Township's Weekly Briefing for Aug. 28, 2009

Flu vaccinations will target three strains this fall, including H1N1 virus
The Township’s Carman Tilelli Community Center (820 Mercer St.) will once again host a public influenza immunization clinic for residents this fall. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services will take first-come-first-serve participants, and inoculate them against three types of flu expected to strike this winter – including the H1N1 strain. No fee is necessary on-site, but your insurance company will be billed. As such, you must have their Social-Security number and medical insurance card with you in order to be vaccinated. Please call the Township’s recreation department for more information: (856) 488-7868.

More than 4,400 Cherry Hill families now qualify for state tax rebate
Approximately 4,432 income-eligible families living within the Township now qualify for direct property-tax from the state relief through the Homestead Rebate program – the deadline for which has been extended to Nov. 2, 2009. The same filing extension is in place for the Senior Freeze tax-rebate program.

In July, the Division of Taxation sent checks to eligible senior and disabled residents who applied for property tax relief benefits under the Senior Freeze and Homestead Rebate programs last year. Homestead Rebate checks for non-senior and nondisabled homeowners who applied last year are scheduled to be issued in October.

Information about the Homestead Rebate Program is available by calling the Homestead Rebate Hotline (888) 238-1233 for homeowners or (888) 213-8623 for tenants from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Homeowners and tenants can find out the status of their Homestead Rebate check by calling (877) 658 2972, or online at www.state nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/hrintro.shtml. Rebate check information for homeowners who are under 65 and not disabled will not be available either online or by phone until October.

Homeowners who still have not filed their Homestead Rebate applications and want to take advantage of the extension can do so by phone (877) 658 2972 or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxatio n/. The automated telephone filing system and Internet filing application are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Annual Senior Luncheon to feature music of Hank’s Cadillac
Township seniors will be treated to the energetic musical style of Hank’s Cadillac at this year’s annual Senior Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Croft Farm Arts Center (100 Bortons Mill Road). Sponsored by the Cherry Hill Alliance on Alcohol & Drug Abuse and the Township’s Arts Board, this fun, well-attended afternoon social features lunch followed by live music. Hank’s Cadillac has been performing in “Honky Tonks” from South Philly to South Jersey for years, so whether you’re doing a country line-dance to “Chattahoochee” or enjoying an old favorite, such as “Ring of Fire,” the band offers something for everyone. The cost of this event is $5 in advance or $ 8 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Cherry Hill Arts Board at (856) 661-4810 or email Arts@CHTownship.com.

Recreation Dept. offers children science-through-storytelling
Children and parents alike will enjoy the fun, educational morning program “Trapped at Tripletree” this upcoming Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Croft Farm, 100 Borton’s Mill Road. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the story of “Tripletree” will be told and acted out, teaching kids the science of forces and pressure through water-based experiments that can even be tried at home. Sponsored by the Township Recreation Department, this is a children’s discovery program not to be missed. For more information or to register, call the Recreation office at (856) 488-7868.

Swimclub League Volleyball champs honored at Town Hall
This past Tuesday, Aug. 25, I was thrilled to honor the 2009 Cherry Hill Association of Pools League Volleyball champions, the Haddontowne Tigersharks, in a special ceremony in my office at Town Hall. I presented the seven Tigershark team members with a Township proclamation for their victory, and deemed the day to be Haddontowne Tigersharks Day throughout Cherry Hill. To my surprise and delight, these young athletes gave me a personalized volleyball jersey they had made. I guess it’s time to start practicing my serve.