Haddonfield commissioners attended to a lot of business at their Tuesday, April 28 meeting.
The commissioners approved the Business Improvement District budget on second reading, approved the bond ordinance for capital improvements in the borough on second reading, introduced and approved an ordinance on first reading about a handicap parking spot, gave an update on the water and sewer utility sale, and addressed the Bancroft property purchase and questions.
The Partnership of Haddonfield expects a budget totaling $372,300 for the year. This affects the businesses in town; however, the rate will stay the same, according to Mayor Jeff Kasko. Its revenue includes PfH assessment, Crafts and Fine Arts Festival income, appropriated surplus and PfH merchandise sales. Expenses include marketing and public relations, retail recruitment and retention, PfH administration, committee for professionals, the Information Center and visual enhancements.
Also on second reading and approved at the meeting was a bond ordinance for various capital improvements, appropriating $680,000 and authorizing the issuance of $646,000 in bonds or notes. It includes improvements to borough buildings, and the acquisition of trucks and equipment, including, but not limited to, a garbage truck, front-end loader, chipper and police car cameras, and including all related costs and expenditures.
Introduced at the meeting was an ordinance to amend the handicap parking section of the borough code. This is to allow a handicap parking spot to be made at Rhoads Avenue 1 South side, outside of the 65 Club clubhouse for handicap members and the public to use. The second reading will be at the next meeting.
“Some of the membership had problems when they had to park farther away from the building, so we thought it was a reasonable request to honor,” Commissioner Neal Rochford said.
Commissioner John Moscatelli gave an update on the water and sewer sale with New Jersey American Water. As of now, the borough still owns the system. He said the borough is waiting on one final approval from the Board of Public Utilities, which is expected on May 20. That will be the final transition, and then both parties will go to settlement. From there, residents will get one final round of utility bills from the borough, and then the bills will be from NJ American Water.
Also at the meeting questions about Bancroft were raised. Kasko gave an update in regard to Bancroft, saying the borough is continuing to talk and negotiate with Bancroft as well as Recovery Centers of America and Brian O’Neill about the purchase of the property. He also wanted to make it clear there is not a tight deadline, like many thought.
“I am very hopeful there maybe be a purchase opportunity for the borough, and that is something we are actively looking into in speaking both to the owners of Bancroft and Mr. O’Neill and RCA,” Kasko said.
In other news:
• Commissioners appointed volunteers Colin George, Robert Giorgio, Robert J. Henry Jr. and Nick Ucciferri to the Haddon Fire Company №1.
• According to Kasko, the borough budget will be introduced at the first meeting in May. The commissioners will hold a meeting sometime afterward in May detailing the budget and answering the public’s questions. The second reading of the budget will be either in late May or early June.
• The next commissioners meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12 at Borough Hall at 7:30 p.m.
