May 13, 2011 Municipal Matters

Borough Budget

Commissioners have approved the 2011 borough budget of $14,772,238, of which $9,992,651 will be raised through property taxes. The overall budget will increase less than 1 percent, excluding grants. Daily operating expenses will decrease by .20 percent.

The local purpose tax rate of 44.18 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation is 1.79 cents greater than last year. The borough tax is a little less than 17 percent of your total real estate tax bill.

Partnership Budget

Commissioners approved the Partnership for Haddonfield’s 2011 budget of $355,046, a decrease of $31,311 from 2010. About 70 percent of the Partnership’s revenues come from the district assessment of about $250,000. There is no increase in the assessment. Other revenue sources include $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.

Historic Preservation Month

May is Historic Preservation Month, so this is a good time for homeowners to review information available on the borough’s website with respect to the making of improvements to structures located in the Historic District. Please visit www.haddonfieldnj.org/borough_historicdistrict .php.

Pothole Patrol

Asphalt factories resume operations in the spring, so the Public Works Department will soon be filling potholes that developed during the winter months. Residents are encouraged to send in emails to note locations (http://www.haddonfieldnj.org/borough_dept_pw.php#pothole) or call 429-0183 to add the locations of potholes to the Department’s “hit list.”

Construction Update

Grove Street: Phase 1 has been completed, except for trench restoration. That should occur shortly. Phase 2 is being designed, and the permits completed for submittal. The borough expects to go out to bid in early summer with fall construction.

Woodland: The contractor came across bad soil in one of the intersections. Soft clay was found under the concrete at Avondale and Woodland. This was all replaced with dense graded aggregate and stone. This area needed to sit for three weeks to determine if further settlement will occur. Monday, the 16th, they will proof roll the area and patch bad areas. Once this is done, they will move forward with final paving.

Tanner: There will be a pre-construction meeting with the contractor for the road portion of this project the week of May 16. It is anticipated that this project will start at the beginning of June.

Salaries and Wages

Commissioners approved on second reading an ordinance establishing the schedule of wages and salaries for certain borough employees. The increase is 1.125 percent, effective April 1, and 1.45 percent, effective Oct. 1. Based on actual cash paid, this is a .925 percent increase for the year. This same increase structure is in the police contract.

Uniform Fire Code

The enforcement of the Uniform Fire Code is moving from Camden County to the borough. Commissioners passed on second reading an ordinance that establishes an office of the Haddonfield Fire Marshal to enforce the code in the borough. In addition, all associated fees will be assessed and collected by the borough.

Capital Improvements

Commissioners approved on second reading a bond ordinance for various capital improvements. The ordinance appropriates $520,000 and authorizes the issuance of $494,000 in bonds. The projects include the 2011 Road Program, parking improvements and the acquisition of a roll-off truck for the Department of Public Works.

Water and Sewer Ordinance

Commissioners approved on second reading a bond ordinance providing for improvements to the water and sewer system. It calls for the issuance of $1.3 million in bonds. This will include Phase II of the Grove Street gravity main and additional infrastructure work.

Fees Changed

Commissioners passed on second reading an ordinance that changes various fees assessed by the borough.

First copies of vital statistics documents (i.e. birth certificates) will cost $10, with additional copies $5 each.

A garage sale license will go from $2 to $5.

Historic District application administrative review and approval will go from $50 to $100, with Tier 1 applications moving from $75 to $125 and Tier 2 applications going from $125 to $175.

Every application for zoning shall be accompanied by a check payable to the borough in the amount of $30.

Sidewalk, curb and driveway repair permits: The first 50 square or linear feet of sidewalk adjacent to a lot will go from $2 to $25 and $1 for every 50 square or linear feet or portion thereafter. The fee for every driveway driveway apron connecting to a legal driveway or parking area on a lot moves from $2 to $25.

In addition, a late charge of $10 must be paid when a permit is obtained after work has commenced but prior to any written notice from the borough. That fee used to be $5. The late fee if a permit is received after written notice is received moves from $10 to $20.

Emergency Medical Fees

Commissioners approved on first reading an ordinance to amend the borough’s emergency medical services fees. The billing for an ambulance ride will rise to $600 from $450. Also, a transport fee of $15 per mile will be charged to transport a patient to a hospital that isn’t in the local area. Commissioners remind residents that these fees are paid by insurance companies or Medicare.

Police Chief Contract

Commissioners authorized a three-year contract with Police Chief John Banning effective Aug. 1 through July 31, 2014.

Recycling Bids Rejected

Commissioners rejected bids for outside recycling services, as the bids exceeded the amount for