Looking for employment or employees? Burlington County has a new tool to help with both.The county launched its new “Business and Job Seekers Services” website last week, designed to help county residents and local businesses find employment, job training or hire qualified staff. The new site, which can be accessed at www.co.burlington.nj.us/employment,asks visitors to pick a path: either as a job seeker or as a business in search of employees. These two specific paths lead to valuable employment information.Local businesses can learn how the county can help find and train qualified workers, …

Burlington County’s popular farmers market will reopen Saturday at the Burlington County Community Agricultural Center at 500 Centerton Road in Moorestown, offering up a sixth season of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables and, once again, featuring a variety of live entertainment, baked goods and unique crafts.Last season nearly four dozen vendors—offering fresh produce and other agricultural products, as well as prepared foods, crafts, and other specialty items—were on site, and Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said this season will bring with it another wide array of offerings for shoppers…

Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said Tuesday’s decision by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to knock down New Jersey American Water’s rate increase “could be called a small victory” for ratepayers. According to a release from the county, American Water came away from its meeting with the BPU with a rate hike less than one-third of the $95 million it originally sought. However, Garganio said as far as he is concerned, “there is still a battle to be waged here.” He said he would press for reforms in the way the public is notified and participates in the process, and that…

Hoping to find out why a judge has tentatively approved a $30 million rate increase for New Jersey American Water, Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio last week filed an Open Public Records (OPRA) request with the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel requesting a full accounting.“I want to find out how a financial expert’s opinion calling for a $46 million decrease in rates suddenly turned into a $30 million award in additional revenues,” said Garganio. “I think a $76 million swing is worthy of explanation.”Meantime, Garganio has reached out to Robert Hanna, president of the New Jersey Board of …

Acting on reports that the state Division of Rate Counsel has tentatively struck a deal with New Jersey American Water on its request for a 20 percent rate increase, Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio has reached out to the judge hearing the case, and asked him to reject any settlement and proceed with hearings. According to a release from the county, Garganio learned from constituents and through the media that Administrative Law Judge Leland S. McGhee, sitting in Newark, had signed an order cancelling all hearings on the rate increase, except for two at the end of April. “I implore you not …

Burlington County freeholders have approved the auction of five county-owned preserved farms totaling 731 acres in Springfield, Shamong and Hainesport townships for nearly $3 million. Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said the county acquired these properties outright, and sold them at auction earlier this year as preserved farms with easements that restrict development.“The revenue from this auction will be used to preserve other farms within the county,” said Garganio. “By transferring this farmland back into private ownership, the county is helping to ensure the long-term viability of the…

The county will sponsor two free workshops this week to provide businesses with tips for making smart decisions about trash management.Many businesses pay more than 40 percent more for trash disposal than they need to, according to a county release. Recycling can save valuable dollars, and help present a “green” image to a business’s customers and community.The hourlong workshops will include new food waste recycling options well suited for restaurants, corporate cafeterias, nursing homes and schools. The workshops will also benefit commercial office building landlords, property managers and …

The New Jersey Senate voted unanimously Thursday to block New Jersey American Water’s (NJAW) bid for a 20 percent rate increase. In a statement released by the county, Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio praised the legislators for standing against “the immense lobbying pressure” the company exerted during the critical hours leading up to the vote.“It takes guts to stand up to a mega-monopoly like American Water,” Garganio said. “The feedback we received was that Senate leadership was under intense pressure to pull the resolution from consideration. Meantime, individual …

Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio has called on the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel to “cease and desist” negotiations aimed at arriving at a compromise with New Jersey American Water (NJAW) on its request for a 20 percent rate increase.In a letter to Rate Counsel Director Stefanie Brand, Garganio demanded the agency stand firm on its own expert’s analysis that calls for a decrease in water rate revenue in the amount of $45.8 million. NJAW is currently seeking $95.5 million over its current revenues of $565 million.“This is not the time to play ‘let’s make a deal,’” …

Burlington County freeholders are giving residents a chance to have their voice be heard in the county’s fight against the 20 percent rate increase sought by New Jersey American Water (NJAW). The county has created an online petition for residents to formally register their opposition. The petition not only expresses opposition to the rate increase, but also calls for another round of public hearings, with all ratepayers to be notified by mail of the dates, times and places of the hearings.Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said the law permits the company to provide such notices—but that it …

The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department will offer a new round of C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) classes beginning Tuesday.The schedule is as follows: Session 1 (Jan. 10)  CERT Overview & Disaster Preparedness Session 2 (Jan. 17)  Fire Safety Session 3 (Jan. 19)  Light Search and Rescue Session 4 (Jan. 24)  Medical Operations (Part 1) Session 5 (Jan. 31)  Medical Operations (Part 2) Session 6 (Feb. 7)  Terrorism Session 7 (Feb. 14)  Disaster Psychology Session 8 (Feb. 15)  Disaster Simulation and graduation. The classes will be held from 6:30-9 p.m at the Emergency Services …

As a way for towns to save dollars and improve their recycling rates, the county will accept Christmas trees free of charge for recycling at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex in Florence/Mansfield Townships.  "We’re not trying to rush through the holidays," said Freeholder Joseph Donnelly, "but as the holiday season winds to a close, residents should contact their municipalities to see if they offer Christmas tree recycling." Moorestown's public works department accepts Christmas trees. Put them out with your regular brush pick-up. Brush pick-up for District 1 begins on the …

Burlington County freeholders will hold their annual reorganization meeting at noon on Monday, Jan. 2, in courtroom #1 on the third floor of the County Administration Building at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. While reorganization is traditionally held on the first day of the new year, the rules of the board hold that reorganization be held the following day when Jan. 1 falls on a Sunday. The agenda will include the swearing in of two new freeholders, Leah Arter of Moorestown and Joseph Howarth of Evesham, as well as the swearing in of George Kotch to a new term as county surrogate. The …

The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department’s annual toy drive is underway and donations are being accepted at 50 drop-off locations throughout the county, including several in the area. Sheriff Jean Stanfield said toys will be accepted until Dec. 19, when officers will gather up the bins and return them to the county complex. The toys then get a safety check by the county’s Consumer Affairs Office and human service agencies work with the sheriff’s office to distribute.“We always receive a wonderful response to the toy drive each year,” said Sheriff Jean Stanfield. “The holiday season brings …

  Throughout the first week of December, Burlington County will be offering free flu vaccinations to county residents. The week of December 5-9 has been declared Burlington County Influenza Vaccination Week. “The Burlington County Influenza Vaccination Week provides an important opportunity for us to tell the community how important it is to get an annual flu shot,” said Burlington County Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien. “Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well.”  Throughout that week, the Health Department will…

Let’s hope these unions turn out better than The Bride of Frankenstein.Burlington County Clerk Timothy D. Tyler will perform weddings in the Burlington County Haunted Prison next Friday, Oct. 21. “Other county clerks have held mass weddings and Valentine’s Day weddings,” said Tyler. “We were looking for something a little bit different. The Historic Prison Museum has graciously offered a unique location for a unique event.” Ceremonies will be performed beginning at 5 p.m. Oct. 21 in the “graveyard” set of the Burlington County Prison Museum's annual Prison Haunt. Couples are encouraged to …

The Burlington County Sheriff’s  Department will hold a new CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) basic training class beginning Oct. 11. The class is eight sessions long and will be from 6:30-9 p.m., ending on Nov. 16.  All classes will be held at the Emergency Services Training Center (ESTC) at 53 Academy Drive in Westampton. The schedule is as follows: Session 1 (Oct. 11) — CERT overview & disaster preparedness Session 2 (Oct. 18) — Fire safety Session 3 (Oct. 20) — Light search and rescue Session 4 (Oct. 25) — Medical operations (part 1) Session 5 (Nov. 01) — Medical operations (part 2…

Job seekers are encouraged to attend a regional job fair hosted by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Burlington County Workforce Investment Board, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 at the Burlington Center Mall on Route 541 in Burlington Township.At the job fair, employers will interview hundreds of job seekers for opportunities within their companies. The event is designed to give those looking for jobs the ability to have personal contact with local employers.“In response to current economic conditions and increased unemployment, we are bringing together …

The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department will be holding a Senior Citizen Safety Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the county facilities in Mount Holly. The free event will include a new program for senior citizens called CarFit. It will be held in the main parking lot of the county facilities at 49 Rancocas Road. CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles "fit" them. A proper fit in one's car can greatly increase not only the driver's safety, but also the safety of others, according to a release from…

The Burlington County Health Department will start its seasonal flu campaign with six clinics that will offer the Fluzone high-dose vaccine for those 65 and older. Clinics will be held Sept. 22 and 29 and Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at both the Burlington Center and Moorestown Mall. These first clinics will be Fluzone high-dose only and is free for those with Medicare Part B as their primary insurance. Other insurances will be accepted, but residents should check with their insurance provider to ensure the vaccination is covered. For those without Medicare Part B or whose insurance does not…