After a year of community events, happenings in the schools and new developments, Haddonfield is preparing to say so long to 2012.
The proposed purchase of the 19.2-acre Bancroft property adjacent to Haddonfield Memorial High School has dominated headlines all year. That will stretch into 2013, as the bond referendum is set for Jan. 22.
Gov. Christie made a couple trips this year to Haddonfield, praising the schools and town officials, citing them as examples for the rest of the state.
Hurricane Sandy’s wrath was felt at the end of October, closing schools for a couple of days and spewing debris, but overall, the borough did not experience too much serious damage.
First Fridays and many other town events bonded the community together yet again.
Now, as the borough prepares to enter 2013, let’s take a few minutes to look back on a packed year, starting with January to June. Check back tomorrow to read about July to December.
January
As the year commenced, Mayor Tish Colombi said that 2012 would be filled with “unfinished business.”
Certainly, that has been the case.
Bancroft was on the horizon from the start.
“As far as Bancroft is concerned, it’s very much up in the air. The plan put forth by the BOE and Steve (Weinstein) … his plan deserves to be heard. I think the commissioners have concluded amongst themselves that we plan to give a little something to everyone,” Colombi told The Sun at the time. “Give something to the high school, open-space advocates, tax-generating businesses — I think we feel that’s what the majority of our residents support.”
The budget was also on the agenda early, Colombi said.
The hope, she said, was to provide “smoother services” through 2012.
In all, the mayor was optimistic for the events to come in the year ahead.
In mid-January, Camden County contacted Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough to request an active role in the Bancroft proceedings.
“They are certainly interested in participating in some way. When we are ready to move forward, they would love to become involved,” Colombi said. “There is funding in their open-space fund that could be directed toward some kind of partnership.”
The asking price and further details regarding the property didn’t surface until a few months later.
On Jan. 20, the Haddonfield School District and the Haddonfield Education Association agreed to a tentative contract deal after more than 17 months of negotiations.
“We are happy to have reached this agreement and look forward to final approvals by both sides soon. We believe we have met the dual goals to protect taxpayers and be fair to our staff,” board President Steve Weinstein said. “We thank the teachers and staff and the HEA leadership for their hard work in getting this done. Our teachers and staff are respected professionals who do a great job with our students. It will be good for all to have this behind us.”
February
Haddonfield said goodbye to a familiar face at the beginning of February.
Retail Coordinator Lisa Hurd moved on from her longtime post, where she boasted a 95 percent average occupancy, for a position at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Pa.
“I became aware of this opportunity and decided to pursue it. It’s a full-time job and it looks like a great opportunity to take what I’ve learned in this role for the last eight and a half years and apply it in an expanded role,” Hurd said. “When the offer came through, it was something I couldn’t refuse — it’s an exciting opportunity career wise. I’m sad to leave Haddonfield. I’m thrilled with what has been accomplished.”
On Feb. 6, Board of Education members presented a plan to Haddonfield commissioners to purchase the Bancroft property for a mix of educational, athletic and open space uses at the campus.
A potential referendum was mentioned, as it would be needed for the school board to own the property, officials said.
In order to make the right decision, the commissioners would be listening to all input, said Colombi.
“Nobody wants to make a mistake with this decision, believe me,” Colombi said. “We will listen to all ideas and make a decision.”
Also at the schools, the board moved to hold its election in November, which subsequently saved $22,000.
The school board found itself in an advantageous place in February after state aid numbers were released and were much higher than originally anticipated.
Haddonfield reportedly received more than $200,000 more than the 2011–12 figure of $637,598.
The bump in state aid allowed the school district to have a flat tax levy, then-Business Administrator Andy Hall reported.
Later in February, the commissioners suggested a joint partnership with the school board for the Bancroft purchase due to the legal restrictions of having a school district lead a redevelopment project.
“They can’t negotiate many of the things that the borough or the township can in regard to this project. We just felt that we absolutely want to partner with them for this and I believe nothing they have planned for the area is off the table at this point,” Colombi said.
Rounding out February, a hero police officer, Stuart Holloway, was recognized for saving the life of a Haddonfield infant, Azalea O’Hara, earlier in the year.
When Holloway arrived on the scene, Azalea was turning purple, not breathing and registered no pulse.
“At that point, your training just kicks in and you have a job to do,” Holloway said.
At the February meeting, Azalea was wide-eyed and healthy.
March
The ongoing uncertainty over the Haddonfield Public Library’s location saw some progress in March.
Library Director Susan Briant said the library would not be moving.
“The commissioners have made a decision to add on to the existing building. They held a library board debate on the subject. This is the site — no other site will be looked at,” Briant said.
In honor of Women’s History Month, Colombi honored nearly 60 women who were nominated in Haddonfield for their individual experiences.
“Women’s History Month provides our country the privilege of honoring the countless contributions that American women have made throughout our history,” Colombi read from the proclamation. “These contributions have enriched our culture, strengthened our nation and furthered our founders’ vision for a free and just republic that provides opportunity and safety at home and is an influence for peace around the world.”
Also in March, a six-foot wooden slat fence was erected bordering homes on Lee Avenue along the Methodist Church’s cemetery. The fence replaced a 100-year-old chain link fence.
Resident Maryann Campling spoke to The Sun about her dismay.
“It doesn’t hit you until you actually see it, it’s overwhelming,” Campling said.
She hired Cherry Hill attorney Allen Zeller to represent her appeal to the New Jersey State Supreme Court in the matter.
The Rev. George Morris, pastor of the Haddonfield Methodist Church, was contacted and reported that the church went through correct and legal due process for the installation of the fence and would not comment further at the time.
April
With April came a new hire in the Partnership for Haddonfield.
Remi Fortunato, a longtime Haddonfield resident and former business owner, was hired to take Lisa Hurd’s vacated position as the new retail coordinator.
“I have a history and a love for Haddonfield from being a business owner here for 12 years and as a resident. From having a business and networking, I think I have my finger on the button and can help out downtown,” Fortunato said.
Elsewhere in town, tulips were in bloom.
Many volunteers had planted nearly 5,000 tulips planted in 2011 along Tanner Street as part of the “Tulips on Tanner” project.
“We intend to try to get some other visible locations in town to be planted for next year. Perhaps this will lead to some kind of tulip festival event for next year. We are working on putting this together now,” Colombi wrote in an email when asked for comment on the flowers.
A planned remodel of the Haddonfield Home on Warwick Road came to light in April to the dismay of Preservation Haddonfield.
Brandywine Senior Living has proposed the remodel, which was altered several times throughout the year.
Meanwhile, it was announced that Mechanic Street would be receiving a makeover.
“For years, one of the complaints we’ve always heard is that the side streets don’t receive as much attention as Kings Highway,” McCullough said. “Hopefully, this and the Tanner Street project will give them the attention and the feel of the main highway.”
A public hearing was held in April for the borough $15.2 million budget, but due to an issue with the state, it was said that the budget would not be approved until sometime in May.
May
The 2012 borough budget, complete with a tax hike, was approved in May.
There was a $134 tax increase on the average assessed home of $491,359.
Meanwhile, the first official step in installing turf at the Haddonfield football field was taken in May.
“It’s critical that a very meaningful and sizeable amount of money be raised for this project,” Haddonfield Turf Committee chairman Joe Del Duca said. “I feel confident that we will raise at least $500,000.”
Soon thereafter, Colombi said that it was no secret that she was a turf advocate.
“Our high school football field is a disgrace. The biggest expense for sports throughout the town, whether it be high school or town sport leagues, is the ability to keep our fields maintained. It drains everyone’s budget,” Colombi said. “If we can just move some of the sports on to the turf field, cut the maintenance and our fields have a chance to rest a season, that would be helpful. They never recover from one year to the other.”
Also in May, the Tanner Street project ended and the street “re-opened” on a festive day of celebration.
At the schools, it was announced that Chuck Klaus, previously the principal of Central Elementary School, was appointed as the new principal of Haddonfield Memorial High School. Klaus replaced Mike Wilson.
“Chuck is well versed in curricular teaching and learning strategies and also is a very strong educational leader. He has a unique ability to motivate others that enables students to gain confidence and reach their goals. He is a perfect fit for the high school principalship and I am sure he will do a great job,” Superintendent Rich Perry said at the time.
As May was winding down, the Historic Preservation Commission rejected Brandywine Senior Living’s site plan.
Chairwoman Lee Albright of the HPC said that the proposed plan would negatively impact the historic character of the Haddonfield Home site.
June
In June, Gov. Christie made his first of two visits this year to Haddonfield at his 83rd town hall meeting in the Haddonfield Middle School auditorium.
At the time, the state had until June 30 to pass the budget.
“Now is the time for us to give you money back. It’s time for us to cut taxes,” Christie said to a round of applause.
As Christie finished up the meeting, which spanned several topics, including the healthcare costs of public employees, he left the crowd in Haddonfield with a promise.
“I will continue to fight the fights worth fighting,” he said.
Also in state news, the Department of Education released its annual report cards.
Once again, Haddonfield students performed well in the assessments.
“It’s really a collaborative effort between the district, community, parents and everyone that supports us in a variety of ways. We’re very proud of the efforts of all those involved and we appreciate the help of the community, parents, and teachers,” Perry said.
Big news graced Haddonfield in June.
John Walter, who graduated from HMHS in 2009, was drafted in the 29th round of the MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals.
“It was crazy. I was in the Northwoods League in Minnesota, playing for the Mankato Moondogs. I was going to one of my games and right after it was over I saw I had a message from a scout. I called the scout from the Royals and he said that he got me,” Walter said from an airport in North Carolina in June. “I had to drive from Minnesota to Chicago with my dad, and then we drove from Chicago to New Jersey. The scout came to my house, and I signed with the Royals. I’ve been all over these past few weeks; it’s nuts.”
