During its lone public meeting in November, Haddonfield’s board of commissioners restarted the process of ratifying two ordinances originally introduced last month.
At the Nov. 24 virtual session, the three-member body approved upon first reading ordinances that set maximum levels of compensation for all non-union borough employees and amend a previously crafted municipal code regarding parking on two roadways.
Both ordinances had been introduced at an Oct. 27 public gathering, with the expectation of a second reading and public comment before ratification on Nov. 24. But the ordinances had to be withdrawn and resubmitted.
“As we were reviewing things, we found out the advertisements were not done properly,” said Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough. “And so, in order to make them effective and legal, they needed to be properly advertised. So we are starting the process over with both.”
The salary ordinance codifies a 2-percent cost-of-living increase, retroactive to April 1, 2020, while also providing for appropriate salary increases for other positions based on longevity. The municipal code ordinance seeks to restrict parking on both Colonial and Douglass avenues, which were built with narrow rights-of-way to provide the clearest possible access for emergency vehicles traveling to and from calls.
Second reading and public comment on the ordinances are expected at the board’s final public meeting of the calendar year on Dec. 15.
Commissioners also gave their consent to a resolution that allows Community Investment Strategies Inc. — the municipality’s chosen affordable-housing developer — to apply for funding from the state’s Department of Community Affairs to develop approximately 25 units of wholly affordable housing at the projects known as Elizabeth Place (Snowden lot) and Boxwood Cottage (Boxwood Hall).
“One of the conditions for being eligible to receive funds from the Department of Community Affairs Housing Trust Fund Program is that we … pass a resolution permitting us to make that application and to move forward with it as it progresses,” explained Colleen Bianco Bezich, commissioner for public safety.
In other news:
- Three men will become full members of Haddon Fire Company No. 1: Nicholas Frontino, Ryan Mailahn and Nicholas Dante, who were unanimously approved to join the department.
- Although major public holiday celebrations in the borough have been cancelled due to the pandemic, the commissioners nonetheless passed a resolution granting two organizations the ability to sponsor events in the coming weeks: Chabad of Cherry Hill for a menorah lighting ceremony on Dec. 15 and Citizens for a Christian Christmas for a creche dedication slated for Nov. 27.
- The borough also entered into a cooperative pricing agreement with Camden County for deer carcass removal, choosing to utilize the contract awarded to Deer Carcass Removal Service of Cream Ridge, Monmouth County.
