BOROUGH - IMPORTANT CURRENT TOPICS

https://bit.ly/3yffpnt

News from the Department of Public Works

 A two-person crew from the Department of Public Works (DPW) has started trimming the trees throughout the Borough to improve the health of Haddonfield's Tree Canopy. DPW employees Mark and Dean are completing each section by trash route, beginning with the Wednesday route. The program runs until September 30^th.

PARKING KIOSK NEWS 

Borough Parking lots and Tanner Street have new parking kiosks installed. The old machines are bagged and ready to retire! The new kiosks require you to enter your license plate number and length of time. You can pay by coins or credit card at the kiosk or text to pay. 
You can also pay by App. We recommend downloading the Premium Parking App and creating an account so you'll only ever have to enter your license plate number once.

**A tip from Chief Cutler: take a picture of your license plate before heading to the kiosk, or enter it in "notes" on your smartphone so you don't have to rely on your memory.**

A LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE & FINANCE KEVIN ROCHE REGARDING CROWS WOODS FIELDS

Dear Haddonfield Residents, 

I wanted to take a moment to thank all who sent emails regarding Crows Woods fields. 
While the spring season was not what anyone hoped for, it was great to begin an active dialogue with representatives from Haddonfield Youth Soccer about trying to solve issues regarding availability and playability. 

Here are some of the critical items the Borough has been working on:

 1. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  

As was stated in a letter to soccer parents back in September 2021, Crows Woods was an active landfill accepting non-hazardous municipal refuse until 1976-1977.   Once the Borough decided to stop accepting the refuse at the property, it began the process of "closure," and measurement tools were put in place to collect data to ensure the landfill was not adversely affecting any environmental receptors (in this case, streams, wetland areas). At this stage, data is still being collected by our engineers, and we will need to complete discussions with the DEP before developing a plan with specific and allowable upgrades. 

2. Erosion of fields 

Recently the fields at Crows Woods were classified as "unplayable" by youth soccer referees due to debris—mainly glass—being found in overly worn areas on some fields. This erosion was caused by excessive rainfall, limited drainage, and excessive field use. To get the fields to a standard acceptable by the referees and officials, representatives for HYSC received quotes for repairing Crows Woods heavily trafficked areas. Historically, the Borough has shared in covering the costs of the maintenance and improvement of Crows Woods. We expect to do so in this matter as well. But this is a temporary solution at best.  

3. Limited Field Usage  

There have been numerous discussions and 'backup' plans focused on ensuring safety for the players on Crows Woods and the community overall.   HYSC has suggested an extra month of rest for the fields to allow new grass growth during March. We have no way of knowing how successful this will be, but the Borough has also hired a Sports Field Manager to help us optimize the use and recovery of our fields.  

 4. Longer-term Solutions. 

The Borough, its commissioners, and personnel remain committed to providing open and active field space to our residents; this includes Crows Woods. However, our mission is to ensure an opportunity for all organizations to have the ability to access these spaces. It remains our directive to find ways to improve field quality and optimize our acreage for all residents.   Whether it be Crows Woods, Radnor Field, Reillywood, or Green Acres, we are meeting with directors from all organizations to have a cohesive strategy.

We appreciate everyone's feedback, suggestions, offer to help, and general support with these improvements. As more information becomes available, we are happy to disseminate it to the public. 
Thank you again for your understanding and patience as we work to resolve this 35-year issue.

Kevin Roche

During the May 23rd Commissioners' meeting, the 2022 Borough Budget was introduced. We created a document that highlights essential information from the budget. Public comment is welcome during the next Commissioner's meeting Monday, June 27th at 7:30 pm.  **The "Pharo Building" is the little house behind Borough Hall.

 RECYCLING CHANGES

Starting May 1st, the rules for recycling plastic containers have changed! Only plastic containers with #1 & #2 on the bottom will be accepted.

Here is a reminder list of allowable items for red and blue cans: 
• glass bottles and jars • aluminum and steel cans • aluminum and steel lids • Plastic bottles and jars with #1 or #2 found on the bottom • milk and juice cartons •Newspaper • mixed paper including junk mail • magazines • catalogs • school papers • office papers• paper packaging • paperboard cartons for foods such as cereal boxes, pasta boxes and tissue boxes • softcover books • phone books • cardboard • paper towel and toilet paper inserts

NO KNOCK REGISTRY CREATED

The Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance that creates a "No Knock" registry, which the Borough Clerk's office will maintain. Vendors who conduct door-to-door sales will receive a list of addresses on the No-Knock registry and a copy of the ordinance, which prohibits door-to-door for-profit solicitation.   Failure to adhere to the ordinance will result in violations and fines.

Exceptions include: 

• Any person soliciting a vote or supporting any political candidate or program.
• Any person soliciting for a bona fide charitable non-profit purpose or organization. 
• Any person engaged in delivering wares, goods, merchandise, articles, or items in the regular course of business to the premises of the person who ordered or is entitled to receive same. 
• Public utilities or their employees provided that such public utility is subject to regulation by the State Board of Regulatory Commission and provided that such employees display the identification badge or card issued by their employer.

Residents can visit www.haddonfieldnj.org and click on the "Borough Clerk" tab to access the registration form. The form is also available in the Clerk's office at Borough Hall. After submitting the completed form, residents will receive a free sticker for display at their homes.