Borough commissioners approved many appointments to Haddon Fire Company №1 as well as an ordinance regarding leaves on second reading at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Three firefighter explorers, volunteer firefighters and a new lieutenant were appointed to the fire company.
Commissioner Neal Rochford appointed the new additions to the company at the beginning of the meeting. Chief Joseph Riggs gave a few words before the appointments on the position and individuals.
This fall, two members of the department passed away. Lt. Richard W. Kahl passed away from cancer, and former member Russell Stewart passed away at the age of 84. Though saddened by their passing, as it is with every fire department, according to Riggs, you unfortunately lose members, but also gain new members.
“Over the last two weeks, we have buried two of our own … Like every fire department — we’re the second oldest in the country — we continue on. We lost two, and tonight we are going to be bringing a whole batch of new members. And that is the spirit of volunteerism … We’re thrilled tonight to present to you these new batches,” Riggs said.
Three firefighter explorers were the first appointed. Explorers are high school students who are looking to get more involved in serving the community and further their knowledge and skills in firefighting and other public safety activities. From a large group of candidates, Nick DeNinno, Allie Shaw and Ethan Titus were chosen.
Three volunteer firefighters were inducted as well. Two candidates are from Cherry Hill and the third is from Barrington, as they don’t have a volunteer fire company. Those volunteers were Jason Keesal, Steven Lyons and Erik Myles.
With the passing of Kahl, Brian Plodizyn was chosen to take his place, also being sworn in and honored that night.
“We feel very confident that he will be able to fulfill the lead responsibilities of Lt. Kahl,” Riggs said.
Commissioners also approved an ordinance on second reading about placement of leaves. The ordinance is a clarification for residents on where leaves can appropriately be placed.
“The major change is to make it perfectly clear that leaves should not be raked into the street or blocking the sidewalks, which has become a huge problem this fall. That is why we are making this change,” Commissioner John Moscatelli said.
The ordinance previously stated that yard waste, including leaves, that is not containerized at the curb or along the street is only allowed during the seven days prior to a scheduled and announced collection, and shall not be placed closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet.
The new ordinance omits the line stating “or along the streets” and adds that “yard waste cannot be placed in the public street and/or public sidewalk and shall be placed for pickup in a location as close to the public street as practicable.”
Having leaves in the street is a storm water violation.
“So if you have a park strip, put them on the park strip. If your sidewalk is right up against the curb, put it on the other side of the sidewalk and the public works guys will rake them up,” Moscatelli said at a previous meeting.
In other news:
• As Nov. 11 was Veterans Day, the commissioners chose to honor World War II veterans with a proclamation at the Nov. 10 meeting. The proclamation named November 2015 World War II Veterans Remembrance Month.
• Commissioners approved a number of events in downtown, including Candlelight Shopping on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 27 to Dec. 18; Midnight Monday for Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to midnight; and Small Business Weekend on Nov. 27, 28 and 29. They also approved the King’s Run on Nov. 21 at Christ the King School and the Lighting of the Menorah on Dec. 8 at the Chabad of Camden County.
• The next commissioners’ meeting is scheduled for Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.
