The Borough's 2014 Holiday festivities are underway including the much anticipated evening parade. Public Events volunteers were busy Saturday trimming the boro tree, hanging seasonal street decor and readying the Santa House for the holidays. Enjoy the schedule of events and experience the difference that shopping in your own home town offers. Merchantville boasts a variety of businesses from gift, handcraft and antique shops to markets, cafes and restaurants.

Newly elected Borough officials by unofficial vote tally: Mayor - Edward Brennan, 642; Borough Council - Andrew McLoone, 639; Katherine Erhard Swann, 614. For School Board - Henry Kabel, 374; Karen Foster - 426, Steve Morrone - 459. School Bond Question - Yes 541, No 238. Please check www.merchantvillenj.gov for additional vote information.

Camden's downtown streets could get a makeover, under a new study announced Friday by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.The grants of federal and state funds were part of the planning commission's Transportation and Community Development Initiative, which seeks to coordinate local transportation improvements with land-use planning. Merchantville received a $35,000 grant for Planning for redevelopment of Town Centre East area. http://bit.ly/1vQqKRZ

Voters in Merchantville approved a two-phase school proposal estimated at $2 million on a vote of 536 to 239. Phase I projects includes a 40 percent reimbursement from the state totaling $373,062. The vote showed strong support for the school and it's value to the community. Phase I projects include brick re-pointing, a new auditorium roof, security door controls and second-floor air conditioning. Phase II projects include the replacement of windows and asphalt and landscaping.  Other upgrades will address electrical, bathrooms and classroom technology. The annual tax impact will be about $27 on the average home.

In August, the Merchantville Board of Education authorized the inclusion of a bond referendum question on the November 2014 election ballot. It has been 18 years since the Board of Education asked the community to support a referendum.

The Merchantville Department of Public Safety will host a “Meet and Greet Event” for the residents of the Borough to come out and talk to members of the Police and Fire Departments. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26th, at the old railroad station building on Chestnut Ave at Centre Street. Information regarding the Neighborhood Watch, and Helping Hand programs will be available. Free “Child Identification Kits” will be available for those residents with children.