April 24, 2014 MUNICIPAL MATTERS

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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. The public hearing and second reading of the budget is scheduled for the Board of Commissioners meeting of May 13th.

Arbor Day 
The Board of Commissioners asks all residents of the Borough of Haddonfield to join them in proclaiming Friday, April 25, 2014 as Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, as well as plant new trees. In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and this holiday, called Arbor Day. Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. Trees in our town increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. Trees wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.

Earth Day
The Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield hereby proclaimed April 22, 2014 to be Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, with the goal of inspiring environmental awareness and encouraging the conservation, and appreciation of our nation’s natural resources. Steps can be taken to protect and preserve our natural environment through education, partnerships, and positive actions should be encouraged in Haddonfield. The residents of the Borough of Haddonfield are committed not only to the protection and preservation of our environment, but also to the restoration of ecosystems and habitat; and Haddonfield residents, staff, and elected officials are working closely with federal, state, and local governments, and with non-governmental organizations to develop and implement regulations and ordinances specifically designed to preserve and improve Haddonfield’s fragile ecosystems and the quality of life there in. Haddonfield proudly recognizes all who participate in Earth Day, for their dedication to taking a proactive role in shaping the future of our environment and in protecting Haddonfield’s precious natural resource. The Commissioners urge all citizens to be mindful of local, state and national laws which protect our environment, and to join in efforts to preserve the beauty and wonder of the lands, skies, and water of the Earth in all its diversity.

Healthy Lawns = Healthy Water
What you can do:
Choose a no phosphorus and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Check the first and second number on the package for nitrogen and phosphate content. Formula, 26-0-3, for example, means no phosphate.

Apply fertilizer at the spreader setting shown on the bag, to avoid overuse or underuse of product.

Return any unused product to the original container for future use.

Do not apply fertilizer products if a heavy rain is predicted.

Use a drop spreader or a rotary spreader with a side guard to keep fertilizer on the lawn and off driveways, roadways and walkways. Sweep up excess fertilizer from paved surfaces.

For a healthier, greener lawn, fertilize after the first lawn cutting in the spring and again in the fall when weather conditions are best for grass to absorb nutrients.

Soil tests can help identify what nutrients your lawn needs. Contact your County Extension Agent at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/ for details and other helpful lawn and garden information.

For more information, www.nj.gov/dep/healthylawnshealthywater/

Authorization to Read Business Improvement District Budget 
The Borough of Haddonfield is required to post a copy of the approved budget, as advertised and provided copies to each person who requested the documents.

Ordinance to Schedule Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees         
A second reading of the ordinance, for setting salaries for all non-union employees for the year 2014, took place at the April 22 meeting. A 1.15% COL increase will be authorized to take affect April 1, with a second 1.15% COL increase effective October 1. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage and publication as required by law.

Bond Ordinance for General Capital Improvements 
The ordinance assigns an estimated cost of $1,050,000. The sum for several down payments is issued as $51.500 and the issuance of $998.500 for bonds or notes was passed on second reading at the April 22nd meeting. 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. The bond ordinance shall take place April 28, 2014.

Bond Ordinance for Water/Sewer Improvements 
The ordinance assigns $1,586,000 to finance various water and sewer improvements was passed on second reading at the April 22nd meeting. No down payment is required. Improvements include: 2014 road program utility improvements and pump station improvements. The bond ordinance shall take place April 28, 2014.

Historic Preservation Ordinance of the Borough of Haddonfield
An Ordinance amending the Historic District regulations was introduced on April 22nd.  The revised ordinance is the work of a culmination of research by Carter Can Dyke Assoc., public meetings and review by the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board and the Commissioners.  The purpose of this ordinance is to safeguard the heritage of the Borough of Haddonfield by preserving the part of the Borough, which reflects elements of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history. The public hearing and second reading will be conducted at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 13 at 7:30 pm.  A copy of the ordinance can be located on the Borough website.

Approved Event Permits
The Borough has approved permits for the following events:
Mom’s the Word from May 1, 2014 to May 10, 2014
Garden Club – Herb Sale on Saturday, May 10,2014
Lions Club Lizzy Haddon Invitational Bsketball Tournament from Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, May 11, 2014

Bids Awarded 
The Commissioners awarded the following bids:
Water & Sewer Lateral Work to Garrison Enterprises, Inc.
Emergency Sewer Main Repair Services to Garrison Enterprises, Inc.
Emergency Water Main Repair Services to J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Board of Commissioners submitted an application for Program Year 36 (2014 – 2015). The estimated grant allocation for Year 36 is $14,500 and the governing body has agreed to apply for funding for Improvements to Borough Accessory Structure on Block 33, Lot 12.

Release of a Performance Bond
The Board of Commissioners released a Performance Bond for PJW Services, LLC in the amount of $66,780.72.

Shared Service Agreement 
The Board of Commissioners agreed that the appropriate officials are authorized to sign a shared services agreement with Camden County for the use of their Emergency Contractor, Asphalt Paving Systems,

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 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
  • Thr May 15—7:30 pm Human Relations
  • Mon May 19—8:00 am Shade Tree Commission
  • Mon May 19—9:15 am Sr Citizens Advisory
  • Tue May 20—7:00 pm Sustainable Haddonfield/Environmental Commission
  • Tue May 20—7:30 pm Zoning Board
  • Wed May 21  – 7:30 pm Historic Preservation Commission
  • Mon May 22—6:00 pm Commissioners Worksession
  • Mon May 26—Memorial Day  Borough Hall Closed, No Trash and Recycling
  • Tue May 27—Double Trash and Recycling
  • Tue May 27—8:00 am Library Board