April 14, 2011 Municipal Matters
Budget Introduced
Borough commissioners have introduced the 2011 municipal budget. A public hearing on the budget will be held May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. Copies of the budget are available at the borough’s website,www.haddonfieldnj.org, in Room 101 of Borough Hall and at the library.
Budget Briefing
Commissioner Jeff Kasko will hold a Community Budget Briefing for all interested residents on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. A review of the proposed 2011 municipal budget, including revenue sources, expenditures, capital improvement plans and water and sewer spending, will be presented, followed by a Q & A and feedback session. Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough and CFO Terry Henry will also participate. This is a chance to get a more in-depth look at the budget and how your property taxes are spent locally.
Municipal Salaries
Commissioners approved on first reading base pay rates or minimum pay ranges for non-union borough employees effective the first pay date in April.
BID Budget
Commissioners authorized the introduction of the 2011 Business Improvement District budget. The $355,046 budget includes major revenue sources of $250,000 from the Partnership for Haddonfield assessment, $32,000 from the Craft & Fine Art Festival and $67,346 in surplus. Major expenses include $98,740 in retail recruitment and retention, $158,535 in marketing and public relations and $40,000 in Partnership administration. Copies of the budget are available in Room 101 of Borough Hall and at the library.
Open Space Tax Fund
Commissioners have set the open space property tax rate at one half of one cent per $100 of assessed value for the 2011 year. The revenues are placed in a trust account designated for open space.
Online Auction
Commissioners authorized the selling of surplus property at www.publicsurplus.com. The items that will be up for bid are a Swintec electric typewriter and a 1997 Ford Expedition.
Proclamations
Commissioners issued a number of proclamations for April. Among the honorees are Lion’s Sight Awareness Month, Alcohol Awareness Month, Arbor Day (April 29), Earth Day (April 22), and Library Week (April 10-16).
School Board Election
Commissioners remind residents of the upcoming school board elections on Wednesday, April 27. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Polling locations are:
District 1: Tatem School (music room) if you normally vote in Districts 2 or 10.
District 2: Middle School (gym) if you normally vote in Districts 3 or 4.
District 3: Elizabeth Haddon School (art room) if you normally vote in Districts 6 or 7.
District 4: Middle School (gym) if you normally vote in Districts 1 or 5.
District 5: Lutheran Church if you normally vote in Districts 8 or 9.
Earth Day
Haddonfield’s Earth Day celebration will take place on Saturday, April 30, rain or shine, at Crows Woods from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, sponsored by the borough’s Environmental Commission, features a cleanup starting at 10, guided woodland nature walks throughout the day, live music by Spectra Musica Renaissance Consort and “Dichroic Glass,” and a free family barbecue at noon. Throughout the day (weather permitting) there will be tree seedling giveaways (limited to the first 100 attendees), Winner Ford hybrid car display, rain barrel exhibits, organic food sampling from Wegman’s, project presentations by environmental organizations and much more! Remember to bring a chair or blanket to sit on. All events and activities are free and open to the public.
Spring Clean-Out Reminders
Chipper: During April, the chipper will run the first and third weeks of the month on your trash day. The May chipping schedule is the first week of the month only. Public Works no longer will be accepting call-ins for the remaining Fridays in the month.
Leaf Machine: During April, the leaf machine will run the second and fourth weeks of the month on your trash day.
Vegetative Waste Truck: Beginning April 4, the vegetative waste truck will run daily on your trash day through the end of October (Oct. 27). Plastic bags are not accepted for vegetative waste. Only brown, biodegradable bags will be taken, along with your green vegetative waste cans or other designated vegetative waste cans. Green containers are available through Public Works, or yellow stickers are available both at Public Works and Borough Hall, Room 101.
Questions? Call Public Works at 429-0183.
Community Clean-Up Reminder
Since it’s April, it’s also time for community groups, families and individual residents to support the borough’s Clean Communities Program, and, in particular, to sign up to participate in Spring Clean-Up on Saturday, April 30.
Groups, families and individuals can register to “adopt” a specific public area for monitoring on a continuing basis during the year to keep the area litter-free. The designated “spot” can be a park, road, parking lot or any other type of “spot” that is of special interest or concern.
On Clean-Up Weekend (especially Saturday), the focus is on spending a few hours picking up trash and litter that has accumulated during the winter months.
The program is coordinated by Paul Heller, the borough’s Clean Communities Officer. Interested organizations, families and individuals may find out more details – and register to help on Clean-Up Weekend – by visiting the borough’s website or leaving a message at 429-4700, ext. 315.
Good Friday Schedule
Borough offices will be closed on April 22 in observance of Good Friday. The Information Center and Library are also closed. Trash and recycling collection will not be postponed and should be put out as usual. Emergency services will be provided around-the-clock, as usual.
Hydrant Flushing
During April, the Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
April 20, 21, 22: The area north of Kings Highway, east of PATCO
April 26, 27, 28 and 29: The area south of Kings Highway, east of PATCO
The areas south of Kings Highway, west of PATCO, and north of Kings Highway and west of PATCO were flushed earlier in the month.
If you notice your water is discolored, leave a cold water spigot run until it’s clear. Avoid doing laundry until you’re sure the water is clear.
For more information, contact the Water Department Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 429-0183.
Water Quality Report
Each year, the Borough publishes a report about the quality of the water that the Water Department supplies to consumers.
The report for 2010 is “in the mail.” Copies are available at the Borough Hall, Information Center, Public Library, and Mabel Kay House. The report may be downloaded from the Borough’s web site.