Mayors Weekly Briefing 7/10/09
Weekly Briefing
Township updates brought to you from the Mayor's desk
Pedestrian safety bolstered by bold new striping and signage
Each year, the Township reinvests in the safety of our children, bicyclists, and pedestrians in every neighborhood through our “Cherry Hill Drives 25” or CH25 program – a partnership between CHPD’s Traffic Safety Unit, the Engineering Department, and my office. This summer, you may have noticed bold, revitalized crosswalks throughout town, supplemented with “Yield to Pedestrians” signage, which is a proven traffic-calming measure.
CH25’s scope also includes new “Do Not Block the Box” areas near the entrances to several neighborhoods and schools. This fall, we anticipate adding more crosswalks and “Do Not Block” markings throughout town – particularly near schools. If you have questions about CH25, or if you would like to recommend a location in need of similar improvements, please contact my office at (856) 488-7878 or email me at MayorPlatt@CHTownship.com. For additional information, visit www.CherryHill-NJ.c om/government/CHDrives25.asp.
Township streamlines code enforcement department services
Cherry Hill has restructured our code enforcement department with the goals of saving more than $120,000 and streamlining government services. The analysis from a comprehensive internal audit resulted in the creation of a 'one-stop shop' that handles zoning applications, property maintenance requests, building permits and other code enforcement services previously split between various Township departments.
This new approach means that residents and business owners will have the convenience of visiting just one Township office for zoning and code approvals. This consolidation creates immediate cost benefits while allowing us more direct control over our inspection staffing and expenses. Also, we will create a fresh revenue stream by sharing our inspection services with other municipalities in the future. The success of these changes will fuel further reengineering as we continue to operate Town Hall as efficiently as possible while stretching every penny to the limit.
Inquirer spotlights Cherry Hill’s digital document revolution
A recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer spotlights an initiative that has been happening behind the scenes for some time now in the Township – the electronic scanning and storing of public documents dating all the way back to the 1800s:
'Municipal workers and private contractors have quietly reduced the township's mountain of paperwork over the last four years. One by one, historic 19th-century documents, current police records, birth records, death certificates, marriage licenses, ordinances, resolutions, and the minutes of meetings have been electronically scanned. The result? The township has reduced the space it needs for document storage while creating a searchable database that someday will be open to residents, history buffs, and genealogists.' (From Cherry Hill records going digital – July 8, 2009).
Whether a natural disaster wipes out hard copies of our extensive record collection or a police officer is able to quickly check the record of a motorist pulled over on the side of the road, electronic imaging offers many benefits – including easy access to public documents through our Web site www.CherryHill-NJ.com.
Township earns top honor from American Jewish Committee
I was truly honored to accept the 2009 Energy Awareness Award from the South Jersey Chapter of the American Jewish Committee on June 25 for my administration’s efforts to improve the environment and educate residents and businesses on how to become more energy efficient. I’ve long thought it imperative that local governments rally residents around a bottom-up approach to conservation and protecting the environment, and that’s what we’ve been able to do here in Cherry Hill.
Between undergoing an energy audit at Town Hall to planned solar projects, collaborating with Sustainable Cherry Hill on educational programs, and an ongoing Green Action Plan that affects and engages the community, the AJC contends that this Township has become a true leader in making energy efficiency and carbon-emission reduction an urgent priority. In addition, I want to thank our community – for not only offering support for environmental action, but for also offering guidance, strategies, resources and enthusiasm, which I receive weekly through letters, emails and phone calls to my office. If you’d like to reach out to me in this regard, call my office at (856) 488-7878 or email me at MayorPlatt@CHTownship.com.
Music Under the Stars concert series continues this Tuesday
Everyone’s invited on select Tuesday nights this summer for free concerts and fun under the stars. Bring a chair, blanket, and even a picnic dinner, and relax while enjoying different music genres for all ages. This Tuesday, the Island Breeze Band will feature tropical sounds of steel drums playing the music of Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet and more.
The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Barclay Farmstead (209 Barclay Lane). In case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved to the Barclay School (1220 Winston Way).
'Music Under the Stars' is presented by TD Bank, with additional support from NJ TRANSIT, My Gym of Cherry Hill, Comcast Cable and the Cherry Hill Mall. For more information, please contact the Recreation Department at (856) 488-7868 or Events@CHTownship.com.
Friends of the Library to Host Book Sale
For bargain-basement deals books galore, visit the Friends of the Cherry Hill Public Library’s highly-anticipated semi-annual book sale next week, from Thursday, July 16, to Saturday, July 18, during regular library hours. It will feature more than 10,000 books for sale, with all proceeds benefiting library programs and activities. Friends of the Library members have early access on Wednesday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. Not a Friends member? Not to worry, you can join at the door. Membership starts at $10.
Hardbacks, audio books, CDs and videos are $2. Paperbacks are $1. Records, cassettes, series romance and small children’s books are 50 cents. On Saturday, a bag of books is $5. For more information about the many events and activities at the Cherry Hill Public Library, visit www.chplnj.org.
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
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