News & Events

Keeping our roads safe during inclement weather is of utmost importance to all of us.

Our Voorhees Township Public Works Department is responsible for clearing 220 lane miles of Voorhees Township roads for safe travel during a snowstorm.  Each snowstorm is different and requires different snow removal techniques to achieve safe driving conditions.  

Prior to a snowstorm, the Public Works Department will utilize road salt or salt brine to pretreat the roads.  The temperature, precipitation, storm timing and weather forecast determine which pretreat method is used.  The brine keeps ice from forming on roads but only works when temperatures are above 23 degrees and the roads are dry.

During a snowstorm, the Public Works Department will dispatch their fleet of 30 plow and salt trucks once snow has accumulated to at least 3 inches. Each plow truck driver is assigned a route. Drivers prioritize clearing snow from main roads, intersections and hills followed by secondary roads and courts.  As snow falls, the drivers will clear snow from all Voorhees roads on their routes multiple times.  When the snow stops falling, drivers will make a final pass with the plows on their routes and apply road salt to avoid a freeze.  The drivers will clear the roads curb to curb during the final pass to ensure proper access for emergency vehicles and mail delivery.  During the final pass, plows push snow to the sides of streets and, unfortunately, accumulation of snow on driveway aprons is unavoidable.  The final plow pass can take up to 10 hours.  An average of 200 tons of road salt is used during one snowstorm.  

Residents can help with snow removal by taking all parked vehicles off the streets so the plow trucks can clear snow curb to curb and by avoiding placing snow back into the street from driveways and sidewalks after the streets have been cleared. Snow from driveways and sidewalks can cause a hazard for emergency vehicles.

Camden County Public Works is responsible for snow removal on all county roads in Voorhees and the State of New Jersey is responsible for snow removal on Route 73 in Voorhees.  

During cold emergencies, Code Blue plans will be initiated. If you or someone you know loses heat or needs protection from the elements, Voorhees Township, along with the Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management, work to ensure that we have proper resources in place. Every municipality in the County has identified locationsto accommodate residents seeking shelter from the severe weather. Voorhees has identified the Voorhees Library, 203 Laurel Road (856) 772-1636 and the Voorhees Town Center (856) 772-6400.

Other Emergency information to keep available during the winter season includes:

Atlantic City Electric 1-800-833-7476 / www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home.

PSE&G 1-800-436-7734 / www.pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/index.jsp.

NJ American Water 1-800-272-1325 / www.amwater.com.

South Jersey Gas 1-800-582-7060 / www.southjerseygas.com.

Verizon 1-800-837-4966 / www.verizon.com.

Comcast -1-800934-6489 / www.xfinity.com.

Camden County Public Works 856-566-2980 / www.highway@camdencounty.com.

Voorhees Township Public Works 856-428-5499www.voorheesnj.com.

We hope you enjoy the winter and stay safe.

** The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website

www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

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Voorhees Township Police Chief Lou Bordi will retire on December 31, 2025, closing an extraordinary chapter in the life of a man who has dedicated nearly four decades to keeping our community safe.  Under his steady leadership, our officers have grown into what many consider one of the finest police departments in the state.

Chief Bordi is the epitome of the term “hometown boy.”  He grew up in Voorhees and is a product of our Voorhees schools and a graduate of Eastern Regional High School.  He received both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Since his start in 1988, Chief Bordi has worn many hats – Patrol Officer, canine handler and trainer, Patrol Lieutenant, Captain and since 2012, the fifth Chief of Police in VTPD history.  At every step, he brought a level of professionalism that set a high bar for everyone around him.  His commitment to school safety helped make Voorhees the first community in our region to place a police officer in every school, all day, every day.

Community partnership has been at the heart of his service.  Under Chief Bordi’s leadership, programs such as the Junior Police Academy, Citizens Police Academy, Voorhees Saves Lives, the Safe Exchange Zone, Project Medicine Drop, the Nixle Notification System, the Anonymous Crime Tip Line and Safe Cam all took shape.  Each one reflects his belief that good policing starts with strong relationships and open communication.

Chief Bordi was also instrumental in leading the Voorhees Fire Department during a time of transition.

Chief Bordi’s contributions extend well beyond our borders.  He is one of the most well-respected Chiefs in the state of New Jersey, taking leadership roles on the Executive Board of the Camden County Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.  He was named to the IACP, Patrol and Tactics Board in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and served as the President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020-2021.  He continues to serve on the Executive Board as the Immediate Past-President.

Chief Bordi keeps the following quote from Maya Angelou at the bottom of his emails, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  Chief Bordi made us all feel safe.

On behalf of my colleagues on the Voorhees Township Committee and the entire Voorhees Community, we wish Chief Bordi a happy and healthy retirement.  The Voorhees community will move forward without Chief Bordi, but we will always carry with us the impact of his service.

** The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin. For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

At our Voorhees Township Committee meeting on December 8, 2025, Deputy Police Chief April Herrington was appointed to become the 6^th Chief of Police in the history of the Voorhees Township Police Department (VTPD).  Chief Herrington will replace Chief Lou Bordi who is retiring on December 31, 2025.

Chief Herrington grew up in Voorhees and is a product of the Voorhees Schools and Eastern Regional High School.  She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Criminal Justice at Rowan University and her Master’s Degree in Administrative Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Chief Herrington’s career in Voorhees began in 1998 in the Township Clerk’s Office and in the Municipal Court.  She was soon hired as the first Confidential Assistant in the Police Department.  Chief Herrington was then inspired to take the Civil Service Test to become a Police Officer and in 2003, graduated from the Gloucester County Police Academy.  At graduation, Chief Herrington received the Academic Award for the highest academic average, the Merit Award voted by her peers for demonstrating exceptional performance and the Director’s Award presented to the recruit with the highest average in academics, physical training and firearms.  She was the first recruit in the history of the Gloucester County Police Academy to win all three awards.

Chief Herrington has assumed many roles in her two-decade tenure with the VTPD.  She started as a Patrol Officer then advanced to a Firearms Instructor, an Investigator, a Detective, a Patrol Sergeant, a Detective Sergeant, a Patrol Bureau Lieutenant, a Criminal Investigations Bureau Lieutenant, an Administrative Bureau Lieutenant then Captain of the Operations Division.  In 2022, she was named Deputy Chief.

Chief Herrington’s credentials are impeccable.  She is a graduate of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy.  Since 2006, she has been an instructor at both the Camden County Police Academy and Gloucester County Police Academy.  She has been a Certified Hostage Negotiator since 2007.

Chief Herrington has received specialized training in such areas as anti-terrorism, crisis negotiations and domestic violence investigations.

Chief Herrington is passionate about keeping our schools safe all day every day.  The VTPD was the first in the region to have school security officers protect our students, teachers and staff every hour of every school day.  Chief Herrington plans to continue this vital initiative.

Chief Herrington is also passionate about the well-being of her fellow police officers.  For the last four years, she has been a member of the Multi-Agency Police Peer Support Team (MAPPS), a group that supports officers’ physical, mental and spiritual health.

Our VTPD has a strong presence in the Voorhees community both on and off duty.   Chief Herrington intends to continue such programs as the Junior Police Academy, Adult Police Academy, the Voorhees Saves Lives Program and the Anonymous Crime Tip Line.

Chief Herrington has also taken a leadership role over the last decade with the Camden County Diocese Blue Mass Committee which honors our first responders annually.  Last year, she was honored for her commitment and service to this wonderful event.

Chief Herrington intends to continue the positive evolution of our VTPD, which I believe is the best department in the state.  She has already submitted comprehensive six-month and 12-month plans to the Township Committee to enhance the growth of our individual police officers and the department as a whole.

On behalf of my colleagues on the Voorhees Township Committee and the entire Voorhees Community, congratulations to April Herrington, our new Chief of Police!

** Voorhees Township Fire Department’s Annual Cookies with Santa will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Kirkwood Fire Station Headquarters at 2002 S. Burnt Mill Road. Bring your camera to take pictures. This free event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, check Voorhees Township social media platforms.

** The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin. For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

Every year, our dedicated volunteers help our local government continue to operate effectively and efficiently.  On behalf of the other members of the Voorhees Township Committee, I thank those volunteers for their unwavering service to our community.

Our local government is privileged to have devoted volunteers who serve on our various boards, committees and commissions to help maintain the quality of life in our community.

Members of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment are guided by the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law and the Voorhees Township Zoning Ordinance. Whenever a resident attempts to modify his or her real estate, change its use, subdivide it or build on it, permission must be obtained from the Planning Board or Zoning Board. The Planning Board generally meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month and the Zoning Board generally meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month.

Another volunteer group is the Voorhees Township Recreation Advisory Board who meet every third Tuesday at 6pm. The Board serves as a partnership between our residents and our local government to provide our youth opportunities to participate in a variety of sports on state-of-the-art playing fields. These sport activities include GVAA Youth Baseball Association, Eastern Jr. Vikings Football and Cheerleading, Eastern Jr. Vikings Wrestling, Voorhees Girls Softball Association, Voorhees Basketball Association, Voorhees Soccer Association, Voorhees Lacrosse Association.

The Economic Development Committee meets the first Thursday of every month and works to maintain and increase business in our community. The Committee helped launch our successful Shop Voorhees Program, allowing a portion of your normal purchasing dollars spent on goods and services at participating Voorhees businesses to be applied to your property tax bill, thereby reducing your taxes at the end of the year.  This Committee makes presentations at area chamber of commerce events and business expos to attract businesses to our community.

The Cultural and Diversity Advisory Committee meets the first Monday of every month and helps foster positive human relations through education and the encouragement of respect and understanding among our diverse populations. The Committee provides an opportunity for input from citizens of all races, ethnicities and genders in developing programs that lead to a greater understanding of the value of a diverse community.

The Voorhees Arts Commission is comprised of local artists and art supporters who develop art programs and art/cultural educational events.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Pathway Committee works hard to promote our over 13 miles of bike paths and bike safety for the benefit of our community.

We are proud of these groups who have continued to support our residents and local government. Thanks to all!

** Voorhees Township Fire Department’s Annual Cookies with Santa will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Kirkwood Fire Station Headquarters at 2002 S. Burnt Mill Road. Bring your camera to take pictures. This free event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, check Voorhees Township social media platforms.

** The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website

www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

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“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

~ Edgar Degas ~

We are proud to display the work of our student artists in the 2026 Voorhees Township Calendar.  Each month showcases a piece of art by selected Voorhees Middle School 8^th Grade students. We are grateful to the following young artists for allowing the Township to display their work:

January – Cassidy Saldana

February – Alexa Sokolov

March – Gray Hopely

April – Mridula Kannappan

May – Lisbeth Lobos Perez

June – Michael Gambescia

July – Heather Nesbitt

August – Nefise Gonul

September – Priyanshi Tomar

October – Owen Zalcmann

November – Sarah Galan

December – Brielle Amankwaah

The calendar includes meeting dates, bulk trash pick-up dates, a Township Directory and information about local civic, community and sports organizations. A calendar will be mailed to every home in Voorhees.

As always, our monthly sponsors have financed the calendar. Please support these businesses.

Happy Holidays!

** Voorhees Township presents our Winter Village and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5 at 6pm at the Town Center. For more information, visit voorheesnj.com and other Township social media platforms.

**The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website

www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

This time of year brings joy, happiness and a focus on friends, family and sharing special times. Our diverse community celebrates in various ways with long-standing traditions.

Our Hindu Community celebrated Diwali on Oct. 4.  Known as the “festival of lights,” Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama from his 14 year-long exile and the vanquishing of the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ajodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with oil lamps and burst firecrackers. Diwali also marks the victory of good over evil.

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights and starts on December 14. The word “Hanukkah” means “dedication” in Hebrew. On each night of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit to commemorate a miracle which occurred after the Jews proclaimed victory over the Syrian Armies in 165 B.C.E. Other traditions associated with Hanukkah are dreidels (a popular game), latkes (tasty potato pancakes) and sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts without the hole).

The origin of Christmas was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, Christmas, as we know it today, is a Victorian invention of the 1860s and celebrated every Dec. 25. Probably the most celebrated holiday in the world, our modern Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions. In our culture, Christmas has also become a time to exchange gifts. The popular image of Santa Claus was created by a German American cartoonist, Thomas Nast, who drew a different image annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast’s Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.

There is no greater symbol of the Filipino Christmas than the “parol.”  Throughout the Christmas season, this star-shaped lantern hangs outside Filipino homes and is an expression of shared faith and hope.  The “parol” was originally used in the Philippines to light the way to church to attend the “Misa de Gallo,” or the “Mass of the Rooster.”  This Mass is held annually at dawn on Dec. 16 and is the official start of the Filipino Christmas season.

Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration which focuses on community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and is not meant to be a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest” in the African language Kiswahili. It is celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 and was started in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Kareenga.

On behalf of the Township Committee, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad (Spanish), Joyeux Noel (French), Kala Christouyenna (Greek), Frohliche Weihnachten (German) Nollaig Shone Dhuit (Irish), Buone Feste Natalizie (Italian), Maligayan Paskol (Filipino), Bozego Narodzenie (Polish), Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian), S Novim Godom (Russian), God Jul (Swedish) and Natale hiare et Annum Faustum (Latin).

Holidays mean happiness in any language. Happy holidays to all!

** Voorhees Township presents our Winter Village and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5 at 6pm at the Town Center. For more information, visit voorheesnj.com and other Township social media platforms.

**The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website

www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

Thanksgiving as we know it originated with the Pilgrims in 1621 with a feast celebrating the survival of their first year in the New World. The party was a traditional English harvest festival and lasted three days.

The custom of an annual day for giving thanks continued through the years, and in the late 1770s, a day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817, New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By the middle of the 19^th century, other states joined in the tradition. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln appointed a National Day of Thanksgiving and, since then, each President has issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. We now celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving has become the unofficial start of the holiday season. Businesses look forward to the following day, which is the national phenomenon that has become known as “Black Friday.” The origin comes from the shift to profitability for the retailers during the holiday season. It has traditionally been the time that retailers went from being unprofitable or “in the red” to being profitable or “in the black.” The Saturday after Thanksgiving is recognized in Voorhees as “Small Business Saturday,” a national promotion started in 2010 which encourages holiday shoppers to patronize small local businesses. The Monday after Thanksgiving has come to be known as “Cyber Monday” since retailers give discounts to online shoppers.

Small businesses and entrepreneurship are the foundation of our local economy and quality of life. In addition to a vast array of wonderful small restaurants, Voorhees has a great selection of small businesses for jewelry, clothing, gift items, housewares, pottery, art, music, baked goods, and even toys. All of our Voorhees businesses can be found on the Township web page, voorheesnj.com, and the website also shows which businesses are part of Shop Voorhees. This program allows a portion of your normal purchasing dollars spent on goods and services in Voorhees to be applied to your property tax bill, thereby reducing your taxes at the end of the tax year.

While traditions vary, Thanksgiving should remain a holiday which focuses on food, tradition, family, and gratitude. On behalf of the Township Committee, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

** Voorhees Township presents our Winter Village and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5 at 6pm at the Town Center. For more information, visit voorheesnj.com and other Township social media platforms.

**The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website

www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.

On October 27, the Voorhees Township Committee unanimously approved a Redevelopment Agreement with Hoboken Brownstone Company to launch a major revitalization of the former Echelon Mall area, now known as Voorhees Town Center. This transformational public–private partnership sets the stage for the property’s rebirth as a vibrant, mixed-use destination that will blend new housing, retail, and community spaces.

Under the Redevelopment Agreement, Hoboken Brownstone — a respected New Jersey developer known for successful urban renewal projects — will lead the Voorhees Town Center Phase 2 Redevelopment. The project aims to reimagine the once-bustling mall into a walkable, family-friendly town center while preserving key community assets, including Voorhees’ municipal complex.

The new plan includes a dynamic mix of residential, retail, and civic uses designed to foster a sense of community and attract new investment.

Key features of the project include:

This project marks a new beginning for Voorhees and the first step in redeveloping the mall. For decades, the Echelon Mall was the heartbeat of our community — a place where families gathered, friendships were built, and memories were made. While it has stood silent for too long, this redevelopment gives us the opportunity to bring that heartbeat back. We look forward to working with Hoboken Brownstone to reimagine this space as a vibrant center of life, energy, and connection for all who call Voorhees home.

The Redevelopment Agreement establishes a comprehensive framework between the Township and Hoboken Brownstone for financing, construction, and long-term community benefit. The project will be developed in two residential phases, with commercial redevelopment aligned to the final phase.

The developer will fulfill affordable housing obligations consistent with New Jersey’s Fair Housing Act, ensuring opportunities for families of all income levels and housing opportunities for veterans and first responders. The project also includes payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) under state law to help balance redevelopment costs and sustain municipal services, adding millions of dollars of non-tax revenue for the town to help lessen the burden on Voorhees taxpayers.

This project creates housing options for young families and seniors, brings new businesses to our community, and strengthens our tax base — all while maintaining the character and quality of life our residents value.

Hoboken Brownstone Company brings decades of experience transforming underutilized properties into thriving, sustainable communities.

We are happy to share this exciting news with our residents. It supports the long-standing tradition of Voorhees being the best place in which to live, work and raise your family.

** Voorhees Township presents our Winter Village and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5 at 6pm at the Town Center. For more information, visit voorheesnj.com and other Township social media platforms.

**The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club’s 17th Annual Community Service Awards event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lucien’s Distinguished Catering in Berlin.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information on this signature event, visit the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club website

www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org or call Nick Colanzi at 856-435-6200.