Affordable Housing Plan Before Planning Board
Affordable Housing Plan Before Planning Board Dec. 8th
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A public hearing of the Planning Board will be held on Monday, December 8th on the proposed COAH Fair Share Housing Plan at 7:30 p.m. in the Montgomery Township Municipal Building Court Room, 2261 Van Horne Road (Route 206), Belle Mead. The Planning Board likely will take action on the proposed plan after the hearing concludes. There will be time for public comment and questions.
Montgomery's affordable housing allocation is 501 "units" by the year 2018. The proposed plan calls for the 501-unit obligation to be met through 274 new dwellings and 52 existing dwellings for low and moderate income households, with the remainder of the obligation met through bonus credits, which are provided by COAH for certain types of affordable housing. The 501-unit obligation was based on population and job growth projections issued by the State of New Jersey.
To review the proposed plan, COAH's requirements and the consequences of non-compliance, READ MORE. (This link takes you to the Affordable Housing page of Montgomery Twp. website. An "Affordable Housing" shortcut is also found on left side menu of website's home page.) For further information or questions about the plan or this meeting, contact Planning Director Lori Savron at (908) 359-8211 ext. 206.
COAH Fair Share Housing Plan Due to State Dec. 31
Tonight's Township Committee meeting at 7 p.m. will focus primarily on the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules, the township's affordable housing obligation and state-mandated affordable housing plan. Township planners will present recommendations for fulfilling the township's 501-unit obligation. These units may be met as dwelling units or "credits" (see below). Compliance with COAH rules is an important and complex challenge facing Montgomery Township; residents are invited and encouraged to review the planners' recommendations, pose questions and offer feedback.
In addition to tonight's meeting a public hearing will be held Dec. 8th before the Planning Board, after which the Board likely will take action on the Fair Share Housing Plan. Both meetings will be held in the municipal courtroom at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead.
To review the elements of the proposed plan, learn about COAH's requirements and the serious consequences of non-compliance, READ MORE. (This link takes you to the Affordable Housing page of Montgomery Twp. website. A shortcut is also found on left side menu of website's home page.)
The Township is working diligently to complete its Fair Share Housing Plan, which is due to the state by December 31 and includes a complex set of requirements. Montgomery's affordable housing allocation is 501 "units" by the year 2018. The proposed plan calls for the 501-unit obligation to be met through 274 new dwellings and 52 existing dwellings for low and moderate income households, with the remainder of the obligation met through bonus credits, which are provided by COAH for certain types of affordable housing. The 501-unit obligation was based on population and job growth projections issued by the state.
Montgomery Health to Lead National Accreditation Program
Supported by RWJF Grant
Montgomery Township Health Department was one of 56 local health departments selected by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to participate in a program to prepare local health departments for national accreditation. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), each of the 56 sites will assess their department's capacity to meet NACCHO's local health department standards and provide specific services that everyone, no matter where they live, should reasonably expect from their local health department. NACCHO's standards will serve as a framework for those in the national voluntary accreditation program expected to begin in 2011.
"We're thrilled to have this chance to help lead the way in building public health infrastructure," said Stephanie Carey, Montgomery's Health Officer. "Sound public health practice is key to keeping our communities healthy, and this process will provide evidence as to how well we are meeting that commitment."
Each local health department or LHD selected for the pilot program will use a new, online version of NACCHO's self-assessment tool to complete, analyze, and report results from their self-assessments. Based on the results of the assessment, each site will embark on a quality improvement process or formally partner with neighboring LHDs to collaboratively address areas for improvement. LHD focus areas range from applying QI processes to improve communication streams with legislators and the media to improving methods for data collection system tracking.
"These health departments have demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of public health services and programs they provide for the communities they serve. Their efforts will lead the way as local public health departments across the nation prepare for accreditation and strive to create healthier communities," said NACCHO Executive Director Pat Libbey.
The award recipients include 30 single local health departments, one Tribal health department and 25 local health departments working together in five collaboratives. A complete list of selected health departments may be found at http://www.naccho.org/topics/infrastructure/accreditation/documents/SelectedLHDsFINAL.pdf .
This is the second round of self-assessment grants that NACCHO has awarded. During the first half of 2008 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACCHO supported 10 LHDs to conduct self-assessments and quality improvement activities in preparation for national accreditation. Reports from the first round of LHD projects are available on NACCHO's Web site at http://www.naccho.org/topics/infrastructure/accreditation.cfm
Montgomery Food Pantry Requests Turkey Donations
Montgomery Township Food Pantry
356 Skillman Road
Skillman, NJ 08558
Tel. (609) 466-1054
Fax (609) 466-6411
FoodPantry@twp.montgomery.nj.us
From: Denise Crowley
Community Resource Manager
Montgomery Township Food Pantry
Holiday Turkey Program with the ShopRite of Montgomery Township
We are pleased to announce the start of the Montgomery Township Food Pantry and the ShopRite of Montgomery Thanksgiving Turkey Program.
The Program is only available Wednesday November 5 to Sunday November 16, 2008.
Limited to: 30 Turkeys
If you have earned a Free Turkey from the ShopRite of Montgomery and you would like to donate that turkey to the Montgomery Township Food Pantry, stop by the Service Desk at the ShopRite of Montgomery.
Present your ShopRite Price Plus Card.
The earned free turkey points will be deducted from your account and a turkey will be donated to the Montgomery Township Food Pantry Program.
Thank you for supporting the Montgomery Township Food Pantry!
SHADE TREE COMMITTEE
The Shade Tree Committee was formed in 1986 and charged with providing on-going advice to Township residents and officials concerning the planting, care and preservation of public trees. Throughout its existence the Shade Tree Committee has been engaged in numerous projects including planting trees on township streets, creating and running educational projects such as the third grade Arbor Day workshops at the Village Elementary School, and establishing the Montgomery Arboretum of Native Flora. The Shade Tree Committee website is http://twp.montgomery.nj.us/twpcommittee/boards.asp#shade where you will find further information about the committee and articles to help residents in the selection, planting and care of trees.
Bipartisan Twp Sub-Committee to work with Freeholders on Skillman Village
Montgomery Mayor Cecilia Birge has appointed a bipartisan subcommittee of the five-member Township Committee to work with Somerset County officials to secure additional funding for open space and parkland at Montgomery's Skillman Village property.
The subcommittee members, Democrat Louise Wilson and Republican Mark Caliguire, working with Montgomery staff and volunteers, will meet with the County Open Space Committee and with County Freeholders to explore various options, including a county park.
"We are open to a variety of options that might draw substantial financial support from the county, including a county park," said Mayor Birge. "A large park at Skillman Village is central to our plan for the site. Now that the property is clean, County funding could move the park forward sooner rather than later. We just have to make sure Montgomery has control over what land uses are permitted on the entire site, including on open space and park land."
Birge noted that the timing of the Freeholders' attention is "transparently political," but also said "Regardless of the circumstances, the Freeholders have opened the door, saying a deal is 'doable' within a few months. They have invested large sums of money in partnerships and parkland in other towns. I feel strongly that it is in Montgomery's interest to vigorously pursue this funding. That's what I've asked Louise and Mark to do – seize the opportunity and make it happen."
Montgomery Recognized As Part of Einstein's Alley
Route 206 at Orchard Rd. now boasts an Einstein's Alley sign recognizing the high tech accomplishments and promising future of corporations based in Montgomery. The sign was unveiled Monday by Township officials. The attractive black and white sign features the Montgomery name and a photo close-up of Albert Einstein, proclaiming the area a "high tech corridor".
During a brief dedication, Mayor Cecilia Birge was presented with a certificate by Katherine Kish and Louis Wagman, co-executive directors of Einstein's Alley. It recognized her support for Einstein's Alley, the central NJ economic development initiative and recognized Montgomery Twp.'s role as a key municipality in Einstein's Alley. Also present were Deputy Mayor Brad Fay, Committeewoman Louise Wilson, EDC Chairperson Walter Geslak and Planning Board member Milton Charbonneau.
Mayor Birge noted, "We are proud that our location, quality of life, open space and cultural diversity attract both corporate leaders and their employees to Montgomery. We appreciate this special recognition."
Mayor Birge has a unique family link to Albert Einstein. Her grandfather, P.Y. Chou, a leading Chinese physicist with a PhD earned at Cal Tech in 1928, worked for a time with Einstein at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton in the 1940s.
Ms. Kish commented on the unique benefits enjoyed by corporations located in Montgomery.
"Montgomery has so much to offer - ready access to one of the best-educated workforces in the U.S., for one," Mrs. Kish stated. "Plus proximity to ports, airports, railways, two of the largest U.S. cities and some of the top universities in the country," she added.
Montgomery Township is the eighth NJ town to be recognized by Einstein's Alley and is home to many notable corporate leaders. The corporate offices at 23 Orchard Rd., where the sign is located, contain freshly remodeled offices now occupied by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Oscient Pharmaceutical and Blessing White, among others. ConvaTec, Bristol Meyers Squibb and Bloomberg LLC are a few doors down.
To date, the townships of East Windsor, Lawrence, Montgomery, Princeton, Somerset, South Brunswick, Trenton, and West Windsor have placed Einstein's Alley signage; with Hillsborough soon to follow.
Einstein's Alley is a private, non-profit economic development initiative which works to see Central New Jersey recognized as the destination for technology companies. Their mission is to foster economic growth through advocacy and delivery of services that will:
* Attract and retain innovative research based companies
* Build entrepreneurship
* Prepare the workforce for the future
* Promote livable communities and sustainable development
U.S. Congressman Rush Holt (D-12), instrumental in developing the Einstein's Alley organization, planned to attend the event but was called away due to a family illness.
For more info, go to www.montgomery.nj.us and www.einsteinsalley.com
Township employees beat Hillsborough 18-15
On Friday September 19th some Montgomery Twp employees & family members took on Hillsborough employees in a fun game of softball - a first in recent history. After nine innings under the lights, Montgomery ended up winning the close game by a score of 18-15. Karen Zimmerman recorded big hitters for Montgomery included Laura Reichert, Joe Novak and Fred Garaffa. She also noted that some defensive gems were made by Committeeman Mark Caliguire, Ken Krupsky and Jim Burke. Getting the win on the mound for Montgomery was Art Villano. The team excelled in both batting and fielding.
"It was a hard-fought, exciting game to watch," commented Montgomery Mayor Cecilia Birge who cheered the team on along with Committeewoman Louise Wilson.
"We had a great time playing, but most of all, I think we all gained satisfaction from seeing food donations added to both town's food pantries as a result of the game." said Karen Zimmerman, who organized the Montgomery team of 15. Hillsborough, who conceived of the idea and purchased the trophy, showed fantastic team spirit among their 26 players and bleacher full of fans, led by Mayor Anthony Ferrera.
Everyone attending the game was encouraged to bring a canned good or non-perishable item. By the end of the night, over 6 bins full of donations were collected.
Montgomery and Hillsborough plan on continuing this new tradition by playing a game every year in the fall - Montgomery hoping to defend the trophy while Hillsborough hopes to capture it back. Don't miss it next year!
Montgomery Township Joins Energy Star Campaign
200 residents pledged to change 5 light bulbs to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Montgomery township has joined the national ENERGY STAR(r) “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign, a growing community of businesses, schools, non-profit organizations, etc. who have made a firm commitment to help change the world, one light - one energy-saving step - at a time.
So far 200 residents have made the pledge to change five light bulbs to ones that have the government's ENERGY STAR label. These pledges are predicted to save $29,000 in energy costs and prevent 464,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
Lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the typical home's electricity use. Replacing standard lights typically left on longest at home with energy-efficient options that use 75% less energy is a significant way to cut energy costs while also preventing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
PSE&G donated 200 CFL light bulbs to Montgomery Township citizens that pledged to change five. Pledges were received at the Montgomery Earth day fair and the Montgomery Farmers market by the Montgomery Sustainability Steering Committee. Residents were educated on the proper disposal of CFL light bulbs (Home Depot recycles for residents even if they weren't bought there) and advances in bulbs (ENERGY STAR dimmable recessed lighting/flood light bulb are now available and get $30 in Energy Savings for just one bulb). These light bulbs are not meant for areas that the lights are turned on/off often such as closets, bathrooms) and are available at any hardware/home improvement store.
Montgomery Sustainability is also working with NJ Clean Energy partner HelpLightNJ to give Seniors and the Food Pantry families $30 worth of CFL bulbs - that's $400 worth of energy savings - FREE.
HelpLightNJ, a group of Perth Amboy high school students doing their part in helping the environment, will do an educational talk at the Senior Center this fall. For more information, contact Denise Crowley, Montgomery Senior Center, 609-466-0846.
Montgomery Sustainability, the group that is leading this drive, is a citizens group formed in 2007, led by a member of the Environmental Commission but has a broader membership than the Environmental Commission.
Some of the other projects that Montgomery Sustainability is working on are; increasing recycling, working with schools and township to increase sustainability and a carbon inventory of the township to serve as a benchmark for reducing greenhouse gases. For those interested in working on making Montgomery more Sustainable, contact kimgiles@hotmail.com
You can be part of this movement by pledging to Change a Light. Pledges are tallied by location, so be sure to select Montgomery Township as the source that referred you and encourage your neighbors and friends to pledge too.
The next seven residents to make the pledge will receive a free energy saving light bulb
www.montgomery.nj.us
Township Committee's Update to the Community - Skillman Village
Township Committee's Update to the Community - Skillman Village
Earlier this summer, Montgomery Township issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for redevelopment of the 256 acre Skillman Village property. The RFP was offered to three pre-qualified redevelopment teams and the deadline for proposals was Monday, September 15.
All three development teams expressed continuing interest in the site, but none of the three is in a position to submit a development proposal at this time. Not surprisingly, the redevelopers cited the economy, market conditions and other practical realities.
However, one developer offered to create a master plan of the site for the Township at no cost of taxpayers. Township Attorney and staff are reviewing the proposal. It is noteworthy that all three developers commented upon the value and attractiveness of the site and how both are now vastly enhanced by the Township's clean-up effort.
On a different note, we are delighted to inform the community that Montgomery has received a $1.52 million grant from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to help offset the investigation cost of the environmental clean-up work at the NPDC site. The grant comes from the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. We are proceeding to apply for the second phase of the same grant to help reduce the cost of the clean up and remediation.
We want to thank our superb staff as well as our consultant, JM Sorge, for their invaluable help in applying for and securing this grant. This $1.52 million is a terrific start. We will continue to vigorously pursue additional grants to recover costs associated with cleanup, infrastructure upgrades and open space preservation on the Skillman Village site.
Given today's deeply uncertain and volatile economic climate, now is a time to proceed with caution. Still, there is plenty of work to do and we will continue to move forward.
Sincerely,
Montgomery Township Committee
NPDC Remediation Project Update from Montgomery Township
It has been another busy summer at the Skillman Village site. Below is the
most recent update regarding all aspects of the project.
Road Reopening: Main Blvd. and the roads with access to the VES building are
open. Other portions of the site remain closed to the public.
Steam Pipe Removal: As of August 29nd, Weston had removed approximately
12,900 linear feet of steam pipes. All of the work in the so-called
“spaghetti” area has been completed. The remaining pipe removal work is
taking place on western and southwestern portions of the Skillman Village
property, well away from the Village School (see location details below), and
is expected to be completed during the week of September 8th. Restoration of
the steam pipe work areas (grading and seeding) will continue for several
weeks afterwards.
The areas where work remains as of September 3 include the Power House, a
small road crossing near the Strecker Building (near the lake) and one or two
road crossings on southern Larocque Circle. These last few areas represent a
very small part of the project in terms of total footage; however, these are
areas of utility crossings where work is more difficult and slow. For
example, where the contractor normally can remove 104 linear feet of pipe in
one day, it will take one or two days to remove the approximately 40 feet of
piping at the Strecker crossing.
Sylvan Lake: As of August 29nd, the contractor has removed approximately
33,430 cubic yards of dredge spoils from Sylvan Lake. Sediment removal work
is expected to be completed by the end of September. There have been no odor
or noise issues to date.
Dam Restoration: The final permit is now in place. Work started on August
28th and will continue for two to three months.
Soil Remediation: Weston continues its site remediation efforts with only a
few areas of concern (AOC’s) remaining: the former gas dispenser area,
stained soil and transformer storage areas at the Firehouse; the 5,000 gallon
AST and piping areas, and the coal bin debris pit at the Power House; and the
sludge/sand beds at the wastewater treatment plant (located east of the site
across Burnt Hill Road). A total of eight separate AOC’s have been
successfully remediated to date. Work continues as scheduled and is expected
to be completed by the end of the calendar year.
Coal Ash: In accordance with the NJDEP approved Remedial Action Work Plan,
Weston began excavation work in late August, and has stockpiled the excavated
material in a parking lot area behind the old hospital building between Main
Blvd. and Sylvan Lake (the same area where concrete rubble from demolition
had been stockpiled). The portion of the asphalt area to be used has been
sealed, and a six-foot high containment wall has been constructed around that
area and lined with plastic sheeting. Upon completion of the work, the ash
will be covered by a tarpaulin and anchored with sandbags outside the
containment wall in order to prevent rainwater from infiltrating the ash. As
of this date approximately 85% of the coal ash has been removed and
stockpiled.
During the excavation, Weston found foreign materials within the ash. The
materials include ceramic tiles, broken toilets, metal parts, hoses, glass,
construction and demolition (C&D) debris, garbage, trash, metal drums with
unidentified contents and asbestos material. The Township has asked Weston
to confirm that the debris in the ash will not preclude the Township from
being able to re-use the ash onsite for roadbed material. We are currently
awaiting Weston’s response. Pending resolution of this issue, further
stockpiling has been suspended.
The stockpile and the area where the remaining coal ash is located have been
temporarily secured. Air quality has been monitored continuously during site
excavation activities and there have been no air releases to date. As we
obtain additional information from Weston, we will provide the community with
updates. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel
free to contact our Township Engineer, Gail Smith, at (908) 359-8211.
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