The Haddonfield Police Department is on the cusp of receiving technology upgrades after borough commissioners unanimously approve the first reading of an ordinance to re-appropriate $62,000 toward new software, hardware and traffic trailers.
According to the ordinance, the funds were re-appropriated from bond ordinances that were previously approved, but no longer deemed necessary.
The bond ordinances included $44,000 from a sidewalk repair program, adopted in April 2009, $5,000 from parking improvements, adopted in May 2011, and replacements and upgrades to a traffic light, adopted in March 2012.
Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety Neal Rochford said the suggestions for the traffic trailers came out of both the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety committee and from acting Police Chief Ted Stuessy.
“We get complaints from all over town,” Rochford said in regard to vehicles speeding through the borough.
Since all traffic trailers are collapsible, Rochford explained that the trailers could be set up in areas where speeding is common to remind drivers to observe the speed limit.
“We can move them around to hot spots as they pick up,” Rochford said.
Borough administrator Sharon McCullough said that the traffic trailers have the capability to collect data through traffic monitoring, which the borough can use in the future to make decisions about traffic-related projects, such as stop sign installations.
In addition to the traffic trailers, McCullough said the new software and supplemental hardware for the police station is part of a module upgrade that would allow the police department to participate in electronic ticketing.
“It just makes the process easier,” McCullough said.
According to McCullough, the electronic ticketing system is expected to be running sometime in 2014.
In other news:
• Commissioners approved several appointments to various boards and commissions, including Shaw McCaney to the Planning Board; Joyce Howell and Bill Polise as alternates to the Planning Board; Thomas Vecchio to the Environmental Commission; Dan Brewer and Kerenza Reid as alternates to the Environmental Commission; Colette Oswald to District Management Corporation; Deborah Troiani to the Shade Tree Commission; and Jane Elkis Berkowitz as an alternate to the Shade Tree Commission.
• Borough hall will receive some hardscape improvements, after the commissioners voted to award a contract to Swedesboro-based Think Pavers Hardscaping, which came in with the lowest base bid amount of $95,417. Mayor Jeff Kasko added that the borough would pay only 50 percent of the hardscaping cost, while a private donor within the borough would fund the other half.
