News from Township of Hillsborough

Issue: 2015 July 31

July 31, 2015

OTW Public Hearing Update

Mayor Tomson and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli have been in communication with the Racing Commission regarding availability of the application. As previously noted by the New Jersey Racing Commission at their hearing on July 22nd, the application would not be released until a final decision has been made. After hearing the comments from residents and elected officials, the New Jersey Racing Commission has changed course. The Township has submitted an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request to the Racing Commission for the application and have been advised that the application will now be available near the end of next week. Once the application becomes available, the Township will post a link to access the application. Please keep in mind the comment and investigation period on the OTW application before the New Jersey Racing Commission ended at midnight on July 29th.

Township Honors Green Fair Poster Contest Participants

At a recent Township Committee meeting, young artists were presented with certificates in recognition of the artwork they submitted for a poster contest held at the 2015 Green Living and Wellness Fair. Participants were asked to design a poster with a "Green Living" message and were judged on message content.

Pictured: Mayor Doug Tomson and Committeewoman Gloria McCauley with poster contest participants.

Pictured: Poster contest winners with Mayor Doug Tomson and Committeewoman Gloria McCauley; 1st Place Alexis Mathew (Left), 2nd Place Ritvik Rattehalli (Center) and 3rd Place Ryan Lee (Right)

Hillsborough Township, Purple Heart Community, to Hold Annual Ceremony on Thursday, August 6th at 6 pm

Ceremony Held Rain or Shine

"Hillsborough Township will hold the Annual Purple Heart Ceremony on Thursday, August 6th at 6 pm at the Garden of Honor on the Grounds of the Municipal Complex," announced Mayor Doug Tomson at a recent Township Committee Meeting.

The 6 pm ceremony will be held rain or shine. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony. "It is our distinct honor to once again host this significant commemoration ceremony in honor of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. All Hillsborough residents are invited to attend the ceremony," added Mayor Tomson during his remarks at the meeting.

The Purple Heart, the most recognized medal of the armed forces, is awarded to those serving in the armed forces that are injured or killed while serving in combat. It was originally introduced by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. It is the oldest military award given to
U.S. military members.

At the first Purple Heart Ceremony held in Hillsborough back in 2012, a Purple Heart Monument was dedicated to the Township that resides at the Garden of Honor by Chapter 27 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Hillsborough Recreation Department Brings Back the Family Golf Tournament

Saturday, August 15th

In years past, the Recreation Department ran a Father/Son Golf Outing. The Tournament is back and is open to any Parent/Youth team. The Parent/Youth Golf Outing will take place on Saturday, August 15th at the Hillsborough Golf and Country Club. Golf will begin at 1 pm and will be followed by a BBQ. Registration is available on the Recreation website and the participation fee is $160 per (Parent/Child) team.

Hurricane and Weather Emergency Preparedness

Being prepared is the key to safety in any emergency situation. Below are some general guidelines and suggested supplies in the event of a weather emergency. Additional information can be found at the following websites:

http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

General Safety Precautions

Keep away from downed power lines
Use caution if using candles - never leave candles unattended
Do not enter flood waters

Generator Safety

Keep generators outside of your home. Do not use the generator in the garage. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.

Refuel generators carefully.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators.
Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.

Emergency Supplies

In an effort to be prepared, below are suggestions for a basic supply kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Wrench or pliers for turning off utilities
Manual can opener
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Emergency Kits ("Go-Kits")

In addition to the items above, preparing a "Go Kit", should you need to evacuate your home is also recommended. Suggested items to include in a "Go Kit" are:

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Food Safety In The Home

Every year thousands of people become sick from food that they eat. Anyone can get sick from food, but certain groups can get sick more easily than others. Pregnant women, young children, and the elderly are all more susceptible to foodborne illness. By following a few safe food handling steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of becoming ill from the food you prepare at home.

HANDWASHING

Approximately 60% of all foodborne illnesses are caused by people handling food without properly washing their hands. Make certain that you or anyone involved in preparing food thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water prior to beginning.

COLD HOLDING TEMPS

Bacteria grow very slowly at temperatures of 41 degrees F or below, so make certain you keep meat in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. This is especially true on very hot days, or if you are barbecuing. It is a good idea to have a thermometer in your refrigerator to make certain of the temperature.

CROSS CONTAMINATION

Many foods have naturally occurring bacteria on them. Cross contamination is when bacteria from one food is transferred to another, such as when bacteria from raw chicken juice is transferred from a cutting board to lettuce. Cut and prepare different foods on different cutting boards, or thoroughly wash utensils and surfaces used to cut raw meat before preparing another food item.

COOKING TEMPS

Cooking food to proper temperature is a very important food safety step because it kills most of the harmful bacteria on that food item. Temperatures should be verified with a stem thermometer, an inexpensive item that can be bought at any grocery store.

Hamburgers: 155 degrees F

Chicken: 165 degrees F

Pork: 145 degrees F

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU GOT SICK FROM FOOD

Drink lots of water: most food-borne illnesses cause dehydration.

Call your doctor: while most common illnesses will result in you feeling sick and uncomfortable for a few days, some food-borne illnesses can be very severe if not properly treated.

Township Dog Canvass (Census) in Full Swing

The Dog Canvass (Census), which is required by New Jersey Statute, has begun in Hillsborough Township. The Township has authorized Animal Control Officers from St. Hubert's Giralda to conduct the canvass. These individuals have passed a background check and are carrying appropriate identification.

The canvassers are knocking on doors across the Township, checking for unlicensed dogs. Each resident with an unlicensed dog is given information about why the canvass and dog licensing are necessary, and that they must license their dog within 10 days of the visit or face a summons to Municipal Court. A door hanger bag with this information inside is left at each home where a dog is barking and there is no license on record. Presently, the fine is $50 per incident, with a mandatory court appearance.

Dog licenses in Hillsborough must be renewed annually in January.

Annual dog licensing is a reminder to update your dog's rabies vaccination. Also, if the dog is lost, a Good Samaritan is more likely to hold onto the dog and call the owner if they see a license on the dog.

The cost of a license for a spayed or neutered dog is $21 and if not spayed or neutered the cost is $24. All dogs must have a rabies vaccination that is current for at least 10 months of the licensing year, up until November 1, 2015.

To apply for a dog license, go to the Township website at www.hillsborough-nj.org and click on eGov, form center, then scroll to the Health Department, where you will see "New Dog Application" and click on the link. Send the completed form to Hillsborough Township, Animal Licensing, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844, along with the payment and proof of rabies vaccination (current through November 1) and spay / neutering.

For questions and additional information, please call the Health Department at 908-369-5652.

Clean Up Coupons Still Available for Select Dates:

Coupons for access to the Auten Road Facility are still available for October 3rd and October 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.

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 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 into 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...

Important Dates To Remember

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