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Report from Rocky Hill - May 2011
The Rocky Hill First Aid Squad isn’t quite dead in the water. Following what must have been a stormy meeting on April 2 among Mayor Zimmerman, members of the operation and administrative leadership of the squad, the two operational leaders resigned. There was a State Trooper at the April 4 Borough Council meeting in case of fireworks, but he wasn’t needed. “Now that that block has cleared there are some things we can do,” said Mayor Zimmerman.
There have been meetings held previously with members of the Montgomery EMS – several of whom were in attendance at the April 4 Council meeting – and members of the Princeton First Aid Squad during which both squads expressed an interest in helping revive the Rocky Hill Squad.
For now, the Montgomery EMS will be covering for Rocky Hill until sometime during the summer. Meanwhile, the remaining Squad members will be recruiting and reorganizing. Deborah Westbrook, who is a member of both Rocky Hill and the Princeton squads, said that they had no formal plans to reestablish operational leadership. Much depends upon staffing, training and technical skills of new members, some of whom may be old members returning to the fold, and some new members from other squads. More will be revealed.
Mayor Zimmerman said that he attended the monthly meeting of the Squad in April and said, “The Squad seemed thoroughly relieved. Some former members are starting to come back. Things are moving in the right direction.” For now, the Hook and Ladder Company will be doing any rescue work.
Both the mayor and Council insist that their preference is to see the Squad up and running and viable again. “A lot is happening in a little time,” said the mayor, who noted that events precipitated from March 4 to the April 2 resignations.
Montgomery Township School Superintendent Earl Kim came before the Rocky Hill Borough Council at the May 4 meeting to make a case for the school budget, which will be voted on April 27, a Wednesday oddly enough. He pointed out the dilemma the Board has: after cutting an additional $1M from the budget, the State has reduced its Aid to Schools such that Borough and Township taxpayers alike will see an increase in school taxes. Their contention is that the schools are operating on a bare bones budget, with no fat left to cut, hence fees for parking student cars, activity fees, etc. He noted the slow increase in class sizes beyond what would be considered optimal.
One unavoidable question he got was when can Borough taxpayers expect to see an equalization of the school levy? For the past two year, Borough taxpayers have been groaning under the weight of a “formula” under which the Borough has been charged $2,388 more per child than Township taxpayers, or about $800 more per home. Apparently, that disparity, which was not caused by the School Board, but by the former County Superintendent, will remain. Why? Who knows – but the Borough is stuck with it until it becomes changed by the legislature, according to Mayor Zimmerman.
One question from the audience was, if that is the case, why not equalize it be allowing Rocky Hill students to participate in activities without an activity fee, and to park in the lot without a $200 parking fee? Relatively few Rocky Hill students would need that, but why not? Mr. Kim offered to consider it, but members of Council pointed out that if the budget has already been formalized under the law, then not much could be changed at this point.
Mr. Kim put in a plug for a “mock election,” in which students would vote at polling places, such as at Borough Hall, supervised by parents and teachers. Council didn’t like that idea, as it sounded like a “get out the vote” program for parents. There was some feeling that it would be better off held in the schools instead. No resolution was introduced in support of it.
Borough taxpayers will pay $153 more than last year if the school budget passes. There won’t be many happy campers contemplating their tax bill this year.
However, Council moved a series of resolutions during the April 18 meeting, including a resolution to adopt the 2011 Municipal Budget. This year’s municipal budget, the Mayor noted, will see no increase in the tax rate for the second year in a row. The total budget is $1,020,796.63, with taxpayers on the hook for $453,255.63
The State Police report was that during February, there was one medical assistance call and three car accidents. During March, three medical assistance calls, and three accidents. Court receipts during March totaled $5,125, with Rocky Hill’s share at $1,755.
Borough Engineer Bill Tanner said that Verizon has documented repairs to their antennas on the water tower, but that some repair work needs to be done by some of the other companies. Mr. Tanner says that some of the crumbling sidewalks along Princeton Avenue are from salt during the winter and snowplow damage. The Borough ran out of money for repairs after repairing the sidewalks, but some money may be found during the year.
Councilman Bremner reported that someone called the County Road Department to repair what was in fact a Borough road. Mr. Bremner pointed out that the County then charges the Borough for such repairs, with the latest bill at $90 for one pothole. Mr. Bremner asks that any resident with a pothole to report should call him directly at 609-651-8472, or email him at tbremner@rh-nj.gov. Borough Council will ask the County Road dept. to respond only to requests for repairs to Borough roads from the Clerk, Mr. Bremner, or the Mayor. Mr. Bremner said, “Having the Borough schedule comprehensive Borough road pot hole repairs minimizes County repair crew trips and saves us all money.” Residents are free to call the County about potholes on any county road, but not Borough roads.
The Borough is contemplating a Historic Preservation Plan, part of a matching grant from the County, under which homes in the Historic District would be documented online, with links to data and information about similar type buildings. The $6750 has already been received,. but not allocated, pending a decision with the Planning Board to return it or match it and get the work done.
The Borough also will be applying for a grant to help restore Borough Hall to historic accuracy. The grant will not be a matching grant. Councilman Donahue said it will help by, “Creating a useable space in today’s time and also by keeping to historical accuracy.”
Last month we reported that the Rocky Hill Community Group was offered a $1000 grant to organize an October celebration. Actually, it was a Preservation Celebration Committee, which came back, hat in hand, asking for an additional $500. Much was discussed, to be voted on later. “I do get gunshy when they ask for one thing then come back for more,” said Councilman Donahue.
Speaking of celebrations, the Borough is hoping to honor 911 with an event about that time, during which the remnant of the Twin Towers will be unveiled. There were two designs shown during the April 18 meeting. Council favored the simpler of the two, featuring a rock of some eight feet in height, with the 911 steel leaning against it. Mr. Zimmerman noted, “Some people are going to want to touch it.”
Clerk Rebecca Newman said, “To see it up close like that is very moving.” The favored design was also smaller in scale, more suitable, they thought, for Panicaro Park. Some Somerset County Freeholders, the mayor said, expressed an interest in helping pay for it.
Council approved a contract with John Kessler to mow the lawn at Borough Hall, and another with Mait Van Nostrand to cut the high grass in the Greenacres.
The
Hook and Ladder Company will be holding its annual Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast on May 8.
The Rocky Hill Community Group will be holding the Townwide Yard Sale on May 14. Trash pickup will be May 17.
Rocky Hill Borough Council next meets on the first and third Monday evenings of the month, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Report From Rocky Hill - Jan 2012
The Nov. 30 retirement dinner for Toby Whitlock at the Elks Club was well attended with, with speakers including State Senator Kip Bateman, and Rocky Hill officialdom. After the event, a resolution was received from Gov. Christie, thanking Mr. Whitlock for his many years of service. Mr. Whitlock has served on the First Aid Squad, the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder, Borough Council, the Planning Board and pretty much everything in between. He is also a former mayor, borough clerk, and zoning officer. In fact, there have been few if any official titles Mr. Whitlock hasn't held over his 50 years of service.
As Mayor Zimmerman said, there is a plaque on the wall at Borough Hall in case of emergencies, which offers the advice, "What would Toby do?"
There was some discussion as to whether Borough Hall should be or could be renamed in his honor, or to honor his family, as both his father and his son also have been active in Borough governance, an effort led by Mayor Zimmerman. However, this received lukewarm support from at least three councilmen, who liked the idea of honoring Mr. Whitlock, but not perhaps, to the point of renaming Borough Hall. Mayor Zimmerman pointed out the example of several municipal buildings in which this was done, albeit, in honor of deceased officials, and Toby yet breathes. Things were getting a bit sporty at the Dec. 19 council meeting on that subject, so Council wisely agreed to reconsider it at the Jan. 24 Council meeting.
The Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec 5, sponsored by the Community Group, was also well attended on a mild winter's afternoon. Lots of kids, lots of good food, lots of Carol singing by the Choir of the Rocky Hill Reformed Church.
The NJSP report cited three calls for medical assistance, one verbal dispute, and a car accident on Crescent Avenue. November court receipts totaled $1908, with Rocky Hill's share at $374.34.
The sewer billing dispute is still unresolved, however, Mr. Tanner noted, the sudden retirement of Montgomery Township Mayor Caliguire, who is now on the Somerset County Board of Freeholders, may improve things.
The storm damage from the Halloween snow has caused a few problems, among them, the enormous amount of brush and limb damage. Ordinarily, these tree limbs are supposed to be taken to the curb for pick up. However, a few home owners asked if the landscaper could pick them up from the lawn instead, as the sidewalks were so narrow and curbing so limited, that any brush and limbs would block the sidewalks for passersby. They were told to call the landscaper, and misinterpreted that to mean that the landscaper hired by the Borough to pick up limbs and brush as usual, would instead do that and also cleanup the homeowners yard as well. This resulted in a higher than estimated bill, which exceeded the "not to exceed" amount of the contract.
The Borough CFO reports that the accounts are in good shape, with some $171,000 unspent (but committed, mostly). The Borough should end the year with $100,000 in reserves.
Councilman Mark Pausch and Mayor Zimmerman both resigned from the First Aid Squad in order to avoid any conflict of interest problems. If the Borough Council needed to vote on expenditures relating to the Squad, there would have to be at least four unaffiliated votes.
Scott Gorman, president of the First Aid Squad, along with Bob Ashbaugh, reported that the Squad has been actively training EMT's, with several due to be certified in the next few weeks. He said that group training and drills have been continuing weekly.
Mr. Ashbaugh answered questions as to why the First Aid Squad has been asking for more money than in previous years. He said that one of the problems is that some of the communications gear went missing after the old squad members departed, and had to be replaced. Proper walkie-talkies, for instance, cost over $1,000 each. Also, Borough Council had been under the impression that the Squad was asking for money to cover a mortgage, which would be improper. Actually, Mr. Ashbaugh stated, the money was to cover a construction loan for the cost of a two-bay expansion of the Squad building. The building is currently housing equipment owned by the Borough, and some owned by the Fire Dept., such as the compressor for the breathing equipment, and the boat used for water rescues. "It's not a mortgage," he said a couple of times, "It's a construction loan."
A fair amount of the money was for such items as insurance and LOSAP payments. LOSAP is a kind of deferred retirement benefit for fire and rescue persons who participate a certain minimum number of hours a year. Although the Borough had budgeted $25,000 in the 2010 budget for the Squad, not all of it had been spent in that year and was being held in reserves. This year's Squad budget - or lack of it - went into some discussion, but the general sense of it seemed to be that the total spent by the Squad in the first three quarters was $28,045, and that some of it could come from the 2010 budget. Councilman Donahue felt that the Squad should have some budget prepared for Borough Council to approve.
Borough CFO Joseph Monzo went over the bills with Mr. Gorman and noted that they exceeded the $9750 in the budget, so Borough Council will have to approve any overages. Stay tuned.
Mayor Zimmerman pointed out that there was a big difference between the Squad and the Hook and Ladder, and that was that the Hook and Ladder Company received funding from the Borough annual budget, but that the Squad was independent and owned their own building, even though the Borough owned or paid for its equipment.. "The Public Safety Chairman and the CFO need to sit down with the Squad to figure out what is and what is not in the budget," Mr. Zimmerman said, regarding the items on the vouchers submitted by the Squad.
Mr. Ashbaugh said, "We recognize that discretionary funds from the Borough is not an entitlement." he went on to say, "We've had complete transparency. Every expense we've had over the past year has been reported to you. We had an enormous amount of equipment, uniforms, and repairs to equipment and to the roof. These things were neglected over the years. We've had to spend far more money to get in a position for operations., We'll work with you on a budget for 2012."
"There was no guideline before," CFO Joe Monzo stated, when asked.
Chief Todd Harris of the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder made a presentation to Council at the Dec. 19 session asking for support for a fire safety program. He noted that mandated inspections had not been performed in a timely manner, such as the statutory five-year inspections of rental properties, and the requirement that rental apartments must be inspected for fire safety with each new tenant. Inspections look for a working Carbon Monoxide detector, a smoke detector, and a fire extinguisher with an up to date tag on it. Such inspections carry a $35 fee. Water flow at the hydrants hasn't been tested as yet, either.
Also, he noted, there is currently no information on many of the commercial sites. At the Business Park on Crescent Ave., for instance, there is everything from light industry to food preparation and the like, with who knows what horrors awaiting firemen in an emergency. A proper survey would keep such information in a laptop to reduce unpleasant surprises. Mr. Harris's proposal called for a state certified Fire Official; for $6,000 annually, such an official would serve two eight hour shifts each month, and three Wednesday evenings at the Fire House. Or, for $12,000 annually, four eight hour shifts, and four Wednesday evenings. There is currently an office set aside, with equipment. Such an official would also supervise repairs and servicing of equipment, and the filing of reports. Mr. Harris noted that so far this year, he has filed some 300 reports, each requiring roughly 15 minutes to prepare.
Council noted that the $6,000 option sounded easier on the ear, and would be more likely to be self-supporting out of inspection fees. One candidate would be Eric Mickelson, a former Rocky Hill resident, a member of the Fire dept., and a Fire Official, among other things, for Franklin Twp.
Meanwhile, Borough Council passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a shared service agreement for the resale of commodities with Somerset County; a resolution authorizing budget transfers from one line item to another; a resolution authorizing a grant from the DOT for historic beautification of Borough Hall; and an resolution authorizing the Borough to join with Franklin, Montgomery, Hillsborough, Manville, Bridgewater, South Bound Brook, and Somerset County, to set up a Raritan and Millstone Rivers Flood Commission.
Also, Council approved a 2% raise for employees, retroactive to Dec. 1, 2011, which should total an additional $2,500. The statewide average for municipal employee salary increases is from 2 to 5%.
Rocky Hill Borough Council will next meet on January 2, at 7:30 pm, for the Reorganization Meeting, and then again on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Report From Rocky Hill - March 2011
In last month’s story about the breath of fresh air running through the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad, we mentioned changes in shared ambulance services and inadvertently gave the impression that Montgomery EMS charges for ambulance calls. That is not so. Unlike the Princeton First Aid Squad, they do not charge for calls (nor does Rocky Hill). Mutual aid is as of the end of February, unresolved: a late February accident in front of the Rocky hill Inn resulted in a call to Princeton by County dispatchers.
Borough Council noted the vast improvement in the number of calls handled by the Squad. However, the saga continues: for the first time, the squad sent vouchers, asking for the release of some $20,000 of the $25,000 that the Borough has earmarked for the squad. In the past the Borough had simply issued a check without vouchers. That has changed. Among the items listed is $4,000 to pay for a mortgage on the First Aid Squad property. Mayor Zimmerman noted that the Borough has never knowingly paid for this in the past, nor should it, says the Mayor, as the First Aid Squad is autonomous and owns their building and property. The Mayor noted that in addition to the items on the voucher, the Borough had been paying for the new ambulance, insurance, and LOSAP, which is a municipal retirement fund that members of the Fire Company and Rescue Squad are eligible for. $10,00 was approved until the next meeting with representatives of the Rescue Squad.
This year’s record snowfall, which has resulted in a continual 100% groundcover through mid-February since the Dec. 26 storm, has cause pedestrians some difficulty. Despite an ordinance requiring landowners to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes, there have been some homeowners who have not fully complied, resulting in treacherous walkways as melting snow has refrozen overnight. In some cases, snow hadn’t been cleared at all. Mayor Zimmerman noted that the Borough sent constables to the homes of some offenders, first issuing warnings, then summonses for non-compliance, resulting in fines, for which he has received an earful. He noted that the Borough can only do so much, and that the cycle of melting and freezing snow depends on homeowners to keep after it; some of them simply won’t do it, resulting in pedestrians walking in the streets instead of walkways. One person noted, “Pedestrians have a choice of slipping on the ice or getting hit by a car.” During the second Council meeting, the Councilmen noted that one problem for the Constables had been that some streets (such as Lemore) only have sidewalks on one side of the streets, and the Constables weren’t sure which side was which.
Speaking of pedestrians, the Mayor noted that the Borough was a recipient – along with some 73 other NJ municipalities – of a grant for streets and roads, to be dedicated to the new solar-powered walkway crossing signs. Such signs will allow pedestrians to start lights flashing to warn clueless drivers that someone is about to cross at an intersection. Currently, pedestrians take their lives in their own hands at intersections, even in broad daylight. The Borough would like to install lights at Washington and lower Crescent Avenue, Washington and Princeton, Washington and Reeve, Washington at the upper Crescent (near the Library), at Merritt Lane, and at Young Drive. However, each installation will cost some $20,000, and the grant was only for $73,000. Which intersections will be lighted remains to be sorted out. Any installations will probably be completed during June.
The Mayor has considered starting a new committee, a combined policy and business network committee, to get volunteers to assist unemployed residents prepare resumes, etc., and to prepare a volunteer registry for other municipal projects, such as helping in the parks, landscaping and so on. The suggested motto is, “neighbors helping neighbors.” Borough Engineer Bill Tanner noted that he could use some volunteers to help with a re-mulching project in the parks, which he said was overdue.
A Borough resident had a question at the Feb. 7 meeting about the church bells (electronic versions) coming from the First Reformed Church. Noting that they had started ringing around Christmas time (when homeowners’ windows are shut), he thought that they would not be rung after the New Year, but indeed that have been. Not only at noon, he said, but during the afternoon and in the evening. Some long-time Rocky Hill residents remember when they had stopped being run (more than 15 years ago, maybe 20) after complaints from some residents with infants, or others who had been trying to rest while the bells were rung.
The Mayor and some council-persons have been attending joint meetings with the County on the issue of consolidation of police services. Meanwhile, there was no Court held during February. Total receipts during the January session for four parking tickets and four moving violations was consequently small, at $74; Rocky Hill’s share was $314.
The Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder Company received a $17,400 grant for operations and safety.
There may be a leak in one of the water mains, as total water for January and February was somewhat higher than normal.
The school tax issue remains unresolved for the 2011-12 season. Rocky Hill will continued to be overcharged by some $2,500 per child for this budget. Mayor Zimmerman says that the only way to fix this is to amend the law, which is being looked into. More will be revealed.
Rocky Hill Borough Council next meets on the first and third Monday evenings of the month, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Rocky Hill Borough website
Borough Makes a Stink Over Township Sewer Bills
The State has been trying to get more municipalities to share services as a cost saving measure. The experience of Montgomery Township and the Borough of Rocky Hill, which have had an uneasy relationship over the years, illustrates the pitfalls. They currently share schools and sewers. In the past they shared recreation facilities.
Lately, the shared sewer system, which, it is safe to say, predates all of those who administer it in the Borough and the Township, has resulted in Rocky Hill Borough administrators facing huge increases in fees.
Rocky Hill Borough Council has been meeting in executive session – that is to say, no public – for several years off and on, to discuss the subject and its resolution. They say these increases are unfair.
The problem is, Rocky Hill Borough Mayor Ed Zimmerman says, “We were getting billed $60,000 a year for a long time, but the bills started going up. We got a bill for $85,000, but we needed to know what we were paying for.”
The Township says that three years ago it was faced with two serious challenges. The Township has roughly seven pumping stations, which had been built originally by developers at no expense to the Township. Two of the original plants were only a couple of years old when they failed, and had to be replaced at Township expense. “One of those plants was eight years old when I got here,” Township Administrator Donato Nieman said, “and now its, what? 20 plus years old.” Additionally, the Skillman Village sewer plant, which serves the schools, was built during the 40’s and has been in serious need for some time.
First, he says, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection required new standards to be met, including the requirement that copper and zinc, which leaches from water pipes, be removed before treated wastewater is released. Second, sewer pumping stations and treatment plants required upgrading.
The Township then applied for and received a $27 million loan from the NJ State Internal Trust, which it received in 2009. Mr. Nieman said, “This was a really favorable bond issue for us, at the best time to get one.” He noted that the bonds are due in 2029 and 2030, with a total interest of some $5 million. If they are paid properly, the state will forgive some $5 million. Also, half of the loan is interest free and the remainder is fair market price, which two years ago was very low.
Rocky Hill Mayor Zimmerman says there is more to it then that. “Originally, Rocky Hill and Montgomery joined with Princeton in a regional sewer system,” which used the River Road sewer plant during the late sixties. There were comparatively few Montgomery homes with sewer, possibly only a few more than Rocky Hill, which has remained steady at 260 customers.
However, Mr. Zimmerman says, “Princeton pulled out of it and joined the Stonybrook Regional Sewer Authority.” That event occurred in 1971, according to the Stonybrook website.
Each member of the system owned a piece of it, with an agreement, he says, that legally requires each member to get permission of the others before getting a loan for sewage treatment.
Mr. Nieman, who noted that this decision was before his time also, says, “It wasn’t financially viable for us then to go into Stonebrook,” which is a Stage Two sewer plant.
“After that, Montgomery began to treat us as customers, with annual bills,” rather than as partners, Mr. Zimmerman said. The Borough didn’t object because the sewer bills seemed reasonable, he said, in the neighborhood of $60,000 a year for a long time. More recently, they began to rise precipitously. The Borough hired a forensic accountant who said that the bills were too high. Mr. Zimmerman says they went to the Township with this information and the Township reported back. “You’re right, they told us, and it’s really $95,000 a year. Then they came back and said $120,000, then $180,000.” That figure has been soundly, and some, say rudely, rejected by the Borough.
The Borough’s position is that they had a contract going back to the original three-member regional plan even after Princeton pulled out. Mayor Zimmerman says that the Borough has had two members appointed annually to meet jointly with the Township sub-committee, but that the joint committee hasn’t met since 1988. That agreement between the Borough and the Township was never ended, the Mayor says. Therefore, the Borough argues, why should it have to pay for debt incurred by the Township unilaterally contrary to their contract?
If that is the case, the Borough argues, then Rocky Hill is still a co-owner of a regional system, albeit, with only two members. Some, more familiar with negotiations, say that the Borough has a copy of the original contract, but the Township has not produced its copy.
Furthermore, the Borough argues, why should it pay for the upgrade of a much larger sewer system that is a consequence of Montgomery’s rapid growth over the years? There are now some 3,450 residential hook-ups in the Township lines, including Pike Run and Montgomery Woods, with more to come. Those huge developments count as single hook-ups, with bills apportioned to individual residences.
The Borough, which owns and maintains its own sewer lines, has continued to pay what it had been paying, which Mayor Zimmerman said was, “$65 to 85,000 as year” and has been setting the amount over that, which the Township has demanded, into escrow. That amount is now some $338,000 plus interest. That works out to $1,300 per home in the Borough.
Mr. Nieman argues, “80% of the improvements have nothing to do with the increase in population,” but are a consequence of “forced plant improvements in discharge water quality.” He also says, “Montgomery never billed Rocky Hill for any part of the costs of preparing wastewater management plans or for employee costs.”
Mayor Zimmerman says that Rocky Hill monitors its own lines and knows what it is putting into the system. The average total water flow has been 2.4 million gallons a month for decades. All of Rocky Hill homes and businesses are connected to municipal water and are metered. Individual homeowners are billed a combination water and sewer bill, with the cost of sewer treatment determined by the amount of water used.
On the other hand, although Montgomery knows the total amount of sewer from its homes and business, it doesn’t necessarily know how much comes from each home. This has been a problem for Township residents getting sewer bills. According to one attorney familiar with municipal law, state law requires that customers for municipal services be billed uniformly for utility fees, such as sewer bills.
The Township bills a flat $233 plus $8.05 per 100 cubic feet of sewage. However, there has been no municipal requirement that each user of the sewage system meter its flow.
Some homes have Elizabethtown water, which is metered, but use septic tanks. Others have sewer service, but pump water from their own wells. Those homeowners with well water have the option of paying a flat $800 per year or purchasing a water meter from the Township and installing it themselves in order to lower their sewer bill. “Many who do that are older folks and have smaller households.” Says Mr. Nieman.
Still others belong to condominium or apartment complexes, in which the entire complex is metered but receives only one bill, which is apportioned out to all members of their complex.
Currently, the Township system is budgeted at $4.7 million, including debt service, for 2011. Assuming the Township debt is paid by all users of the sewage system both Montgomery and Rocky Hill, and the State forgives $5M, the cost per customer of paying the sewer improvement bonds alone will amount to roughly $407 per year until 2030, when both bonds are paid.
Montgomery Township Mayor Caliguire says, “We have an outstanding invoice to Rocky Hill that has not been paid. The rate payers are still footing the bill and we need to resolve this.”
Mayor Zimmerman says, “We want to pay our fair share. Its been going on for a long time and now its coming to a head. We agree with what’s in the bucket, but not on how much it’s worth.”
Report From Rocky Hill - July/August 2011
The installation date for the illuminated crosswalk signs keeps getting moved back. It was announced at the June 6 Borough Committee meeting that they should have a few by the end of July. They hope to have them at each of six crosswalks in the Borough, but the exact number will depend on the final cost. A bid for them is pending.
The Girl Scouts planted 100 trees at Van Horne Park to replace trees damaged by fire last year.
During March through May 2011, the NJ State Police responded to three calls for medical assistance and four car accidents (two each on Washington and on Princeton Avenues).
During May, there were 18 moving violations ticketed, and 17 parking violations. In court, 34 moving violations were disposed of, and 17 parking tickets. Total receipts for May were $4,134, with Rocky Hill’s share at $1,424.
Borough residents pumped 2.51 million gallons from the Borough well. All tests were normal. They show that the well water is still showing organics before it hits the stripper, but that the stripper is working as designed, and that the water is completely safe to drink.
Assistant Borough Clerk Rebecca Newman became Borough Clerk on June 6 when she was sworn in by Mayor Zimmerman. She passed all of the state certification tests and will replace former Borough Clerk Ray Whitlock.
Ray Whitlock will be retiring as of July 1as Deputy Clerk. Mayor Zimmerman noted that for most of the past 70 years, a Whitlock has been actively involved in Borough administration and all their thanked him for his many years of dedicated service.
There was some discussion of where to locate the 9/11 memorial. The preliminary drawings show the piece of twisted steel with granite weighing some 36 tons. This was thought to be so large that it might visually overwhelm the original site at Panicaro Park. Some thought that a location in the Greenacres near the bench at the top of the hill, behind Borough Hall, might be a better location, visually. However, others agreed, it would be harder to reach for seniors and others who might find it difficult to walk to, and that it might be more prone to vandalism if it were out of sight in the Greenacres. No final disposition was reached as some Councilmen felt it would be better to look at each site with plans in hand before deciding. “People want to touch it, to view it, to see it and feel it,” former Councilman Peggy Harris said.
Van Cleef Engineering will be donating the site plans. Trap Rock has agreed to donate the granite and the equipment for moving it, but there will be no help from the Freeholders. I’m very disappointed,” Mayor Zimmerman said. “Other municipalities get money for open space, but we don’t.”
The First Aid Squad is still on track. They had originally hoped to be open for business by the 4th of July weekend, but at the June 20 Council meeting, Squad president Scott Forman asked for an extension until August 5. At that point, he said, the Squad will be open for business on Friday and Saturday evenings, from 7 pm to 7 am. He reported that the squad is now up to 30 members, with 25 of them rated as active. Of that number, 11 are currently EMT’s, and seven are drivers. The remaining issues consist of training, primarily, with class starting in September, ending in December. Their goal is to staff a three-man crew, with two EMT’s, one of them the crew chief, and a driver. Crew chiefs will have to have at least two years of experience.
Both he and Bob Ashbaugh reiterated the idea that the squad should not start work until they were ready. One problem is that when MEMS covered for the Borough, during a three-month period there were only 19 calls, six of them the first month. That means for many members, that skills can get rusty. They said that there was a possibility that some Rocky Hill squad members could ride-along with Montgomery to keep up their skills and training, but that remains in the future.
Another problem they had in the past was that some members lived outside the area. Those who do will be staffing the Squad HQ during a 12-hour shift in order for the squad to meet the requirement that calls from dispatch be responded to within nine minutes.
Mayor Zimmerman said, “I’m extremely impressed with how this is going. You remember how upset I was with previous management.”
The Hayden’s at 40 Washington were hoping for some relief from the job of snow clearing their sidewalk, which was built recently at Borough expense as part of a plan to connect all of Washington to the corner of Rt. 518. Theirs is the longest stretch of sidewalk, and they say, it cost some $1,500 last winter to have the snow cleared. Council said that the only thing they could offer is that Mastroianni, which clears Borough property, will clear private sidewalks and driveways for the same low rate it charges the Borough.
The Borough will be granting as much as $1,200 to the tennis camp, and recovering some of it in fees ($825 last year). Borough children will have first choice, followed by residents of other municipalities, who will have to pay for the individual, out-of-town, camp fees. The camp will run from July 11 through July 15.
Princeton Airport, one of the oldest businesses in the area, is celebrating 100 years of aviation history this year, with a series of events. Just seven years after the Wright Brothers first flew, the original owner of the airport read up on the subject and thought, “How hard could it be?” He built his first airplane at his blacksmith shop on Crescent Avenue and flew it out of what is now the Schaeffer Tract in 1911, before moving to the present day location on Rt. 206.
The sewer agreement with Montgomery Township has been under executive discussion for several years, with no resolution in sight. More will be revealed.
Borough Council approved a renewal of the liqueur license for the Rocky Hill Inn and for Cajo Enterprises.
There will be a blood drive organized by the Blood Bank of NY/NJ at the Rocky Hill Reformed Church on August 9 from 2 to 8 pm. Participants will receive a ticket for the movie of their choice at AMC Theatres.
Trash pickup will go on the twice-weekly summer schedule by July, with pick up on Tuesday and Friday. Borough Council noted that some residents have put tree limbs and branches curbside for pick up. However, they say, the branch and limb pickup is only during the fall, date to be announced. Sometimes branches can be picked up before hand if they are tied and bundled.
Borough Council will meet once a month during the summer, on the third Monday at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Problems Loom For Rocky Hill First Aid Squad
When Ed and Randie Zimmerman moved to Rocky Hill in 1995, one of the selling points, Ed says, was that the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad was in the center of town only a few blocks from their new home. At the time, there were members on the Squad (founded in 1948), whose parents and grandparents had been among the founders. Members were expected to – and did - go out on calls at any time of night and day, in any weather, not only to Rocky Hill residents with emergency medical needs, but to communities such as Franklin, Griggstown, and Montgomery, which founded its own EMS service in 1972.
But something has happened in recent years. One change has been the county dispatch system. Whenever someone calls 911 from anywhere in Somerset County, whether from a cell phone or from a wired phone, the call is automatically sent to a county dispatcher. If the call is from Rocky Hill, the Somerset County dispatchers first notify members of Rocky Hill First Aid Squad through radio operated alert devices, sort of like beepers on steroids. If the Squad cannot respond within five minutes, the dispatchers wait two more minutes before calling the back-up emergency service.
But lately, that system hasn’t been working so well. During the Van Horne Park Fire on September 25, a fine weekend day in mid-afternoon, fire companies from Rocky Hill, Montgomery, Kingston and Princeton responded – including the Montgomery EMS – but no one from the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad was there.
There have been other incidents of that kind in recent months. In February, for instance, there was a car accident on Washington Street in Rocky Hill, near the Post Office, practically a stone’s throw from the Squad headquarters. It was in the morning, at the start of rush hour. Although the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder, located half a block away, responded in a timely manner and began extricating the victim, only one Squad member showed up at first. The Somerset County dispatchers were called for back up, and they called Princeton, located in Mercer County and controlled by the Mercer County dispatcher. Princeton, it turned out, was on another call. It happens.
So the Mercer County dispatcher next called Hopewell, which is also in Mercer County. By then a second member of the First Aid Squad arrived. He was certified to drive an ambulance, so after the Rocky Hill Fire Company removed the accident victim from the wrecked car, the two Squad members were able to drive him to a hospital for treatment.
And again, in early March, when someone attending church on a Sunday collapsed with breathing distress. It was nearly 20 minutes before the County EMS responded – from Somerville. By then, the victim was breathing on his own. What has happened?
Where before most of the members lived in Rocky Hill, some for many generations, now most of the members are from surrounding communities. The Squad has new management, trained EMT’s who live out of town, who have been elected to office. One veteran member with 20 years on the Squad quit, and joined Montgomery EMS, as did a number of other former Squad members. Unfortunately, the new squad members aren’t making the calls.
Ed Zimmerman, now the mayor of Rocky Hill, says that the town officials have been trying to work with the Squad for the past year, when people began to notice that the Squad had been dropping the ball and missing calls. There were administrative problems, they noted, but nothing that look fatal. For instance, bills hadn’t been paid, mostly because the treasurer quit and hadn’t been replaced. $27,000 of donations hadn’t been properly logged in or accounted for. The books were audited (which we reported on in the February issue); there was “nothing untoward,” other than unpaid bills. That has been taken well in hand by the new treasurer (and Rocky Hill resident) Bob Ashbaugh.
But on the operational side, the issue of dropped calls remained. Veteran member Alan Querec, now head of Rocky Hill Emergency Management Coordinator, was brought back as president of the squad; he made a heroic effort to get the Squad leadership to institute the necessary changes on their own.
Part of the problem is that membership of the Squad is so small: there are only about a dozen members, about four of whom are Rocky Hill residents. Mr. Querec pointed out that one problem with recruiting new members is that it requires real commitment to train – about six months – just to qualify.
In January he told Borough Council that the old system had been for whoever was around to answer a call. Sometimes only a few would show up, other times a dozen. It depended. He said they were trying to set up a new system for operations, similar to Montgomery’s, where members would be on standby, and that other administrative changes were being made. He reported in January that the number of dropped calls had declined over the previous weeks. That may be true.
But according to Mayor Zimmerman, “It’s impossible to say.” The County keeps track, but if a Squad member responds to the dispatcher that he is on site, but without enough crew to respond properly, that counts in the County stats as a response.
Borough Councilman Mark Pausch said, “The Borough has made a signal effort to get the Squad to make improvements. My opinion is that not much has been done in recent months. They have failed to make changes, so I have lost confidence ”
Peggy Harris, a former councilperson and daughter of a former mayor, had a brother who was killed by a motorist, an incident which gave the impetus for her family to help start the Squad in 1948. Mrs. Harris said, “Most Rocky Hill calls go to Franklin,” and that Rocky Hill residents call for an ambulance about three to five times a month.
Still, Mr. Querec said that in 2010, the Squad answered 162 calls. Mayor Zimmerman took pains to point out that residents should have no fear that they won’t have an ambulance should they need one.
All local emergency services provide mutual aid for each other: if one town’s emergency services are busy, the call goes to the next closest on the list. In previous years, the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad, which does not charge for services, was backed up by the Montgomery EMS, another volunteer service whose members pride themselves on not charging for calls. The County dispatchers are aware of the order of things and know to automatically call the next provider.
However, the new Rocky Hill First Aid Squad Captain apparently made a unilateral change without endorsement from Borough Council, making Princeton the secondary responder for Rocky Hill. Princeton charges as much as $900 a call, according to Mayor Zimmerman and Borough Council members. If a resident has insurance, he would be covered. If a resident has no insurance, the resident is billed, and if unpaid, the bill goes to a collection agency. Borough Council says that two residents have been dunned by a collection agency so far. During January, Council was told that the Squad was going to switch back to Montgomery EMS for back up. However, that has not happened yet. Somerset County dispatchers are still listing Princeton as back up.
Another thing is that in previous years, the Borough wrote a check to the Squad without invoices. That has changed. The Squad owns its own building, but among the items on the vouchers sent to the Borough for payment, was a mortgage payment. “We don’t own the building, so we don’t pay the mortgage,” was the Borough response.
The members of the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad elect their own officers, and are responsible for recruiting and training their own members. Volunteer municipal firemen and rescue squad personnel are eligible for a kind of pension plan, called LOSAP, to which the Borough contributes $1,100 a year for each qualifying member. To qualify, a member must show up for training and for a certain amount of emergency calls.
However, the Borough owns the ambulances, pays the LOSAP fees, and the various insurance fees, a total of some $34,000 during 2010. The Borough also budgets (but doesn’t necessarily pay) for expenses not met by donations, $25,000 in 2010, but only $20,000 for 2011. In fact, according to Mayor Zimmerman, 12 or 13 percent of every tax dollar goes to the First Aid Squad. This gives Borough Council some leverage.
Despite specific and repeated calls from Borough Council persons for members of the Squad to attend the Council meeting on March 7, no one showed up.
According to Mayor Zimmerman, “Our intent is to restore it to what it once was. We’ve focused on it for over a year and we’re concentrating on operational improvements. But we’ve lost confidence in their ability to make the necessary changes.”
The Borough has been pursuing all options at this point. They have been meeting with Montgomery EMS, which, according to Mayor Zimmerman, says they would love to serve the residents of Rocky Hill. Mayor Zimmerman said, “Its not about the money. Its about health and safety.”
Twenty minutes is a long time to wait if you aren’t breathing.
First Aid Squad Sidebar
Borough pulls the trigger
At the March 21 meeting, the Rocky Hill Borough Council discussed at some length the fate of the all-volunteer First Aid Squad. The Squad is a separate not-for-profit, not a part of Rocky Hill government.
After working with them for a year and helping replace the administrative officers - president, treasurer, secretary – with experienced staff, the Borough has few other choices to affect change, as the operational officers – the squad captain and assistant captain, who now, reportedly call themselves “Chief” and “Assistant Chief,” are elected by the members. The administrative leadership has all, according to Borough Council, either quit or is about to quit, as they have been unable to affect change with the operational leadership.
Mayor Zimmerman and members of the Council summed up the alternatives as, first, “Help them fix it. I don’t know that we have the experience for that,” the mayor said.
Secondly, Montgomery EMS on standby for Rocky Hill until the squad is on its feet. “That cannot happen with the current Squad operational leadership.”
Third, let it die. Montgomery EMS will continue to answer Rocky Hill calls with Princeton as backup.
Fourth, after the Squad “goes away,” the Rocky Hill site could operate as a substation for Montgomery EMS. Although the Borough owns the ambulance, the rescue boat, and the rescue truck, the Squad owns the current building. This could entail unknown and lengthy legal obstacles.
Members of Council reiterated that they wanted to see the Squad fixed. “If it can be fixed, if we can fix it, then we should fix it.” However, the feeling seems to be that the Squad members, for reasons of their own, is not willing to cooperate.
Consequently, on March 17, Mayor Zimmerman, using his authority as head of the Emergency Management Committee, issued an order to the Somerset County dispatchers to have Montgomery EMS to cover all Rocky Hill calls, with Princeton as backup, and to not issue calls to Rocky Hill First Aid Squad.
As Rocky Hill had been answering calls for Franklin, the Borough passed a resolution asking the Franklin Township Mayor to stop using Rocky Hill, and to request – not order – the First Aid Squad and return all Borough property to the Borough.
30th Anniversary of Rocky Hill Historic District Designation Call For Nominations
All are welcome to nominate a Rocky Hill Historic property and/or building for historic preservation recognition
A variety of buildings and landscapes contribute to the character of Rocky Hill and its heritage. The Village Center is within a Nationally Registered Historic District. Rocky Hill reisdents are celebrating the buildings, places and people that contribute to the integrity of the Historic District. Please nominate a favorite property by emailing RHPreservationCelebration@gmail.com, by filling out the Nomination Form on the Borough of Rocky Hill Website (in the 'NEWS' column on right side of page http://www.rockyhill-nj.gov/#), or by calling 609-924-7989. Forms are also available at the Mary Jacobs Library on Washington Street in Rocky Hill.
Recognitions will be made during Rocky Hill's Community Picnic on Sunday October 9, 2011. Mark your calendars and please participate in this appreciation of our historic resources.
Also, artists of all ages are invited to submit locally inspired work for an exhibition, “History in Your Own Backyard.”
Organizers are accepting original poems, artwork and photography celebrating the historic district of Rocky Hill. The theme is "History in Your Own Backyard," the people, houses, buildings and places in our Borough (past and present) that make it meaningful to you. Originals (8.5" x 11" to 11" x 17") may be dropped off at the Mary Jacobs Library, sent via US Mail to P.O. Box 814, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553 or email (PDF or JPG) to: HPreservationCelebration@gmail.com. For more information, call 609-924-7989.
Artwork will be displayed at the Amy Garrett House, Washington St., Rocky Hill on Saturday morning, October 8, 2011 and at the Community Picnic on Sunday afternoon, October 9, 2011.
Report From Rocky Hill - June 2011
Happily, predictions that the First Aid Squad was on death’s door have proved premature. Mayor Zimmerman reported at the May 2 Borough Council meeting, that the reconstituted First Aid Squad has been actively recruiting members, and has been meeting with members of the Montgomery EMS. The Squad will not be doing rescues and vehicle extractions – a role now taken by the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder – but instead, will concentrate on emergency medical care. “They plan to be up and running by the end of the summer,” Mayor Zimmerman said. He wasn’t sure of a schedule, but it could be weekends only, evenings only, or some combination initially. “They’re making all the right moves, in my opinion,” he said.
At the May 16 Council meeting, Councilman Mark Pausch reported that there were 14 new members signed up. The members then elected Scott Gorman, an EMT, as president. Thom McGrew is secretary, Bob Ashbaugh is treasurer. Some new recruits, including Mayor Zimmerman, who signed on as a driver, were on display during the May 10 Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for the Hook and Ladder Company.
On May 16, Council voted a resolution recognizing Alan and Peggy Querec for their decades of service to the Squad.
Best wishes to former mayor George Morren, who has been fighting cancer. Mayor Zimmerman displayed a fishing vest, which he almost wore in solidarity. Wife Randie talked him out of wearing it, but he waved it briefly during the May meeting, and hung it on his Council chair.
There was a crime wave of sorts during April, when eight or nine unlocked vehicles were entered. Thieves stole cash, but left GPS, radios and other property. This may be part of some of the car break-ins happening in Montgomery recently. Lock your cars at night. The State Police is investigating
Borough Engineer Bill Tanner led a discussion of the bushes blocking the view for drivers at the intersection of Washington and Montgomery Avenues. Not only do they block the view for drivers trying to enter Washington from Montgomery, they also block the view of pedestrians at the crosswalk for drivers entering Montgomery from Washington. The County is supposed to do the work and has been negotiating with the homeowner, who has been away fro some months.
The Borough CFO reports, “Everything appears to be in good shape.” The budget has been adopted and sent to the State for approval.
The Borough has continued to negotiate with Montgomery over the sewer bill. Apparently, some of the bill is for a non-existent pumping station, supposedly in Rocky Hill.
There was some discussion of the July 4 Parade and Picnic. There had been some confusion over whether the Borough would be granting funds or simply guaranteeing funding, and if so, whether there would be a budget presented in advance, as would be the case for most events. Mayor Zimmerman emphasized, “The Community Group funding is not a grant but an advance on expenses for the July 4 picnic,” and should have a written budget presented in advance. “We have to be stewards of this money, which isn’t ours.”
Councilman Jeff Donahue felt that this was different than the way things had been done and that the Community Group is being asked to do something they weren’t asked to do in the past. “Why make it harder for them?” he asked. Although he did say, “They can produce a budget in 30 seconds,” if they had too.
Borough Council Albert Cruz responded, “I’m partly at fault here. When I came on I didn’t understand the way the Community Group is an integral part of the community. Now I understand. But I don’t understand, if the budget can be produced in 30 seconds, why don’t you just produce a budget?”
In any event, Mayor Zimmerman said that the check had been signed. Council approved of its release pending a written budget.
Borough residents pumped 2.4 million gallons of water during April. All water tests are normal.
The Planning Board is entertaining a proposal to tear down an empty building at 5 Montgomery Ave. The building and land was bequeathed to a local church and has decayed noticeably. The church would like to replace it with a 3,400 square foot building, which would be located in the back of the current building. Neighbors are concerned that it would be considerably larger than the home it replaces. The Historic District requirement is that it be “visually compatible” with its neighbors, which leaves a lot of wiggle room.
The Serravallos asked Council at the May 16 meeting for help with the embankment in front of their home at 56 Washington Street. When the County put in sidewalks and widened the road some time ago, it cut back onto their property and landscaped it. The landscaping, designed to stabilize the earth, has been ineffective and the resulting embankment has proved unstable. They asked Council to help them get the County to resolve the issue.
Earth Day was a success, with upwards of 23 people at work cleaning the parks, including the Greenacres.
Bill Hallman, Jr., currently a college student, was nominated to be part-time constable, with duties from April through October. Both he and former councilman Jim Banks were appointed by resolution as Constables during the May 16 Council meeting.
There were 6 parking tickets, 41 moving violations, and 1 DUI in April. Six parking and 45 moving violations were resolved in Court, with a total of $2,277.87 in fines. Rocky Hill’s share was $1,318.91.
After some discussion regarding advertising for applicants, Christine Witt, a former practicing attorney (and a winner in the 2011 5K Run With Rotary) was appointed to be assistant clerk, with a salary of $6,000 a year, prorated until the end of the year. Toby Whitlock pointed out that she was “more than well qualified.” By the way, there is a “Citizen Leadership Form” posted on the Borough website, for applicants to any Borough positions, including volunteer jobs.
Manville Township would like to start a flood commission, with towns along the Stonybrook and Raritan Rivers, and asked the Borough to join. Council agreed and authorized no more than $500 for costs.
Borough Council meets next on June 6 and June 20, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Report From Rocky Hill - Dec 2011
Borough voters on Nov. 8 rubberstamped Julia Hasser and Mark Pausch, who were running unopposed for re-election to Borough Council, giving them 115 and 81 votes, respectively. There were four write-in votes, for Jim Banks, Peggy Harris, Bill and Barbara O'Brien.
Mayor Zimmerman thanked the Hook and Ladder Company for their efforts during the Halloween snowstorm, when many Borough homes lost power. Several home-bound residents were without power until they were connected to generators by firemen. The surprise snowstorm may qualify as a FEMA event, which could mean the Borough will receive money towards cleaning up the phenomenal number of downed limbs and trees set out at the curb. A second brush and limb cleanup was required for this. The Borough set aside additional funding, at $150 per hour, not to exceed $5,000, with Robert Wells Landscaping.
A few days later, during Halloween itself, the firemen provided lighting at critical crosswalks for trick-or-treaters. Former Councilman Jim Banks said there was an unusual number of kids on the streets by 4:30.
The Board of health is trying to get a roster of email addresses in case they have to send out an "email blast," a notification, during a health emergency. There is some information available about this on the Borough website.
That sort of feature would have come in handy on November 19, when a prisoner escaped a Montgomery Township patrol car in Rocky Hill. Several residents learned of it only when they ventured outdoors to find out what all the fuss was about. One reported that she found out when a couple of State Troopers went into her garage with a S. Bound Brook K9 officer, without so much as "By your leave, M'am" or a warrant. Did they suspend the Bill of Rights when no one was looking? At least they didn't smash in the locks with a door banger.
Former Borough Councilman Jim Banks reported at the Nov. 21 Board meeting that the "bells" at the Rocky Hill reformed Church could actually work as an incredibly loud an effective public address system in an emergency.
Mayor Zimmerman said that the upgrade to the "OEM (official emergency management plan) is way overdue. It hasn't been renewed in the five years I've been mayor, and I don't think it was done when George Morren was mayor." This latest incident may see a few changes in procedure.
There will be a surprise retirement party on Nov. 30, 6 to 9 pm at the Elks, for Toby Whitlock. Tickets are $30 each. Don't forget, it's a surprise, so don't let him know, and you never heard it from us.
It was Movie Night at Borough Council on Nov. 7 when Borough Engineer Bill Tanner showed a film shot by submersible camera of the failed drainage pipe running under Toth Lane. Over time, there has been intrusion by tree roots in the pipe joints and blockages by stones and leaves, as well as a partial collapse of the piping, resulting in poor drainage. Merritt and Lemore Streets also need scoping. This may require a major repair with a dug-up streets, to come out of the 2012 budget.
The bushes blocking the view for drivers at the corner of Washington and Montgomery have grown back after their summer haircut and may have to pulled entirely. The current occupant is a renter.
The long-overdue street crossing lights are still in the dilatory hands of the State Historic office, which will have the job of determining if such lights, solar-powered as they are, could be considered in a historic district such as downtown Rocky Hill. No, really. Meanwhile people risk life and limb crossing Washington at night.
Money was set aside for General Code codification for 2010 ordinances, estimated as $1535 to $1940.
On Nov. 7, Borough Council passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign a contract with S. Brunswick for a recycling coordinator.
The Rocky Hill First Aid Squad is on track, Jim banks reports, with Deborah Westbrook elected Captain. There were three calls as of Nov 7, with the Squad "scrambling" during off-shift periods. During the next two weeks, there were an additional two medical calls, met by the Squad as first responder. The Squad is on duty during two 12-hour shifts, Friday and Saturday nights. There are more EMT's in the pipeline, but training requires over 200 hours. Those who are taking it and who signed up in August won't be complete until roughly Christmas, with annual certifications required. "The big issue is getting people who have experience," said Mr. Banks. Consequently, the Squad is cooperating with the Kingston First Aid Squad, which has many more calls annually than Rocky Hill ever had.
The Squad is also working on setting up standard operating procedures. Princeton, which is the primary responder during the week, bills for service, and billing is still an issue. Nevertheless, "Everything is headed in the right direction," said Mayor Zimmerman. Due to the possibility of a conflict of interest, Mayor Zimmerman has temporarily stepped down as a driver for the Squad.
Borough Council approved the applications of Robert Keller, from Rocky Hill, and James O'Brian from belle Mead as new members of the Hook and Ladder Company
During October, Borough Court receipts totaled $1508, with Rocky Hill's share at $332.86.
Rocky Hill will be receiving a $28,000 grant from the County for an architectural review of Borough Hall. Presumably, any suggestions that an architect would make could be paid for with additional County grants. Such funding comes from the 3% Open Space surcharge on your Somerset County property tax bill - the same 3% surcharge that paid for Skillman Park and Van Horne Park.
The Verizon cell phone antenna contract is up for renewal. The water tower is festooned with antennas from five different cell phone providers, and rents from them to the Borough exceed $100,000 annually.
The sewer squabble with Montgomery remains unresolved for now.
The Holiday Tree Lighting is Dec. 4, 4 to 6 pm, at the Amy Garrett House.
Rocky Hill Borough Council next meets on the first and third Monday evenings of the month, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Remembering George E. B. Morren, Jr.
Please join us for a celebration of the life and accomplishments of Dr. George Morren
October 18th, 2011, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Cook Campus Center, Multi-purpose Room B &C.
59 Biel Road New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Dr. George Morren was a founding member and former Chair of the Department of Human Ecology. An anthropologist, George conducted extensive research on the Miyanmin tribe in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. He was also a pioneer in the use of GPS and remote sensing to document human impacts on the environment. He served on many committees at Cook College and was also very active in his community, serving as Mayor of Rocky Hill, NJ from 2005 to 2006. George retired from Rutgers in 2009.
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A memorial fund is being set up in Dr. Morren’s name to benefit graduate students. For those interested in making a donation, please make out checks to the “Rutgers University Foundation” and please include George Morren’s name in the note. Donations can be sent to Kelly Watts, Associate Dean of Development, Suite 111, 88 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Report From Rocky Hill - Nov 2011
Mayor Zimmerman led the Oct.3 session of Borough Council in a moment of silence in remembrance of former mayor George Morren, who passed away on Sept. 29. Council then presented Chief Harris of the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder and Catherine Davis of Rocky Hill First Aid Squad with citations noting their exemplary service during the recent floods.
The pond on Crescent got a lot of discussion during the engineer's report by Bill Tanner. The pond as been flooding periodically, a situation caused possibly by blocked drainage channels.
Speaking of blocked channels, Borough Council met at the end of the session to discuss the sewer contract with Montgomery, as yet unresolved. The Borough says that the amount being charged is out of proportion to the actual cost. The Township says that costs are a percentage of flow. At the Oct. 17 session, Borough Council met is executive session and agreed to make a $85,000 payment toward the 2010 bill. Rocky Hill has seen a sharp increase in the sewer bill over the past few years, from approximately $65,000 a year, to this year's bill from Montgomery, of $174,000. The Borough has been contesting these fees. "Borough Attorney Albert Cruse thought that while we're in negotiations, we should make a good faith payment until an agreement can be reached," Mayor Zimmerman said.
The Borough will be using Princeton First Aid as a primary responder, pending the full time return of the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad. Currently the Squad is taking two 12-hour sessions, on Friday and Saturday nights. The issue with Princeton First Aid Squad has been that they charge for ambulance service, unlike Rocky Hill. Mayor Zimmerman says, however, that they will be "soft billing," that is to say, they will send a bill for service. The recipient then submits the bill to his or her insurance company. If the recipient has no insurance, then the bill will not be enforced. Previously, bills from the Princeton First Aid Squad had gone to a collection agency.
The First Aid Squad has also agreed to a joint membership with the Kingston Squad, which has a larger number of calls than Rocky Hill. It could result in seeing Kingston Squad members in Rocky Hill trucks, and vice versa. On the weekend of Oct. 15, Rocky Hill responded to a Kingston call, along with members of the Kingston First Aid Squad.
Meanwhile, the Squad may begin "scrambling" for first response during the week: if enough members respond before the Princeton crew, then Rocky Hill will cover a call at times other than Friday and Saturday evenings. "Things are moving in the right direction," Mayor Zimmerman said, after thanking Montgomery for their service in the past.
There were 10 moving violations, and no parking tickets or criminal investigations during September. Total court receipts were $2,862, with Rocky Hill's share at $539.18.
Borough residents drew 2.7 million gallons from the borough well in July, but less and less since then, with 2.5 million gallons sin September.
Borough Council approved a contract for software to be used for Historical preservation. The software could be licensed, with the Borough receiving money for it.
Council also approved a contract with Branchburg for leaf collection, which will save about $13,000 a year, half the cost of last year's collection. There will be as many as five collection days, but no dates have been set yet.
Mastroianni was picked for snow removal, not to exceed #21,000, or $44 per hour for resident's walkways.
Council also approved a contract with Nancy Paquette at a cost of $300 per month for ten hours of service, as recycling coordinator, a job previously held by Toby Whitlock.
The weekend of Oct 8 and 9 saw the celebration of Rocky Hill's 30 years with a historic district, complete with walking tours of the historical district, led by Peggy Harris, Susan Bristol, Melissa Bernardi, Marilyn Crane, Joan Eckstein, Councilwoman Julia Hassar, Janeyt Gardner, Joyce Lott, Mei Mei Morris, Phillip Hayden, and Jeanette Muser. On Sunday, there was a picnic, with live music from the Rocky Hill Ramblers (Steve and Jennifer Hayden, and Andrew O'Connor). The weather was perfect during the entire weekend.
There will be a Veteran's Day Celebration at 11 am, on Nov. 13, at Panicaro Park.
The Flu Clinic is set for Nov. 3, from 10 am to 12 at the Rocky Hill Reformed Church. Free for residents 18 and older.
The Reformed Church is holding the Lasagna Dinner Nov. 19, from 5 pm to 8, $14 per adult, 13 and under $8. Children under five, free.
The Holiday Tree Lighting is Dec. 4, 4 to 6 pm, at the Amy Garrett House.
Rocky Hill Borough Council next meets on the first and third Monday evenings of the month, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
To Rocky Hill Residents,
The storm has passed and things are starting to get back to normal. As of Wednesday afternoon flooding had receded, all roads were open, all power was restored and no one was reported hurt. While I appreciate all the kind words over the last few days I really want to give credit where credit is due. The success of the preparation and execution was based on the hard work of Chief Todd Harris, the Rocky Hill Hook & Ladder Company, the new Rocky Hill First Aid Squad, the Borough Council, employees and Constables and most importantly you.
I have been told that flood levels for this storm exceeded that of Hurricane Floyd and last year’s Nor’easter. Compared to the towns around us, Rocky Hill was spared a lot of the wind and tree damages. However, Chief Harris and our first responders were extremely well prepared had it gotten even worse. Leading up to the storm and through last night, I have been in contact with the Governor and his Cabinet at least once a day. I was very impressed with the State’s preparation and communications as it relates to us.
During the course of the storm, the fire department responded to 70+ calls, 3 of which were Swift Water Rescues and almost 50 were residential pump-outs. The new Rocky Hill First Aid Squad responded to 2 medical emergencies requiring transport during the storm, neither of which was storm related. Montgomery EMS responded to one call in Rocky Hill, no transport was required. The Mayor, Council and Constables did traffic control at the road barricades whenever possible. You may have sensed their frustration with out of town motorists running the barricades and trying to cross the flooded bridge just hours after it was announced that a Princeton Swift Water team member died during a similar type of rescue attempt. As we prepare for future storms, this is an area we recognize as needing improvement.
Your preparation, your patience and your willingness to be a true community when it counted is really what made this work so well. It is exactly what makes Rocky Hill so special and for that we are all grateful.
Our first responders will be recognized by the Borough at the September meeting, please join us if you can. Also, as soon as we have more information on clean up dates and FEMA money we will get that out to you.
Best regards
Ed Zimmerman
Mayor
Report From Rocky Hill - October 2011
Rocky Hill residents began the process of drying out after a long wet period following the Hurricane Irene floods at the end of August. More than 7 inches of rain were dumped on the local area during Irene, followed by the remnants of Hurricane Lee. Note to the Clerk of the Weather: Enough. Mayor Zimmerman singled out especially the work of the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder and the First Aid Squad for their work. The Hook and Ladder Company had more than 70 calls for basement pump outs, of the 260 or so homes in Rocky Hill.
Many Rocky Hill homes had basement sump pumps, but lost power during the two to four days of power outages, and had no emergency generators. Others with generators had no source for gas, as local gas stations also lost power to run their pumps. Oddly, gas stations in Hillsborough north of the Rt. 206 railroad bridge were unaffected this time: all anyone had to do was drive north on Rt. 206, which was closed in two places due to downed power lines, trees and flooded roadways. What an adventure.
Many of the new members of the First Aid Squad participated by helping to direct traffic around streets blocked by fallen trees and power lines.
The Swift Water Rescue team, members of the Hook and Ladder, were singled out for praise as well. They participated in three call outs, including one with the Princeton swift water crew, during which a Princeton Township EMT drowned. The Princeton team had been called to investigate what turned out to be an empty car caught in high water; it had to be checked out however, as the swift water team didn't know that it was empty. Two Princeton squad members were roped together, but were swept off their feet by rushing waters. Peter Simon, "self-rescued," by grabbing onto a tree. The other, 35-year-old Michael Kenwood, was swept away and suffered what is thought to be a heart attack. He was then pulled from the water by members of the Rocky Hill team and rushed to emergency care, where he was pronounced dead.
The dedication of the 9/11 Memorial at Panicaro Park on Sept. 11 (see photos on our Facebook Page) brought out a large crowd, including an honor guard from the Princeton rescue Squad, led by Peter Simon. Both the First Aid Squad and the Hook and Ladder crews were there as well. Speakers included Brenda Fallon, whose husband, Rocky Hill Councilman Bill Fallon, was Chief of Operations at the Port Authority, and was lost during the collapse of those buildings Her brother-in-law, an architect, designed the memorial, which is one of the best 9/11 designs anywhere. Sculptor Steve Ferrari did the heavy lifting.
Other speakers included Rev. Linda Peppi from the reformed Church, Mayor Zimmerman, Councilmen Jeff Donahue and Mark Pausch, Jane Oakley, and Bill Fallon's brother Don, who said that in the days after 9/11, "I would like to think the whole world became a large Rocky Hill."
The sculpture itself was so powerful that people couldn't resist simply touching it, as if to transfer some of its humanity. It was a very moving ceremony.
Girl Scout Noelle Harris was issued a special proclamation by Borough Council on October 19, thanking her for organizing a tree planting at Van Horne Park. The project, for which she received a Girl Scout Bronze Star, replaced trees lost during a fire last year.
The NJ State Police arrested one person for DUI during August, investigated one case of theft, and three auto accidents. Borough Court collected a total of $439, $215.56 of which was Rocky Hill's share.
The Borough will be replacing mulch in Panicaro Park sometime this fall. That will require bringing in a large truck, so large that offloading the mulch will require closing part of Crescent Ave. during the project. Borough Engineer Bill Tanner said that the only way the work can be done is to unload directly onto the roadway, then move the mulch from the road to the park with Bobcats. It will be done starting in the morning, and the road will be closed all day until the work is finished.
The Planning Board has agreed to issue a special use variance to #10 Princeton Avenue, formerly the home of Outerbridge Morgan, an architectural firm. The new owners-to-be, a hedge fund trader and his company, want to be able to transfer the right to park at the site to any future commercial owners. The Planning Board will permit it for professional non-medical office space. Christine Witt will be the new Planning Board secretary, replacing Rebecca Newman.
A suggestion was made to have a kiosk someplace central for posting community notices. The bulletin board at the Post Office is for official, Borough or other governmental entity postings only.
Borough Council approved applications of Sal V. Jahn-Errante and Neil B. Hunt to join as full members of the Rocky Hill Hook and Ladder.
Talk about the perils of Pauline: the First Aid Squad received an ultimatum dated Sept. 12, which gave until 7 pm, Oct. 14 for the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad to merge with Montgomery EMS. The newly reconstituted squad had been "Online for one month and one day," before the letter was sent, said President Scott Gorman. The Montgomery EMS had performed 25 calls in the five and a half months that they had been primary responder for Rocky Hill. The plan had been for Rocky Hill to take two weekend shifts, work up to a full weekend, then a full week as new members gained accreditation.
"We were shocked to receive the letter," said Mr. Gorman. No matter. MEMS wants a full merger or they will stop being primary responder for Rocky Hill. No particular reason was offered as to why, except that some MEMS members reportedly told Squad members, "You shouldn't be a squad because you're not big enough."
The Squad then contacted Princeton, which agreed to be primary responder until the Borough Squad could be up to standard. They said, "Take your time and do it right," according to Mr. Gorman.
One problem is that Rocky Hill gets 160 calls per year on average. This makes it difficult for members to continue their training. One suggestion is to merge, either with Montgomery or with Kingston. Kingston Rescue Squad does 600 calls a year, and mutual aid could consist of Kingston members with Rocky Hill trucks, or Rocky hill members with Kingston trucks, or some combination. "To be truthful, we may never get to be 24/7," said Mr. Gorman, "But we're making progress."
Money may be an issue. The Princeton rescue Squad charges for calls. However, Mr. Gorman says, they will be "soft billing." That seems to mean that they will bill for services and the bill will go to the recipient's insurance company for payment. If the recipient has no insurance, there may be a second bill, but it won't go to a collection agency, which had been the case in the past.
Mayor Zimmerman emphasized, "They (MEMS) came in when we needed them and did an outstanding job," but noted that, despite a special invitation to attend the 9/11 dedication, no one from MEMS came to the event. "The most important thing is to make sure Rocky Hill is covered," he said. Stay tuned.
Mr. Tanner plans to consult with Montgomery Township over repairs to drainage at the pond on Crescent Ave. The pond, jointly owned by a private landowner and Van Horne Parke, has been getting too much water from the Park during rainfall and needs work on its drainage system. One problem is been that someone has been vandalizing stop gap attempts at channelizing water flow with the result that erosion has been undermining sidewalks in the area. Maintenance to the Park is generally to be done by the Township and billed to the Borough. Repairs should include a proper stone berm. But the problem is that in any "20 year" storm - 4 or more inches of rain - the system will still be overwhelmed. August, which generally receives 1/2" of rain, saw more than 7" this year.
Some good news: Branchburg may provide a shared service for picking up leaves this year, at $13,000, or half the cost of previous years.
The solar powered street crossing signs are awaiting approval by the State, which may take until the end of the year. Six crosswalks are contemplated for the signs.
The Borough will be asking Stonebridge to put in odor control on their sewer holding tanks, which have been an issue to residents in that part of town.
No date has been offered yet for the annual flu clinic.
There was some discussion of an ordinance to control the parking of "pods," as well a RV's and trailers on the streets. Currently, the only ordinance prevents residents from parking unregistered cars on their property, and another requires cars parked on the street to be moved during snow storms. A resident complained that his lawfully registered camper-type trailer, which had been parked in the street in front of his home, received a "demand" from NJSP to move it, even though no law had been broken. He found this invasive and intimidating, and wondered how that could happen. It appears to be the result of police overreacting to a Borough request for clarity on state law.
Rocky Hill Borough Council next meets on the first and third Monday evenings of the month, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall on Montgomery Avenue. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
Report From Rocky Hill - September 2011
Mayor Zimmerman thanked Noelle Harris who helped organize her Girl Scout troop to plant trees in Van Horne Park as a replacement for those destroyed during last year's fire. She coordinated a large effort to replenish trees at the Van Horne Park following the September 2010 brush fire. She is a member of Girl Scout Troop 922 under the leadership of Virginia McCosh.
Noelle had lots of help and would like to publicly thank the National Arbor Day Foundation, the New Jersey Forestry Department, Mayor Ed Zimmerman, the RH Borough Council, the RH Shade Tree Committee, ex-Mayor Brian and Pat Nolan, MaryAnn and Buck Raynor, Kristin Harris, Nancy and Bill Lucas, Virginia McCosh, Jessica Zheng, Marissa McCosh, Alicia Cooper, Florence and Sophia Cassar, her Mom and Dad Julie and Todd Harris as well as her grandparents Marion and Jack Michel, David and Delia Drake and Peggy and Bobby Harris for her efforts.
The issue of the long-delayed sewer contract is still on the burner, with a lot of back and forth between the Borough and the Township, but nothing as yet resolved.
The State Police report for July included two calls for medical assistance. There were seven parking tickets and two traffic tickets during July. Court receipts totaled $1409, with the Borough receiving $387.41.
The Engineer's Report from Bill Tanner noted that the resurfacing and sidewalk repairs along Montgomery Avenue should be complete by the end of August, and as of August 15 only needed a few good days for final blacktop application.
The big question mark is regarding the long-awaited crosswalk signs: these solar-powered electric signs promise to be a good working solution to the problem of pedestrian visibility at crosswalks, which has been an issue in the past, particularly at night. The problem is, Mr. Tanner says, that the regulations seem to change, depending on who he asks. At first it was an issue of simply buying available signs with pushbuttons that would start lights flashing to indicate that a pedestrian needs to cross.
However, one set of regulation writers at the state level suggested that such signs need to be useful for visually handicapped: they should make a beeping noise to assist blind persons to find the signs. Yet another set of regulations suggests that these signs, which ostensibly indicate that a pedestrian needs to cross at a crosswalk, really are traffic control signs, such as a red, yellow, green light, and need to be a whole other level of regulation. Consequently, the potential cost for each crosswalk seems to be more expensive at each round of regulation. Instead of $10 -15,000 per walkway, it could be far, far more expensive. The problem then could be that if the Borough spends the $73,000 in the original grant applied for, the State could then reject the Borough's application for funds as the installation might fail to meet some unknown and ever shifting regulation. "Today its okay, but tomorrow it may not be okay," Mr. Tanner said. "This is not logical. It's really going to the extreme." These signs were originally to be installed by early summer. Hopefully, no one will be injured before they are finally installed.
The Borough well behind the old PGT building still remains to be capped. An attempt was made about 10 or 15 years ago, which failed. The grouting spread through the rocks without actually sealing the well. A proper attempt may cost some $10 or $15,000, Mr. Tanner said.
There was some discussion of a matching energy savings grant for municipal buildings from PSEG of some $11,000. The three buildings are Borough Hall, the First Aid Squad, and the Hook and Ladder building. However, as Borough Hall is the only building owned by the Borough, any improvements to the other two buildings would have to come out of their budgets. Aside from energy efficient lighting, the primary improvements would be either new oil or gas fired heating systems, with gas more efficient by far. The downside is that each entity would have to pay for running gas lines from the curb to the building, a cost estimated at $1,200 each. However, since the savings could be some $1,900 a year for the Fire Company alone it seems like a no-brainer. The Borough could save some $3,000 a year; depending on which system it went with. Savings could amount to some 25% per year of current budgeted energy costs. The problem is that any work would have to be complete by September 30, when the federal fiscal year ends. Council authorized an amount not to exceed $6,000 for preliminary work. Tick tock.
The First Aid Squad is back in business, currently on call Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 pm to 6 am. The plan is to man it with two EMT's and a driver. There are nine EMT''s with four candidates in training, says Bob Ashbaugh, and four certified drivers with 14 candidates in training, with a total of 24 members. Mr. Ashbaugh says there is a role for members who are not drivers or EMT's as well, and they are actively recruiting. "We still need drivers," he said.
If the Squad expands its hours of operation, as it would like to, the County Dispatchers want them to work four weekend shifts instead of two; then go from two days to seven days. Otherwise, apparently, the dispatchers get confused. Go figure. For now, when Rocky Hill is the primary, the secondary responders will be Montgomery. Mr. Ashbaugh thanked Borough Council, Montgomery EMS and Franklin for their support during the long training process when the Squad was getting back on its feet.
There is a slot open for a Recycling Coordinator, which had been filled by Toby Whitlock, who is retiring. Certification requires 21 days training and 12 hours training per year. Enthusiasm for the job cooled after Mr. Whitlock said, "If they pay you what they paid me, I wouldn't do it."
The Borough of Branchburg Borough may be in the running for fall leaf pick up as another shared municipal service. Last year they expressed an interest at a cost considerably below that of a commercial landscaper.
Meanwhile, Borough Council passed an ordinance inserting a special grant into the budget, a resolution adopting a best practices checklist for the State, and an ordinance authorizing payment for the 9/11 memorial.
There was some discussion of a need for more flags with the Borough logo on them. The old flags had worn out and needed replacing. A new supplier has been located with a cost less than half of the old one. This will probably go on next year's budget for now.
Borough residents drew some 2.460 million gallons from the Borough well during July, a normal amount. There were no problems reported with quantity. The well house roof is going to be replaced.
A hedge fund trader is negotiating over the use of the old Lyric Hall building, which had b
een rebuilt for use by an architectural firm. They want to be able to use extra parking even if they transfer the property, which currently has a use variance, to a new owner.
Trap Rock donated a nice piece of rock for the 9/11 memorial. Sculptor Steven Ferrari had been working on it in early August behind Borough Hall. The Council has been planning a ceremony for Sept. 11, with representatives from the Port Authority and Somerset County among others, to begin at 12:55 pm at Panicaro Park. The total cost may come to $18,000.
Borough Council will next meet on Sept. 19 at 7:30 pm, at Borough Hall on Montgomery Ave. For more information online, www.rockyhill-nj.gov.
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