April 10, 2014 Municipal Matters

Mayor to Hold Budget Briefing May 8
Mayor Kasko, along with the borough’s administrator and CFO, will hold a community budget briefing on Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall.  The $15.3 million spending plan with no property tax increase will be discussed in detail, followed by a Q&A session.  All interested residents are invited to attend.

Ordinance to Schedule Salaries and Wages for Non-Union Employees
An ordinance was introduced at the April 8 meeting to set the salaries for all non-union employees for the year 2014.  A 1.15% COL increase will be authorized to take affect April 1st with a second 1.15% COL increase effective October 1st.  Public hearing and second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 23rd.

Bond Ordinance for General Capital Improvements
The ordinance which assigns $1,050,000 for down payments and authorizes the issuance of $998,500 bonds or notes .  The ordinance includes funding for the 2014 road program, parking lot improvements, drainage improvements, improvements to Borough buildings, and the acquisition of public works equipment.  Public hearing and second reading on the ordinance will be held at the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 23rd.

Bond Ordinance for Water/Sewer Improvements
The ordinance assigns to $1,586,000 to finance various water and sewer improvements.  No down payment is required.  Improvements include:2014 road program utility improvements; and pump station improvements.

2014 Budget
Haddonfield’s three commissioners introduced the borough’s annual budget at their meeting of April 8th.  The 15.3 million spending plan will keep the local property tax rate frozen at the same level as 2013.  Spending will remain nearly flat, with only a $16,000 increase.  The Municipal Budget for 2014 will be published in The Retrospect’s issue of April 11, 2014.  The public hearing and second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the Board of Commissioners meeting of May 13th.

Tax Rate Set for Open Space Tax Fund
The Board of Commissioners set a tax rate for the open space property at one-half of one cent per one hundred dollars of assessed value for the 2014 tax year.  Such property taxes are to be place in a trust account considered a “Dedicated by Rider” to the budget of the Borough of Haddonfield. The municipal clerk of the Borough of Haddonfield is directed to forward two certified copies of their resolution to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services

Shade Tree Commission Approval
Elyse Crawford was appointed to the Shade Tree Commission as Alternate II.  The term of the appointment will expire 12/31/14.

Taxi Cab License Approval
The following 2014 Taxicab Owner’s Licenses(s) have been issued to DeAndre Nelson and John R. Cucinotta:

Approved Event Permits
The borough has approved permits for the following events:

• Y’s Men Club            Easter Egg Hunt – April 19, 2014

Lions Club Sight Awareness Month
The Board of Commissioners ask all residents of the Borough of Haddonfield to join them in proclaiming April 2014 as Lions Club Sight Awareness Month. The Haddonfield Lions Club, established in 1944, currently has 68 members, including the Mayor of Haddonfield, and celebrates over 70 years of continuous service. This highly visible service club is involved in many local activities as well as provides financial support for First Night, Celebrations Association, Boy’s State and Girl’s State, Little League, the Civic Association, the Haddonfield Library, the Haddonfield Foundation, maintenance of the Kenneth McDonald Park and Achievement Awards presented to deserving HMHS graduates. The club can be seen represented around Haddonfield with their eyeglass collection boxes, Sightmobile and White Cane solicitations. Their sight conservation support goes to organizations such as Best Work Industries, Delaware Valley Eye Bank and the South Jersey Eye Center.

National Library Week
The Board of Commissioners proclaimed April 13 – 19, 2014 as National Library Week. Libraries provide free access to all – from books and online resources for families to library business centers that help support entrepreneurship and retraining. All residents are encouraged to visit their local library this week to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available.

National Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign
The Board of Commissioners proclaimed April 7 – 15, 2014 are the National Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign in the Borough of Haddonfield, and urges all citizens to always put the cell phone down, focus on the road and buckle up when driving on our roadways. Drivers are reminded that if they drive and text, they will pay.

First Thursdays
Downtown Haddonfield will place a new spin on an old favorite by introducing ‘First Thursdays’ starting Thursday, June 5, 2014. First Thursdays will feature an exceptional mix of music, extraordinary dining and specials in many of Haddonfield’s unique, independently owned shops and boutiques. First Thursdays replaces First Fridays, and each will present its own unique theme. The events will be held on Kings Highway and The Partnership for Haddonfield has allowed retailers whose shops are not located on Kings Highway to request permission to bring one table with tablecloth to a specified location on Kings Highway designated by the committee for the “First Thursday” events of 2014. The events will be held from 5:00 to 8 p.m. on the following days and featuring the following themes: June 5, 2014 – ‘One Stop Wedding Shop,’ July 3, 2014 – ‘Everything Red, White and Blue,’ August 7, 2014 – ‘Sidewalk Sale’ and September 4, 2014 – ‘Old School.’

Sign up to Receive Reminders, Alerts and More via E-Mail
Residents are reminded to sign up to receive important e-mail notices, reminders and alerts from the Borough.  This system can be used to alert those who are registered to impending deadlines (for the payment of taxes, pet license fee, etc.), and to public safety situations. To sign up, visit www.haddonfieldnj.org  and look for a box titled” E-news from the Borough.

Ask the Mayor 
Mayor Jeff Kasko will be available for questions and comments on Wednesdays, April 16 and 30 and May 14 and 28 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. in Borough Hall. He will also be available in the evenings by appointment. Please call his voicemail at 429-4700, ext. 316 to set up an appointment, or you can email him at jkasko@haddonfield-nj.gov.

Meetings/Events & Activities

• Mon Apr 14—6:00 pm Commissioners Worksession
• Tue Apr 15—7:00 pm Sustainable Haddonfield/Environmental Commission
• Tue Apr 15—7:30 pm Zoning Board
• Thr Apr 17—7:30 pm Human Relations
• Mon Apr 21—8:00 am Shade Tree Commission
• Mon Apr 21—9:15 am Sr Citizens Advisory
• Tue Apr 22—8:00 am Library Board
• Tue Apr 22—7:30 pm Board of Commissioners
• Wed Apr 23—8:30 am Partnership for Haddonfield
• Wed Apr 23  – 7:30 pm Historic Preservation Commission
• Thr Apr 24—8:00 pm Recreation Council
• Mon May 5—6:00 pm Commissioners Worksession
• Tue May 6—7:30 pm Planning Board
• Wed May 7—7:00 pm Municipal Alliance
• Tue May 13—7:30 Board of Commissioners