Issue: 2015 December 23        
December 23, 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

 

Mayor Doug Tomson and the Hillsborough Township Committee wish everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday
Holiday Hours for the Municipal Building and the Library

Municipal Offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th in observance of Christmas.
 
Hillsborough Library Holiday Schedule: 
Thursday, December 24 - CLOSED
Friday, December 25 - CLOSED
Saturday, December 26 CLOSED
Sunday, December 27 - Open from 1 pm to 5 pm. 
Thursday, December 31 - CLOSED
Friday, January 1 - CLOSED


Holiday Spirit Alive in Hillsborough

Township families received some holiday cheer from the generosity of others.  Nearly 80 Township families were adopted through the Hillsborough Community Assistance Network (CAN).  Gifts for under the tree along with all the fixings for a complete holiday meal were provided through the donation program.



Pictured: Deputy Mayor Greg Burchette and Committeeman Frank DelCore with some of the donated gifts
Hillsborough Township Continues to Recognize Long Time Businesses

Hillsborough based businesses and organizations with over 25 years of operation within Hillsborough Township are being recognized at Township Committee meetings.  Those businesses recognized in November and December include:
  • Love Your Pet Pet Sitters LLC
  • Bentley Fine Jewelers
  • The Dental Office of Drs. Pullen, Peterson, Brower, and Hanson
Mayor Tomson and Lorraine Zdeb from Love Your Pet Sitters, LLC
Kevin Sweeney of Bentley Fine Jewlers and his family with MAyor Tomson
Drs. Hanson, Pullen, Peterson, Brower and Mayor Tomson

New Episode of "Hillsborough - The Good Life!" Now Available on YouTube

Episode 3 of "Hillsborough - The Good Life!" has just been released on Hillsborough Township's YouTube Channel. 

Viewed Episode 3 of "Hillsborough - The Good Life!" on the Township YouTube channel by clicking here...

Erin Morris Honored as Disability Advocate in Somerset County

Somerset County Freeholder Director Mark Caliguire joins Erin Morris and her children for a photo after presenting her with the 2015 Disability Advocates Award in the individual category. Through her fund-raising efforts and her success in recruiting many volunteers and supporters, the dream of a New Jersey chapter of GiGi's Playhouse became a reality in January of this year in Hillsborough Township.
The Somerset County Board of Freeholders recently honored winners of the county's 2015 Disability Advocates Awards at a freeholders' meeting.

Erin Morris, president of GiGi's Playhouse in Hillsborough, a Down syndrome achievement center, was selected in the individual category.  The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families in Manville was recognized in the business category.

Ms. Morris was chosen for her commitment to advocating on behalf of and promoting positive awareness of the needs of Somerset County citizens with disabilities, and for bringing to New Jersey a chapter of GiGi's Playhouse.  

The goal of the GiGi Playhouse Achievement Center and its founder is to help people with Down syndrome strive for achievement, empowerment and self-confidence. The Playhouse currently runs literacy (tutoring) programs, fitness and nutritional workshops, physical therapy sessions and art classes, free of charge.

The Playhouse also provides a place where families can gather to find comfort and information regarding day-to-day challenges.

Ms. Morris's long-range dream is to provide employment opportunities in the form of a Hugs for Mugs caf�, which would be a coffee shop run by adults with Down syndrome.

The nomination form states that through Ms. Morris's efforts, the lives of "specially-abled" individuals, and the way the community interacts with them, has changed.
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 12/23
Please keep in mind that weather, staff and maintenance are all major factors in leaf collection.  This is a tentative schedule.
  • Sunnymead Rd.
  • Falcon Rd.
  • Riverview Terrace
  • N. Willow Rd
  • Camplain Rd
For more information, click here...

SCLSNJ now offers free Notary Public Services to county residents
All 10 library branches will have notary services available at no cost

All 10 library branches of the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey, which can be found in Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Manville, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Rocky Hill at Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung, now offer Notary Public services to county residents as a courtesy. 

The library system now has over 30 staff members who have been sworn in as Notaries Public. As Notaries Public, the appointed SCLSNJ staff members serve as impartial witnesses in performing a variety of official fraud�deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.

For a full news account, click here...
Candle Safety Tips for the Holidays

Candles may be pretty to look at but they are a cause of home fires - and home fire deaths. Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.

"CANDLE WITH CARE"
  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

If you do burn candles, make sure that you...
  • Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won't tip over easily.
  • Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface. 
  • Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
  • Don't burn a candle all the way down - put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container. 
  • Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
  • Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.

For additional candle safety tips, 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...
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. 
 
Register your card at www.propertytaxcard.com to start earning a discount on 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...
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 [email protected].  Purchases will be redeemed quickly upon receipt of payment (checks only please).  

Thank you for your support!
For more information, click here...
Event Flyers
Click on a Flyer to View Event Details
January 10 - February 14: Special Olympics Developmental Basketball Skills Program
April 9: Hillsborough Joes vs. NFL Pros Scoring Points for Kids Charity Basketball Game
Important Upcoming Meeting Dates

December
24 & 25                 ****            Municipal Offices Closed in Observance of Christmas
29                       7:30 pm       Township Committee Meeting

January
1                           ****            Municipal Offices Closed in Observance of New Years Day
5                         7:00 pm       2016 Township Reorganization Meeting
6                         7:30 pm       Board of Adjustment Meeting
7                         7:30 pm       Planning Board Meeting
12                       7:30 pm       Township Committee Meeting
14                       7:30 pm       Planning Board Meeting
26                       7:30 pm       Township Committee Meeting


To post your event online, click here...
For Hillsborough Public Library Events, click here...
Previous Headlines

To view more news from Hillsborough Township, click here...
To view the E-Newsletter Archive, click here...

MUNICIPAL BUILDING EVENING OFFICE HOURS

CLERK'S OFFICE 
2nd & 4th Tuesdays until 7pm

HEALTH DEPARTMENT 
2nd Tuesday until 7pm

BUILDING DEPARTMENT  
Tuesdays until 7pm
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For information regarding Online Payment and Tax Notices, please click here...
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Recreation 2015 Winter Activities Guide
 
Registration now ongoing 
 
To download/view the brochure, click here...  
To register for programs online, click here... 
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 LINKS 
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