Catch up on the biggest stories in Haddonfield this week.
Haddonfield’s Commissioners want the public to vote on May 9, and the Haddonfield Board of Education engaged in a debate before adopting the 2017 budget. Catch up on everything from the past week in the Weekly Roundup.
Haddonfield’s contested election is still a contest for mayor
On Tuesday, May 9, Haddonfield will hold its municipal election to fill the three commissioner positions: director of revenue and finance, director of public works, parks and property and director of public affairs and public safety. For the first time since 1945, the election is uncontested with current commissioners Mayor Jeffrey Kasko, John Moscatelli and Neal Rochford as the only names on the ballot. While the election is uncontested, historically, the commissioner with the most votes serves as mayor for the next four years.
Board of Education forgoes Finance Committee’s proposed budget
Haddonfield’s Board of Education decided to reject the Finance Committee’s recommendations and put forward a motion to go up to the 2 percent tax cap, which passed via a vote of 6–2 at the Wednesday, April 26 Board of Education meeting. Board member Glenn Moramarco said the community has historically been comfortable with a 2 percent tax levy, and he was shocked to see the Finance Committee coming in at a proposed 1.77 percent school tax. As such, Moramarco put forward a motion to go to exactly up to the 2 percent cap. He said he thought the money could be well used.
Commissioners adopt 2017 Partnership for Haddonfield Budget
Haddonfield’s Board of Commissioners adopted the 2017 Partnership for Haddonfield budget at its Monday, April 25 meeting. As outlined in the budget, 2017 revenues total $356,700, as do expenses. PFH’s 2017 revenues show a decrease compared to the previous two years, where approximately $380,000 was at the partnership’s disposal. The drop is due, primarily, to a decrease in carryover surplus, with PFH’s other revenue streams remaining almost the same as in 2016. Spending levels are less in 2017 to account for the decreased funding, with major changes including a $11,500 decrease in marketing due to refocused spending in other areas.
