VOL. XXXIII NO. XII ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY FEBRUARY 2003

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 17, 2003. Since it is our policy that The Rocky Hill Gazette be non-profit, we are happy to accept your sponsorship of $45.00 or contribution in any amount up to the limit of our printing costs. Individuals living outside of Rocky Hill who wish a copy might 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

OFFICE LINKS.COM

EMERGENCY - POLICE * FIRE * MEDICAL 911

Police Non-Emergency - (609) 882-7999

Borough Hall 924-7445 Wednesday 3:30 -6 PM - Animal Control (732) 329-4000 Day; (732) 329-4646 Night/Weekend

GAZETTE CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

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

Story & Craft (ages 4 & 5) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24) *

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

Adult Book Discussion Group - Library, 7:30 PM (also Mar. 25) *

Toddler Story (ages 2 & 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 18) *

Kids Only (grades 5 - 7) - Library, 4 PM (also Mar. 18, 25) *

26 Wednesday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26) *

Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4 PM (also Mar. 26) *

School Board - Schoolhouse, 7 PM (also Mar. 26)

27 Thursday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27) *

Municipal Court - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also Mar. 27)

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

28 Friday Teen Game Night (grades 6 &up) - Library, 6:45 PM *

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

MARCH

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

3 Monday Teen Newsletter (grades 6 - 12) - Library, 5 PM *

Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

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

Chess Tournament (experienced players grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4 PM (also Mar. 19) *

6 Thursday Trinity Church - Evening Prayer 6:30 PM, Supper after (also Mar. 13, 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10)

7 Friday Recycling - curbside 7 AM (also Mar. 21)

11 Tuesday Planning Board - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

14 Friday LaLeche League of Montgomery - Library, 10 AM

15 Saturday Saturday Sing (ages 1 - 4) - Library, 10:30 AM *

Open House - Rocky Hill Nursery School - 10 AM - 12 Noon, Information 924-9521

17 Monday Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

18 Tuesday Teen Book Discussion (grades 6 - 12) - Library, 5 PM *

Gazette Editorial Meeting - Library, 7:30 PM

22 Saturday Saturday Stories (ages 4 - 6) - Library, 10:30 AM *

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

29 Saturday Lasagna Dinner - First Reformed Church, 5 - * PM

* PLEASE REGISTER

BOROUGH COUNCIL 01/21/2003

Absent: C. Pihokken

Alan Querec and George Fowler presented the yearly re-port on the town’s emergency services. Active Fire Company members take required classes and must respond to 60 % of fires and drills. The Fire Company serves as a Fireman’s Assis-tance Team for Princeton and Hopewell. The members of this team render aid to firemen in trouble and must have additional training. A mutual aid agreement with Blawenburg Fire Com-pany benefits the town, since it is not always possible to have a full complement of Rocky Hill firemen.

Mr. Querec discussed lock boxes, in which a key is kept in a box on the exterior of a residence or a business. Firemen would be able to open the box and use the key to enter the building. The Fire Company also needs more airpacks for firemen. Mr. Querec asked for an increase in funding from $16,500 to $20,000.

The First Aid Squad responded to 88 calls in 2002. They have 22 members, of whom 12 are active. They work closely with the Fire Department and go on every fire call. The First Aid Squad members must have a minimum of 24 hours training for each member every three years. The 1975 ambulance is the oldest registered ambulance in NJ, and Mr. Fowler noted the need for a replacement.

Ted Merritt recommended that the death benefit for First Aid Squad members, currently $75,000, should be equal to the $250,000 benefit for Fire Company members. The increase in cost for $200,000 for all emergency personnel would be $1,165 per year. If the coverage were $250,000 the increase would be $2,775.

BOROUGH COUNCIL 02/03/2003

A Rocky Hill resident wanted to know if the Mayor’s 2003 Advisory Subcommittees would be open to the public. The town’s Attorney will review recent legislation to determine if the meetings are required to be open to the public.

The 2003 budget should be available by the next Council meeting. It is expected to include an increase of $195K for water usage, which will pay for the new sewers installed on Merritt, Lemore and Toth. The Municipal tax rate is expected to remain the same.

A resolution passed that no Manager of Public Works is required for Rocky Hill.

Residents should note that the handling of 911 calls from cell phones is different from those placed over land lines. It is difficult for the 911 Operator to determine the origin, or street address, of an emergency call placed from a cell phone. RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO MAKE 911 EMERGENCY CALLS USING A LAND LINE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

NOTE! 911 is for EMERGENCY calls only.

PLANNING BOARD 02/11/2003

Absent: C. Cann, P. Harris

Hearings were continued on George White’s application to create an accessory apartment at 49 Washington Street. It was approved.

Outerbridge Morgan Architects presented amended plans for the preservation of Lyric Hall as their offices. These were approved with an additional requirement of a three foot ever-green hedge around the parking area.

Adjustments were made to the fence ordinance. It will be presented to the Borough Council.

SCHOOL BOARD 01/22/2003

Absent: Seither, Boisnier

The School Board voted to look into how they might im-plement the Home Safe Program in Rocky Hill. Home Safe is a program that ensures that children have a home to go to in the event of an emergency, such as school closing early due to snow, etc.

High School and Middle School parents can now access their children’s grades and home work on line. Call the school office for details.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF ROCKY HILL

Beginning this Thursday, February 20th, a weekly Prayer Meeting will be held in Fellowship Hall from 7:30 - 8:15 PM. Everyone is welcome.

Lasagna Dinner and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, March 29th from 5 PM to 8 PM. Children, 5 - 12, $6; Adults $10. Take-outs and deliveries will be available. For informa-tion call (609) 924-6450 or see Barb Whitlock.

TRINITY CHURCH

There will be two Ash Wednesday Services; one at 11 AM and the other at 7 PM.

Thursdays in Lent (March 6th - April 10th) there will be evening prayer at 6:30 PM followed by supper. All are wel-come.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Welcome to new neighbors, Jared and Kristine, and daughter, Sarah Witt at 19 Montgomery Avenue.

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Edward Fischer, who died at the Medical Center at Princeton on Janu-ary 27th. The Fischers have lived in Rocky Hill for several years. Judith Oakley, a daughter of the Fischers, and her family live on Merritt Lane.

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY

A collection of Indian Artifacts is on display at the Library. This collection is unique in the fact that all of these things were found in the Rocky Hill area.

If anyone has something to share for a future exhibit, please contact the Library staff or call 924-7073.