At their Feb. 23 meeting, Haddonfield commissioners approved an ordinance on second reading on the borough’s streets and sidewalks and authorized the submission of a ballot question for the Nov. 8 election.
The ballot question is about the continuance of an open space tax levy for the purchase, development and maintenance of lands for recreational and conservation purposes.
The ordinance focuses on sidewalk condition and repair upon transferring ownership of property and structures and plant life found in Haddonfield’s right-of-way.
The ballot question will be put to voters Nov. 8, on continuing a municipal Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition of land to protect open space and water quality for the development of recreation on and maintenance of any such lands, and for historic preservation purposes. The current open space tax levy is set to expire at the end of 2016.
“We have twice passed a local open space tax levy for the borough. This will be the third time. (As it) expires at the end of this year, we will again have this question on the ballot this November for the residents of Haddonfield, asking if they’d like to renew it,” Mayor Jeff Kasko said.
If the question passes, property owners would continue to be taxed at the rate of not more than one cent per $100 of assessed value. If the maximum amount of one cent were collected, the tax would be $49.14 per year for the average assessed home at $491,359.
“We’ve been at a half cent, but there is always that option to lower or raise it,” Kasko said.
Having such a fund allows Haddonfield to apply for double the amount of state Green Acres Program grants to help purchase open space. For example, Haddonfield could apply for 50 percent of the purchase price of a property rather than 25 percent.
The commissioners have the right to assess the open space tax at less than the maximum amount each year. Commissioners have never authorized the full assessment. Every year, there would be a public audit of all expenditures. More than 200 New Jersey towns have approved Open Space Trust Funds, according to the resolution.
According to Kasko, funds from this could have the possibility of being used for the Bancroft property if it has or is used for open space.
The sidewalk ordinance commissioners approved states that before the transfer of legal title of sale, an inspection is required to determine if repair or replacement of sidewalks, driveway aprons or walkways in the public right-of-way may is necessary. If a tripping hazard exists, the property owner will be notified to replace or repair the tripping hazard.
“This ordinance allows for the inspection and correction of sidewalk imperfections and dangerous sidewalks that need to be fixed upon the sale of a property in town,” Kasko said.
No legal transfer of title to any real estate will occur if the repair or replacement has not been completed and a certificate of compliance issued.
An inspection fee of $50 will be charged for the initial inspection, and also included in that fee is the first inspection following the completion of repairs or replacements. For a re-inspection and each subsequent re-inspection, there will be a fee of $25.
Additionally, the ordinance adds a section on structures and plant life found in Haddonfield’s right-of-way. It prohibits such things being put in the right-of-way, and allows the borough to require the property owner to remove such structures or plant life or the borough will remove it at the owner’s expense.
“It clarifies that whoever put it in is responsible for the maintenance of it, and we can also make them remove that if necessary,” Commissioner John Moscatelli said.
In other news:
• Commissioners gave their approval for “Pet-A-Palooza” to be held in downtown Haddonfield on Saturday, April 9 from noon to 4 p.m. with a rain date on Sunday, April 10.
• Commissioners authorized a Rain Garden Adoption Program for Haddonfield’s rain gardens. Details can be found at the borough’s website www.haddonfieldnj.org.
• There will be a special Planning Board meeting as a public information meeting on the Bancroft redevelopment plan on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall.
