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Have an event
or item of interest to the community which you would like posted here? Montgomery Senior Citizen Group February Activities
FULL TEXT ARTICLES Montgomery Senior Citizen Group February Activities Feb 9 @ 1 p.m. General Mtg, Otto Kaufman Center, Skillman Rd., Skillman Feb 16 @ 9 a.m. Birthday Breakfast - Blawenburg Church Feb 27 leaves @ 8:30 p.m. Trip to Atlantic City. This is open to everyone. No need to be a member to enjoy the ride on a large, comfortable bus with restroom factilities. Departs from the Princeton Lodge located on Rt. 518 at 8:30 a.m. March 8 @ 1 p.m. General Mtg. Otto Kaufman Center, Skillman Rd., Skillman Program - Speaker from University Medical Center at Plainsboro The Montgomery Senior Citizen group is for those 55 and over, Montgomery Township or Rocky Hill residents. However, with exception of the Senior Picnic and Christmas luncheon and monthly meetings, you do not have to be a member to participate, if there is room. For further info, contact Mike Arons at 609-734-4770 or mjarons@aol.com . 2/01/11 Temporary Treatment Changes May Be Noticed by NJ Am Water Customers New Jersey American Water will be temporarily changing its water treatment process at Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road water treatment plants from a chloramine (combined) residual to a free chlorine residual. This change will take place beginning February 1, 2012 through March. During this time period, customers may notice increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in the water. This is a normal and will only be temporary. As always, we will continue to monitor the water quality to ensure the service we deliver meets federal and state drinking water standards. Thank you for your patience. Sourve: NJ American Water Company 800-272-1325, 800-652-6987 2/01/11 Upcoming Elks Club Community Activities Youth Activities SuperbowlPancake and French Toast Breakfast SuperbowlParty Funkin' Soul Nuts at the Elks St. Patrick's Day Party Pancake and French Toast Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns For more info on these and other events, go to http://www.princetonelks2129.com . 2/01/11 Fire District Elections – Saturday, February 18, 2012, from 2pm until 9pm Location: District No. 1 – Montgomery Twp Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 fire house District No. 2 – Montgomery Twp. Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 fire house Budget: District No. 1 - $ 782,029, of which $ 726,750 will be raised by taxation District No. 2 - $ 1,575,079, of which $ 769,300.00 will be raised by taxation One capital expenditure to replace a twenty-year old pumper with an ISO compliant pumper/engine apparatus, the entire cost of which will be paid from fire district savings and therefore will have no effect on the amount to be raised by taxation or the tax rate. Commissioners: District No. 1 – Two 3-year seats on the board, and one 1-year seat on the board will be filled. Candidates for the two 3-year seats are incumbents William Hyncik and Eve Fedun. Candidate for the one 1-year seat is Jonathan Kessler. District No. 2 – Two 3-year seats on the board will be filled. Candidates are incumbent Charles W. Kabis and Devon Davis. For further information, contact Fire Commissioner Attorney Barbara Griswold at (609) 466-3967. 1/31/11 Montgomery Business Association to host “Breakfast with the Mayor” Friday, February 10th The Montgomery Business Association (MBA) will be holding their first meeting of 2012 “Breakfast with the Mayor” on Friday, February 10th from 8:30 – 10am at The Princeton Elks Lodge on Route 518 in Skillman. “We are so pleased to have Montgomery Township Mayor Ed Trzaska and Township Administrator, Donato Nieman join us for this event" says Jennifer Pierce, President of the MBA. “We take community stewardship seriously and are proud of the Shop Local Campaign that was launched by the MBA in 2010,” continues Pierce. The goal of the MBA is to develop a strong liaison between local businesses and Montgomery residents. The Shop Local Campaign is focused on generating support for the local business community by encouraging fellow Montgomery citizens to do business with MBA members. The meeting will provide a venue for MBA members and non-members to have an open discussion with Mayor Trzaska about business related issues. The MBA would also encourage a discussion about how the MBA can better serve the needs of Montgomery businesses. The breakfast meeting is open to the public. Pre-registration is suggested and appreciated. The cost is $10/MBA members and $15/non-members. The event is sponsored by the Michael Fedun of the Law Firm of Singer & Fedun and by Joe Hage, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wells Fargo PMB. Register for the event by going to the ShopLocalMontgomery.com website. www.ShopLocalMontgomery.com About The Montgomery Business Association For more information, visit the website, www.ShopLocalMontgomery.com . You can also keep informed on Facebook - www.facebook.com/shoplocalmontgomery. 1/27/11 Montgomery Travelers Soccer Club Accepting Registrations, Early Discount Ends Feb. 19th The Montgomery Travelers Soccer Club is accepting registrations for the 2012 spring season for its Youth Development Program (YDP). This soccer program is available to boys and girls born between August 1st, 2001 and July 31st, 2006, regardless of their skill level or experience Our season starts April 11th. An early payment discount is available through February 19th. Family discounts are also applied. Sign on to www.montgomerysoccer.org and select the “Youth Development Program” tab for additional information. Registration can be initiated on line. 1/27/11 Earth Day Fair, April 22 - Save the Date! Call for Exhibitors, Volunteers and Sponsors The Montgomery Township Environmental Commission/Sustainable Montgomery is pleased to announce the seventh annual Earth Day Fair at the Montgomery High School on Route 601 in Skillman. It will be held Sunday April 22, 2012, 12-4 pm, indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. Registration to participate as an exhibitor, sponsor or volunteer is now open. The theme is: Every Day is Earth Day in Montgomery Township. “The fair is Montgomery’s biggest community wide environmental event each year. Come get involved! Fairgoers get giveaways and tips on living a healthier, greener lifestyle. And there’s lots of music, food, and fun for all ages,” said Environmental Commission Chairperson Mary Reece. On-line Registration is now up for local businesses, civic organizations, municipal committees, school groups, scout troops and local residents who are interested in setting up public education display tables, speaking on topics of environmental interest, collecting items not currently collected by our county recycling program, selling food or providing activities for children. We are also looking for individuals or groups to sponsor this event. To register, sponsor the Fair or further explore ways you or your group can participate, please Complete the Registration Form on the Earth Day Fair web pages and follow instructions to email it back. You can always access from our home page by clicking on the Earth Day Fair link on left side menu. You can also email the Earth Day Fair Planning Subcommittee at earthdayfair@gmail.com or contact Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator, at lwasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or by phone at the Municipal Building at 908-359-8211 ext. 343. Once again there will be free computer recycling available for all residents sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies as well as a bicycle collection that will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton. In addition to several environmental displays, there will be live music, a clown, children activities, food, and much more. Back again this year will be a “Freecycle” event, where you can drop off items you no longer need, and find new items to take home, all for FREE! For more information on recycling, please visit the township website and click on Earth Day Fair link and select Recycling. There is no admission charge to display or to attend the event. This event is entirely run by a team of volunteers.1/25/11 RESCHEDULED - Free Rabies Clinic for Dogs and Cats Now February 4th Due to snow, the rabies vaccination clinic originally scheduled for Jan. 21st was postponed and will now be held at the same time and place on Saturday, February 4th. Due to this delay, the deadline for licensing dogs, which was January 31st, has been moved back to February 15th. Late fees will be incurred on an accumulating basis after that date. http://www.twp.montgomery.nj.us/depts/health/ac_rabies.asp 1/23/11 4 Jazz Bands Performing! 1/09/11 Urgent Care Center Now Open in Skillman Saint Peter’s Healthcare System has opened an urgent-care center for children and adults at 1378 Route 206 in the Village Shopper III shopping center, directly across the roadway from ShopRite. Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital in New Brunswick; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the hospital; and Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corporation, which oversees the system’s outpatient facilities. For more information about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, visit www.saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600. 1/06/11 Montgomery Township Committee Elects Ed Trzaska Mayor for 2012 At Thursday evening's Reorganization meeting of the Montgomery Township Committee, Ed Trzaska was unanimously selected by the five members of the Township Committee to serve as mayor of Montgomery for 2012. Patricia Graham was chosen to serve as deputy mayor. A new committee person, Christine Madrid, was selected to fill former Mayor Mark Caliguire's position for this year. (Mr. Caliguire stepped down in December to fill a position on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.) Committee member Rich Smith, elected in 2011, began his term of office. A roster of appointments was also voted upon by Township Committee in order to fill appointed staff and professional positions as well as various openings on the volunteer board and committees.
The new mayor will have regular office hours on Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. in his office at the Township Municipal Building, 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead. Appointments are recommended. To make an appointment or arrange to speak with the mayor by phone, please contact the Township Clerk's office at 908-359-8211. Mayor Trzaska may also be contacted through email at etrzaska@twp.montgomery.nj.us. More information may be found on the Officials page of the Montgomery Township website. 1/06/11 Next Recycling Drop-off Day in Bridgewater & More Recycling Info The Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, will be holding its next scheduled Saturday Recycling Drop-off on February 3rd from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the program, residents can drop off tires, scrap metal, antifreeze and usual curbside materials, including chipboard items and plastic bottles and containers, marked #1 through #7. Chipboard includes gift, shoe, shirt and all retail boxes, as well as cereal, cookie, pasta, cake and cracker boxes, without the plastic liners. Also poster board and backing from writing pads are accepted. Residents also have the option of disposing of clean dry textiles throughout the year by bringing textiles to scheduled Saturday Drop-off events. Textiles include drapes, curtains, sheets, towels, belts, handbags, shoes (pairs), clean cloth and small stuffed animals. Textiles will only be accepted in a plastic bag. Additionally, residents can drop off consumer electronics (e-waste). E-waste includes computers (CPUs), servers, monitors, terminals/CRTs, televisions, printers, fax machines, copiers, computer/laptop peripherals, telecommunication equipment (telephones, cellular phones, telephone mainframes), keyboards, mice, cables, wiring, circuit boards, modems, power supplies, laptops, docking stations, audio visual equipment, typewriters, VCRs, mainframe equipment and controllers, camcorders, CDs, DVDs, computer disks, diskettes, videotapes, cassette tapes, and rechargeable and button-cell batteries. Residents should individually bag each battery or tape each terminal to avoid short-circuiting of batteries. In addition to First Saturday of the Month events, residents can drop off electronics at Newtech Recycling Inc., located at 600A Apgar Drive, Somerset 08873, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both drop-off opportunities are free. For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc. contact them at (732) 564-3110 or www.newtechrecycling.com. Also, residents may bring up to eight tires, with or without rims, to scheduled Saturday Drop-off events. No household hazardous waste will be accepted at Saturday drop-off events (see next announcement). For a complete listing of recyclable items, recycling events and much more, visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle.html or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363. For 2011 County Recycling Pick-up Schedule, go to Somerset County Recycling Schedule page. Canned goods and non-perishable food donations also can be brought to the First Saturday event. Items will be delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Perishables and foods in glass containers are not accepted by food banks. The tire drop-off program is funded through a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection. 1/04/11 Recycling Drop-off vs. Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off The Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater 08807 holds a First Saturday of the Month event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (See Community Calendar for all dates) open to all Somerset County residents. However, No Household Hazardous Waste Items will be accepted (see below for HHW drop-off location.) For a complete listing of recyclable items, recycling events and much more, visit http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle.html or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at 732-469-3363.Some examples are any curbside recyclables, motor oil, anti-freeze, tires (up to 8), computers, computer peripherals, televisions, vcrs, cds, dvds, etc.
Canned goods and non-perishable food donations also can be brought to the First Saturday event. Items will be delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Perishables and foods in glass containers are not accepted by food banks. Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Six times per year, Somerset County holds Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off events on certain Saturdays, from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. throughout the County. In 2012 the projected dates are March 24, April 28, June 9, August 4, Sept. 15, and Oct. 27. For date confirmation, locations, and link to list of acceptable materials for drop-off, go to : http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle/hazardouswaste.html No registration is necessary, but proof of residency is required. The program is free to county residents. Potentially hazardous materials such as propane tanks, used motor oil, CFL and fluorescent light bulbs, antifreeze, old containers of pesticides and herbicides, oil based paints, rechargeable and button batteries, and wet-cell batteries are collected for proper disposal. No tires or electronics will be accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off. For more information on types or quantities of materials accepted, contact the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management at (908) 231-7031 or solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us or visit the Somerset County Web site at www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle.html for recycling programs and information.1/04/11 Container Facility Next Open on Saturday, February 11th Montgomery Twp. maintains a container facility for the convenience of its residents. As a general rule, it is open the SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, but please check our schedule first. Schedule and Rules for using the facility and what items can be brought there are available on the CONTAINER FACILITY PAGE. The Container Facility allows Montgomery Township residents to dispose of household items that are not recyclable, not hazardous waste and that cannot be collected by their trash hauler. A Montgomery Township Coupon is required of all Montgomery residents who wish to enter the facility. CONTAINER FACILITY COUPON Container
Facility coupons are available for sale Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the front reception desk of the Montgomery Twp.
municipal offices at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead (908-359-8211). A four
trip coupon for households costs $40. Unused, unpunched trips on a
coupon do not expire. There is no limit on the number of coupons resident
households may purchase per year. The application form and fee may be brought or mailed to the Montgomery Township Municipal Building. Coupons are not available for purchase at the Container Facility. For further information about the Container Facility rules and scheduled days, contact Montgomery Dept. of Public Works at (908) 874-3144 12/5/11 PSE&G Construction Work along Cherry Valley Rd. & Cherry Hill Rd. Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) Co., New Jersey’s largest utility, is performing Overhead Electric Construction along Cherry Valley Rd. from Rt. 206 and Cherry Hill Rd. This work will allow PSE&G to continue to ensure safe, reliable utility service for area residents and business owners. The project’s construction activities will be between January 2nd and March 31st 2012. The work occurring in the public road rights-of-way. Work will occur in two areas as noted: Area #1 – Cherry Hill Road between Crestview Drive and Cherry Valley Road To expedite this work and avoid creating delays during commuting hours, PSE&G has scheduled work hours from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. It should be noted that the construction dates and scheduled work hours identified are tentative and subject to variations due to the construction process or inclement weather. For everyone’s safety, PSE&G crews use work area protection including local police department traffic management assistance, traffic cones, barriers, utility work signage, and flaggers, providing measures for a safe project completion. The utility reminds motorists to slow down and be alert when driving past a PSE&G jobsite. 01/4/12 Van Harlingen Historic Society presents Film "Farmer and Horse" at MJ Library The Farmer and the Horse: A Documentary Film From award-winning journalist Jared Flesher comes "The Farmer and the Horse", a documentary film that digs into difficult questions about sustainability, self-sufficiency, and why we do the work we do. Flesher’s film goes beyond the usual platitudes of smiling organic farmers talking about the good life. Farming is hard work, especially
if you don’t use a tractor. Jared Flesher is a documentary journalist who writes about energy, agriculture and the environment. His work has been published by The New York Times Online, The Wall Street Journal Online, The Christian Science Monitor, Grist, the Columbia Journalism Review, New Jersey Monthly magazine, Edible Jersey magazine, and Gannett New Jersey newspapers. His photography has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Edible Jersey magazine, and on NYTimes.com. Mr. Flesher will be present to answer questions. Refreshments will be served and the program is free and open to the public. Please register through the library (609-924-7074) or at www.somerset.lib.nj.us/maryjacobs.htm. Source: Van Harlingen Historic Society 01/4/12
The Somerset County Recycling Division would like to remind residents that they can recycle holiday waste, such as corrugated cardboard, chipboard (gift boxes), empty pizza boxes (free of food waste), nonmetallic wrapping paper, holiday cards and plastics – # 1 through # 7 (no Styrofoam # 6) - at their usual curbside collection and at First Saturday of the Month drop-off events. Also, residents can recycle Christmas trees at two Somerset County Park Commission parks from Dec. 26, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2012: North Branch Park in Bridgewater in Parking Lot A and Colonial Park in Somerset in Parking Lot F. For directions, visit www.somersetcountyparks.org/genInfo/directions/Directions.html. Also, residents can spread holiday cheer throughout the year by putting canned food items in a plastic bag curbside on their regularly scheduled recycling days. Donations will be delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. The next Saturday drop-off day at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, will be on Jan. 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to usual curbside recycling items, residents can drop off used consumer electronics (e-waste), which may have been upgraded and replaced over the holidays. E-waste includes computers (CPUs), servers, monitors, terminals/CRTs, televisions, printers, fax machines, copiers, computer/laptop peripherals, telecommunication equipment (telephones, cellular phones, telephone mainframes), keyboards, mice, cables, wiring, circuit boards, modems, power supplies, laptops, docking stations, audio visual equipment, typewriters, VCRs, mainframe equipment and controllers, camcorders, CDs, DVDs, computer disks, diskettes, videotapes, cassette tapes, and rechargeable and button-cell batteries. Residents should individually bag each battery or tape each terminal to avoid short-circuiting of batteries. Residents also can drop off electronics at Newtech Recycling Inc., located at 600A Apgar Drive, Somerset 08873, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both drop-off opportunities are free. For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc. contact them at (732) 564-3110 or www.newtechrecycling.com. For a complete listing of recyclable items, recycling events and much more, visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363. 12/21/11 DISCARDED CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION OR DROP-OFF DATES The Montgomery Township Department of Public Works will be starting curbside Christmas tree collection on Monday, January 9, 2012. This collection takes several days so please be patient. Please do not wait to put your tree(s) out, if your section of town happens to be collected first, it is possible that trees placed to the curb after January 9th may not be picked up. As an alternative, an area at the Department of Public Works site, located at 12 Harlingen Road, will be set up to receive discarded Christmas trees if you prefer to drop them off. This site is available for drop off at any hour, or day, starting December 27, 2011 until January 31, 2012. All trees either to be picked up or dropped off must be free of tinsel and ornaments. Regular tree limbs/brush may be brought to the Public Works yard without charge but ONLY during the regular Saturday drop-off dates from 8 am to 12 noon. There is a container facility day on January 7th, 2012. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (908) 874-3144. 12/20/11 January is Radon Awareness Month - Reduced Cost Radon Test Kits at Health Dept. The Greater Somerset Public Health Partnership, in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), is recognizing January as Radon Action Month in Somerset County. Radon does not cause any immediate symptoms, such as asthma or respiratory problems. The risk of developing lung cancer is the only known health effect. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that occurs naturally in soil. It is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium and radium in rock formations, and occurs in higher concentrations in certain areas of the state, including Somerset County. NJDEP data indicates that numerous municipalities within the county have a high percentage of homes which exceed the radon action level of 4 picocuries per liter. According to County health department data, one out of every three homes in Somerset County tested during 2008 and 2009 exceeded the action level. “To reduce the risk of exposure to radon gas, we encourage residents to have their homes tested,” said Stephanie Carey, Montgomery Township Health Officer. “Often, homes on the same block will have different test results. So even if your neighbor’s home is not affected by radon gas, your home could still be above an acceptable range.” Starting January 3rd, Montgomery residents may purchase a reduced cost radon kit for $10.00 at the Montgomery Township Health Department located at 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead, NJ. The kit may be paid for by check (made out to Montgomery Township) or by cash (exact change only). Health Department hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 – 4:30 p.m. There is a limited supply of test kits, so it is recommended that residents call the Health Department to ensure kits are still available before coming in. The Health Department can be reached at (908)359-8211 ext. 227. 12/20/11 Montgomery Municipal Court Moving to Hillsborough January 1st As of January 1st Montgomery Township and Hillsborough Township will implement a sharing arrangement between their municipal courts by which both towns will save tax dollars. Both Montgomery Township and Hillsborough Township officials have authorized a shared services agreement for 5 years. Montgomery’s court sessions will take place weekly in the Hillsborough Court location in the Hillsborough Municipal Complex at 379 South Branch Road. All court administrative staff will be located at Hillsborough’s complex. Montgomery expects to realize $70,000 to $80,000 in cost savings annually over current municipal court costs. According to Montgomery Mayor Mark Caliguire this measure has been taken to ensure that Montgomery Township stays within the State 2% CAP law limits so as to keep taxes and spending stable. The arrangement will allow Montgomery to share the facilities and staff of Hillsborough and eliminate the costs associated with separate personnel operating court and court administrative office in Montgomery. One judge, prosecutor, public defender and court administrator will be appointed to serve both municipal courts. The courtroom in Montgomery will still be used for Township Committee, Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Board of Health and other municipal meetings. This arrangement will have no impact on Montgomery Township’s revenue from violations and the Montgomery and Hillsborough municipal court ledger and records will be kept separately. The move was allowed under the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act after receiving the approval of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Montgomery will pay Hillsborough thirty (30%) percent of the Township of Hillsborough’s expenses to operate the Shared Municipal Court. The Montgomery Court case load is approximately one-third the size of Hillsborough’s yearly case load. Adjustments will be made if the case load balance changes. The 5 year renewable shared services agreement may also be terminated by either party with notice. Until December 31st, the public can still pay tickets in person at Montgomery Municipal Court Office at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead. After that date, all tickets will be payable at the Hillsborough Municipal Court Office at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex at 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Traffic tickets may also be paid on-line at www.njmcdirect.com. For further questions, please contact Montgomery Acting Court Administrator Judy Norris at 908-359-8211 ext. 218 or court@twp.montgomery.nj.us . After January 1st, please call 908-369-3532. 12/12/11 Children’s Flu Shots Available! Montgomery Township Health Department is hosting a flu vaccination clinic for children ages 3 and up. Register your child below. No residency restrictions! Children must be accompanied by a parent. Wednesday, January 4th • 4:00 - 7:00 pm New Jersey rules require all kids 6 and under attending day care receive flu vaccine by December 31 annually To register:
12/12/11 Basketball, Winter Cheerleading & Wrestling Team up for Pasta Drive for Food Pantry The Montgomery High School Boys & Girls Basketball Teams, Winter Cheerleaders and Wrestling Team will be holding THE FIFTH ANNUAL PASTA DRIVE TO BENEFIT THE MONTGOMERY FOOD PANTRY. Donations of boxes of pasta, cans or PLASTIC jars (no glass please) of pasta sauce and cash donations will be accepted at the doors in front of the main gym at Montgomery High School during the following MHS home games located at 1014 Rt. 601, Skillman::
Donations can also be sent in with high school students to room B2220 at Montgomery High School until the last day of the collection. Thank you! 12/07/11 Rt. 206/CSX Bridge Construction Work - Bridge Now Open and Connected from North and South 12/05/11 In the northern end of town, the new Route 206 Bridge over the CSX railroad tracks and road realignment is now directly tied in to Rt. 206 in both directions. As of the night of December 5th, access to the bridge has been opened up from Rt. 206 traveling both north and south. In addition, the traffic pattern has once again changed, as follows: With the opening of the new roadway alignment, Route 206 southbound motorists will once again be able to directly access CR 601 (Trent Avenue) westbound, reopening direct access from the state highway to the local residential area located to the southwest of the bridge. Access from Township Line Road directly onto Route 206 has been removed. Motorists now will make a left onto the old alignment of Route 206 and head south to access the new Route 206 from Pike Run Road. The $11.2 million federally funded project is also reconfiguring the existing multi-leg intersection of Route 206 and CR 601 to a signalized intersection and making numerous improvements to the local roadway system on either side of the bridge. New drainage systems continue to be constructed along the realigned bridge approaches as well. Construction operations began off the highway in August 2010 and the project is expected to be completed in spring 2012. Thank you for your patience during this temporary inconvenience. The result will be a big improvement to safety and traffic flow in this area of town. Source: NJ Dept. of Transportation, Central Regional Operations Updated 12/07/11 Photos from the New Montgomery Veterans Memorial Open House We have posted photos of this wonderful Veterans Day 2011 event which celebrated a tremendous milestone and honoring our Montgomery veterans. Go to Pg. 3 of our winter newsletter. For more information contact: Kacey Dyer: (908) 392-3193 or Kacey_Dyer@yahoo.com Updated 12/5/11 Go To: Princeton Elks Upcoming Events 1/04/11 SHOP LOCAL: SAVE & SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES Shopping in town is convenient; save time and gasoline. It’s economical and environmentally friendly when you avoid longer trips, prevent emissions and purchase locally-made and locally-grown products. Plus, in this way you can support the businesses which support our community – whether by sponsoring a baseball team or allowing a community flyer to be posted in their shop window. What’s good for local business is good for all of Montgomery. Look for our directory of Montgomery businesses at www.twp.montgomery.nj.us. There’s more available in town than you think! Source: Montgomery EDC, EC & Sustainable Montgomery Committee 11/23/11 New Technology Advisory Committee Being Formed by School District The Montgomery Township School District is committed to excellence in its integration of technology into district curriculum. To help us continue to promote the meaningful use of technology to promote student learning, we are reaching out to business and industry representatives, community leaders, parents and students in our community and asking them to work with us in an advisory capacity to establish a district mission and vision for technology in the 21st century. With this goal in mind, we invite you to be a part of the Technology Advisory Committee. By serving on this committee, you will have an opportunity to guide Montgomery Schools in preparing students for the future, while improving and promoting the technology program in the present. The Technology Advisory Committee will meet once a month, commencing in November 2011 and ending in February 2012 with specific dates to be established. Please indicate your willingness to participate by sending an email response to – techadvisory@mtsd.us . Source: Montgomery Board of Education 11/23/11 Link to Vote Count Spreadsheet Please go to above spreadsheet to see the unofficial results of Nov. 8th's election, in the form of tally of votes by district in Montgomery Township. Provisional ballots are not included.Voter turn-out as a percent of total registered Montgomery voters was 25%. Please note that with the exception of the results for the Montgomery Twp. Committee seat, these vote tallys for all other higher races do not yield actual outcomes, as all other races are broader in scope than Montgomery voter results. Please check other election news sources. 11/9/11 Girls Softball League Registration Open The Montgomery Girls Softball League (www.montgomerysoftball.com) is pleased to announce the opening of registration for the 2012 Recreational Softball season. Now in its 11th year, the Montgomery Girls Softball League was founded with the mission to help develop the character and self-esteem of girls and young women through athletic competition. The League is fully volunteer-run and is committed to providing the opportunity for girls in the Montgomery Township and Rocky Hill community to play fast pitch softball, regardless of skill or prior experience. Since the League’s founding in 2002, over 3,000 girls have participated in its programs. Each year the League fields 20-25 recreational teams for girls in kindergarten through tenth grade. Last season nearly 300 girls participated in the recreational and travel leagues. League brackets include the Instructional League for kindergarten and 1st grade girls with no prior experience, the Minor League for girls in the 1st and 2nd grades, the Junior League for girls in the 3rd and 4th grades, the Senior League for girls in 5th and 6th grades, and the Major League for girls in grades 7 through 10. In addition, the League runs numerous skills clinics and sponsors a Fall Ball program that is focused on fundamentals and skill building. The League’s travel program, the Montgomery Mavericks, has expanded to include teams at the 8-and-under, 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under age levels. Teams compete in the Mid-State Girls Softball League and play in tournaments throughout the summer and fall. The Mavericks are one of the oldest and most successful programs in the state, with numerous travel league and tournament championships at the regional and state level. The Mavericks also host a sanctioned National Qualifier Tournament each year in Montgomery Park. Additional information about the Mavericks can be found at www.montgomerymavericks.com. Montgomery Girls Softball – “Where the girls rule the diamond!” For more information and to register, please visit www.montgomerysoftball.com. 10/27/11 Montgomery Twp. Transfers Ownership of Skillman Village Property to Somerset County The Somerset County Board of Freeholders has purchased the Skillman Village property from Montgomery Township. The closing was held the morning of Oct. 25 with state, county and municipal officials in attendance at the property. LINK TO FLICKR PHOTO SET OF CLOSING BY OFFICIALS
Mayor Mark Caliguire signs closing documents for transfer of ownership of the former "NPDC" Property to Somerset County for creation of a new passive use park. Shown looking on are (l to r): Somerset County Freeholder Pat Walsh, state Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman, Montgomery Committeeman Ed Trzaska, and former mayor Ted Masciag. The county bought the 247 acre parcel from the township for approximately $64,438 per acre. The property was purchased by the Somerset County Improvement Authority with funds ultimately coming from the county’s Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, ensuring its ultimate use for recreation and conservation purposes. The Improvement Authority will hold title to the property initially and transfer ownership to the county at a later date. “Through a collaborative effort with Montgomery Township, the county has preserved the Skillman Village property, an important addition to our open space program,” said Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski. “We look forward to continuing the collaboration with Montgomery in developing a passive-use county park that highlights the unique cultural and natural features of the property.” “This is a really great result for Montgomery,” said Mayor Mark Caliguire. “Over the years we have seen proposals and plans that could have turned this site into a highly developed residential neighborhood. Instead, the dangerous and dilapidated buildings are gone, and we will see this place preserved as open space forever. I am also thrilled to hear that the county Park Commission has plans for work to preserve the trees on this site to take place on Dec. 3.” Once known as the New Jersey Village for Epileptics, the facility evolved into a psychiatric facility in the 1950s and was called the North Princeton Developmental Center. The facility was closed by the State of New Jersey in the mid-1990s and the property was purchased by Montgomery Township from the state in 2007. All of the buildings on the property have been demolished and substantial environmental cleanup has been completed by the Township. Use and future development of the Skillman Village site will be limited to passive recreation, conservation, historic preservation or agricultural purposes, since funding is being provided through the trust fund dedicated to those purposes. The county and township will establish an advisory committee, with members appointed by the Freeholders and Township Committee, to develop a master plan incorporating stewardship of the land, potential recreation opportunities and facilities, and maintenance functions. Parcels that were not part of the sale include the six-acre Maplewood House property; the one-acre Pine Knoll property; a half-acre lot to be used to reconfigure the Village Elementary School driveway; and the portion of the property that lies within the Burnt Hill Road right-of-way. 10/25/11 N.J. Refrigerator Recycling Program Pays $50 Incentive Requirements for Program Participation: 1. Customer must be a residential electric customer of one of the following NJ utilities: Atlantic City Electric, Jersey Central Power & Light, PSE&G, Rockland Electric Company. 2. Customers of municipal electric utilities do not qualify. 3. Appliance types include refrigerators and freezers. 4. Maximum 2 units per customer per year. 5. Valid through December 31, 2011. Unit must be picked up within this time frame. 6. Refrigerator/Freezer size limited to 10 - 30 cu. ft. 7. Refrigerator/Freezer must be operational at time of pick up. 8. Refrigerator/Freezer unit must be owned by customer. 9. No age restriction. 10. Refrigerator/Freezer must have clear access path for removal. Why participation is important 1. Old refrigerators and freezers are not bio-degradable. This is why states like New Jersey, California and Illinois have laws that prohibit dumping these appliances into land fills. 2. Other recycling companies have to charge a fee to pick up and recycle your old appliances, because it is a thorough process. However, when you enroll in this program, the program will pick up and recycle your old refrigerator or freezer for free. 3. Old refrigerators and freezers typically use two times more electricity than newer models. By everyone doing their part to conserve energy and recycle responsibly, New Jersey residents will reduce energy use and help protect the environment. 4. A cash incentive of $50 will be paid to you for your effort in recycling responsibly. Up to two refrigerators per year. If you have any questions about the recycling program, or if you would like to schedule your pickup date by phone; please feel free to contact our customer service center toll free at 877-270-3520. Interested parties should visit http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/refrigerator-freezer-recycling-program Updated 10/11/11 Odd Job Help Available from Baseball Booster Club Beginning in October of this year, baseball players from Montgomery High School (MHS) will offer their services to local residents and businesses for leaf raking and other odd jobs. This program, entitled "Leaf the Raking to Us", is organized by the Diamond Club, the fund-raising booster organization that supports MHS baseball. Proceeds from a donation of $10/player/hour will be dedicated to improve Montgomery's varsity field. The players will come armed with rakes. You only need to supply the leaf bags, a smile and, of course, a donation. 10/4/11 Sprinkler System Use in "Winter" Impacts Sewer Billing The following is a reminder to Montgomery Township sewer utility customers who have New Jersey American water service and lawn irrigation systems: It is advisable to turn your irrigation system off in early to mid-October, before your next billing period will begin for NJ American Water. Township sewer fee charges are based upon water volume use as reflected in your New Jersey American Water bill. The Township’s sewer fee calculation system takes the winter months’ water use (mid-October to mid-April NJAW billing) and extrapolates that out to a full year, if this results in a lower figure than for the actual full year. This is for the purpose of eliminating, to the maximum extent practicable, billing for water volumes that are due to sprinkler use. To take full advantage of the winter calculation, customers are also advised to hold off until mid to late-April every spring to turn their sprinkler systems back on, for the same reason. Thank you. 10/3/11 Local governments, businesses, organizations and individuals interested in data from the 2010 Census can visit the Somerset County Planning Board website as a one-stop source of information. Links to the following data are located on the under the Data and Reports tab at www.co.somerset.nj.us/planweb/data.htm 2010 Census Data Release Schedule This link provides access to the schedule of 2010 Census Data releases that are posted on the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, New Jersey State Data Center, Labor Market Information webpage. This page will be routinely updated with new links to the 2010 Census Data as they become available through the U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 2010 National Summary File of Redistricting Data 2010 Demographic Profiles (DP1) 2010 Summary File 1 (SF1) Data Profiles SF 1 provides new levels of detail about the topics covered in the 2010 Census and the cross-tabulations provide a more nuanced picture. Many of the tables are repeated for nine race and Hispanic or Latino origin groups: white alone, black or African-American alone, American Indian and Alaska Native alone, Asian alone, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, some other race, two or more races, Hispanic or Latino, and white alone not Hispanic or Latino. Census 2010: A Demographic Snapshot For more information about county and municipal census data, contact the Somerset County Planning Board at 908-231-7021 or planningbd@co.somerset.nj.us Source: Somerset County Information 09/27/11 Sign-ups for NJ Emergency Notifications/Registration To receive State emergency management notifications in the event of a disaster sign up for NJ-ALERT, the New Jersey Emergency Alert System. NJ-ALERT is a free, voluntary and confidential emergency-alerting system that allows state emergency management officials to send email or text messages to cell phones and other email-enabled devices during an emergency event. The public can sign up on the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website at www.ready.nj.gov by clicking on the NJ-ALERT icon on the right-hand side of the page. Have your cell phone with you when you sign-up. (Source: Somerset County Public Information) 09/9/11 Health & Safety Tips for Hurricane Aftermath/Flooding Clean-up It is important for residents to consider potential safety concerns and things you can do to prevent injury and illness when addressing flood-affected homes/buildings. The CDC has issued the following guidances: Key Health & Safety Facts About Recovery from Hurricanes and Floods Cleaning Up Flood Water & Drying Out Your Home The following guidance was issued by the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection: Tips on Disposing of Trash in Aftermath of Irene Here are some reminders, especially if you have been away:
(Source: Somerset County Dept. of Health) 09/8/11 Septic
Systems, Wells & Drinking Water in Event of Flooding Updated 08/26/11 Get Notice of Time-Critical Montgomery Ebulletins as "Tweets"
Through Twitter 08/25/11 Road & Bridge Closings/Openings & Weather Alerts Direct to Your Email or Cell Phone Here’s yet another e-alert system to subscribe to, but it’s a good one. Learn of road or bridge closures throughout Somerset County in time to avoid them! Get severe weather alerts. You can even get an email when the Griggstown Causeway Bridge is reopened after a storm. Get free Road Closings and/or Emergency Information bulletins directly as emails or text messages from Somerset County. 08/25/11 New Jersey Register Ready 08/25/11 PSE&G Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Project PSE&G continues its efforts to improve the electrical infrastructure in the Montgomery Township area. An Electric Reliability Upgrade project will improve Montgomery and surrounding area’s electric reliability through the phased upgrade of the existing infrastructure and installing new high reliability equipment that will improve the reliability today and provide for the needs of the area well into the future. The initial phase included new supply circuits into the area that was completed in November 2010. The next phase of the project is to convert two customer owned substations in the area of the new supply lines by the end of 2011. The third phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2013, and will include the construction of a new substation which will replace the existing old, limited capacity, Rocky Hill station located in Montgomery Township. The work will take place in the following areas from September 2011 through June 2013. Route 601 and Route 518 traveling east to Route 206. Overall, this project will provide improved reliability of service to the customers in Montgomery and surrounding areas and will ultimately provide a new substation to accommodate the growing demands of present and future customers in the area. PSE&G Electric Reliability Upgrade Project Questions & Answers (07-12-11) After reading the Q&A, should you have additional questions or concernsabout this project, please contact PSE&G’s Electric Reliability Upgrade number at 856-778-6983. All calls will be returned within 24 hours during normal business days. 7/25/11 Montgomery's 2011 Independence Day Celebration Photos
It was a night to remember. See some highlights of the fireworks from our new InMontgomeryNJ Flickr Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/inmontgomerynj/sets/
7/1/11
College Courses at Montgomery High School for All Community Members 6/21/11 Calling All Girls for Girl Scouts! For all girls ages 5-17 in Montgomery Township and the Borough of Rocky Hill.
Girl scouts discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together through field trips, community service projects, skill-building clinics, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardship. To find out more, go to www.montgomerygirlscouts.org. To request troop placement, please email your daughter’s grade and contact information to registermontygirlscouts@gmail.com. In the subject, please include your child’s grade and Girl Scout level in Fall 2011. 6/13/11 Montgomery Senior Center Monthly Happenings 356 Skillman Rd, Skillman, NJ The best bargain in town! Blood Pressure Screening – Third Monday of the month 9:45am The Montgomery Senior Center is operated by the Somerset County Office on Aging in partnership with Montgomery Township. The senior center offers a variety of educational, recreational and entertaining activities for seniors, including wellness programs and health screenings. For more information, contact Denise Crowley at the Montgomery Senior
Center, 356 Skillman Rd, Skillman at (609) 466-0846. 2011 Montgomery Roadwork Status This past winter has been one of the most challenging in years for our roads department. After record winter snowstorms, and hundreds of man-hours to salt and clear, we are now in the process of doing what it takes to bring township roads back to where they need to be. The freezing and thawing we saw all winter has left us with a lot of potholes and we are aggressively working to patch them temporarily until the weather is warm enough for more permanent repairs. We are also communicating with state and county officials about needed work on State Hwy. 206, Rt. 601, Rt. 518 and other county roads. Below is an update on the current plans for repairs and maintenance: The following road projects and road repairs are scheduled to occur in 2011. All work is pending final 2011 municipal budget approval. Roadway Reconstruction Project on Cherry Valley Road: Montgomery Township will undertake a major reconstruction project this year on Cherry Valley Road, from approximately the Woodsedge neighborhood entrance (Rutgers Lane) to Rt. 206. This project includes drainage, curbing and sidewalk. It is a joint project with Princeton and is partially funded with NJDOT local aid grant money. The project will go out to bid this spring. Pavement Repair Projects: Montgomery is undertaking pavement repair projects for 2011 on the following roads: Cherry Hill Road, Cherry Valley Road (the portion not being reconstructed), Hollow Road, Burnt Hill Road, Bridge Point Road, Green Avenue, and additional repairs throughout various housing development roads. Chip Seal Projects: Chip seal is a process by which an oil spray and small stone mix is placed and compacted and becomes an asphalt-like surface over time with further compaction from vehicular traffic. Chip-sealing resurfaces a road and is a cost-effective fix that lasts for approximately five years. Possible chip seal projects for 2011 include: Pin Oak Road, Dead Tree Run Road, Mountainview Road, East Mountain Road, and Staats Farm Road. Reporting Pot Holes & Maintenance Needs After the difficult weather this winter, Department of Public Works crews have been busy taking care of potholes throughout the Township. Residents may call the Pothole hotline # 908-874-8947 to report any maintenance issues on Township maintained public roads. Rt. 206 is under the authority of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. This includes the current reconstruction project for the CSX Railroad Bridge overpass. Somerset County is responsible for maintenance of County roads in town, including Dutchtown-Harlingen Rd. (Rt. 604), Belle Mead-Blawenburg Rd aka The Great Rd. (Rt. 601), Georgetown-Franklin Turnpike (Rt. 518), River Rd. (Rt. 533), and Kingston-River Rd. (Rt. 605). On the homepage of the Montgomery Township website there is a link to Pothole Reporting Forms & Contacts for NJDOT, Somerset County, and Montgomery Twp. Public Works. Please read the page first so that you contact the correct authority. 4/26/11 Calling All Boys for Cub Scouts! Offering Camping, Hiking, Sports, Games, Trips & More! Cub Scouts try new things. Meet the Cubmasters: 4/15/11
Fire District 1 & 2 Elections & Voting on Budgets - RESULTS Montgomery Fire District 1 - Budget passed 26 'yes' to 1 'no vote. Annual fire district elections and budget referenda will take place on February 19, 2011. Polls will be open from 2 to 9 pm at the Montgomery Township Fire District No. 1 firehouse at 35 Griggstown Road in Belle Mead and at the Montgomery Township Fire District No. 2 firehouse at 529 Route 518 in Blawenburg. Voters will be asked to approve a $795,029.00 budget for Fire District No. 1 in Belle Mead. The amount to be raised by taxation is $713,250, which represents a 1.9% decrease from last year, with a corresponding decrease in tax rate to 3.7 cents per hundred dollars of assessed value. For a home assessed at the township average of $505,600, the fire tax will be about $190.00.
Incumbent Thomas Karsay is running unopposed for the one three-year seat on the Board of Fire Commissioners. In Fire District No. 2 in Blawenburg, voters will be asked to approve a $833,279.00 budget. The amount to be raised by taxation is $766,800, a 7.3% decrease from last year. The proposed tax rate is 4.1 cents per hundred dollars assessed value. For a home assessed at $505,600, the tax will be roughly $209.00, a decrease of $18.00 from last year. Incumbent Leighton Laughlin, Jr. is running unopposed for the one three-year seat on the Board of Fire Commissioners. Neither fire district budget anticipates any capital expenditures in 2011. Please read the following notices on the budgets of each Fire Company: FIRE DISTRICT 1 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE 1/26/11 County Joins Electronics Recycling Network Under the New Jersey Electronic Waste Management Act, starting Jan. 1, 2011, manufacturers of certain electronic products generated by households and small businesses and organizations are required to provide free and convenient recycling services. As a result, the cost of demanufacturing and recycling covered electronics will be billed to the electronic manufacturers rather than to the counties, as it had been done in the past. To comply with the new law, Somerset County will participate in the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company LLC (MRM) Collection Network for the operation of collection sites for the recycling of electronic products covered under the New Jersey Electronic Waste Management Act. In addition, as of Oct. 1, Somerset and Union counties entered a pilot to test the program’s performance. This is three months in advance of the state-mandated start-up date. The pilot is being funded by various manufacturers. As a participating partner in the MRM electronics network, Somerset County stands to save close to $71,000 in 2011, based on 2009 electronic-recycling poundage, in addition to savings realized over the three-month test period in 2010, according to Freeholder Deputy Director Robert Zaborowski, solid waste management liaison. The transition will be seamless for county residents who will continue to recycle electronics as they have done in the past, even though only certain electronics are considered covered under the law. Under the network, Somerset County will continue to use Newtech Recycling Inc. in Somerset as its approved processor of electronics for MRM. Residents can continue to recycle electronics at First Saturday of the Month Drop-off events at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater. Also, they can now drop off electronics at Newtech Recycling Inc., located at 600A Apgar Drive, Somerset 08873, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both drop-off opportunities are free. Acceptable electronics include computers (CPUs), servers, monitors/terminals/CRTs, televisions, printers, fax machines, copiers, computer/laptop peripherals, telephones, cellular phones, telephone mainframes, keyboards/mice, cables, wiring, circuit boards, modems, power supplies, laptop and docking stations, audio-visual equipment, typewriters, VCRs, mainframe equipment, controllers, camcorders, CDs, DVDs, computer disks, diskettes, videotapes, cassette tapes and rechargeable and button-cell batteries. For more information about the Electronic Waste Management Act and about the network, contact Solid Waste Management Division Manager Diana Vigilante at 908-231-7681 or solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us. 11/3/10 Electronics Recycling Now Available M-F 9-4 in Somerset for All County Residents Somerset County residents now can recycle electronics Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Newtech Recycling Inc., located at 600A Apgar Dr., Somerset 08873. “Starting this October, we expanded the electronics-waste program to allow residents to dispose of e-waste on weekdays, at their convenience. This is in addition to our usual First Saturday of the Month drop-off days at the county Recycling Center in Bridgewater,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Robert Zaborowski, recycling division liaison. “We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of unwanted equipment in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.” Somerset County has been working with Newtech Recycling Inc. to recycle computer and electronic waste since June 2009. Newtech is a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permitted facility, which provides computer and electronic recycling and data destruction services. Newtech Recycling Inc. is located off Route 287 at Exit 12-Weston Canal Road. Take Weston Canal Road South to Apgar Drive to the loading dock around back. To learn more about Newtech Recycling Inc., visit www.newtechrecycling.com or call (732) 564-3110. For more information about this program, contact Recycling Coordinator Melissa Harvey at (908) 231-7109 or harvey@co.somerset.nj.us. 10/7/10 County Now Providing Recycling For Plastics #1 thru #7 As of Oct. 1, Somerset County will expand its curbside program to accept all plastic bottles and containers that are marked #1 through #7. Number designations are on the bottom of bottles and containers. Acceptable plastic bottles and containers within the #1 through #7 range include water, soda, milk, juice, soap, detergent, bleach, shampoo and cleaning-agent bottles. Also acceptable are peanut butter, yogurt, baby-wipes containers, margarine tubs and clear plastic clamshell containers from salad bars. According to the most recent data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Somerset County is falling behind other counties in recycling tonnage and citizen-participation rate. Recycling alone cannot solve New Jersey’s garbage problem, but recycling programs have a significant effect on reducing the volume of waste going to landfills and preserving natural resources. Recycling materials equates to savings for the county. Every time residents recycle designated materials, they help raise the participation rate and help offset the costs of the recycling program. The more residents recycle, the higher the recycling rate, and the less the program costs the taxpayer. To increase the recycling rate, residents must cooperate by recycling all designated materials curbside. Curbside recycling provides the most convenient means for households to recycle a variety of materials. Always recycle valuable materials such as glass bottles, aluminum and metal cans, corrugated cardboard, chipboard, newspapers, junk mail and magazines, as well as acceptable plastic bottles and containers marked #1 through #7. Do not recycle beer balls, plastic bags, cat litter containers, plastic toys, five- gallon containers and buckets, flower pots and plastic furniture. For further information, call the Somerset County Recycling Center at 9/30/10 On-Line Credit Card or E-Check Payment Service
Now Available for Property Taxes or Sewer Fees Residents may choose from either of two electronic payment method options: MasterCard/Visa credit cards (debit cards are not accepted), which incurs a 2.99% convenience fee or by e-check (ACH debit) for which there is no convenience charge. This online service is one of the many steps that the Township of Montgomery is taking to make municipal services more readily available to its residents. We are committed to providing quality e-government service to our residents. To make a tax or sewer payment, go to “On-line Payment” page of this website in Finance Dept. subsection. Thank you. 4/05/10 Township Newsletter Goes Electronic The Spring Montgomery Township newsletter is posted on the township website at www.twp.montgomery.nj.us/about/newsletter.asp . It includes Community/Gov't News, Recreation Offerings and the SchoolZone newsletter. Please remember to bookmark this newsletter page for future reference, as an important change have occurred.
As a cost-savings measure, this is the last newsletter issue which will also be received by regular mailing. The newsletter will continue on a quarterly basis, but it will be distributed electronically.
Please help us to let other residents know of this change.
Anyone who signs-up for e-bulletins will always receive notice when the newsletter is posted on the website. Sign-up is short and simple, enter email address in box by green envelope at www.montgomery.nj.us & follow prompts.
The Recreation Section includes program offerings for spring as well as summer camp info. Recreation will begin taking registrations on Monday, March 1st at 8am. Recreation office hours are Mon - Fri, 8am - 9pm. Their staff may be reached at 609-466-3023.
If you have questions about the newsletter itself, the township website or other communications, please call Community Information Officer Tammy Garaffa at 908-359-8211 ext. 207 8am to 1 pm M-F or email tgaraffa@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
Please also remember the on-line Community Calendar to get word out about your community event or to find out about events around town. Email announcements to above address.
We are now also "InMontgomeryNJ" on Twitter. Follow us at http://twitter.com/InMontgomeryNJ to receive occasional brief time-critical notices of interest to Montgomery residents.
Thank you.
2/25/10 Road & Bridge Closings/Openings & Weather Alerts Direct to Your Email or Cell Phone Here’s yet another e-alert system to subscribe to, but it’s a good one. Learn of road or bridge closures throughout Somerset County in time to avoid them! Get severe weather alerts. You can even get an email when the Griggstown Causeway Bridge is reopened after a storm. Get free Road Closings and/or Emergency Information bulletins directly as emails or text messages from Somerset County. 1/26/10 PSE&G's Question & Answer Memo On Pole Line Relocation Project Please follow this Link to PDF file of memo regarding the above project. 1/20/10 Batteries No Longer Accepted Curbside The Somerset County Recycling Center has announced that starting Jan. 1, 2010 it no longer will accept batteries with curbside collection of recyclables. Due to regulatory changes and less hazardous battery compositions, alkaline batteries now fall below federal and state hazardous-waste standards and can be disposed of in the regular trash. Household battery manufacturers of alkaline batteries no longer add mercury and have reduced the amount of mercury added to other batteries as a result of the New Jersey Dry Cell Battery Management Act of 1991 and the federal Mercury- Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996. Batteries have a label on them that indicates whether they are rechargeable or alkaline. Alkaline batteries can be thrown out in the regular trash. Rechargeable batteries still need to be recycled. Rechargeable batteries are found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders and remote-control toys. Most button-cell batteries must be recycled because they still contain mercury. Somerset County will accept rechargeable and button-cell batteries at Household Hazardous Waste and First Saturday of the Month (with electronics) events. Rechargeable batteries also can be recycled at participating retail locations, including Radio Shack, Best Buy, Staples, Target, Office Max, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Walmart and Verizon Wireless. Batteries must be properly prepared before drop off due to new federal regulations that prevent short circuiting of batteries during transport. Residents must bag each battery individually or tape each of the terminal ends prior to recycling. To find a retail-collection site, use the collection site locator at www.call2recycle.org or call the consumer helpline at 1-877-2-RECYCLE. 12/10/09 New On-line Business Directory A new Directory of Businesses is now on the Montgomery Twp. website, courtesy of Montgomery Economic Development Commission. Contact Township Planning Director Lori Savron to have your Montgomery business added to the directory at lsavron@twp.montgomery.nj.us or (908) 359-8211 ext. 206. 12/9/09 Effective Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, small businesses in Somerset County will be allowed to drop off materials at the Somerset County The types of materials that will be accepted at the Recycling Center are newspapers; cardboard and chipboard; commingled containers, which include glass bottles, plastics bottles (marked with a #1 or #2), and steel, bi-metal and aluminum The following items will not be accepted: electronic waste, scrap metal, tires, plastic bags, chemicals or hazardous materials. There will be no reimbursement for recyclable materials dropped off. For additional information, call the Recycling Center at 732-469-3363. 10/21/09
Verizon FiOS Availability & Cable TV Service Questions Verizon customers who have concerns regarding FiOS TV or who have ordered FiOS TV but were then told it couldn’t be installed should send an e-mail to Verizon at: anna.k.lustenberg@verizon.com who will attempt to expedient resolution of your issue. Please feel free to copy Montgomery Twp. at clerk@twp.montgomery.nj.us . If you
are in the 609 area and would like to know when FiOS TV will
be available, Verizon asks residents to go to www.verizon.com/fios
and submit a request. These requests are kept on file with
Verizon and Verizon states that when the service is available,
you will be notified by e-mail. Written
letters may be sent to: Foreclosure
Help Available 8/24/09 Somerset
County Rental Assistance The Program can provide six months of rental arrears, twelve months of rental assistance, security deposit, utility payments, case management, tenant education and legal services. In order to qualify, you must have or enter into a formal lease and be within the following income limits: 1 Person - $35,063;
2 People - $40,063; Prospective applicants
should call the Somerset County Community Development Office Get Notice of Time-Critical Montgomery Ebulletins as "Tweets"
Through Twitter Police
Message to Community; Changes to Dispatch & New Phone Number Added The transfer will be complete on or about July 6, whereupon the Police Department will close its fullservice emergency communications center. Here is how the new system will work: 1.
All 9-1-1 telephone calls generated from any hard-wire telephone within
Montgomery Township 2.
The non-emergency (908) 359-3222 number will remain operational but
will be answered at 3. A police business
phone number, (908) 874-3333, will allow callers to contact the Police
Dept. 6/30/09 Girl
Scouts Girls Scouts is
the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all
girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build
character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership
with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will
serve them all their lives. In Girl Scouting, experiences like high
adventure trips, sports, leadership opportunities, community service
projects, and team building activities give girls opportunities to
discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Montgomery
Health Dept. offers Help for Residents in Tough Times
Visit the Health Department’s website for a complete listing of Helplines, Websites, and Prescription Medication Assistance Programs at www.twp.montgomery.nj.us/depts/health/index.asp. For more help
in tough times, Call 211—First Call for Help or visit http://www.nj211.org/hardtimes08.cfm
"The
Montgomery Guide" & New Resident Packets If you are a new resident we also have a welcome packet for you! The New Resident Packet includes the above-described Montgomery Guide and is also packed with helpful brochures and flyers on need-to-know topics for new residents. Recycling schedule, sewer or septic care, voter registration forms, dog license forms, maps of township parks – these are some items in the new resident packet. (Available for free at the reception desk of the municipal building, 2261 Rt. 206, where new households can also pick up their recycling bucket.) 03/20/09 Senior
Freeze Income Limits Raised The Division of Taxation is doing a special mailing of 2007 reimbursement applications to approximately 52,000 resident who may now be eligible because of the increase in the income limits. Applications can also be obtained in person at the Montgomery Township Tax Assessor's Office. If you did not receive a 2006 reimbursement, file a 2007 Form PTR-1. If you did receive a 2006 reimbursement, file a 2007 Form PTR-2. Form PTR-2 only is also available with instructions and further information on the State Department of Treasury website at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.shtml . Looking ahead, the income limits for 2008 are now raised to $70,000 for either a single person or married couple/civil union. 2008 applications will be available in the spring. The income limits for 2009 will be $80,000 for a single person or a married/civil union couple. updated
4/14/09 Home Energy Assistance Programs For
more information visit the PSE&G
Energy Assistance Outreach website. There you will find information on four income-qualified assistance programs - Universal Service Fund (USF), Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses - TRUE, New Jersey Shares - NJS, and N J Lifeline. Applications are available at PSE&G Customer Service
Centers. To find the nearest customer service center location, click
here
. You may also access an application
directly from the New Jersey Dept. of Community Affairs website for Home Energy Assistance (HEA) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Register Loved Ones: Project Lifesaver There is a program called Project Lifesaver which can quickly help find lost persons with certain disabilities such as Alzheimer's disease or autism, BUT these residents must be registered ahead of time in the program. Local police assist with these searches. The program is run by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and the County Office on Aging. Click here for more information. 12/18/08
Montgomery Community Calendar To find the community calendar on the Township website, go to www.twp.montgomery.nj.us. From this homepage, select “Community Calendar” in the left sidebar menu. A link from this Bulletins page is also found on left sidebar. The calendar can also be found as “Montgomery Community Calendar” in Google’s public calendar lists on google.com, where its listings can be added to your own calendar. Please
note: If you have a Montgomery based event you would like included,
email the name, date, time, location, brief description and a contact
phone or email to Tammy Garaffa at tgaraffa@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
Submittal guidelines are the same as found at top of this page. Montgomery
Singles Dining Club Notice
Regarding Stream Sediment or Dust Problems Two
Volunteer Networks Offer House & Yard Help to Seniors & Disabled
Residents New volunteers, male and female, also are being recruited for the program. Boy and girl scouts of all ages are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by adult. No experience is required. Free training is provided. A "Thank You" luncheon will be held for volunteers. Scheduling of home repairs is flexible. For information about receiving services through the Handyman Program or about volunteering as a handyman or handywoman, call (908) 541-5715. Boy
Scout Leader Lou Vaccaro is organizing the "Scouts Help
Seniors" or SHS Program. Montgomery seniors, 65 and
older, needing help with simple yard and household chores, such as
leaf raking, clearing walks and computer fixes may enlist the assistance
of volunteer scouts. The program involves both boy and girl scout
volunteers. Seniors seeking to make arrangements may contact Montgomery
resident Lou Vaccaro at 908-359-5652. Participants/Volunteers
Wanted for Senior Center Activities The
Somerset County Office on Aging operates the Montgomery Senior Center
in partnership with Montgomery Township. Admission to center programs
and activities is free. The senior center offers a variety of educational,
recreational and entertaining activities for seniors, including wellness
programs and health screenings.
Updated
Color Montgomery Township Street Map Available Interactive
Maps of Montgomery Now Available On-line These maps are being hosted by Vertices LLC, a private consulting firm working on a voluntary basis with the Montgomery Township GIS Department. In addition to being a public resource, the interactive mapping system is geared toward student education and is being used in the Montgomery Township School System. The project founders, Montgomery Township GIS Director Robert Marmion and Vertices' President Dr. Wansoo Im, are looking for feedback from users for their research in order to obtain a Dodge Foundation Grant to take this pilot project to the next level. Email your feedback and suggestions to Dr. Im at wim@vertices.com. They would like to know what features were helpful to users and where improvements would be beneficial. For more on these and other related educational mapping programs by Vertices, LLC go to www.gis4kids.com. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system with computer software, hardware, data, and personnel in order to manipulate analyze and present information tied to spatial location. The data is tied to a spatial location via points, lines, or areas. The data can be point locations of planning priorities in the region. The lines can be linear priorities such as greenways or new transit lines. Areas can be parks, land uses, and zoning districts. GIS does not just have to be points, lines and polygons, images can be used as well. RPA for example, incorporates historic photos, remote sensing data, ortho-photography, aerial photos, and CADD drawings into its Geographic Database. The GIS software displays the information as layers of data. The layers are stacked on top of one another to create a map. The selection of layers needed for a project is determined by the analyst's planning needs. Most often maps and graphics are outputs of the GIS. Tabular data is a common result from conducting geographic analyses. Deer
Resistant & Invasive Plant Species Lists If you would like to find a rating of how vulnerable to deer appetites a certain plant species is, go to http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/. If you would like to know about invasive plant species to avoid in your landscaping plans, go to http://nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm#pllists/ . An
"invasive species" is defined as a species that is: One study estimates that the total costs of invasive species in the United States amount to more than $100 billion each year. (Pimentel et al., 1999). Invasive species impact nearly half of the species currently listed as Threatened or Endangered under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. New Jersey recently banned the planting of non-native species on state lands to help reduce the spread of invasive species that choke out New Jersey’s native flora and threaten wetlands and waterways. For more information on this problem in New Jersey, see report, “An Overview of Nonindigenous Plant Species in New Jersey” at the NJDEP’s website: http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/InvasiveReport.pdf . Traffic
Circulation Element Amendment Document To view an Adobe Acrobat file of the Traffic Circulation Element report, click HERE . This will require Adobe Acrobat version 6.0 or higher. This file is 6 MB in size and may take several minutes to download by phone modem. A
copy of the Traffic Circulation Element can be viewed at the Montgomery
Township Planning Department at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead between 8:00
am and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Montgomery
Township Committee Adopts Zoning Changes Press
Release, 3/19/04, "Public Forums on Proposed Ordinance Changes"
(55.7 kb) 5/30/04
Affordable
Housing in Montgomery Township National
Emergency Information Link Traffic
Town Meetings, Hot Spots and Ideas This
document provides: Background
and topics of discussion (May 2003 Newsletter feature article).
Table
identifying intersections and bridges where improvements are needed
or planned.
Map
of Montgomery showing locations of intersections
and bridges being discussed (file size is 464k).
Send us an e-mail. Give us your ideas, comments, suggestions: traffic comments Top Concerns
About Low-Flying Aircraft Note:
The Township Committee has passed a resolution objecting to the new
flight pattern and calling on the FAA to test an ocean route that
would mitigate noise pollution suffered by so many New Jersey communities. Community
Survey Results The survey was intended to gather public opinion about assumptions that the Master Plan Committee was making in its approach to planning for the future of the area surrounding the intersection of Route 518 and State Highway 206. For example: 1.
That growth should be allowed in this area and reduced in the more rural
and environmentally sensitive parts of the township;
2.
That the township must deal with traffic problems before, or in conjunction
with, additional development;
3.
That pedestrian orientation (low signs, small parking lots, pedestrian
pathways and sidewalks, etc.) is desirable.
Here are some highlights: -Ninety
percent of respondents felt it is very important or somewhat important
to provide a cohesive and compact “town center” area that
contains a compatible mix of existing and proposed land uses.
-Ninety-nine
percent agreed that any new development should be comprehensively designed,
with assurance that the road network can support the development.
-Eighty
percent or more agreed that features that make it easier to get around
without a car should be incorporated into the study area: sidewalks,
bike paths, signage on a pedestrian scale, etc.
-Ninety-one
percent said it is important to include attractive civic spaces, greens
and park areas, creating a special sense of community identity.
About half of the 1022 respondents wrote answers to the survey’s open-ended question about what people would like to see in the study area. The most common answer was small retail stores such as a drug store, bakery or additional bookstore. Many people also suggested restaurants and outdoor recreation / leisure areas, and some suggested additional professional and office space. About seven percent of respondents suggested there should be no additional development permitted in this area. Here again, the primary concern related to creating and managing additional traffic. Not surprisingly, another concern was taxes, and the strong desire to make sure that additional development would help relieve – not contribute to – the tax burden on homeowners. To view complete survey results, click HERE.The file is an Adobe Acrobat file about 150 kilobytes in size. The Master Plan Committee thanks those of you who filled out surveys. Based on input and feedback from residents in six public planning sessions and via the 2002 Community Survey, and following a year of Master Plan Committee discussions, the Committee has at this stage concluded that the Bloomberg properties, including the Don Drake (Country Gentleman) farm on Route 518 that is being sold to Bloomberg, should be zoned for offices; the John Drake properties -- approximately 65 acres of farmland just east of the Don Drake farm -- should be preserved as farmland in accordance with the wishes of the farm’s owners, the John Drake family, and 47 acres of property north of the airport that is currently vacant should be developed with compact, mixed uses (mostly retail) and including the possibility of a small number of residential units or a small hotel. Other small tracts may also be rezoned. The Sharbell property, 138 acres that lie north of Rt. 518 and just west of the Village Shopper, was rezoned in December 2001; plans for an age-restricted community are making their way through the Planning Board process. The next step, before adopting changes to current zoning, is to evaluate different zoning scenarios to make sure that the Planning Board, Master Plan Committee and Township Committee understand as well as possible the long term impact of these zoning decisions on people, our economy and tax base, our natural resources, traffic, roads and other infrastructure. These evaluations will be done by our traffic consultant John Rea and by the Regional Planning Partnership (a non-profit organization that advocates sound planning and helps communities assess the regional impact of their decisions), in collaboration with the township's planning office. The results of these evaluations will be provided to the public via the township newsletter and web site, and to the Planning Board, Master Plan Committee and Township Committee to further inform them as they finalize the proposed zoning changes and developers' agreements.
Montgomery Township Municipal Offices
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