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Farmers Market to open May 23

After notching their most successful year to date, organizers of the Haddonfield Farmers Market were looking forward to getting the 2020 season off to a fast start in Kings Court on Saturday, May 16. Then along came COVID-19.

Undaunted, the committee has arranged to hold a call-ahead-for-pick-up market each Saturday in the parking lot of Archer Law, off Euclid Avenue, starting on Saturday, May 23.

Since many 2019 vendors have signed up to participate, shoppers can look forward to a wide selection of fruit, vegetables, flowers, and other locally sourced items. 

Visit the Market website HERE for details.

COVID-19 update

On Wednesday, May 13, the Camden County Department of Health released new data for the 38 municipalities in the county that were the result of a reconciliation of its numbers with those maintained by the State of New Jersey. 

The new tally put the number of COVID-19-positive cases for Haddonfield at 36, and the number of fatalities at 4. 

Two fatalities were recorded on April 18 (one male and one female, both in their 80s) and another two on May 4 (a male in his 50s and another in his 90s).

Before Haddonfield’s total number was adjusted upwards on May 13, by 8, the age and sex breakdown for cases not resulting in death was as follows:

  • 20s 3 male, 2 female
  • 30s 1 male, 4 female
  • 40s 5 male, 1 female
  • 50s 5 male
  • 60s 1 male, 1 female
  • 70s
  • 80s 1 female
  • Not known = 4

Another two cases were added on May 15: One female in her 40s and one in her 90s.

Tennis courts are open

The Borough commissioners have removed the Centennial Tennis Courts from the list of recreation facilities that are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. There are restrictions, however:

  • The courts will be open from 8am to 8 pm daily for singles play only. Doubles matches, group tennis, and lessons are not permitted.
  • Players must wear gloves, and are encouraged to wear masks.
  • Participants must remain at least six feet apart.
  • Individuals may not congregate at the entrance to the courts or on the courts themselves.
  • Players must schedule their matches HERE. Walk-on matches are not permitted.

CDC Guidance for Opening Up America Again

Below is the introduction to a document prepared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provides guidance on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions. A link to the complete document follows this introduction.

Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework

This implementation guidance provides tools and resources to assist decision makers to implement the Guidelines for Opening Up America Again framework. Guidance is provided to monitor local conditions (transmission, public health, and healthcare system capacity) and adjust mitigation strategies over time to effectively contain outbreaks and minimize negative side effects of more significant restrictions on commerce and education.

It begins with steps that all Americans need to take in every community. From there, it outlines core capacities needed In communities to respond to and manage cases as well as delineates key metrics to monitor community mitigation efforts. All of the guidance is anchored to the phases of the Opening Up America Again framework.

The appendices contain more detailed tools for communities such as indicators to better track and adjust mitigation efforts as well as comprehensive mitigation guidance organized by phase gag by setting. Finally, there are user-friendly decision trees to help leaders make informed decisions about reopening. A companion community leader’s guide to further enable implementation activities accompanies this resource.

Access the 68-page document HERE.

Virtual history tour

The Historical Society has created a new virtual tour of Greenfield Hall, its headquarters.

The tour includes brief videos about the history of Greenfield Hall and some of the artifacts in the Society’s collection. These vignettes are titled Bonecrusher Bicycle, Fire Buckets, Hearth and Stove, Potty Chair, and Samplers.

Connect HERE to view the videos.

Tax deadline now June 1

During their meeting on Tuesday, May 12, the Borough commissioners changed the date for payment of property taxes without penalty from May 31 (a Sunday) to Monday, June 1.

The regular due date for second quarter tax payments was May 1. The commissioners extended the usual grace period to the end of the month, at 0% interest, provided payment is received on or before May 31, 2020. That “drop dead” date is now June 1.

The commissioners’ action recognizes the financial difficulties some residents are experiencing, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Property taxes that are not paid by June 1, 2020 will be subject to interest at the rate of 8% per annum up to $1,500 owed and 18% per annum over $1,500, calculated from the due date (May 1) until the date the payment is actually received.

Although the Borough Hall is closed to the general public, payments can still be made “in person” by placing them in the black mailbox in front of the building. Place the tax bill and check in an envelope marked “Tax Office.” The box is emptied daily. 

Paying by mail? The address is 242 Kings Highway E, Haddonfield NJ 08033.

Fourth of July celebrations canceled

In normal times, Haddonfield celebrates the nation’s independence with a celebration downtown and fireworks on July 3 and a parade on July 4.

But these are not normal times.

The Haddonfield Celebrations Association, the not-for-profit community group that plans and raises funds for these and several other annual events, has decided that a public celebration of America’s independence will not be practical in 2020.

“We’re disappointed, of course,” said Ken Tomlinson, the Association’s president, “but we decided it was best to be safe rather than sorry.”

Arrangement for the fireworks and parade are typically made several months in advance. “Each year, we pay deposits to vendors and bands,” Tomlinson said, “but it didn’t make sense to do that this year, since there are many unknowns, and many decisions are out of our hands.”

Tomlinson said the Celebrations Association recognized that its decision will disappoint not just residents, but many others from throughout the region.

“Hundreds of out-of-town folks come to Haddonfield for our spectacular fireworks and one of the best parades in the Delaware Valley,” he said. “We will look forward to welcoming them back in 2021.”

Commission meeting set for May 12

The Board of Commissioners will hold their scheduled May 12, 2020 meeting via video, beginning at 7:30pm.

Members of the public who register HERE may watch, and participate at appropriate times. Those who register will receive instructions and a personal link by email. Instructions also will be provided for those who prefer to listen by phone.

Giraffe sculpture arrives in Haddonfield

Photo: Susan Baltake

After a traffic-stopping ride through downtown Haddonfield early this morning, a 1,000-pound, 15-foot tall bronze giraffe was installed in the Children’s Sculpture Zoo, within Tatem Memorial Garden, at the corner of Kings Highway East and Evergreen Avenue.

Now all he needs is a name. To suggest a name, enter on the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust’s website, HERE, through May 31.