A Message from Mayor Randall W. Teague, Commissioner Paul Dougherty & Commissioner John Foley

For the Summer 2010 Issue of the Haddon Press

Your Tax Dollars at Work in Haddon Township!

Welcome to the latest edition of the Haddon Press, our official guide to keeping our residents up to date on important Township information.  Since our last newsletter there has been much to report to as your elected officials.

The 2010 Municipal Budget

With a particular awareness of the uncertain recovery from the economic downturn, we worked with staff and exercised responsible financial planning measures to ensure a zero tax increase for our residents.  By reducing costs, finding efficiencies and increasing revenue potential where possible, we were able to develop the 2010 Municipal Budget that will deliver the same high level of service with a decrease in spending over the 2009 budget.

Throughout our term in office, we have effectively cut spending; even while state aid has been reduced totaling over $550,000.00 and pension costs have escalated in excess of $91,000.00.   We have restructured all municipal departments and reduced staff, put all professional contracts out to bid each year in order to receive the most desirable rates, instituted a “no contract” policy for non-union workers, outsourced custodial maintenance, and limited vacation time carryover for employees.  By putting contracts out to bid, we successfully saved the town $20,000.00 in auditing fees, $6,000.00 a year in website maintenance fees, a more favorable interest rate on investments through banking services, and an anticipated savings of approximately $200,000 by taking advantage of market conditions and refinancing our debt service over the life of the bonds.   We successfully negotiated an inter-local agreement with the Borough of Audubon Park in excess of $380,000.00 in revenue for police and municipal court services, over $300,000.00 in grants for improvements to streets and roadways and over 2.6 million dollars in grants for the remediation of the Dy-Dee redevelopment project.   We are proud for the second year in a row, to present an operating budget that has lowered taxes.

There were many factors affecting this year’s decrease in spending, including the move to an Accelerated Tax Sale for delinquent taxes, a further reduction in Township personnel, as well as taking advantage of more outsourcing opportunities.  The change to an Accelerated Tax Sale enables the Township to collect 100% of its outstanding taxes and water/sewer rents. (Typically, Haddon Township collects nearly 97.5% of their outstanding taxes.) The Township must budget each year for uncollected taxes.  By moving to an Accelerated Tax Sale, it enabled the governing body to reduce the allocation by $482,000.   In addition to the Accelerated Tax Sale, the Department of Public Works combined its water and sewer departments.  By placing both operations under the management of one individual, the Municipality was able to save the salary and benefit expenses of one full time equivalent employee.  A decision was made to outsource the operation of the concession stand at the Crystal Lake Pool Complex, which ran a deficit in 2009 of $10,000.  We awarded the bid to F & J Joint Ventures, the owners of Weber’s Root Beer in Brooklawn to run the concession stand for the summer season, generating an additional $3,500.00 in revenue.  The Police Department has implemented a new records management program. Moving to the new system along with greater budget controls provided an additional savings of $40,000.00 for 2010.

As your elected officials, we are always exploring new opportunities for cost savings while maintaining high quality services.  Recently the Township negotiated with a wholesale energy consultant, Archer Energy, to see how we could save money on the Township’s electricity expenses.  After reviewing our monthly electric bills, we were able to save the Township as much as $70,000 over the next 2 years by purchasing our electricity wholesale through a third party provider.  The resolution to authorize this transaction was passed at our April meeting.  Similar cost saving measures will be pursued for gas utility expenses when our current contract expires in 2011. Likewise the Township intends to accept a bid to lease space for communications equipment on the Briarwood standpipe, generating $500.00 per month in revenue.

Township Infrastructure

A major priority of our administration has been our aging infrastructure.  Numerous water and sewer main breaks throughout our town are clear indications that our infrastructure has deteriorated and is in need of desperate repair.

Storm Sewer Main at Edison Woods

A contract has been awarded to replace the Storm Sewer Main at Edison Woods.     Testing has been completed and construction will begin at the close of Thomas Edison Elementary for summer recess.

Improvements to Ivywood Avenue

The Public Works Department has completed test pits on Ivywood Ave. between Patton Ave. and Memorial Ave.  We are currently incorporating the data into plans and specifications. With the significant rain fall this spring, it appears that the existing storm piping on Memorial Ave., in front of the high school, has collapsed and will require replacement.   Key Engineers has completed the field work and is currently adding the necessary storm drainage improvements to the construction plans for the Ivywood Ave. project.  We anticipate bids this month.  This project will improve storm water drainage and reduce icing conditions in the winter months.

Bettlewood Sewer Rehabilitation Project

All of the sanitary sewer main and service laterals have been replaced on the Bettlewood Sewer Rehabilitation Project.  Work in the easement areas behind the commercial establishments on the White Horse Pike has begun and is expected to be completed by early to mid June.  A preconstruction meeting has been held with the Gas Division Office of PSE&G.  Gas main replacement work on Johnson Ave. has been started.  Underground Utilities Corporation is in the process of removing the concrete roadway on East Ormond Ave. and East Oakland Ave. Both the gas mains and water mains on these two streets will be replaced by mid June.  After the new mains have been installed and tested, work will begin on East Greenwood Ave. and East Collingswood Ave.  New curbing, driveway aprons and handicap ramps will then be installed and with weather permitting a base coat should be down by midsummer.  We would like to thank the area residents for their patience and cooperation during this time.  Please look for upcoming notices and information on road closures on the Township website at www.haddontwp.com.

Pump Station Improvements

The Water and Sewer Department Staff was recently able to replace the existing pumps in the Calvert Avenue subsurface pump station at a considerable cost savings to the Township. Also, the staff is gearing up to prepare to rehabilitate the South Park Drive Pump Station by installing state of the art pumps and controls as well as installing a new stand alone emergency by pass pump to service the station during power outages. It is also important to note that there has been a reduction in the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas in the sewer system that is a continuous maintenance problem for both the Cuthbert Road and Albertson Avenue pump stations. The reduction is attributed to the removal of storm-water inflow as a result of the Bettlewood Sewer Project.

Streets and Roads Projects

The Township submitted an application for Municipal Aid for streets and roads to the NJDOT.  We have successfully been awarded $150,000.00 for the Restoration of Emerald Avenue, Phase 3.  This project will begin early this summer.

A pre-construction meeting was conducted for our 2010 Road Maintenance Improvement Program as we continue to repair Township streets and intersections.  Areas slated to be paved:

• Reeve Ave. & Virginia Ave.

• Cambridge Ave. & Melrose Ave.

• Akron Ave. & Alton Ave.

• Akron Ave. & Cooper St.

• Norwood Ave. & Norwood Terrace

• Evergreen Ave. & Estaugh Ave.

• Graisbury Ave. & Forman Ave.

• Belmont Alley

• Marshall Ave.

Recreation

In an effort to improve all of our recreational facilities and increase opportunities for youth athletics, our administration has authorized the following upgrades:

Recchino Fields

New fencing around baseball fields and batting cages, installation of foul poles and new scoreboard, and the paving of the adjacent parking lot have been completed.  The Department of Public Works has be clearing land purchased from PSE&G, formerly known as the Westfield Tract for much needed additional parking.

Crystal Lake Pool Complex

The Pavilion has under gone a complete renovation for the opening of the 2010 season.  New footings have been poured; Timber Tech decking has been installed for safety, along with 6 new ceiling fans.  The entire structure has been stained and painted for this year’s hot summer season.

The Splash Pool has also received a much need face lift.  The pool bottom has been restored with a new quartz plaster surface. Custom coping, new glazed tile, and new concrete decking are just a few of the upgrades completed due to the ongoing deterioration of the Splash Pool.

West Collingswood Heights Field

The Township maintains this field as the primary recreational location for girl’s softball and youth flag football. This spring repairs to the bathroom facilities were completed in house by our Department of Public Works.

The West Collingswood Extension

The Township met and worked in cooperation with the West Collingswood Extension Civic Association on their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Earth Day celebration.  We supplied plants and flowers for their beautification project along Collings Ave.

These are just some of the many steps we have taken to ensure that Haddon Township is moving forward as a safe, thriving, and prosperous community for generations to come.  We hope you have a very safe and relaxing summer.  As always, we welcome your questions or comments.  Please contact us at MayorTeague@Haddontwp.com, PDougherty@Haddontwp.com or at JFoley@Haddontwp.com.

Message from Commissioner Paul Dougherty- Spring 2010

Just as the 1960’s saw the dominance of television over newspapers, the Internet has taken over as the key communication tool of our time. Utilizing this tool to its full extent is one of the most effective ways, we as a Township can reach a broader public audience.

In a move designed to make the public’s interaction with local government more in-line with modern demands, the Township of Haddon has launched a new website with a customer service-oriented design and improved online services. The new website allows residents, businesses and visitors easier access to general Township information, schedules, calendars and topics specific to various departments and agencies as well as local community events and activities.

Significant emphasis has been placed on providing online services that allow tasks to be done from home or work without making special trips to the Municipal Building. Online systems include access to Township minutes & agendas, permits and licenses, and paying your taxes on-line. Residents or visitors may sign up to electronically receive news alerts, water and sewer bill reminders and notification of local events. The website will also provide updates and status reports on major town projects and issues.

With on-line service available 24/7, there is a real value for residents accustomed to conducting daily business via a computer and helps to stream line many government clerical functions. This new website is another tool that the Township is using to increase productivity and save time and money.

Mayor Teague, Commissioner Foley and I are proud of our municipal programs and services and will continue to work to provide the highest quality of responsive services to our residents and visitors. The new website will be continuously updated and new information will be added as we continue our efforts to provide outstanding customer service. We hope that you have an opportunity to visit the newly designed Township website at www.haddontwp.com and find out more about what Haddon Township has to offer. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at PDougherty@HaddonTwp.com or (856)854-1176 ext. 4112.