Tuesday, January 31, 2012

HHS Winterguard 2012 - The Visitors

On Saturday, January 28th, the Hillsborough Winterguard teams hosted the 12th Annual Winterguard Home Show with over 25 visiting teams...

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Photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford...who, as always, were impressed with the support, courtesy, and enthusiasm that all the teams show for each other.

Monday, January 30, 2012

HHS Winterguard 2012 - The Home Teams

On Saturday, January 28th, the Hillsborough Scholastic A Winterguard hosted its 12th Annual Winterguard Home Show. The Scholastic A show is The Breaking of Dawn, and the Hillsborough Scholastic Novice Winterguard was introduced performing its 2012 show Statuesque. And, of course, this all couldn't happen without the Band Parents...


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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz...who would like to thank everyone for making them feel welcome.

Friday, January 27, 2012

HHS Winterguard Competition 2012

The Hillsborough High School Winterguard is hosting 27 units at tomorrow's 12th Annual Winterguard Homeshow starting at 6 p.m. at Hillsborough High School ...


Food is available. Spectators can come any time during the Homeshow for an entrance fee of $10, students and seniors $6.

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From the Winterguard:
Any support from our township and our community is welcome and much appreciated. Donations to support the band and guard programs at HHS can be sent to the Hillsborough Band Parents Association c/o June Blauvelt, 92 Rivendell Road, 908-369-7778. We thank the Gold Sponsors of our show – Bench Fashion Floors, Jules & Mr. F, Just Subs, Lowe’s of Hillsborough, Safety First Driving School, Somerset Orthopedic Associates, The Green Standard, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; and our Silver Sponsor, Petrock’s Bar & Grille. We also thank all of the local businesses and Hillsborough residents for their continued support of our wonderful band and guard programs. For the 2012 competing schedule for both guards go here.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

HNJJ CHEF: Saving Bread

Many HNJJ readers are finally getting smart about sticking to a food budget, so we are going to help you along.

Last week the HNJJ crew made their latest trip to the Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store in Franklin Township (Somerset), NJ, and tracked the cost.

The purchase of six loaves of bread, a package of cranberry raisin sweet rolls, two packages of Texas Toast, and a package of Ecce Panni French Dinner Rolls cost $17.40.
At full price, the items would have cost $32.96.

The store also carries cookies, snacks, turnovers, puff pastry, crackers, stuffing, croutons, hamburger and hot dog rolls,and desserts. With Pepperidge Farm being owned by Campbell Soup Company, they may have some Campbell's products.

This is a thrift store, meaning some of the items may be near expiration, holiday specialties, short weight, box damaged, etc. Sometimes there is a sign near the item explaining why it is there.

Some days have specials, such as an extra 15% off for seniors on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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The store is located in a strip mall, 120 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873, telephone (732)271-7079.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Hillsborough Board of Adjustment Reorganization 2012

The Hillsborough Township Board of Adjustment 2012 Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday evening.

The board members chose Leon Krals as Chairperson and Helen Haines as Vice Chairperson.

Barrett Quick and Mark Wetter left the Board and Shawn Lipani and Curtis Suraci joined the Board.

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To assist the HNJJ readers with the cast of characters:
Ms. Haines is well-known as "Chickie" Haines.
Mr. Krals is also known as "Skip" Krals.
Curtis (Curt) Suraci is Mayor Carl Suraci's brother.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Winterguard's Spin Festival, Dinner,and Premiere 2012

This past Saturday evening the Hillsborough Winterguard served an excellent fundraising dinner...

Followed by the premiere presentation of three of this year's shows:
The Bridgewater Winterguard performed its 2012 show Reflecting Black, the Hillsborough Scholastic A Winterguard presented its 2012 program The Breaking of Dawn, and the Hillsborough Scholastic Novice Winterguard was introduced performing its 2012 show Statuesque...

Following the shows, members of the audience had an opportunity to try out spinning the flags under the watchful eyes of the team members...


For more information about the 2012 Hillsborough High School Winterguard go here.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Friday, January 13, 2012

2012 Winterguard Dinner Tonight

The Hillsborough High School Winterguard's annual Spin Festival and Dinner takes place this evening at Hillsborough High School.

The three-course dinner runs from 5:30-to-9 p.m., costing $10 per person and $8 for seniors (age 55 and up) and children under 5-years-old. Takeout is available.

The Bridgewater Winterguard will perform its 2012 show Reflecting Black beginning at 7:15 p.m. The Hillsborough Scholastic A Winterguard will present its 2012 program The Breaking of Dawn starting at 7:30 p.m.

At 7:45 p.m. the Hillsborough Scholastic Novice Winterguard will be introduced performing its 2012 show Statuesque.

Following the performances, guests are invited to try spinning flags with the guard members for a $10 donation.

The evening's proceeds will be used to purchase equipment and fund travel costs for competitions.
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For more information about the Hillsborough High School Winterguard and this year's show, go here.

The Courier News article about this evening's activities can be viewed here.
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Slideshow photographs taken at the 2011 Winterguard dinner, courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Sonic: The Epilogue

Recently it has been brought to the attention of the HNJJ that many residents are not familiar with the Sonic Restaurant application that was heard by the Hillsborough Township Planning Board from the summer of 2010 until the withdrawal of the application in March, 2011. Although HNJJ covered this application with six posts, we never provided an epilogue, the final chapter, a conclusion.

In August, 2010 HNJJ reported that Thomas Mascia submitted an application to build a Sonic drive-in fast-food restaurant on an undersized 1.5-acre lot on Route 206 and at the corner of Oxford Place. As proposed, the application needed multiple variances and waivers and included a huge freestanding sign.

On September 2, 2010, the Hillsborough Township Planning Board began hearing the application with testimony from the applicant and his engineer and questions from the dozen-or-so neighbors who attended the meeting.

By the October 8th meeting the neighbors behind the proposed restaurant had organized and hired an attorney. After a jurisdictional dispute was raised, the application was carried to December.

With the December meeting approaching, Sonic made a few minor changes.

By the December 9th, 2010, meeting the number of neighbors attending had swelled to about one-hundred. The applicant's traffic expert and engineer testified. The giant sign still loomed large over the hearing. And...the application was carried.

In February, 2011, the HNJJ was reporting on one of the most contentious hearings, a three-hour-long meeting. The neighbors had incorporated. Their planning expert testified and members of the public commented. Unexpectedly
"...Following the public comments, Sonic's attorney Donald Whitelaw addressed the board about a clarification on their site plan that would require an amendment. According to their engineer Brett Skapinetz the NJDEP had just advised them that there were wetlands at the rear of the property about 20-feet off the rear lot line requiring changes in the site plan particularly in the stormwater management."
This caused a little uproar in the chambers. The hearing recessed for a few minutes while the board attorney spoke with the engineers and planners.

The application was carried to March 10th at which time Sonic was ordered to submit its new site plan incorporating the wetlands.

But this was not to be. In a letter to the Board, Tom Mascia's attorney withdrew the application.

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For those wishing further information,two posts of the Planning Board Minutes:

September 02, 2010

October 07, 2010

Monday, January 9, 2012

Hillsborough Rabies Clinic 2012


January is the time to license your dog, which means it's also time to update rabies vaccinations.

Hillsborough Township's next free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats is on Saturday, January 14th, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Township Public Works Garage, 21 East Mountain Road (next to the YMCA).

If cancelled due to inclement weather the new date will be January 28th.

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If you have never been to one of these popular clinics, here are a few hints:

It will be cold...its January. Dress warmly; you may have to stand in line for a while.

If your pets are not used to being outside or are sickly or elderly or aggressive toward other animals or strangers, bring an extra family member or friend to stay in the car with your pet until it gets to be near your turn.

Make your life easier, bring along one person per dog to hold them while each dog gets its shot

Have your dog leashed. This seems to be common sense, but...

Dogs may get nervous. Do the right thing: bring along a plastic bag for cleanups.

Cats are usually done inside the old municipal building and must be secured inside a carrier. With all the activity it will be best for your cat.

For more information call the Hillsborough Health Department at (908)369-5652.

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For other local clinics as listed at the Somerset County Health Department website go here:

Their events calendar lists a clinic in Manville on January 21st and Raritan Borough on January 28th.
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You've already chipped in to these clinics with a penny-or-so of your taxes, you may as well take advantage of them!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Ex-Xmas Trees

Christmas has passed. New Years, Three Kings Day, and Twelfth Night (as in that never-ending song The Twelve Days of Christmas) are gone.

Now you may take down your Christmas Tree. That does not mean you throw it into the park or out on the road or put it out in your trash. If you don't have any use for it in your yard, you may recycle it through the Somerset County Park Commission:
The Somerset County Park Commission will be accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling from Sunday, December 26, 2011 through Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

Somerset County residents may bring their tree to Colonial Park, Parking Lot F, 156 Mettlers Road in East Millstone, Franklin Township or to North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater at the northern end of the parking lot near the lighted ball field. Both facilities will accept trees from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., seven days a week.

Each family is limited to only one tree that must be free of all ornaments, wires, netting, and tinsel. Only natural trees will be accepted. Wreaths and garland will not be accepted as these items cannot be recycled. Deliveries from groups or dealers will be rejected. Following these guidelines is necessary to maintain a manageable recycling program.

Trees will be chopped into wood chips which will be used throughout the park system to mulch plantings. Some chips/mulch will be made available to the public at drop-off sites at no cost.

For information, call the Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department as 732 873-2459, ext. 21 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment, Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:00am to 3:30pm.

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The HNJJ crew saw discarded Christmas trees in front yards on December 26th - how sad. Was Christmas that bad? [No, these weren't people who were going away on vacation.]

In the future get a live tree - balled in burlap - and plant it. A memory forever and a better use of your money.
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“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” - Larry Wilde

“The Christmas spirit that goes out with the dried-up Christmas tree is just as worthless” - Unk.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012 Somerset County Freeholder's Reorganization Meeting

The Somerset County Freeholder's Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the County Courthouse in Somerville. The two re-elected freeholders Robert Zaborowski and Peter Palmer took the oath of office, Patricia Walsh was named Freeholder Director, and many of our representatives attended...

But what is important for HNJJ purposes is recognising the many Hillsborough residents who serve voluntarily on many of the Somerset County boards,councils and commissions that support our elected officials...

...including Linda Lee Anderson and Pratima Agarwell - Commission on the Status of Women, David Folesh - Fire Watch Advisory Board, Tom Cowen - Greater Raritan Work Enforcement Board, Helen Haines and Suzanne Ochse - Open Space Advisory Committee, Peter Schoberl - Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees, and Theodore Smith - Vocational Board of School Estimate.

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford, who now wants a box to stand on like the one provided to Freeholder Director Walsh...

Friday, January 6, 2012

Green Village: The Traffic Snarl

The Hillsborough Township Planning Board continued hearing the Green Village application for a major development on the east side of Route 206 between Valley and Partridge Roads.

As proposed by the applicant [Route 206 Enterprises, LLC], the 50-acre mixed-use plan includes 469 rental apartments including 117 affordable housing units, a clubhouse, two 10,000-square-foot retail buildings, and a 130-unit 130,000-square-foot extended stay hotel.

Prior to hearing the application, the board and the board attorney met in a 50-minute executive session regarding "potential litigation and attorney-client privilege matters" in relation to the Green Village application.

Traffic engineer Gary Dean, appearing for the applicant, presented extensive information regarding traffic movement statistics, the traffic problems that will inevitably occur at the only two exits from the proposed development onto Route 206, and possible corrective modifications.

The suggested changes, including left-turn lanes, jughandles, and additional traffic lights, were met with skepticism and confusion by residents who addressed the board.

The Green Village application will continue at the March 1,2012 meeting at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex.

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The Green Village application as it appeared on the agenda:

GREEN VILLAGE – File #11-PB-11-SR (previously referenced as 11-PB-11-MJFSR) – Block 141, Lot 30 – Route 206 North. (AMENDED Application) Applicant requesting Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to develop the subject property containing 50.0016 acres with 469 apartments, of which 352 units will be market rate and 117 units will meet the Township’s affordable housing obligation. A clubhouse with recreational amenities, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a 130 room extended stay executive suites hotel in the GV District. The Planner Report dated 09-19-11 finds the following ‘c’ Bulk Variances: tree removal (31% allowed: 75.44% proposed); encroachment into buffer area (Building #34) for currently proposed trash area; Sign Waiver; and Fence (height) Waiver. The Applicant is requesting an Economic Hardship Waiver for tree mitigation for property in the GV District (previous request for major preliminary and final subdivision has been withdrawn). (EC Review: 09-26-11). Carried from December 01,2011 without further notice.

Hillsborough Planning Board Reorganization 2012

The Hillsborough Township Planning Board's 2012 Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday evening.

The board members elected Steven Sireci, Jr., as Chairperson, Steve Cohen as Vice-Chairperson, and Tod Mershon as Secretary.

There are eleven members with several changes. Two new members, Neil Julian and Robert Peason, took the oath of office, replacing Douglas Tomson and Arthur Stafford-Taylor.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

HTPB: Green Village Continued and Reorganization

This evening the Hillsborough Township Planning Board will continue hearing the Green Village application for a major development on the east side of Route 206 between Valley and Partridge Roads with two access points onto the highway.

As proposed by the applicant [Route 206 Enterprises, LLC], the 50-acre mixed-use plan includes 469 rental apartments including 117 affordable housing units, two 10,000-square-foot retail buildings, and a 130-unit extended stay hotel.

The Board began hearing the application on December 1, 2011, including presentations by the applicant's attorney and engineer.

At the December 1, 2011 meeting there appeared to be major concerns regarding traffic and tree removal, with the applicant advising that their traffic expert will be testifying at this evening's meeting and they expect to have more discussion on their extensive tree removal.

Today's meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex and it will be preceded at 7 p.m. by the Planning Board's 2012 Reorganization Meeting.

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The Green Village application on the agenda:
GREEN VILLAGE – File #11-PB-11-SR (previously referenced as 11-PB-11-MJFSR) – Block 141, Lot 30 – Route 206 North. (AMENDED Application) Applicant requesting Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to develop the subject property containing 50.0016 acres with 469 apartments, of which 352 units will be market rate and 117 units will meet the Township’s affordable housing obligation. A clubhouse with recreational amenities, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a 130 room extended stay executive suites hotel in the GV District. The Planner Report dated 09-19-11 finds the following ‘c’ Bulk Variances: tree removal (31% allowed: 75.44% proposed); encroachment into buffer area (Building #34) for currently proposed trash area; Sign Waiver; and Fence (height) Waiver. The Applicant is requesting an Economic Hardship Waiver for tree mitigation for property in the GV District (previous request for major preliminary and final subdivision has been withdrawn). (EC Review: 09-26-11). Carried from December 01,2011 without further notice.

Before hearing the application the Board has an executive session listed on the agenda:"...RE: Green Village – File #11-PB-11-SR - The Board will convene to discuss potential litigation and attorney-client privilege matters."

This evening's agenda also includes an application for a medical transportation company at 330 Roycefield Road and a PSE&G Sunnymead Road substation easement.
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To view this evening's PB agenda go here.

To view the HNJJ's previous post on the Green Village application go here.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Hillsborough Committee Reorganization 2012

The Hillsborough Township Committee Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday evening.

Girl Scout Troop 60748 presented the Colors, Major Jon Lapidow led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Reverend Timothy Wolf gave the invocation...

State Senator Christopher Bateman swore in re-elected Committee Member Gloria McCauley and new Committee Member Douglas Tomson. The Township Committee chose member Carl Suraci as Mayor and member Gloria McCauley as Deputy Mayor...


Audience members and participants included Representative Leonard Lance, Somerset County Freeholders Mark Caliguire and Robert Zaborowski, former Township Administrator Kevin Davis, former Committeeman Anthony Ferrera, and Joan Biondi...


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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year's Day 2012

For the next year, some words of wisdom from another Mama Cass Elliot performance: Make your Own Kind of Music...

Nobody can tell ya
There's only one song worth singing
They may try and sell ya
Cause it hangs them up to see someone like you

But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along

You're gonna be nowhere
The loneliest kind of lonely
It may be rough going
Just to do your thing's the hardest thing to do

But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along

So if you cannot take my hand
And if you must be going
I will understand

You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along

You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music