Haddonfield commissioners gave a proclamation at their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23 to Sustainable Haddonfield. The proclamation was for their part in “Idle Free New Jersey” and for the adoption of “Idle Free Zones.”
“The Sustainable Haddonfield group has been working on sustainable changes for Haddonfield and has been doing a great job,” Commissioner Neal Rochford said.
Idling cars can cause air pollution. Emissions from gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles contribute to air pollution, including greenhouse gases, ozone formation, fine particles and a multitude of potentially harmful pollutants.
For every gallon of gasoline used, the average car produces about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. The U.S. Argonne National Laboratory estimates that about 20 million barrels of diesel fuel are consumed each year by idling long-haul trucks.
Vehicle owners can avoid producing unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and exposure to air toxics by reducing or eliminating vehicle idling.
Idling for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as it takes to travel 5 miles.
“I just want to say I know I am guilty of pulling into the Wawa and leaving our car idle, or when dropping a kid off or picking a kid up, we’ve let the car idle. We waste so much fuel and it is so bad for our environment and what we are trying to do is make people aware that anti-idling is something that, if you can avoid it, get in the habit of turning the car off. It’s better for Haddonfield, it’s better for the universe,” Rochford said.
Moving beyond New Jersey’s existing no-idling code of three minutes would significantly improve public health, air quality and reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions, officials said.
“When you have a moment, just turn the car off. We understand in the winter months it is the heat issue, but at other times there is really no reason to leave it on and it does add up quickly. So we appreciate any help we can get in any situation,” said Valdur Kaselaan of the Sustainable Haddonfield committee.
Through the proclamation, the commissioners supported the adoption of “Idle Free Zones” by government agencies, schools, businesses and other organizations.
They encouraged any gasoline- or diesel-powered motor vehicle to be turned off after 10 seconds if the driver plans to remain at that location for more than 30 seconds.
They also plan to enforce existing violations and penalties under NJ’s existing no-idle code along with many other ways that the borough can help with gas emissions.
“One of the things we’ll be working on in the future is getting better signage up at schools and the rec fields reminding people not to idle their car. That is part of the process sustainable Haddonfield is working on,” said Rochford.
In other news:
– The board approved Haddonfield Crew Club’s sponsorship of the event Ergathon to take place on Nov. 15.
– The commissioners extended their participation in Camden County Cooperative Pricing System for deer carcass removal services. The contract option they chose goes through July 31, 2015.
– Permission for the Fall Festival organized for Oct. 18 was granted. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include carriage rides that begin and end at Kings Court. The rain date is Oct. 19.**
– Angela Melzi spoke about her concern for the road construction on Grove Street and how an ambulance and a doctor for her mother couldn’t get to her mother’s house and either was late or didn’t show up. She said it is a safety issue and that the borough needed to do something. Commissioner John Moscatelli responded by saying that they would look into it.
– Haddonfield will be holding it’s annual free paper-shredding event, Haddonfield Shreds, on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at One Centennial Square.
– The next commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
** Edit: In the Oct. 1 edition of The Haddonfield Sun the date for the Fall Festival said Oct. 19. That is the rain date of the festival. The event shall take place on Saturday, Oct. 18. Sorry for the confusion.
