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Congressman Lance Town Hall Meeting Saturday 7/24 in Montgomery
FULL TEXT ARTICLES Congressman Lance to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Montgomery Saturday, July 24 On Saturday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Congressman Leonard Lance will be holding the first of a series of summertime town hall meetings at Montgomery Township Municipal Building in Belle Mead. During the meeting, issues facing Congress and the American people will be discussed and questions taken on the issues like the economy, health care, federal spending, and debt. Additionally, members of the Congressman's staff will be available to assist constituents who are experiencing difficulties with a federal agency such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, Veterans’ Affairs, the State Department, or other agency. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 908-788-6900 or 908-518-7733.
7/20/10 Griggstown Reformed Church's Harvest Home Festival August 21 7/20/10 School District Announces 2010-11 Budget On Tuesday, July 6th, the MTSD Board of Education announced that they have adopted a 2010-11 school budget of $77,294,716. The budget included $69.9M in general fund spending, $6.8M in debt service spending and $0.9M in grant spending. This new budget represents a $206K decrease over the 2009-10 school year and despite this decrease in spending, property taxes on the average home in Montgomery Township and Rocky Hill Borough will rise $271 and $49 respectively. To see more information on the 2010-2011 school budget, a message from Superintendent Earl Kim and a specific list of reductions approved for the coming school year, please go to the Montgomery Twp. School District website at www.mtsd.k12.nj.us . Updated 7/9/10 Electric & Water Conservation Adviseable During Heat Wave Conserve Energy Whenever Possible PSE&G is recommending its customers take energy conserving measures due to high electric demand for air conditioning. Yesterday at 5 p.m. was highest peak demand of summer so far, as per a PSE&G release this morning (see link below). 6,500 homes in Jersey City area are without power as a result. Although PSE&G expects to have enough electricity to meet demand, it's always helpful to conserve where possible. PSE&G is providing the following conservation tips:
http://www.pseg.com/media_center/pressreleases/articles/2010/2010-07-07.jsp
10th Annual Butterfly Day Festival August 14 Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM, Fee: $5 per person, $15 per carloadThis community festival offers fun for the entire family! Enjoy naturalist-guided tours of the Kate Gorrie Memorial Butterfly House, nature hikes, live entertainment, local food, children's activities, and an array of demonstrations and exhibits about the environment and conservation. Visit our website, www.thewatershed.org, for complete information. 7/6/10 Deer Hunting Program on Certain Public Lands Montgomery Township's Deer Management Program runs from September 11th through February 19th. All public properties where hunting is allowed as part of this program are posted. Hunting of any sort is not conducted on Sundays by local ordinance. Please go to the Deer Management Program page for details and maps of the properties and limits included in the program. 7/01/10 Health Department Survey Only Takes a Minute HOW ARE WE DOING? PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY Montgomery Township Health Department wants to make sure we are providing services that meet your needs and protect the health of the community. We are looking for your feedback on how we can serve you better. Please take a moment to complete a customer satisfaction survey about your experience with the Health Department: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AN6YACDQH You may access this survey from June 15th to July 31st, 2010. If you have questions about the survey, contact health@twp.montgomery.nj.us 6/24/10 MONTGOMERY FRIENDS OF OPEN SPACE FARMER’S MARKET The Montgomery Farmer’s Market is now open through October in the same location as last year, the Village Shopper Shopping Center on Route 206 South, across from the Montgomery Theatre. The market is on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. The Saturday morning time slot has proved to be much more convenient for local shoppers and fans of the market. The Farmer’s Market is run by Montgomery Friends of Open Space, a non-profit, all volunteer organization founded in 2002. The organization’s main purposes are to preserve remaining open land in Montgomery Township, support trail development and stewardship of the preserved land, and help sustain active farming, to help create a community more balanced between growth and preservation. Since its inception, Montgomery Friends has helped to preserve more than 300 acres in the township. More details on the Farmer’s Market opening date and the other spring events will be available on the Montgomery Friends’ website: www.montgomeryfriends.org. Please call Mary Penney at 609-688-0282 for more information. 6/22/10 No Dog Left Behind - Annual Dog Census Montgomery Animal Control is conducting its annual dog census, as required by New Jersey statute. Local Animal Control officials will be out in the community this summer canvassing neighborhoods for dogs that may not yet be licensed. Licensing your dog helps assure that the community is protected against rabies, and helps you be reunited with your dog should it get lost. Surveys may be curbside or door to door. If you have questions about the dog census, contact Montgomery Animal Control at 908-359-8211, x 247 or health@twp.montgomery.nj.us 6/18/10 Introduced 2010 Municipal Budget
Municipal services provided include public safety, road maintenance/repair and snow plowing, public health, animal control, parks and recreation, senior programs and services, code enforcement, engineering, planning and zoning, capital projects, emergency management, municipal court, recycling, and utility services such as street lights and fire hydrants. A property owner may calculate his or her municipal taxes for 2010 by multiplying the assessed value of the property by .003. Note: this does not include taxes for public schools, county services, fire district, county library system, or open space. updated 7/12/10 Flea
Market Every Sunday at Princeton Elks $10.00 per space if you provide table or $15.00 space with table. For additional information please call
Lou @ 908-359-5652 or email louvac13@gmail.com. Next First Saturday of the Month Drop-Off August 1st The Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, will be holding its next First Saturday of the Month event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 1st. (See Community Calendar for all dates.) Open to all Somerset County Residents. For a complete listing of recyclable items, recycling events and much more, visit http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle.html or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at 732-469-3363.Some examples are any curbside recyclables, motor oil, anti-freeze, tires (up to 8), computers, computer peripherals, televisions, vcrs, cds, dvds, etc.
New This Year - Donations to Somerset County Food Bank of in-date canned goods and non-perishable food items are welcome and appreciated. Canned goods and non-perishable food donations also can be brought to the First Saturday event. Items will be delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Perishables and foods in glass containers are not accepted by food banks. Corrected 6/23/10 Discounted Composter & How-To Tips/Class 6/9/10 Province Line Swim Club - memberships available for the 2010 season Province Line Swim Club is a family-oriented non-profit pool club located on Province Line Road, just off route 518 in Montgomery Township. Memberships are available for the 2010 season. We offer free swim lessons for members, no over-crowding, and due to the co-op ownership of the club, you can swim whenever you want. Come meet new friends and enjoy the freedom of a co-op member-owned swim club. Please see www.plswim.com or email info@plswim.com for more information. Unlike other pool clubs in the area, Province Line is entirely member owned and operated as a co-op; members contribute to all aspects of operating and running the pool. Also setting this pool apart is the fact that there is no snack bar and no conflicts with pool access as we do not have a swim team. Guest fees are generously low and with yearly membership limited to a total of 40 families, there is never any crowding. At Province Line, the pool is always open for members swimming pleasure. Since members are owners of the pool, they can swim when it is convenient for their schedule by simply letting themselves in and closing up when they are done. As a current member states it, “It’s like having your own backyard pool with 40 friends to help maintain it”. The pool opens daily for 2010 on Memorial Day weekend and is typically open through the middle of September, based on fall weather conditions. Province Line also has employment openings available for certified lifeguards for the 2010 swim season. Please see or email www.plswim.com or email info@plswim.com for details. 5/28/10 Lenape Swim & Diving Club Now Open Open weekends from Memorial Day CONVENIENT spacious rural setting – just off Rt. 518 Kids - When School’s Out – come swim and have fun with friends! Families: Swim team only memberships entitle a child to daily weekday practice from the end of school to the end of the season (usually late July; this varies per the meet schedule yet to be posted for 2010) and Tuesday and Thursday swim meets in July (again, per the schedule yet to be posted). Swimmers are able, at a nominal fee, to participate in several additional weekend meets. For more info, go to: www.lenapeswimclub.com Updateed 528/10 School Tax Levy Review Process - Latest Steps A resolution which would have reduced the Montgomery Township School District 2009-2010 Tax Levy of $65,439,585 by $1,943,000, which was passed Monday night by the Rocky Hill Borough Council, was deadlocked 2 to 2 at the Montgomery Township Committee level and did not pass after much public comment at its Tuesday, May 18th meeting. Deputy Mayor Kacey Dyer, of the five member Montgomery Township Committee, who is related to a district teacher, recused herself. Somerset County Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Trudy Doyle, has now made her recommendations report for a final reduced tax levy to the Commissioner of Education as of 6/1. That office must make a final determination by June 30th. Determining the manner in which allotted funds will be allocated to specific programs is the responsibility of the school district. For further information, please go to the Montgomery Twp. School District website at www.mtsd.k12.nj.us . Updated 6/4/10 (Earlier School Budget Announcement of 5/14) The School Budget Subcommittee has arrived at a consensus of recommended changes to the tax levy for the Montgomery Township Board of Education 2010-1011 school year budget. The subcommittee, consisting of representatives from both Montgomery Twp. and Rocky Hill, worked closely and collaboratively with the Board of Education and took its responsibility seriously regarding the defeated budget. Recommended reductions were selected which would have a minimal impact upon the classroom and the quality of educational instruction. Certain cuts were a function of the stabilizing district enrollment. The subcommittee members were guided by the principal that the Montgomery school system is and should continue to be a strong asset to our community. The Township Committee wishes to thank Superintendent Earl Kim, Business Administrator Tom Venanzi, and the members of the Board of Education for the many hours they spent helping us craft a meaningful tax reduction while protecting the central mission of our school system. Thank you also to those citizens who emailed helpful input. A total tax levy reduction of $1,952,000 has been determined, summarized as follows: Appropriation Reductions
The remaining difference of $235,000 consists of additional revenues of $200,000 from student activities and $35,000 from building rentals. The budget subcommittee had originally recommended a $200,000 reduction in the Fund Balance (Surplus), which was reported to be $2,362,368. However, after consultation with Superintendent Kim and the Board of Education, the BOE requested that the reduction be taken from curriculum development instead. The subcommittee acceded to their request. Under the defeated budget, the proposed total Local School Tax Levy was $65,439,585 which would have resulted in a property tax increase of 6% / $546 (including $52 for increased debt service as a result of the referendum passed in December 2009). If the Township Committee approves the recommendations of the sub-committee, the total Local Tax Levy will decrease to $63,487,585 and the resulting tax increase will be less than 2.5%. This would mean that the school tax increase would be $258.00 on the average value residence ($507,100). As noticed, a Montgomery Township public meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 18th in the municipal courtroom at 7:30 p.m. and public comment will be invited. A copy of the resolution regarding the recommendations will be available at this public meeting. The Montgomery Township Committee will vote on the recommendations and certify the reduced tax levy at that time, which must, by law, be submitted to the Somerset County Board of Taxation by May 19th. Rocky Hill Borough will also be conducting a meeting and voting on the recommendations on the evening of May 17th. It is important to understand that the only item that the Board of Education is truly held to by law is the total tax levy established by the Township Committee. The list of specific reductions above is our recommendation to them, but it will ultimately be the decision of the Board of Education to determine how to craft their budget within the constraints of the dollars they have available. We know that the Board of Education will continue to welcome constructive input from the community as they do this important work. *NJEA = New Jersey Education Association 5/14/10 Upcoming Blood Drive Schedule at Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group of Companies with offices on both Orchard Road and Grandview Road in Montgomery Township conducts American Red Cross blood drives during the year. The community is invited to participate in any or all of these blood drives. The drives take place at the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group sites and are held during the day between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. The remaining dates for 2010 are as follows:
You can contact Tami Leather at 908-904-3513 for the exact times of each drive and to schedule an appointment or if you have any other questions. Thank you for giving the gift of life! 5/13/10 On-Line Credit Card or E-Check Payment Service
Now Available for Property Taxes or Sewer Fees Residents may choose from either of two electronic payment method options: MasterCard/Visa which incurs a 2.99% convenience fee or by e-check (ACH debit) for which there is no convenience charge. This online service is one of the many steps that the Township of Montgomery is taking to make municipal services more readily available to its residents. We are committed to providing quality e-government service to our residents. To make a tax or sewer payment, go to “On-line Payment” page of this website in Finance Dept. subsection. Thank you. 4/05/10 Septic
Systems, Wells & Drinking Water in Event of Flooding 03/15/10 Township Newsletter Goes Electronic Read Ebulletin http://tinyurl.com/ygtya9b The Spring Montgomery Township newsletter is posted on the township website at www.twp.montgomery.nj.us/about/newsletter.asp . It includes Community/Gov't News, Recreation Offerings and the SchoolZone newsletter. Please remember to bookmark this newsletter page for future reference, as an important change have occurred.
As a cost-savings measure, this is the last newsletter issue which will also be received by regular mailing (next week). The newsletter will continue on a quarterly basis, but it will be distributed just as you are receiving it now - electronically.
Please help us to let other residents know of this change.
Anyone who signs-up for e-bulletins will always receive notice when the newsletter is posted on the website. Sign-up is short and simple, enter email address in box by green envelope at www.montgomery.nj.us & follow prompts.
The Recreation Section includes program offerings for spring as well as summer camp info. Recreation will begin taking registrations on Monday, March 1st at 8am. Recreation office hours are Mon - Fri, 8am - 9pm. Their staff may be reached at 609-466-3023.
If you have questions about the newsletter itself, the township website or other communications, please call Community Information Officer Tammy Garaffa at 908-359-8211 ext. 207 8am to 1 pm M-F or email tgaraffa@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
Please also remember the on-line Community Calendar to get word out about your community event or to find out about events around town. Email announcements to above address.
We are now also "InMontgomeryNJ" on Twitter. Follow us at http://twitter.com/InMontgomeryNJ to receive occasional brief time-critical notices of interest to Montgomery residents.
Thank you.
2/25/10 Road & Bridge Closings/Openings & Weather Alerts Direct to Your Email or Cell Phone Here’s yet another e-alert system to subscribe to, but it’s a good one. Learn of road or bridge closures throughout Somerset County in time to avoid them! Get severe weather alerts. You can even get an email when the Griggstown Causeway Bridge is reopened after a storm. Get free Road Closings and/or Emergency Information bulletins directly as emails or text messages from Somerset County. 1/26/10 PSE&G's January 15th Question & Answer Memo On Pole Line Relocation Project Please follow this Link to PDF file of memo regarding the above project. 1/20/10 Flood Study Contractors from FEMA Conducting Ground Surveys Residents who are unsure of any individual(s) on or around their property are encouraged to call Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222 or dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. 12/21/09 ‘COMPOST TEA’: KEY INGREDIENT OF MONTGOMERY PARKS’ UPKEEP Montgomery Township is finding simple ways to go greener while realizing cost savings. After careful research, the Montgomery Department of Public Works is implementing a compost tea program. Compost tea is a specific liquid biological amendment made by coaxing the beneficial organisms from compost into an aerated water solution from various sources such as brush, grass clippings, and leaves. A compost tea program will allow the township to take compost, liquefy it, and change it into an organic fertilizer to spray on park grounds and other grass areas. Recently, Ann Raver reported in the New York Times that Harvard University is implementing this budget-reducing program and is having positive results. The startup cost is relatively inexpensive compared to the fertilization methods now in place. The Montgomery DPW has built its own compost tea maker and has started using the tea on a pilot basis. Currently, Montgomery Township irrigates with 2,052,528 gallons of water a year. Since organics retain more water, Montgomery anticipates an irrigation reduction of 30%. This will save 615,758 gallons of water. At the end of one year, the township will have saved tens of thousands of dollars, while keeping our parks more chemical-free. In addition, switching from synthetic to organic materials will invigorate the soil, resulting in greener grass, healthier plants, and a healthier park environment. Montgomery Township is also implementing other improvements to our current waste management and recycling program. We purchased two Big Belly trash compactors that help to reduce trips to the parks. Secondly, we are making available to residents backyard compost containers. Anyone who would like to purchase a compost container or is interested in knowing more about the program, should contact Public Works Director Art Villano at (908) 874-3144. 12/15/09 Batteries No Longer Accepted Curbside The Somerset County Recycling Center has announced that starting Jan. 1, 2010 it no longer will accept batteries with curbside collection of recyclables. Due to regulatory changes and less hazardous battery compositions, alkaline batteries now fall below federal and state hazardous-waste standards and can be disposed of in the regular trash. Household battery manufacturers of alkaline batteries no longer add mercury and have reduced the amount of mercury added to other batteries as a result of the New Jersey Dry Cell Battery Management Act of 1991 and the federal Mercury- Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996. Batteries have a label on them that indicates whether they are rechargeable or alkaline. Alkaline batteries can be thrown out in the regular trash. Rechargeable batteries still need to be recycled. Rechargeable batteries are found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders and remote-control toys. Most button-cell batteries must be recycled because they still contain mercury. Somerset County will accept rechargeable and button-cell batteries at Household Hazardous Waste and First Saturday of the Month (with electronics) events. Rechargeable batteries also can be recycled at participating retail locations, including Radio Shack, Best Buy, Staples, Target, Office Max, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Walmart and Verizon Wireless. Batteries must be properly prepared before drop off due to new federal regulations that prevent short circuiting of batteries during transport. Residents must bag each battery individually or tape each of the terminal ends prior to recycling. To find a retail-collection site, use the collection site locator at www.call2recycle.org or call the consumer helpline at 1-877-2-RECYCLE. 12/10/09 New On-line Business Directory A new Directory of Businesses is now on the Montgomery Twp. website, courtesy of Montgomery Economic Development Commission. Contact Township Planning Director Lori Savron to have your Montgomery business added to the directory at lsavron@twp.montgomery.nj.us or (908) 359-8211 ext. 206. 12/9/09 Applicants Wanted: Municipal Volunteer Board Positions/EMS/Fire Montgomery residents who would like to volunteer to serve on a municipal board, commission or committee for 2010 are encouraged to fill out a Municipal Volunteer Form. There is immediate openings on the Landmarks Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment. This form may also be used if interested in fire department or emergency medical response volunteerism. The form can be filled out several ways, for your convenience. It is an interactive form on-line which can be emailed. Go to 'forms' page of the municipal website. A paper version of form is also available through the Twp. Clerk. The form may be mailed or brought to the Township Clerk's Office, 2261 Van Horne Road, Belle Mead, NJ 08502 or emailed to clerk@montgomery.nj.us. 10/29/09 Effective Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, small businesses in Somerset County will be allowed to drop off materials at the Somerset County The types of materials that will be accepted at the Recycling Center are newspapers; cardboard and chipboard; commingled containers, which include glass bottles, plastics bottles (marked with a #1 or #2), and steel, bi-metal and aluminum The following items will not be accepted: electronic waste, scrap metal, tires, plastic bags, chemicals or hazardous materials. There will be no reimbursement for recyclable materials dropped off. For additional information, call the Recycling Center at 732-469-3363. 10/21/09
Verizon FiOS Availability & Cable TV Service Questions & Complaints The Township has received many reports from residents who live in the 609 area code that when they ask Verizon representatives why FiOS television is unavailable in their area, they are told that Montgomery Township is somehow standing in the way of FiOS service. This is not true. The Township has no role whatsoever in determining the availability of FiOs service. Mayor
Wilson has contacted Verizon a number of times to alert the
company that its representatives are misinforming township
residents, and to ask that the situation be corrected. She
also has asked Verizon to stop mailing FiOS solicitations
to households that have no access to the service. If you
are in the 609 area and would like to know when FiOS TV will
be available, Verizon asks residents to go to www.verizon.com/fios
and submit a request. These requests are kept on file with
Verizon and Verizon states that when the service is available,
you will be notified by e-mail. Written
letters may be sent to:
Cub
Scout Pack 850 Recruiting Boys For more information
or to have a registration form sent to you, please email us at
pack850cubscouts@hotmail.com.
N.J. Refrigerator Recycling Program Pays $30 Incentive Requirements for Program Participation: 1. Customer must be a residential electric customer of one of the following NJ utilities: Atlantic City Electric, Jersey Central Power & Light, PSE&G, Rockland Electric Company. 2. Customers of municipal electric utilities do not qualify. 3. Appliance types include refrigerators and freezers. 4. Maximum 2 units per customer per year. 5. Valid for period from July 15, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Unit must be picked up within this time frame. 6. Refrigerator/Freezer size limited to 10 - 30 cu. ft. 7. Refrigerator/Freezer must be operational at time of pick up. 8. Refrigerator/Freezer unit must be owned by customer. 9. No age restriction. 10. Refrigerator/Freezer must have clear access path for removal. Why participation is important 1. Old refrigerators and freezers are not bio-degradable. This is why states like New Jersey, California and Illinois have laws that prohibit dumping these appliances into land fills. 2. Other recycling companies have to charge a fee to pick up and recycle your old appliances, because it is a thorough process. However, when you enroll in this program, we pick up and recycle your old refrigerator or freezer for free. Plus, you will receive a $30 cash incentive for participating. 3. Old refrigerators and freezers typically use two times more electricity than newer models. By everyone doing their part to conserve energy and recycle responsibly, New Jersey residents will reduce energy use and help protect the environment. 4. A cash incentive of $30 will be paid to you for your effort in recycling responsibly. If you have any questions about the recycling program, or if you would like to schedule your pickup date by phone; please feel free to contact our customer service center toll free at 877-270-3520. Interested parties should visit http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/refrigerator-freezer-recycling-program 8/24/09 Foreclosure
Help Available 8/24/09 Somerset
County Rental Assistance The Program can provide six months of rental arrears, twelve months of rental assistance, security deposit, utility payments, case management, tenant education and legal services. In order to qualify, you must have or enter into a formal lease and be within the following income limits: 1 Person - $35,063;
2 People - $40,063; Prospective applicants
should call the Somerset County Community Development Office Get Notice of Time-Critical Montgomery Ebulletins as "Tweets"
Through Twitter Police
Message to Community; Changes to Dispatch & New Phone Number Added The transfer will be complete on or about July 6, whereupon the Police Department will close its fullservice emergency communications center. Here is how the new system will work: 1.
All 9-1-1 telephone calls generated from any hard-wire telephone within
Montgomery Township 2.
The non-emergency (908) 359-3222 number will remain operational but
will be answered at 3. A police business
phone number, (908) 874-3333, will allow callers to contact the Police
Dept. 6/30/09 Girl
Scouts Girls Scouts is
the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all
girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build
character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership
with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will
serve them all their lives. In Girl Scouting, experiences like high
adventure trips, sports, leadership opportunities, community service
projects, and team building activities give girls opportunities to
discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Montgomery
Health Dept. offers Help for Residents in Tough Times
Visit the Health Department’s website for a complete listing of Helplines, Websites, and Prescription Medication Assistance Programs at www.twp.montgomery.nj.us/depts/health/index.asp. For more help
in tough times, Call 211—First Call for Help or visit http://www.nj211.org/hardtimes08.cfm Montgomery
Container Facility Schedule Container Facility coupons are available for sale Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the front reception desk of the Montgomery Twp. municipal offices at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead (908-359-8211). A four trip coupon for households costs $40. Unused, unpunched trips on a coupon do not expire. There is no limit on the number of coupons resident households may purchase per year. Container
Facility hours are 8 a.m. to 12 noon on scheduled Saturdays. For further
information about the Container Facility rules and scheduled days,
contact Montgomery Dept. of Public Works at (908) 874-3144 or go to
Container Facility Page
of Public Works section of this website. "The
Montgomery Guide" & New Resident Packets If you are a new resident we also have a welcome packet for you! The New Resident Packet includes the above-described Montgomery Guide and is also packed with helpful brochures and flyers on need-to-know topics for new residents. Recycling schedule, sewer or septic care, voter registration forms, dog license forms, maps of township parks – these are some items in the new resident packet. (Available for free at the reception desk of the municipal building, 2261 Rt. 206, where new households can also pick up their recycling bucket.) 03/20/09 Senior
Freeze Income Limits Raised The Division of Taxation is doing a special mailing of 2007 reimbursement applications to approximately 52,000 resident who may now be eligible because of the increase in the income limits. Applications can also be obtained in person at the Montgomery Township Tax Assessor's Office. If you did not receive a 2006 reimbursement, file a 2007 Form PTR-1. If you did receive a 2006 reimbursement, file a 2007 Form PTR-2. Form PTR-2 only is also available with instructions and further information on the State Department of Treasury website at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.shtml . Looking ahead, the income limits for 2008 are now raised to $70,000 for either a single person or married couple/civil union. 2008 applications will be available in the spring. The income limits for 2009 will be $80,000 for a single person or a married/civil union couple. updated
4/14/09 Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP intake began on November 1 and runs until April. If you know someone who may be eligible to apply, please encourage them to do so. For the first time since the program inception in 1983, The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is fully funded at $5.1 billion. In the 2007-2008 heating season, this federally- funded program provided over 195,000 income eligible New Jersey households with help with their winter heating bills. For the 2008-2009 heating season, New Jersey has received over $188 million, a 74% increase in LIHEAP funding. Because of this windfall, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has adjusted the income eligibility to include those households at 225% of the federal poverty level. This means that a family of four with a monthly income of $3,975 may be eligible for a benefit. DCA anticipates increased program participation of about 50,000 households. As this program only looks at the last four weeks of income, more households may be eligible as the economic slide continues. For more information visit the PSE&G Energy Assistance Outreach website, or view the LIHEAP FactSheet. Applications are available at PSE&G Customer Service Centers. To find the nearest customer service center location, click here or you can access an application directly from the state. Click Below for Adobe Acrobat Files of PSE&G Brochures: Brochure on Several Types of Heating Bill Assistance (English & Spanish) NJ Shares for Short-term Emergency Assistance LIHeap
Brochure Register
Loved Ones in Case of Emergency: Montgomery's
Emergency Outreach Program The form can be dropped off, mailed or emailed back to Montgomery Township Health Officer Stephanie Carey (scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us). There is also a "Notice of Privacy Practices of Montgomery Township" statement which must be read first. Both forms can be found under the Forms page of this website. The forms may also be obtained at the Health Department or at the Senior Center of the Otto Kaufman Community Center. Important Reminder to Registrants: Help us to help you by keeping your info up-to-date. Please file a new form whenever there is a change of address, phone, etc. Those who should register include seniors living alone, those relying on home-based dialysis or supplemental oxygen, or those with disabilities or infirmities, for whom isolation or being without power would pose real, even life threatening, risks. Perhaps you can think of a neighbor or friend who could benefit from this program? Please help spread the word. Project
Lifesaver 12/18/08
Opportunities
Available
to Serve
on Municipal Boards & Committees: New Form You
can learn more about the work of municipal boards and committees here
on the township’s web site by clicking on Boards and Commissions
from header on the homepage. Please send the form as soon as possible
in December. Appointments are made in early January. Although it is
impossible to appoint every interested resident to a committee, submitted
forms are kept on file in the event that seats open up during the
course of the year. In addition, there may be special short-term volunteer
project opportunities available. For further info, call the Township
Clerk’s Office at 908-359-8211. New
Montgomery Community Calendar on This Website To find the community calendar on the Township website, go to www.twp.montgomery.nj.us. From this homepage, select “Community Calendar” in the left sidebar menu. A link from this Bulletins page is also found on left sidebar. The calendar can also be found as “Montgomery Community Calendar” in Google’s public calendar lists on google.com, where its listings can be added to your own calendar. Please
note: If you have a Montgomery based event you would like included,
email the name, date, time, location, brief description and a contact
phone or email to Tammy Garaffa at tgaraffa@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
Submittal guidelines are the same as found at top of this page. Montgomery
Singles Dining Club Notice
Regarding Stream Sediment or Dust Problems Top Pothole
hotline calls are recorded every day and monitored Monday through
Friday. If you wish to report a pothole on the weekend, please leave
the information on the hotline unless you feel it warrants an emergency
and requires immediate attention. If the pothole presents an immediate
hazard, residents should contact the Montgomery Township Police Department
at 908-359-3222. Resident reports are appreciated as they help township
crews be aware of and correct problem situations. Two
Volunteer Networks Offer House & Yard Help to Seniors & Disabled
Residents New volunteers, male and female, also are being recruited for the program. Boy and girl scouts of all ages are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by adult. No experience is required. Free training is provided. A "Thank You" luncheon will be held for volunteers. Scheduling of home repairs is flexible. For information about receiving services through the Handyman Program or about volunteering as a handyman or handywoman, call (908) 541-5715. Boy
Scout Leader Lou Vaccaro is organizing the "Scouts Help
Seniors" or SHS Program. Montgomery seniors, 65 and
older, needing help with simple yard and household chores, such as
leaf raking, clearing walks and computer fixes may enlist the assistance
of volunteer scouts. The program involves both boy and girl scout
volunteers. Seniors seeking to make arrangements may contact Montgomery
resident Lou Vaccaro at 908-359-5652. Participants/Volunteers
Wanted for Senior Center Activities The
Somerset County Office on Aging operates the Montgomery Senior Center
in partnership with Montgomery Township. Admission to center programs
and activities is free. The senior center offers a variety of educational,
recreational and entertaining activities for seniors, including wellness
programs and health screenings.
Updated
Color Montgomery Township Street Map Available Interactive
Maps of Montgomery Now Available On-line These maps are being hosted by Vertices LLC, a private consulting firm working on a voluntary basis with the Montgomery Township GIS Department. In addition to being a public resource, the interactive mapping system is geared toward student education and is being used in the Montgomery Township School System. The project founders, Montgomery Township GIS Director Robert Marmion and Vertices' President Dr. Wansoo Im, are looking for feedback from users for their research in order to obtain a Dodge Foundation Grant to take this pilot project to the next level. Email your feedback and suggestions to Dr. Im at wim@vertices.com. They would like to know what features were helpful to users and where improvements would be beneficial. For more on these and other related educational mapping programs by Vertices, LLC go to www.gis4kids.com. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system with computer software, hardware, data, and personnel in order to manipulate analyze and present information tied to spatial location. The data is tied to a spatial location via points, lines, or areas. The data can be point locations of planning priorities in the region. The lines can be linear priorities such as greenways or new transit lines. Areas can be parks, land uses, and zoning districts. GIS does not just have to be points, lines and polygons, images can be used as well. RPA for example, incorporates historic photos, remote sensing data, ortho-photography, aerial photos, and CADD drawings into its Geographic Database. The GIS software displays the information as layers of data. The layers are stacked on top of one another to create a map. The selection of layers needed for a project is determined by the analyst's planning needs. Most often maps and graphics are outputs of the GIS. Tabular data is a common result from conducting geographic analyses. Deer
Resistant & Invasive Plant Species Lists If you would like to find a rating of how vulnerable to deer appetites a certain plant species is, go to http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/. If you would like to know about invasive plant species to avoid in your landscaping plans, go to http://nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm#pllists/ . An
"invasive species" is defined as a species that is: One study estimates that the total costs of invasive species in the United States amount to more than $100 billion each year. (Pimentel et al., 1999). Invasive species impact nearly half of the species currently listed as Threatened or Endangered under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. New Jersey recently banned the planting of non-native species on state lands to help reduce the spread of invasive species that choke out New Jersey’s native flora and threaten wetlands and waterways. For more information on this problem in New Jersey, see report, “An Overview of Nonindigenous Plant Species in New Jersey” at the NJDEP’s website: http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/InvasiveReport.pdf . Traffic
Circulation Element Amendment Document Available for Public Review To view an Adobe Acrobat file of the Traffic Circulation Element report, click HERE . This will require Adobe Acrobat version 6.0 or higher. This file is 6 MB in size and may take several minutes to download by phone modem. A
copy of the Traffic Circulation Element can be viewed at the Montgomery
Township Planning Department at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead between 8:00
am and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Blood Pressure Screening
- First Monday of Month: 9:45 a.m. Montgomery
Township Committee Adopts Zoning Changes Press
Release, 3/19/04, "Public Forums on Proposed Ordinance Changes"
(55.7 kb) 5/30/04
Affordable
Housing in Montgomery Township National
Emergency Information Link Traffic
Town Meetings, Hot Spots and Ideas This
document provides: Background
and topics of discussion (May 2003 Newsletter feature article).
Table
identifying intersections and bridges where improvements are needed
or planned.
Map
of Montgomery showing locations of intersections
and bridges being discussed (file size is 464k).
Send us an e-mail. Give us your ideas, comments, suggestions: traffic comments Top Concerns
About Low-Flying Aircraft Note:
The Township Committee has passed a resolution objecting to the new
flight pattern and calling on the FAA to test an ocean route that
would mitigate noise pollution suffered by so many New Jersey communities. Community
Survey Results The survey was intended to gather public opinion about assumptions that the Master Plan Committee was making in its approach to planning for the future of the area surrounding the intersection of Route 518 and State Highway 206. For example: 1.
That growth should be allowed in this area and reduced in the more rural
and environmentally sensitive parts of the township;
2.
That the township must deal with traffic problems before, or in conjunction
with, additional development;
3.
That pedestrian orientation (low signs, small parking lots, pedestrian
pathways and sidewalks, etc.) is desirable.
Here are some highlights: -Ninety
percent of respondents felt it is very important or somewhat important
to provide a cohesive and compact “town center” area that
contains a compatible mix of existing and proposed land uses.
-Ninety-nine
percent agreed that any new development should be comprehensively designed,
with assurance that the road network can support the development.
-Eighty
percent or more agreed that features that make it easier to get around
without a car should be incorporated into the study area: sidewalks,
bike paths, signage on a pedestrian scale, etc.
-Ninety-one
percent said it is important to include attractive civic spaces, greens
and park areas, creating a special sense of community identity.
About half of the 1022 respondents wrote answers to the survey’s open-ended question about what people would like to see in the study area. The most common answer was small retail stores such as a drug store, bakery or additional bookstore. Many people also suggested restaurants and outdoor recreation / leisure areas, and some suggested additional professional and office space. About seven percent of respondents suggested there should be no additional development permitted in this area. Here again, the primary concern related to creating and managing additional traffic. Not surprisingly, another concern was taxes, and the strong desire to make sure that additional development would help relieve – not contribute to – the tax burden on homeowners. To view complete survey results, click HERE.The file is an Adobe Acrobat file about 150 kilobytes in size. The Master Plan Committee thanks those of you who filled out surveys. Based on input and feedback from residents in six public planning sessions and via the 2002 Community Survey, and following a year of Master Plan Committee discussions, the Committee has at this stage concluded that the Bloomberg properties, including the Don Drake (Country Gentleman) farm on Route 518 that is being sold to Bloomberg, should be zoned for offices; the John Drake properties -- approximately 65 acres of farmland just east of the Don Drake farm -- should be preserved as farmland in accordance with the wishes of the farm’s owners, the John Drake family, and 47 acres of property north of the airport that is currently vacant should be developed with compact, mixed uses (mostly retail) and including the possibility of a small number of residential units or a small hotel. Other small tracts may also be rezoned. The Sharbell property, 138 acres that lie north of Rt. 518 and just west of the Village Shopper, was rezoned in December 2001; plans for an age-restricted community are making their way through the Planning Board process. The next step, before adopting changes to current zoning, is to evaluate different zoning scenarios to make sure that the Planning Board, Master Plan Committee and Township Committee understand as well as possible the long term impact of these zoning decisions on people, our economy and tax base, our natural resources, traffic, roads and other infrastructure. These evaluations will be done by our traffic consultant John Rea and by the Regional Planning Partnership (a non-profit organization that advocates sound planning and helps communities assess the regional impact of their decisions), in collaboration with the township's planning office. The results of these evaluations will be provided to the public via the township newsletter and web site, and to the Planning Board, Master Plan Committee and Township Committee to further inform them as they finalize the proposed zoning changes and developers' agreements.
Montgomery Township Municipal Offices
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