Borough of
Rocky Hill
News Flash
If you would like to receive an email notification when there is an update, please send an email to:
webmaster@rockyhill-nj.gov and make the subject of the email "Subscribe".
Somerset County Agriculture Day, March 24, 2023
Added 3/18/2023
Borough Planning Board Meeting Tues., March 14, 2023, 7:00 PM
Please Note: The application for 131-133 Washington Street has been withdrawn and will not be considered.
To connect to the virtual meeting:
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/774931749
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679
United States: +1 (571) 317-3116
Access Code: 774-931-749
Click to view current and prior meeting dates, agendas and supporting documents.
The agenda may be updated several times prior to each meeting; please check back regularly.
Updated 3/13/2023
Slam the Scam - Learn About Social Security Scams and How to protect Yourself
Click to view a press release and additional information
Added 3/10/2023
Rocky Hill Community Group Pop-up Poetry Path
April is National Poetry Month & Earth Day! Submit your poem or one by a NJ poet that you admire...
THEME for 2023 is WATER
WALK the Path in Green Acres behind Rocky Hill Borough Hall throughout the month of April to view the poems.
Added 2/26/2023
Register for a Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series Webinar
"What Parents Need to Know About Opioids: Guidance for Conversations"
Thursday,
February 23, 2023 @ 11am
An expert medical panel will discuss the webinar topic & answer questions
• American Academy of CME, Inc., designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
• American Academy of CME, Inc. designates this educational activity for 1.0 ANCC contact hours for nurses and nurse practitioners
• This webinar had been approved by NJ OEMS for 1.0 EMT Elective CEU
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Matthew J. Platkin
New Jersey Attorney General
Matthew J. Platkin was nominated by Governor Phil Murphy to serve as the state’s 62nd Attorney General on February 3, 2022, and confirmed to that role by the New Jersey Senate on September 29, 2022. From February 14 until confirmation, Platkin served as Acting Attorney General. From January 2018 to October 2020, Platkin served as Chief Counsel to Governor Murphy. As Chief Counsel, Platkin oversaw an office of attorneys that advised the Governor on all legal matters, including legislation, executive orders, administrative regulations, and litigations. He also was responsible for coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office on civil matters, including affirmative litigations, and oversaw judicial and prosecutorial nominations.
EXPERT MEDICAL PANEL
Dr. Ona Fofah, MD
• Prof. & Interim Chair - Dept. Pediatrics @ Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
• Chief of Service (Pediatrics), Director of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine @ University Hospital - Newark
Dr. Kelly Moore, PsyD
Director, Center for Psychological Services @ Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
Dr. A. Omar Abubaker, DMD, PhD
• Prof. & Chairman, Dept. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - VCU School of Dentistry
• Chief, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - MCV Hospital
In support of improving patient care, American Academy of CME, Inc. is Jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The Academy is also accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and is a Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
American Academy of CME, Inc., designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Added 2/19/2023
Water Main Break on Princeton Ave
The break will be repaired on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Residents may experience low water pressure and possible outage on Monday until the repair is complete on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. Affected properties are on Princeton Ave from Crescent Ave through the western end of Princeton Ave in Rocky Hill and Grove Street.
Updated 2/11/2023
Borough Planning Board Meeting Tues., February 14, 2023, 7:00 PM
To connect to the virtual meeting:
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/774931749
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679
United States: +1 (571) 317-3116
Access Code: 774-931-749
View current and prior meeting dates, agendas and supporting documents.
The agenda may be updated several times prior to each meeting; please check back regularly.
Updated 2/6/2023
Notice of failure to remediate PFOS.
The borough is required by the NJDEP to post this notice on a regular basis until the non-compliance for PFOS levels in our drinking water has been remediated. Remediation is scheduled to occur in 2023.
Click here for the notice
Added 1/25/2023
Chistmas Tree Pickup
Christmas trees will be picked up the week of January 16th, 2023. Please have the trees at the curbside no later than January 15th, 2023. This will be the ONLY curbside pick up.
Added 1/9/2023
Keep the Utilities on This Winter
If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program . Until March 15th, 2023, people unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control, as well as people receiving certain types of public assistance, can receive forbearance by contacting their utility company.
Individuals or families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact their county social service agency for assistance . After business hours, call 2-1-1 or visit NJ211.org .
Link: Utilities Assistance
Added 1/6/2023
Severe Winter Weather Advisory
With the severe winter weather approaching, Rocky Hill Borough reminds residents to take precautions.
Be sure to winterize outdoor water faucets. Remove any attached hose and shut off the inside water valve to that faucet.
See additional information at: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html
Be sure to keep an adequate amount of gas in your car.
Be sure to have extra medications on hand and keep them in a water-resistant container.
In the event of a power outage, NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working before a storm.
Know how to report a power outage to your utility company.
Be sure to check on friends and neighbors who have access or functional needs.
Charge your cell phones and try not to use them if the power goes out. Texting uses less power than a phone call, so send text messages to save power if possible.
Added 12/23/2022
Board Of Health Meeting
The Borough of Rocky Hill will hold a special Board of Health meeting virtually on Wednesday December 28, 2022. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM via Go to Meeting. See below for sign in information. The purpose of this meeting will be to review and discuss the shared service with Montgomery Township for Health Services and Animal Control Services.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 190-756-821
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
Added 12/23/2022
Are you concerned about traffic and transportation in the area?
Then view the Somerset County Transportation Plan and take the survey:
Somerset County Transportation Plan
Added 12/8/2022
Rocky Hill Tree Lighting Sunday, Dec. 11
Presented by the Rocky Hill Community Group.
Added 12/7/2022
2nd Leaf Pickup Rescheduled to 12/8/2022
Updated 12/6/2022
Find Water Leaks in Your Home
Please see the attached flyer to help you find water leaks. Click on the boxed arrow in the upper right corner to view the presentation.
Added 10/17/2022
RHwater leak kit.pdfFunds are Available for Water and Sewer Arrears
The NJ Department of Community Affairs has funds available to help cover water and sewer charges in arrears. To fill out an application please visit this site:
https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/dcaid-services/
Added 9/3/2022
New Jersey is developing an Action Plan for how it will use federal recovery funds to create recovery and mitigation programs to help individuals and communities. We are looking for feedback from homeowners and renters whom Ida impacted.
Homeowners in areas impacted by Hurricane Ida are urged to complete a survey about what they need to recover from Ida and to better protect their homes and communities from future storms. The survey is not an application but is required for residents who want to apply for future recovery programs.
https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/home/idasurvey.shtml
Added 8/24/2022
Board Volunteers Needed
There is an open seat on the Board of Health as well as the Planning Board. Please contact the borough if you are interested and if you have any questions about serving as a volunteer for the borough on these boards. Added 5/12/2022
2022 Rocky Hill Borough Budget
Added 5/26/2022
Please see the attached budget below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s8uBoWh_fJWGfchrEwz2h1rqQ2QHFkyp/view?usp=sharing
Somerset County Preservation Plan
The Final public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, March 30th at 4:45 p.m. Updated 3/23/2022
The public may participate in this meeting by using the following link:
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95794628119.
Meeting ID: 95794628119
Conference Call-in Number: 1-929-205-6099
Access Code: 95794628119#
Somerset County notes that this will be the first Preservation Plan of its kind, combining all 3 Preservation elements, in the history of the U.S.
Somerset County clearly outlines a 30-day period for public input to the Preservation Plan -- any and all formal comments should be submitted ahead of the final proposed Plan, making it to the Planning Board for their approval on Tuesday, May 17th, as county officials in the Office of Planning, Policy & Economic Development have explained this timeframe.
Comments can be provided in writing to Walter C. Lane, PP, AICP, Director of the Office of Planning, Policy and Economic Development at P.O. Box 3000, 20 Grove Street, Somerville, New Jersey 08876 or via email at PreservationPlan@co.somerset.nj.us.
Somerset County Covid Statistics
Covid case information and vacination rates are now available below in the Covid-19 Update section. Added 3/21/2022
Water System PFOS updates:
New PFOS limit non-compliance letter mailed week of 2/14.
Nov. 30, 2021 NJDEP PFAS in Drinking Water Summit Presentation Slides available ...Updated 12/9
A new NJDEP Tier II letter was sent out dated Feb 15.
Click here to access the required notice that was also mailed to all Rocky Hill Borough water utility accounts on week of February 14, 2022.
Additional information is available at the Water - Sewer - Environment Committee webpage.
Ongoing COVID-19 testing and other information
Several sites involved in planning ongoing COVID testing are listed on the Borough's COVID -19 webpage.
The Borough contracts with the Montgomery Township Health Department, and their site also has ongoing COVID updates and information about testing sites.
Walk-up testing clinic update from our contracted Mont. Health Dept.: -updated 1/10/22
The Montgomery Health Department has moved their testing site to the J&J Campus located at 199 Grandview Rd, Skillman, NJ and should be there for the next few weeks: Mon - Fri from 8am - 3pm. Further information and pre-registration instructions are available at the site below.
Monty PCR Testing Clinic Open | Montgomery Township New Jersey (montgomerynj.gov)
Update of Schafer Litigation ...Updated 3/9/2022 with Consent Order signed by presiding judge.
In May 2018, a builder’s remedy lawsuit was brought against the Borough regarding the vacant property on Princeton Avenue, commonly known as the Schafer Tract (Block 10, Lot 19). In a builder’s remedy lawsuit, the plaintiff sues to rezone a property to allow for construction of higher density housing than what current zoning allows, provided that the development includes a set aside of affordable housing units that are designated for low and moderate income.
The Borough is in the process of concluding the settlement of this litigation. Mayor and Council, along with our Borough Professionals, have prepared a full update and background information on this matter, which will be fully disseminated to the public during the public hearing scheduled for December 13, 2021. The rationale for holding a series of special meetings is in the interest of the following:
1. Concluding the settlement discussions prior to the end of 2021, as directed and recommended by the Court.
2. Allowing time to properly inform the public on the matter, with details as follows:
a) To allow adequate time for a public hearing during the second reading of the ordinance, a special meeting was scheduled for December 13. Council wants to give the public as much time as possible to ask questions and not have the public hearing compressed into a regular business meeting. We also did not want to hold a public hearing on this topic during our regular December 20 meeting, as it is during a holiday week when the public will be busy.
b) A special meeting for introduction on November 29 was necessitated based on item (a) above.
c) A special meeting for Planning Board review is necessitated based on items (a) and (b) above.
The timeline of events is as follows:
November 29, 2021
Special Meeting of the Borough Council:
· Council passes Resolution 2021-112 authorizing a Settlement Agreement by and between the Borough of Rocky Hill and David K. Schafer.
· Council introduces Ordinance 2021-15, an affordable housing overlay zoning ordinance that complies with the terms of the Settlement Agreement.
December 2, 2021
Special Meeting of the Borough Planning Board:
· Planning Board reviews Ordinance 2021-15 for consistency with the Master Plan.
December 13, 2021
Special Meeting of the Borough Council:
· Second reading of Ordinance 2021-15, including public hearing.
Ordinance was adopted 12/13.
February 7, 2022
Borough Council approved the Settlement Agreement ending Shafer litigation.
March 8, 2022
Consent order signed by Judge Miller.
Pertinent Documents:
Ordinance 2021-15, an affordable housing overlay zoning ordinance
Consent Order Regarding Borough of Rocky Hill's Fair Housing Obligation
Signed by Judge Miller - Consent Order Regarding Borough of Rocky Hill's Fair Housing Obligation
Sidewalk work:
Residents can contact Borough's sidewalk contractor for work on apron or within driveway space ....Updated 12/27
Residents can schedule additional sidewalk or apron replacement work
The Borough has contracted with ADS Contractors, LLC to address the sections of the Borough's sidewalk in need of replacement. This work has been completed.
Residents can contact the contractors directly if they wish to schedule work on sidewalks within a driveway space, on aprons or other work outside the scope of the Borough's damaged sidewalk replacement project..
The contact information is:
David A. SebastiaoADS Contractors LLC908-246-3893
Sidewalk cutting - ongoing additional sidewalk work
The Borough hired Always Safe Sidewalks to cut edges of stable but uneven sidewalk on most of Route 518 in late October. This work used the reminder of the funds in the 2021 budget for sidewalk work. Cutting is much less expensive than replacing sidewalk slabs, enabling us to address more areas more quickly and for less money.
Additional sidewalk cutting may be scheduled in 2022 after evaluation of the completed Rt 518 cutting work using potential unspent bond funds or 2022 budget funds. Council discussion on this matter are ongoing.
The state has lifted the COVID emergency and many of the restrictions have been removed.
Access to vaccination has become readily available and I encourage all to get vaccinated including a booster. Although, I caution that this remains a time of uncertainty, so I recommend everyone to keep following the COVID protection practices of getting vaccinated, wearing a mask
in crowds, social distancing, and especially remember to continue the single most effective public health prevention practice of frequent handwashing.
I wish everyone a safe, healthful, and joyous holiday and winter season.
- Bob Uhrik, Mayor - December 1, 2021
Click here for important COVID-19 updates
Somerset County Covid Statistics
Somerset County Covid Vaccination Statistics