A Message from Mayor Susan Shin Angulo
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Dear Residents:
As we’ve said over and over the past few weeks, we are in unprecedented times. Our lives have been turned upside down, and we are living in a new, unimaginable world. I want all of you to know that we will get through this, together. We are a community of strength, resiliency, determination, and hope. And although we may not be able to see one another in person right now, we must work together to get through this.
If you follow along with our daily messaging, you will see that we are regularly posting COVID-19 updates, including additional state-mandated closures and orders, and resources for our small business community.
For the past several weeks, I have been asked about the May 1st quarterly tax payment, and whether this will be pushed back. The quarterly tax payment due dates are set by State statute. In our conversations with the State, they have indicated that they do not plan on moving the May 1st due date, nor do they plan to extend the grace period. In our discussions with the state, they have noted the need for local governments - including emergency services, public works, schools, and counties - to continue functioning during this critical time. The time period within which we hold our tax sale is also set by the State. As of now, that date has not been altered and our tax sale will occur in June. Finally, we have received a few inquiries regarding the interest rate on late charges. Again, we are in discussions with the State and our financial advisors about all of this, and we will keep in touch with you on any new information that we receive.
I’ve also heard from many of you about the decision to close our Township trails. This decision came after Governor Murphy ordered the closure of all State and County parks and trails. While we had hoped to keep our trails open, after careful consideration and discussion, we decided that we, too, would close our trails. With so many parks and trails closed in neighboring municipalities around us, we did not want Cherry Hill’s trails to become the regional destination that people come to for recreation or exploration and worsen the spread of COVID-19. While I encourage each and every one of our residents to get outdoors – I could not and will not allow a decision I have control over to jeopardize the safety of our residents. That is my job as Mayor and while sometimes the decisions I make may not be the most popular ones, they are the ones that I believe will protect our community. And I promise you that each decision I make right now, is made with careful consideration, deliberation, and empathy for all that you are going through during this crisis.
We may have some tough days, even weeks, ahead, but we are a strong community and we remain confident that this too shall pass. And although Town Hall is closed to the public, we are here for you, twenty-four seven. Please reach out if you have questions. You can send me an
email
or reach out
by phone (856) 488-7878. Check our
website
and follow us on
social media
. We are doing our best to post as much information as we can.
Finally, I want to offer my sincere condolences to all those in our community who have lost loved ones or friends in the last few weeks, including the Ravitz family and the Rocco family. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.
Safety is paramount throughout Cherry Hill. Please stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
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ICYMI: First Virtual Township Council Meeting
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On Monday, April 13 we held our first virtual Township Council Meeting via Zoom.
The Zoom Meeting is the official means of conducting the meeting virtually. To view the full meeting, please click
here. For information regarding future Council Meetings, please continue to check our website and social media accounts.
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Information for Cherry Hill residents regarding COVID-19
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Stay up to date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Cherry Hill. Find information such as the following:
- How to Conduct Township Business
- Closures throughout Town: Town Hall, Administrative Offices, Parks, Trials, Playgrounds, and more.
- Helpful Links and Resources
- FAQs
- Information for Local Businesses
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New Jersey Information Hub for COVID-19
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Stay up to date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in the state of New Jersey.
- How to protect yourself
- Ask Questions
- Information and Services
- Announcements
- Live Updates
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Spring in Bloom: Don't miss the Cherry Blossoms along Chapel Ave!
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Spring has sprung, and the blooms are starting to appear all over the beautiful cherry trees throughout our community.
Although, we are continuing to stay home and practice social distancing, if you have the opportunity to get outside be sure to check out the vibrant pink cherry blossoms of Cherry Hill. A true community staple, especially along the magnificent two-mile stretch that lines Chapel Avenue from Haddonfield Road to Kings Highway - it is truly a great sight to see within our community.
Every year around mid-April, thousands of the stunning pink-and-white blooms emerge, and symbolize everything wonderful about Cherry Hill. The first trees were planted back in 1972, by a group of civic-minded residents who wanted to unite the community around a common source of pride. Decades later, these blossoms remain a favorite of residents across Cherry Hill and have become a destination in their own right.
Take a walk or drive down Chapel Avenue and see how special they are for yourself.
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American Red Cross Donations
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The American Red Cross is reporting a severe blood shortage due to coronavirus-related blood drive cancelations. More than 600 blood drives have been canceled nationwide, resulting in about 200,000 fewer donations. Please, share your good health! If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate this week by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting
RedCrossBlood.org
or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
*Please be patient when making an appointment. As this important message is getting out and more people are making appointments, you may experience a longer than usual wait time. New blood drives are being added daily, if you do not find a drive in your area today, please check again in the near future.
Upcoming Local Donation Sites:
Cherry Hill Skating Rink, 664 Deer Road, Cherry Hill
April 21 from 10am-3pm
To schedule an appointment, click
here
and enter sponsor code: CH Skating Rink
CHYAA Complex, 150 Deland Ave, Cherry Hill
April 23 from 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, click
here
and enter sponsor code: Cherry Hill Community
Virtua Health & Wellness Center
1 Brace Road, Cherry Hill
April 24 from 2pm-7pm
To schedule an appointment, click
here
and enter sponsor code: Virtua
COVID-19 Plasma Donations
The Red Cross is currently working closely with FDA to develop a process to identify and qualify individuals who have recovered from the virus and have the necessary antibodies to participate in this effort. These collections will not be done at mobile blood drives listed above. Please visit their newly established
webpage
, to help collect prospective donor information. The Red Cross will then follow-up with prospective candidates to confirm eligibility and participation.
The safety of staff, donors and ultimate recipients remains their top priority. Only those individuals who have recovered fully from COVID-19 are eligible to donate therapeutic plasma, which means they have no detectable virus and are not infectious to others.
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Voting is now open for the Virtual Art Show
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Voting is now open for the Cherry Hill Township's Virtual Art Show. Follow the link to our
website to cast your vote. Click the "Thumbs Up" to vote for a sport in the People's Choice Spotlight.
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Virtual Recreation Center
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The Cherry Hill Township Recreation Department launched a Virtual Recreation and Resource Center on our
website
.
This is your place for resources to help you navigate these ever changing times. We are committed to ensuring that our community members have resources to maintain healthy lives, grow meaningful relationships and continue to have extraordinary experiences. In these challenging times, our Virtual Recreation Center will bring programs and resources right to you and your family with the hope of making it easier to manage your health and well-being.
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POSTPONED: Ensemble Series at Croft Farm
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Ensemble Series at Croft Farm featuring Anthony Pirollo of the Ocean City Pops on Sunday, May 17 has been postponed until 2021.
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Department of Public Works
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Single Stream Recycling: General Awareness
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To ensure the health and well-being of our employees and residents, the Township Municipal Building and Department of Public Works Administrative Offices will remain closed to the public until further notice. All essential Township operations – including police and public works, will continue functioning. Emergency services will continue.
At this time, due to lower than normal staffing levels and measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, Yard Waste Collection in certain areas may be delayed. We ask for your patience and cooperation during this time.If your Yard Waste is missed, please leave it curbside.
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Although, Township offices are closed, our Senior Services Coordinator is still responding to voicemail and email during the state-mandated quarantine. Please note that during this time, senior bus services are currently suspended. If you have any questions regarding Cherry Hill Senior Services, please contact Gaye Pino by
email
or (856) 661-4800.
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Cherry Hill Public Library News & Events
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The Library will remain closed until further notice per NJ Executive Order No. 104 (2020) ordering the closing of all libraries to the public. Although our building is closed our virtual library is always open and accessible at
www.chplnj.org.
We always strive to do what is best for our patrons and the decision to close our building is our proactive attempt at protecting the community against COVID-19.
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April is National Poetry Month!
Throughout the month our Adult Services librarians are reading their favorite poems and sharing them on our website and social media. Make sure you check them out
online
!
Are you missing the help of library staff?
Now you can reach our librarians! Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. you can email questions to CHPL librarians and they will do their best to help you from the safety of their homes. Email
chplref@chplnj.org
.
Children's Story Times and Rhyme Times are still new and exciting!
Our Children's librarians have been creating videos for our younger patrons. New videos are available every week on
YouTube
.
COVID-19 Community Impact Project
Tell Us Your Story! We want to learn about how COVID-19 has impacted your lives. Did you stay home with family or friends? Did you help in the community? Did you learn a new skill? This project is open to Cherry Hill residents. Email
chplref@chplnj.org
for the online form to participate.
CHPL Teens QUARAN-ZINE
Stuck inside? Get creative! Calling all teen artists and writers! Submit your stories, poetry, and artwork to Melissa Brinn, Teen Librarian, at
mbrinn@chplnj.org
to be published in a digital newsletter. Each accepted entry will be counted as one hour of community service.
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