Mayors Weekly Briefing 5/22/09

In a continuing effort to inform residents on what is happening in the Township, I will write a regular update for the community. The briefings include issues being handled by my office, elected officials, and Township department heads.

'Live Where You Work' program may soon find home in Cherry Hill
If approved by Council members at a meeting on the evening of May 26, Cherry Hill will join the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s 'Live Where You Work' (LWYW) program, which incentivizes first-time homebuyers who work in Cherry Hill to purchase a home in town, closer to their place of employment. The goal of LWYW is to build stronger, more sustainable communities, reduce the need for cars and, subsequently, pollution from vehicle emissions, ease rush-hour traffic congestion, and increase the use of alternative transportation, such as walking, biking, car-pooling, and public transit.

Employees/potential homebuyers benefit from attractive mortgage rates, more flexible loan application review and underwriting criteria, and reduced commuting times to work. Municipalities benefit from having a committed workforce living nearby, and the activity and economic vibrancy that comes with people living near where they work. I endorse LWYW as part of our ongoing sustainability initiative, and I encourage Council to clear the way for our full participation. I will continue to keep you updated on this innovative new program and the impact it has on Cherry Hill.

Engineering Dept. prepares for Covered Bridge Road project
Phase One of the Covered Bridge Road revitalization project is now under way, with the Township’s Engineering Department conducting preliminary fieldwork on a stretch of the roadway from Route 70 to Beaverbrook Drive. After the project design and technical specs are approved by the Department of Transportation – which is funding the project – we plan to go out to bid for a contractor and commence construction work on the project in the fall. When complete, a quarter-mile portion of Covered Bridge will have new aprons, repaired sidewalks and a resurfaced roadway.

Also beginning this summer will be Phase Three of the Walt Whitman Boulevard  project and Phase Two on Caldwell Road. Both of these resurfacing projects are being funded by a DOT municipal grant as well. In addition to funding ongoing capital improvement initiatives through the state’s municipal-grant process, our Department of Public Works has  been proactive about going after DOT discretionary aid, which we have been awarded annually since 2004, paying for construction of a sidewalk down Evesham Road and near Short Hills Farm, among other needed projects improving Cherry Hill’s walkability.

Currently, the DPW is awaiting word on its funding request for Phase Two of the Covered Bridge revitalization, and should get word by late fall. If awarded, the rest of Covered Bridge Road would be resurfaced and upgraded next summer. For more information about the project or the DOT’s municipal aid to Cherry Hill, call the DPW at (856) 424-4422.

Township to hold annual Memorial Day celebration at Town Hall
On Monday, May 25, at Town Hall, Cherry Hill will recognize and remember the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation. This is a solemn day where we will reflect on the selfless lessons of others who aspired to a higher calling, but it will also offer the family traditions we all look forward to each year at this time – the Cherry Hill Pine Barrens Chorus will provide live music throughout the afternoon, and Wegman’s will be providing fresh delicious food for a community barbeque.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., rain or shine, at the Municipal Complex (820 Mercer St.), and State Sen. Jim Beach will be the keynote speaker, with myself, members of Council, American Legion Post 372, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA and Furer-Barag-Wolf  Post 126 also on-hand to pay tribute to those who served our country. For more information, call my office at (856) 488-7878 or log on to Web site at www.cherryhill-nj.com.

Trash collection on Monday, May 25 moved to Tuesday the 26th
Residents who ordinarily see their trash or recycling picked up on Mondays will be serviced next week on Tuesday, May 26 – along with those who normally have their trash or recycling collected that day – due to the Memorial Day holiday. Those who have Tuesday through Friday collections will see no change in service. If you have any questions regarding the holiday-week pick-up, call the Department of Public Works at (856) 424-4422.

Summer newsletter and Rec brochure have arrived in mailboxes
Cherry Hill Township has three fun, unique programs for your children to experience this summer, and registration has already begun:

1. Art á la Carte at the Croft Farm Arts Center offers aspiring Picassos and Van Goghs in grades 1 through 6 a chance to explore their creativity through a wide variety of 2-D and 3-D art activities. Art á la Carte consists of three sessions spanning two weeks each. Young artists can sign up for as little as one class a day or as many as five classes. Some Á la Carte classes offered are bookbinding, papier mache, watercolor, Latin American Arts and clay design. Sessions begin June 29, July 13 and July 27.

2. Adventure Camp at the Barclay Farmstead is designed for children entering grades 2 through 6 to explore science, nature and the environment in a way totally unexpected: through time travel! Campers will “travel” back to the 19th century to see what life in Cherry Hill may have been like for their great-great-great grandparents. The Farmstead’s 32-acre property, home to an 1816-era farmhouse, historic outbuildings, a pond and nature trails, offers a unique, hands-on learning laboratory for curious minds.

3. Morning Fun Camp is held at several public schools throughout Cherry Hill and is our most popular summer program. Children entering kindergarten through grade 6 will take part in crafts, games and sport activities each day. Camp starts Monday, June 29, through August 14 and is open from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.

Parents are encouraged to sign their children up as soon as possible as spaces are limited in all summer programs. For more information about these and other summer programs offered by Cherry Hill Township, call the Recreation Department at (856) 488-7868 or e-mail Recreation@CHTownship.com.


For up-to-the-minute updates on any subject, call my office at 856.488.7878 or visit our municipal Web site: www.CherryHill-NJ.com .

Sincerely,

Bernie Platt
Mayor