TIMEOFF
COMMUNITY
Old time rock ‘n’ roll
At the library
The Golden Oldies Spectacular at the State Theatre. Plus: Bob Brown reviews ‘Stop Kiss’ at the Theatre Intime.
Check out what’s going on at the Hillsborough Public Library. Page 6A
VOL. 62, NO. 8
Published every Friday
Friday, February 23, 2018
609-924-3244
centraljersey.com
hillsboroughbeacon.com
$1
Ex-lawmaker helps robotics team push for varsity letters By Andrew Martins Managing Editor
Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is more than a month out from his life as an elected official, but the Hillsborough resident has returned to the spotlight on a more local level, advocating that academic clubs and teams like Hillsborough High School’s Team 75 “RoboRaiders” be eligible for varsity letters. During a Hillsborough Township Board of Education meeting earlier this month, the former Republican legislator joined a chorus of RoboRaiders members calling for a change to the district’s varsity letter policy. “There’s very few things in life anymore that are black and white,
but this just seems like a black and white issue,” he said. “Let’s commit ourselves to putting a policy in place in the next few months so these graduating seniors can graduate with a varsity letter.” Ciattarelli, who opted not to run for re-election after falling in the polls to former Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno in the GOP gubernatorial primary, sent his four children through the Hillsborough school district. His son earned a varsity letter for cross-country track. Yet the former legislator points to a bill he sponsored last year that passed both houses and was signed by then Gov. Chris Christie that allows districts to award varsity letters to students who compete in non-sports activities.
“I’m disappointed that the town with the oldest robotics team in the state seems to be the one taking the longest to put a varsity letter policy in place to award non-athletic student participants who engage in interscholastic competitions a varsity letter,” he said. “Montgomery’s done it. Bridgewater-Raritan’s done it. Why not Hillsborough?” Though the bill doesn’t require schools to hand out varsity letters in non-sports activities, it was largely seen last year by supporters as an effort to push districts in that direction. Since 1996, students interested in robotics and other aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) have turned their understanding of cod-
ing and machining, as well as public relations and finances, into the state’s oldest FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition team. The team regularly competes throughout the region in an effort to “spread awareness of science and technology within the community,” according to the group’s website. Over the years, the team has earned a number of awards and taken top honors at several regional championships. The group has also received the Chairman’s Award, which FIRST bestows on teams that best represent “a model for other teams to emulate and best [embody] the purpose and goals” of the international youth organization.
For students like Daniel Lee, who serves as the team’s public relations manager, his time on Team 75 has proven to be a valuable part of his academic and social life. “I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to make as many friends as I have now who are all interested in STEM and who challenged me and pushed me to success,” Lee said during the school board meeting. “The RoboRaiders are more than just a club; the RoboRaiders are just like any other sports team. We train, we learn, we compete to our hardest and we know we can rely on one another.” School board President Judith See VARSITY, Page 4A
Incumbents returning to fire board, voters pass budget By Andrew Martins Managing Editor
Courtesy photo
Success on the gridiron The Hillsborough Jr. Raider Skyland Varsity Football Team had was honored with a proclamation at the February 13 township committee meeting for their successful season. The team won the Junior Skyland Football Conference for the third year in a row and finished the season by defeating Ridge 27-10 in the semi-finals and Watchung Hills 18-6 in the finals. The team scored an average of over 27 points per game and finished the season 9-1. The Hillsborough Jr. Raider Skyland Junior Varsity Gold Football Team were also honored with a proclamation for their championship-winning, undefeated season.
Social media spurs drive to help homeless family By Andrew Martins Managing Editor
A post on a Hillsborough community social media page sparked a grassroots effort to help a single mother and her two young children make the transition from living in a homeless shelter to making an apartment into their new home. Earlier this month, local resident and activist Didier Jimenez posted a public call to action to help the small family get acclimated to their new living situation. The identities of the mother and her children are being withheld, due to the sensitive nature of their time living in a homeless shelter.
215-354-3146
Courtesy photo
Didier Jimenez (left) and his friend Evan Klimko helped deliver donations to the single mother and her children. Jimenez, who has volunteered for a number of organizations including the Make a Wish Foundation, the Wild Life Conservation Society, Autism Speaks and Partners in Caring, said he learned of the trio’s situation and felt compelled to act. “The struggle of the single mom I helped is not unusual and it happens all over this country and I believe we need to step up as
citizens of this great country and human beings,” he said. What followed in the days after Jimenez made his post was an outpouring of support from the Hillsborough community, with residents donating items like bed sets, dishes, lamps, a kitchen table, chairs, ShopRite gift cards and other supplies to help the single mom get on her feet. The children were also given new toys and
books, as well as gift cards to Kohl’s for new clothes. So many donations came in, according to Jimenez, that it took four trips in a pickup truck to get all of the donations to the apartment. Working to help others has not been a new concept for Jimenez. “At a young age, my mother taught me that acquiring money is the worst way to find true happiness and she encouraged me to find my happiness through helping others,” he said. “She was able to mold my moral compass in a way that made it easy for me to dedicate my life and now my career to help those less fortunate.” Jimenez currently works fulltime at the Ozanam Family Shelter in Edison, which helps provide shelter for more than a dozen homeless single women and nearly 30 homeless families. “The culture that we live forces us to get our own and disregard others in a ‘dog-eat-dog’ culture,” Jimenez said. “I believe this is the time to look across the street and talk to our neighbors invite them for dinner learn that we have more in common than we have apart.”
Index Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A Classified . . . . . . . . . . C/D/E Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1B
Another low voter turnout marked a Hillsborough Township Board of Fire Commissioners election this year, with the two incumbents needing nearly 260 votes to secure their re-election bids for another three-year term. Last Saturday, the polls opened for seven hours at the municipal building to give voters a chance to not only vote on who will sit on the board, but also determine whether the district would get the $3.55 million budget for 2018. According to unofficial counts provided by Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Charlie Nuara, incumbents Pat Buckley and Mike Carone will return to the board after receiving 257 and 256 votes, respectively. Their counterparts, Judy Faulkner and Rollin Rathbun earned 163 votes and 96 votes. Nuara called the results a win for the fire board and the township, touting Buckley and Carone’s last three years as fire commissioners. “I’m happy that the incumbents are staying in because they’ve done a lot of work with us over the past three years and they’ve done a good job,” Nuara said. “I expect they’re going continue to do as well.” According to the Hillsborough Board of Fire Commissioners website, Carone currently serves as the board’s treasurer, while Buckley is head of safety. As for the 2018 budget, the small voting block that came out also voted in support of the fire commissioners’ spending plan by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio, with 191 people voting in favor and 89 voting to deny its passage. Of the $3.55 million requested in the budget, approximately $2.62 million will be collected from residents through taxes. In addition, voters approved
See BUDGET, Page 4A
Call us Movie Times . . . . . . . . . . . 4B Senior Corner. . . . . . . . . . . 6A Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A
News: (609) 924-3244 Classified: (609) 924-3250 Advertising: (609) 924-3244 To subscribe: (215) 354-3146
2A Hillsborough Beacon
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
Friday, February 23, 2018
CALENDAR Community spelling bee
Sat. Feb. 24 - The Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County will hold their 2nd Annual Community Spelling Bee for Adults on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 2-5 p.m. at the Hillsborough Public Library. This is a one-of-a-kind, funfilled event that brings the community together for a friendly competition that supports the LVSC’s free adult programs. To compete, teams of two teens or adults must register for $300 a team. Sponsors can support a team at varying levels. To join in the fun as an audience member, tickets are $5 each for everyone 12 years old and up. For more information, or to register, visit LiteracySomerset.org, call 908725-5430 or e-mail info@literacysomerset.org.
Clover Hill Reformed Church
Sun. Feb. 25 - The Clover Hill Reformed Church Worship and Sunday School will be at 10 a.m. on the Second Sunday in Lent, February 25. Our sermon will be based upon Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and Mark 8:31-38. The Clover Hill Reformed Church is located at 890 Amwell Road, Hillsbor-
ough, in the historic village of Clover Hill. Since 1834 we have been providing worship, education, fellowship and mission opportunities for individuals and families in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. For more information, please call 908-369-8451 or visit our website at www.cloverhillchurch.org.
St. Mary Byzantine Church lenten series Starting Fri. March 2 On the first four Fridays of the Great Fast 2018 (March 2, 9, 16, 23) a short Lenten Service will be celebrated at noon and 7 p.m. in St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 1900 Brooks Boulevard, Hillsborough. The service will be followed by a Lenten fasting meal with a series of guest speakers in the St. Mary Parish Center. The service, program and meal are scheduled to last about 90 minutes. For more information call 908-725-0615 or go to stmaryhillsboroughnj.org. There is no charge for this event. All are welcome.
RoboRaiders pasta dinner Sat. March 3 - Please support the Hillsborough High School’s Robotics Team by taking part in its “All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner” on Saturday, March 3 from 4-8 p.m. at the Hillsborough Municipal Building. Take out is available. There will be STEM activity tables for the kids, as well. Ticket prices are $10 (adult), $7 (senior citizens), children (under 8) $5. Questions? E-mail info@robo-
raiders.com.
Library card art contest Mon. March 5 to Sat. March 24 - Calling all artists! Enter the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) Library Card Design contest to have your art featured on a special, limited edition library card. The competition will launch on March 5 with entries accepted until March 24. The winning artwork will be featured on limited edition Library cards, which will be available Summer 2018 while supplies last. The design must incorporate books and/or reading and consist of original artwork. There will be two categories: Children (birth-12) and Teen/Adult (13-adult). There will be one winner chosen from each category. All eligible entries will be posted on SCLSNJ’s Facebook page, facebook.com/SCLSNJ, for online voting from April 9-22. You may also vote in person, call your local branch, or email your name and vote to designcontest@sclibnj.org. For complete rules and contest details visit: sclsnj.org/library-card-artcontest
Spelling bee Sat. March 10 - From 26 p.m. on March 10, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) will host their Third Annual Spelling Bee Spectacular, for children up to eighth grade, at the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, located at 14 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater. The winner of
SCLSNJ’s Bee Spectacular will be eligible to attend the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. at the Library System’s expense. Additional prizes will be awarded including a one-year subscription to M e r r i a m - We b s t e r Unabridged Online. For more information about SCLSNJ’s 3rd Annual Spelling Bee Spectacular: contact Jessica Trujillo at jtrujillo@sclibnj.org or at 908.458.4933.
Basket auction Fri. March 16 - On Friday, March 16, 2018, Triangle Elementary School will ‘rock down to Electric Avenue’ with their 80’s themed basket auction. The event will take place at the Falcon’s Nest on Falcon Road in Hillsborough. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and ticket prices will be forthcoming, once determined. Approximately 300 guests are expected to attend, and there will be a cash bar. Guests can bring their own light refreshments, and dress to impress with their 80’s style attire. The event will feature over 250 baskets for auction from local businesses, and national retailers. Past donations have been received by: New Jersey Devils, Super Sundaes, Frank’s Pizza, New York Jets, iHeart Radio, Bentley Jewelers, local hair salons, and more. All donations will be recognized in the event program, and will be announced by the emcee throughout the evening. Guests can also expect grand prizes and a cash 50/50. The event is sponsored by the Triangle School Home and School
Association, and is being chaired by Stephanie Goldberg and Vivian Wallens. For more information on this event, contact: Stephanie Goldberg at sacarlin@comcast.net; Vivian Wallens at hazel17904@aol.com; or the Triangle HSA at trianglehsa@gmail.com.
Caregiver ministry Sat, March 17 - St Joseph’s Parish, Caregiver Ministry is hosting their 4th Caregivers Retreat from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. If you are the caregiver of a special needs child, an elderly parent, sibling or spouse, a mentally or physically challenged person, or are a professional caring at your workplace, you are invited to share in this spiritual morning of reflection. Caregivers need support and we strive to offer hope, resources and a gentle ear as needed. Please join us for a kind and spiritual morning which will begin with mass at 8:30 a.m., (which is in the church & optional). The program will be held in the Parish Center and run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including lunch. St Joseph’s Parish is located at 34 Yorktown Road in Hillsborough. There is a time to give, and a time to receive. Please consider taking time for yourself and gather among your caregiving peers. Feel free to bring a caregiver friend. For further information or to register, please call Carol Jorgensen at 908-3697143 or email carolj623@comcast.net.
Pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Sat. March 24 - The Hillsborough Township Volunteer Fire Company #3 and Auxiliary are holding their annual pancake breakfast, featuring the Easter Bunny at 324 Woods Rd, Hillsborough. Bring your cameras to take pictures with the Easter Bunny! The first Seating will be at 8:15 a.m., with doors set to open at 8 a.m. The second seating will be at 10:45 a.m., with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. The breakfast buffet includes pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, yogurt, fruit, assorted beverages and more. For reservations or questions, email Genene Rozycki at nenerie22@aol.com with “Easter Bunny Breakfast” in the subject line, or call 908-829-4447. Include your name, phone number, preferred seating, and number of tickets requested. Tickets are $12 per person. Children under 2 years old attend for free if they sit on an adult’s lap. When ordering, please provide a break down by the number of kids under 2, how many kids and how many adults. Payment is due once you receive an email confirming your reservation. Mail your payment to: HTVFC #3 C/O Rozycki, 30 Joshua Drive, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Make checks payable to: HTVFC #3 Auxiliary. No refunds and no strollers, please.
Stream cleanup
Sat. April 14 - Want to help make streams in your community cleaner and See CALENDAR, Page 3A
Friday, February 23, 2018
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
Hillsborough Beacon
3A
Calendar Continued from Page 2A healthier? Join Raritan Headwaters, the region’s watershed watchdog, for its 28th annual Stream Cleanup on Saturday, April 14, at dozens of sites in Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties. Online registration is now open for the Stream Cleanup, which will include about 50 sites. Two new sites were added this year: Raritan Borough in Somerset County and Hampton Borough in Hunterdon County. To sign up, go to raritanheadwaters.org/strea mcleanup to view an interactive map of cleanup sites, then click the registration link to reserve a place at your preferred site. Groups of more than 15 people should contact Angela Gorczyca, water quality manager for Raritan Headwaters, directly at agorczyca@raritanheadwaters.org or 908-234-1852 ext. 315 to make arrangements. Individuals and groups who register by March 1, will be guaranteed a free custom-designed t-shirt for each person; those who register by March 26 will be guaranteed stream cleanup supplies like gloves and trash bags. The stream cleanup will be held on April 14 from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine.
Continuing events
Hillsborough Baseball Winter Training registration open They say that great players are made in the off season, so help him or her prepare with Hillsborough Baseball League’s winter training sessions. Hillsbor-
ough High School Varsity Coach Eric Eden and Coach Ryan Kane will work with your child (ages 7+) in one of our hitting, pitching, or catching courses. Sessions take place on Saturdays and Sundays, are six weeks long, and are capped at 10 kids so that players get maximum instruction. A six-week session is $170, and players who sign-up for multiple sessions receive a discount. Hurry—sessions begin on January 6. To register, go to http://hbl.leag1.com. Also, registration is still open for the 2018 spring baseball season. Franklin Woman’s Club meetings Now that the holidays are behind us, is the frigid weather already leading you to dream of summer? Adult women (age 18+) wishing to stave off cabin fever, are invited to Franklin Woman’s Club meetings in which a variety of interesting, entertaining and/or educational programs are presented as part of the evening. Following the program portion of the meeting, members report on upcoming volunteer projects, initiatives and educational or social outings, providing many opportunities for community involvement and comradery. The programs scheduled for the first quarter of 2018 are as follows: • Feb. 13 - “Getting Heart Healthy,” by Jenifer Morack, Director-Garden State Go Red for Women, • March 13 - “Queen Victoria” presented in costume by Alisa DuPuy from The Ladies of History Historical Productions. If you are interested in learning about the Woman’s
Club and attending any of these programs, please contact Membership Chairperson, Kecia Baptist at FWCmembershipinfo@gm ail.com for a guest invitation. FWC meetings are held at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Avenue, Somerset, on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. between September and May with special meetings held at alternate locations. For more information about club events, philanthropic and other initiatives or Scholarship and Girls Career Institute opportunities, visit www.franklinwomansclub.com. To follow the club’s activities on Facebook, visit: www.facebook.com/frankli nwomansclub. Become a literacy tutor Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County is recruiting volunteer tutors to teach literacy skills to adult learners. Tutors receive 15 hours of training in basic literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages during five weekly sessions. Upon completion of the training, tutors are matched with an adult learner. They generally meet once a week for tutoring sessions, typically at a local library. LVSC will offer its winter tutor class on the following consecutive Tuesdays, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb.13 and Feb. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the PeopleCare Center in Bridgewater. For information and to register, visit www.literacysomerset.org or call 908725-5430. Alzheimer’s caregiver support group Following the guidelines of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Care-
Join Us, It’s Free To Attend! Go to: www.nmg.ticketleap.com/homeandmore
Would You Like To Showcase Your Business At This Event? Contact Michele Nesbihal at 609-874-2147 or mnesbihal@centraljersey.com
giver Support Group is “a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system.” The group meets the first Monday and second Wednesday of each month at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church, 651 Country Club Road, Bridgewater. All are welcome. Free anxiety, depression, alcohol dependency screenings Carrier Clinic has announced free, confidential Anxiety and Depression Screenings and Alcohol Dependence Screenings through the end of the year. Adults concerned with their mental health or alcohol dependency are invited to attend to receive a free, confidential screening conducted by a licensed clinician. No appointment is necessary. All screenings will be held on the Carrier Clinic campus, located at 252 County Road 601 in Belle Mead. Carrier Clinic’s Anxiety and Depression Screenings will be held July 11, September 12, and November 14, 3-7 p.m. Carrier Clinic’s Alcohol Dependence Screenings will be held August 17, October 19, and December 7, 3-7 p.m. In addition to the screenings, Carrier Clinic hosts free weekly support groups on the campus throughout the year. These support programs include: Weekend Codependency Program, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bright Futures for Kids, Sundays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Parents Support Group, Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. Mood Disorder Support
Group, Thursdays, 7:309:15 p.m. For more information about these or other services and programs available at Carrier Clinic, visit CarrierClinic.org or call 908-2811513. If you or someone you know may have a mental health or substance abuse concern and you’re not sure what to do, visit CarrierClinic.org/WhatToDo. Pop warner: Calling all 5-7 year olds. Hillsborough Dukes Pop Warner are offering free Flag Football registration to first time players. We are offering an instructional and safe environment with fun training activities to teach core skills. Every child plays every game and the Dukes are the only organization that requires coaches to be USA Football Heads Up Certified. There are no tryouts or team drafting. Visit register.hillsboroughdukes.com to register. For any questions, contact football@hillsboroughdukes.com. VFW meetings: Monthly meetings of Hillsborough VFW Post 8371 are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the county nutrition center, 339 South Branch Road. The post’s mission is to honor and help other veterans. All veterans with foreign service are welcome. For information about activities, contact Ron Miller at 908-369-5195. Alzheimer’s support group: The Alzheimer’s Association has a support group in Hillsborough. Family members and caregivers come together to share information and support in a safe, confidential atmosphere. Meetings are
the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Brookdale Hillsborough, 600 Auten Road. Call 908-4311300. Mothers of Preschoolers: MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays at the Fellowship Bible Church building, 109 New Amwell Road. The group says it meets to “laugh, cry and embrace the journey of motherhood.” Sponsored by Crossroads Community Church, it hears speakers, has a craft or project and lots of conversation and refreshment. Child care is provided. For information, s e e www.crossroadsnj.org/MO PS. Registration fee is required. Divorce support group: A nondenominational support group to help separated and divorced people to a new beginning. The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, Route 206 at Homestead Road. Call 908295-6740. Swim lessons at HRC: The Swim Academy at HRC, located at 30 Brower Lane, Hillsborough, is offering swim lessons for all ages and levels. Call HRC Fitness at 908-359-3600 to register or visit www.hrcfitness.com for class schedules.
Send items to amartins@centraljersey.co m or fax to 609-924-3842. The deadline for submissions each week is 3 p.m. on Friday. For details, call 609-874-2163.
4A Hillsborough Beacon
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
THE STATE WE’RE IN
Friday, February 23, 2018
By Michele S. Byers
Without its ‘understory’ layer, the forest will collapse
Forrest Gump claimed life is like a box of chocolates, and a healthy forest is like a layer cake. At the bottom of the cake is the “understory” layer, with seedlings, saplings, woody shrubs and other plants. Next up is the “mid-story,” with taller young trees and larger shrubs. The “canopy,” with the oldest, largest trees is the top layer of the cake! What happens to a cake if the lower layer is pulled out? It collapses. And, ecologically, that’s what could happen to forests in central New Jersey. According to Dr. Jay Kelly, a biology professor at Raritan Valley Community College who is studying forest health, many forests are in trouble because their lower understory layers are disappearing. “They’re being decimated by deer and invasive plants,” he explains.
Kelly assesses forest health by comparing current conditions to those of 50 to 70 years ago. This study uses a “treasure trove of data” collected by former Rutgers professor Murray Buell from 1948 to 1972. Buell studied forests at 13 sites in four central New Jersey counties, including the Watchung Reservation, Jockey Hollow, Hacklebarney State Park, Voorhees State Park, Duke Island Park, Johnson Park, Mettlars Woods, Cushetunk Mountain, Musconetcong Mountain and Herrontown Woods. “Those studies were conducted prior to the deer population explosion,” Kelly said, noting that white-tailed deer essentially vanished from New Jersey prior to 1948 and didn’t rebound until decades later. Kelly and his students surveyed these same forests … and the differences today
centraljersey.com
are astounding! While Buell counted an average of 10 deer per square mile in central New Jersey forests, the number today is closer to 70 deer per square mile! “We found deer numbers over 300 per square mile in some places,” Kelly said. “It’s been catastrophic for the understory plants.” The number of medium and large trees has decreased only slightly since Buell’s time, but saplings have plummeted by 85 percent and small trees by 90 percent. “If this trend continues, we’re actually going to be losing forest as the older trees die, because there are no new trees to replace them,” Kelly said. When native saplings and plants are eaten by deer, they often don’t grow back. Instead, invasive plants spring up in their place. These invasives aren’t appealing to deer, or to native
insects and birds. “Our forests are actually more invasive than native at this point,” laments Kelly. Why is it important to keep native plants in our forests? Without them, the forest loses its rich diversity and resiliency to droughts and floods. A healthy, biodiverse forest also helps break down dead plants and recycles them into soil that further promotes a healthy understory for more native plants. What can be done? Kelly evaluated ways to control deer and keep New Jersey’s forest understory healthy. Deer fences are expensive, he said, but effective. When deer are kept out, native plants regenerate and out-compete invasive plants. This is good news not just for the understory, but for the entire forest. Controlling deer populations through contraceptives is still experimental and is
GET CONNECTED! Great Great Content Content Great
Local Local News News Local
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com 421 Route 206 Hillsborough, NJ 08844 Bernard Kilgore, Group Publisher 1955-1967 Mary Louise Kilgore Beilman, Board Chairman 1967-2005 James B. Kilgore, Publisher, 1980-2016
Andrew Martins
Joseph Eisele
Managing Editor
Publisher 2016 - Present
Mike Morsch
Tim Ronaldson
Regional Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Michele Nesbihal General Manager mnesbihal@centraljersey.com
Corporate Offices
198 Route 9 North, Suite 100 Manalapan, N.J. 07726
(609) 924-3244 © Packet Media, LLC. 2017.
All Rights Reserved.
FAX (732) 780-4678
Karlin, a professor of plant ecology at Ramapo College. He will also address municipal leaders on March 29, along with Michael Van Clef of the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team, at a program sponsored by Raritan Headwaters. To see a copy of Kelly’s presentation, go to http://raritan.rutgers.edu/wp content/uploads/2017/06/Kelly _Assessing-Forest-Healthin-Central-NewJersey_June-2017.pdf. And to learn more about preserving New Jersey’s land and natural resources, visit the New Jersey Conservation Foundation website at www.njconservation.org or contact me at info@njconservation.org. Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation in Morristown.
Budget
ENGAGEMENT
Packet Media, LLC.
Classifieds Classifieds Classifieds
expensive and not very effective. Allowing recreational hunting in public forests is not highly effective. Culling deer with trained sharpshooters is effective, but costly and controversial. It’s clear to Kelly that some combination of these deer control measures is needed. If the number of deer per square mile isn’t reduced, he said, thousands of forest plants and animals will not survive. Kelly said that humans also benefit from fewer deer. Towns with reduced deer populations have fewer deer-automobile collisions and lower rates of tickborne illnesses like Lyme disease. On March 2, Dr. Kelly will speak about forest ecology at the NJ Land Conservation Rally in New Brunswick, along with Dr. Emile DeVito of NJ Conervation Foundation and Eric
Continued from Page 1A
expect while knowing that
three ballot questions regarding the future acquisition of two new pumper trucks and a brush fire truck in the 2019 budget. According to officials, all three purchases will be done in an effort to replace similar apparatuses that are more than 20-25 years old. “[We need to] make the necessary changes, work with the fire chiefs and keep the budget as low as we can
there are things that need to
be replaced as they age,” Nuara said.
The two pumper trucks
are valued at approximately
$800,000 and the brush fire
truck is estimated to cost ap-
proximately $100,000. With
Saturday’s approval, all
three items will be placed on the 2019 budget.
Varsity Continued from Page 1A Noel and Valerie Sell, of Hillsborough, are pleased to announce the engagement of their son, Warren, to Kassidy Knowles, daughter of Kurt and Kitza Siemers, of Salina, Kansas and Steven and Shareen Knowles of Denver, Colorado. Warren graduated from Hillsborough High School in 2006 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in TV/Radio/Film from the Newhouse School of Communication at Syracuse University in 2010. He is currently a Media Services Technician for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York City. Kassidy graduated from Salina Central High School in 2007 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Media Studies from Fort Hays State University in 2012. She is currently a Producer/Director for the show House Hunters International in New York City. An October 2018 wedding is planned in Salina, Kansas.
Haas, whose son was a member of the RoboRaiders while he was a student at Hillsborough High School, said she was in favor of awarding varsity status to not just the robotics club, but to other organizations as well. “We have a lot of very, very high performing academic teams...so yes, this is a matter of policy that goes beyond the robotics team, which is a wonderful example of the merging of so
Legal Notices TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Please take notice that on the 7th day of March, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., a public hearing will be held before the Hillsborough Township Board of Adjustment in the Courtroom of the Municipal Complex located at 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ, on the application of George R. Farley, for the Board's consideration of variances needed to construct a single family residential home at the property located at 28 Equator Avenue and designated as Block 34, Lots 1 and 20 on the Hillsborough Township Tax Map. The applicant is requesting “c” bulk variances from Section 188-96 of the Land Development Ordinance. The requested variances are for lot area because 2 acres is required and 0.4 acres is provided. A front yard setback variance of 10.0 feet is requested for the new home whereas a 40-foot front yard setback is required. A variance for lot width at setback of 85.0 feet is requested whereas 120.0 feet is required. A front yard setback variance of 11.8 feet is requested for an existing detached garage whereas a 40-foot front yard setback is required. A side yard variance of 20.6 feet is also requested for the existing detached garage whereas a 26-foot side yard setback is required. It is also being requested that the Board of Adjustment grant any additional approvals, interpretations, variances, design waivers or exceptions determined to be necessary or which may develop during the review and processing of this application. Any person or persons affected by this application will have an opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing in accordance with the rules of Board of Adjustment. The application is on file and available for public inspection within the Planning Office of the Municipal Complex at 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HB, 1x, 2/23/18 Fee: $27.90 Affidavit: $15.00 LEGAL NOTICE HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION BA-17-07 Notice is hereby given that Brenden Ruh (the “Applicant”) has filed an application with the Hillsborough Township Zoning Board of Adjustment (Application BA-17-07) for minor site plan approval, use variance approval, and bulk variances/waivers for the property located at Block 175.18, Lot 8.01 in the Township of Hillsborough, with the street address “346 South Branch Road” in the Township of Hillsborough (the “property”). The Applicant proposes to use the property for a landscaping/hardscaping business in addition to the existing single family-residence, which is a non-permitted use in the R-Residential District and requires a use variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d(1). The application also necessitates the following bulk variances/waivers:
Side yard setback variances for two proposed moveable 10’ x 10’ sheds within 2-feet of the property line and for proposed moveable 10’ x 20’ storage container within 20 feet of the property line. Waivers from Minor Site Plan Checklist Item K (Contours at 2-foot minimum); Item L(9) (Locations of Buildings and Structures within 200-feet); Item N(12) (Number of Parking Spaces); Item N(15)(Lighting Plan). Waivers for Environmental Impact Statement and Traffic Impact Statement/Report.
Testimony will be presented at the time of the hearing in support of the application. The Applicant will seek whatever variances or waivers are required, in the opinion of the Board and their professionals, or identified by the Board professionals in their review, in order to implement the proposed plan and design. The Applicant will also seek whatever variances or waivers are required, in the opinion of the Board, in order to grant approval. Amendments to the application and the plan may be made at the time of the Public Hearing based upon comments from the Board and its professionals.
many different fields and endeavors,” she said. “We love all of our academic talent and at least speaking from myself, I think they should be rewarded.” To that end, the board will bring its findings to the next meeting on Feb. 27. School board Vice President Dr. Lorraine Soisson said things may take longer than that since there are new members on the education committee, though she was firmly in support of making the policy changes. “We may come to a decision, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on our new board members, who have not been part of the education committee previously,” she said. “I do want to reiterate what Judy [Haas] said.” With that in mind, Ciattarelli said he would be attending future board meetings with members of the RoboRaiders to keep the issue on the school board’s radar. “If you are a student participant in an extra-curricular activity in which you work hard, prepare and compete inter-scholastically, and when successful bring distinction to your school district, shouldn’t you be worthy of a varsity letter,” Ciattarelli asked. “The answer to that question in my mind is unequivocally ‘yes.’”
Any person or persons affected by said project will have an opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing on the application to be held on March 7, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Hillsborough Township Municipal Building, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844. The application is available for public inspection at the Zoning Board of Adjustment office in the Hillsborough Township Municipal Building, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844, during normal business hours from 8:00 am to 4:00pm. Alexander G. Fisher, Esq. Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher, P.A. 77 North Bridge Street Somerville, NJ 08876 Attorneys for Applicant HB, 1x, 2/23/18 Fee: $42.78 Affidavit: $15.00
GET GET CONNECTED! CONNECTED!
Friday, February 23, 2018
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
Hillsborough Beacon
5A
6A Hillsborough Beacon
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
Friday, February 23, 2018
HILLSBOROUGH SENIOR CORNER CHAPTER A
At our general meeting on March 1, Mike Reilly of the Hillsborough Funeral Home will share information on final planning. Our April 5 meeting will have our appreciation lunch served after a brief business meeting; sign-ups will be from 11 a.m. to noon. Trips & Programs Tues., Mar. 6 - Book Club will meet at 2 p.m. in the Senior Activity Room. Attendees will share a report of their latest reading. Wed. Mar. 7 - Philadelphia Flower Show - “Wonders of the Waters.” Lunch at Spasso Italian Grill, admission to show. Cost $90. Depart 10:30 a.m.; return approximately 9:30 p.m. Sold out. Wait list available. Sat. Mar. 17 - Hunterdon Hills “Irish Show,” a musical. Show, lunch, desserts. Cost $65. Depart Lowes at 10:30 a.m. Sold out. Wait list available. For information on any of our upcoming trips, call Diana Reinhardt at 908-369-4362. News & Notes All Hillsborough seniors age 60 and older are invited to join Chapter A. Younger spouses of seniors are also eligible for membership. Dues are $5 a year and new members may join at any meeting. Call Dorrie Guarniero at 908-3348091 with questions. General meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month unless otherwise announced. Executive Board meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, un-
less otherwise noted. On meeting days, doors open at 11:30 a.m., allowing time to review upcoming events and make reservations. Refreshments are available when doors open and after the meeting. Visit us at www.HillsboroughSeniorsChapterA.webs.com. — Gene Reinhardt Publicity Chairperson
CHAPTER B Check out Hillsborough’s Senior Club Chapter B’s website for the latest up-to-the-minute information at hsccb.webs.com. Contact Ralph Fariello with additional items at the next club meeting. The next monthly meeting will be held March 8. The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for members to buy tickets for future trips and other events. You can bring a bag lunch if you want. Coffee and tea will be provided. The meeting starts at noon. Tickets for all special events will only be sold at monthly meetings before the event. They include the following: spring luncheon, June celebration, June anniversary (every five years), fall luncheon and holiday party. The next bingo will be held on March 15. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $3.00 for one double card, $5.00 for two; this includes lunch with two hot dogs, chips, a drink, and a dessert, along with prizes and surprises.
If you have a new email address or want to be added to Club B’s email list, see Ralph Fariello at the next meeting. Activities and Trips Trips in 2018: Save these dates. Signups will take place in January and February with details to follow: Doolan’s, Spring Lake - March 16 - SOLD OUT (Waitlist available) Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, Penn. - April 24 Ocean City, Md - May 6-8 Philadelphia Liberty Tour, Penn. - June 6 If you want to bring a friend on any overnight trip, they do not have to be a club member. If any trips are sold out, you may call to add your name to a waiting list. On all trips, you should bring photo ID and health insurance card(s). Community Events Keep in mind the township’s Mr. Fix-It program, run by the Social Services Department. Minor home repairs can be arranged on Wednesdays between 8 and 11 a.m. for Hillsborough seniors 60 and older. Call 908-369-3880 for details. Free exercise classes for all ability levels are available to all Hillsborough seniors in the municipal building Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 45 minutes — right where we hold our meetings. Certified instructors lead classes. Free transportation is available. Call 908-369-3880 for details. — Chickie Haines Call 908-874-3231
Obituaries
James Burr Coe, 82 Hillsborough, NJ – James Burr Coe 82, of Hillsborough, NJ died February 13, 2018 at RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick following complications from a stroke. Born on November 30, 1935 in Rochester, NY. He lived in Highland Park and Kendall Park before settling in Hillsborough for the past 51 years. He received his BS degree from SUNI Brockport and earned his Masters Degree in Education at Rutgers University. He was employed by Rutgers University and retired in 1993 as an Assistant to the Provost. He is survived by Margaret A. Coe of Linwood, NJ, and three children, his son James Jr. and former wife Kathleen of Fishers, IN, grandchildren Caitlin and Matthew, his daughter Julie and husband Paul Brown of Glen Ridge, NJ, grandchildren, Sean, Owen and Maggie, and his son Jeffrey and wife Lisa of Princeton, NJ, grandchildren Andrew and Timmy. During his retirement he had a love for painting, gardening, spending time in Ocean City, NJ, playing golf with his buddies, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He will be remembered by many as “Pop Pops”, always with a smile, a great listener, a big heart and the man who never missed a beat. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives and he will be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cancer Institute of NJ at RWJ New Brunswick at Rutgers University. A celebration of life will be held on March 4, 2018 at The Landing in Hillsborough, NJ between 12-4 PM. Obituaries
Doris “Marion” Drake, 87 Doris “Marion” Drake, age 87, of Harlingen, N.J., died peacefully at home on February 16, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Marion was born on August 13, 1930 in Princeton, N.J., to parents Elise and Raymond Waag. She moved to Harlingen in 1950 to start and raise her family. She was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ted Drake; her sons, David Drake and his wife, Sarah, of Belle Mead, N.J., Gary Drake and his wife, Diana, of Pennington, N.J., and Doug Drake and his wife, Jennifer, of Harlingen, N.J.; her eight grandchildren, Katharine Drake, Emily Drake, Alexandra Drake, Daniel Drake, Sean Drake, Julia Drake, Kaylee Drake and Hunter Drake. Marion lived a life full of family, friends, laughter and fun and made the world brighter for all those who knew her. She and Ted first met at Princeton High School, where he was captain of the football team and she was a cheerleader. Marion graduated in 1948 and worked as a switchboard operator for ETS in Princeton. Soon after, she and Ted married and moved to the Drake home in Harlingen, where Marion became bookkeeper of her husband’s family business, Drake’s Plumbing & Heating, then operated by Ted and his father, Elmer, who had lived in Harlingen since birth. Marion and Ted shared their home at 5 Maple Street with Ted’s parents, Elmer and Margetta. Son Doug Drake still operates Drake’s Plumbing & Heating in Harlingen, where he and his wife Jennifer have lived for years with Marion and Ted, continuing the generations of Drakes living and working there.
BONDED & INSURED
FAMILY OPERATED SINCE 1960
Larry’s RESIDENTIAL WINDOW CLEANING
RAIN GUTTER CLEANING
PA - (215) 946-3097 NJ - (609) 688-1880 COMPETITIVE PRICES
15% DISCOUNT WITH THIS AD. Offer expires 2/28/2018
Marion and Ted are long-time parishioners of Harlingen Reformed Church, where Ted served as Deacon and Marion was very active with the Lady’s Auxiliary. Marion will be most remembered for a life well lived. She loved cooking, shopping (jewelry!), traveling, country music, knitting and entertaining friends and family both in Harlingen, as well their beloved home at the beach in Long Beach Island. Family and friends often gathered through the years in the screened-in porch on 53rd Street in LBI to celebrate life and love. Marion always led the party—with a Manhattan in one hand and a delicious feast cooking in the kitchen. After she and Ted sold the beach house in 2005, the family continued the LBI tradition as renters in Brant Beach, where they returned each summer to enjoy this wonderful place so close to Marion’s heart. Marion had countless friendships that endured for a lifetime and filled her spirit and her family’s with colorful stories of parties, outings, and experiences involving laughter and joy. As recently as a few months ago, she gathered regularly with a group of dear friends to share lunch and play rounds of Rummikub. She adored her children and grandchildren and they her, eager to spend time with their “Grandy” and “Dee Dee.” The family gathered monthly to celebrate birthdays and enjoy each other’s company. The birth of Marion’s first great-grandchild expected this May, to parents Danny and Sydney, would ensure a family birthday celebration in all 12 months of the year. Dee Dee will be smiling down on that special occasion, and she will be deeply missed. Arrangements were under the direction of the Hillsborough Funeral Home Donations can be made in Marion’s memory to Harlingen Reformed Church at 2142 US Highway 206, Belle Mead, New Jersey 08502..
Friday, February 23, 2018
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
Hillsborough Beacon
7A
AT THE LIBRARY
The Hillsborough Library’s schedule is as follows: Monday through Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-5 p.m. The library is looking for reliable teen volunteers to help out at various programs. Community service hours will be awarded to all volunteers at the end of the school year for their attendance and space is limited. Through the month of February, view the collection of Survana Nagaraju (student artwork). Visit SCLSNJ.org or call 908-369-2200 for information or to register. Program dates and times are subject to change. All programs are free and registration is required unless otherwise indicated. Adult programs (registration required): • English Conversation Group - Practice speaking English in a friendly setting. Basic English skills required. Hosted by The Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County. Mon. February 26, March 5, 12; 7-8:30 p.m. and Wed. February 28, March 7, 14; 10-11:30 a.m. • Time to Read Book Discussion - “Truly Madly Guilty” by bestselling author Liane Moriarty. Tues. February 27, 10-11 a.m. • Folksy Fun with the Poorhouse Pickers: An Acoustic Americana Musical Celebration - The Poorhouse Pickers will play acoustic Americana, with a special love for those singer-songwriters who have an understanding and appreciation for the folk and country music of their roots. Thurs. March 1, 7-8 p.m.
Youth programs (registration required): • Reading Buddy - Your child will increase their love of reading while reading aloud with a reading buddy volunteer. Grades K-4. Sat. February 24, March 3, 10, 17; 2-4 p.m. • STEM Stories: My Heart is Like a Zoo - Discover geometry in non-fiction books and during a hands-on activity. Ages 3-6. Fri. February 23, 10-10:45 a.m. • Tail Waggin’ Tutors - Each registered child will get 10 minutes reading to a specially trained dog. Grades K-4. Fri. February 23, 3:45-4:45 p.m. • First Roots Music - Ms. Jenni will present an entertaining music class that helps your child develop language, literacy, social and listening skills in a fun, nurturing, family-friendly setting. Ages birth - 36 months. Mon. February 26, 10-10:45 a.m. • Crafts for Kids - Children will create a fun craft. Grades 3-5. Tues. February 27, 4:30-5:15 p.m. • Speak Up: How to Call Out Abuse - Become empowered to take action when it comes to experiencing or observing abuse. Community service hours will be awarded. Grades 7-12. Wed. February 28, 6-8 p.m. Volunteer Opportunities Interested in being a teen volunteer at SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch? Email hil.teens.scls@gmail.com for an application and additional information. Grades 7-12. Homework Help Center Mondays and Thursdays, 4-6 p.m.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. January 8 - March 15 The homework help center is available to students in grades 3-12 in all subjects. Drop-in only, no registration needed. Writing Center Get help with informational and creative writing assignments, proofreading, grammar, spelling, college essay peer review, and midterms/finals writing assignments. The writing center is available to students in grades 3-12. Dropin only, no registration needed. Tuesdays - Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Library resources Book A Librarian - Get personalized help with the online catalog, databases, research questions, storytime plans, locating materials, library apps and readers’ advisory. Parents, children and teens can request an appointment at the Youth Services desk by filling out a simple form. All ages. Bag of Books to Go - You can request, at the Children’s Desk, a bag filled with books related to a theme. Book Discussion Kits - Do you belong to a book discussion group or would you like to start one? Are you looking for a good book to share and have copies for everyone in your group? Our book discussion kits contain ten books that can be checked out for six weeks.
8A Hillsborough Beacon
www.hillsboroughbeacon.com
Friday, February 23, 2018