News from Township of Hillsborough

Issue: 2015 December 11

December 11, 2015

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This e-newsletter is brought to you by the Hillsborough Township Committee

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Mayor

Doug Tomson

Deputy Mayor

Greg Burchette

Committeeman

Frank DelCore

Committeewoman

Gloria McCauley

Committeeman

Carl Suraci

Dukes Jr. Pee Wee Football Team Honored With Proclamation

Pictured: Mayor Doug Tomson, Committeeman Carl Suraci with Coaches and Members of the 2015 Dukes Jr. Pee Wee Football Team

At a recent Township Committee Meeting, the Mayor and Township Committee presented the 2015 Hillsborough Dukes Junior Pee Wee Football team with a proclamation for their very successful season.

The Hillsborough Dukes Junior Pee Wee Football team won the Divisional Championship for the Jersey Valley Conference, advanced to the Pop Warner Regional playoffs during their post season, and finished their season with a record of six wins and three losses.

Congratulations Team!

BoroSAFE Kicks Off "Year of Gratitude"

On Friday, November 20th, the Faith Based Partnership Council and BoroSAFE held a breakfast event to kick off a "Year in Gratitude" The purpose of the "Year in Gratitude" is to join community resources and address tragic loss in our community and bring awareness to mental illness and reinforce the fact that suicide is preventable.

Our community has experienced more than its share of loss of young lives and the goal of this initiative is to bring more awareness to the goodness in life.

Pictured: Rev. Harry Skeele, Mayor Doug Tomson, Dr. Jordan Schiff, Minda Maggio, Melissa Callen, Kia Bergman, and Pastor Tim Wolf

To view a TED Talk on "The bridge between suicide and life", click here...

Township Celebrates With Holiday Festivities

Friday, December 4th, Santa came to town to light the Township Christmas Tree via the Flagtown Fire Department Fire Truck. A record breaking crowd, nearly 1000, gathered near the tree and the Garden of Honor as Mayor Doug Tomson welcomed visitors for the night's festivities along with Committeeman Carl Suraci, Committeeman Frank DelCore, and Committeewoman Gloria McCauley.

Spectators were treated to a live performance by Triangle Dace, caroling by Hillsborough Township Girl Scouts, and an appearance by Queen Elsa from "Frozen". Coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn were served while the children waitied to visit with Santa. Additional festivities for this years event included a train ride, a snow machine and fire barrels used for marshmallow roasting and keeping folks from getting chilly, but the mild temperatures that evening made for a great outdoor event.

On Sunday, December 6th, Committeeman Greg Burchette was on hand for the Menorah Lighting Ceremony held at the Municipal Building. The annual event, sponsored by Chabad Center for Jewish Life, included the lighting of the giant outdoor menorah, followed by a party featuring a DJ, prizes, doughnuts, dreidels, latkes, geltand Chanukah crafts.

Pictured: Committeeman Frank DelCore, Mayor Doug Tomson, Committeewoman Gloria McCauley and Committeeman Carl Suraci

Pictured: Committeeman Greg Burchette with Miriam Krinsky of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life

RoboRaiders Boro Blast

Mayor Doug Tomson and Committeeman Carl Suraci recently attended Hillsborough High School's RoboRaiders Boro Blast event, a FIRST Lego League state qualifying tournament in which teams for all over New Jersey compete with the robots they create.

At the event, food donations were collected to be donated to a local food bank.

Pictured: Committeeman Carl Suraci and Mayor Doug Tomson with members of Hillsborough High School's Robo Raiders Team and their generous food donations

Hillsborough / Millstone Municipal Alliance, BoroSafe, Hillsborough Life Skills and Dreams for Kids to Host Hillsborough Joes vs. NFL Pros Basketball Game

Save the Date - Saturday, April 9, 2016

The Hillsborough / Millstone Municipal Alliance in collaboration with BoroSafe, Hillsborough Life Skills and Dreams for Kids are set to host their second Hillsborough Joes vs. the NFL Pros - Scoring Points for Kids," announced Mayor Doug Tomson at a recent Township Committee meeting.

The fundraiser basketball game is set to be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Hillsborough High School with proceeds from the event benefiting the Hillsborough / Millstone Municipal Alliance, BoroSafe, Life Skills and Dreams for Kids.

Residents are asked to save the date and mark Saturday, April 9th on their calendars. Back in 2014, the first ever game of this kind was held and was a huge success.

"This is a fantastic community event to raise funds and awareness for some very worthy causes," added Mayor Tomson.

For a full news account, click here...

Municipal Complex is Celebrating 25 Years

Hillsborough Residents and Hillsborough Based Businesses are

Invited to Design the Commemorative Logo - Due December 21st

"Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex will celebrate a Silver Anniversary during 2016," announced Mayor Doug Tomson at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

"As part of the festivities, we are having a contest to design a commemorative logo which will be used for a banner and letterhead for the year as well as other festivities during the year," added Mayor Tomson.

The Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex, originally dedicated on January 14, 1991, was the vision of then Mayor Peter J. Biondi. The building was later dedicated to the late politician who later became a Somerset County Freeholder and ultimately a member of the New Jersey Assembly before his untimely passing in 2011.

For a full news account, click here..

Leaf Drop Off and Pick Up Program

Township Leaf Drop Off and Pick Up Program is Underway

Residents are reminded NOT to rake leaves into the roadway

Leaf Collection Update for the week of 12/14 - 12/18:

Please keep in mind that weather, staff and maintenance are all major factors in leaf collection. This is a tentative schedule.

Beverly Dr Area
Camden Area

Woods Rd

Green Hills
Dickerson
Village Green

Sunrise Development
Woodfield Development

Orchard Drive
Banor Drive
Stockton Rd
Crestmont Rd

Leaf drop off is available for the following Saturdays from 7 am until 3 pm at the Auten Road Facility:

Saturday, December 12th
Friday, December 18th
Saturday, December 19th

Only leaves will be accepted, no brush, yard waste or other debris
If leaves are bagged, please dump the leaves and take the bag(s) with you
Proof of residency is required

For more information, click here...

Recreation Update

The 2016 Winter Activities Guide is now available. Included in this activities guide is youth programs, adult programs, Christmas Tree Lighting, Spring Soccer Leagues, Spring Girls Softball Leagues, and the Run Around the Park. Registration for all programs in the activities guide is now open.

To view the Activities Guide online, click here...

To Register for Activities, click here...

Used Clothing Collection

Hillsborough Band Parents Association - Supporting the Band and Color Guard programs of Hillsborough High School

Date: December 12, 2015

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Drop Off Location: Front Entrance Hillsborough High School

466 Raider Blvd. Hillsborough

For more information, click here...

Shop Hillsborough

The Shop Hillsborough Reward program continues to promote local shopping while allowing card holders the opportunity to reduce their property tax bill.

If you don't have a Shop Hillsborough card, be sure to stop by the Administration office in the Municipal Building to pick one up. Free registration is required. Additional cards may be obtained for each member in a household with the same block and lot. All household spending will be applied against your property tax bill.

To view December deals of the month, click here...

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

View "Hillsborough - The Good Life!" on YouTube

All episodes of "Hillsborough - The Good Life!" can be viewed on the Township YouTube channel by clicking here...

Tips for Waste-Free Holidays and Recycling

The Somerset County Board of Freeholders invites residents to give "green" gifts a chance this holiday season and to recycle as much as possible.

"During the holidays, there are many things we can do to minimize the amount of waste we create," said Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh, solid waste management and recycling liaison. "Giving 'green' gifts is one way to conserve resources, minimize the mess of packaging materials and even save money. Recycling boxes, wrapping paper, gift cards, cardboard and acceptable plastics is another way."

Following are some "green" gift ideas, which will keep on giving well past the holiday season: Tickets: theatre, dance, concert, comedy, sports events; Season Passes: sports and entertainment venues; Memberships: gym, organizations; Subscriptions: books, magazines; Lessons: cooking, music, dancing; Gift Certificates: restaurant, car wash, spa, bed-andbreakfast; Services: housecleaning, yard work, car washing; Charities: donate money in a recipient's name. Contributions to nonprofit organizations often are tax deductible.

For a full news account, click here...

Hundreds of Community Members Turn Out for Holiday Gift Packing Event

On Saturday, December 6, hundreds of community members turned out to participate in the annual Holiday Gift Packing event organized by Operation Shoebox and the Hillsborough Rotary. As a result, approximately 1640 boxes of toiletries and food items will be shipped to American troops serving abroad - a welcomed reminder that they are not forgotten at this important time of the year.

Pictured: Community volunteers assembled approximately 1640 boxes of toiletries and food items that will be sent to troops abroad.

For a full news account, click here...

SCLSNJ announces expanded LVSC English Conversation Group program

Groups will be available at six SCLSNJ library branches, four days a week

"LVSC is happy to be able to expand the number of English Conversation Groups offered at numerous SCLSNJ branch locations," said Jay Muldoon, LVSC executive director. "These groups, led by LVSC volunteer tutors, provide a safe, comfortable and encouraging environment where people working to improve their English literacy skills can develop confidence speaking and comprehending English." For more information about these and other programs at SCLSNJ, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact your local SCLSNJ library branch.

A Group will be offered at SCLSNJ's Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough, on Mondays, January 11 through May 23, 7-8:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, January 13 through March 16, 10-11:30 a.m.

For a full news account, click 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.

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...

Young Athletes Hillsborough Winter 2016

This FREE, inclusive sports play program helps children ages 2 through 7 to:

Improve gross motor skills
Celebrate what your child CAN do
Improve social and language skills
Learn to PLAY with purpose
Develop skills for future participation in sports

For more information, click here...

Hillsborough Hi-Tops Developmental Basketball

Join us for Special Olympics Developmental Basketball Skills. This program is designed for the emerging athlete ages 6 and above who would like to learn and practice basketball skills!

For more information, click here...

To Register, click here...

The New Jersey Youth Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

Hillsborough High School - December 13th at 4 pm

Each year The New Jersey Youth Ballet brings the magic of The Nutcracker to thousands of children and adults from across the Central New Jersey area. The New Jersey Youth Ballet's Nutcracker is fully narrated and abridged so children and adults of all ages can enjoy. The ballet is danced almost entirely by children and teens. Dolls and sweets come to life, mice and toy soldiers do battle and snowflakes dance in a beautiful snow covered forest. Come and enjoy this beautiful story, the precision and grace of these beautiful young dancers.