News from Township of Hillsborough

Issue: 2015 February 13

February 13, 2015

Road Closure Advisory:

Millstone Causeway on Amwell Road
in Franklin Township

is closed indefinitely for emergency bridge repair.

Municipal Offices and
Hillsborough Library Closed:
Monday, February 16th
in Observance of President's Day

Hillsborough Gets a New Ride

Hillsborough Township Seniors who participate in the Senior Transportation Program
will soon be riding in a new 2015 Senior Bus.

As part of the 2014 Capital Ordinance, the bus was purchased. Funds are made available through the annual contributions from the Municipal Budget to the Capital Improvement Fund.

"Last week, the Township received the new 2015 Ford Goshen Bus, which has seating for 12 riders plus 2 wheelchairs," stated Mayor Tomson.

"This is replacing the 15 year old, Ford F450, which was recently retired with 188,348 miles," added the Mayor.

The Hillsborough Senior Transportation service assists seniors by providing the necessary transportation to and from doctor appointments, grocery shopping, hair appointments, banking, post office and other minor trips around town in addition to weekly exercise and monthly senior meetings.

For more information on the Senior Transportation program, please visit the
Township Social Services department here...

Pictured: Committeewoman Gloria McCauley, Assistant Director of Social Services Cathy Faerber, Committeeman Frank DelCore, Mayor Doug Tomson, Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette and Administrator Anthony Ferrera.

Hillsborough Township Names Mayor Tomson as Honorary Captain and Vietnam Veteran Ted Dima as Hometown Hero for the NJ Devils' "My Town" Series Game on March 8th

"It is my honor to announce that Hillsborough Veteran Ted Dima has been chosen as our Hometown Hero for the NJ Devils Game in which Hillsborough Township will be featured as part of their "My Town" Series," stated Mayor Doug Tomson.

Ted Dima, a long-time Hillsborough resident, Vietnam Veteran, and 2010 Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal will represent the Township as the Hometown Hero.

Dima served as a combat infantryman with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade in South Vietnam from 1967-68, saw action during the Tet Offensive, and was wounded in action at Kham Duc. Dima received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Dima was instrumental in Hillsborough becoming recognized as a Purple Heart Community.

Mayor Tomson further acknowledged that as Mayor he will be the Honorary Captain of the game.

"Tickets are still available for the NJ Devils game on March 8 in which Hillsborough Township will participate in the New Jersey Devils' My Town Series," reminded Mayor Doug Tomson.

Mayor Tomson invited the N.J. Devil (Mascot) for a photo during Tuesday's Township Committee meeting. The N.J. Devil was then available for autographs and photos with fans.

"Join us to honor Hillsborough's military hero at the Prudential Center during the Devils game," commented Mayor Tomson, during the announcement.

Tickets are already on sale and more information can be obtained by visiting Devils.nhl.com/hillsborough. Be sure to input the special code:
MYTOWNHILLS when placing ticket orders.

Pictured above: The NJ Devil, Hillsborough Township Committee and some New Jersey Devils Hockey Fans

Hillsborough Cultural & Arts Commission to Host 10th Arts & Photography Exhibit on February 20th

Artists Can Drop Off Entries - February 16th from Noon Until 7pm

The Hillsborough Township Cultural Arts Commission proudly announces the 10th Arts and Photography Show and Exhibit at the Peter J. Biondi Municipal Complex. The exhibit will open at 5pm on Friday, February 20th. The Awards Reception is scheduled to be held from 7-9pm on the 20th. The Exhibit will remain open over the weekend between the hours of noon and 5pm both Saturday and Sunday.

The exhibition is open to all adults and students residing in Somerset, Mercer and Hunterdon Counties. The categories are as follows: Fine Art - Adult, High School and Independent School; Photography - Adult, High School and Independent School. Prizes will be awarded to each category.

Interested artists can drop off their exhibit pieces on Monday, February 16th from noon until 7pm. Upon the completion of the exhibit, artwork pick up will be Monday, February 23rd from noon until 7pm.

"The Arts and Photography Exhibit is an excellent opportunity for Hillsborough residents to enjoy and admire the talent of our local artists," stated Committeeman Frank DelCore, Liaison to the Cultural Arts Commission.

"I always look forward to seeing the work of our talented local artists," added Mayor Tomson.

The Township's Public Art Collection currently resides in the Court Room at the Peter J. Biondi Building of the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex and in the Mayor's Office. The Court Room collection is comprised of portraits of the following Hillsborough individuals: Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi, opera singer Anna Case, heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke, Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs and Super Bowl Champion Shaun O'Hara is made possible through the apprenticeship program through the Hillsborough Art Academy. The winner of the apprenticeship then becomes the next artist to create a portrait for the collection. The Mayor's Collection is comprised of the current Township Committee members as well as two former Mayors of the Township. Those portraits were also completed by students of the Art Academy.

For more information, click here...

Please Be a Responsible Dog Owner - It's Time to License Your Dog(s)

Last Day to License Your Dog is March 2nd in Order to Avoid a Late Fee

In New Jersey, dogs must be licensed annually, once they reach 7 months of age. It is very important to license your dog for several reasons. First, the licensing renewal every year reminds dog owners to make sure their pets have up to date rabies vaccinations. This is very important since New Jersey now has the rabies virus present in wild mammals. Any contact between a dog and wild mammals, including bats, could put your dog at risk of contracting rabies. Rabies is fatal and can be passed on to humans.

Secondly, if your dog gets loose, the quickest way home is with a license tag. The number on the tag can be called in to the Township or to the Animal Control Officer, and your dog can get home quickly and safely.

Thirdly, should your dog be picked up by someone, they are assured that your dog has a rabies vaccine if the license is current. This makes them more willing to handle your dog and keep it safe for you. It also shows that you are a responsible pet owner.

Lastly, should your dog be involved in a bite to a human, or a fight with another dog, the license information can be readily given to the victim so that they are sure that your dog has a rabies vaccination. This is very important information, and reassuring to anyone involved in a bite incident.

For additional information including 1st time dog licensing and renewals as well as NJ dog / vicious dog laws, click here...

Visit the American Veterinary Medical Association's website for more information (including responsible pet ownership), here...

Hillsborough Recreation Update

Recreation Spring Sports Registration Ongoing

Registration is currently open for both youth spring sports: Soccer and Softball! Soccer is open to boys and girls age 3 to grade 12, and softball is open to girls in kindergarten to 12th grade. Registration can be done from the comfort of your own home online at hillsboroughnjrecreation.org. The deadline for registration for soccer is March 9, and for softball is March 2.

For more information, click here...

Run Around the Park 5k - April 19th, 2015

Join us for a day of family fun 5k fun run at Ann Van Middlesworth Park on Sunday, April 19. Enjoy the scenic course route through fields and on trails. Celebrate with other participants with food and fun after the run at the Finish Line Festival. Walkers are welcome. All participants who pre-register prior to April 1 will get a t-shirt!
For more information, click here...

Reminder: Grant Applications Being Accepted through the Hillsborough Rewards Credit Card Program

Non-Profit Groups Serving Youth and Seniors Invited to Apply

Grant applications are being accepted through the Hillsborough Rewards Credit Card Program. The applications are available for Township based non-profit, senior and youth organizations to apply for grants up to $1,000 funded through the Hillsborough Township Credit Card Rewards Program.

The grant applications can be found on the Township website at www.hillsborough-nj.org/forms or directly downloaded here. Copies are also available at the Municipal Clerk / Administration Office. Completed applications are to be returned by February 27, 2015.

The credit card program, which is administered through the Affinity Federal Credit Union - Hillsborough Branch, allows individuals to sign up for a special Hillsborough Township Rewards Credit Card with a percentage of the usage amount returned to the Hillsborough Credit Card trust fund, where it is distributed to various Township non-profit senior citizen groups and youth organization through the grant application process.

Card users receive a point for every dollar spent which can be redeemed for various reward options such as cash back, gift cards, merchandise and much more.

Fish Dinner Buffet, Woods Road Fire Company Hillsborough #3

Friday, February 20th from 4:30PM-8PM

For more information, click here...

Hillsborough Library Event - "Beyond the Call": Meet the Author, February 23 @ 7 pm in Program Room B

Meet former Hillsborough resident Lee Trimble, one of the authors of the book "Beyond the Call: The True Story of One World War ll Pilot's Covert Mission to Rescue POWs on the Eastern Front". This book is the never-before-told story of a true American hero, Captain Robert Trimble.

Lee Trimble uncovers his father's secret World War ll mission to save stranded POWs in Eastern Europe leading up to VE Day. Join us for a book signing and Q&A following Lee's presentation. Light refreshments will be served!

Somerset County Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services Survey

Tell us what you think! That's the message from Somerset County Freeholder Brian D. Levine, who invites county residents to take a new survey that will help steer state funding for substance-abuse services. The deadline for responses is March 13, 2015.

The survey is part of the Somerset County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services County Comprehensive Planning process, which identifies Somerset County substance-use disorder services and guides the allocation of Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Funding (AEREF), also known as the alcohol tax.

"It is important that we hear from many different people so that we can better
understand Somerset County's characteristics," said Freeholder Levine, human services liaison. "We would really like your unique voices to be heard in this Alcohol and Drug Services Planning Survey. We want to find out what county residents think about the alcoholism and drug abuse services available within our county."

For more information and links to the survey, click here...

Manage Diabetes and Take Control of Your Health

BERNARDS - The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is sponsoring a free six-week Take Control of Your Health (TCYH) interactive workshop for people with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers located at the Senior Wellness Center, located at 202 Mount Airy Rd.

The Diabetes Self-Management program will run from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr. 1 and 8. Advanced registration is required byThursday, Feb. 26.

For full news account, click here...

Hillsborough High School Musical "CATS" on March 6,7,8,13,14

Cats will be performed at Hillsborough High School on March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

Matinee Performances are scheduled for March 7, 8, and 14 at 1pm in addition to the 7pm show on these same dates.

All tickets are $15.00

Tickets are on sale now via the website - www.hhstheatre.org

Phone 908-431-6600 extension 2099

Cats ran on Broadway at the Wintergarden Theatre for just over 18 years and is based on popular poetry of T.S. Eliot and tells the story in song and dance of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats.

For more information, click here
or phone 908.431.6600

GiGi's Playhouse Hillsborough First Annual "i have a voice" Gala on March 14, 2015

GiGi's Playhouse will host its annual "i have a voice" International Gala on March 14, 2015 at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, NJ. The gala is our largest and most important fundraiser of the year, and it's key to expanding our voice in the world. Simultaneous gala events will take place in multiple locations nationwide to celebrate the many achievements of our individuals and families. Because each location will host its own event, GiGi's Playhouse will be hosting over 7,000 people in 19 markets! We look forward to celebrating this unbelievable journey with you!

For more information, click here...

Duke Farms To Host Free

Sugar Maple Celebration Event, February 28th & March 1st 10AM-2PM

Learn how to tap a tree and enjoy the process of maple sugaring with Duke Farms Executive Director Michael Catania.

Participate in activities and nature hikes focused on wildlife, tree identification, best forestry practices, and climate change as it relates to the Sugar Maple and our native forests.

Share the taste of New Jersey maple syrup, visit a live sawmill demonstration, and don't miss your chance to try the maple syrup specialty items that will be served all day in our café!

For more information, click here...