VOL. XXXVI NO. I ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY MARCH 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 April issue is Monday, April 18, 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
SANTA FE GRILLE AT THE ROCKY HILL INN

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
MARCH
21 Monday Library Closed March 16 – 26, 2005
Al-Anon Family Groups - First Reformed Church, 10 AM (every Monday)
Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM
22 Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 12 Noon (every Tuesday)
23 Wednesday School Board – Schoolhouse, 7 PM (also April 27)
24 Thursday Al-Anon Family Groups - First Reformed Church, 8 PM (every Thursday)
Municipal Court – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM (also April 28)
Trinity Church – Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30 PM
25 Friday Good Friday – Library Closed
Montgomery Schools Closed through April 1
Trinity Church –Good Friday Service, 11 AM
Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 8:30 PM (every Friday)
26 Saturday Easter Egg-Hunt – Community Group – see February flyer
Trinity Church –Easter Vigil, 8:30 PM
27 Sunday Easter Sunday
Trinity Church –Holy Eucharist, 9:30 AM
28 Monday Library Reopens
29 Tuesday Toddler Sing (ages 1 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM (also April 5, 12, 19) *
Adult Book Discussion – Library, 7:30 PM
31 Thursday Toddler Stories (ages 2 – 3) – Library, 10:30 AM also April 7, 14, 28) *
Teen Newsletter (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 4:30 PM (also April 28) *

APRIL
1 Friday Recycling – curbside, 7 AM (also April 15, 29)
Baby Music (ages 0-11 mos.) – Library, 10 AM (also April 8, 15, 22, 29) *
2 Saturday Lasagna Dinner – First Reformed Church, 5 – 8 PM (see flyer)
3 Sunday Daylight Savings Time Begins – 2 AM
Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 7:30 PM (every Sunday)
4 Monday Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM
6 Wednesday 76’ers Senior Citizens – Trinity Church, 11 AM
Chess (grades 2 – 8) – Library, 4 PM (also April 20) *
8 Friday LaLeche League of Montgomery – Library, 10 AM
11 Monday Story & Craft (ages 4 – 5) – Library, 4 PM (also April 18, 25( *
12 Tuesday Planning Board Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM
14 Thursday YA Galley (grades 5 – 12) – Library, 4:30 PM *
16 Saturday Earth Day Clean-Up (grades 7 – 12) – Library, 10 AM (Rain Date April 23) *
18 Monday Board of Health– Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM
Borough Council – Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM
19 Tuesday School Board Election – Firehouse, 5 – 9 PM
Story & Craft (ages 4 – 6) – Library, 4 PM *
Gazette Editorial Meeting – Library, 7:30 PM
21 Thursday Toddler Craft (ages 2 & 3) – Library, 10:30 & 11 AM
Rabies Clinic – Firehouse, 4 – 6 PM
Board of Health– Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM
23 Saturday Earth Day Clean-Up Community Group – 10 AM
24 Sunday Passover
25 Monday Montgomery Schools Closed

* PLEASE REGISTER


BOROUGH COUNCIL - 1/18/2005
Sergeant Jordan of the State Police reported that there are seven new troopers at the station and the increase in personnel should result in more coverage in Rocky Hill.
The NJDEP has agreed to a settlement of $2,000 for fines for two missed tests. The fine was originally to be $5,000.
Johanna Snedeker, Rocky Hill First Aid and Rescue Squad Captain, reported that the squad has sixteen active members, with three new members joining in the past year. In 2004, the squad responded to ninety eight emergency calls with 51% in Rocky Hill, 37% in Franklin, 10% in Montgomery and 2% other.
Fire Chief Todd Harris reported that the Fire Company responded to one hundred thirty five emergencies, conducted twenty training sessions and eighteen work nights. They have received grants to upgrade their breathing apparatus. They have sixteen members and hope to increase the membership this year.
Council discussed their goals for 2005 which include the development of Phase 1 and defining Phase 2 in Van Horne Park, the evaluation and purchase of new tax software, development of longer term financial and capital planning, continuing the contract with South Bound Brook for police coverage and buying an ambulance. Also under consideration are the drainage problems on Princeton Avenue, Lemore Circle and Montgomery Avenue, connecting the sidewalks on the north side of Washington Street and replacing the path from Lemore to Montgomery. Council also wants to identify other sidewalk problems. Any resident with a damaged or elevated sidewalk should call the Borough Clerk at 924-7445 on Wednesday between 3:30 and 6:00 PM. or email clerk@rockyhill-nj.gov. Other priorities for 2005 include revision of Borough by-laws and the codification of ordinances. Council also hopes to enhance communication with the public through the web site and possible broadcasting of Council meetings.

PLANNING BOARD – 2/8/2005
Absent: Harris, Nolan, Yuchmow
Chair Charles Pihokken announced that the Board had nominated Outerbridge and Morgan Architects for the NJ Business “Good Neighbor” Award and that a sub-committee will be formed to review the proposed Board’s by-laws.
Representatives for Timothy Huizing Sr. and Sandra Perry presented their application for changing the lot lines on the property at 201 Washington Street. Mr. Huizing and Ms. Perry requested that the Board approve their plans that all the existing structure and property to the east would compose one lot and all the remaining property to the west would compose the other lot. After discussion, the Board approved their plan with the caveats that the owners report to the Zoning Officer the location of the water line for the existing structure and that any future development on the second lot would require a county driveway approval and a letter of interpretation from the DEP regarding a flood line on the lot.
NOTE: A Reporter and substitute are needed for the Planning Board beginning March 8th, 2005. To volunteer call Doris Hartmann, 921-9217 or Peg Lamb, 924-2838.

BOARD OF HEALTH – 2/9/2005
Absent: Querec
New Member, Beverly A. Poelstra, MD, to fill the vacancy.
Election of new officers: Mary Germain as President; Beverly Poelstra as Vice-President; position of Secretary to be rotated.
The results of the Community Survey were discussed; there was a 40% response. If any resident did not receive a copy and wants to be represented, copies are at the Library.
The renewal of the contract with South Brunswick Health Department was tabled until the next meeting. The increase in fees will be 3.5% over last year.
Larry Merk will be invited to the March 9th meeting to discuss the setup and ongoing costs associated with the fluoridation of the water. The Grants Committee will be asked to investigate possible sources of funding.

ROCKY HILL HERITAGE PROJECT (10TH YEAR)
The Mission of the Rocky Hill Heritage Project is to enhance public knowledge of Rocky Hill’s history and to promote interest and awareness through public interpretive programs and the preservation of buildings, artifacts, oral histories and archival documents.
Residents of Rocky Hill have donated many items to the Rocky Hill Community Group, which are kept at the Amy Garrett House. These materials add to our local history and need to be preserved and managed.
Jeanette Muser is the Borough representative to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission Advisory Committee. Periodic reports will be made to the Council. The NJ State Historic Sites Art Contest is open to students in grades K – 12. Entries are due on April 7th . Call 908-638-0112 for details or visit www.njparksandforests.org.

REFORMED CHURCH
The Lasagna Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 2nd. Save the date.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Ruth Robbins is home from the hospital and continues to improve. Welcome home, Ruth.
Bill Moore is home after his tour of duty in Iraq. You made us all proud, Bill.
William Mason Mueller was born 12/15/04 to Polo and Donn Mueller. He is the grandson of Pam and Andy Wagner.
Our deepest sympathy is expressed to Peggy Querec and her family on the recent death of her father, William Terhune. Bill has always been closely connected with Rocky Hill in many capacities. He was a good friend and will be missed by all who knew him.
Our heart-felt sympathy is expressed to Dave Dorey, daughter Jennifer and their family on the very sudden death of wife and mother, Judy. Judy has lived in Rocky Hill for a long time, was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Fire Department, and the Rocky Hill Community Group and helped whenever she was needed. She will be missed by her family and her many friends.

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY
The Library will be closed February 28th through March 12th for the move into the new space. Do not return any library materials and no fines will be charged for this period. The library will reopen on March 14th .