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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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