened next.”
■ OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE
The money the Borough of Haddonfield uses to run the town comes from three main sources: local property taxes, state aid, and “other.”
As state aid shrinks, as cost continue to rise, and as the pressure to keep taxes down becomes even greater, municipalities throughout New Jersey are paying increased attention to the “other” sources of revenue. The more they secure from these “other” non-tax sources, the less they need to raise in property taxes.
In recent years, Haddonfield has been very successful in obtaining grants from federal and state agencies (for roadworks, for example), and in winning cash awards (for recycling, for example). All department heads are continually “on the lookout” for new opportunities.
The Commissioners frequently receive suggestions from residents and business owners about potential sources of non-tax revenue. The one most commonly mentioned is speeding tickets. “If the police would only patrol Grove Street around the clock, they’d clean up,” is a typical and frequent comment.
This is one of those suggestions that seems like a “no-brainer.” Unfortunately, it’s not as good as it sounds.
The problem is that police departments are prohibited from using fines as a revenue-raising device. A fine is intended, primarily, to be a penalty for breaking a law. In some cases, the magnitude of a fine may be set to serve also as a deterrent. (Example: $130 for using a hand-held cell phone while driving.)
If a judge were to determine that a police department’s primary motivation in issuing a large number of speeding tickets in a relatively short span of time was to raise revenue for the municipal coffers, it’s possible that all of the summonses issued during the operation would be dismissed. The financial result for the municipality would be an increase in costs, rather than in revenue.
A related problem – which most are generally not aware of – is that Haddonfield gets to keep only a fraction of the revenue it takes in from fines. Some examples:
• Parking prohibited at all times, or during certain hours. The fine is $23. Haddonfield keeps just $5.50.
• Speeding 10 to 14 mph above the limit. The fine is $95. Haddonfield keeps just $33.
• Failure to exhibit driver’s license or insurance card. The fine is $180. Haddonfield keeps $33.
Once again, the prospect of raising a significant amount of money from what appears to be an “obvious” source can make the heart beat a little faster. Unfortunately, the excitement is short-lived.
The Commissioners welcome input from residents and business owners on these and other matters.
The Borough’s Web site – haddonfieldnj.org – provides an easy way to submit suggestions. Click on “Contact the Borough” at the bottom left of the home page. Other contact information for the Commissioners may be found in the Town Calendar and in the back of each issue of What’s On Haddonfield.
We hope this information is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Deanna Bennett, Borough Clerk |
