VOL. XXXV NO. XI ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY JANUARY 2005

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 February issue is Monday, February 14, 2005. Since it is our policy that The Rocky Hill Gazette be non-profit, we are happy to accept your sponsorship of $35.00 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

AMBOY NATIONAL BANK.

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

JANUARY

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

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

26 Wednesday School Board – Schoolhouse, 7 PM (also Feb. 23)

27 Thursday Municipal Court – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also Feb. 24)

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

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

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

FEBRUARY

2 Wednesday Baby Music (ages 0-11 mos.) – Library, 10 AM (also Feb. 16) *

Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4 PM (also Feb. 16) *

76’ers Senior Citizens – Trinity Church, 11 AM

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

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

4 Friday Recycling – curbside, 7 AM (also Feb. 18)

7 Monday Story & Craft (ages 4 – 5) – Library, 10:30 AM (also Feb. 14)

Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

8 Tuesday Planning Board – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

9 Wednesday Trinity Church – Ash Wednesday Service, 12 Noon

11 Friday Library Closed

LaLeche League of Montgomery – Library, 10 AM

12 Saturday Lincoln’s Birthday

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

17 Thursday Montgomery Schools Closed (also Feb. 18 & 21)

21 Monday President’s Day - Library Closed

22 Tuesday Washington’s Birthday

Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

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

Teen Newsletter (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 5 PM *

25 Friday Baby Music (ages 0-11 mos.) – Library, 10 AM *

* PLEASE REGISTER

ROCKY HILL GAZETTE

NEEDED

Reporter and Substitute for:

Planning Board – 2nd Tuesday, 7:30 PM;

School Board – 4th Wednesday, 7 PM (no July & August meetings).

Call D. Hartmann, 921-9217 or P. Lamb 924-2838. If no one volunteers these Boards will not be covered.

POLICY – If your organization wishes to include a flyer with an issue of the Gazette call Doris Hartmann (921-9217) for OK and then you must notify Grace Engelbrecht (921-6602) prior to deadline for that issue. You should also offer to assist in collating that issue of the Gazette

The Gazette will print no anonymous letters sent to it. Your letter must be signed and include your telephone number. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters where necessary and prints only advertisements from children and senior citizens.

FIRE HYDRANTS – Please dig out when necessary so that the Fire Department will not have to hunt for them.

SIDEWALKS – As per Rocky Hill Ordinance snow covered sidewalks should be shoveled for safe walking.

LIST OF ROCKY HILL OFFICIALS – Please save attached list for reference during 2005.

BOROUGH COUNCIL 12/20/2004

Public hearing on Ordinance 17-04 creating an Age Restricted/Traditional Planned Neighborhood (R1-C), to require a greenbelt along Princeton Avenue, a center green within unit development and a pathway to adjacent County Park. Development application must be made one year from date of ordinance and the developer has one year to then seek Planning Board approval. Resident questioned the location of the access road on Princeton Avenue, citing concern that it is located on the curve of the road. Resident raised concern with the timeline of the process used to create this ordinance and the ten foot setback allowed along the Crescent Avenue properties. Resident questioned why open space was preserved along Princeton Avenue and no concern for rear of properties on Crescent Avenue. Two additional residents expressed concern that this maintaining of open space along Princeton Avenue was at the expense of Crescent Avenue properties. Resident questioned who potential developer would be (David Schafer?) and whether this application could be turned down by Planning Board (Planning Board must adhere to bulk requirements). Planning Board member stated that this ordinance as presented does not reflect efforts of the Planning Board. Planning Board Chair Susan Bristol stated that the development of this ordinance was the reverse of normal procedure, meaning that the writing of Ordinance 17-04 preceded Master Plan changes. Mayor Nolan stated that the Planning Board had been an integral part of the process for developing this ordinance and he does not anticipate the development will be a burden to the community. Resident questioned height restrictions of development stating that in some zoning there are ratios between heights allowed and setbacks required. Resident stated that the process of bringing this ordinance forward feels too fast. Resident questioned the merits of the threatened litigation, which prompted this settlement. Resident urged Council to consider the long term view imposed by this settlement. Residents urged Council to make sure this agreement is airtight. Resident stated that it would ease minds if the setback along Crescent Avenue was increased. Council stated that if the development meets zoning requirements the Planning Board would have to grant approval of the application.

Council passed Ordinance 17-04 unanimously.

Mayor Nolan will meet with Montgomery Mayor Louise Wilson to discuss upgrading emergency dispatch equipment. Rocky Hill will share these costs.

Borough received grant money to install sidewalks along Princeton Avenue. If development approved for Schafer tract they will install sidewalks from STOP signs to entrance to County Park.

Residents applauded Martin Engelbrecht’s service to the Council.

BOROUGH COUNCIL 1/3/2005

The Borough concluded the last meeting of December 2004 and Mayor Nolan thanked Martin Engelbrecht for his many years as a Council member.

The reorganization meeting started with the swearing in of Councilmember Richard Batchelder and new member Jared Witt. In lieu of recapping the previous year accomplishments, Mayor Nolan reviewed the “Somerset County Earthquake Appeal” to aid Tsunami victims. The Borough appointments were approved by Council. George Morren was elected Borough Council President.

At the regular meeting the Borough Engineer provided status on a series of projects: 1) Storm Water Management; 2) moving the speed bump signs on Montgomery Avenue; 3) evaluating the posts next to the speed bumps on Montgomery Avenue to determine why they are being knocked down and 4) to determine if money from the DOT budget can be used to fix the drainage problem on Montgomery Avenue.

Mayor Nolan noted that the South Bound Brook policing contract is up in February and will need to be renewed.

NOTE

Dog and Cat License Applications are available on Borough Web Site. – www.rockyhill-nj.gov

PLANNING BOARD – 12/14/2004

Absent: Hasser

During the opening announcement, Chair Susan Bristol announced that this would be her final meeting and that she would not seek re-appointment to the Board. She expressed her gratitude to the Board for all their hard work in a difficult year.

A hearing was held on the Master Plan. Specifically, The Board reviewed changes in the land use plan pertaining to the Schafer tract. The original draft outlined three development options. A fourth option based on the negotiations between Mr. Schafer and the Borough will be added. This option will allow 17 age-restricted duplexes (34 total housing units of approximately 3500 square feet each) to be built. Guidelines for the development including placement, design and massing were introduced as well. Several residents expressed concerns about the placement of access roads to the development. The Board clarified that the final location of any access roads would not be determined until an actual site plan was available. The Board agreed to update the illustrations in the Master Plan to better represent the existing property lines and the setback along Princeton Avenue. Several residents also expressed concern that the size of the duplexes was too large and out of character with the rest of Rocky Hill. A motion to accept the changes was passed with abstentions by Thomas Roshetar and Susan Bristol.

The Board reviewed the zoning ordinance for the Schafer tract to insure it was consistent with the Master Plan. Members Philip Hayden, Jeanette Muser, John Yuchmow and Chair Susan Bristol expressed concerns over the additional COAH obligations that will be generated by the proposed development. A motion to recommend that the Borough Council adopt the ordinance passed with Ms. Muser, Mr. Roshetar and Ms. Bristol voting no.

A preservation plan concept review was held for 131 Washington Street. The owner would like to convert the structure to two one-bedroom apartments from the present one apartment. The Board expressed concerns about lot coverage, parking and conversion from a single family residence to a two family residence.

PLANNING BOARD – 1/11/2005

New Members Robert Ayrey, Glenn Oakley, Charles Pihokken and Andrew Youtz were sworn in. Mr. Pihokken was elected Board Chair. His goals for 2005 will be improving documentation and improving the planning process and experience for residents.

The Board re-appointed Susan Kimball as Planner for the Board and appointed Valerie Bolleimer as the new Attorney for the Board.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Sean Patrick Wert, born 12/18/2004, to Jeannie and Sean Wert. Happy Grandparents are Mei-Mei and Bob Morris.

Carolyn and Steven Fischer became parents of a baby girl on December 30th.

Raymond S. Agar, son of Nan Agar, died suddenly in Rocky Hill on November 23rd. He had previously lived on Nantucket. Our sympathy is expressed to his mother.

James Leuper died on January 3rd. He was the son of Fred Leuper Sr. and the late Mary E. Leuper. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, a sister and three brothers. He had lived in this area most of his life. Our deepest sympathy is expressed to his family.

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY

The move to a new area of the Library has been postponed until possibly the middle of February. The Library will have to be closed for a while to get things back on the shelves. We’ll let everyone know as soon as it happens.