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.
July
With July came several public meetings surrounding Bancroft, plus the joint agreement of sale that was released from Commissioner Ed Borden and Steve Weinstein.
“Bancroft has agreed to the letter of intent. First of all, the process starts with a letter of intent that will be signed by all the parties, then that will be followed by a formal agreement of sale and the signing of more extensive documents,” Weinstein said. “Then we would move to the referendum which has to be approved by the Department of Education, have the referendum, and then, assuming it was successful, we would move forward.”
Brandywine Senior Living received more bad news when the planning board rejected its proposed site plan. It later returned in September.
On the Bancroft front, three July meetings were held, on the 18th, the 23rd and the 31st.
The proposal was generally well received by residents in attendance at the meetings, though there was an aversion seen toward the turf aspect.
Perry said that the purchase would be a crossroads in the borough while speaking at the joint commissioners and school board meeting on July 18.
“We’ve very concerned about being landlocked,” he said of the growth of the schools, which have showed a steady increase in enrollment in recent years.
The town, which is coming up on its tricentennial, has made many difficult decisions in the past, he said. This purchase will affect the community for generations to come.
“We have a responsibility to set what’s going to happen in the future,” he said.
At the July 23 borough meeting, commissioners listened to three hours of comments from the public before voting in favor of signing the letter of intent for the purchase.
Commissioner Ed Borden emphasized that only the letter of intent was approved, not specific uses within the potential purchase.
“That’s a subject that will come later,” he said.
At the school board’s July 31 meeting, they too approved the signing of the letter of intent.
While everyone might not agree with the purchase, Weinstein explained at the time that the board members have put many unpaid hours into the issue and have tried to come to the right decision.
August
The gardeners at Crows Woods experienced a bumper crop this summer.
“It’s just such a bountiful supply of everything from lettuce to spinach to onions,” Mary Previte, a longtime Haddonfield resident, explained while walking through the community gardens.
Previte said she rarely shops in grocery stores during the summer.
With such a bountiful selection, there was a drive at the gardens for the South Jersey Food Bank.
Helping as many people as possible through the gardens is what drives President Paul Schmeck, a gardener for as long as he can possibly remember.
“Anyone who’s growing vegetables, I think, is making a positive difference toward the earth,” he said.
Over at borough hall, the commissioners voted two to one to approve the amended road program.
Sidewalks, to promote pedestrian safety, were to be installed along Washington Avenue from Upland Way to Winding Way.
“I think what you’ve done today is very sad,” expressed resident Lee Hymerling at the special meeting following the approval, citing that the commissioners voted against the desires of the neighbors on the stretch of the road.
Commissioners said that their decision had been repeatedly delayed while they gathered more information to make an informed decision.
I do believe that what we’re doing here will improve public safety,” Borden said.
The end of August meant it was time to get ready to head back to school.
Officials in the district spoke with The Sun about what they planned for the 2012–13 school year.
“This upcoming 2012–13 school year, Haddonfield School District is pursuing several dynamic, innovative initiatives and programs,” said Perry. “Some of these include being chosen by the State Department of Education to be one of only 10 school districts in the state to participate in the new teacher evaluation program called EE4NJ.”
September
With September came a new way to cut costs in Haddonfield.
Audubon, Collingswood, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Haddon Township, Mt. Ephraim and Oaklyn took a step toward cutting costs in regard to a construction code official and equipment through a shared services agreement.
“We’ve been trying to find ways for years,” said Colombi.
This agreement, she said, is more formal.
Also in September, Gov. Christie made a stop at Haddonfield Memorial High School, speaking to AP Government students in their classroom and later holding a press conference.
Giving the students advice for a future in politics, Christie suggested they become involved with candidates that they believe in and take any job they can.
When running for office, “don’t run just to win,” he said, but believe in something first.
A few days later, the school board hosted a meeting regarding the turf initiative.
“I don’t remember the last natural field that I designed,” said Doug Hopper of Remington & Vernick Engineers.
The annual cost, over a 10-year lifecycle, on a turf field is $55,000, which includes turf replacement. Annual cost, over the same lifecycle, for natural grass, was estimated at almost $49,000, the professional said.
Athletic Director Lefteris Banos spoke on field usage at the current fields at the meeting, including Crows Woods, Radnor and Scout.
“They are not grass fields,” he said. “They’re dirt.”
In September, Brandywine Senior Living made another attempt to have its plans approved by the HPC, but failed.
“We’re supposed to be strict. We’re not supposed to be lenient in cases like this,” said HPC Chairwoman Lee Albright.
As October dawned, the planning board would make its decision on the matter.
October
The planning board gave Brandywine Senior Living a shot, approving its amended proposal upon the second time it appeared before the board.
The decision to approve the certificate of appropriateness by the planning board for the facility came after several hours of testimony and questions from both board members and the public at the Tuesday, Oct. 2 meeting at borough hall.
Brenda Bacon, CEO and president of Brandywine Senior Living, said she was thankful for the support, eager for the future zoning board meeting that will make the final decision and, ultimately, that she is ready to bring home the seniors who previously inhabited the Haddonfield Home.
Also in October, the appraisal of the Bancroft property was reported.
The final market value of the Bancroft property is $15.1 million, according to Harry Renwick, of Renwick and Associates, which was a significant increase from 2005’s $8 million appraisal due to the re-zoning of the area.
The school board and borough also both signed the agreement of sale for the property during the month.
If the upcoming referendum passes, Bancroft has two years to relocate, Weinstein said at the time. If the company does not find an alternate property, there will not be a closing.
As October dwindled, Hurricane Sandy slammed the state.
Haddonfield Schools were off for two days following the storm.
“The substantial majority of the town was never without power,” Borden said.
Eighteen borough trees plus several trees on private residences fell, and there were about a dozen downed wires, he said.
At times, police did need to block off streets due to downed trees, but the issues were generally quickly resolved, he said.
According to Chief of Police John Banning, on Monday, Oct. 29, at 6:45 p.m. at the intersection of Grove Street and Hopkins Lane, a tree that fell across the road hit a car.
Overall, though, Borden said, “People really did hunker down.”
November
With the beginning of November came a scramble to help those affected by Sandy.
Borough resident Lisa Quanci, who went a week without power, quickly began organizing trips to the shore.
At one point, her lawn was filled with donations.
Her efforts have continued since that point.
“It was just phenomenal how it worked out,” she said.
At first, she only planned to fill a car with donations during her first trip.
In reality, half of an 18-foot box truck was loaded.
Perry spoke of the damage from Sandy at the schools during a November meeting.
In preparation for Sandy, he said, several conference calls were made with town officials and planning was conducted.
“We didn’t know what this was going to bring but we tried to prepare as best we could,” said Perry.
A fundraiser, the Help and Hope concert, was also held by the district in conjunction with the borough in November for victims of the hurricane in the high school auditorium, raising more than $6,000, according to Colombi.
The concert was held on Nov.18.
“When you consider we put that together and presented it in 12 days, it’s quite remarkable,” said Colombi.
Haddonfield began celebrating for the holidays with the November tree lighting ceremony at Library Point. Hundreds of residents braved the cold to walk up Tanner Street to Haddon Avenue, and, ultimately, to see Santa Claus at the Kings Court Gazebo.
On the Bancroft front, the bond amount was reduced at the Nov. 27 school board meeting to $12.5 million following the turf committee reaching its goal and an anticipated $3.5 million from open space grant funds.
Bancroft’s President and CEO, Tony Pergolin released a statement on Nov. 28 in support of the referendum’s passage.
“We have reached a fair deal with Haddonfield’s Board of Education so it can acquire our property,” said Pergolin.
December
December has been a time of celebration in the borough, with a plethora of organizations and groups coming together to take in the holiday season.
On Dec. 12, 12-year-old twins Brooke and Elise Fiannaca celebrated their birthdays.
“For me, it’s amazing watching them go from little girls to young adults,” said their father, Frank Fiannaca. “It’s making being a father harder and harder.”
The next day, the parking lots were packed for the annual Holiday House Tour.
More than 2,000 people were expected to attend, according to co-chair Betsy Anderson.
Also on Dec. 13, the Board of Education finalized the language of the upcoming referendum.
Many residents were on hand at the meeting to give their opinions on the potential acquisition.
To resident Kim Custer, who has been active in the process for several years, the borough needs more open space.
“We are looking to the future,” she said.
Stay with us
Know of community events going on in 2013? Let us know. Send The Sun an email at news@haddonfieldsun.com with any information.
Happy New Year!
