Municipal Matters – May 15, 2014

2014 Budget Adopted

The Board of Commissioners adopted the 2014 budget at their May 13th meeting. This budget has a local purpose tax rate of 48.7 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. The tax rate remained the same as last year despite a $5.9 million dollar loss in ratables. Copies are available in the administration office or online.

Bids received for sale of the Water & Sewer Utility

On March 25th the Borough Commissioners passed a resolution authorizing the solicitations of bids for the sale of the water and wastewater utility system. Those bids were received on May 14th. The results of the bids were as follows:

NJ American $ 28.5 Million

Aqua $ 23.126 Million

United $ 19.050 million

Over the next month the Commissioners and the citizen volunteer committee with the assistance of McManimon, Scotland and Baumann and Phoenix Advisors, will conduct further detailed analysis of the bids and municipal operating costs. Once a decision has been made a public meeting will be scheduled to discuss the decision. If the choice is to move ahead with the sale a public referendum would be held in November 2014.

Utility Capital Project Set to Begin

The Grove St utility project is set to begin. Phase one is the replacement of the water main from Maple Ave to Coles Mill Road. This work is expected to take place starting May 19th. Installation of the water main is expected to begin May 26th. It is expected that two lanes of traffic will be maintained but lanes may shift. Further information and future detour plans are available on the Borough website.

Haddonfield Rain Gardens Featured in New Jersey Municipalities Magazine
An article written by Mayor Jeffrey Kasko and Julie Beddingfield, Co-chair of Sustainable Haddonfield and Chair of the Environmental Haddonfield Commission, appeared in the April 2014 issue of Municipalities magazine from the NJ State League of Municipalities.

The article details the history of sustainable activities throughout Haddonfield, specifically Haddonfield’s partnership with the Camden County Soil Conservation District and their efforts to plant rain gardens throughout Haddonfield.

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 were conducted at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 13 at 7:30 pm. The hearing was tabled and will continue at the June 10th meeting. The ordinance has been sent to the Planning Board for review of compliance with the master plan. A copy of the ordinance can be located on the Borough website.

Approved Event Permits

The Borough has approved permits for the following events:

American Legion, Post #38 Memorial Day Parade – May 26, 2014
Elizabeth Haddon School PTA Fall Fair – October, 25, 2014
Haddonfield Celebrations Assoc. Halloween Parade – October 30, 2014
Y’s Men Club Haddonfield Road Race – November 8, 2014

Fourth of July Fireworks Display

A public display of fireworks as part of the Borough’s Annual Independence Day Celebration will take place in the Camden County Park system behind the High School Stadium on Thursday, July 3, 2014 (rain date Sunday, July 6, 2014) from 6-11 p.m.

New this year: blankets only on field – no chairs allowed. Stadium seating is available.

Bid Requests:

Bid requests have been issued for the following:

Pot Hole Repairs due on or before Friday, June 5, 2014 at 10 a.m. in room 103 of Haddonfield Borough Hall;
Miscellaneous Drainage Projects due on or before Friday, June 5, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in room 103 of Haddonfield Borough Hall.

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Grant

The Board of Commissioners approved the submission of an application and execution of a grant agreement to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the Euclid Ave Phase III grant. The borough received a grant in the amount of $200,000.

Haddonfield Farmers Market

The Haddonfield Farmers Market will be held every Saturday from May 17 – October 25, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., rain or shine at King’s Court. Opening Day festivities on May 17 include a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., crafts by Markeim Arts Center and face painting. This season there will be entertainment, a host of master gardeners, cook offs and much more. Each week’s offerings are dependent on the growing season, harvests and availability. It’s the best way to stay healthy, keep in touch with nature, and support local entrepreneurial farmers and food providers, while meeting your friends and neighbors.

First Thursdays

Downtown Haddonfield will place a new spin on an old favorite by introducing ‘First Thursdays’ starting Thursday, June 5, 2014, featuring an exceptional mix of music, extraordinary dining and specials in many of Haddonfield’s unique, independently owned shops and boutiques. First Thursday replaces First Fridays, The events will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Kings Highway. Here is a list of all scheduled First Thursdays and their theme: June 5, 2014 – ‘One Stop Wedding Shop,’ July 3, 2014 – ‘Everything Red, White and Blue,’ August 7, 2014 – ‘Sidewalk Sale’ and September 4, 2014 – ‘Back to School.’
NEW: Shop on First Thursday and show your receipts at the Haddonfield Information Center for a 10% rebate on total purchases in the form of a town-wide gift certificate! Visit www.downtownhaddonfield.com for additional details.

Ask the Mayor

Mayor Jeff Kasko will be available for questions and comments on Wednesdays, May 28, June 11, June 25, July 23 and August 20 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.

Haddonfield’s Rules for Dog Walking

The Commissioners want to remind residents of the rules regarding walking your dogs and disposing property of their waste:

All dogs must be on a leash when being walked on public streets; no pet is permitted to roam un-leashed in Haddonfield.

Pet owners or anyone who takes their pet for walks must properly dispose of their pet’s waste by picking it up, wrapping it and either placing it in the trash or flushing it unwrapped down the toilet.

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, visitwww.haddonfieldnj.org and look for a box titled” E-news from the Borough.

Meetings/Events & Activities

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
Tue May 27—7:30 pm Board of Commissioners
Mon June 2—6:00 pm Commissioners Worksession
Tue June 3—7:30 pm Planning Board
Wed June 4—7:00 pm Municipal Alliance
Sat June 7—2:00 pm Start of Summer Picnic for Haddonfield Seniors at Mable Kay Housse
Tue June 10—7:30 pm Board of Commissioners