Issue: 2014 September 26

September 26, 2014

Hillsborough Supports Open Space Ballot Question

Long-term Dedicated Source of State Funding Needed

Hillsborough Township Committee took action at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting in support of SCR-84 and ACR-130 by passing a resolution entitled "Resolution Supporting Sustainable State Funding for Preservation and Stewardship of Open Space, Parks Farmland and Historic Sites in New Jersey".

"Land preservation remains a top priority in Hillsborough Township," stated Mayor Doug Tomson during the reading of the resolution.

"A long-term funding solution needs to be put in place to sustain preservation programs for open space, farmland and historic preservation," added Mayor Tomson.

SCR-84 and ACR-130 would authorize a voter referendum, amending the State Constitution to change the amount of funds appropriated to the various environmental programs that are currently funded through the 4% corporation business tax (CBT) and add a new allocation category, beginning on July 1, 2015. It is anticipated to not have an impact on the State budget until 2019.

For more information, click here...

Hillsborough Township Recognizes 4 More Long Time Businesses

Hillsborough based businesses and organizations with over 25 years of operation within Hillsborough Township are being recognized at Township Committee meetings. Those businesses recognized earlier this month were:

*   PALS Play and Learn School
*   Van Cleef Engineering Associates
*   Longhill Pet Boarding
*   Hillsborough Irrigation & Landscape Services

Pictured left: Terri Alboum, Maureen McHale, Lisa Webster and Mayor Tomson
Pictured center: Cynthia Norfleet, Mayor Tomson and Michael Ford
Pictured right: Dianne O'Donnell and Mayor Tomson
Pictured bottom: Mayor Tomson and Ken Scherer

Poster Grand Prize Winners Recognized

Earlier this year, Hillsborough Township hosted a Green Living and Wellness Fair. As part of the fair, a poster contest inspired young artists to bring the "Living Green" theme to life. The grand prize winners were: second runner up Madison Weinberg, first runner up Christian Matthews and Grand Prize winner was Stephanie Wickman.

Pictured above (L-R): Christian Matthews, Mayor Tomson and Stephanie Wickman

Hillsborough Township Resident Crowned Miss Hillsborough UNICO

This past Sunday, Sabrina Lombardi of Hillsborough participated at the 33rd Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade in Raritan as Miss Hillsborough UNICO.

Pictured above: Committeewoman Gloria McCauley, Miss UNICO, and Mayor Doug Tomson,

A Message From the Health Department

Flu season is here, and this is also the opportune time for colds and other viruses like the Enterovirus to make their usual appearances. One of these viruses, the Enterovirus-D 68 (EV-D68), which has recently been on the news, seems to be having a more severe affect on some children this season. Several states have reported severe respiratory illness in children from this virus this year. Of the children with severe cases, many are asthmatic.

The N.J. Department of Health and local health departments conduct disease surveillance. The schools participate in this as well, so that unusual symptoms, numbers of patients, and clusters of disease are reported. So far in NJ, the presence of EV-D68 has been reported in one patient. We have not been informed that there are any severe cases or clusters of cases.

Although there is no vaccine available to protect against this virus, the usual ways to protect oneself from most illnesses can also protect against EV-D68.Handwashing, good hygiene practices, covering coughs, and keeping your body in good shape by eating healthy foods, exercising and getting adequate sleep can provide a good defense against viruses. Also, getting vaccines that do protect against some viruses, like Influenza, can help keep you strong so that you are not weakened by the flu, and acquire another illness.

Hillsborough Health Department Seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics

The Hillsborough Health Department will sponsor flu vaccinations for Hillsborough Township and Millstone Borough residents, age 18 years and older ( excluding pregnant women due to insurance issues) at the Hillsborough Municipal Building on the dates below. More dates may be added as necessary. The Community Visiting Nurses of Somerset County will administer the vaccine. The flu vaccine will protect against the three strains of influenza most likely to cause illness during the 2014-2015 season.

The Vaccination Clinics will be held on: Wednesday, October 1, 2-7pm and Wednesday, October 8, 2-7pm

Although there is an approved high dose vaccine available for Seniors age 65 and older, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not yet made a recommendation regarding the use of one vaccine over another for Seniors. Please ask your doctor whether he or she recommends any one type of influenza vaccine over another.

For more information, click here...

Come cheer the Hillsborough High School Varsity Football team Friday, September 26th at 7pm as they take on Hunterdon Central.

GO RAIDERS!!!

Click here for the full schedule

Winter In-Town Recreation Basketball Registration Open

Recreation basketball is a fun, non-competitive league where children are able to learn the game and improve their skills with a weekly practice session and games on Saturdays. An 8-week regular season will be followed by playoffs. Registration is available on the Parks & Recreation website.

For more information, click here...

Used Clothing & Textile Drive Fundraiser

When: Sunday, September 28th, from 9am until 1pm

Where: Fire House #2, Route 206

For more information, click here...

Hillsborough Schools to Offer Parent Technology Night With a Focus on Helping Parents Navigate Social Media

Hillsborough Township Public Schools (HTPS) will host its first Parent Technology Night of the 2014-2015 school year on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 7:30 - 9:00 P.M. in the Auten Road Intermediate School cafeteria. All parents, staff, and community members are invited to attend. The evening's discussion, "Digital Dialogues: A Parent's Guide to Social Media" will be led by students from Hillsborough High School and Hillsborough Middle School PRIDE (Peers Respecting Individual Differences Everyday) and moderated by HTPS staff members.

The Hillsborough High Schools PRIDE students will present an overview of many of the most popular social media sites for students. Following the overview, group discussions will focus on how to talk with your child(ren) about what to post and what not to post, privacy restrictions, rules on "friending" people, and the digital footprint they are creating.

This workshop is presented in conjunction with district-wide activities to promote the Week of Respect. All who are interested are encouraged to attend. For more details or to register, please visit www.htps.us/ptn. Walk-ins are welcome.

Additional Parent Technology Nights will be held throughout the school year on a variety of educational technology topics.

For the flyer, click here...

2nd Annual Peter J. Biondi Memorial Trail Run/Walk for SHIP

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Sourland Mountain Preserve

East Mountain Road

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

10:00AM Start Time

For more information, click here...

To view the informational flyer, click here...

2014-2015 Hillsborough Middle & Auten Road Schools Discount Card On Sale Now!

HMS/ARIS 2014-2015 Discount Cards are on sale now at a cost of $10.00 each, with all proceeds going to ARIS and HMS school programs and teacher grants. The card includes reusable discounts shown below from 37 local businesses; valid through 9/30/15.

For more information, click here...

Hillsborough High School Theatre Presents...

Bernard Solomon, Artistic Director of Hillsborough High School Theatre, recently announced that he will be directing the following plays at the Hillsborough High School for our Community during the 2014-2015 Season:

"Peter Pan" - November 21 and 22

"Cats" - March 6th through March 14th

"Godspell" - May 8th and 9th

Hillsborough Shorts - May 29th

Season tickets are now available for purchase - www.HHSTheatre.org or by calling 908-431-6600 extension 2099.

Hillsborough Town Hall Meeting to Address Prescription Drug Abuse

The Safe Communities Coalition of Somerset County is partnering with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, Hillsborough Township Police Department, Hillsborough Township Public Schools, Hillsborough Municipal Alliance, Hillsborough Youth Services Commission and EmPoWER Somerset to hold a Town Hall Meeting titled "The Cycle of Pills to Heroin: Drug Trends in Our Community" on Wednesday, October 22nd at 7:00 pm in the multi-purpose room of the Hillsborough Municipal Building located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough.

The Town Hall Meeting will feature a showing of the original documentary, From Pills to Heroin: The Domino Effect, produced by the Safe Communities Coalition, with interviews and true life stories from local residents who have been affected by prescription drug and heroin addiction. The documentary screening will be followed by an interactive discussion and question and answer session with a panel of experts, law enforcement, community members, and film participants. This free event is open to all. Parents and students in middle school and above are especially encouraged to attend to learn about local statistics and what they can do to prevent drug and alcohol abuse in the community. Registration is encouraged but walk ins are welcomed. Registration can be completed on line at www.tinyurl.com/HillsboroughTHM or by calling EmPoWER Somerset at 908-722-4900.

For more information, click here...

For the Flyer, click here...