Issue: 2017 January 27
January 27, 2017
 
One of the Best Places to Live in America
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This e-newsletter is brought to you by the Hillsborough Township Committee 
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Mayor 
Carl Suraci
Deputy Mayor
Gloria McCauley
Committeeman 
Greg Burchette
Committeeman 
Frank DelCore
Committeeman 
Doug Tomson

 
Mark Szmanski Promoted to Sergeant

Pictured: Committeeman Frank DelCore, Committeeman Greg Burchette, Mayor Carl Suraci, Sergeant Mark Szymanski with sons Daniel and Luke and wife Victoria, and Police Chief Darren Powell





Corporal Mark Szymanski was promoted to the position of Sergeant in the Hillsborough Police Department at Tuesday's Township Committee Meeting. A 20 year veteran of the force, Szymanski brings a wealth of knowlege and experience to his position.



Mayor Suraci Helps Judge Pinewood Derby Cars

This past Saturday, January 21 st , Mayor Carl Suraci visited Cub Scout Pack 189's Pinewood Derby .  The Mayor and his daughter, Amy, judged the Scouts cars in the pre-race contest competition for fastest looking, best looking, most realistic and most imaginative cars and then stayed for to watch some of the race.

Pictured on right: Mayor Suraci and his daughter Amy judging the Scouts' Pinewood Derby cars for special pre-race awards




Pictured : Mayor Carl Suraci with members and leaders of Cub Scout Pack 189

Hillsborough Rewards Credit Card Program Accepting Grant Applications
Hillsborough Based Non-Profit Groups Serving Youth and  Seniors Invited to Apply Deadline is March 10 th 

"The Hillsborough Township Credit Card Advisory Committee will be accepting grant applications beginning February 1st for the first round of grants for 2017," announced Committeeman Doug Tomson Liaison to the Credit Card Advisory Committee.  

"Applications will be made available on the Township website or can be picked up in the Administration Office for any Township based non-profit, senior or youth organizations to apply for grants up to $2,000 funded through the Hillsborough Township Credit Card Rewards Program," continued Committeeman Tomson.

Grant applications can be found on the Township website at www.hillsborough-nj.org or copies are available at the Administration Office.  Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, March 10, 2017 to the Administration office to be considered for eligible grant funding.

To date, the Hillsborough Rewards Program has awarded over $60,000 in grants to community based non-profit organizations that serve Township youth and seniors.

For a full news account, click here...
To Download an application, click here...
Hillsborough Township Participating in the NJ Devils' "My Town" Series
Special Tickets Available now for the Devils vs. San Jose Sharks

"Hillsborough Township will again participate in the New Jersey Devils' "My Town" Series on February 12th during a Devils game against the San Jose Sharks," announced Mayor Carl Suraci.

The "My Town Series" Program now in it's third year highlights New Jersey Towns during National Hockey League Games played at the Prudential Center in Newark.  The New Jersey Devils tested the program during the 2013-2014 National Hockey League Season with 5 New Jersey towns as part of their pilot program. The success of that expanded the program during the 2014-2015 program NHL Season and will continue with enthusiasm this Season.

This is a super fun exciting event open to people of all ages!
There are currently a limited number of  specially priced Sideline tickets available for purchase.
  • The February 12th game is Taylor Hall Bobblehead day! The first 9,000 fans to arrive gameday will receive a Taylor Hall Bobblehead.  In addition, 9 bobbleheads will be painted gold and if you receive one you get a chance to meet Taylor Hall and have him autograph your bobblehead after the game.
  • The first 12 tickets will get to enter the "High-five Tunnel" where fans get to high-five the players as they enter/exit the locker room!
  • Post-Game photo on the ice for everyone!
  • Kids Day! All kids will receive a limited edition poster commemorating the game!
For a full news account, click here...
To Download an Order Form, click here...
Follow Hillsborough Township on Twitter
Get Information & Updates on Twitter @HillsboroughTwp

Did you know that Hillsborough Township actively uses Twitter to share information with residents?Along with the Friday e-newsletter, Honeywell Instant alerts, Nixle, the Hillsborough Township website, and YouTube, Twitter is used to communicate with residents on a daily basis.   

To stay up to date on all the latest happenings in Hillsborough Township, click the button below to follow us on Twitter.

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Winter Activities Guide Now Available

The 2017 Winter Activities Guide is now available. Included in this activities guide is Youth Programs, Adult Programs, 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 Program

The Shop Hillsborough Reward Program combines saving and shopping. Simply present your Shop Hillsborough Reward Card to a participating merchant at the time of purchase and a property tax credit will automatically be applied to your property tax bill. Not a property owner? Join the program to receive an annual rebate check. 

To get started, stop by the Administration Office in the Municipal Building to pick up a card.  Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm
   
Hillsborough - NYC Weekend Bus Survey 

Suburban Transit is currently conducting another survey to determine the level of interest in limited weekend service. If you would use Saturday and / or Sunday bus service to New York City, please go to Suburban's website ( suburbantransit.com ), click on "Hillsborough Weekend Service Survey" and complete the brief questionnaire.

Season 2 - Episode 6 of Hillsborough The Good Life Now Airing

Township Job Line

Hillsborough Township currently looking to fill following positions:
  • Department of Public Works Mechanic - Full-Time
  • Building Maintenance Person - Part-Time  
For position descriptions and qualifications, click here...
To download an Employment Application, click here...
Update From The Engineering Department: Easements

It is to be noted that easements located on residential and commercial properties are the property owners' responsibility to maintain the surface area.  This includes swales, drainage ditches, streams, etc.  If these areas where the easement is located needs attention due to down trees, silted, blocked or settled surfaces, the maintenance is handled by the private property owner.  The Township does not own the property.  The easement is there only to allow either a utility company access to underground utilities or drainage from uphill areas.  The utility company and/or the Township are only responsible for the underground piping and/or wiring.  The easement restricts property owners from altering or blocking these drainage flow easement areas.

Red Ribbon Week - Poster Contest Winners Recognized!

The Hillsborough Township Life Skills Committee and the Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance recognize Red Ribbon Week every October.  The mission of Red Ribbon Week is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a Drug Free America.  

One of the activities during Red Ribbon Week was a Poster Contest.  Students and adults throughout the community were invited to create a poster with an anti-drug message.  Understanding that parents are an important part of keeping children drug-free, students were encouraged to talk to their families about their ideas for their poster.  All poster contest entries were judged by members of the Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance.  Judging the contest is always hard, as there are so many good entries.  All winners were awarded a gift certificate for a local book store.  All poster contest entries are currently on display at the Municipal Building on the brick wall near the Police Department.

The Life Skills Committee and the Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance are proud to announce the winners of the 2016 Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest:


Grand Prize Winners:  
  • Aileen Xue - Amsterdam School - Elementary Category
  • Johnathan Long-Kuster - Woods Road School - Elementary Category
  • Ella Deluca - Auten Road School - Intermediate Category
  • Mukul Ramesh - Middle School - Middle School Category
  • Steve Graham - Adult Category
Runners Up included:  

ARIS:  Payton Deluca, Abhiram Sripada, Allison Lee, Angela Noh
HES:  Navya Mittal, Ojas Tamhane
SUNNYMEAD:  Bridget Smith
WOODFERN:  Jaya Dave
WOODS ROAD:  Benjamin Oliwa
ADULT CATEGORY:  Navya Garla

Congratulations to all winners!  
Free Flu Shots Available to Somerset County Residents Age 18 and Older
Take advantage of upcoming opportunities to fight the flu

Have you been noticing how many people appear to be under the weather?  It could be just a cold or it could be the flu, especially since the New Jersey Department of Health reports flu activity is high in Somerset County, and in all areas of New Jersey.   If you haven't gotten a flu shot this season, now is the time!   

Freeholder Patricia L. Walsh,  public health & safety division liaison, invites Somerset County adults age 18 and older to take advantage of one of the following opportunities to protect themselves against the flu with a free flu shot:
  • Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 4  to 6 p.m. at the Somerset County Human Services Building, 27 Warren St., Somerville, NJ 08876
  • ThursdayFeb. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Franklin Township Public Library, 485 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873.
 
The clinics are being hosted by the  Somerset County Health Department.

For more information, click here...
Senior Center Schedules for February

The senior centers operated by the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services have announced the February program schedule.  All programs begin at 11:00 a.m. unless otherwise listed.  This month, county senior centers will be closed on  Monday, Feb. 20 , in honor of Presidents' Day.

All Somerset County-operated Senior Centers offer a nutritionally balanced lunch, Monday through Friday, for a suggested donation of $2.50, for anyone 60 and above.  Menu choices include a hot meat-based or meatless entrée and a cold meat-based or meatless boxed lunch.  Please make reservations before 10:00 a.m. at least one business day in advance.  Why not invite a friend or neighbor to join you for lunch!  As an additional suggestion, why not come earlier in the day and enjoy one of the center's many programs.

To view the Hillsborough Senior Center schedule for February, click here...
For more information and to view schedules for all county senior centers, click here...

Drop-Off Electronic Waste February 4th


The next  Saturday electronic waste drop-off event will be held on  February 4th from  8 am to 2 pm  at the Somerset County South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844.

Residents can declutter their homes of the many electronic items that tend to accumulate free of charge at scheduled  Saturday and weekday opportunities. 

Following is a listing of upcoming days, locations and times in 2017 to drop off electronics:
 
  • Saturday drop-offs:  8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South County Public Works Garage, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 on Feb. 4March 4April 1May 6June 3July 1Aug. 5Sept. 9 (due to the Labor Day holiday), Oct. 7Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
     
  • Weekday drop-offs:  Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North County Public Works Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road - north of Route 22 - Building B, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 and the South County Public Works Garage, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. 
For more information, click here...
Data Privacy Day 2017

January 28 marks Data Privacy Day 2017, an international effort to promote awareness about respecting privacy, safeguarding data, and enabling trust.

We use our smartphones to do countless daily activities - pay bills, check emails, order taxicabs, and more. Most Americans probably don't realize how much sensitive information they share on a regular basis, let alone take the time to be thoughtful about when and why they are sharing the information.

Trying to understand when and how it is safe to share your sensitive information online can seem overwhelming, but it is actually easier than one might think. Simple steps - like being thoughtful about what you post online, taking advantage of privacy settings offered by most online platforms, and regularly updating your security software on your mobile devices - help to protect you and your information online.

Data Privacy Day is a great opportunity for you to take time and consider what you share online and help spread the word about protecting your personal information. Take action and help create a culture of privacy awareness. 

Learn more here...
American Red Cross' Home Fire Campaign and Pillowcase Project

The Home Fire Campaign is in its third year of working towards its goal to reduce the incidence of death and injury by fire by 25% in 5 years. In this webinar, the American Red Cross will provide an overview of its Home Fire Escape Plan and Home Fire Safety Checklist materials, its program to install free ionization smoke alarms, and other materials that will assist families in reducing their risk for home fires and for improving their preparedness to act in case a fire does occur.

The American Red Cross' Pillowcase Project is a preparedness education program for elementary school children across the country. It is intended to help create a generation of children who will understand the science of hazards, are empowered to take action preparing for emergencies, and are excited to help create a prepared community by sharing what they have learned with family and friends.

Speaker: Jessica Herzog is a Regional Preparedness Manager for the American Red Cross in the Western and Central New York Region. She helps to coordinate the ARC's Home Fire Campaign, Pillowcase Project, and NY State's Citizen's Preparedness Corps in the 26 counties of her region.

Speaker: Kristee Lauro currently serves as the New Jersey Region's Pillowcase Project Manager and as a Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross. She has been with the organization for 4 years where she began as a Disaster Intern focusing on Shelter Planning during her graduate studies in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.  She also has a background in Elementary Education so the Pillowcase Project is a perfect fit for her since it's a Youth Preparedness Program

To register, click here...
Giving Network
Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Giving Network is dedicated to recycling excess household items that are donated and delivered to people in need in in Somerset County, NJ. It is a volunteer-run, volunteer-driven program that achieves its objectives by working with other organizations, agencies, businesses and churches. We are a 501(c)(3) organization founded in in 1999 with a home base in Somerville, New Jersey.

To volunteer, donate, or request help: 
P
lease call (908)927-9001 or visit givingnet.org
 
Cupid's Chase 5K - Saturday, February 11, 2017

Community Options, Inc. invites runners, walkers, and rollers (baby strollers and wheelchairs) to help raise funds to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities by participating in our annual Cupid's Chase 5K. Because of you...we can make a difference!

Not a fan of the cold weather? Instead of bundling up, cuddle up with your sweetheart and support people with disabilities. Cuddle up for the cause today and become a Virtual Participant! 

Event Location
Buccleuch Park
321 Easton Avenue
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
 
Time
Registration:  7 AM
Race Begins:  9 AM

5K Registration Fees
$20 on or before September 30, 2016
$25 on or before December 31, 2016
$30 on or before  February 10, 2017
$40  February 11, 2017 - Event Day


Direct Link to sign up for our New Brunswick race (proceeds go to Somerset county and Middlesex county Community Options regions)   http://imatter.comop.org/site/TR?fr_id=1397&pg=entry

ARIS/HMS DISCOUNT CARD 2016/2017
ON SALE NOW!!

ARIS/HMS 2016-2017 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 local businesses; valid through 9/30/17

Businesses included this year are SHOPRITE, Amwell Auto, Angelo, B & C Florist, Bagelicious, Big Bang Music, Bountiful Gardens, Carvel, Chicken Holiday, China Moon, Culinary Creations, Dave's Computers, The Day Spa at Hair Plus, Divine Curry, Dunkin Donuts, Earth Fruits Yogurt, Fruity Yogurt, Hillsborough Cinemas, Hillsborough Vision Center, IHOP, Impact Training, Jumbo Palace, Just Subs, Koko Fit, Kumon of Hillsborough, Lenny's Pizza & Pasta, Mailbox Business Center, Marianna's Pizzeria, Olympia Sports, Renaissance Hair Salon & Spa, Rita's Water Ice, Saladworks, Super Sundaes, Wendy's.   
Special Promotion:  Buy 5 cards, get 1 card free!

If you would like to purchase a discount card, please email Linda at autenroadhsa@gmail.com.   You can also purchase them via Community Pass.

Thank you for your support!
Event Flyers
Click on a Flyer to View Event Details
January 27: Designer Bag Bingo
February 4: Project Graduation Dress Sale
February 4: South Branch Reformed Church Preschool Registration Open House
February 5: Pancake Breakfast to benefit Hillsborough High School Baseball Team
February 11; Cupid's Chase 5k

February 11: HHS Band Parent Association Clothing Drive
February 12: Hillsborough's My Town Night with the NJ Devils
February 18, March 18, April 15: Indoor Farmers Market
July 10-14 - Duke Farms Wildlife Explorer Summer Program
Important Upcoming Meeting Dates

First Meeting Dates for 2017

Agricultural Advisory Committee 1/30/2017
Canceled
Sign Review Committee 1/30/2017 6:00 PM


February
Board of Adjustment 2/1/2017 7:30 PM
Planning Board 2/2/2017 7:30 PM
Planning Board 2/9/2017 7:30 PM
Township Committee Meeting 2/14/2017 7:30 PM
Board of Adjustment 2/15/2017 7:30 PM
Planning Board Business Meeting 2/23/2017 7:30 PM
Township Committee Meeting 2/28/2017 7:30 PM

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  (No Evening Hours January, February, and March)

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 2017 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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