By SHANNON CAULFIELD
The Medford Sun
Here’s a look at some of the big stories in Medford from 2012.
July
The council utilized utility surplus in July to combat the ongoing debt.
Part of the $973,000 utility surplus will go toward reducing the debt.
The council authorized $600,000 to be used to cut the balance in the utility.
The 24th annual Pine Barrens Festival kicked off with Medford night on July 23.
The festival takes place in Tabernacle and dedicates each night of the festival to different Pinelands towns in the area by honoring a Volunteer of the Year from the unique towns.
Moreover, the festival honors a resident of the Pine Barrens with the Pine Barrens Festival Award.
Russel Juelg was honored as the 2012 Pine Barrens Festival Award recipient.
“The award is given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the culture, history and natural resource of the Pine Barrens,” officials said.
Opening night honored the Harriet family of Medford who has been dedicated to Medford through education, the arts, business and other work within the community.
The 35,000 to 40,000 visitors who visited this year and spent time with their family also supported a good cause.
“The money goes directly to the parish and its upkeep of the year — it’s a major fundraiser for the church,” Father Andrew Jamieson of Church of the Holy Eucharist said.
August
The Professional Services and Other Services Task Force, put in motion in February, presented its findings to a packed house at the Aug. 1 township council meeting.
According to Jack Hartwig, task force member and former law enforcement official, findings show a “total collapse” of contracting internal control.
“There was little or no effective oversight of professional and other contractors, ineffective township policies and procedures, disregard for contracting laws and regulations by township leaders,” Hartwig stated during his presentation in August.
“I will tell you, going forward, the governing body just saw what the public just saw and it may become a matter of litigation,” Pace said following the presentation. “The public needs to understand Medford Township is in good shape, you have an effective governing body to move forward with this.”
September
The approval to begin reconstruction of the skate park located in Freedom Park was passed in September.
The approval of the resolutions was the final step before constructing the newly designed park.
“The whole process was set in motion before I got on council,” said Pace. “I think the fact a skate park is being built on tax dollars when the township is in the red is a bad idea.”
“I think parks are important,” said Pace. “But at what cost? We’re putting the safety of the park on the public. My focus isn’t building more parks, my focus is getting our financial spending in order.”
A Taste of Medford offered a change of pace as the warm months came to a close.
Residents of Medford and the surrounding areas came out to historic Kirby’s Mill Sept. 8 for A Taste of Medford.
“This is our eighth year of running a Taste of Medford. In previous years, we had it at Freedom Park. It’s now being held at Kirby’s Mill. It’s an opportunity for the restaurants in the Medford area to showcase their foods and offerings and also presents an opportunity for local businesses to provide information and products they have available,” said Theresa Freedman, president of the Medford Business Association.
In an effort to create a more transparent governing body in Medford, the local government institute class was created and began in September.
Residents in attendance were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Of those people, 25 were welcomed, and a second course for the spring already has a waiting list and is in the planning stages.
October
Medford Township School District made drastic changes to its curriculum.
The changes, which had already begun taking place, were presented by Tom Olson and Dr. Beth Asbury, worked with 19 different teacher groups 20 hours per week, a result of a funding cut of $5 million by the state.
The programs were realigned to meet with existing programs already set in motion and NJ Common Core Standards.
Biking through Medford and around the county may become safer for area residents.
A countywide Bicycle Master Plan to network bikeways throughout the county was discussed in October.
The Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association will be partnering with Burlington County to develop a countywide Bicycle Master Plan, according to Schultz.
“Our participation is vital to address any issues that may come up,” said Schultz.
The Medford Business Association held its fourth annual Oktoberfest in Ironstone Village.
Guests drank a variety of beer on tap, and ate a mixture of German and American food.
“We thought this side of town needed something,” said Freedman. “This is the fourth year we’re doing it. It was an opportunity to bring people into the Shops on Stokes district of town.”
Celebrations of the fall season continued in Medford with the Apple Festival, hosted by the historical society at Kirby’s Mill.
According to Bill Stauts, president of the Medford Historical Society and chair of the Apple Festival, approximately 10,000 Medford and area residents attended the event.
As the end of October neared, the ghouls came out to help support the fireworks display the township no longer could afford.
“I know the township is hurting from the fireworks to the Halloween parade,” said Medford resident Frank Cwikala and owner of the Psycho Trail. “We know Medford is a Halloween town, and an October town between the parade and scarecrows. We wanted to give back the community.”
Schultz said that the Independence Day Celebration typically drew approximately 35,000 to Medford in the past, and he would expect roughly that number to return this year, given Medford’s reputation as host to many large scale special events scheduled throughout the year.
November
Hurricane Sandy defined the end of the year for much of the East Coast, including Medford Township.
The fallen trees caused widespread power outages and road closures, causing both businesses and schools to close temporarily.
Taunton Road, Dixintown Road and Hartford Road were all closed due to storm damage.
“We had a number of fallen trees and downed power wires. As a result, there were some road closures and sporadic power outages throughout the township. Our public safety personnel, which did a tremendous job preparing for the storm, responded where necessary,” said council member Jeff Beenstock.
The township experienced sporadic power outages that affected 2,500 residents at the height of the storm and six traffic lights.
Additionally, Chairville Elementary School served as a shelter to those in need. A total of 25 residents and six pets utilized the facility.
According to Pace, there were numerous Medford residents who volunteered their time with the Red Cross at the Chairville school shelter, and emergency services.
“It’s a testament to this community,” said Pace. “To leave their home during the storm, man the shelters, do emergency services and help the community in need.”
Despite the storm, national elections went on as scheduled. For Medford Township, it meant the re-election of two council members.
Jeff Beenstock and Chuck Watson were re-elected to continue their work on township council.
“We’re really excited. We want to serve Medford, we’ve been doing it for 10 months now, and we would like to continue to do it,” said Watson.
According to the Burlington County Clerk’s office, Beenstock received 30.51 percent of Medford’s vote, with 6,721 votes. Watson received 29.77 percent, with 6,559 votes.
The Medford Township School District and its teachers reached contract agreement after two years.
On Nov. 5, the board signed the memorandum of agreement after a long contract dispute between the sides.
“It’s a sigh of relief,” said Stacy Kasse president of the Medford Education Association and a third-grade teacher at Taunton Forge. “We’re so happy to be moving forward, seriously. They [the teachers] can now relax and plan their lives.”
The agreement covers the teachers for four years, from 2011 through 2015.
Two contracts were agreed upon. One covers the 2011–2012 school year, which has no salary increase, according to Frank Cavallo, board solicitor and contract negotiator.
The second contract encompasses three years through 2015. The average raise over the three years is approximately 2 percent, said Cavallo.
“They have to pay their premium. That’s going to cost less for them,” said Cavallo.
“Our benefits didn’t change. We have the chance to buy into other health insurance if they choose to, but that’s up to them,” said Kasse.
What’s to come
After the holidays, we’ll to look forward to what the 2013 brings to Evesham.
