VOL. XXXII NO. X ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY DECEMBER 2001

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 January issue is Monday, January 14, 2002. 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 of 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. Visit The Rocky Hill Gazette online at: www.rockyhillgazette.com

This month’s issue is sponsored by

VALLEY OIL, INC.

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

DECEMBER

17 Monday Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also Jan. 7, 7 PM)

Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4:30 PM (also Jan. 7, 14, 21) *

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

Story, Craft & Movement (ages 4 & 5) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Jan. 7, 14, 21) *

18 Tuesday Folktale Puppets (grades K – 3) – Library, 4 PM *

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

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

19 Wednesday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23) *

Stories (ages 4 & 5) - Library, 1:30 PM (also Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23) *

Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4:30 PM (also Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23) *

School Board - Schoolhouse, 7 PM (also Jan. 23)

20 Thursday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24) *

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

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

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

24 Monday Mother of God Orthodox Church - Caroling, 6:30 - 7 PM & Nativity Matins 7 PM.

Montgomery Schools Closed through 1-1-02

Library Closed (also Dec. 25, 31, Jan.1)

Trinity Church - Family Service Carols, 7:30 PM; Holy Eucharist, 9:30 PM

First Reformed Church - Candlelight Services, 7 PM and 10 PM

25 Tuesday Christmas Day

Trinity Church - Holy Eucharist, 10:30 AM

26 Wednesday Teen Craft (grades 6 - 12) - Library, 4:30 PM *

27 Thursday Youth Stages (ages 4 - 6) - Library, 10 AM *

Youth Stages (ages 7 - 9) - Library, 11 AM *

Book Rap (grades 5 - 8) - Library, 4:30 PM *

Municipal Court - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also Jan,24)

28 Friday Recycling - curbside 7 AM (also Jan. 11, 25)

JANUARY

1 Tuesday New Year’s Day

2 Wednesday 76’ers Senior Citizens - Trinity Church, 11 AM

8 Tuesday Toddler Stories (ages 2 & 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Jan. 15, 22) *

Planning Board - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

Kids Only (grades K - 2) - Library, 4 PM (also Jan. 15, 22 *

11 Friday LaLeche League of Montgomery - Library, 10 AM

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

21 Monday Martin Luther King Day

Montgomery Schools Closed

22 Tuesday Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

* PLEASE REGISTER

BOROUGH COUNCIL - 11/19/01

Absent: A. Robotti

In special business, Council passed an ordinance to purchase a rescue vessel by the First Aid Squad.

Council passed a resolution to award a contract to codify the Rocky Hill Borough ordinances. Mayor Nolan and George Morren will meet with members of the Rocky Hill Emergency Services and the Montgomery Township District #2 to try to work out the differences in the two municipalities Knox Box Ordinances. Mr. Kevin Cann will have recreation survey forms available.

Mayor Nolan will nominate LaVerne Hebert for the Somerset County Outstanding Women Award. People are asked to send letters of support.

The Fire Company hopes to expand their building. It owns a parcel of land on Crescent Avenue, which the Borough may consider purchasing for open space to help fund the expansion. Messrs. Nolan, Morren and Batchelder will meet with members of the Fire company to discuss the issues.

Mr. Batchelder said there will be a meeting with Montgomery Township regarding recreation on the Schafer Tract.

Mr. Engelbrecht said he is against the curve removal project along River Road and believes the road should remain as it is. Dave Staph, Borough Engineer, will appear at next Council meeting with plans for the road work.

BOROUGH COUNCIL - 12/3/01

Absent: B. Merritt

Several Council members are concerned with the the County’s plans to alter the course of River Road. Dave Staph reported he had studied letters Council had sent to the County when the project was considered in the past. He said the current plan addresses Rocky Hill concerns in past years. R. Batchelder said we must insist that Blue Spring Road be used as the detour while work is in progress. Montgomery must remove the “No Outlet signs” at both ends of the road and signs should direct all traffic to use that road. Mr. Engelbrecht is concerned that, if River Road is completely straight, drivers will speed onto Crescent Avenue. Several Councilmen agreed, but Charles Pihokken said the County had more experience planning roads and we should look carefully at County plans. Mr. Staph will continue to work on the plans for this road work.

Work will begin on replacing the sewer line on Merritt Lane January 2. When Council expressed concerns because of winter weather, Mr. Staph pointed out the finished road will be smoother if the area disturbed by digging the trench has time to settle before paving begins in the spring. Council is considering replacing the water main also before paving.

Council discussed the proposed changes in street lighting in town. While historic fixtures may be too expensive; existing fixtures will be replaced with one of the three examples on display in town..

Brad Merritt will be installed as the President of the Somerset County Governing Officials Association.

The reorganization meeting will be January 7.

Residents are asked to call Public Service to report street lights that are out. A metal tag on the pole identifies the lights for the company.

PLANNING BOARD - 11/13/01

Absent: Harris, Nolan, Pihokken, Roshetar, Whitlock.

Verizon received approval for a natural gas-powered emergency generator for its cellular telephone equipment at the water tower.

Peter Morgan received an informal review of his plans to convert Lyric Hall into offices for his architectural practice.

There will be a public hearing on the new Master Plan at the next Board meeting Tuesday, December 11, at 7:30 PM in Borough Hall.

BOARD OF HEALTH – DECEMBER 10, 2001

No report.

SCHOOL BOARD - NOVEMBER 28, 2001

No report.

Reporters Needed!!! Call Doris Hartmann 921-9217.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF ROCKY HILL

Christmas Eve Services - There will be two candlelight services; the family service at 7:00 PM and at 10:00 PM, led by the Choir.

MOTHER OF GOD ORTHODOX CHURCH

There will be caroling from 6:30 PM to 7 PM and Nativity Matins at 7 PM on Christmas Eve. All are welcome. Questions? Call Father John Cassar, (609) 430-464 or (718) 752-5632.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Linda Houghton’s prize winning quilt, “Golden Double Wedding Ring”, was chosen to be included in the book “Encyclopedia of Classic Quilt Patterns”.

A baby daughter was born on November 13th to Cary and Gary Lovering. She has been named Samantha Lynne and joins big sister Caroline. Happy grandparents are Anita and John Pettibone.

Victoria Rose was born on October 12th to Peggy and Fred Gladstone First time grandparents are Peggy and Brad Merritt.

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY

Remember the “Mary Jacobs Library Building Fund”.

The Staff of the Mary Jacobs Library wishes all of our many friends a very Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy, Happy New Year.

ROCKY HILL GAZETTE

Happy Holidays to all our readers, contributors and sponsors. Special thanks to our word processor Fred Leuper and our printer LaVerne Hebert. Thanks also to our circulation manager, Grace Engelbrecht, and all our volunteers. Our sponsors were; Kathy and Bill McCurry; Ambrose National Bank; Engelbrecht Organization; Santa Fe Grill; William B. Megill, D.D.S., N.D.; Kingston Animal Hospital; Smith, Stratton, Wise, Heher &Brennan; Peppi’s Custom Hair Design; T.E.L. Business Supplies; Rocky Hill Community Group; Kimble Funeral Home; Alfred H. Merritt Agency; and Valley Oil, Inc.

Thank you one and all and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Doris Hartmann