The Hillsborough Township
    Committee Wishes  Everyone
    a Happy Passover 

Mayor Announces Public Information Session for the Proposed Restaurant with Off Track Wagering (OTW) Wednesday April 16 

There will be a Public Information Forum hosted by the Township of Hillsborough regarding a private developer's application for a proposed Restaurant with Off Track Wagering (OTW) at the former Maestro 206 Bar and Restaurant located at 150 Route 206 South. The Forum, which is open to all residents, will be held at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Building 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, New Jersey on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm.

By way of background, in February, 2011, the New Jersey Legislature created a new process for granting or denial of an OTW facility. As long as said facility is located in an industrial or commercial zone (as this property is on Route 206 South in such zone), the decision to grant/deny an OTW rests solely with the New Jersey Racing Commission and the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, not the municipality. Such facilities are considered permitted uses under State law. Therefore, there is no longer any veto power on behalf of the local government entity (Hillsborough Township Committee) and in short, the State took away our vote, also known as "Home Rule".

Township Moves Forward on "Home Rule" Resolution

Hillsborough Requests Reinstatement of Planning Authority Over OTW Facilities

Hillsborough Township Committee took action at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting by passing a resolution calling on the New Jersey State Legislature to repeal P.L. 2011, C. 26, which had revised the provisions of the "Off-Track Wagering Act".

The resolution sites that the revisions "eliminated the ability of the local government entity the ability to grant or deny" OTW type of facilities to operate within municipal boundaries.  "We are requesting that this law be repealed and therefore allowing the local government the opportunity to oppose or grant these types of facilities within our boarders," stated Mayor Doug Tomson.  

"This is 'Home Rule' and Hillsborough wants that ability to be reinstated," added the Mayor. 

Mayor Doug Tomson Presents an Open letter to the Residents, Citizens and Taxpayers of Hillsborough Township

There has been and will continue to be some period of time a healthy debate here in Hillsborough Township over a proposal by Darby Development, L.L.C. and Monmouth Park Racetrack to establish an Off-Track Wagering (OTW) facility with a restaurant on the site of the former Maestros Restaurant on Route 206 South. My letter to all of you, in my capacity as the Mayor of this Township and an elected official is to address some of the misconceptions/incorrect facts/outright mistruths being spread as to this application and the Township Committee's legal requirements concerning this facility.

Township Committee Recognizes April as Autism Awareness Month

The Hillsborough Township Committee recognized the following organizations and individuals for their contributions towards enhancing awareness and funding research for autism.  Recognized were Governor Chris Christie, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Autism New Jersey, Autism Speaks, Bella Vida Coaching Services, Brilliant Brains, Paul Gubitosi Charitable Foundation, Hair Plus Salon, Hillsborough Board of Education's Special Services Department, Hillsborough Department of Parks & Recreation, Hillsborough Police Department, Hillsborough Rescue Squad, Hillsborough Rotary Club, Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Companies No.1, No.2, and No.3, Knights of Columbus, Neshanic Fire Company, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Organization for Autism Research (OAR), Shop-Rite of Hillsborough, Somerset County Sheriff's Department, Somerset County Special Olympics, and the Somerset County Park Commission.   

Thank you to everyone for their continued contributions.

Pictured above:  Mayor Doug Tomson along with some of the Proclamation Recipients.

Mayor Doug Tomson Hosts Girl Scouts   

Mayor Doug Tomson hosted members of Girl Scout Troop #60734.  The Troop met in the Mayor's office for the discussion and then proceeded to the Municipal Courtroom where the Township Committee Meetings are held.  The tour concluded with a visit to the Police Department.

Pictured above:  Mayor Tomson with members of Girl Scout Troop #60734.

Hillsborough Township Bond Rating Raised to AA+ 

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised Hillsborough Township to a AA+ bond rating, which is a reflection of the Township's continued financial stability.   This represents a two notch increase from the prior AA- rating.  

The Township's $6 million in outstanding bonds includes the refunding bonds from 2012 which saved the Township nearly $700,000 in interest payments.  

"This rating is indicative of this Township Committee's continued fiscal responsibility and debt reduction", stated Mayor Doug Tomson during the announcement at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

"This improvement in rating is a testament to the financial stewardship and management practices that have been implemented and also reflects the benefit of the Township's ongoing commitment to the Pay as You Go Policy for routine capital purchases.  We are very proud to achieve this rating, which is only exceeded by a AAA rating by S&P," stated Committeeman and Finance Liaison Frank DelCore.

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES/ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: 

River Road:
River Road (CR 625), Hillsborough between Beekman Lane and Somerset Street will be closed April 11 and April 14 from 9am until 4pm for road milling.  Please follow detour signs.  Traffic will be detoured via Beekman Lane, New Centre  Road, Dukes Parkway West, US Route 206 and Orlando Drive during this time.

East Mountain Road:
East Mountain Road remains closed between the Hillsborough Township border and County Route 601 for the next several months.

Route 601 will be closed for two weeks for railroad repair.
Please plan alternate route.

Weston Canal Road:
The bridge over the canal on Weston Canal Road in Franklin Twp. remains closed.  Please plan accordingly.

Free Document Shredding Available to Residents 

11 Shredding Events Scheduled in 2014

The Somerset County Board of Freeholders and the county's Records Management Division will be sponsoring 11 "Operation Secure Shred" events throughout the county in 2014 for county residents, starting April 12.

"Properly disposing of personal documents is a necessary step in safeguarding and protecting your personal information and credit and preventing identify theft," said Freeholder Peter S. Palmer, records management liaison. "We are pleased to be able to provide this very popular service to our residents again this year, in collaboration with our municipalities.

"Residents from all 21 Somerset County municipalities are invited to have personal documents shredded at as many free, on-site mobile paper-shredding events as they wish to attend. Residents do not have to reside in a town hosting an event to participate," he said.

The kick-off event will be held at a county facility. For the convenience of residents, subsequent events will be hosted by various municipalities around the county, with assistance from Somerset County. All shredding events will be held on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the trucks are filled to capacity.  Shredding events are held rain or shine.

 

April 17 at 6 p.m.

The Hillsborough Library is sponsoring a Spelling Bee for everyone from ages 10 to 200! Come join us for casual spelling fun and cool prizes, donated by the Friends of the Library! We will ask you when you arrive for the Spelling Bee which group level you want to participate in: Brainiac, Genius or Master of the Universe! Spectators welcome!!   Sign up online at www.sclsnj.org, or by calling (908) 369-2200 ext 14, or stop by the Adult or Children's Reference Desk at the Hillsborough library.

Check out the link below for information on the upcoming blood drive in Hillsborough Township.....

Volunteer Opportunities at the Hillsborough Senior Center

339 South Branch Road

Food Service Volunteers
Volunteers help pack meals for the Meals on Wheels program, or portion and serve lunch to center guests.  Food Service volunteers must abide by a dress code for safety and sanitation reasons.  Be sure to discuss this when signing up to volunteer.
Openings: Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9:15 - 11:00 am.

Receptionist Volunteers
*    Serve as the center's receptionist to answer phones, greet clients, take lunch reservations, call clients to promote upcoming events, etc.  
Openings:  Thursdays between 9:15 - 12 noon

The following opportunities are on a monthly, bimonthly or "as needed" basis Call to discuss your interest.  See contact information below.

Program/Activity Leaders:
*    Teach art classes (i.e., watercolor/acrylics/sculpture/calligraphy/basics of drawing, etc.)
*    Lead a dance, exercise or musical group (In this category please indicate your training/experience)
*    Present programs on history, music, science, literature, culture or special hobbies
*    Entertain (music or singing)
*    Help plan, set up and decorate for special events
*    Gardening - Help maintain the indoor greenhouse and outdoor garden (i.e., watering, planting, harvesting, weeding, etc.)

YMCA's Annual 'Healthy Kids Day' - Saturday, April 26th, 10am - 2pm  

Join the YMCA for an open family event on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where they show kids that fun and fitness go together.

Every spring along with 1,500 Y's nationwide, the Hillsborough YMCA plants the seeds to grow happier, healthier kids at our free event: Healthy Kids DayŽ.

Healthy Kids Day is a national Y initiative to improve families'
health and well-being heading into summer, a critical out-of-school time for
children. There will be activities to get kids moving and learning.

There will also be exercise classes, games, demonstrations, lessons on healthy eating, fun/educational activities and more designed to get kids moving, laughing and learning. Healthy food, snacks, and refreshments will be served. Get ready to do some family Zumba and meet community partners in health and wellness.

Electronics Recycling Fundraiser: Help raise funds while helping the environment  

Bring your new or old, broken or working electronics to Woods Road
School in Hillsborough on Saturday April 26th from 9 am to 1 pm.  For
a suggested donation of $3 to $5 - or give whatever you feel is
appropriate, help keep harmful items out of our landfills.  Unlike
last year, the recycling company is no longer paying the sponsors of
electronic recycling drives, so the only funds raised will be from the
donations we collect. There will be people to unload your items.   You
can view the event flyer at
http://www.htps.us/cms/lib/NJ01000418/Centricity/Domain/590/ElectRecycFlyer2014.pdf.

Event questions email Billy Bender at
WoodsRoadElectronicsRecycling@gmail.com. Please consider supporting
WRS and bring your items on April 26th (same day and location as a 1pm
clothing drive).

CLOTHING DRIVE - SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH WOODS ROAD SCHOOL 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M. 

Clothing, Shoes, Belts, Handbags, Linens, Stuffed Animals, Bikes, Small Hard Toys
will be collected.
 
DROP OFF IN THE WOODS ROAD SCHOOL PARKING LOT                                 
 
For more information click here for flier or see School Website:  www.htps.us/wrs

Used Sports Gear Donations Sought for Hillsborough Rotary Fundraiser  

"Play It Forward - Second Life Sporting Goods Sale" to Fund
Mobility Assistance Van for Hillsborough Residents

Giving a second life to that gently used sports gear stored and often forgotten in basements and garages throughout the community can be a home run for Hillsborough.  The Hillsborough Rotary Club hopes to sell that unwanted gear to fund the purchase of a specially equipped mobility assistance van made available free-of-charge to Hillsborough residents.

The Rotary Club released details today of its "Play It Forward - Second Life Sporting Goods Sale."  The fundraiser, which is the first of its kind in Rotary's history, launches April 01 with the collection of donated gear at six convenient community locations.   The sale of the equipment to the community is scheduled for May 17 and 18 at the former Hillsborough Cost Cutters location at 390 Route 202 South.

Important Dates To Remember

       
            

       

Hillsborough Twp.

Affinity Federal Credit Union

Rewards VISA Credit Card

 

     For more information, click here... 

 

     Click here to download a brochure or  

     visit affinityfcu.org...

 

2014

Parks & Recreation
Spring Brochure 

Now Available

Registration now ongoing

 

To view the photos,
click here...

CLERK'S OFFICE
2nd & 4th Tuesdays until 7pm

BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Tuesdays until 7pm