About Our Town

There are several reasons why Haddonfield has been chosen by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the best places to live, shop or dine in the Delaware Valley. Just a ten-minute ride from both the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges and easy to find whether you're coming from Pennsylvania or New York. Enjoy a latte at one of our coffeehouses, dine alfresco at a sidewalk cafe or indulge in a candlelit dinner at one of Haddonfield's many restaurants. Shop at our over 200 shops and galleries catering to visitors and residents of all ages. It's no wonder why Courier Post readers have voted it the "Best Downtown Shopping Area" year after year.

ABOUT HADDONFIELD
postcard10Haddonfield is nestled in Camden County, NJ, and sits just a ten-minute ride from both the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges, accessible by PATCO Speedline, New Jersey Transit, or an easy drive from Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York. Haddonfield is a charming town of 4,634 households encompassing 11,593 residents, lovingly preserved, with a strong history dating back to 1682. Our stores offer unique items with an old-world hospitality. Window shop down Kings Highway or wander down the side streets and discover one-of-a-kind gifts, antiques, art, American crafts, and an array of clothing beautifully displayed in stores often housed in Colonial buildings. Whether you're buying a diamond or a dog collar, the merchants are friendly and welcoming! You can be sure to find something for everyone on your list, all of uncompromising quality and appeal for every age, taste and pocketbook.


Indulge in high tea or a craft brewed draft at our brewery. Get away from it all at the Haddonfield Inn, an enchanting Victorian Bed and Breakfast, totally updated and completely charming. Relax with a massage or a facial at one of the many full-service salons throughout town. Order a gourmet basket or a room full of flowers. Haddonfield offers it all! Shopping in Haddonfield is for the civilized. Courtesy is the norm, friendliness is common. Walking the tree-lined streets and enjoying windows decorated with panache make shopping a rejuvenating experience.

(Illustrations © Gwynn Walker DiPilla Illustrations © Gwynn Walker DiPilla)

HISTORY
On October 23, 1662, Francis Collins took a tract of 400 acres, becoming the first settler within the boundaries of what is today Haddonfield.  An English Quaker and a bricklayer by trade, Collins soon built his house, "Mountwell".  Other settlers would soon follow.  John Haddon was a wealthy businessman from London, and a Quaker.  He purchased land in West New Jersey in 1668.  In June of 1701 he sent his twenty-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, to lay claim to his new land.  Elizabeth Haddon named this land "Haddonfield" in honor of her father.  In 1702 she married John Estaugh, a Quaker missionary.  In 1713 they built a beautiful brick mansion on what is now Wood Lane.  This date of 1713 is celebrated as the founding date of Haddonfield.  Located in Camden County, approximately nine miles southeast of Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Borough is bordered by Cherry Hill Township, Haddon Township and the Borough of Haddon Heights, Barrington and Tavistock.

For additional historic information please see the Historic Society of Haddonfield's website.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Haddonfield was incorporated as a Borough in 1875 and operates under a Commission form of government.  The voters elect three Commissioners every four years for concurrent terms.  At the reorganization meeting after each election, the three who received the most votes select one from amongst themselves to serve as Mayor.  The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Borough.

Responsibilities for various departments are divided among the Commissioners as follows:  Revenue and Finance, Public Affairs and Public Safety, and Public Works and Property.  The Board of Commissioners is responsible for, among other things, adopting ordinances, adopting the budget and appointing officials including the Borough Administrator.  While the Commissioners set policy, the Borough Administrator is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the policies and for overseeing the day-to-day operations.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
On an annual basis, the Borough prepares and adopts a six-year capital budget, which includes capital equipment and infrastructure improvements for the Borough.

PUBLIC SERVICES
The Borough maintains a twenty-plus person police force consisting of a Chief, two Lieutenants, five Sergeants, four Corporals, and Police Officers, headquartered at the Borough Hall.  Fire protection is provided by a volunteer fire company.  First Aid services are also provided by the Borough through paid staff and in conjunction with a volunteer ambulance association.

In May 2015 the Borough sold its water and sewer utility to New Jersey American Water (NJAW).  Residents are billed directly by NJAW monthly based upon their water usage.  Sewerage treatment service is provided by the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA) and billed to individuals on a quarterly basis.

Telephone service is provided by all the major telephone companies.  Television cable services and internet access is provided by Comcast and Verizon.

TRANSPORTATION
The Borough is served by PATCO, the high-speed line of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and by New Jersey Transit buses.  There is also ready access to the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295.

LIBRARY
The purpose of the Haddonfield Public Library is to serve the people of Haddonfield by providing ready access to information and ideas.  Building on a tradition begun in 1803, the Library is a center for lifelong learning, welcoming patrons of all ages, backgrounds and interests.  The Library's collections and services respond to the informational, educations and cultural needs of the community.  Currently, the Library maintains 70,000 volumes of books in general, children's and special collection areas.  The Library also provides online resources, periodicals, large print books, DVD's, a local/New Jersey history collection and business and investment information.

BUSINESS DISTRICT
Throughout the course of the year the Commissioners continue to look at various alternatives to provide sufficient parking to a support healthy Business District.  The possible use of a Redevelopment Zone in the area had been previously considered.  While it was determined that the area could qualify, it was decided that a business district "Visioning Plan" was needed prior to moving forward with any significant changes.  During 2005, the planning firm of Brown Keener Bressi of Philadelphia was retained to lead the planning/visioning process.  The cost of this service was partially funded by a State Smart Growth Grant and a planning grant from the Delaware River Port Authority.  The planning process included evaluation of the potential impact of development of all or a portion of the large rail commuter parking lot in the business district.  Affordable Housing issues were also a big part of the study.

The Commissioners were successful in arranging an agreement with PATCO for shared use of one of their parking lots adjacent to a Borough lot each weekend to support business district needs.  New permit parking programs are being tested to try to deter employees from parking at prime street locations by providing more desirable and less costly locations in the various parking lots.

The Partnership for Haddonfield, the organization designated to operate Haddonfield's Business Improvement District, started in 2004 following the adoption of the authorizing ordinance.  The Partnership's activities are funded by a separate property tax levy on all business properties.  Their budget is $250,000 from tax levy plus another $100,000 from proceeds from their always successful annual Crafts and Fine Arts Festival, as well as publications and appropriated surplus.  Significant operations are business recruitment and retention, marketing of the Haddonfield business district, and support of all businesses.  The Borough works very closely with the Partnership to ensure its success.

EMPLOYEE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNITS
There are two Collective Bargaining Units - the Police Benevolent Association and the Teamsters for our Public Works employees, not including their supervisors.

COMPENSATED ABSENCES
Full-time employees are entitled to 12 paid sick leave days each year, of which some portion can be rolled into a "bank" to be used for short term disability purposes.  Once an employee reaches a certain level of banked sick days they may sell back up to five days of unused days each year.  Vacation days not used during the year may be accumulated and carried forward to February 28th of the subsequent year.

RETIREMENT SYSTEM
The Borough contributes to two cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit pension plans, the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), which are administered by the New jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits.  These plans provide retirement, death and disability and medical benefits to qualified members.

MEDICAL BENEFITS
Starting in 2010 the employees of the Borough of Haddonfield began paying a portion of their medical benefits costs.  The amount paid by each employee is based upon varying percentages per their salary, as well as they type of coverage they are enrolled in - single, parent/child, husband/wife or family.