VOL. XXXVI NO. IV ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY JUNE 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. 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

STEVENS & LEE, P.C.

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

LAST ISSUE

June 2005 will be the final issue of the Gazette. The Rocky Hill Gazette was started in 1970, because getting news about what was happening in the Council and Board meetings was difficult. There was no “Sunshine Law.” The Council met in the old borough hall (now 7 Princeton Avenue), but many of the Boards met in private homes where the records were kept.

The first issue was published in March 1970 to disseminate what had happened at these meetings to the residents. A collection from those present paid for the printing cost. It was incorporated as a “nonprofit monthly newspaper to the residents of Rocky Hill and the surrounding area. The paper is supported solely by contributions which cover printing costs only. There is no solicitation for advertisements for the paper.”

Over the years, the Gazette has had many sponsors, reporters, circulation directors and deliverers, and typists/word processors. Thank you to all of them. A special thank you to LaVerne Hebert of LDH Printing for coming to the Gazette’s rescue on many occasions. The Gazette’s records will not be lost as the Mary Jacobs Library has agreed to keep them.

GAZETTE CALENDAR

JUNE

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

Training for Book Buddies (grades 7 – 12) – Library, 10:30 AM *

Story & Craft (ages 4 – 5) – Library, 4 PM *

28 Tuesday Toddler Sing (ages 1 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM (also July 5, 12, 19, Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) *

Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 12:00 Noon (every Tuesday)

Story, Craft & Movement (ages 4 – 6) – Library, 1:30 PM (also July 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug 2, 9, 16) *

Adult Book Discussion – Library, 7:30 PM *

29 Wednesday Cat’s Pajamas Music Program (all ages) – Library 7:00 PM *

30 Thursday Chess – Library, 10:30 AM *

Teen Newsletter (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 4:30 PM (also July 28, Aug 25) *

Al-Anon Family Groups – First Reformed Church, 8:00 PM (every Thursday)

JULY

1 Friday Baby Music (ages 0 – 24 mos) – Library, 10:00 AM (also July 8, 15, 29, Aug 12, 19, 26) *

Sing Along (ages 1 – 3) – Library, 11:30 AM (also July 22) *

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

2 Saturday Library Summer Saturday Hours – 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

July 4th Parade – See flyer in May Gazette

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

4 Monday Independence Day – Library closed

6 Wednesday Party – Animals – Petting Zoo (all ages) – Library, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM *

Chess (Grades 2 – 8) – Library, 4:00 PM (also July 20, Aug 3) *

7 Thursday Rain Date for Petting Zoo

YA Galley (grades 6 – 12) – Library, 4:30 PM (also Aug 4) *

8 Friday Recycling curbside 7:00 AM (also July 22, Aug 5, 19)

La Leche League of Montgomery – Library 10:00 AM (also Aug 12)

Royal Crafts (ages 4 – 6) – Library, 1:00 PM (also July 29, Aug 12) *

11 Monday Book Buddies – Story & Craft (ages 4 - 5) – Library, 10:30 AM (also Aug 15, 22, 29) *

12 Tuesday Anime Workshop (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 6:30 PM *

Planning Board – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also Aug 9)

13 Wednesday Teen Scrapbooking (grades 6 – 12) – Library, 2 PM *

Roundtable Garden Tips (adults) – Library, 7:30 PM *

14 Thursday Toddler Craft (ages 2 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM (also Aug 18) *

Silk Screening (grades 6 – 12) – Library, 3:30 PM *

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

18 Monday Tuckers Puppets (ages 3 & up) – Library, 10:00 AM *

Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

20 Wednesday Juggling Workshop (ages 6 & up) – Library, 10:30 AM *

21 Thursday Toddler Stories (ages 2 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM (also Aug 11) *

27 Wednesday Live Animal Program (ages 5 & up) – Library, 10:30 AM *

Teen Murder Mystery (grades 6 – 12) – Library, 4:00 PM *

28 Thursday Guitar Bob (all ages) – Library, 10:30 AM *

AUGUST

3 Wednesday Animal Coverings (ages 5 & up) – Library, 10:30 AM *

4 Thursday World Music (all ages) – Library, 10:30 AM *

8 Monday 75th Anniversary Story & Craft (ages 4 – 5) – Library, 10:30 AM *

Teen Murder Mystery (grades 6 – 12) – Library, 4:00 PM

11 Thursday Soapmaking (grades 6 & up) – Library, 4:00 PM *

13 Saturday End of Summer Reading Club

Sing Along (all ages) – Library, 10:30 AM *

15 Monday Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

17 Wednesday Chess (grades 2 – 8) – Library, 10:30 AM *

26 Friday Teen Pizza Party (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 5:30 PM *

* PLEASE REGISTER

BOROUGH COUNCIL - 06/06/2005

Absent: C. Hallman, P. Harris

Mayor Nolan read a statement concerning the rezoning of the Shaffer tract.

The Treasurer of the Rocky Hill Community Group asked for $500 for the July 2nd picnic – to cover the cost of ice cream and entertainment.

The County Park project is 40% complete. The soccer and baseball fields are almost in. The park is still considered a construction zone and is targeted for a Fall opening.

The Rocky Hill Inn liquor license was approved. The owner will research to determine whether their permit allows the restaurant to serve alcohol and food on the front porch.

Residents complained that the Rocky Hill Pub was preparing to serve food and liquor in an area in front of the restaurant. The proprietors will comply with the following restrictions: no outside dining; enforce that liquor will not be consumed outside, and adhere to the zoning restrictions of the Planning Board.

Summer tennis camp will begin on June 24th and be for 2 hours per week.

BOROUGH COUNCIL -- 06/20/2005

Council memorialized the resolution for renewal of the Rocky Hill Pub’s license, with additional conditions of no outside dining and no on-site consumption of liquor sold for off-site consumption.

Lt. Devlin of the State Police reported that eight new troopers have been added and will soon be patrolling. Councilman George Morren inquired about the possibility of a substation closer to Rocky Hill. Lt. Devlin spoke of the need for computer lines and telephones. She will arrange for a State Police technical expert to contact Councilman Ed Zimmerman with details of the equipment needed.

Council plans to hold a Fall Appreciation Day, honoring emergency services volunteers, to be held at Panicaro Park. Council member Peggy Harris will form a committee to plan the event.

Because residents have been asking for shade at the playground, Council will be building a 25-foot octagonal pavilion, paid for through a grant, behind the Borough Hall. There will be picnic tables in the pavilion, and it will be made of wood with a shingled roof. Cliff Moore suggested a memorial walk at the playground, where bricks could be purchased to commemorate residents. The Recreation Committee is considering this.

Jeanette Muser presented to Council a proposed resolution concerning the Council’s commitment to the importance of preserving, maintaining, and interpreting the historic Amy Garrett House and the community archives/museum materials for the village of Rocky Hill. The proposal included statements that Council would pursue the means to keep historic assets in Rocky Hill, if the Rocky Hill Community Group should dissolve. The Council would encourage various constituencies to participate in a strategic planning initiative for managing, preserving, and interpreting local historical resources. Constance Grieff, a RHCH board member, said that the group’s priority at present was to renovate the building and that plans include a climate-controlled environment for archives. They have a professional archivist who will organize the material once the building is done. Susan Bristol suggested that Council should play a role in supporting and promoting Rocky Hill’s heritage and noted that many towns have Historic Commissions as a part of town government. Mayor Brian Nolan expressed Council’s support of the Community Group and Ms. Muser in their historic preservation efforts. Council decided that since the Rocky Hill Community Group owns the historical material, the trustees of the group would need to be involved in the request for the resolution. Council is willing to store some material in the Borough Hall while the Community Group House is undergoing renovation.

PRIMARY ELECTION

Governor

Republican

Schundler – 36, Forrester – 32, Lonegan – 10, Murphy – 6, Caliguire – 5, Schroeder – 2, DiGaetano – 1

Democrat

Corzine – 14, Tenaglio – 2, Kelly – 1

Borough Council

*Nominated

Republican

*Brian Griner – 75, *Eileen Uhrik – 74

Democrat

Bill O’Brien – 2 (write-in)

PLANNING BOARD – 06/14/2005

No Reporter

SCHOOL BOARD – 05/25/2005

No Reporter

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Josh and Gretchen Mezrich became parents of Sarah Abigail on June 4 in Madison, Wisconsin. First time grandparents are Molly and Reuben Mezrich.

Congratulations to Dr. William Hallman of Montgomery Ave. Bill was recently promoted to full professor at Rutgers University. He also received a 2 million dollar grant from the USDA to study agri-terrorism and will become the director of the Food Policy Institute.

Congratulations to Richard D. Smith who recently had a new book, “Princeton University,” published. This discusses the history of the school from its colonial beginnings to present day. He is an historical researcher in Princeton and a program administrator in Princeton University’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

In May, Stephanie Engelbrecht was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Stephanie has recently returned from Paris where she studied music and art history at the Sorbonne. She will be returning to the George Washington University in the fall where she will complete her senior year.

Our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Fred Leuper who is in Princeton Hospital.

Todd Hunter of Toth Lane graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He was a Presidential Scholar and received the Senior Williams Writing Prize in Business and Economics. Todd graduated from Montgomery High School in 2001.

Matthew Robert was born to Andy and Anh Youtz on May 26 at St. Peter’s Hospital. Congratulations!

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY

The summer reading club is very active – lots of reading being done – fun programs – great prizes.

We’re still hoping that construction will be finished by the end of summer.

WEB SITES - SAVE

Borough of Rocky Hill

www.rockyhill-nj.gov

Mary Jacobs Library

www.somersetlib.nj.us

First Reformed Church

www.RockyHillChurch.com

Trinity Church

www.TrinityRockyHill.org