February 28, 2011 Municipal Matters

Water-Sewer Rate Hikes

New water and sewer rate hikes have been approved by commissioners on second and final reading. The ordinance raises water rates from $4.70 per thousand gallons to $4.80, and sewer rates from $2.25 per thousand gallons to $2.30. The borough is facing significant infrastructure updates and is raising rates slowly and incrementally to assist in paying for the repairs.

Meter Readings

An ordinance that removes the cost difference between meter installations was approved by commissioners on second and final reading. All meters are now read remotely.

Bancroft Meetings

Stakeholder meetings regarding the Bancroft redevelopment project have been set for the following dates:

March 1, 4 p.m. Borough Hall Auditorium: Senior Citizen Center (Mabel Kay House) 65 Club.

March 1, 7 p.m. High School Auditorium: Parent Teacher Associations and Recreation Council.

March 2, 7 p.m. Borough Hall Auditorium: The Mews, Roberts Avenue (South side of Kings Highway) area residents.

March 3, 7 p.m. Borough Hall Auditorium: Birdwood, Hopkins Lane (north side of Kings Highway) area residents

March 3, afternoon, time and location to be determined: Bancroft

March 7, 7 p.m. Borough Hall Auditorium: Haddonfield Civic Association, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Y’s Men and Partnership for Haddonfield.

Time and location to be determined: Board of Education.

Also, there will be an open house at the high school library from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 26 for all residents.

If your group is not included on this list, please pick the meeting you believe is most appropriate and attend, or visit the open house.

Please see www.bancroftredevelopment.com for more information.

Surplus Property Auction

Commissioners approved the sale of surplus property that no longer is needed. The online auction will take place at www.publicsurplus.com. You can pick up everything from a 1984 Ford trash truck to desks and filing cabinets.

Check the borough’s Web site at www.haddonfieldnj.org for details about when the auctions will take place and additional information.

Potential Ballot Question

Commissioners authorized the publishing of a notice for mail-in ballots for a potential referendum ballot question that would be included on the ballot for the April 27 school board elections. The question seeks permission to allow the borough to exceed the 2 percent tax levy increase established by the state.

Commissioners said this is a precautionary move only, and that it does not necessarily mean there will be a referendum on the spending cap.

Lock Your Doors

Following a rash of break-ins, commissioners remind residents to lock the doors on their cars and homes.

E-Mail Blasts/Twitter

Residents are encouraged to visit the borough’s Web site to sign up for e-mail blasts and Twitter updates to receive electronic updates of borough news and events on their computers and mobile phones.