News from Township of Hillsborough

Issue: 2015 July 17

July 17, 2015

Traffic Advisory:

Route 206 Striping

Night paving has been completed on portions of Route 206 north of Brooks Blvd. Delays are possible for the next week while the road is being striped.

Tax Bills Delayed

Tax bills for the 3rd quarter will be mailed on July 28th. The grace period has been extended to August 24th.

Township Opens New Dog Park at AVM

Before the storm rolled in last Thursday, Township Officials gathered at Ann Van Middlesworth to cut the ribbon on the newly designated area for the Township's Dog Park.

The announcement had been made a few weeks ago at a Township Committee meeting when the ordinance establishing the rules and regulations for the new recreational area was adopted.

"We are fortunate to have this area open for our four-legged friends," stated Mayor Doug Tomson.

The park, which sits at the back corner of AVM Park, behind softball field #2, double-gated, fenced in, leash free area is for dogs over the age of 6 month to socialize and exercise with their owners. Dogs must also be spayed or neutered and cannot show any signs of aggression. A complete listing of the rules and regulations for the new facility can be found in Ordinance 2015-11 and Chapter 221 of the Code of the Township of Hillsborough.

The park is open from dawn to dusk.

"Be sure to stop by with your dog and check out the newest addition to Hillsborough Parks," concluded Mayor Tomson.

Pictured: Committeeman Frank Delcore, Assemblywoman Donna Simon, Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette, Mayor Doug Tomson and his daughters, Committeeman Carl Suraci and his daughter.

To view a map of the dog park's location, click here...

Township Committee Honors Eagle Scout

Hillsborough Township honored Mark Koehr, an Eagle Scout from Troop 489, with a proclamation for earning the prestigious achievement of Eagle Scout.

Mark's project consisted of managing the replacement of two old, unusable fire pits with the construction of two new handicap accessible fire pits near the Girl Scout Pavilion at the Oak Spring Girl Scout Camp.

Congratulations Mark!

Pictured:

Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette, Eagle Scout Mark Koehr, and Mayor

Doug Tomson

Off Track Wagering Hearing Scheduled for July 22nd at HHS Auditorium

Mayor Tomson announced at the June 9th Hillsborough Township Committee meeting, that the New Jersey Racing Commission advised Hillsborough Township that the application filed by the NJ Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc, regarding the initial license for the planned off-track waging facility in Hillsborough New Jersey is now complete.

If there are no legal issues identified or new documents that need to be submitted that would render the application incomplete, N.J.S.A. 5:5-132 requires the NJ Racing Commission to schedule a public hearing within 45 days in Hillsborough. As such, the New Jersey Racing Commission has scheduled a Public Hearing for Wednesday, July 22nd starting at 7pm at the Hillsborough High School Auditorium.

Due to the fact that the application is still under review by the NJ Racing Commission, information such as the application is not available until the NJ Racing Commission has completed its review.

The appropriate time to address any and all questions would be during the public hearing on July 22nd.

Hillsborough Township's Annual Fishing Derby and Family Camp Out - Friday July 31st

Registration Still Available

"Bring your family and tent for the Annual Family Camp Out and don't forget to pack the fishing poles for the David L. Thomas, Sr. Memorial Fishing Derby," announced Committeeman Frank DelCore at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

The Township's Fishing Derby and Camp Out are set for Friday, July 31st at the Ann Van Middleworth Park.

"This event has become a staple in many families' summer plans here in Hillsborough," added Committeeman DelCore.

The events are held rain or shine. The Derby will run from 5-7 pm and the registration fee is $4.00 per child. The Camp Out includes dinner and breakfast for $10 per person. Additional information, registration a is available on the Parks and Recreation website.

"We look forward to seeing you all there," concluded Mayor Tomson.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation website by clicking here...

Recycling Pickup Will be Mondays in Parts of Hillsborough, Starting July 20

Effective Monday, July 20, recycling pickups on 26 roads in Hillsborough Township will be on Mondays, instead of Tuesdays.

In order to better serve the residents of Hillsborough, recycling pickups for residents living on the following roads have been adjusted to Mondays: Amwell Road (between East Mountain and River roads), Boozer Lane, Clawson Avenue, Deer Path, East Mountain Road (between South Branch and Amwell roads), Equator Avenue, Fellen Place, Hall Avenue, Mill Lane, Norz Drive, Peters Terrace, Rigger Court, River Road (between Amwell and South Branch roads), Riverside Drive, South Branch Road (between River and East Mountain roads), Wagner Lane, 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, 8th Street, 9th Street and 10th Street.

Remaining Monday recycling pickups this year on these roads will be July 20; August 3, 17 and 31; September 14 and 28; October 12 and 26; November 9 and 23; and December.

A notice of this change was placed in the handle of recycling buckets of those residents who live on the 26 roads affected by the change who put out recyclables this week.

Affected residents are encouraged to share this new schedule with neighbors to ensure that the word gets out to as many people as possible.

The Somerset County Recycling Division thanks residents for their patience and understanding.

To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts here, or follow us on Facebook or
Twitter

Swimming Pool and Permit Requirements

Generally speaking, pools, spas and hot tubs are categorized into three groups: in-ground; above/on-ground permanent; and above/on-ground temporary (seasonal), which include those that are portable or inflatable.

Are permits required for all pools, spas and hot tubs? Maybe! Here is a hint.....the STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, as a safety measure, requires that any pool, spa or hot tub, as defined by the International Residential Code (IRC) 2009, New Jersey Edition, as any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that can hold more than twenty-four (24) inches in depth of water, requires the proper Construction permits. In addition, ALL appropriate requirements of the Municipal Zoning & Engineering Codes must be met. So before you take the "plunge" and purchase a pool, spa or hot tub keep in mind that a Construction permit along with other Municipal approvals may be necessary. You, your family and the public's safety is everyone's primary concern!

The chart below illustrates what permits and approvals are needed for compliance:

CATEGORY	CONSTRUCTION PERMIT	ZONING APPROVAL	ENGINEERING APPROVAL
In-Ground Pool	X	X	X
Above/On-Ground Pool - Permanent (capable of holding 24 or more inches of water)	X	X
Above/On-Ground - Temporary (capable of holding 24 or more inches of water)	X	X
Spas	X	X
Hot Tubs	X	X

Pools, spas or hot tubs not capable of holding over twenty-four (24) inches or more of water, do not require permits and other Municipal approvals.

For more details, click here...

Clean Up Coupons Still Available for Select Dates:

Coupons for access to the Auten Road Facility are still available for the following dates:

September 26th
October 3rd, 31st

Please visit the Department of Public Works between the hours of 7am until 3pm to obtain a coupon for any of the above dates.

Senior Curbside pickup has been completed.

For more information, please click here...

Hillsborough Rotary Fair August 11th to 16th, 6-10PM

Extended Until Sunday, August 16th (2-7pm)

The Rotary Club of Hillsborough Club will be holding its Sixth Annual "Hillsborough Rotary Fair" Tuesday, August 11th thru Sunday, August 16th at the Hillsborough Promenade Shopping Center off Route 206 (315 Route 206).

The six day carnival will feature spectacular rides, games, food vendors and nightly entertainment.

The Rotary Fair attracts approximately 15,000 patrons every year and has grown to one of the premier family fun events in Somerset County. The Rotary Fair runs nightly from 6 - 10pm, with the exception of Sunday, August 16th - the hours will be 2-7pm. For information on being a vendor, please contact Ken Genco at 908 229-5054 or kgenco@att.net.

For more information, please click here...

Hillsborough Girl Scouts and Central Jersey Blood Center Team Up to Make August 27th Blood Drive The Most Successful Yet

Two local Cadette Girl Scouts announce their Silver Award project, " A Positive Event" Blood Drive in support of Central Jersey Blood Center (CJBC) on Thursday, August 27, 2015. Blood donations will be accepted from 5:30 p.m - 9 p.m. in the Hillsborough Municipal Building multi-purpose rooms at 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, N.J. 08844

Show your Jersey pride, join the fight to save a life and support "A Positive Event" by scheduling your appointment to donate today. Call 888-71-BLOOD or click on the links below to schedule your appointment to donate. Blood donors must be 17 years old, (16 with parental consent) weigh at least 120 pounds, and be feeling well the day of the blood drive. ID is also required at registration. Please call 888-71-BLOOD with any questions about blood donation eligibility.

Learn more at www.cjbcblood.org

To schedule your appointment to donate, click here...

Somerset County Freeholders to Honor Veterans Who Served in Southwest Asia

Registration Deadline Extended to Sept. 1

Somerset County Freeholder Director Mark Caliguire has announced that the Freeholder board will present medals this fall to past and current Somerset County residents who served in the U.S. military in Southwest Asia between 1990 and 1995. The deadline to register for a medal has been extended to Sept. 1.

The presentations will be made as part of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) exhibit at the Somerset County Park Commission's North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. The AVTT is a large-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The wall will be open to visitors at the park from 3 p.m. on Oct. 1 through 1 p.m. on Oct. 4. Visitors will be welcome around the clock. The AVTT's appearance in Somerset County is sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 452, which sponsored a similar event here in 2011.

"Somerset County is honored to be able to host the Traveling Tribute for a second time," Freeholder Director Mark Caliguire said. "We want our veterans to know that we have not forgotten them or the sacrifices they made on behalf of our country. It will be our privilege to present medals to county residents who served in Southwest Asia as part of the opening ceremony on October 1."

For a full news account, click here...

SCLSNJ's Museum Pass Program Expands

More cultural attraction passes available at SCLSNJ, effective today

Somerset County Library System of New Jersey announced today that the system's Museum Pass Program has expanded to include 10 museums and one zoo.

SCLSNJ's Museum Pass Program allows free admission to museums listed below:

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Garden State Discovery Museum l
Grounds For Sculpture
Solomon R. Guggenheim
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Lehigh Valley Zoo
The Museum of Modern Art: MoMA
Morris Museum
Storm King Art Center
United States Golf Association: USGA Museum

Patrons can reserve a pass by speaking with an SCLSNJ librarian or by visiting SCLSNJ.org. If visiting the website, click on the Museum Pass tab at the top of the home page.

For more information about SCLSNJ's Museum Pass program and for more information about the museums and zoo included in the program, visit SCLSNJ.org/museumpass.htm or contact your local library branch (location list with contact information is available at SCLSNJ.org/locationlist.html).

For a full news account, click here...

The Jointure Offers Free ESL Class

If you are interested, in a FREE ESL Class, please contact BONNIE during JULY and she will set up an appointment for the pre-test for the new program year (2015-2016).

Bonnie Scharf

Program Coordinator - The Jointure

(908) 722-0233 ext 12

bscharf@jointure.org

Classes will be held at Hillsborough Middle School on Tuesday and Thursday nights (7-9pm)

Important Dates To Remember

July
23	Township Planning Board Business Meeting, 7:30 PM in the Municipal Building
August
11	Township Committee Meeting 7:30 PM in the Municipal Building
September
2	Township Board of Adjustment Meeting, 7:30 PM in the Municipal Building
3	Township Planning Board Meeting, 7:30 PM in the Municipal Building
7	Municipal Offices Closed in Observance of Labor Day