June 29, 2011 Municipal Matters

Bancroft Redevelopment
At the July Planning Board meeting, the board will hold a general discussion of the three possible redevelopment plans that were presented by the planners at a special meeting held in June. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at borough hall on July 5.
A special Planning Board meeting will be held July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at borough hall where it’s anticipated the board will provide recommendations to commissioners about the plan. Commissioners anticipate taking action on the plan in September or October.
For more information, including a look at the fiscal impacts of all three proposals, please visit www.bancroftredevelopment.com.

Water Restrictions
In the interests of conserving water, the commissioners ask residents and business owners to restrict the watering of lawns and gardens during the summer months to the hours of before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is up and running Saturday mornings at Kings Court.

Crafts & Fine Arts Festival
Commissioners have authorized the Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival on July 9 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and July 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Kings Highway will be closed from Haddon Avenue to the PATCO station, and portions of Mechanic and Chestnut streets will be closed. Activities will not be held on Tanner Street this year due to the construction project that is ongoing.

Summer Curfew
Parents and juveniles are reminded that summer curfew hours are now in effect – 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., seven days a week. An exception is applied for juveniles in the company of parents. The curfew was imposed early in 2007 in response to an increase in the number of “criminal mischief” incidents in recent years, the majority of which were perpetrated by youth, many of whom were residents of nearby towns that have curfews.

Fireworks
The commissioners congratulate the Celebrations Association on yet another successful concert and fireworks display (on July 3) and parade (on July 4), and thank the members of the association for their efforts to ensure that Haddonfield Fourth of July festivities remain the best in the region.

Vacancies
The borough has vacancies on the Environmental Commission, Haddonfield Neighborhood Disputes, Human Relations and Zoning Board. Residents wishing to apply for the positions can visit the borough’s website at www.haddonfieldnj.org for more information.

Commendation
Dr. Ron Clark was presented a commendation from the police department for his assistance in apprehending a bank robbery suspect last year.

Parking Meters
Commissioners have approved, on first reading, an ordinance to replace two parking meters on Stiles Avenue. The spaces would be changed to “No Parking” zones.

Grove St. Sewer Bids
Commissioners have authorized the advertising of sealed bids for the second phase of the Grove Street sanitary sewer extension. Bids are to be received on or before July 26 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 102 of borough hall.

Parking Kiosk Bids
Commissioners have authorized the advertisement for sealed bids for parking kiosks for the borough. Bids are due to be received on or before July 21 at 10 a.m. in Room 102 of borough hall.

Sewer Bid Awarded
Commissioners awarded the lowest qualified bid of $149,467.50 to Spencer V. Maussner Inc. of Haddonfield for the Station Avenue sewer replacement project.

Pump Station Bid
Commissioners awarded the lowest qualified bid of $36,400 to Municipal Maintenance Co. of Cinnaminson for the Euclid Avenue pump station replacement project.

Road Project Re-advertised
Commissioners have rescinded the bid award for the 2011 road program and authorized re-advertisement of the project. The second-lowest bidder had submitted a challenge of the bid award. Sealed bids are to be received on or before July 21 at 10:15 a.m. in Room 102 of borough hall.

Open Space Tax
Haddonfield voters in 2006 approved the borough’s Open Space Tax Levy, with a five-year sunset provision. As this is the fifth year of the levy, commissioners have authorized a ballot question to be put on the Nov. 8 ballot to determine if residents want the levy to continue for the next five years. The tax is capped at no more than two cents per $100 of assessed value.
The following interpretive statement will appear with the ballot question, outlining the details of the implications of continuing or not continuing the Open Space Trust Fund.
Interpretive statement: “This public question will give the Haddonfield Borough Commissioners the sentiments of the voters whether to continue a municipal Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition of land for recreation, parks and open space, for the development and maintenance of any such land and for historic preservation purposes. Having such a fund will allow Haddonfield to apply for double the amount of State Green Acres Program grants to help purchase open space (Haddonfield could apply for 50 percent of the purchase price rather than 25 percent). Real property owners in the Borough would be taxed at the rate of up to two cents per $100 of assessed value. This amount would be $98.27 per year for a property assessed at $491,359, the average residential property valuation as of the last census. The assessment would sunset in five (5) years, unless the voters decide it should continue. About 200 New Jersey towns have already approved Open Space Trust Funds.”