After several years of plans, talks and lively debates, the results are in.
The $12.5 million bond referendum to potentially acquire the Bancroft property was rejected by borough residents by a margin of 251 votes, not counting provisional votes. Those results won’t be in for a couple of days, said borough officials.
There were 2,136 “yes” votes and 2,387 “no” votes.
View a PDF of the breakdown here.
Officials and community members gathered in Borough Hall’s auditorium as the polls closed to hear the results.
The decision for the next step for the property is now out of the school board’s hands, said Superintendent Dr. Richard Perry, but he believes that, moving forward, “prudent decisions will be made.”
Board President Steve Weinstein said he feels bad for the volunteers who worked hard for the cause.
“It didn’t quite work out,” he said. “We accept the decision.”
But to Haddonfield United’s founder, Brian Kelly, the result is a relief.
“I’ll sleep for a week after this,” he said.
The wishes of the residents are being respected, said Commissioner Ed Borden.
“That’s why we have elections,” he said, and this one saw “positive turn out.”
Bond supporter Dave Siedell, who is also the president of the Haddonfield Civic Association, said that the decision showed “democracy in action.”
“There’s hopefulness that the ‘no’s are right,” he said. “We’ll see.”
His gut, however, he said, is that Bancroft was sincere in their reconstruction plans and the time may have passed for the borough to take hold of the property.
“Time will tell,” he said.
Check back with The Sun for more coverage as this story develops.
