Hillsborough Township Moves Towards "Smoke Free" Recreational Areas

In a collaborative effort on behalf of the Township Committee, the Board of Health and the Hillsborough-Millstone Municipal Alliance, the Township introduced an ordinance at last Tuesday's meeting that moves a step closer to having "Smoke Free" parks similar to Somerset County.  

"This is a first step, in the right direction, joining the County in establishing 'Smoke Free' areas at our parks," commented Mayor Doug Tomson.  The introduced ordinance proposes to amend the Code of the Township of Hillsborough, Chapter 221 to include a section to 'prohibit smoking in Township Parks'.

The concept was brought forth on two fronts to the Township Committee; first by the Municipal Alliance and also by the Regional Chronic Disease Coalition of Somerset through the Township's Health Department.  The Coalition's mission is the prevention of chronic illness with smoke prevention as a top goal because it is a major, preventable cause of heart disease, cancer and other chronic health issues.  The Regional Cancer Coalition will donate signs to be placed around the parks, alerting the public about the law. 

Hillsborough Rewards Visa Credit Card Program - Awards $3,891 in Grants  

Four different non-profit organizations received grant awards through the Hillsborough Rewards Visa Credit Card Program at a recent Township Committee Meeting.  Representatives from the organizations were present to accept the ceremonial check presented by Mayor Doug Tomson, Committeewoman and Liaison to the Credit Card Advisory Committee Gloria McCauley and the Credit Card Advisory Committee. 

The total amount awarded Tuesday evening was $3,891.  Since inception the Hillsborough Rewards Card has issued over $30,000 in grants to community based youth, senior and local non-profit organizations.   The Spring Grant recipients are:

*    $1,000 to Hillsborough Lacrosse for the purchase of an AED
*    $1,000 to Hillsborough Junior Raiders for the purchase of an AED
*    $895.92 to the Resource Center for the purchase of folding beds
*    $995.84 to Special Olympics to purchase equipment for sports training

Pictured above: Mayor Doug Tomson, Committeewoman and Liaison to the Credit Card Advisory Committee Gloria McCauley and members of the Credit Card Advisory Committee make the grant presentations to Hillsborough Lacrosse, the Resource Center, Special Olympics and the Hillsborough JR. Raiders.

Township Recognizes April as National Alcohol Awareness Month

Last month, Mayor Doug Tomson and the Township Committee presented a proclamation joining the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, in support of the 2014 awareness campaign.  
Pictured above:  Members of the Hillsborough Millstone Municipal Alliance:  Anna Mahler, Kathy Beggiato, Minda Maggio, Lisa Gulla and Mayor Doug Tomson.

Duke Farms receives LEEDİ Platinum designation from the US Green Building Council    

The award, presented for the repurposed renovation of two historic buildings on the property, recognizes the highest level of Green building standards

Hillsborough, NJ (April 2014) - Duke Farms was awarded LEED Platinum certifications by the US Green Building Council for two repurposed buildings on the 2,700 acre property.  The awards were presented by Ed Seliga and Gregg Woodruff from the USGBC-NJ on April 21 at an event held at the Farm Barn Orientation Center at Duke Farms, one of the awarded buildings.

"We are proud to have this opportunity to share this wonderful building with the public," said Michael Catania, Executive Director of Duke Farms. "I am in awe of what we have done here."

PICTURED: left to right:Tara Kenyon (Senior Planner, Somerset County) Anthony McCracken (Asst. Director of Planning, Somerset County)Michael Amorosa (Somerset County Administrator) Michael Catania (Executive Director, Duke Farms) Anthony Ferrera (Hillsborough Township Administrator) Bob Bzik (Director of Planning, Somerset County) Gloria McCauley (Committeewoman, Hillsborough Township) Mike Kerwin (President-CEO, Somerset County Business Partnership)

2014 Hillsborough Township Summer Camp Registration  

The weather is getting warmer and school is coming to a close, which means it's time to start thinking about summer again! Hillsborough Recreation Summer Camps are open June 23 to August 15, with an extended two-week camp from August 18 to 29.  Hillsborough Recreation Summer Camps are fun, affordable, and close to home.   Registration for the Summer Camps is now open.  

This summer, we are returning to Auten Road and Amsterdam Schools for our 5-11 year old campers!  The Middle School camp is open to children ages 12-14, while Tiny Camp is a special half-day camp with weekly themes for our 4 and 5 year old campers.

Caring and well-trained staff members supervise children and provide a wide variety of activities and programming including arts and crafts, non-competitive games and sports, recreational play, and outdoor activities.  Campers make new friends, create memories, and most of all, have fun!

Day trips include bowling, swimming, ice skating, and Minor League Baseball trips.  The Middle School Camp also goes to the beach, a Major League Baseball game, laser tag, and river tubing on the Delaware.  These trips are additional fees, but are optional; counselors will also be at camp.

Complete information regarding camp locations, activities, trips, and fees and registration is available on the Parks and Recreation website (www.hillsboroughnjrecreation.org).

DEP Offers Tips to Reduce Conflicts and Encounters With Black Bears During Active Spring Period   

Severity of Winter Has Bears More Actively Searching For Food

Black bears have emerged from winter dens and are entering a very active period of the year throughout New Jersey in search of food and mates, which makes encounters with humans more likely, according to Department of Environmental Protection biologists. New Jersey residents, especially families living in "bear country'' in Northwest Jersey, are urged to take a few basic precautions this spring to reduce the risk of potential encounters.

"Black bear sightings and incidents continue to gradually decline, as we reduce the number of bears and people better understand how to coexist with bears,'' said Dave Chanda, director of the State Division of Fish and Wildlife. "However, state residents can further reduce the risk of interactions with bears this spring by taking a few simple and commonsense steps. Most important, do not feed bears, intentionally or unintentionally.''

"Bears that learn to associate food with people, and their homes and living areas, can become nuisance bears that forage in neighborhoods looking for easy sources of food. The result can be sometimes troubling bear-human encounters,'' added Chanda.

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, launched in April 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.

May 'First Saturday of the Month,' Recycling Drop-off, Holiday Closing    

'First Saturday of the Month' Drop-off

Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh, recycling liaison, invites Somerset County residents to take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event on May 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, to clean up around their homes.

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.  

As part of the program, residents can drop off up to eight tires - with or without rims, scrap metal, used motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze and usual curbside materials, including chipboard items and plastic bottles and containers, marked #1 through #7.  Chipboard includes gift, shoe, shirt and all retail boxes, as well as cereal, cookie, pasta, cake and cracker boxes, without the plastic liners.  Also poster board, backing from writing pads and empty, dried-out steel paint cans are accepted.

Spelling Bee is a musical tale of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a life time.

Audience Interaction, nose-picking, name calling, hilarious misspellings, cheap jokes, big laughs!

Please call 908-431-6600 Extension 2099  to reserve tickets - or order tickets on line at the website link above.

We look forward to seeing you at Spelling Bee.

Save the Date - Bridgewater Spring Rabies Clinics   

The Bridgewater Health Department strongly urges all Township residents to have their dogs and cats immunized against rabies.  Rabies in wildlife, especially raccoons, continues to be a public health concern in New Jersey as well as Bridgewater Township.  The best defense against rabies is prompt vaccination of domestic animals.  Township residents may bring their pets to be immunized against rabies at one of the following clinics.

Saturday - May 10                     Dogs only 9 AM to 10 AM
Bradley Gardens Firehouse      Cats only 10 AM to 11 AM
24 Old York Road

Tuesday - May 13           Dogs only   6 PM to 7 PM                
Martinsville Firehouse        Cats only    7 PM to 8 PM              
Mt. Horeb & Washington Valley Road

Tuesday - May 20             Dogs only 6 PM to 7 PM
Finderne Firehouse       Cats only  7 PM to 8 PM                
672 E. Main Street                

Saturday - May 31           Dogs only   9 AM to 10 AM
Green Knoll Firehouse         Cats only 10 AM to 11:00 AM
North Bridge & Foothill Road

Come one, come all! The Hillsborough Public Library Advisory Board is sponsoring the first ever Children's Book Festival at the Hillsborough Public Library!  Over 20 authors and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and young adult books will be available from 10 am to 3 pm. Meet your favorite authors, buy a brand new book and have it personally autographed!  Attend presentations every 20 minutes. Bring your library card (or sign up for a new one!) and receive a discount on books purchased!  Any town's card will be accepted, so invite your friends and family!  No registration is required but please sign up to receive an email reminder!  Registration will also help us estimate supplies. Please sign up all attendees! This event is FREE and open to everyone!

Personal Safety For High School Seniors 

Will be held May 28, 2014 or June 11, 2014 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Somerset County Police Academy @ Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy 402 Roycefield Road Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844

The program includes discussion and hands-on training.  It is designed for high school seniors who will soon be entering college or the work world.  The program provides safety tips and a lesson in self-defense.
Topics discussed will include how to prevent you from becoming a victim, types of assaults, types of predators, situational awareness, threat identification and the physical confrontation itself.

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