The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has mandated that all municipalities must adopt a tree removal ordinance. Dramatic rain fall events dropping more rain than ever in short amounts of time have made it very important that we find innovative ways of managing storm water. Trees are a vital part of this plan as they drink ground water. NJDEP distributed ordinance language to every municipality and mandated that we have to adopt these ordinances. Mount Ephraim adopted this ordinance at the September 7, 2023, commission meeting. This ordinance will require that anyone who wants to remove a tree from their property must get a permit. There is no fee for the permit but you will be required to replace the tree or deposit funds with the borough so we can replace the tree. The amount varies depending on the size of the tree that was removed. To read the full ordinance, click here: Ord 2023-14, Tree Removal Regulations
Vacant Property Registration
Vacant properties must be registered with Mount Ephraim pursuant to Ordinance 2023-05. There is one form for properties not in foreclosure and a separate form for properties in foreclosure. Be advised that registration of properties in foreclosure must be accompanied by the corresponding fees. For the registration forms and the ordinance, click here: Ord 2023-05, Adopted; VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION-Non Foreclosure; VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION–IN FORECLOSURE
Election Information–Updated
UPDATE–recent legislation signed by Governor Murphy has changed election deadlines. The election for borough commissioners will be on the November 7, 2023, General Election ballot. Nominating petitions must be submitted by August 24, 2023, at 4:00pm. Petitions received after that date/time will not be considered. 1% of the number of registered voters is the required number of petitions which is approximately 40. As any defective petitions will not be considered, it is recommended that at least 50 petitions be submitted. All forms are to be submitted to the Borough Clerk by 4:00pm on August 24. For the petition/election forms form, click here: Petition of Nomination for Candidate; Petition for Grouping and Designation; Affidavit of Candidate; Affidavit of Campaign Manager; Petition for Inclusion of Slogan
Recycling/Trash News
Mount Ephraim has adopted new trash regulations regarding the size of the cans we will pick-up. As of February 1, 2023, we will no longer pickup trash cans that exceed 60 gallons in size. Please make sure your trash can is less than 60 gallons in size.
New Jersey American Water Lead Service Line Replacement Program
In July of 2021, New Jersey enacted legislation that requires all water providers to replace utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized water service lines. New Jersey American Water has launched their Lead Service Line Replacement Program. To learn about the program, click here: NJAW Lead Service Line Program
Public Hearing on the 2023 Municipal Budget
The 2023 Municipal Budget was approved on first reading at the April 6 commission meeting and will be considered for adoption after a public hearing to be held during the May 4 commission meeting at 7:00pm. The public hearing will be held during the May 4 commission meeting at the municipal building. To view the budget document, click here: 2023 Municipal Budget; 2023 Budget Message
Ales on the Rails, April 22
The Ales on the Rails event is Saturday, April 22, 2pm-7pm on Station Avenue. Come out to have fun with your friends and neighbors! Brews, food, vendors, music and stuff for the kids. Hope to see you there!
Information from New Jersey American Water
The following notice is from NJAW:
New Jersey American Water is monitoring the water quality of the Delaware River following a chemical release that occurred early this morning (Saturday) from a manufacturing plant into a tributary of the river in Bristol, Pa. The company is maintaining regular communication with state and federal agencies regarding the situation.
New Jersey American Water monitors the source water and perform water quality tests during the treatment process and throughout our distribution systems as part of the company’s daily water quality protocol and business continuity plan. At this time there is no impact to the source water outside of the company’s Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant.
We have assembled our emergency response teams and instituted our business continuity plans to manage operations through this situation, preparing for all possible scenarios, so that we can mitigate any potential impacts should the chemical make its way toward the NJ side of the Delaware River. If this occurs, we are able to close our intakes and rely on stored water to serve customers while the chemical passes through the area. We are also preparing for the remote possibility of having to treat the chemical in the highly unlikely case that it somehow enters the plant.
The health and safety of our customers is a priority. We’ll continue to monitor the source water and provide updates as we receive additional information or if there are any developments.
Click here for the most recent press release from NJAW: NJAW press release 3-29-23
To reach NJAW Customer Service, call 800-272-1325.
Ordinance Adopted to Move Municipal Election to November
The Mayor and Commissioners adopted an ordinance at the February 2 commission meeting to move the municipal election from May to November. The reason for this change is because of the budget savings. May municipal elections are paid for entirely by the municipality whereas a lot of the costs of the November election are borne by Camden County. For this year, the town anticipates saving about $12,000 in election costs. As we all know, costs for everything have gone up dramatically and we are looking for cost savings everywhere we can find them. This is just one of many areas where we are cutting the budget. For a full copy of the ordinance, click here: Ordinance 2023-01
Holiday Recycling Information
There will be no recycling collection the week of Thanksgiving. Please hold all recycling until the following week. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
