Lights, Camera, Action, Rain!
On Location at Montgomery’s “Perfect Place”
If you weren’t looking closely while driving down Route 206 past Harlingen Friday, June 13th, you completely missed quite a production. Film crews with crane, trailers, trucks and even a water tower pulled into Montgomery that afternoon to set up for a night of shooting.
“The Perfect Age of Rock and Roll,” is an independent film being shot on location in New Jersey, Manhattan and Los Angeles. The movie will star Kevin Zegers, Lauren Holly, Taryn Manning, Peter Fonda, Jason Ritter and Aimee Teegarden. Executive Producer Spike Lee brought in the independent investors for this $5 million dollar production.
Why Montgomery? Lou Zuppardi, Location Manager for “The Perfect Age LLC” and his scouts were looking for a certain retro mid-western farm look for several scenes in the film. Having worked on “The Sopranos,” they were familiar with New Jersey locales and wanted proximity to NYC. The crew hails predominantly from Brooklyn.
They found the perfect place in Montgomery’s tiny former town hall/senior center building. Located on Harlingen Road, just east of Rt. 206, it is sandwiched between Montgomery’s public works yard and the emergency medical services building. This quaint historic building had recently received a much needed face lift from the Township.
Arrangements were made in advance with Township Administrator Donato Nieman and traffic management was handled by township police. Curious township public works and ems crews accommodated the friendly newcomers who descended upon their facilities Friday afternoon, as did tolerant neighbors.
“I think it’s kind of exciting and I’m glad to see the old senior center getting attention; it’s such a neat building really,” said Kristine Mineo, a neighbor and a member of the Township Landmarks Commission.
Fifty or so crew members quickly converted the front of the senior center building into a bus stop, with finishing touches such as a hanging wooden ‘bus stop’ sign and an older telephone booth, for the setting of a dramatic rainy night fight scene between two main characters played by Zegers and Ritter (and their stunt doubles).
Passers-by on Harlingen Road slowed to see an incredible amount of equipment unloaded in front of the brick EMS building next door, including a pop-up tent, directors chairs, gaffs, lights, speakers and other sound, motion and camera equipment.
According to Producer Neil Carter, the bay of the EMS building was a perfect set up for what is known in the film industry as a ‘poor man’s process.’ (Mr. Carter is a former NYPD homicide detective and film consultant. Denzel Washington based his character in 2005 film “Inside Man” on Carter.)
“The black pick-up is set up inside with complete black-out behind it. The characters will be filmed in the front seat through simulated rain, giving the appearance of driving through a rainy night. It’s a little trick that’s very realistic,” said Carter.
But a highlight for curious neighbors was the fight scene shot late at night. Harlingen Road was closed at nightfall but by-standers were welcome and obediently stayed behind cameras and complied when ‘quiet on the set’ was called. The road was pre-wet and a bucket on a crane misted down ‘rain’ where the stunt men went to work arguing, pushing, and then pounding each other on the ground. The large tall lights gave a beautiful, surreal glow in the mist but the rain scene at the bus stop looked very realistic. It took only minutes per take but endless tweaking of lighting, sound, cameras, even wigs took place in between.
Jumping through puddles, actor Jason Ritter, came out to joke with the gathering crowd, exhibiting boyish charm and kindly posing for photos, as did Kevin Zegers, known for his role in the “Air Bud” movies. As word got out, a growing group of predominantly high school age girls appeared on cue.
Mr. Ritter was surprised to find out that Harlingen and Skillman, two sections of Montgomery, were not two different towns. The son of actor John Ritter; Jason hails from Los Angeles. “I love the rural feel and rolling fields you have here,” he said of Montgomery. They have been moving around quickly from town to town, also shooting in Westfield, Montclair, Asbury, Phillipsburg, Watchung, Edison and Middletown.
Jason plays Eric, the talented son of a 1970s rocker who died of a drug overdose when the boy is small. The boy’s mother, played by Lauren Holly, tries to protect her son and keep him out of the rock music scene but he still loves the music. Meanwhile, his best friend, a character named Spyder, played by Kevin Zegers, emulates Eric’s father by fronting a successful rock band. Jason’s character goes to college while writing music for Spyder’s band. Spyder, impressed with his own success, thinks he doesn’t need Eric, and his second album is a flop. He goes back home to Long Island to reconnect with his friend. Eric agrees to write the third album under one condition. The duo set off on a gig-playing cross-country road trip with a paternal roadie friend of the father, played by Peter Fonda; a female manager, played by Taryn Manning and two other band members.
When asked what happens next Mr. Carter said, “You don’t think I’m going to give that away, do you?” with a twinkle in his eyes. “The legendary third album is not released but I won’t say why.”
Carter is a low-key, calm personality who maintained strong control over the set, working alongside Director Scott D. Rosenbaum. The story was screenwritten by Mr. Rosenbaum, who is from Long Island, working with writer, Jason Cadic of Edison. Scott is a former drummer, which explains his knowledge of the music industry and the sometimes crazy dynamics of a band trying for their shot at success.
The Harlingen Reform Church across Rt. 206 was also used for trailers parking and breaks space. Police set up flairs and a cross-walk for pedestrians, amazingly avoiding any traffic back up on this state highway. “Montgomery police did an excellent job and everyone was very accommodating. We really appreciate it,” said Mr. Rosenbaum.
By dawn, there was little trace left that filming had ever taken place in Harlingen. “The production company was very professional and their project appears well-conceived and orchestrated,” said Township Administrator Donato Nieman. “We’d have them back anytime,” he added.
“The Perfect Age” will be in theaters in 2009.
Conversation with Mayor Birge
Julia Zauner
One of the key challenges facing Montgomery Township is managing the budget under the current economic conditions.
“We are being squeezed from different sides,” said Mayor Cecelia Birge. The State of New Jersey has mandated that municipalities cap property taxes at 4%. In addition, Montgomery has lost 10% in aid from Trenton as part of the States’ own belt tightening.
“These are huge reductions by any measure,” said Mayor Birge. “We are being told to expect more reductions next year.”
On the other side of the ledger, the Township is facing substantial cost increases. A recent presentation on the Township budget shows energy costs up 12%, gasoline costs up 19%, and pension expenses up 70% and public works expenses up over 24%.
“The pension is an unfunded mandate from the State,” added Mayor Birge. These are line items that are eye popping increases.”
The Township must provide for a number of programs mandated by the State, including increases in affordable housing units, leaf compost and clean street requirements, police training and record retention.
In 2008 and 2009 the Township will also begin to pay for capital improvement costs to purchase and remediate the Skillman Village property. “We need to speed up redevelopment of this project to offload the financial responsibility,” said Mayor Birge.
The Township is looking to apply for a $2 million grant from the State’s Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) to help offset some of the cleanup costs for Skillman Village. The HDSRF provides funding to public entities remediation of hazardous substances and is administered through a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).
What does this mean for the Township? “We are squeezing all the fat out of the budget,” said Mayor Birge. “This forces us to look at how we deliver services in an entirely different way.”
That means eliminating non-essential, non-critical services. Immediate cuts include a 5% reduction for all cost centers in the Township, eliminating four positions through attrition and a hiring freeze.
The volunteer picnic and summer concerts will not be held this year. There will also be a reduction in police vehicles, snow contractor costs and clerical support to boards and committees. Spring Hill road will be rebuilt this year, with an existing $200,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Orchard Hill road will receive an overlay. All other road maintenance projects have been put on hold.
The bottom line is a 2008 budget of $27.95 million with a tax rate of .300. A home of an average assessed value of $510,000 will have a projected tax increase of $215.43 for 2008 over 2007. With an eye towards the future, The Township continues to look at opportunities to consolidate or share services.
One possible area of consolidation is police dispatch. Montgomery currently has its own police dispatch as does Somerset County. “While there are advantages to local dispatch, we are exploring the possibility of county dispatch,” said Mayor Birge.
She explained that with 21 counties in Somerset, individual dispatchers can result in duplications and inefficiencies. In addition, there is also the issue of incompatibility of systems and software used by the dispatchers.
“On the other hand,” added Mayor Birge, “we are losing customer service by not having a person here.” In other areas, the Township will be looking at more user-based fees instead of increased taxes to maintain popular programs. “We are subsidizing some programs and not others,” explained Mayor Birge. “We are looking at what is core and critical. Recreation programs are not critical but they are popular.”
The process includes analyzing existing programs and building in a fee structure based on use and not subsidized by the Township.
During the upcoming months, Mayor Birge said the Township Committee will focus efforts on the Skillman Village project with a Request for Proposals sent to the developers by the end of June. The developers are Tarragon Corporation, Sharbell Development Corporation and Back to Nature. Interviews with developers will be held in the fourth quarter of 2008.
If all proceeds as planned, negotiations with the developer will overlap with next year’s budget preparation process.
Another key issue for the Township is addressing the revised regulations issued by the Council on Affordable Housing earlier this year. The Township has provided comments to COAH on the regulations. “The numbers required for the Township to develop included vacant land and open space in the calculations, bringing our number of require affordable housing units to around 500,” said Mayor Birge. “This is illogical by any measure,” she added. “It is a very bad situation.”
Montgomery will join a lawsuit being coordinated by the League of Municipalities to challenge the COAH regulations. Montgomery is also looking to join a coalition of towns that have satisfied their COAH obligations. She added that the intent is not to circumvent the Township’s obligation for affordable housing, but to find a more reasonable approach.
Police Cars Have New Colors
Have you seen black and white police cars around Montgomery and wondered if another town was helping us out? You can put an end to that question; the cars you have been seeing are the new 2008 Montgomery Township patrol cars.
Over the years, Township residents have gotten used to the solid white police cars, but these same cars are sometimes thought to be just another car on the road. Township Administrator Donato Nieman mentioned that when he first started working in his field, most police cars were black and white.
However, many municipalities changed to solid colors in order to distinguish their cars from those of other law enforcement agencies. Now there seems to be a trend for local police cars to return to black and white.
The change in color to black and white was a recommendation of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office to the Township. The new cars are “more recognizable as a police car,” stated Lieutenant James Curry with the Operations Division of the Montgomery Township Police Department.
However, not all of the Township’s patrol cars will be sporting the new colors. It will be a gradual transition, starting with the new 2008 cars; more of the new cars will be phased in as older cars need replacement. Equipment can even be transferred from the older cars to the new ones.
All of the patrol cars, new and old, are Ford Crown Victorias and also have the same Police Department graphics. When asked what he would like Montgomery News readers to know, Lt. Curry said that “there should be no confusion from residents that it is a Montgomery Township police car, which is why we have left the graphics the same.”
The colors have changed; otherwise the police cars are still the same.
New Superintendent Starts June 21
After a search lasting more than two years, the Montgomery Township School Board announced late last month the appointment of Earl T. Kim as the new superintendent of schools.
The interim superintendent, Dr. Samuel Stewart, had been called out of retirement from the South Brunswick School Board to serve during the transitional period after the former superintendent, Dr. Stewart Schnur, retired. Dr. Schnur served during the difficult period when the new high school was approved and then built at the site of the former North Princeton Development Center. Dr. Stewart will have stepped down at graduation, June 21. "I think this is a terrific board," he told me during June, "and a just a wonderful community. It's been a great two years and a wonderful experience for me."
Mr. Kim, most recently Superintendent for Schools in Verona, NJ, has had what can only be described as a stellar work history. Born and raised in Hawaii, he is a graduate with a degree in history from Cornell University, where he was in NROTC and was a member of the wrestling team.
After graduation, he joined the Marines, serving as a Platoon Commander, Series Commander, and assistant Operations Officer, and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal in 1987. "My last Platoon Sergeant became Sergeant Major of the Marines," he said, "the highest enlisted man in the Marine Corp."
He said that he still misses the men he worked with during his service days. Nearly recalled during the first Iraq conflict he said, "My wife said if you want to go back in, you can go back in."
Following service in the Marines, he got a masters degree in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, where he began his teaching career by teaching calculus to his fellow grad students. A recipient of a Dodge Teaching Fellowship, he then taught math at Trenton High School, and coached the wrestling team
From there he moved on to the Cherry Hill School District, commuting from Ewing Township, where he lived at the time. He became Assistant Principal of Cherry Hill High School West, and began earning a series of recognitions and promotions, including "New Jersey Principal of the Year" in 2001-2002.
His most recent job in Verona involved the complex issues of modernizing a six-campus district, reforming curriculum, and getting the taxpayers to approve spending $35 million to do it.
"I first met Mr. Kim years ago when we interviewed him for a job as principal of the South Brunswick High School and I was terrifically impressed. I know the Verona School Board is very disappointed to lose him," Dr. Stewart said.
Mr. Kim, who will be $198,000 during his first year, is sensitive to the concerns that many critics of today's educational system have, that students are being "taught to take the test." He says, "That sort of thing lends itself to gaming the system."
Part of his training in public affairs, history and what used to be called political science has made him sensitive to the many issues that define the word "community." Mr. Kim says that the phenomena of parents moving to a district to take advantage of the schools, being willing to pay ruinous taxes, and then moving on after the final child graduates is one that he is familiar with.
He feels that one of the problems society as a whole has is, "how to create a sense of community out of commuters. We have a mobile labor market that instantly creates a new community wherever we go. It's not unique to New Jersey."
One of the things that impresses him in Montgomery is the commitment of such groups as the Montgomery Township Educational Association, which raises money for a number of school projects. Mr. Kim says that if public per child spending is compared, it might appear that some schools spend more, but if "off-book spending," such as that from MTEA, is added to the figures, Montgomery, which typically spends less public money per child than many districts, actually spends more total funding per child than it would appear.
Asked if he could wave a wand, what would he wish for? Mr. Kim said, "There are two things. I have a desire to create schools that are intimate and inviting to students. And second, is the challenge of scaling up isolated classrooms of excellence, where individual teachers excel, so that all classrooms are excellent."
Although he currently will continue to live in North Jersey, waiting, he says, for the housing market to turn around so that he can sell his home, he plans to live locally.
Letters to the Editor July/August 2008
To The Editor:
I saw the Nawn Farm article in your June issue. First, I applaud Jim and Ann Nawn for getting into the farmland preservation program. Second, I think it’s great that they are continuing to farm the property as well as making a major investment into the farm and the Montgomery Community.
It’s funny that I always hear the Township Committee, Planning Board and others say they support local Agriculture but the minute a farmer tries to farm they are the first to knock him down. As a tax paying resident in Montgomery I find that very disturbing. I’ve also seen the residents that like living in a rural agriculture area but can’t wait an extra ten minutes while a tractor moves from one field to another. We should be so lucky to have more residents like the Kawn’s.
With everything that’s transpired in New Jersey over the last few months, this is a perfect example of why we need to keep the Department of Agriculture in place. It’s nice to see that the Somerset County Agriculture Development Board and the Planning Division still understands the term “to farm,” while so many have forgotten.
I understand that taxpayers paid to have the land in preservation, myself included. What most people don’t realize is that farming is a tough living and like any other business you have to do what ever it takes to survive.
If that means expanding or changing what you farm why should anyone in the Township complain? If anything it gives taxpayers an opportunity to enjoy the Knawn’s riding facility if they so choose. The property is 112 acres. It sounds like the current plan isn’t excessive for that size property. The fact that it could become a very viable business would make it appealing for future buyers interested in an equine farming operation.
I think this riding facility will be great for Montgomery. It will bring new commerce and hopefully a few extra tax dollars without putting an additional burden on the Montgomery Tax Payers. That is really one of the true benefits of Farmland Preservation.
William Rieth
Belle Mead
To the Editor:
Legislators and Baseball Management sit by and do nothing while spectators are injured again this year.
Last July 6, 2007 my family attended a Trenton Thunder Baseball game. Several people in that one game where hit by foul balls rocketing into the stands. My wife was seriously injured when struck in the face shattering all her front teeth, tearing her lips into shreds and breaking up her palate. She is still going thru medical procedures.
So, after 11 months of lobbying, writing letters and visiting legislators in New Jersey, I can say nothing has changed.
The head of Minor League Baseball has told my Senator Christopher Bateman “that they feel foul ball risk is something that should be addressed on a local basis”.
My Assemblyman Peter Biondi has told me that there is no will to change the “New Jersey Baseball Spectator Safety Act of 2006” which he is a co sponsor. This law gives total immunity of liability to Minor League Baseball owners while providing no spectator safety as the title implies. With this new law there is no incentive to improve the safety at minor league baseball stadiums in New Jersey.
The other signers of the New Jersey Baseball Spectator Safety Act (Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, Senator Wayne Bryant, Senator Robert Singer, and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula) all are sorry but do not want to address this public safety issue.
The management of Trenton Thunder claims that they have a perfect safety record, but they do not want to release any spectator injury data for public review. In an article dated October 14, 2007 in The Times, “According to the Trenton Thunder’s incident log from the past season, one out of about 400,000 required medical transportation to the hospital due to a game related incident, such as a foul ball,” said General Manager Brad Taylor.”
In the Courier News dated December 9, 2007, Trenton Thunder Manager Brad Taylor said that during an average year, one person is taken to the hospital because of a foul ball going into the stands. “When you think about over 400,000 fans a year coming here and almost 6 million fans over 14 years, it’s a minute percentage” Taylor said. That’s fifteen people seriously injured at one location. Or last year 42.8 million people attended minor league games nationally divided by four hundred thousand is 107 people brought to hospitals nationally last year.
Only Senator Shirley Turner has made an effort to find out what is going on with this issue. She has entered a Bill into legislation, Senate No.1820, which would require baseball stadium owners to disclose spectator injuries that result from being struck by a ball or bat.
Presently, there is no statistical data on how many spectators (i.e., families, men, women and children) are being injured each year by minor league baseball. “Waterfront Park is considered a Mercer County facility that is partially supported by tax dollars and the county does not require the stadium to submit safety reports or incidents logs according to spokeswoman Julie Willmot.”
The chief of staff for Assemblywoman Denise Coyle attended the opening night at the Somerset Patriots game, which a woman was struck in the face and brought to an area hospital.
Spectator injuries are not a freak thing that occurs occasionally, but are a consistent aspect of attending minor league baseball games in New Jersey.
Minor League teams rather have an open view, the ability to have their mascot run on the wall between the field, and souvenirs for the fans to collect a ball from the game.
They are against increasing the safety netting in their facility, which would protect the families they advertise to attend.
Unless required by law to document the injuries to spectators at minor league baseball, people like Trenton Thunder Manager Brad Taylor can say they have a safe facility, but how does the public really know unless this data is collected and available for public review?
When my wife was taken out in an ambulance last July 6, 2007, there was nothing reported in any newspapers about it. I find myself wondering if the reporters intentionally leave out spectator injuries at baseball games, as it is not good news to report about baseball.
Baseball has overlooked the use of performance enhancing drugs by its players and they want you to overlook the injuries they are causing to spectators at their games.
Please support this amendment to the “New Jersey Baseball Spectator Safety Act of 2006” and protect your family behind the safety screen at home plate if you attend these games.
Kevin Kerod
Belle Mead, NJ
To the Editor:
This will be the final note from Iraq. It has been an arduous fifteen months that is finally drawing to a close.
The last month has been tumultuous, both physically and emotionally trying. We suffered several casualties last week, friends. It takes an incredible toll on the base, affecting both unit morale and then again on the individual level. Loss is a normal part of life, but it is completely different seeing the blood and carnage that explosives and bullets inflict, and heartbreaking when the lives lost are those which you have lived and worked with.
Our replacements will be here soon, and we will start handing over our jobs to them and prepare to leave. We are so ready for them to get here and get on those birds to get home.
So, after 15 months, Iraq things have improved dramatically, contrary to what the media says. When we got here, the people in Al Kut were terrified, the city was an open stronghold for JAM, and the forces here were on defensive. Now, we have the initiative and are making huge strides in the province, both militarily and among the civilian populace.
The economy here is growing and the mood of the people towards us is improving. There will be violence here for years to come, but the guys in charge are making a difference, and if they can get the support, which they need, the next four years should make an enormous difference. Scaling back or even completely pulling out would destroy everything which we have done, though it pains me to say it as I will most likely be heading back here in a year or so.
I thank you again for your support through the deployment, the emails, letters, and packages have made a huge difference. The address, which you have for me, is now invalid, though if something is already enroute, it will be forwarded back to our base in Oklahoma.
Ryan Bennett
C 1LT MIL USA FORSCOM
Palmer Picked For Top Police Post
Township Committee had a tough choice, but we understand as we go to the printer, that it picked veteran Lt. Bob Palmer as the new Captain/Police Director. He will be replacing Police Director Beltrenena at the end of the June.
His title, "will allow him to continue as a sworn police officer, allowing him to issue gun permits, use lights and sirens on his car, participate in investigations and do all the things which a civilian director would be limited from doing under the law," said Township Administrator Donato Nieman, "without any of the issues of tenure which troubled some in the past."
One of the first jobs the new Police Chief will have is whether to promote Acting Lieutenant Jim Curry to be Lieutenant.
Best wishes to both and to the men and women of the Police Department.
Primary Vote Results
Township Republican voters overwhelmingly picked Dick Zimmer (309) to run for the Senate this fall, and Democrats chose Frank Lautenberg (504) over challengers Donald Crestello (35) and Robert Andrews (158).
For the House of Representatives, running for Michael Ferguson's seat, Republican Leonard Lance got 264 votes. His nearest challenger, Martin Marks, got 50.
The Democrats chose Linda Stender, with 606 votes with no challenger except a few write-ins.
Cecilia Birge (614) was the hometown favorite for a seat on the Freeholders over fellow Democrat Doug Singleterry (580), to run against the Republican choice of Peter Palmer(461) over challenger Bob Zaborowski (455).
Democrat Keith Hovey got 595 votes running against Kacey Dyer for a seat on Township Committee.
Rocky Hill Republican voters picked Dick Zimmer (40) over challengers Pennachio (11) and Murray Sabrin (4) to run against the Democrats choice of Frank Lautenburg (29), whose nearest challenger, Andrews, got 6 votes.
For nomination to a seat in the House of Representatives, Democrat Linda Stender ran unopposed with 39 votes; Republicans picked Lance (33) over nearest challenger Kate Whitman (16), daughter of the former Governor.
For a seat on the Board of Chosen Freeholders Township Mayor Cecilia Birge (34) tied Singleterry (34).
Julia Hassar (50) won a three-year seat on Borough Council, over a single write-in vote each for Peggy Harris and Eilleen Yurick. Write-ins must have 4 votes and win to count.
Republicans chose Ray Whitlock as male County Committeeman over Brian Nolans single write-in vote. Republicans also chose Eillen Yurick (42) to be female county committee member, over as single write-in for Peggy Harris, and for Randie Zimmerman
Now things get interesting; the County will have to sort out a number of write-in votes, but basically,
Bill O'Brien received two write-in votes for Council, against Marilyn Crane, and Susan Orsham, who each received a single write-in vote. O'Brien also got two write-ins for a one-year seat on Borough Council, running against his wife Barbara (1) and David Rosen (1), and Mary Seither, who at last count, was still a registered Republican.
O'Brien also got three write-in votes for male Democratic Committeman, but his name was spelled differently each time, running against Robert Yurick (2), and Bill Hallman, who also got 2 votes. The County will have to sort that out.
For female Democratic Committee member, voters gave Susan Orsham and Jane Oackley each one vote. There was no winner picked, in other words.
For a single three-year seat on Borough Council, Independent Mark Pausch filed a petition with six signatures, as did Courtney White for a single, one-year seat on Council.
Statewide, Democratic voters picked Lautenberg to run against Dick Zimmer for the Senate.
Bear Sighting Locks Down Township Schools
Bear Sighting Locks Down Township Schools
By Cliff Moore
A Bronson Way resident called the Township Police on Friday, June 6 to report that he had seen a large black bear ambling through his back yard. The wondered bear caused other startled residents to phone the police as well. From the location and timing of the reports, the Police determined that the bear, estimated at 275, was first in the area of Skillman Road, then Burnt Hill near Rt. 517.
Area schools discontinued any outdoors activities for the rest of the day, and Township Police notified NJ Wildlife Control and the Township Health department.
Area residents who spot a bear – or any other large, woodland creature – are urged to call 911.
Montgomery Food Pantry Opens
The Montgomery Food Pantry is now open for business and looking for donations and volunteers. The Pantry, located at the Otto Kaufman Community Center, opened its doors on May 1 to Montgomery residents in need.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to connect people in need in our community with resources available through the County and other organizations,” says Denise Crowley, Community Resource Manager and Montgomery Senior Center Manager. “In the last few months, I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible Montgomery volunteers and have talked to a number of people who are interested in volunteering at or donating to the Montgomery Food Pantry.”
The Pantry will stock both non-perishable food and non-food items and will be supported by donations from organizations and individuals. Township residents in need of support or those currently using the Hillsborough Food Pantry should contact Crowley. She will schedule an appointment and help residents fill out the forms required to use the Pantry. When going for that first appointment, she says, residents must bring proof that they live in Montgomery, as well as documentation to verify income.
“While there are no income eligibility limits,’ says Crowley, “we do need verification of sources and amount of income in order to best serve you.” All information provided will be kept strictly confidential and number coded to ensure clients’ privacy. Crowley will coordinate appointments and timing for donation delivery, volunteer support and client visits.
Crowley is also looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways: sort donations, check expiration dates, inventory the pantry and storage areas, stock shelves and identify donation needs. In special circumstances, drivers may be needed to assist clients with pick-up and delivery. People are needed on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or special project basis throughout the year, like back-to-school time and during the holidays. Groups of volunteers will gladly be accepted to come in and volunteer together.
“The enthusiasm from residents, scouting troops, churches and community organizations like Rotary has been amazing,” says Crowley. “I am looking forward to working with the community to help make a difference in the lives of Montgomery residents.”
Crowley says they will have a better idea of what is specifically needed in the pantry by early June, but they will always be looking for boxed milk, cereal, granola bars, peanut butter, tuna, pasta and hearty soups. They are unable to accept perishable food, expired items and/or any medications including over-the-counter items.
For more information about how and what to donate or to receive a volunteer application, call Denise Crowley at 609-466-1054 or email at dcrowley@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
A Passion For Jazz
Montgomery resident Anthony Branker has a passion for jazz education. He is a music professor and Director of the Princeton University Jazz program, where he leads a number of performance ensembles and teaches courses in jazz theory. An accomplished trumpeter and composer, Branker is actively involved in programs that foster jazz performance and education at all levels. Among many awards for his work, Branker has been recognized by the International Association of Jazz Educators Award for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education.
In April, Branker and the Princeton University Concert Jazz Ensemble participated in the Montgomery High School Jazz Festival that featured ten high school bands from around the region.
In addition to directing his ensemble in the Festival’s concluding performance, Branker spent time working directly with some of the high school groups. Branker enjoyed participating in the MHS event because it was an educational festival that provided students the opportunity to work with artists and other performers instead of focusing on competition.
Branker, who first met MHS Jazz Band director Adam Warshafsky when he was a student at University of Pennsylvania, said he was impressed by Montgomery’s ensemble noting that they “swing hard” and were having fun learning and playing the music. Branker grew up in Piscataway, New Jersey where his love of jazz was influenced by trumpeters Miles Davis, Woody Shaw, and Freddie Hubbard.
After graduating from Princeton University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Certificate in African-American Studies, Branker earned a master’s degree in jazz pedagogy from the University of Miami and a Master of Education from Columbia University.
He taught at a number of institutions, including the Manhattan School of Music, Hunter College, Ursinus College and the New Jersey Summer Arts Institute at Rutgers University while writing and performing his own music.
In 1989, Branker accepted the position of director of Princeton’s jazz program. Branker, his wife Lisa and daughter Parris have lived in Montgomery Township since 1995 in the Woods Edge neighborhood. “Montgomery is a wonderful community,” said Branker. “It is great watching the kids in the neighborhood growing up together. It is a warm, family neighborhood.”
On Sunday, June 22, Branker will serve MC for the Youth Jazz Festival at the Princeton Shopping Center of Harrison Street. The event features high school musicians from Montgomery, Princeton and surrounding communities performing in their own student-led ensembles.
“This is a great event, Branker added. “These groups show real creativity and there is a strong sense of camaraderie among the performers.” “The state of jazz education is in a wonderful place,” Branker said. “Today’s instructors have a good foundation today and kids, technically speaking, are doing so much more.” Branker offered suggestions for young musicians interested in jazz.
First, he recommends listening to music live because it can have such a profound impact. He still recalls with fondness his first live concert at age 14 that inspired his jazz career. He suggests taking advantage of the music scene in New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey to experience the diverse world of music that the jazz tradition offers.
He also suggested studying music one-on-one with a private teacher. Most importantly he recommends participating in small ensembles. “Form your own groups where you can experiment and find your own voice,” Branker said. He emphasizes the importance of small groups because they are collaborative and students are co-creatures.
“Try things own your own,” he added, “It is important to devlope your own voice."
Naum Farm Application Stirs Controversy
A plan by Princeton residents Jim and Ann Nawn to a build a riding arena, stable and residence on 112-acres of preserved farmland along the Great Road has generated concern among local residents and Township officials that the project does not comply with deed restrictions. Formerly known as “Gallup Farm”, the property became part of the New Jersey Farmland preservation program in 1994 when the owners received $2.4 million in exchange for an agreement to restrict use of the property for agricultural purposes. The Farmland Preservation Program is administered State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), which coordinates with County Agriculture Development Boards and municipal governments.
In May, Montgomery Township committee sent letters to the SADC and Somerset County Agricultural Development Board stating that they cannot support the Nawn application.
Township Committee Member Mark Caliguire said, “We think it’s great that the Nawn’s have an interest in farming but there is a public policy issue that needs to be addressed.” Caliguire said the therapeutic riding center proposed for the property is a “laudable use” and added, “tax payer dollars went into purchasing the easement and Montgomery tax payers have the right to expect the land will be used primarily for farming.”
Susan Pizzi is among local residents who have expressed concern that proposed use of the property violates the deed restriction. The plan calls for a family residence, a 20,000 indoor riding arena, a 12-stall barn, a utility building and parking areas. There currently are no buildings on the property.
Pizzi and her husband, who live on Mountain View Road adjacent to the former Gallup Farm, feel that the improvements will make it difficult for the land to be purchased in the future for farming use. “What does this mean for farmland preservation?” asked Pizzi.
On May 12, the Somerset County Agricultural Development Board approved a resolution recognizing the Nawn’s proposed operation as consistent with state statues for standardized agricultural practices.
“They met all the requirements,” said Tony McCracken, Assistant Director Somerset County Planning Division. He said that the Board took under consideration concerns from the Township and area residents. The Board also noted that there are other horse farms in the immediate vicinity of the property so the proposed use is not out of character for the community.
“The Nawn’s did a good job with all the necessary background work,” said McCracken. SADC spokesperson Hope Gruzlovic, said the Nawns' proposal was determined to be in compliance with the farmland preservation deed of easement because it has a significant equine-related production component, through the breeding and sale of horses, and pasturing and hay production.
She noted that historically, the SADC has permitted equine-related activities such as training, boarding and riding lessons, as long as they were ancillary to the equine production aspects of the farm.
“The troubling aspect of this application was that the county and the state decided to ignore some of the deed language, apply a proposed (not yet formally adopted by the state) definition of an accepted agriculture practice, and apply it retroactively to a 15-year-old deed,” said Township Committee member Louise Wilson in an email message.
“We purchased the land and dove into the world of preserved farmland and we have respect for that responsibility,” said Jim Nawn.
“The rules that guide farmland preservation are complicate and unclear.” Nawn said they plan to maintain about 65 acres of the fields for hay, grain and pasture and about 45 acres in woodlands. By putting the riding arena and their residence in the woods they hope to minimize the impact on land that can be used for farming.
Ann Nawn, who is a social worker and certified as a therapeutic riding instructor sees plans for their new home as a marriage of her two interests – working with children and animals. She currently works as a volunteer at a therapeutic riding center to build her experience and skills as a step towards developing her own program.
“Ann and I have not been farmers in the past, said Nawn. “We understand what we are getting ourselves into. The farming lifestyle is about learning.”
Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market Begins on June 21
On Saturday, June 21 The Montgomery Friends of Open Space (MFOS) Farmers’ Market opens for the 2008 season. The Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Princeton North Shopping Center on Route 206 through October.
This year the Farmers’ Market will offer a new line up of farmers in addition to vendors from previous years including Treelicious Orchards, Cherry Hill Farm, Village Bakery of Lawrenceville and Simply Grazin’ Organic Farm of Skillman. Shoppers will find a selection of fresh, locally-grown produce, poultry, organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, fresh bread, and more.
“We are looking for other farmers and specialty vendors like flowers and cheese to join the Market,” said Kim Rowe, market manager and MFOS Board member. Interested farmers can contact Kim Rowe for information about participating in the market by sending her an email at krowe48483@aol.com. MFOS is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization founded in 2002. They operate the farmers' market to support local farmers and New Jersey agriculture.
In addition, MFOS works to preserve remaining open land in Montgomery Township and act as stewards for properties already preserved. A preview day for the Farmer’s Market will be held on Sunday, June 15 at Orpha’s Coffee Shop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers will be handing out coupons and information about the upcoming market. Plans are also in the works for a Summer Kick-Off to be held on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with entertainment and fun events for the entire family. More information about Farmers’ Market events, vendors and hours can be found on the MFOS web site at http://www.montgomeryfriends.org/. MFOS also offers a weekly email newsletter for the Farmer’s Market that includes coupons, updates on vendors and event information.
To register for the updates, send an email to Kim Rowe krowe48483@aol.com.
Switch to Comcast from Patriot Media: Many Resident Email Addresses to Change
By Tamara Garaffa, Montgomery Twp. Community Information Officer
The change-over of email addresses from Patriot Media to Comcast Cable has just begun. What does this mean for Montgomery Township communications? Our staff will be busy manually updating email contacts and distribution lists over the next several months and we need Comcast customers’ help to prevent disruption of successful Township communications.
According to Comcast representative Fred DeAlessio, Comcast is only allowing a certain number of Patriot Media internet customers to select their new email address in each phase, to stagger the change-over for a period of months. Customers must wait for an email giving them permission to select a new email address and begin the switch-over. After the switch, emails to the customer’s old account are supposed to be forwarded to the new account for a period of a few months, then the old account will be shut off. (The representative was informed by this writer of the many internet outages being experienced by patmedia/comcast customers in town during the switch-over already.)
Once an old Patriot Media email address account is finally shut off after a few months of forwarding, Comcast will send a bounce back message to any new sender and the message is suppose to give the intended recipient’s new email address. But Comcast customers are advised not to wait until this point before proactively informing their contacts of their new email address.
If you receive emails fairly regularly from any department(s) or staff of Montgomery Twp. municipal government, please remember to include each of your Township contacts when you send out notice of your new email address. Departments have been asked to reach out with an email
State Pension Reforms Affect Township Employees
Due to changes in state legislation, Montgomery Township will no longer be paying the pension for its prosecutor and public defender. Last year, New Jersey State legislators changed the definitions of who is considered public employees and therefore members of the pension system. The change took effect January 1, 2008.
In the past, prosecutors and public defenders, among others, were considered public employees of their respective townships and their pensions were paid by their townships upon retirement. But in some other municipalities, explains Township Administrator Donato Nieman, there may have been some manipulation of salaries to ensure a higher pension when employees retired. The new restrictions are designed to prevent this kind of abuse of the system.
There has been no such abuse here in Montgomery, says Nieman. “Regardless of political party, we have always been careful to maintain ethics, standards and integrity.”
Still, the Township’s prosecutor and public defender will now be termed contract employees and not entitled to be in the pension system. This will affect many other employees statewide, but only the prosecutor and public defender here in Montgomery.
Other cap restrictions from the State have forced the Township to make personnel cuts. Since they have already made spending cuts, says Nieman, they have had to look elsewhere. The result is that when some employees have left the township employ, they have not been replaced.
“Montgomery Township has always been fiscally responsible,” says Nieman. “We are careful about how we spend our money and our relationship with our employees. We have operated under fiscal constraints and have taken a fiscally conservative approach.”
Skillman Farm
Each morning, a group of young men clad in orange uniforms arrive at Skillman Farm and quietly set about their work, feeding the 80 heifers in their care. They spend the day cleaning and repairing the barns, caring for cows and tending the crops of this 480-acre farm. At the end of the day, they go back to Garden State Youth Correctional Facility where they spend the night in a cell. Seven days a week these inmates work the farm, learning skills that may help them when they return to life outside of prison.
Located on Burnt Hill Road, Skillman Farm is operated by AgriIndustries, a New Jersey Department of Corrections program that promotes sound work habits among offenders and stresses a strong work ethic. AgriIndustries is a self-supporting program that operates six farms and three food processing plants statewide that supply dairy, meat and vegetable products to Corrections and other state agencies.
Approximately 15 inmates work at Skillman Farm, along with Farm Supervisor, Bob Carroll and two other paid farm staff. They raise dairy cows for the AgriIndustries milking facilities, caring for the calves until they are bred at about 18 months. While majority of the land is used for grazing, during the growing season approximately 40 acres of the farm is planted in corn and hay for feed and bedding for the cows.
Carroll, who has been working at the farm for more than 30 years, clearly enjoys his job and the rewards of helping young men get on the right track. "These guys get an education in all areas," said Carroll. He noted that the work is hard and those who step out of line or who aren't cut out for farm work are immediately taken out of the program.
James Benedetti, Supervising Project Development Specialist, explained that inmates chosen to work at Skillman Farm must met a selection criteria determined by a Classification Committee. All are non-violent criminals and most are near the end of their sentence. Because of the type of work required on the farm, inmates with some type of trade experience - such as mechanics, masons, or carpenters - receive preference.
The prisoners are paid between $4.10 and $5.10 per day for their work and they accrue work credits for time spent at the farm that can shorten their sentence. On average, an inmate will spend between one and two years on the farm. He noted that there is a waiting list of inmates that want to get into the program
"Farming is therapy," said Frank Papa, Administrator/AgriIndustries, He explained that prisoners who are working at the farm are occupied in positive way instead of lying in bunk thinking negative thoughts.
Like most farmhands, a typical day begins early for inmates who work at Skillman Farm. They leave Garden State Youth Correctional Facility by van around 6:45am. (The Garden State facility houses offender between the ages of 18 and 29 years old). They arrive at the farm around 7a.m. to feed the cows and clean the barn. They take a break around 9:30 am when they get together with the farm staff to share information about the cows and work assignments.
The rest of the day inmates work on projects or tend the fields. During a recent visit, they were repairing the hayloft of a barn and finishing renovations on a feeding facility that will allow the farm to accommodate an additional 20 or more cows. Other projects include cutting and bailing hay, setting fence posts and repairing equipment. The inmates leave the farm around 2 pm to return to prison.
Rein Berry, who has been working at the farm for about a year, said he has learned a great deal, including some carpentry skills. "This is a new experience for me," said Berry, "I've never been around animals before." He hopes that working at the farm will lead to better job opportunities for him when he leaves prison.
While they don't have statistics on the job placement rate of inmates who have worked on Skillman Farm, Carroll noted that cellmates or "bunkies" who stay in touch with released prisoners have told him that the guys who come out of the program are successful in getting jobs when they are released from prison.
Helping inmate get on the right track is an important part of the program, Papa explained, "When we send these guys out, we don't want them back."
Mike, an inmate who has been on the farm for a month, was in construction before coming to prison. He said he likes working at the farm because he gets to do the type of work he did "on the street" and it helps keep his mind on the positive.
"It's nice to be outside and get a little bit of freedom," said Mike. With only 18 months remaining on his sentence he added, "I'll make better decisions when I get out."
Carroll recalled a visit one day by a local resident who was concerned that there were prisoners working in Montgomery and that no one seemed to know about it. "No one knows about us because we just do our work," said Carroll. "We've never had any problems."
Township Plans Some Residential For Skillman Village
Township officials have released a tentative site plan calling for as many as 200 market-rate homes to be built at the former North Princeton development Site, and an additional 71 units of COAH homes, which would also be on that site.
Township Committee met with five companies, Somerset Development, Tarragon Corp., King Interests, Sharbell Development, and Back to Nature.i
Concerns were expressed, however, from two redevelopers during the first round of interviews. Both the Somerset development Company and the Tarragon Development Corp. say that the relatively low number of residential units would make it difficult to get funding. Also, the redevelopers indicated that rehabilitating 18 saved buildings at the site would be difficult to do profitably.
According to Township Administrator Donato Nieman, the more traditional developers had problems with the tentative Township plan, but “two or three of them were fairly creative.”
He expects the Township to send out a request for qualifications from redevelopers sometime in late spring or early summer, and the list of which will later be whittled away to the top contenders.
The Township draft unit, which has not been formalized, calls for a mix of age-restricted – 25 units of which have been described as “luxury” – COAH housing, and mixed use of 30-45,000 feet of retail and medical facilities.”
Big concerns have been described as minimizing the tax impact on Township homes as well as reducing the impact on local roads. Township Planning Director Lorie Savron said that under one plan, the cost would average at $12 for an average Township home. Under a medium-density plan, it would save about $89 per Township home. The draft plan would require the developer to build the 71 units of COAH homes. The redeveloper with the best plan, will win the right to develop the site, at his own expense.
The Township held open session interviews with tentative developers during April, to be followed by a formal adoption of the draft plan.
The citizens Community Advisory Board also met during early April with representatives of Westin Solutions and discussed the site clean up. No work will be done in the “spaghetti area,” where a group of buried asbestos-covered pipes remains, when school is in session.
Now officially called Skillman Village, the 256-acre site surrounding the Village Elementary School, was once called “The New Jersey Farm for Epileptics,” and was purchased by Montgomery Township for approximately $5.6 million on Jan. 23, 2007 after a long period of negotiation. Additionally, the Township paid the Weston Group $8.5 million for environmental clean-up fees. Township officials hope to recover costs by selling the redevelopment rights. Redevelopers, in turn, would be expected to use the Township site plan as a guide, but not necessarily, a blueprint.
Township officials expect to begin the final remediation work during the spring when school is not in session, and to be completed sometime this summer.
Township Sued Following Senior Center Accident
An attorney for a Montgomery Township senior citizen has sued the Township and the driver of the senior center bus, identified as Rhonda Burton, following an accident at the Senior Center. In a complaint filed in early April, Michael Paglione, the attorney for the plaintiff, claims that on Nov. 22, 2006 the injured senior citizen, Ruixiang Shen, 71 years old, a former Vice Dean at the East China University of Science and Technology, suffered a broken neck and total paralysis from the neck down after attempting to aid another senior citizen, a wheelchair-bound 93-year-old woman.
According to the attorneys, the Township was at fault because the van carrying the seniors was not equipped to transport wheelchairs nor handicap accessible. Also, the suit claims, although the driver had a proper bus operator’s license, she was not trained specifically to work with handicapped persons and that the Township was negligent in failing to train her properly. As a consequence the injured man, described in the suit as “always a gentleman, came to her aid.” In the process, as Mr. Chen struggled with the wheelchair he slipped and fell backwards onto the pavement, breaking his neck in two places. As a result, he spent several months near death at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.
Mr. Paglione said “Mr. Shen remained at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for three and a half months and was unable to swallow when he was discharged. Since returning to China he has been able to swallow but remains quadriplegic.”
A spokesperson for the law firm, identified as Janine G. Bauer, claims, “All New Jersey seniors should know that if their municipality provides bus service, it is required by federal law to have a working handicap-equipped bus available.”
Township Administrator Donato Nieman said, “I have not seen the lawsuit. But the driver is still employed by us and is a good employee.”
Former Mayor Louise Wilson said, “I know the driver. She is a terrific person, a good employee and cares deeply about the people she drives. It was a tragedy, very difficult and terrible for the family.”
Township To Replace Police Director Beltrenena at End of June
Police Director Michael Beltrenena, Montgomery Township’s first civilian police director, will be leaving at the end of his contract, which expires on June 30.
“It was a mutual decision,” said Director Beltrenena, who had formerly been chief of the New Brunswick Police Department. “Both Township manager Nieman and I thought it was time.”
First appointed in 2001, he replaced a series of Police Chiefs, who had been promoted from within the ranks. His first priority was to establish discipline within the department, which had suffered from a series of embarrassing incidents previously.
“The department is ready and I’m ready,” he said. “I’m confident in the leadership in the Department for someone from within to take over.”
Police Director Beltrenena said that he will be, “spending time fixing things around the house,” looking for work in law enforcement, and will continue to teach criminal justice at Middlesex Community College, where he is an adjunct professor.
The Township is hoping to promote from within the ranks, choosing candidates who have had a period of being sergeant and lieutenant. As many as three candidates could apply, and the final decision, which will be made by Township Committee, would require an interview before the Committee.
Meanwhile, Committee will be meeting on May 15 to create a position of Captain, and Captain Director. They will also have to advertise for the position.
Whoever is chosen will be become Captain Director, with a pay grade of $130,622 to $135,582. If that choice doesn’t work out, he could then be “demoted” to Captain. Currently, lieutenants on the MTPD earn approximately $90 – 100,000. The PBA is negotiating new salaries for lieutenants to replace the old three-year contract, which expired in December.
There are 34 positions in the Police Department authorized by Township Committee, but only 30 officers filling them, due to a hiring freeze caused by budgetary concerns.
Township Manager Donato Nieman pointed out there are currently three slots for lieutenant posted, but only two people filling those slots, Acting Lt. Jim Curry, and Lt. Robert Palmer. “If one of them is picked, there could be two positions to fill. The new Captain Director will have to decide that.” He also pointed out, “We’d like the replacement process to overlap Police Director Beltrenena’s contract,” which would mean that the decision process will take place during May and June.
“Both are excellent guys, and they have performed excellently for many, many years,” said Mr. Nieman, who also said of the prospects of having a new police chief promoted from within the ranks, “Everybody’s looking forward to it.”
Township to study sewer plant
Montgomery Township Committee awarded a $38K contract to Omni Environmental, LLC a Princeton based firm, for conceptual design to upgrade the NPDC waste water treatment plant. The plant is located off Burnt Hill Road on the Skillman Farm site.
The wastewater treatment plant was originally built to for the North Princeton Developmental Center and has capacity to treat half a million gallons of waste water per day. According to Township Engineer Gail Smith, the plant is currently operating under capacity, supporting Village Elementary and Montgomery High Schools, the State Dairy Farm and a few nearby homes.
"Every five years, we have to apply to the State for permit renewal," said Smith. "This plant has affluent limits on components that can be discharged and it must be upgraded before May, 2010."
When the upgrade is complete, the plant will continue to service existing facilities that are connected and will treat the wastewater from new development at Skillman Village. The Upper and Lower Middle Schools will also be connected to the renovated NPDC treatment plant. Smith noted that these two buildings currently have their own designated wastewater treatment facilities that are reaching the end of their service life and will be abandoned when the new connection is made.
Two new residential projects will also be connected to the NPDC treatment plant, including Sharbell Development Corporation’s Tapestry project, located off Route 206 and the planned Westwinds residential development of 57 homes, located near the Upper Middle School.
According to Smith, the project is under a tight time frame to be completed by the 2010 deadline. The first step will be conceptual design. Upon approval of the conceptual design, a full design will be completed and submitted to the State for approval. The project will then go out for bids and construction.
The preliminary estimate for the upgrade is $8.5 million. Smith explained that the cost of the upgrade will be paid for by connection fees paid by developers who are connecting to the system.
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