One of my priorities since taking office two years ago has been to bring the local government into the 21st century, and to enhance our electronic services to make them more convenient for residents, while saving taxpayer dollars.
As part of this ongoing effort, I’m happy to share two new services that my office recently launched in our tax collector’s office. For additional information on either service, please call the tax collector at 488–7880, or visit the tax collector’s page at www.CherryHill-NJ.com.
Online payments
Property owners can now pay both their taxes and township sewer bills by credit card, debit card or electronic check online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All payments are submitted through a secure site, which can be accessed through the “View and Pay Taxes/Sewer Online” link on our home page.
The third-party payment processing company will charge users a 2.39 percent convenience fee for credit and debit payments. A 99-cent fee will be assessed for e-checks. Credit and debit card payments cannot be accepted at the tax office or by phone.
Paperless billing
Residents now also have the option of replacing their traditional paper bills with an email notice. This newest service launched about two weeks ago, and so far, has been tremendously popular. In addition to making the information easier for residents to access, the switch to paperless billing will reduce the costs associated with printing and mailing sewer bills.
To sign up, users must submit their request, along with their name, property location, sewer account number and e-mail address in one of three ways:
1. By e-mailing ebills@chtownship. com.
2. By faxing the request to 661–4779, attn: Tax Collector.
3. By mailing the request to the tax collector’s office, 820 Mercer St., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
It’s important to note that subscribers will no longer receive a traditional paper bill in the mail. To ensure that bills are delivered without interruption, it’s critical that a current, valid e-mail address is kept on file in the tax collector’s office.
Residents can enroll in this program at any time; however, the next residential sewer bills will not be issued until March 2015. Commercial account holders must enroll by April 1 to receive an electronic bill for May, and by Oct. 1 to receive an e-bill for November’s due date.
Property owners can view tax and sewer account information and payment history online anytime at www.CherryHill-NJ.com. Click on the payment link noted above, and you will be directed to the search form. Users can search by name, address, block and lot, or tax account ID.
You can also sign up to receive e-mail reminders when bills are due. To subscribe, go to www.CherryHill-NJ.com/list.aspx, enter your e-mail address, and click on the icon next to “Taxes.” You will receive a confirmation email from Listserv@civicplus.com; please click on the link within that e-mail to validate your subscription, and remember to set your spam blocker to allow e-mails from that address.
These are just a few of the services available through the township’s website, which has been recognized as one of the best in New Jersey for its constituent services. If you haven’t already done so, please take some time to explore everything our website has to offer. Be sure to follow Cherry Hill Township on Facebook and Twitter, as well.
We all lead busy lives with full schedules, and sometimes, a trip to Town Hall just isn’t convenient. Fortunately, we now have access to tools that make it easier to take care of business in just a few minutes, without leaving your chair.
I believe I have a responsibility to help make public information and services more readily available to those who need it and want it. My administration continues working hard to do just that, and we are always exploring additional ways to leverage technology to give you the tools you need, when you need them.
I always welcome your suggestions, questions and other feedback. Call my office at 488–7878, or e-mail me directly at MayorCahn@chtownship.com.
