APPOINTMENTS TO FIRE COMPANY
During their meeting on September 11, the Commissioners accepted the appointment of two new members of Haddon Fire Co. No. 1: Henry (“Skip”) Bean of Concord Drive and Brandon Zobel of Hawthorne Avenue (a former member of the Fire Explorer program).
The Commissioners congratulate these new members and remind residents (and out-of-towners who work in Haddonfield) that the Fire Company – the second oldest volunteer fire company in continuous service in the United States – is always interested in interviewing prospective members.

APPOINTMENTS
During their meeting on September 11, the Commissioners made the following appointments:
•To the Senior Citizen Advisory Board: Josephine Pecorelli (to fill the unexpired term of Mary Lou Cullurafi).
•To the District Management Corporation: Ann E. Lawson (to fill the unexpired term of Anthony Scoleri).
•To the Zoning Board of Adjustment: Kevin Burns. As Alternates: George J. Haitsch, Matthew J. Mazur, Dave Hunt, and Linda Kuritzkes.
•As Tax Assessor: Tom Colavecchio.
During their meeting on September 25, the Commissioners appointed George Cox as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.
The Commissioners thank Tony Scoleri for his service to the District Management Corporation and the business community. They also express their appreciation for the long and dedicated service on the Senior Citizen Advisory Board of Mary Lou Cullurafi, who passed away recently.

TREE REMOVAL SERVICES
During their meeting on September 11, the Commissioners awarded a contract for tree removal services to Lyon & Son Tree Service, of Barrington, for $39,850.

HYDRANT FLUSHING CONTINUES
The Water Department’s semi-annual hydrant flushing operation is under way. October 2 thru 5: north of Kings Highway, east of th Speedline. October 9 thru 12: south of the Highway, west of the Speedline. October 16 thru 19: north of the Highway, west of the Speedline. (The quadrant south of the Highway and east of the Speedline has been completed.)

EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
The Commissioners were scheduled, during their meeting of September 25, to authorize the purchase of a new dump truck from Robert H. Hoover & Sons, of Pennsauken, for $133,975.

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR BIDS
During their meeting on September 25, the Commissioners authorized the advertising for bids for temporary labor for the Public Works Department (primarily to assist with seasonal leaf-collection operations) and for a 3/4-ton 4-wheel-drive pick-up truck.

COLUMBUS DAY
Borough offices will be closed on Monday, October 8, in observance of Columbus Day.
Monday’s trash and recycling collection will be postponed to Tuesday.
Police, fire, and ambulance services will be provided around-the-clock, as usual. Emergency water and sewer services will also be available at all hours.
The Public Library will be open (10am to 9pm) as will the Information Center (12n to 4pm).

ACQUISITION, DISPOSAL OF GOODS, SERVICES
During their meeting on September 25, the Commissioners authorized the submission of an application to the NJ Division of Local Government Services for approval to use the services of an Internet auction site – www.GovDeals.com – to acquire and dispose of certain goods and services.
A number of counties and other municipalities in New Jersey and elsewhere use this site and have been able to cut acquisition and disposal costs as a result.

AMENDMENTS TO SIGN ORDINANCE
During their meeting on September 11, the Commissioners amended Chapter 191 (“Signs”) of the Borough’s Code of Ordinances. Many of the amendments resulted from recommendations of a committee of the District Management Corporation and relate to signs used by businesses.
The amendments included:
•Defining the difference between a “public” banner and a “business” banner. Public banners include those temporary signs erected on buildings or across the public right-of-way by or on behalf of houses of worship and community organizations.
•The addition of a definition for “business banner” as a temporary sign placed on the exterior of a business or inside a display window to advertise sales events, a new service, or “grand openings.” Such banners may not be displayed for more than seven days per calendar quarter.
•Limits on “temporary interior advertising signs,” including a prohibition on hand-written signs, newspaper articles, product promotions, etc., affixed to or placed in store windows.
•A requirement that sign board surfaces and decorative borders be made of wood. Artificial wood-grain textures on sign backgrounds are prohibited, as are plastic signs.
•Limits on the use of decorative miniature (“pin”) lights. The exterior use of pin lights is prohibited. The interior use of pin lights visible in a display window is prohibited except between November 1 and January 15.
•A ban on interior neon sign or decorative lighting visible from the street.
The amendments also included minor changes to the requirements for signs used by restaurants, signs used for private parking purposes, and signs that display a retail store’s hours of operation.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS OUT!
Copies of the Community Calendar for 2007-08 were mailed to all residential and business addresses in late August. Residents and business owners who did not receive a calendar should check first with the Post Office. Additional copies are available at the Borough Hall (Room 101) and the Information Center. The cost is $7.00 each.
The Commissioners thank the PTAs, sponsors and contributors, David Podgor (the designer), and the staff of the Public Library and the Information Center for their work on this year’s publication.

SCHOOL’S IN – DRIVE 25!
The speed limit in Haddonfield is 25 miles per hour at all times. At this time of the year, however, with schools back in session, the Commissioners and the Chief of Police wish to remind all who live, work, and visit Haddonfield to be especially conscious of the speed limit.
Haddonfield’s Drive 25 campaign has been used as a case study in a new guide published by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. The booklet, titled “Traffic Calming,” is one in a series designed as a “municipal implementation tool” for local officials.

VACANCIES FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Commissioners invite applications from residents who are interested in serving on the following Borough entities: Historic Preservation Commission, Senior Citizen Advisory Board, and Zoning Board.
Applications can be submitted online at haddonfieldnj.org. Click on “Volunteer for a Board Position.”

TOWN FORUM ON POTENTIAL OF PATCO LOT
The Civic Association will hold a Town Forum in the Borough Hall on Wednesday, September 26 from 7:30pm to 9pm.
The topic will be “Development Potential of the PATCO Lot” and the speaker will be John J. Matheussen, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority and President of PATCO. He will talk about the conceptual site plans for “Transit-Oriented Development” that DRPA has prepared for stations on the PATCO line.
The relationship of the plans to Haddonfield’s new Downtown Element of the Master Plan will be discussed also.

FALL FESTIVAL
The Commissioners have approved the use of public sidewalks and other public property in the commercial district for various purposes associated with the Fall Festival, scheduled to be held this year on Saturday, October 13.
Fall Festival provides an opportunity for Haddonfield community organizations to set up displays in assigned locations along Kings Highway to publicize their activities, events, programs, membership, and to raise funds in support of their missions. Booths set up by crafters will again be a feature of Fall Festival.

JOINT INSURANCE FUND
During their meeting on August 28, the Commissioners authorized the signing of an agreement with the Camden County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, providing for a continuation of Haddonfield’s membership beyond the current expiration date of December 31.
Haddonfield was a leading participant in the establishment of this fund, more than a decade ago. The fund enables member municipalities to obtain insurance coverage for certain risks at rates that are less than the rates they would have to pay if they sought coverage in the open market.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
During their meeting on August 28, the Commissioners authorized the adoption and signing of a Community Development Block Grant agreement between the Borough of Haddonfield and the County of Camden.
The agreement gives Haddonfield access to federal funds to support community development projects.

PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES
During their meeting on August 28, the Commissioners authorized the signing of two contracts with McManimon & Scotland. One is for professional services as a bond attorney; the other is for professional services as a redevelopment attorney.

CONTRACT FOR ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT
During their meeting on August 28, the Commissioners authorized the signing of a contract for the preparation of a zone-based development ordinance.
The contract, for $43,700, was awarded to Brown & Keener Bressi of Philadelphia. It covers the writing of an ordinance to codify the Downtown Element of the Haddonfield Master Plan, adopted recently by the Planning Board and subsequently endorsed by the Commissioners. The consultant’s fees will be covered in part by a $35,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

AUCTION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
The Police Department will conduct a public auction of unclaimed and surplus property on Saturday, September 15.
The auction will take place at the Public Works facility off Centre Street (entrance opposite Scout Field), starting at 10am. Items to be offered for sale may be inspected after 9am.
The catalog includes 44 bicycles, 2 scooters, 1 wheelchair, 1 jog stroller, and 1 computer monitor.

ROADWORKS UPDATE
During their meeting on August 28, the Commissioners authorized the signing of a contract for the microsurfacing of Sylvan Lake Avenue. The work will be carried out by Asphalt Paving Systems of Hammonton. The contract value is approximately $42,000.

HOLIDAY HOURS AND SERVICES
Borough offices will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day. The Library and Information Center will also be closed. Emergency services - water and sewer, police, fire, and ambulance - will be available 24/7.

TREES 1- REMOVAL PARTNERSHIP
The Borough has established a new program that enables residents to shorten the time it usually takes to arrange for a dead or dying tree in front of their property to be taken down.
The normal procedure is for the resident to request a take- down, the Shade Tree Commission to process the request, and, if action is approved, the tree to be added to the Borough's take-down list.
The problem is that there are many more trees on the list than the Borough can afford to take down. (Some 100 trees are removed each year. The cost has increased significantly in recent times, and the Borough does not have an unlimited budget for tree removal.) As a result, residents typically must
wait much longer than they - or the Borough - would like.
To address this problem, the Commissioners have developed the Street Tree Removal Partnership to speed up the tree-removal process in those cases where residents are willing to contribute to the cost of tree removal.
Once atree has been placed on the Borough's take-down list, a resident can apply to participate in the Partnership program. The cost to participate depends on the cost of removal. The Borough will pay 50% of the cost of removal, up to a maximum of $1,000. ("Cost of removal" includes disposal of tree parts but not stump removal, which is required.)
Details and application forms for the Street Tree Removal Partnership program are available at the Borough Hall (Room 101) and on the Borough's Web site.
Note that the first step is to verify that the tree is on the take- down list, or to apply for the tree to be added to the take-down list. To check the list, call the Public Works Department at 856- 429-0183 (8:00am to 4:00pm weekdays) or e-mail pwinfo@ haddonfield-nj.gov. To request removal, write to the Shade Tree. Commission, PO Box 3005

TREES 2 - FORESTRY MANAGEMENT :
The Borough has applied to the State of New Jersey for renewal of its Forestry Management Plan. Approval of the five-year plan enables the Borough to apply for grants for various aspects of tree management.

TREE 3 - COMMEMORATIVE TREES
The Commissioners are planning to introduce a program that enables residents and others to request the planting of commemorative trees on streets and in parks. Participants will be able to choose locations from a list maintained by the Shade Tree Commission. The cost -$1 ,000 per tree - includes a metal plaque that will be placed near the base of the tree.

ROADWORKS
The Commissioners were scheduled to approve, during their meeting on August 28, a contract for the reconstruction of Mt Vernon Avenue (From West End for Avondale) including, where necessary, replacement curbs, aprons, and sidewalks.
The work, which will be carried out by Asphalt Paving Systems! of Hammonton at a cost of $219,695.50, is likely to begin in late September or early October. Residents in the area will be notified in writing prior to the commencement of construction.
The Borough applied for and received a grant of $152,000 from the State of NJ towards the cost of the work.

CONSTRUCTION AT THE LIBRARY
Sidewalks in the area of the Public Library were replaced recently, and work is scheduled to begin in the near future on the repairs to the slate steps at the front of the building.
It is expected that the work will be completed by Saturday, September 15, the date of the Friends of the Library Book Sale

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR BIDS
The Borough is advertising for bids for a new (replacement) dump truck, and for the next phase of its tree take-down program, covering 58 trees on the Shade Tree Commission's approved list.

APPROVAL FOR AUTO SHOW
The Commissioners were scheduled, during their August 28 meeting, to approve the closing of Kings Highway East (from the Speedline to Haddon Avenue) for the holding of an Antique Auto Show on Saturday, September 8 (rain date: September 15).

LABOR CONTRACT
The Borough has reached agreement with the Teamsters Union Local #676, which covers employees in the Public Works Department, for a labor contract for a five-year period from April 1 , 2006 through March 31 , 2010.
Covered employees will receive annual increases averaging 3.35% over the period of the contract.
For its part, the Borough will benefit from the addition of two steps at the bottom of the wage scale (so there will be seven steps in the scale), and from the addition of one year to the waiting period for new employees who wish to add family members to their health plan (so the new waiting period will be three years).

SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Borough has reached an agreement with the Township of Cherry Hill to share in the cost of training for members of the Victim's Services Domestic Violence Response Team.
The team is called into action by local police whenever an incident appears to have involved domestic violence.

TAXES ARE DUE!
Quarterly property tax payments were due on August 1, but the Commissioners have permitted a grace period, until 4:30pm on Friday, August 17.
As provided for by State law, property owners who do not pay their taxes until after August 17 will be charged interest from the due date: August 1. Payments in person may be made at the Borough Hall, in Room 105.

COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING CANCELLED
The Commissioners’ Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 14 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 28.
Commissioners’ meetings are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, in Room 102 of the Borough Hall, starting at 7:30pm. Members of the public are entitled – and encouraged – to attend. Each meeting includes a period for public questions and comment.
During their meeting on June 24, the Commissioners agreed to submit an application for State Road Aid for the reconstruction of Chestnut Street, from Lincoln to Reillywood.

BIDS FOR ROADWORKS
During their meeting on July 24, the Commissioners agreed to invite bids for the reconstruction of Mt. Vernon Avenue, from West End to Avondale. Sealed bids are due on Thursday, August 16 by 10:00am.
The Borough has received State Road Aid for this work.

CCMUA REBATE FOR SENIORS (AND OTHERS)
The Camden County Board of Freeholders is offering a $50 rebate on CCMUA payments made by senior citizens and disabled residents who are non-delinquent, current CCMUA customers with a combined gross income of $40,000 or less (including Social Security) who resided in the County in 2006.
Forms to claim the rebate are available at the Borough Hall (Room 105). The deadline to apply is August 31, 2007.

PLEASE LIMIT OUTDOOR WATERING!
With temperatures consistently in the 90’s, the Borough askes residents who water lawns, wash automobiles, fill swimming pools, etc. to do so early in the day, or late, and not to water outdoors at all between 6:00am and 6:00pm.
The goal of this timing is to even out the peaks and valleys of demand so that pumping equipment can be run more efficiently, and therefore more economically.
The Commissioners have authorized Mayor Colombi, as Director of Public Works, to impose mandatory restrictions on the outdoor use of water, should such restrictions be necessary to conserve the Borough’s water resources.

MICROSURFACING WORK
During their meeting on July 24, the Commissioners awarded a contract for the microsurfacing of three streets: S. Edge Park Drive (from Edge Park to Grove), Treaty Elms Lane (from Gill to W. Atlantic), and Wayside Lane (from N. Edge Park to S. Edge Park).
The work will be carried out through the Interlocal Services Agreement with Camden County by Asphalt Paving Systems of Hammonton at a cost of $79,893.33.

APPOINTMENTS
The Commissioners have appointed Patricia See to the Shade Tree Commission, as Alternate II.
Jeff Hammon, formerly Alternate I, has been appointed to take the place of Beverly Lloyd-Aldeghi, who resigned in order to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Partnership for Haddonfield, the district management corporation for the business district. Harriet Monshaw has moved from Alternate II to Alternate I.
The Commissioners thank Beverly Aldeghi for her service to the Shade Tree Commission and to the community.

BIDS SOUGHT FOR KINGS COURT DESIGN
Plans have been in place for some time to upgrade elements of the utility infrastructure below Kings Court. Since it makes sense for above-ground elements to be upgraded at the same time, the Commissioners have decided to invite bids for the redesign on Kings Court. One of the goals will be to make it more pedestrian-friendly and to draw shoppers into the Court, and potentially to Ellis Street as well, from Kings Highway.
During their meeting on July 24, the Commissioners decided to invite bids for the design and development of Kings Court. The Request for Proposals document may be downloaded from the Borough Web site (haddonfieldnj.org). Bids are due on Wednesday, August 22, before 3:00pm.
It is hoped that the work will begin in the Spring of 2008.
The developer of the new condominiums at Kings Court contributed $100,000 to the project, in lieu of undertaking repair work in the Court that would have subsequently been torn up when the infrastructure replacement project takes place.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSULTANT
To help the Borough ensure that a prescribed level of affordable housing is provided in Haddonfield, as required by State law, the Commissioners have awarded a contract to Community Investment Strategies, a developer based in Bordentown, to participate in the implementation and development of affordable housing in Haddonfield.
The company will evaluate various sites where affordable housing could be developed and present its proposals to the Commissioners.
It would be Community Investment Strategies, not the Borough, that would build and manage any subsequent development under this contract.

TAX BILLS ARE IN THE MAIL
Tax Bills for 2007 were scheduled to be mailed early in the week of July 23.
Taxes are due on August 1, but the Commissioners have provided a grace period until Friday, August 17. As provided for by State law, property owners who do not pay their taxes until after August 17 will be charged interest from the due date: August 1.

WE’VE GOT YOUR NUMBER ... OR HAVE WE?
The ability of our Police and Fire Departments to do their jobs efficiently and effectively depends, in part, on their being able to identify, quickly and acurately, the properties they have been summoned to.
Homeowners are asked to ensure that their homes are identified, clearly and conspicuously, with house numbers.
Numbers should:
• Be large enough to be read from the roadway.
• Stand out against their background.
• Not be obscued by foliage or other obstructions.
• Numbers that are affixed to the main structure (as opposed to a light pole, fence, or other object near the property line) should be in the vicinity of the front door.

WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Water Quality Report for 2006 was mailed recently to all addresses in the Borough. Any property owners or residents who did not receive the report in the mail may obtain a copy at the Borough Hall (Room 105), Information Center, Public Library, or Mabel Kay House

CCMUA REBATE FOR SENIORS (AND OTHERS)
The Camden County Board of Freeholders is offering a $50 rebate on CCMUA payments made by senior citizens and disabled residents who are non-delinquent, current CCMUA customers with a combined gross income of $40,000 or less (including Social Security) who resided in the County is 2006.
Forms to claim the rebate are available at the Borough Hall (Room 105), Information Center, and Mabel Kay House.
The deadline to apply is August 31, 2007.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION UNDER WAY
Work on various streets has been scheduled to begin during the weeks beginning ...
• July 23 – Sylvan Lake Avenue
• July 30 – Westwood Avenue (Warwick to end)
• August 6 – Rhoads Avenue (Haddon to Nicholson)
• August 13 – Walnut Street (Ellis to East Park)
Residents will be notified by letter prior to the commencement of work.
Bids have been invited for roadwork on Mt. Vernon Avenue (from West End to Avondale). The due date is August 16.

RECYCLING NOTE!
Business owners are reminded that cardboard boxes placed on the sidewalks for recycling must be broken down to flats and tied in bundles. Violations will be prosecuted.

REASSESSMENT QUESTIONS ANSWERED
More than 75 people attended a meeting in the Borough Hall auditorium on July 19 to hear a presentation from the Tax Assessor about the reassessment program that is under way, ask questions, and hear answers.
The Assessor estimates that about 70% of the properties in the Borough have been visited and that internal access has been gained in about 80% of the properties visited. He expects to complete exterior inspections by the end of August and interior inspections by the end of September.
It is expected that valuations will be calculated in September, and that notices of the new assessments will be mailed by the end of November.
Property owners are reminded that the reassessment will be “revenue neutral” – in other words:
• The total value of properties (and of most individual properties) in the Borough will increase ...
• But the tax rate will decrease in order that ...
• The total amount of taxes collected by the Borough will remain the same.

Here is an example for an individual residential property, using actual numbers from the 1994-95 reassessment:
Before After
Assessed value $75,000 $167,000
Tax rate 0.568 0.255
Taxes( no change ) $4,260 $4,258

If the new assessment had been less than $167,000, the taxes for that property would have gone down:
Assessed value $75,000 $150,000
Tax rate 0.568 0.255
Taxes( =decrease ) $4,260 $3,825

If the new assessment had been more than $167,000, the taxes for that property would have gone up:
Assessed value $75,000 $175,000
Tax rate 0.568 0.255
Taxes( =increase ) $4,260 $4,463

About one-third of property owners will see their taxes go down, because the assessed value of their properties will have increased at a rate that is less than the Borough average. One-third will see no significant change in their taxes, because their assessed value will have increased at a rate equal to the Borough average. And one-third will see their property taxes increase, because their assessed value will have increased at a rate that is more than the Borough average.
The bottom line? About two in three Haddonfield property owners will see either no significant change in their taxes, or they will see a decrease. About one in three will see an increase.