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Schools closed thru May 15 …

… at least.

On Thursday, April 16, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy ordered schools in the state to remain closed until Friday, May 15. His order covers public and private schools, preschools, and colleges.

Murphy first ordered schools to close on March 18, for at least two weeks. Later, when extending that closure to April 17, he said he would not reopen schools until medical experts tell him it’s safe.

The governor said he’s heard from parents of high school seniors about academics, sports, and other experiences students are missing.

“I have nothing but complete sympathy,” Murphy said, “[but we] cannot be guided by emotion. We need to be guided by where the facts on the ground, science and public health take us.”

A prolonged decline in infections and fatalities would be required before crowded buildings such as schools can reopen.

Haddonfield public schools are scheduled to end the 2019-20 school year on Friday, June 19.

New way to support stores

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a devastating impact on small businesses in Haddonfield. Many have closed temporarily; others are operating at greatly reduced levels. 

To help keep some cash flowing, several business owners have created “Haddonfield Here For Good!” It’s a way for residents and others to support and show appreciation for their favorite businesses.

The concept is simple: Go online and purchase a $20 tee-shirt. All shirts have the “Haddonfield Here For Good!” graphic on the back, while each participating business has its own logo on the left chest. (Haddonfield[dot]Today is one of the participating businesses. Order our shirt HERE.)

If you can’t decide which business you want to support, order the generic “Haddonfield” shirt, or make a donation. 

$10 from each sale goes to the business. The more shirts sold, the more money the business gets. 100% of proceeds benefit the small businesses of Haddonfield and all monies collected in the general fund will be divided equally among participating businesses. 

When Downtown Haddonfield gets back to normal and retail returns, there will be special events where everyone will be invited to wear their Here For Good shirts. 

Shirts can be purchased online at HaddonfieldHereForGood.com.

Interest rate on overdue taxes set at 0%

During their special meeting on Tuesday, April 14, the Borough commissioners set the interest rate at 0% for property taxes paid after the due date of May 1, 2020 but on or before May 31, 2020. 

Their action was in recognition of the financial difficulties some residents are experiencing, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The due date for second quarter tax payments is May 1. The Borough grants a ten-day grace period and does not charge interest on payments received during the grace period. The commissioners’ action effectively increases the grace period by 30 days – but only on property taxes for the current period. The 0% rate does not apply to any back taxes.

Property taxes that are not paid by May 31, 2020 will be subject to interest at the rate of 8% per annum up to $1,500 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.

COVID-19 numbers stay steady

Camden County health officials today adjusted the number of Haddonfield residents who have tested positive to the COVID-19 virus from 22 to 21. Haddonfield has not had a new confirmed case for three days.

Haddonfield’s rank, compared with other Camden County municipalities, dropped dramatically today — from 17th to 24th. Haddonfield has 1.81 confirmed cases per 1,000 of population. The county average is 2.44 (1,255 confirmed cases and 29 fatalities).

Easter drive-by at Brandywine

For more than an hour and a half, more than one hundred cars looped the circular drive of Brandywine Living on Warwick Road on Friday, April 10.

Why? So dozens of residents, unable to leave the premises or receive visitors at Easter because of COVID-19 regulations, could wave to children, grandchildren, pets, pedestrians, and perfect strangers who came with decorated cars and handmade signs.

A local online organization, Haddonfield Parents, lead by resident Megan York Parker, partnered with Brandywine’s director of community relations, Kim Fasolo, to develop the event. Haddonfield resident and nearby school administrator Erica DeMichele dressed in her own Easter Bunny costume for the occasion.

Photos by Debbie Troy Photography. Access photo gallery HERE.

Masks for all!

Statues in downtown Haddonfield are now protecting themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. One example: “Stanley the Witness,” at 137 Kings Highway East.

Stuart Harting, founder and chair of the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST), which has placed more than two dozen sculptures around the town, has outfitted a number of sculptures with protective masks. In addition to “Stanley” … “The Mailman,” outside the Post Office, and “Steadfast and Loyal,” at 116 Kings Highway East.

Check them out … from a safe distance.

Seasonal fun: A virtual scavenger hunt

To help Haddonfield families celebrate the season, the Borough is sponsoring a Virtual Scavenger Hunt. The 18 items on the list range (in alphabetical order) from a birds’ nest to a yellow flower.

When you’ve completed the list, email your name, telephone number, and mailing address to Commissioner Colleen Bianco Bezich: [email protected]. The deadline is 12n on Monday, April 13.

One entrant, chosen at random, will win a town-wide gift certificate.

To share the Hunt with friends on social media, use #HaddonfieldHunt.

Easter Sunday Services

NATIONAL

  • 11:15am – Worship Service
  • National Cathedral, Washington DC
  • Video link HERE (website).

BAPTIST

  • First Baptist Church of Haddonfield
  • 11am – Worship Service.
  • Audio link HERE (website). Video link HERE (Facebook).

CATHOLIC

  • Christ the King Catholic Church
  • 9am
  • 10:30am
  • Video link HERE (website).

EPISCOPAL

Grace Church in Haddonfield

6:30 am – Sunrise Worship

Video link HERE (Facebook).

LUTHERAN

  • Lutheran Church of Our Savior
  • 10:30am
  • Video link HERE (Facebook).

METHODIST

  • Haddonfield United Methodist Church
  • 9am – Contemporary Worship
  • 10:30am – Traditional Worship
  • Video links HERE (website) and HERE (Facebook)

PRESBYTERIAN

  • First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield
  • 10 am
  • Video link HERE (website)

Shopping at the Acme? Wear a mask!

In a continued attempt slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered additional restrictions for supermarkets and grocery stores in New Jersey.

Supermarkets are now required to limit the number of customers allowed inside stores at any one time to a maximum of 50% of capacity. Also, all staff and customers must now wear face coverings. (An exception is permitted in cases where a medical condition inhibits the use of face covering.)

In addition, supermarkets are encouraged to establish hours of operation that permit access solely to high-risk individuals. 

NJ Primary Elections postponed

Governor Phil Murphy has signed an executive order postponing New Jersey’s primary elections, scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, to Tuesday, July 7. The governor said his goal is “to preserve the possibility that improvements in the public health situation will allow for in-person voting.”

Registered voters living in Camden County may apply for a Vote by Mail ballot HERE.