frequently asked questions (faq)
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to the township in the areas of: Taxes; Construction/Planning/Zoning/Public Works; Vital Statistics; Recycling and Trash Pickup; Parks, Recreation and Community Services; Animals; and, Other.
ABOUT HAINESPORT TOWNSHIP
What are the hours of operation of Hainesport Township?
Township Offices are open Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 am to 4:45 pm and Friday, from 7:30 am to 12:00 noon.Where is Hainesport’s Municipal Building located?
Town Hall is located at One Hainesport Centre. It can be found on mapping applications by using 1401 Marne Highway, Hainesport, NJ 08036.>>View a map and get directions.
What form of government does Hainesport have?
Hainesport is governed by the Township Committee form of government. This is comprised of five officials elected by the residents to serve three year staggered terms. The elected members will select a chairperson who will be known as the “Mayor of the Township".How do I get appointed to a board or committee?
Hainesport has several boards and committees advising and assisting the Township Committee. Appointments are made as vacancies occur and are usually obtained by completing an application provided by the Township clerk’s office. The application is then forwarded to the Mayor. If a vacancy exists the Township Committee will approve a candidate submitted by the Mayor.When are Township Committee meetings held?
The Township Committee holds its regularly scheduled meetings once a month on the second Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the Municipal Building, One Hainesport Centre, in Hainesport.More info »
Can I get committee meeting agendas?
Agendas are posted online as soon as they become available. However, due to the fact that agenda items may be added, deleted or changed right up until the start of each meeting, the current agenda you see on the web site may not reflect the most recent revisions.Where do I go to vote?
Hainesport Township is divided into five voting districts. Residents cast their ballots at the Municipal Building on Marne Highway. However, school elections are held at the elementary school on Broad Street.My organization would like to hold a raffle. Do we need to obtain a permit or something from the township?
Yes. An application to conduct a raffle must be completed and submitted to the Township Clerk. The application needs to be approved by the state police and State of New Jersey before the Township Committee can approve it at a regular meeting. You must allow at least 30 days for this process to occur before the raffle date.How do I obtain a copy of a public document?
The procedure for obtaining government records in Hainesport is fairly simple and is accomplished through filing a records request form with the Township Clerk. In order for your request to be processed, you will be required to provide an accurate description for each record you seek.More info »
The Department of Finance’s Tax Collection Division is responsible for the receipt and collection of all local taxes, both current and delinquent. The following information has been put together by Hainesport’s Tax Collector to address the most frequently asked questions about taxes:
Do you have a question not addressed here?
Contact Tax Collector Sharon Deviney at 609.267.2730 ext. 108.
When are real estate taxes due?
Taxes are due on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1. There is a ten day grace period; payment of taxes must be received in the Tax Collector’s Office by the 10th of February, May, August and November to avoid incurring interest charges. We do not accept postmarks.Is there a grace period?
The township allows for a ten-day grace period for receipt of the taxes. Interest is charged at a rate of 8% per annum on balances of $1,500.00 or less, all amounts over $1,500.00 incur interest at a rate of 18% per annum. If payment is not received during the grace period interest is charged from the date the tax was due, i.e. 2/1, 5/1, 8/1 and 11/1. Once the past due balance is over $1,500.00 you will pay interest at a rate of 18% per annum regardless of the balance until your account is brought current. A year-end penalty of 6% will be charged on delinquencies exceeding $10,000.00 at the end of the fiscal year that became delinquent in the fiscal year.Why are the quarterly amounts different?
Your real estate property tax bill is made up of taxes collected on behalf of the municipality, the school district(s), the county and any special districts that may be created. The tax rate is not known at the beginning of the calendar year, the first two quarters of every year equal half of the total taxes billed the prior year. The third and fourth quarters reflect the balance due once the tax rate has been determined. The school budget is voted on each year in April, and the State of New Jersey budget is adopted by June 30th. The tax rate is determined once the school budget, municipal budget, county budget and state budget have been established.Where do I pay my taxes?
The Tax Collection Division is located in the Township Municipal Building and is open Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 am to 4:45 pm and Friday, from 7:30 am to 12:00 noon. For your convenience, there is also a drop-off box located by the front door of the Municipal Building. All transactions deposited in the box will be posted the next day.More info »
Can I pay my property taxes online?
Yes! Hainesport Township is pleased to offer you the opportunity to pay your property taxes online, 24/7, from the convenience of your home or office. The secure online tax payment services are provided at no additional cost to residents.More info »
How do I get a receipt?
You may pay your taxes in person, at the Tax Collector’s office, Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 4:45 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 12:00 noon, or you may mail your payment to: Tax Collector, Hainesport Township, P.O. Box 477, Hainesport, NJ 08036. Your cancelled check is your receipt. If you want us to stamp your bill paid you must bring your bill with you, or include it with your mailed payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.What is the tax sale?
All municipal charges that remain unpaid at the end of the calendar year are subject to tax sale. You will receive notification that your property is subject to tax sale and we will also notify your mortgage company if they pay your property taxes. If your property is included in the tax sale there will be a lien placed on your property, your property is not sold. You will have at least six months, and up to two years in most cases, to redeem the lien before foreclosure action may be started by the lien holder.How are my taxes calculated?
Your tax bill is based on the assessed value of your property. You pay taxes for every $100.00 in assessed value. The 2011 tax rate for Hainesport Township is 3.548 for every $100.00 of assessed value. To figure out the taxes on a piece of property with a total assessment of $163,100 (the average assessment for a residential property in Hainesport Township in 2011) you would divide $163,100 by 100 ($1,631.00) and multiply that figure by the tax rate ($1,631.00 x 3.548 = $5,786.79).More info »
How are my taxes divided?
In 2010 21.84% of your taxes were forwarded to Burlington County, 64.08% was forwarded to the school districts and 14.08% was used to fund Hainesport Township. The elected officials of Hainesport Township only have control over the municipal budget and do not have total control over all of the pieces that can cause your tax rate to go up or down.How do I appeal my taxes?
You do not appeal your taxes; you appeal your assessment. If you feel that the assessed value of your property is not accurate you may file an appeal with the Tax Assessor’s office. The Tax Assessor is responsible for determining the assessed value of all property in Hainesport Township. The amount of the tax of your tax bill is controlled by the assessed value of the property and the tax rates for each government unit. Your taxes are based on the assessed value of your property. Please contact the Tax Assessor’s office at 609.267.2730 ext. 106 for appeal information.Why are tax rates determined so late in the calendar year?
The reason the tax rate is not known at the beginning of each calendar year is because each unit must establish their budget so we know how much to collect. The Board of Chosen Freeholders is responsible for the Burlington County budget, the Mayor and Township Committee determine the municipal budget and the Hainesport Township Board of Education and the Rancocas Valley Regional High School Board develops the school district budget. Registered voters are responsible for voting on the school district budget in April each year. The earliest that the total tax rate is known in any municipality is usually some time in June. Municipalities that apply for state aid have to wait until after the state budget is adopted, by June 30, to strike a tax rate.Are there any property tax relief programs available?
There are two separate property relief programs which are handled at the state level—the Homestead Benefit and the Senior Freeze programs. For more information, visit the New Jersey Taxation web site or use the following numbers to contact the programs directly:Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): 1.800.882.6597
Homestead Benefit Program: 1.888.238.1233
Am I eligible for a tax deduction or exemption?
Deductions in the amount of $250.00 are available for eligible Senior Citizens, Disabled Citizens and Veterans. Some Fully Disabled Veterans are eligible for Tax Exemptions. Please contact the Tax Assessor’s office, 609.267.2730 ext. 106, or the Tax Collector’s Office, 609.267.2730 ext. 108, for more information.Forms to apply for a veteran or senior citizen deduction can be obtained from the Tax Collector’s Office or online.
More info »
CONSTRUCTION/PLANNING/ZONING/PUBLIC WORKS
Do I need a permit for construction or renovations to my property?
Generally speaking, anything more than ordinary repairs will probably require a construction permit. In cases where a project will change the footprint of the building, lot coverage or use of the space, zoning approval may also be required. Please always call and inquire prior to doing any repairs to the house, we would be glad to assist you anytime.More info »
Why do I need a construction permit?
A construction permit ensures that all building projects in the township conform to health, fire, structural and general safety standards to protect individuals and the community. It is against the law to start work without a permit. Aside from the legal ramifications and penalties, you might unknowingly receive substandard materials and/or poor workmanship from a contractor. If you have an insurance claim related to any work done without permits, your carrier may not pay the claim—they often check with the township for permits and the required inspections.I want to subdivide my property. How do I go about doing this?
Contact the Zoning Department at 609.267-2730, ext. 109.How would I connect to the township’s water or sewer system?
Contact Mount Holly Sewer 609.267.0015 or New Jersey American Water 609.265.9011 to determine if this is a possibility.Do I need a permit if I want to make repairs to my septic system?
Most repairs (and modifications) are highly technical and require the expertise of a licensed professional engineer. Before undertaking any repairs without the use of a licensed engineer, you must contact the Burlington County Health Department at 609.265.5519 to ensure compliance with state law and township policies. Permits are required.How do I notify the township about a pothole in the roadway?
Call the Public Works Department at 609.267.3042.How do I obtain a marriage/civil union/remarriage license?
Hainesport’s Registrar of Vital Statistics issues marriage/civil union/remarriage licenses. You would apply for a marriage/civil union/remarriage license in Hainesport if either the bride or groom resides in Hainesport OR neither the bride nor groom is a resident of New Jersey but the marriage/civil union/remarriage ceremony will be performed in Hainesport. The Registrar may be reached at 609.267.2730 ext. 107. Applicants for marriage/civil union/remarriage licenses are asked to call ahead for an appointment.More info »
How would I obtain copies of a birth/marriage/civil union and/or death certificate?
All birth/marriage/civil union and deaths which occur within the township are recorded by the Registrar of Vital Statistics. In order to obtain a copy of one of these documents, you will be required to authenticate your relationship to the subject of the vital record you seek and submit proof of your identity.More info »
Do I have to be a resident of Hainesport in order to register my domestic partnership in Hainesport?
No. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership does not have to be filed or registered in the municipality in which the domestic partners reside.
What items are recyclable? What items aren’t?
Please refer to the following flyer which is found on Burlington County’s web site: recyclables or visit their Recycling Information Page for more detailed information.My recyclables were not picked up curbside. Who should I call?
Call the Burlington County Recycling Center at 609.499.1001
My trash pickup day falls on a holiday. When will my trash be collected?
Trash is normally collected on the next business day.
My recycling day falls on a holiday. When will recyclables be picked up?
Please refer to the Holiday Recycling Schedule as posted on the Burlington County’s Recycling Web or call the County’s Recycling Hotline at 609.267.6889 or 856.461.4141 or email: recycling@otcbc.orgIf the weather is inclement, is curbside collection of trash cancelled?
The waste haulers make every effort to collect trash as scheduled. However, if road conditions are hazardous, causing a delay or cancellation of trash collection, the makeup collection day is the next business day.If we have a snow storm, is curbside collection of recyclables cancelled?
This will depend on the severity of the storm. If collection is cancelled the next collection should be the next business day, although that may be adjusted depending on road conditions.
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
I’m a senior citizen. Does the township have any special services for residents age 60 and above?
Senior Citizen Game Day Second Thursday/month @12:30 pm
Senior Citizen Club Meetings Fourth Thursday/month @12:00 pm
How do I obtain information about programs, art classes, camps and other events offered by the Recreation Department?
A general overview of program offerings can be accessed through the main navigation under Departments --› Parks and Recreation. More detailed information for programs currently enrolling participants—including meeting dates/times, registration dates and applicable fees—is available through the Recreation Department. For further information, please call the Recreation Department at 609.267.2730 ext. 107.Are the tennis courts at the Municipal Center open to the public?
Yes, on a first come first served basis.Do I have to pay a fee in order to use the Hockey Rink?
No.
Does the Parks & Recreation Department have a hotline where I can check on field status?
No. During business hours contact Paula Tiver at 609.267.2730 ext.107
Can I get a job with Parks & Recreation during my summer vacation?
Contact Paula Tiver at 609.267.2730 ext. 107 for more information.How do I book a picnic at Long Bridge Park?
Long Bridge Park is part of the Burlington County Park System. They may be reached by calling 609.265.5858.
What are the requirements for a dog license?
All dogs seven months or older must be licensed and have a current tag affixed to a collar or harness. Licenses may be obtained from the Township Clerk’s Office.More info »
Whom do I call if I see a stray dog or other animal?
The Township’s animal control service at 856.786.6623My neighbor allows his dog to run free. Is there anything I can do? I’m worried it may be hit by a passing car or bite a child.
Dogs are prohibited from running at large by township ordinance. Call the Township’s Code Enforcement Officer at 609.267.2730 ext. 115 to report your concerns.Is there any place within the township where I can let my dog run free?
No, the Township does not have a designated area for dogs. Nearby Dog Parks:
The Laurel Acres Dog Run in Mt. Laurel is along the walking path located near the middle of the park and can be accessed by both Church Street and Union Mill Roads. There are two runs, one for larger dogs 40 lbs. or greater and one for smaller dogs under 40 lbs. Please follow the rules of the run for the safety all dog owners and visitors to the park.
Freedom Park in Medford is located Union Street, just off Main Street, across from Jones Road.
Do I need a permit to have a garage or yard sale?
Yes. Contact the Township Clerk’s Office at 609.267.2730 ext. 100 for more information.Whom do I call if a streetlight is out or if I have a power outage?
Call Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) 800.436.7734.Someone has shown up at my door trying to sell me magazine subscriptions. Is this allowed?
Only if the person applied for and received a solicitor’s permit from the Township. If the person soliciting does not have a permit report the incident to the New Jersey State Police at 609.298.1170.