VOL. XXXV NO. VIII ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY OCTOBER 2004

The Rocky Hill Gazette The Rocky 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 November issue is Monday, November 15, 2004. 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

KIMBLE FUNERAL HOME

EMERGENCY - POLICE * FIRE * MEDICAL 911

Police Non-Emergency - (609) 584-5000 Ext. 5297

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

GAZETTE CALENDAR

OCTOBER

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

Story & Craft (ages 4 & 5) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Nov. 1, 15) *

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

Adult Book Discussion – Library, 7:30 PM

27 Wednesday School Board – Schoolhouse, 7 PM (also Nov. 17)

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

Toddler Stories (ages 2 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM (also Nov. 4) *

Teen Newsletter (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 5 PM * (also Nov. 18) *

Municipal Court – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

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

Recycling – curbside, 7 AM (also Nov. 12, 26)

Halloween Party (ages 1 – 4) – Princeton Yoga Center, 11 AM *

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

Halloween

Daylight Saving Ends, 2 AM

NOVEMBER

1 Monday Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

Leaf Pick-Up (also Nov. 8, 15, 22, FINAL Dec. 6)

2 Tuesday Election Day – Fire House, 6 A.M. – 8 PM

Library Closed

3 Wednesday 76’ers Senior Citizens – Trinity Church, 11 AM

4 Thursday Montgomery Schools Closed (also Nov. 5)

YA Galley Preliminary Meeting (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 5 PM *

5 Friday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 1 PM (also Nov. 12, 19) *

7 Sunday Organ Concert by Michael Majeski – First Reformed Church, 4 PM

9 Tuesday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Nov. 16, 23) *

Planning Board – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

11 Thursday Veterans Day – Library Closed

12 Friday LaLeche League of Montgomery – Library, 10 AM

13 Saturday Saturday Sing (ages 1 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM *

15 Monday Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

16 Tuesday Gazette Editorial Meeting – Library, 7:30 PM

17 Wednesday Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4 PM *

18 Thursday Toddler Craft (ages 2 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM & 11 AM *

19 Friday Southern Living Demonstration – 7:30 PM Call P. Querec 924-8718 or

B. Whitlock 924-4062 for information

20 Saturday Puppet Show (ages 4 & up) – Princeton Center for Yoga, 5 PM *

24 Wednesday Library Closes at 5 PM

25 Thursday Thanksgiving Day

Library and Montgomery Schools closed (also Nov. 26)

* PLEASE REGISTER

GAZETTE

Crescent Avenue deliverers and substitutes will be needed starting in November. Call D. Hartmann, 921-9217 or P. Lamb, 924-2838 to volunteer. If there are no volunteers the Gazette will have to be picked up at the Library. If you do not get your Gazette this month extra copies will be at the Library.

BOROUGH COUNCIL _ 10/4/2004

The Engineer announced that the speed tables will be installed by the end of the month. Rain shields will be installed on the manholes on Toth Lane. The Borough has accepted a bid for leaf pickup.

The School Board representative announced that the Montgomery schools are operating at 30% over capacity. School buses have to run on a two tier system. Some parents have complained that their children have long ride times, very early or late pickups, but nothing can be done for this year.

The Council is considering a $150 “reconnect” fine for false alarms of home or business systems after a third incident.

The name of the new park will be revealed after an official letter is sent from the Freeholders. Two possibilities were suggested by town residents.

The Council adjourned to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation.

BOROUGH COUNCIL 10/18/2004

Absent: R. Batchelder, P. Harris

Council introduced Ordinance 14-04 which will authorize renewal of the Rocky Hill cable TV contract with Patriot Media. As a courtesy, Patriot will be providing cable TV and high speed cable modem to the Borough Hall, Library, First Aid Squad and the Fire Company. This is a fifteen year agreement. Public hearing and final adoption will be on 11/15.

Borough Prosecutor Chris Bateman is stepping down and has recommended Ray Stein to succeed him.

Fall Leaf Collection Dates: November 1, 8, 15, 22; in addition, a last and final collection will be on December 6. Residents are reminded not to mix twigs and branches in with leaves and not to block sewer drains with leaves.

Council formally expressed condolences to the families of David Oakley and Jay MacMillan who died recently.

Council will arrange for the Fire Company to monitor crosswalks during Halloween. Residents are reminded that Halloween is the first night of standard time and on Sunday, so trick or treaters might be out earlier than usual.

Councilmember Hallman asked for clarification of the financial impact of the South Bound Brook policing efforts. The revenue raised from ticketing is split 50/50 between Rocky Hill and South Bound Brook. Rocky Hill is currently close to breaking even, covering the monthly fee of $2700. The program is not designed to produce revenue for the Borough.

PLANNING BOARD – 10/12/2004

Executive session only.

SCHOOL BOARD – 10/27/2004

No reporter.

LADIES AUXILIARY OF THE R. H. FIRE DEPARTMENT

A “Southern Living Demonstration” will be held at the home of Peggy Querec, 187 Washington Street, on November 19th at 7:30 PM. Handicrafts, jewelry, Christmas gifts and many other items will be sold to raise money for the Fire Department. Please call Peggy, 924-8718, or Barb Whitlock, 924-9062 by November 16th if you plan to attend, or have any questions.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH

The Turkey Dinner scheduled for November 6th and the flu clinic scheduled for Thursday, October 28th, have been cancelled.

Michael Majeski, Church Organist, will give an organ concert on Sunday, November 7th, at 4 PM.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Annabelle McFarlan Rose was born to Alexandra and Jim Rose on September 6th in Virginia Beach. Diane Percevalt-Rose is a very happy grandmother.

The correct mailing address for Bill Moore, who is serving with the Marine Corp in Iraq, is LCPL Moore, W.C; 1st Bn, 8th Mar Div; C Co; Unit 73195; FPO AE 09509-3195. He would love to hear from his Rocky Hill friends.

Pearl Hixson, a former resident of Rocky Hill, recently died in Moorestown, NJ. She is survived by her husband, Richard, who was a former Mayor of Rocky Hill. Our sincere sympathy is extended to him and their family.

David Charles Oakley of Merritt Lane died suddenly on October 8th Our deepest sympathy is expressed to his wife, Judy, their children and their families. David and Judy have been very active in Rocky Hill and he will be missed greatly.

Jay MacMillan died very suddenly on October 11th. He had lived in Rocky Hill for 35 years and was a great friend to all. He had been very involved in Rocky Hill activities. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, Jacki, and their families.