Municipal Matters July 31 to August 13, 2010

Commissioners approved the 2010 municipal budget at their July 27 meeting. The local purpose tax rate is set at 42.39 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation – an increase of 3.18 cents over last year’s rate. The $13.8 million budget increased .59 percent, excluding grants. In addition, the commissioners decreased daily operating expenses by 1.95 percent. The average home in the borough with an assessed value of $491,359, will see a tax increase of about $156. To view the full budget document and a PowerPoint presentation, visit the borough’s Web site: www.haddonfieldnj.org.

Level 2 water restrictions remain in place. To prevent problems with possible firefighting water pressure demands, the prohibition of outdoor use of water from the borough water system between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. remains in effect every day. In addition, properties with odd-numbered addresses are allowed to water only on odd-numbered calendar dates and properties with even-numbered addresses are allowed to water only on even-numbered dates. Violators will receive a warning from the borough and potentially a court summons. Commissioners also authorized potential implementation of Level 3 restrictions, which would prohibit all outdoor watering.

Commissioners awarded the repaving of Centre Street project, from Lincoln to East Cottage, to Charles Marandino, Inc. of Milmay. The company submitted the lowest qualified bid of $154,462.79.

Commissioners awarded the Woodland Utility Replacement project to Ivymount Construction of Audubon, which submitted the lowest qualified bid of $673,762.25. The project includes running the water main five full blocks and replacement of water services and sewer laterals. Construction is expected to begin this month. A meeting will be set with affected parties to discuss the project. The parties should expect to receive a letter with details about the meeting.

Commissioners authorized advertisement of bids for the reconstruction of Woodland Ave. (repaving). Bids must be received on or before Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. in Room 102 of borough hall.

Commissioners awarded the Tanner Street utility replacement project to PACT Construction of Ringoes, which submitted the lowest qualified bid of $1,064,872. Water and sewer mains will be replaced, along with water services and sewer laterals. The storm sewer also will be reconstructed. The project will impact traffic in the area. The first area under construction will be the intersection of Haddon, Euclid and Tanner. Work performed in this area will initially be limited to evening hours to lessen the impact. Work is expected to begin this month. A letter announcing a meeting for all affected parties will be mailed shortly.

Commissioners accepted the lowest qualified bid of $19,850 from Lyon & Son Tree Services of Barrington for tree removal. A recent inventory identified trees that were in “critical” condition and needed to be removed immediately. The borough will return to its regular removal schedule in the fall.

Following a review of RFPs received and conducting interviews, the commissioners have appointed Remington & Vernick Engineers to a three-year appointment to provide municipal and consulting engineer services.

It is anticipated that tax bills will be mailed the first week of August. Based on the late mailing, the grace period for paying the taxes has been extended. Please check your tax bill for details of the exact date the grace period will end. Payments received after the grace period will incur interest back to August 1.

Commissioners at their July 27 meeting approved a bond ordinance for various capital projects. The aggregate amount is $1,985,000, with $99,250 of that amount being several downpayments and $1,885,750 in bonds. Projects include various road projects, parking improvements, acquisition of fire gear and site remediation at the public works yard.

Commissioners approved an application for a grant from the state Department of Transportation that would reconstruct Centre Street, including the block between East Cottage and Reillywood.

Patrolman Robert Shreve and Corporal George Custer were honored by commissioners at their July 27 meeting. Shreve and Custer received the Life Saving Medal for their actions on June 14 that resulted in the saving of a life. They arrived at the home of a resident who was suffering a heart attack – before the caller even finished the 911 call. Upon arrival, they performed CPR and used a defibrillator to save the victim’s life.