News from Township of Hillsborough

Issue: 2015 August 21

August 21, 2015

Township Committee Recognizes 3 Eagle Scouts

Hillsborough Township honored three Eagle Scouts from Troop 489 with proclamations for earning the prestigious achievement of Eagle Scout.

Nicholas Athanasiou's project consisted of managing the repair and repainting of the handicap ramp at the Hillsborough Reformed Church Memorial Hall.

Samuel Elliott's project involved managing the construction of an information kiosk at the Oak Spring Girl Scout Camp.

Tyler Obropta's project consisted of managing the construction of fencing, which spans the width of the parking lot preventing cars from sliding down a steep incline at the edge of the parking lot at the Somerset Valley Players Community Theatre.

Congratulations!

Pictured (L-R): Eagle Scouts Nicholas Athanasiou, Samuel Elliot and Tyler Obropta with Mayor Doug Tomson and Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette

Mayor Tomson Visits Recreation Summer Camps

Mayor Doug Tomson visited the Hillsborough Recreation Summer Camps earlier this month. He had the opportunity to meet with the campers, answer their questions about being Mayor and participated in various activities.

Changes to New Jersey Child Passenger Safety Law

Hillsborough Police Department Alerts Residents of Upcoming Changes

"Effective September 1st, there will be changes to the New Jersey Child Passenger Safety Law," reported Committeewoman Gloria McCauley, Liaison to Public Safety.

The impending changes are for any child under the age of 8 years old and a height of 57 inches shall be secured as follows in the rear seat of a motor vehicle:

A child under the age of 2 years and 30 pounds shall be secured in a rear-facing seat equipped with a 5-point harness.
A child under the age of 4 years and 40 pounds shall be secured as described above until they reach the upper limits of the rear-facing seat, then in a forward-facing child restraint equipped with a 5-point harness.
A child under the age of 8 and a height of 57 inches shall be secured in a forward-facing seat, then in a belt positioning booster seat.
A child over 8 years of age or 57 inches in height must be properly secured by a seat belt.

If there are no rear seats, the child shall be secured as described above in the front seat except that no child shall be secured in a rear- facing seat in the front seat of any vehicle that is equipped with an active passenger-side airbag. The aforementioned is acceptable if the airbag is de-activated.

"It is always our goal to keep our residents safe and aware of any safety changes to the law," commented Hillsborough Township Police Chief Paul Kaminsky.

Hillsborough Township Again Named to Money Magazine's Best Places to Live in America*

Only Town in New Jersey Recognized by Money Magazine in 2015*

"Once again, Money Magazine confirms what we in Hillsborough already know, that Hillsborough is a great place to live," reported Mayor Doug Tomson on Monday, August 17th, upon the notification of the 2015 results for the Best Small Towns in the Country Rankings.

This is the fourth time Hillsborough has been named to the list in recent years. For 2015, Hillsborough, the only town in New Jersey named to the list, ranked 30th.

"This is a tremendous honor for our community. Open Space Preservation, Cultural Resources with Duke Farms and our Award-winning Schools are all part of the winning combination for Hillsborough," commented Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette.

Money Magazine considers various criteria in their annual ranking of the Best Places to Live segment. Demographics are compared and ranked accordingly including community spirit, culture, diversity, education, health, outdoor activities, parks, quality of life and safety. Hillsborough was ranked against towns consisting of a population range of 10,000 to 50,000 in the bi-annual small town ranking.

"On behalf of myself and the entire Township Committee, congratulations Hillsborough and thank you to all those who live and work here to continually make Hillsborough one of the best places to live in America," concluded Mayor Tomson.

Click here for to read the full article in Money Magazine

*Small Town Category is ranked every other year

Hillsborough Township Introduces "Hillsborough the Good Life" on TV29

Hillsborough Township released the first episode "Hillsborough the Good Life" to be aired on Hillsborough's hometown channel TV 29 as well as on the Township website. This episode features highlights from the Green Living and Wellness Fair, the Township's Independence Day Celebration Fireworks, information from the Health Department, Parks and Recreation, as well as updates from Township Committee meetings and various recognition segments of residents.

"Hillsborough the Good Life" airs on TV 29 daily at 8am, 1pm and 10pm. It can also be viewed on the Township website or by clicking here...

Recreation Update: Fall Activities Guide Now Available

The 2015 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

Shop Hillsborough Update:

The Shop Hillsborough Program continues to Grow

If you don't have a card, be sure to stop by the Administration office in the Municipal Building to pick one up.

To view a full list of participating merchants and the discounts they offer, click here...

Clean Up Coupons Still Available for Select Dates:

A limited number of coupons for access to the Auten Road Facility are still available for October 31st. No other dates are available at this time.

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...

Stay Safe During Earthquakes

Earthquakes can occur anywhere, at any time and with little warning. Larger earthquakes can cause death, injury, and extensive property damage. Most injuries occur when people trip or fall running away during the earthquake. Stay safe during an earthquake by following these steps:

DROP down onto your hands and knees so you aren't knocked down by the earthquake;
COVER your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from falling debris. If you are in danger from falling objects, move to a safer place by crawling; and
HOLD ON to any sturdy covering so you can move with it until the shaking stops.

Earthquakes aren't preventable, but personal injury can be! Learn more about earthquake safety in the How to Prepare for an Earthquake, by clicking here...

ARIS/HMS DISCOUNT CARD 2015-2016 ON SALE NOW!!

ARIS/HMS 2015-2016 Discount Cards are on sale now at a cost of $10.00

each, with all proceeds going to ARIS and HMS school programs and staff grants. The card includes reusable discounts from 36 local businesses; valid through 9/30/16.

Click below for additional details. Special Promotion: Buy 5 cards, get 1 card free!

If you would like to purchase a discount card, please email Wendy Holt at wenholt@aol.com. Purchases will be redeemed quickly upon receipt of payment (checks only please).

Thank you for your support!

For more information, click here...

Library Update: SCLSNJ one of the first libraries in US to offer Launchpads

New learning tablets for children can now be checked out at all 10 SCLSNJ library branches

All branches of Somerset County Library System of New Jersey are now offering Playaway Launchpads for patrons to check out. Findaway Company, producer of the Playaway pre-loaded audio players enjoyed by SCLSNJ patrons for years, has just introduced the Playaway Launchpad, a brand new learning tablet for children. Sold only to public libraries and schools and not available for purchase by the general public, each Launchpad tablet comes pre-loaded with ten carefully chosen, high-quality apps. SCLSNJ will be one of the first libraries in the country to circulate Launchpads with an extensive collection of more than 100 devices distributed among the ten branches.

"The Playaway Launchpads in our collection are intended for children from three to seven years and are organized around subject areas including English language arts, math, and science. Each is loaded with apps that foster literacy, critical thinking and creativity," said Linda Tripp, collection management librarian at SCLSNJ. "With more than sixty different Launchpads in our collection, parents can easily choose among these subjects and many popular themes such as dinosaurs, princesses, animals, transportation and more to find the Launchpad that is just right for their child."

For a full news account, click here...

Aerial Seeded Cover Crop - Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, August 2015

During the week of August 24th, 2015 aerial seeding of cover crops will be conducted on corn and soybean fields in several communities in Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties. This project is being funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the North Jersey

Resource Conservation and Development Council (NJRCD). Seeding will be done by Downstown Aero Crop Services, Vineland, NJ. Downstown Aero Crop Services has all required FAA approvals for the project. The seeding operation will be take place over 3-4 days that week and is weather dependent. Aerial seeding will be done by a small fixed winged aircraft and will not occur during rainy or high wind conditions. Only seeds of cover crops (rye, clover, etc.) will be applied to the fields. No pesticides or fertilizers are being applied during this operation. Aircraft will be flying low to apply the cover crops and last year some local residents expressed concern when they saw the low flying aircraft. If you have any questions about the project now , contact Tim Dunne, Project Consultant for NJRCD at 908-763-9920.During the seeding operation, the week of August 24th , if you have any questions, contact the Frenchtown Service Center of the USDA NRCS at 908-782-4614 ext. 3

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 announced 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...

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

To help raise awareness a team of volunteers will be tying teal bows on the trees at the Municipal building in Hillsborough NJ.

If you would like to help out please contact Susyn Timko at susyntimko@aol.com. (I lost my mom to this disease) We will be putting up the bows on Tuesday September 1 or Wednesday September 2nd. When you email, let me know which date works best for you and what time of day works best for you. Thank you!

Vendors Wanted

SCLSNJ's Third Annual Small Business Expo @ the Hillsborough Public Library

SCLSNJ Hillsborough Library will be holding it's third annual Small Business Expo on Saturday, October 3 from 11 am to 3 pm. This is an excellent opportunity for small businesses in Somerset County to set up as a vendor and introduce their products and services to members of the community, as well as network with a variety of new businesses. To be considered as a vendor at this event, please fill out the application at http://tinyurl.com/HILSBE by September 3rd! Any questions, please contact the Adult Services desk at (908) 369-2200 ext 12.

3rd Annual Peter J. Biondi 5k Memorial Run/Walk To Be Held On October 11th

Proceeds to Benefit the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP)

Peter J. Biondi (June 23, 1942 - November 10, 2011) served in the NJ State Assembly representing Legislative District 16 from 1998 until his passing in 2011.

Prior to serving in the Legislature, Assemblyman Biondi served the citizens of Somerset County as Committeeman and Mayor of Hillsborough, as a Freeholder and Director of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

He was actively involved in many important community organizations and served as an Advisor for the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP).

Assemblyman Biondi is fondly remembered for his tireless advocacy on behalf of his constituents and for his desire to help those in need. The purpose of this trail run or walk is to recognize and honor Mr. Biondi's years of dedicated public service while raising awareness and proceeds for the marginalized individuals and families in the Somerset County region. All net proceeds generated from this event will be donated to SHIP.

To register, click here...

Important Dates To Remember

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