News from Township of Hillsborough

One of the best places to live in America

Issue: 2014-1

January 3, 2014

Douglas Tomson Selected 2014 Hillsborough Mayor: By-Pass, Town Center and Community Involvement Top Priority List

Burchette Selected to Serve as 2014 Deputy Mayor

Douglas Tomson, former Deputy Mayor, was unanimously chosen as Hillsborough Township's 2014 Mayor at the Annual Re-organization meeting Thursday evening.

Committeeman Greg Burchette was selected to serve as Deputy Mayor and former Mayor Frank DelCore, who was re-elected in November, was sworn in for another three year term on the Township Committee.

Tomson had served as Deputy Mayor in 2013 and previously served on the Planning Board and Capital Planning Committee since 2008, as well as liaison to various Boards and Commissions for the Township such as the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Board of Education, Cable Advisory Committee, Board of Health, Local Assistance Board, Library Council, Recreation and Parks Commission, and the Youth Services Commission.

Following his swearing into office by Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Mayor Tomson reiterated that the businesslike approach to government in Hillsborough will continue, while he will keep a watchful eye on the fiscal operations of the Township. Maintaining land preservation will remain a top priority for the Committee as they enter in to 2014 and keeping Hillsborough an attractive place to live round out the Mayor's goals. Focus will be placed on the continued construction of the Route 206 By-pass, the development of Town Center, to continue volunteerism through community involvement and the increased use of technology and social media to enhance communication with the residents of Hillsborough.

Pictured above: (Top) Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli swearing in Mayor Doug Tomson accompanied by his wife Rachel and daughters Sara, Hailey and Hannah; (Middle) Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli swearing in Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette accompanied by his wife Sella and son Jared; (Bottom) Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli swearing in Committeeman Frank DelCore accompanied by his daughters Kristin and Rebecca.

For full news account, click here...

Somerset County Freeholders, Hillsborough Township & New Jersey Conservation Foundation Announce Key Addition to Sourland Mountain Preserve

A Dec. 19 closing was held on 295 acres of land being deeded to the Somerset County Open Space program by real estate investor Bryce Thompson. The acquisition was completed through a partnership with New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Hillsborough Township, with additional grant funding provided from Conservation Resources Inc. and the State Green Acres Program.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation secured an option agreement to purchase 350 acres from Mr. Thompson that was transferred to the county. The county closed on the additional 55 acres in August 2013.

The property will remain largely in its natural state. Somerset County and New Jersey Conservation Foundation will work together to develop a management plan that will outline planning and management activities most appropriate for the health and public enjoyment of the land.

The 350 acres, which are made up of several tracts in Hillsborough Township near the intersection of Wertsville and Montgomery roads, are contiguous to other open-space lands acquired by Somerset County in recent years and will encourage the expansion of the Sourland Mountain Preserve to the Hunterdon County border, where many local, county and nonprofit preservation initiatives are currently underway.

Pictured (seated, from left) are Somerset County Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer and Bryce Thompson. Standing, left to right, are Hillsborough Township Administrator Anthony Ferrera; New Jersey Conservation Foundation Assistant Director/Director of Statewide Land Acquisition Greg Romano; Catherine Bacon Winslow of Bedminster, second vice president of NJCF's Board of Trustees; Hillsborough Township Committeeman Greg Burchette; Duke Farms Executive Director Michael Catania; Thomas Boccino, Principal Planner, Land Acquisition, Somerset County Engineering Division; and Somerset County Park Commissioner Helen Haines, who also represents both the Hillsborough and Somerset County open space advisory committees.

For full news account, click here...

Park Commission to Recycle Christmas Trees

The Somerset County Park Commission will be accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling from Thursday, December 26, 2013 through Friday, January 31, 2014.

Somerset County residents may bring their tree to Colonial Park, Parking Lot F, 156 Mettlers Road in Somerset, Franklin Township or to North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater at the northern end of the parking lot near the lighted ball field. Both facilities will accept trees from 8:00am to 4:00pm, seven days a week.

Each family is limited to only one tree that must be free of all ornaments, wires, netting, and tinsel. Only natural trees will be accepted. Wreaths and garland will not be accepted as these items cannot be recycled. Deliveries from groups or dealers will be rejected. Following these guidelines is necessary to maintain a manageable recycling program.

Trees will be chipped into wood chip mulch which will be used throughout the park system to mulch plantings. Some chips/mulch will be made available to the public at each of the drop-off sites at no cost.

For information, call the Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department at 732 873-2459, ext. 21 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment, Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:00am to 3:30pm.

Recycling Calendar:'First Saturday,' Holiday Closings in January

'First Saturday of the Month' Drop-off

BRIDGEWATER - Somerset County residents can take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event to clean up around their homes on Jan. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

First Saturday drop-off events enable busy residents to recycle tires, clean textiles and usual curbside items in one fell swoop, as well as help people in the community who are less fortunate by donating food items for a local food bank.

For more information, click here...

Winter Storm Reminders

In the event you experience a loss of power, please contact your power company directly and report the outage. JCP&L: 888-544-4877 and PSE&G 800-436-7734.

Do not touch or attempt to move downed lines.

Do not operate generators inside your residence nor your garage; use only outdoors.

If you are using candles, please ensure they are not placed by any flammable material and remain attended while lit. Please extinguish candles when leaving a room.

If using space heaters, ensure they are placed in a safe location away from flammable materials and walls.

911 is for Emergency use only. Non emergencies, please call 908-369-4323.

Please clear snow away from FIRE hydrants.

Please limit off street parking during the storm to allow for the Department of Public works to effectively clear the streets.

All residents are encouraged to remain at home, but if you need to venture out, please allow extra travel time to allow for safe arrival at your destination.