As the nicer weather is approaching please remember the safety practices when you are using outdoor fire places. Open, burning recreational fire and portable outdoor fireplaces can pose some safety hazards. Homeowners enjoy fire pits and outdoor fireplaces for warmth, recreation and cooking. Increase your enjoyment of outdoor fires by knowing you’re doing all you can to burn cleanly, safely, and responsibly for your family, neighbors and community. Here are ways you can enjoy them responsibly. Merchantville does not require homeowners to obtain a permit for fire pits however, a permit is required for commercial properties. Here are some tips from the Merchantville Fire Department and the EPA. If anyone has any questions regarding safe practices do not hesitate to contact us at (856) 662-0900.

Merchantville was among top NJ towns recognized at the Annual Sustainable Jersey Awards on Thursday, March 11th. Sustainable Jersey announced the recipients of the 2020 municipal annual awards, which celebrate sustainability excellence, innovation and leadership at a live stream the event on its Facebook page. Merchantville Borough completed required actions to earn 155 points, reaching their goal of Bronze certification and was recognized for its innovation and creativity initiative: Incredible Edible Merchantville. Motivated by climate change and a TED Talk on "How We Can Eat Our Landscapes," two residents realized that securing future sustainability in Merchantville would require inventive community efforts. In July 2018, their proposal for Incredible Edible Merchantville was approved by the Borough Council under the municipal green team with the goals of promoting sustainable living, food justice and environmental education to encourage healthy communities. Since then, participants have been working to create food forests in public and private spaces to grow local food and support the local food economy. Though their work has just begun, IE Merchantville has already developed a vibrant outreach program with more than 30 registered gardens and donating over 200 pounds of fresh produce this summer to supplement local food pantry demands brought on by the pandemic. During this pandemic, municipalities that received Sustainable Jersey’s highest recognition awards set a new bar and aspirational example for other communities to meet as they pursue sustainability goals. 

We are back! Merchantville’s Parks and Playgrounds program will be held again this year at the Merchantville Community Center from Tuesday, July 6th through Friday August 6th. The program will be from 9:00 am until noon. Due to continuing guidelines the program will be limiting the number of participants. Registration will be available at Borough Hall, cost will be $200 for borough resident, $250 for non-residents. If you have any questions please contact Pat Fields at 856-986-2191. Counselors are needed for Merchantville Parks and Playgrounds program. The program is held at Merchantville Community Center from July 6th through August 6th. Counselors need to have completed their freshman year of high school, must have working papers and have received the Covid 19 vaccination. Applications for the counselor’s positions are available at Merchantville Borough Hall. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Fields at 856 986 2191.

Merchantville Mayor Ted Brennan and Pennsauken Mayor Marco DiBattista were the guest speakers at a virtual meeting of the Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber of Commerce (PMAC), held on Wednesday, March 10, via Zoom at noon. Tim Ellis moderated the event with updates from both municipalities about the past year. Mayor Brennan thanked PMAC and gave an overview on meeting the business challenges, in 2020-21, when most of the borough's resources were allocated to fighting the pandemic at the government level. Merchantville has responded to needs of residents and businesses by reassigning municipal personnel and appointing an Executive Order czar to repackage and disseminate information about federal and state grant and loan funding opportunities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Mayor Brennan underscored the unique nature and bond between government and businesses, and commended Merchantville's residents for their response and support of businesses during the past 12 months. Mayor Brennan shared the Borough's successful drive to break down digital barriers to get seniors registered and took the opportunity to encourage all to get vaccinated. Mayor Brennan ended his remarks underscoring the promise of 2021 and sharing his desire to capture the potential and energy that an influx of new residents from Philadelphia hold. He also spoke about plans for a less intense redevelopment featuring a pedestrian walkway with arts and entertainment area  connecting Merchantville's multi-use path with anchor businesses like Eclipse Brewing and The Station Coffee. Mayor DiBattista showcased improvements to outside spaces in the township including upgrades to pickle ball courts and a 49th street park.

Merchantville's Public Events Committee fosters a sense of community through various family events and is creating a 2021 Community Calendar. This fun and project is being lead by Emily Sutin and she's asking all residents to submit their best Merchantville photos for this publication. Please submit two (2) well-focused, 300dpi photographs of scenery, landscapes or architecture by Thursday, November 5th, in order to be considered. No photos including people will be accepted. Photo credit will be attributed on the calendar. Please read and follow all details here.