The refinancing of several existing bonds is set to save Cherry Hill about $1 million, officials said at the Monday, March 11 council meeting.
“It will allow us to take advantage of low interest rates,” Township Spokeswoman Bridget Palmer said.
The bonds are dated from 2003.
Refunded bond money will be added to next year’s budget, Palmer said.
According to Council President David Fleisher, the short meeting was chockfull of seemingly “bureaucratic procedures” that had much hard work behind them.
“I’m proud that we got this type of work accomplished this evening,” Fleisher said.
Notable on the agenda, the area around the soon-to-be constructed Haddonfield Road Wawa at the former Toyota site is seeing a boost.
An ordinance was adopted to make Yale Avenue west of Haddonfield Road and 20 feet prior to the Pennsylvania Avenue intersection a dead end to all vehicles other tan emergency personnel.
Pennsylvania Avenue resident Maureen Romero said the adoption would help keep the sanctity of her neighborhood in tact.
“I really feel that this ordinance will save my neighborhood from the impact of this Wawa,” Romero said. “It’s going to greatly impact my home.”
Construction is moving forward this spring, with the township planning to hold more talks with Wawa soon.
On the open space front, council approved a resolution to support the “Keep it Green” campaign.
The campaign ensures sustainable state funding for the preservation of open space sites throughout the township and was suggested by the Cherry Hill Environmental Board, Palmer said.
In Cherry Hill, open space is in short supply.
“We realize how important it is that those remain in tact,” she said.
Teasing events still to come, Mayor Chuck Cahn recognized March as Women’s History Month in Cherry Hill, publicly thanking the township’s women for innumerable contributions over the years.
“I look forward to giving them a more formal recognition at a later council meeting,” Cahn said.
Township happenings
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Thomas, situated down the street from town hall, will soon be celebrating Greek Independence Day.
The Monday, March 25 event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and include a parade of St. Thomas’ Greek school to town hall, where officials will raise a Greek flag, have several speakers on hand, sing songs and give a proclamation.
“We have a pretty large Greek community,” Palmer said.
Learn more about the church by visiting http://stthomasgoc.org/wordpress/.
Also on tap, the township is readying for a Welcome to Cherry Hill open house on Wednesday, April 10 from 6 to 8 p.m., with invitations being sent out soon.
The event will take place at the Cherry Hill Public Library, in the lower level conference center.
The open house will gear itself toward residents who have moved in within the last two years and will divulge information on a plethora of community groups, including area athletic leagues.
Mayor Cahn, council members and several department hands will be at the event.
Questions can be directed to the Mayor’s office by calling (856) 488–7878.
