Issue: 2014 August 15

August 15, 2014

Hillsborough Township First Purple Heart Community in Somerset County - Second in the State of New Jersey

First Municipality in Somerset County

Hillsborough Township was designated as the first Purple Heart Community in Somerset County at the Annual Purple Heart Commemoration Ceremony last Thursday at the Garden of Honor. Honored guests included members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 27, Senator Kip Bateman, Assemblywoman Donna Simon, Freeholder Bob Zaborowski, Mayor Doug Tomson, Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette, Committeeman Frank DelCore and Committeewoman Gloria McCauley.

"This evening in Hillsborough, we are honored to be the first municipality in Somerset County to be designated as a Purple Heart Community," commented Mayor Doug Tomson at last Thursday's Dedication Ceremony. He continued, "This is a way to further honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's brave men and women in uniform, who have been wounded or killed by the enemy, while serving to protect the freedom of America."

Senator Kip Bateman and Assemblywoman Donna Simon presented a Joint Legislative Resolution honoring Hillsborough Township as a Purple Heart Community, recognizing the sacrifices of the service men and women of the Unites States.

Picture 1: Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 27, Senator Kip Bateman, Assemblywoman Donna Simon, Freeholder Bob Zaborowski, Mayor Doug Tomson, Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette, Committeewoman Gloria McCauley and Committeeman Frank DelCore.

Picture 2 Mayor Tomson presents Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 27 Commander Ted Dima with a proclamation designating Hillsborough Township as a Purple Heart Community.

For more information, click here...

Fantastic Fishing Derby

As the August sun set, young Hillsborough anglers descended upon the Ann Van Midddlesworth Park last Friday for the Annual Dave Thomas Memorial Fishing Derby. Mayor Tomson, Deputy Mayor Burchette and Committeewoman McCauley were on hand to cheer on competitors. The evening culminated in the award ceremony with Rob Peason, Recreation and Parks Commission Chair presenting the certificates to all the fishing derby winners.

Pictured above: 2nd place winner Amanda Bizarro with Recreation and Parks Commission Chair Rob Peason

Hillsborough Continues to Recognize Business Community

Hillsborough based businesses and organizations with over 25 years of operation within Hillsborough Township are being recognized at Township Committee meetings. Those businesses recognized this past week were:
*   Llaurel Salon & Oda Spa, 49 years
*   RB, 44 years
*   Central Jersey Nurseries, 44 years
*   BRB Forensics, 44 years

Picture 1: Mayor Tomson and Lois Rivera of Llaurel Salon & Oda Spa
Picture 2: Mayor Tomson and Cal Smedberg, Stan Sienkiewicz and Karen White of RB
Picture 3: Mayor Tomson with Vince and Shawn Lipani of Central Jersey Nurseries
Picture 4: Mayor Tomson and Bruce Blair of BRB Forensics

Rotary Fair Opens this Week - Runs through Sunday

Mayor Doug Tomson and Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette cut the ribbon to open the annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair this past Wednesday evening. The fair runs through Sunday.

Click here for special event information...

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"Shop Hillsborough" Moving Forward

Property Tax Rebate Cards to be Released in September

"We have taken another step forward in the Shop Hillsborough Program. The Shop Hillsborough cards have been received and we are getting ready for the mid-September launch", announced Mayor Doug Tomson at a recent Township Committee meeting.

To date the following thirty businesses have enrolled in the Shop Hillsborough Program as participating merchants: Amwell Pet Supply, Chrono Cross Fit, Culinary Creations, Dave's Computers, East Coast Photo Booths, Gymboree Play and Music, Hapi Auto Parts, Hillsborough Massage Therapy, Hills Gallery, Jump Zone, Kings Bridge Dry Cleaners, Kumon Math and Reading Center of Hillsborough, La Costenita Mexican Grocery and Deli, Little Island Jamaican Cuisine, Mailbox Business Center, Mathnasium of Hillsborough, Newell Strength, Pheasant Landing Dry Cleaners, Pheasants Landing Restaurant, Pioneer Pet Care, Sahiba, S.A.T. Smart, Sincere Legends, Site Pro 1, Somerset Marine Lines, The Tutoring Center, The UPS Store, Vella, Singer and Martinez, PA, Willey Design and Window Accents and Flooring.

"The cards are anticipated to be mailed in mid-September with the property tax statement, so be sure to be on the lookout for this very important piece of mail," added Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette.

For more information, click here...

Drive Sober Initiative for 2014 Underway

Hillsborough Participating in Statewide Crackdown

"Once again, the Hillsborough Township Police Department will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2014 State Crackdown from August 15th through September 1, 2014," reported Committeewoman Gloria McCauley, Liaison to Public Safety at a recent Township Committee meeting.

The State of New Jersey, Division of Highway Traffic Safety, asks law enforcement agencies throughout the state to participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative. The focus on the end of the summer, culminating in the Labor Day holiday, intends to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.

According to information released by the State, 22% of motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey in 2013 were alcohol related.

"The safety of our residents as well as those individuals traveling on our roadways remains a priority and by participating in this program we aim to increase awareness to the dangers of driving while intoxicated," concluded Committeewoman McCauley.

For more information, click here...

2014 Fall Recreation Brochure

The 2014 Fall Recreation Brochure is now available.
Visit the Recreation website to register for all upcoming programs.

Click here for the brochure

Click here for the website

Calling All Volunteers for the Hillsborough Township Social Services Department

Hillsborough Township Social Services Department is looking for volunteers for the various programs and services administered through Social Services as well as through the Hillsborough Community Assistance network formerly known as the Hillsborough Food Pantry.

The volunteer opportunities range from assisting with programs offered to the Senior Citizens of the Community as well as helping in the Food Pantry. There are also administrative opportunities in the CAN office, which include answering the telephone and scheduling appointments.

Volunteer hours are at your convenience and are flexible to accommodate your busy schedule. High School students are also encouraged to come in and volunteer with the office, as this will afford them work experience for their future.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call 908-369-3880 or email our office at cfaerber@hillsborough-nj.org for more information.

Notice of Special Meeting

Please be advised that the Commissioners of Fire District No. 1 in the Township of Hillsborough, County of Somerset, shall hold a special meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 6PM to 8PM at the Municipal Building at 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844, to secure voter approval relative to the purchase of (1) vehicle; (2) pick-up truck; (3) pagers; (4) fire truck; and (5) exhaust system. At said meeting the legal voters shall either approve or disapprove of said proposed capital projects and determine the amount of monies to be expended relative to same. Formal action shall be undertaken.

Special Events @ the Hillsborough Library:

Family Event: Field Station Dinosaurs! - Ages 4+ and caregivers - August 21 at 1 p.m. The Dinosaur Troubadour from "Field Station: Dinosaurs" loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge of dinosaurs through song with children who are as interested in dinosaurs as she is. The Dinosaur Troubadour will be stopping by the Hillsborough Library on Thursday, August 21 at 1 p.m. for dinosaur story time, sing-a-long and dance party. Registration is required for this indoor portion of the program!

Outdoor Event: Field Station Dinosaurs - Ages 4+ and caregivers - August 21 at 2 p.m. Join us for a fun OUTDOOR event! FIELD STATION: DINOSAURS presents THE MIGHTY T-REX DINOSAUR! In the parking lot by the Hillsborough Library Book Drop, you'll meet an unbelievably life-like roaring, breathing 15-foot juvenile T-Rex!! An interactive, entertaining and surprising Paleozoic adventure! This event is rain or shine!! No registration is required for this outdoor event.

Clam Bake & BBQ at Manville-Hillsborough Elks #2119 on Saturday, Sept. 6th from 1-5PM

All You Can Eat!
Advance Tickets $35 / At the Door $40
Kids 10 and Under Free
Ages: 11-17 $15

1500 Brooks Blvd

Hillsborough, NJ

908-725-1717

For more information, click here...

Stream Team Volunteers Needed

The Central Jersey Stream Team (CJST) is an all-volunteer organization that does some really dirty work of simply picking up man-made debris from the waterways and transporting it all to a central location where public works crews can properly dispose of and recycle the materials.
On each clean up event, we focus on a specific area of the river and collect dozens of tires, loads of scrap metal and lots of plastics. We have picked up a moped, water heaters, couches, chairs and even the front panel off an A.T.M. machine! It's absolutely amazing what we find laying on the bottom of the river bed and an even better feeling that night when you know all of that debris has been removed from our waterway for proper disposal!

Earlier in 2014, we have had several clean up events and in total we have now swept the river starting in a location by Spruce Run, down through Clinton, Flemington, Readington, Branchburg and the far western side of Hillsborough. This has been an amazing accomplishment and as
we move down stream, there is more and more to pick up! This specific event is now Hillsborough's turn with the end spot in neighboring Raritan Boro!

On Saturday August 23rd, CJST volunteers will meet at 8 AM on Old York Road at the river access spot.

For more information, click here...

Important Dates To Remember

August 26