Commission takes on a colonial twist

By KATHLEEN DUFFY

The Haddonfield Sun

This most certainly was no typical modern political gathering.

Haddonfield’s commissioners walked across the street from Borough Hall to the Indian King Tavern Museum and took a step back in time to the 1700s with bonnets and wigs for the April 9 meeting.

This was the first time a commission had its meeting at the tavern, Mayor Tish Colombi said.

“We’re doing it to commemorate our 300th birthday,” she said.

The commissioners and town officials adorned colonial garb, lights were dim and two of the five town criers, Joey Rihl, 10, and Rich LaLena, the official town crier for Camden County, greeted residents.

Joey stood by the main entrance, willing passersby to stop in, while LaLena gave attendees a grand welcome. Joey then led the pledge of allegiance.

Later in the meeting, Indian King Tavern’s Linda Hess made an appearance, speaking to the attending fourth-graders from Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School, to give a brief history lesson.

The seal of New Jersey, which can be seen on the state’s flag, was adopted at the tavern, Hess said.

“That group of men, the leaders of New Jersey, met, possibly in this room,” she said.

Ordinance amendments

Two ordinance amendments were adopted on second reading at the meeting.

The code was amended to provide for slight increases in water and sewer charges. Commissioner Jeff Kasko said that water will now cost $5 per 1,000 gallons, compared to $4.90, and sewer will be charged $2.40 cents per 1,000 gallons, up from $2.35.

Additionally, the code for displaying merchandise was amended, Commissioner Ed Borden said.

The “relatively minor modification” will require businesses downtown to seek special approvals to decorate their storefronts with balloons, he said.

Road program

The borough will be advertising for sealed bids for the 2013 Road Program, Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough said.

Two to three blocks of Washington Avenue from Lincoln Avenue toward Upland Way will be included, as well as Allen Avenue and several portions of Wilkins Avenue.

The borough is also advertising for bids for utility work on Euclid Avenue.

It is not believed that sidewalks are involved, she said.

“We do repair if they’re in serious condition,” she said.

Road reconstruction

In other borough road news, Landberg Construction was awarded a $285,259 bid for the reconstruction of Cedar Avenue, Farwood Road and Longwood Drive.

There had been a long delay in the process until now, Colombi said.

According to McCullough, there has been litigation matter that has delayed awarding the bid last summer. When moving forward, the borough had to reject the bids that had come in, since it was past 60 days and the bids were too high.

“We went back out to bid, we made some revisions to the base bid,” she said.

Other adjustments were made, but the next set of bids were again rejected. The borough then broke the contracts into concrete and road reconstruction. Concrete has already been awarded, with additional funding in the 2013 capital ordinance to help cover overage in the cost, she said.

Now, the final piece was awarded.

Several recognitions

A handful of community groups were recognized at the meeting.

The Haddonfield Lion’s Club, the organizers of the annual Mayor’s Breakfast and Citizen of the Year awards, was recognized for their sight conservation support. The commissioners named this month Lions Sight Awareness Month.

Library Director Susan Briant was also in the audience, on hand for a proclamation in support of National Library Week, spanning April 14 to 20.

Residents are encouraged to stop into the library, the proclamation says.

Plus, it will be a fine-free week, Briant said.

The library is launching a new e-book system during the week.

“For all you e-book fans, please visit us next week,” she said.

Additionally, April was named National Donate Life Month and Alcohol Awareness Month.

Earth Day was proclaimed to be Monday, April 22 and Arbor Day was recognized as Friday, April 26.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Haddonfield commissioners is slated for Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.