Township secures DOT grant to further Covered Bridge resurfacing
I’m pleased to report that we have secured a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation to complete Phase 2 of the Covered Bridge Road resurfacing project, which will commence this spring. The total amount of $470,000 in DOT aid will allow our Public Works and Engineering departments to resurface the roadway from Route 70 to Forge Road. Design plans for Phase 1 – Route 70 to Beaverbrook Road – are nearly complete; with the news regarding the grant for Phase 2 arriving, planning will soon begin on that portion of the street as well. This aid clears the way for both aspects of this important capital-improvement initiative to be efficiently brought to fruition at the same time.
Annual Harvest Festival at Croft Farm taking place this Sunday
There is no better place to take in the beauty of autumn than at the Township’s historic Croft Farm, 100 Borton’s Mill Road. It’s also the perfect venue for our annual Harvest Festival, which celebrates all that’s special about Cherry Hill and the season. This year’s free event is set for this Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., and will coincide with Fire & Life Safety Day, also being hosted on-site, as well as the start of “Fall into the Arts” – a juried art exhibition in the Croft Farm Art Center that starts Oct. 24.
As usual, there is something planned for everyone in the family to enjoy. Children’s activities include free pumpkin painting, a rock-climbing wall, pony rides, a massive Moon-Bounce play area, a balloon artist, and fun craft projects. Halloween costumes can come out a week early for our children’s costume parade that will march through the festival. Also returning this year is the Garden State Discovery Museum, which will feature the Bubble Wonder at its “Museum on the Move” van. Don’t miss one of Cherry Hill’s most popular events of the year – see you there!
Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Camden now fully operational
As many of you know, the new Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic opened this past June in Camden. It has taken some time for the clinic to become fully operational, but I would like to share with you updated information I recently received from Congressman John Adler. As of today, I’m told that most of the necessary staff has been hired. Staffing currently includes two nursing personnel, two Registered Nurses, one Licensed Practical Nurse, one clerk, and a part-time psychiatrist in the Behavioral Health department. A primary-care physician has also been selected and is expected to be on board by mid-November. More staff is expected as patient population expands
Patients are currently being enrolled and seen, and a number of veterans being treated elsewhere will soon be transferred to the facility. I am pleased to hear that progress is being made at the Camden Clinic. Please contact Rep. Adler at (856) 985-2777 if you have additional questions or concerns about this new community resource that is helping to ensure all our region’s veterans receive the care they need and deserve.
‘Live Where You Work’ housing fair in community center Saturday
This Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., we will be hosting a housing fair in the Carman Tilelli Community Center (820 Mercer St.) to kick off the “Live Where You Work” (LWYW) program Cherry Hill is participating in. Administrated by the state’s Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, the program offers incentives to prospective first-time homebuyers who work in the township to purchase a residence here, shortening their daily commute and bolstering our local economy, among other benefits.
The free, open-to-the-public housing fair will feature participating lenders – who can offer LWYW applicants flexible underwriting, low fixed mortgage rates and assistance with closing costs – as well as area Realtors, and representatives from the HMFA. If you know someone who works locally, please encourage them to attend and learn more about this sustainability-oriented program. For more information on the program, call my office at (856) 488-7878.
AARP’s Drive Safety Program for seniors at Town Hall in November
Seniors interested in taking the AARP’s annual Drive Safety Program can attend a two-session class this fall on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Friday, Nov. 6, in Town Hall, room 208, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days The course consists of eight classroom hours designed to refine existing skills and develop safe, defensive-driving techniques. Advanced registration is required and a $14 material fee is charged by AARP, whose members receive a $2 discount. All checks should be made out to “AARP.” For more information, call the Recreation Department at (856) 488-7868.
Community Police spotlight Township ordinances regarding dogs
Recently, the police department has documented an increase in animal-incident calls regarding dogs. Most of the complaints involve questions about Township ordinances covering barking and leashing. For this reason, the Community Policing Unit is spotlighting some of the most commonly violated ordinances, and encourages owners to be responsible for their pets. Here’s a quick overview of our laws on dog ownership:
• 8-2.1: License Required – for all dogs 7 months or older
• 8-2.11: Dogs Running at Large – dogs are required to be leashed on all public property
• 8-2.12: Noise/Barking Restriction – citations may be issued for dogs barking continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes, unless provoked
• 8-2.16 Injury to other Domestic Animals and Damage to other Property – it is against the law for dogs to cause traffic hazards or cause injury to other animals or properties
• 8-2.17 Control of Dog Defecation – dogs walked in public must have any defecation they cause picked up and properly discarded or bagged by the person walking the animal
• 8-2.18 Humane Care of Dogs – abandonment or abuse of dogs is prohibited; as is neglecting to provide shelter, food or water for the animal in one’s care
