At last week’s meeting, Haddonfield commissioners approved a number of resolutions for events. Mayor Jeff Kasko feels Haddonfield hosting so many events is a great way to get people into town and support local businesses.
“It really gets people from around the area to come downtown. When we have the First Night, Antique Car Show, Fall Festival and (other events), it is a nice way to attract people to our downtown that might not ordinarily come,” Kasko said.
Commissioners approved resolutions for the Fall Festival, the Haddonfield Night Market, a fireworks display for First Night, the Antique Auto Show, Food Truck and a Movie and an Ergathon.
“I think (these events) are great for our businesses and our downtown,” Kasko said. “If it is someone’s first or second time in Haddonfield, they (will hopefully) think this will be a great place, and come back and shop or enjoy a meal.”
Haddonfield’s Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a rain date of Oct. 16 from noon to 5 p.m. According to the resolution, there will be charitable town organizations, vendors designated by Renaissance Craftables, food purveyors and other entities permitted to utilize Kings Highway between Haddon Avenue and Tanner Street to display goods, wares and already prepared foods for sale. There will also be carriage rides.
The Haddonfield Night Market will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. At the Night Market, vendors whose products include food-related items, chosen by the Partnership for Haddonfield’s Marketing Committee, are authorized to be located at designated areas within the downtown area.
The Antique Auto Show will be held on Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date of Sept. 24. Kings Highway from Haddon Avenue to the PATCO station will be closed for the show. In addition to automobiles on display, there will be music, merchandise displays and food vendors.
Other events approved last week include Food Truck and A Movie by Rent-A-Chef, Inc. on Sept. 16, the Ergathon by the Haddonfield Crew Club on Nov. 18, and the annual fireworks display for First Night on Dec. 31 between the hours of 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
In other news:
• Commissioners approved two ordinances on second reading that amend the borough code.
The first ordinance set the rate for fire inspection and a fee waiver for new houses. According to the ordinance, the inspection fee is $35 if the application is submitted and paid for more than five business days prior to settlement. The fee is $75 for fewer than five business days. If the property does not comply with the inspection requirements, one additional re-inspection will be made at no cost, and any after that are $25 each.
Additionally, a waiver of the fee and inspection will only be authorized for the sale of a newly-constructed home within 60 days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by construction officials.
The second ordinance allows for certain businesses to put out a free standing bill-of-fare sign, better known as a sandwich board. A business that has retail merchandise in at least 51 percent of the square footage of their floor space may apply for such a sign. Also, the store name may not be more than four inches in height if it is located on the sign.
• A change order was made to the 2015 Road Program/2014 Euclid Avenue Phase 2 project. The original contract amount was $750,422.40. Extras added to the contract amounted to $25,502.32, however there were reductions as well, amounting to $94,105.70. This made the final $681,818.02, saving $68,604.38. Kasko said the leftover funds would be put into capital surplus to be used in the future.
• Nate Finnegan was appointed to Haddon Fire Company №1.
• Starting in September, the commissioners meeting schedule returns to the second and fourth Tuesdays, with the first and third Mondays being work sessions. The first meeting in September is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
