VOL. XXX NO. XII ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY FEBRUARY 2000

The Rocky Hill Gazette welcomes your comments and will publish items of social, civic and governmental interest to our readers. News articles and letters may be sent to The Rocky Hill Gazette, 29 Toth Lane, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553. We will endeavor to print all items as received, however, limitations of space on occasion may require some editing on our part. The deadline for the March issue is Monday, March 20, 2000. Since it is our policy that The Rocky Hill Gazette be non-profit, we are happy to accept your sponsorship of $50.00 or contribution in any amount up to the limit of our printing costs. Individuals living outside Rocky Hill who wish a copy may send us a supply of stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelopes, and we will be happy to mail the paper to them.

This month’s issue is sponsored by

WOODSTUFF-UNFINISHED FURNITURE

MONTGOMERY SHOPPING CENTER

EMERGENCY -- POLICE * FIRE * MEDICAL 911

Police Non-Emergency -- (609) 882-7999

Borough Hall 924-7445 Thursday 9-11 am - Animal Control (732) 329-4000 Day; (732) 329-4646 Night/Weekend

GAZETTE CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

21 Monday Library and Montgomery Schools closed

Al-Anon Family Groups - First Reformed Church, 10 AM (every Monday)

22 Tuesday Washington’s Birthday

Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 12 Noon (every Tuesday)

Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

Women's Lunch Bunch - 12:30 PM (call 924-1802 or 921-9217 for reservation)

23 Wednesday Learning E-mail - Library, 2 PM *

School Board - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also March 22)

Toddler Singalong (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) *

Montgomery Mothers of Multiples - Library, 7:30 PM (also Mar. 29)

24 Thursday Toddler Singalong (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) *

Municipal Court - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also Mar. 23)

Al-Anon Family Groups - First Reformed Church, 8 PM (every Thursday)

25 Friday Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 8:30 PM (every Friday)

Recycling - curbside 7 AM (also Mar. 10, 24 )

27 Sunday Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 7:30 PM (every Sunday)

28 Monday Children's Stories (ages 4 & 5) - Library, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM (also Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27) *

29 Tuesday Preschool Story, Craft & Movement (ages 3 ½ - 6 yrs.) - Library, 2 PM (also Mar. 14, 28) *

MARCH

1 Wednesday 76'ers Senior Citizens - Trinity Church - 11 AM

6 Monday Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

7 Tuesday Board of Health - Schoolhouse, 6 PM

Toddler Stories (ages 2 & 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 21, 28) *

Kids Only (grades K - 2) - Library, 4 PM (also Mar. 14, 21, 28) *

8 Wednesday Trinity Church - Ash Wednesday Service, 10:30 AM

Simple Science Fun (ages 6 - 8) - Library, 4 PM *

11 Saturday Simple Science Fun (ages 6 - 8) - Library, 10:30 AM *

13 Monday Rocky Hill Community Group - Community House, Building Maintenance Committee, 7:30 PM

14 Tuesday Planning Board - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

Toddler Crafts (ages 2 & 3) - Library, 10:30 AM, 11 AM*

15 Wednesday Introduction to World Wide Web - Library, 2 PM *

18 Saturday Saturday Singalong (ages 1 - 3) - Library 10:30 AM *

20 Monday Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

21 Tuesday Gazette Editorial Meeting - Library, 7:30 PM

22 Wednesday Searching the Internet - Library, 7:30 PM

28 Tuesday Adult Book Discussion - Library, 7:30 PM *

Women's Lunch Bunch - 12:30 PM (call 924-1802 for reservation)

* PLEASE REGISTER

BOROUGH COUNCIL 2/7/00

Absent: M. Engelbrecht

David Staph, Borough Engineer, reported: 1)No further work has been done for Stonebridge at Montgomery, but they have deposited $5,000 in an escrow account to cover any engi-neering work; 2) AT&T may want to be considered for putting an antenna on the water tower; and 3) Omnipoint will pay for the new roof on the water company building.

Most of the meeting was devoted to an update on the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) report. Susan Kimball, Borough Planner, Gerry Muller, Planning Board Attorney, Ste-ven Weinberg, Borough Housing Administrator, and most mem-bers of the Planning Board were present. COAH has now in-cluded the 15 acres owned by David Schafer in the usable land allotment making the Borough’s obligation 27 units, the same as in 1993. The two group homes (the Eden and proposed ARC homes) mean 10 more units are needed. After much explaining and debating the options, 10 accessory apartments (apartments in homes) was decided as the best way to meet our obligation if funds are available. A resolution to seek funds from the County was passed.

State Trooper Jodi Winger is the new Community Polic-ing Officer and she said that she would be in the Borough several days a week. She reported that there was one attempted bur-glary last month.

Allen Rowles resigned as Electrical Sub-code Official and Al Schroth was appointed to replace him.

Ordinance 1-00 amending the construction fee schedule passed the second reading.

Note: Residents are asked to use salt/sand on sidewalks if the walk becomes slippery or icy after shoveling.

PLANNING BOARD 2/8/00

Absent: Cann

A concept for an addition to the library was discussed. The architects said they will add to the back to keep the build-ing’s current character and will increase parking space which is shared with the community house.

Sean Dineen’s application to cover pine siding on his house at 36 Crescent with vinyl siding was considered. Approval was held in abeyance while it is confirmed that the siding will not overly recess the existing windows.

Planner Susan Kimball reported on the Borough’s nego-tiations with the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). Be-cause COAH will not recognize the Borough’s agreement with the Schafers to exclude their central 15-acre tract from afford-able housing, the Borough’s affordable housing obligation has risen from 8 back to 27 units. Informally polled, the Board fa-vored staying with its original plan and calculation of obligations for now, but perhaps presenting a future combination solution of another group home, accessory apartments and contributions to the regional affordable housing fund.

BOARD OF HEALTH 2/1/00

Absent: Germain, Querec, Morren, Whitlock.

Routine business was discussed.

SCHOOL BOARD 1/26/00

There are two openings for the School Board. Contact Board Secretary Frank Chilson at (201) 768-1922 or (908) 654-0154 for details and petitions. Petitions must be filed by Febru-ary 28.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF ROCKY HILL

“LASAGNA DINNER” is planned for Saturday, April 1st , at the church. Details later.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Adrianna Pentz is a member of the swimming team at the University of Pennsylvania and recently swam on the 2nd place 200 Medley Relay team. She also placed 7th in each of the 100 and 200 Backstroke. Adrianna is the daughter of Vanessa Pentz of Montgomery Avenue

Our sympathy is expressed to Carol and Alfred Robotti for the recent death of Carol’s mother, Anna May Strehlau.

Best wishes to Eleanor Young, who is recuperating at home after recent surgery.

We were sorry to hear of the recent death of Jane Campbell. Jane and Everett and family lived in Rocky Hill for many years before moving to New Bern, NC. Our sincere sym-pathy to Everett and family.

Ebe Metcalf and Molly Pope of Portland, OR plan to be married in June. Ebe is the son of Nancy and Ed Metcalf of Toth Lane.

Brad and Peg Merritt announce the engagement of their daughter, Peggy, to Fred Gladstone of Montgomery Township. A September wedding is planned.

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY

Federal and State tax forms are available at the Library

ROCKY HILL COMMUNITY GROUP

JOIN THE COMMUNITY GROUP NOW. Part of the dues will be used to renovate the Amy Garrett House in preparation for the Tercentennial in 2001.

Book donations for the Annual Book Sale may be deposited in the drop in back of the Amy Garrett House (62 Washing-ton) next to the Mary Jacobs Library.