May 22 to July 3, 2009

TRASH COLLECTION ON JULY 3 – YES!
Although Friday, July 3 is a public holiday, and although Borough offices will be closed, trash and recycling collection will take place throughout the town on that day. Police, fire, ambulance, and emergency water and sewer services will be provided around the clock. The Information Center will be open from 12:00n to 9:00pm on Friday. The Public Library will be closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

FIREWORKS ON JULY 3 – YES!
Haddonfield’s annual Independence Day Eve fireworks display, sponsored by the Celebrations Association, will be presented in the High School stadium, starting sometime after 9:15pm. Musical entertainment will be provided from 7:30pm.
In the event of inclement weather, check www.HaddonfieldOnline.com.

ROTARY CONCERT ON JULY 3 – NO!
The first Rotary Summer Concert of the season (The Pick-Up Band) will be presented on Friday, June 26 at 7pm. There will not be a concert on Friday, July 3. Concerts will resume on Friday, July 10.

CLOTHING COLLECTIONS
During their meeting on June 9, the Commissioners introduced an ordinance that would give the Borough the power to regulate the use of bins that are used by haritable organizations to collect donations of clothing. The proposed ordinance follows state guidelines for the use of these types of receptacles. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held during the Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, June 23 (7:30pm in the Borough Hall, Room 102).

APPROVALS FOR EVENTS
During their meeting on June 9, the Commissioners authorized the Rotary Club to hold concerts on Kings Highway on one Friday night in June and four Friday
nights in July. The portion of the Highway between Haddon Avenue and Tanner Street will be closed from approximately 6:45pm to 8:45pm for that purpose.
The Commissioners authorized the closing of Kings Highway (from the PATCO line to Haddon Avenue), and portions of Tanner Street, Mechanic Street, and Chestnut Street from 6:00am on Saturday, July 11 through 8:00pm on Sunday, July 12 for the annual Crafts & Fine Arts Festival, sponsored by the Partnership for Haddonfield. The Commissioners also authorized the use of sidewalks in the business district for the Partnership for Haddonfield’s Sidewalk Sale Days, scheduled for July 31, August 1 and 2.

DUMP TRUCKS PURCHASED
During their meeting on June 9, the Commissioners authorized the purchase of two dump trucks, a 2007 Sterling Acterra and a 2009 Freightliner M2, both new
vehicles. The bid for the 2009 vehicle was awarded to Robert H. Hoover & Sons Inc of Pennsauken, for $119,890. The bid for the 2007 vehicle was awarded to H. A. DeHart & Son Inc of Thorofare, for $120,887. Although the DeHart bid was about $2,000 higher than the other bid received, the low bidder took an exception to the specifications. The Borough determined it to be a material deviation and therefore rejected the bid.

BOROUGH SOLICITOR SERVICES
During their meeting on June 9 the Commissioners authorized the advertising for requests for proposals for the provision of municipal solicitor services. This action follows similar actions the Commissioners have taken in recent years to award contracts for professional services (engineering, auditing, and ommunications, for example), based on competitive bidding. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 3:00pm on Thursday, July 2, in Room 101 of the Borough Hall. Copies of the RFP are available at that location, and online at the Borough’s Web site: www.haddonfieldnj.org.

APPOINTMENTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENT
During their meeting on June 9 the Commissioners approved the appointment of two new members of Haddon Fire Company No. 1: Kyle Hagan and Bryan Griffeth. Bryan Griffeth’s appointment is noteworthy in that he represents the fifth generation of the Griffeth family to serve as volunteer firefighters in Haddonfield. Both his father and grandfather are current members.

DEADLINE FOR SENIORS’ TAX CLAIMS
The state of New Jersey has extended the deadline for senior and disabled homeowners to file 2008 Homestead Rebate applications and 2008 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) applications. The new deadline is Monday, August 17. Homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled and have received a Homestead Rebate application but have not yet filed can do so by phone by calling 1-877-658-2972, or they can file online through the Division of Taxation’s
Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ The automated phone and Internet filing systems are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the filing
period. Questions: 1-888-238-1233 (8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday) –toll-free.

May 8 to May 22, 2009

LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTED
    During their meeting on April 28, the Commissioners appointed nine residents to a Library Architect Advisory Board. The members will meet on several occasions during the next few months with representatives of Arcari & Iovino, the architectural firm that is preparing conceptual plans for a possible renovation of or addition to the Public Library building.
    The members of the board are Neal Rochford (representing the Commissioners), Bill Reynolds (representing the Library Board of Trustees), Joana McConnell, Buntzie Churchill, Mary Previte, Stephen Griffey, Kathy Tully, Bill Cahill, and Kristen Redman (representing the Friends of the Library).

H1N1 (SWINE) FLU INFORMATION
    Information and advice relating to H1N1 influenza is available on the Borough Web site: www.haddonfieldnj.org.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ELECTION
    The quadrennial Board of Commissioners election will be held on Tuesday, May 12. The polls will be open from 6:00am to 8:00pm.
    The polling places are:
    • District 1– Methodist Church
    • District 2 – Borough Hall
    • District 3 – Crows Woods Building
    • District 4 and 5 – Middle School
    • District 5 – Middle School
    • District 6 and 7 – Elizabeth Haddon School
    • District 8 and 9 – Lutheran Church
    • District 10 – Tatem School
    Votes will be tallied in the Borough Hall auditorium following a regular Board of Commissioners meeting, scheduled to begin at 7:30pm. The results will be posted on Haddonfield Online on Tuesday night, sometime after 9:15pm.
    A swearing-in ceremony for the members of the new Board of Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30pm in the Borough Hall auditorium.

CONTRACTS FOR WATER AND SEWER WORK
    During their meeting on April 28, the Commissioners authorized the awarding of a contract for emergency water main repairs to 4RO Services of Cherry Hill, for emergency sewer main repairs to Ivymont Construction Company of Audubon, and for water service and sewer lateral work to Ivymont Construction Company.
    Having these contracts in place will enable the Borough to call upon the services of the contractors without delay, as and when required.

MAY IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH ...
   ... so this is a good time for homeowners to review information available on the Borough Web site with respect to the making of improvements to structures located in the Historic District: www.haddonfieldnj.org/borough_historicdistrict.php.

BREAKING NEWS
    Haddonfield has been named the Top Town in southern New Jersey by South Jersey magazine (May issue).
    The ranking was based on average residential property values in the three-county area, average property taxes paid, crime rates and the quality of schools for towns with a population of 8,000 and above.

BOND ORDINANCES
    During their meeting on April 28, the Commissioners held a Public Hearing on an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $1,097,250 of bonds to finance various capital improvements, including sidewalk repair, the acquisition of dump trucks and a leaf machine, improvements to the salt barn, and improvements to drainage and lighting of the stairs at Centennial football field and the tennis courts. The Borough will contribute $57,750 to the cost of the work.
    They subsequently voted to adopt the Ordinance.

“GREEN ACRES” GRANT FOR $500,000
    The Borough has received a grant of $500,000 to be used for the purchase of open space. The grant was the result of an application submitted by the Environmental Commission to the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund.
    Since an appraisal of the property to be acquired is required, the Commissioners authorized the appointment of Todd and Black of Cherry Hill, at a cost of $1,200. Half of the fee will be paid from the grant; the balance will be paid by the Borough.

COAH MEDIATION TEAM APPOINTED
    As required by the state’s Council on Affordable Housing, the Borough petitioned for substantive certification of its Affordable Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.
    Following the filing of such a petition, it is normal for some objections to be received and for COAH to meet with representatives of the Borough and the objectors to resolve the objections.
    During their meeting on April 28, the Commissioners appointed a mediation team to act on the Borough’s behalf: Ed Borden (Commissioner), Sharon McCullough (Borough Administrator), Mary Beth Lonergan (the Borough’s Affordable Housing planner), and Steve Walko (the Borough’s Community Development Director).

SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COUNTY
    The Camden County Office of Emergency Management is planning to purchase a special armored vehicle that can be used by the County and municipalities during certain emergencies and critical incidents. Funding for the purchase will be provided by the US Department of Homeland Security.
    In order for the vehicle to be made available to the Borough of Haddonfield, there needs to be an agreement in place between the County and the Borough. During their meeting on April 28, the Commissioners authorized the signing of a shared services agreement that will enable such access.

April 24 to May 8, 2009

LIBRARY ARCHITECT APPOINTED
    During their meeting on April 14, the Commissioners appointed the architectural firm of Arcari & Iovino to determine the feasibility of renovating the existing public library building and to prepare conceptual plans for such renovations.
    Based in Little Ferry, Arcari & Iovino has extensive experience in all aspects of library work, including needs assessments, feasibility studies, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, additions, renovations, and new construction. A considerable number of their projects have involved the renovation of historic structures to accommodate modern library needs. Their fee will be not more than $29,525.
    The architects’ first task will be to evaluate the structural integrity of the existing building. That study will indicate the ability of the building to be modified to meet ADA requirements and to accommodate an addition, if desired. Next, they will determine whether an ADA-compliant building can accommodate the programs and services that Library Development Solutions, a Princeton-based consulting firm, identified last year as being appropriate for a modern library in Haddonfield. If additional space is required the architects will prepare conceptual designs for additions of 7,500 and 15,000 square feet. In each case, they will provide cost estimates for their proposals.
    Work on the project is expected to begin immediately and to be completed by the end of the summer.
    The Commissioners will appoint a nine-member committee to meet with the architects throughout the process.

ON THE CALENDAR
    • Arbor Day Ceremony – Friday, April 24 at 10am in front of Harrisons, 131 Kings Highway East.
    • Earth Day Celebrations – Saturday, April 25 from 10:30am at Crows Woods.
    • Free Rabies Clinic for Dogs and Cats – Saturday, April 25 from 10am to 12n, behind the Borough Hall.
    • Red Kimono Day – Wednesday, May 6 from 10am to 3pm, at the Mabel Kay House.
    • Board of Commissioners Election – Tuesday, May 12 from 7am to 8pm.

HYDRANT FLUSHING
    The Public Works Department will begin its semi-annual flushing of hydrants throughout the town on Tuesday, May 5.
    See separate notice on page 7 of What’s On.

REMINDERS, ALERTS, ETC. BY E-MAIL
    The Borough now has a system in place that enables it to send mass e-mail messages to residents, business owners, and others who register to receive them. The system can be used to alert those who are registered to impending deadlines (for the payment of taxes, pet license fees, etc.), and to public safety situations.
    To sign up, visit the Borough’s Web site and look for a box titled “E-news from the Borough.”

ROAD REPAIR GRANT
    During their meeting on April 14, the Commissioners authorized the submission of an application to the NJ Department of Transportation for a grant of money to be used for the reconstruction of Woodland Avenue (from Avondale to Westmont Avenue).
    The work is scheduled to be carried out during the summer.

“COPS” GRANT
    During their meeting on April 14, the Commissioners authorized the submission of an application to the US Department of Justice for a grant of money under the COPS Hiring Recovery Program.
    If received, the grant would be used to advance the practice of community policing as an effective strategy to improve public safety. It would cover the cost of salary and benefits for one police officer for three years. To receive the grant, the Borough must agree to cover salary and benefits for one additional year.

SHARING COURT SERVICES
    During their meeting on April 14, the Commissioners authorized the advertising of a request for proposals for a study of the feasibility of combining Haddonfield’s municipal court with that of Haddon Heights. About 90% of the cost of the study will be covered by a SHARE (Sharing Available Resources Efficiently) grant from the State of NJ.
    The deadline for submitting proposals is Thursday, April 30 at 3pm.

APPOINTMENTS
    During their meeting on April 14, the Commissioners appointed William Bisirri to the Historic Preservation Commission, as Alternate II. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Steve Hartigan.
    The Commissioners thank Steve Hartigan for his service to the Commission and the community.

BOND ORDINANCES
    During their meeting on April 14, the Commissioners held a Public Hearing on an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $3,420,000 of bonds to finance various water and sewer works throughout the Borough. They subsequently voted to adopt the Ordinance.
    The Commissioners also introduced an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $1,097,250 of bonds to finance various capital improvements, including sidewalk repair, the acquisition of dump trucks and a leaf machine, improvements to the salt barn, and improvements to drainage and lighting of the stairs at Centennial football field and the tennis courts. The Borough will contribute $57,750 to the cost of the work.
    A Public Hearing on this proposed Ordinance will be held during the Commissioners’ regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30pm.