[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6052666,"mediaKeyId","3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8","parentId",3390684,"title","Watershed Institute urges Hillsborough to join regional Lower Millstone plan to meet MS4 requirements","audioSeconds",427,"startMs",6439000,"endMs",6866000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8&start=6439&end=6866","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8/thumbnail_6439000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052666/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Watershed-Institute-urges-Hillsborough-to-join-regional-Lower-Millstone-plan-to-meet-MS4-requirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052666-9858311554b1d0dde74091b2b455b16e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=fe2JBrDaoDummJJdOtcWEHrrm4FDCDmF24TJst4-x8l9ghp8RNi0BFGoaI3ri-~GaUZLz~kw5XyYyrJz2kBx6kzgRDPOh0ORYOLoMiPuyRC9AjRYdqO3cHc-9MtsdpBXXTy9qOUri6qkcyr-DN257q-w9YtCwrfudv0NBeV-kZrcKDIygcnQl-H8eFdz0g2iag84BRiwXTVBhPxtVWKVPP472X1RUn7nszsHv9pl7ihV~kMmCsPiCDzqJhDbVog2Y4w0~t9mxfJaW8R2Fq4E5-N~8r00XB5LlsAprkC~TwAcj3hlbxu9im18R2OGbF2R90zEVBkJKRmC4Vr2PHbywA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","HillsboroughTownship NJ","date","2025-04-23T13:46:24Z","article","Susan Bristol, municipal policy specialist with the Watershed Institute, told the committee on April 22 that Hillsborough would benefit from joining a regional Watershed Management Plan for the Lower Millstone watershed to satisfy elements of the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit and to align improvement projects across municipal boundaries.

Bristol said the Lower Millstone plan would include water-quality monitoring and project prioritization across the watershed and noted recent momentum: Montgomery Township has expressed interest in serving as the contractual agent for a regional plan, and state Department of Environmental Protection staff and county planners have participated in recent meetings. She said the DEP is encouraging regional approaches and that grants or technical support may be available for collaborative watershed projects.

Bristol urged Hillsborough to favor the regional, watershed-based approach rather than a standalone township plan because watershed geography crosses municipal borders and regional planning can avoid duplicated effort and make local projects more eligible for future funding. She offered a draft resolution and said model resolutions exist from nearby municipalities (Lawrence, Princeton, Pennington, Hopewell) that chose a regional approach.

Mayor Ciccarelli and staff replied that the township's engineering department and consultants are already assessing MS4 obligations and options; he encouraged staff and the Watershed Institute to coordinate.

Why it matters

MS4 permit obligations require municipalities to plan and implement stormwater controls to protect water quality. Because watersheds cross municipal lines, a regional Watershed Management Plan can streamline monitoring and projects, improve grant competitiveness, and reduce the risk of flooding and long-term water-quality problems that affect drinking-water sources downstream.

Ending

Bristol left a draft resolution for the committee and encouraged closer coordination; the mayor indicated township engineering staff will review regional options as part of the MS4 planning process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 April 22 - Township Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Watershed Institute representative urged the township to participate in a regional Watershed Management Plan for the Lower Millstone watershed to meet MS4 permit requirements and to pursue potential DEP support and grant opportunities; Mayor Ciccarelli said township engineering staff are evaluating options.","taxTitle","Hillsborough, Somerset County, New Jersey","taxId",70067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052671,"Resident raises surface and aggregate concerns as committee approves spring paving program",194,3142000,3336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8&start=3142&end=3336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8/thumbnail_3142000.jpg","/articles/6052671/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Resident-raises-surface-and-aggregate-concerns-as-committee-approves-spring-paving-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052671-780a6cff27e77554564280d4427ce17e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=Oati4GMfJrG4HPoUe~Xe4ocEK0DJa2vsY9p4z1tNghAs~gS~11OPiEMDG7B3kNKwZdLPGK7d2cC13J7aLwF1eXOY9W1LQrc8RDAQ2b-1NK1cXrdpVqZjaz7bcwQPLER4V~VGURUy7Zpjo6~pgZxcDXrqmGjpXQskjxkUH9CnfNPCnPSxDZz8rN3CdsQQQCy~vEWEEHNNcSioZmLfZGJbGV0bfa7z1Cn5kX3SGGP3WOR2YtJpkrznmRWahc1XMVFf16VwLdNi~bK7YuECQwd9Y-Q6OU1BYnIWESRSp6AWt~6O~z7csYWIka9nY4VJSxyFrgXBo4Eu-Y5-TqPNv8p38w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Hillsborough resident told the Township Committee on April 22 that recent repaving and milling in older subdivisions produced a bumpy, wavy finished surface and that the coarse aggregate used in some resurfacing projects can cause severe abrasions for bicyclists or children who fall on streets.

Blair Mizer, a Fernway resident of 49 years, described visible \"wavy\" lane striping and headlights that bounce at night on repaved sections, and urged the engineering department and contractor to avoid inconsistent lift depths and to specify a finer, more granular surface aggregate in residential areas.

Committeeman Lipani, who had earlier presented the township's carryover paving schedule, replied that the mix used on recent projects is the material currently mandated in certain contexts by the State and by NJDOT and that some mixes include recycled components by state requirement. He acknowledged that milled finishes are often rougher to motorcycles and that modern resurfacing mixes in some cases have shorter life cycles than older pavements.

Lipani had also reported the immediate schedule for carryover 2024 road projects earlier in the meeting: Camden Road milling and paving slated for April 24–28 (weather permitting) and a tentative set of work for Murray, Starview, Ski Drive and Dogwood targeted to complete by May 19.

The consent agenda (items 1–9), which included the road paving contract described in the engineering report, was approved by the committee.

Why it matters

Surface texture and aggregate selection affect road safety for cyclists, motorcycles and children playing near the curb. The resident's comments point to trade-offs municipalities face between contractor bids, state-mandated materials or processes, and local expectations for ride quality and longevity.

Clarifying details mentioned at the meeting

- Camden Road milling and paving: April 24–28 (tentative, weather permitting).
- Murray, Starview, Ski Drive and Dogwood concrete/improvement and milling/paving: scheduled to begin April 25 with tentative finishing around May 19.
- Municipal specification note: Committee response indicated the resurfacing aggregate mix in some projects reflects state/NJDOT mandates and recycled-content requirements; the committee member characterized this as outside the township's choice in some cases.

Ending

Residents with concerns about a specific resurfacing job were encouraged to contact the engineering department; the committee approved the consent agenda and the roads listed in the carryover schedule will proceed according to the contractor timeline and weather conditions.","During the consent-agenda period, resident Blair Mizer urged the township to require smoother surfacing and finer aggregate for spring repaving in the Whittier Oaks area. Committee members responded that current specification choices reflect state and NJDOT mandates; the consent agenda including the road paving contract was approved.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052676,"Hillsborough committee introduces $40.1 million 2025 municipal budget; public hearing set for May 27",3021,3378000,6399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8&start=3378&end=6399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390684-e1f97eae33c67001b3ac536787ba21f8/thumbnail_3378000.jpg","/articles/6052676/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Hillsborough-committee-introduces-401-million-2025-municipal-budget-public-hearing-set-for-May-27","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052676-aa8b5285a08937f235687272eb19a804/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=e814WPfmgWlX3z34YcPUIcK-FbmhEd8D5Dz8QbpFZk3BALI0wEy1-bFUnbM0kINaUXcqcYR25hYmE4arriFkRIl6MEJQpr9N5~WVz75lcYRiptjMduxHFQ1BPtaB08TtAWX3GCixaR24Hb~x-9MrFF~PmLyJRJNSSjotXiCysULlncYJwKycsOvQseBPeNDLNiAjpzBwOYtfSh9dmFjCziluAuUtDDWDfEy9qcb7y1cfsFjRbie-9qZMo2SSSYIjYiSr1H0A04DRqpCEd1O4sZ5M8~Lp853ltKc50J4TB4OsBKN1lXnQZwU0hlpRbi78LfxgGoWLxB8jDGc2JKU~9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting Chief Financial Officer Joe Manzo presented the Hillsborough Township Committee with the introduced 2025 municipal budget on April 22, saying the proposed operating plan totals about $40.1 million and that a public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for May 27.

Manzo told the committee the coming year began with roughly $2.25 million in revenue and mandatory-cost reductions relative to last year, including the end of a $339,000 municipal relief aid stream and higher required payments for pensions ($377,000), joint insurance fund assessments ($83,000) and health insurance ($345,000). He said the budget introduced to the committee remains within the state's municipal spending cap but relies partly on assessed-value growth to limit the tax-rate impact.

Manzo said the introduced levy is a 2.47% increase over 2024's levy but that because town-wide assessed values rose, the tax-rate effect is an increase of 0.8 cents. For an average residential assessed value of about $550,000, he estimated the municipal portion of the tax bill would rise by about $44 annually under the introduced budget. He explained how assessed-value growth reduces rate pressure compared with a static base.

The committee also considered and approved two budget-related municipal measures: an emergency temporary appropriations resolution to ensure bills are paid until final adoption, and a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) ordinance introduced to allow a statutory 1% add-on to the standard spending-cap calculation if needed. Manzo described the Division of Local Government Services (Department of Community Affairs) review process and said the state will perform a local exam of the budget this cycle.

Committee members and the mayor thanked Manzo for a plain-language walk-through of major revenue and expense drivers. Committeewoman Hand and Deputy Mayor Payne and others discussed amendment rules: Manzo summarized thresholds that would require a separate advertised amendment and additional hearing (for example, a >10% change to a line-item appropriation or a >5% increase to the amount to be raised by taxes).

Votes at a glance

- Emergency temporary appropriations (resolution to fund operations pending adoption): approved (roll-call: yes 5, no 0). Notes: allows township to meet obligations before budget adoption.

- Introduction of 2025 municipal budget and setting public hearing/adoption for May 27, 2025: approved (roll-call: yes 5, no 0). Notes: introduced budget will be reviewed by Division of Local Government Services; adoption scheduled for May 27, 2025, subject to any required amendments.

- Consent agenda (items 1–9, including several personnel hires and the road paving contract): approved (roll-call: yes 5, no 0). See separate article on road paving.

What the presentation covered and why it matters

Manzo outlined the structural challenge facing the budget: the expiration of one-time state aid and statutory increases in pension and insurance assessments that municipalities cannot control. He walked the public through the two cap rules that govern New Jersey municipal budgets (the spending cap and the tax-levy cap), described what categories are largely outside local discretion (statutory obligations, pension and debt service, contractual salary/benefit commitments) and identified the smaller pool of appropriations that represent the committee's discretionary choices.

He also explained the practical effect of rising total assessed value in Hillsborough: because the tax point (the dollar value of one cent of tax rate) grows with assessed value, the same appropriation increase produces a smaller rate change when total assessed value is higher.

Next steps and public input

The committee set a public hearing and adoption date of May 27, 2025. Manzo said the state review may request amendments; the committee may also amend the budget by resolution before adoption. He described the limited circumstances that trigger a separately advertised amendment and second public hearing (for example, a new appropriation exceeding statutory thresholds or a large percentage change in key lines).

Residents with questions were invited to submit inquiries to Township Clerk Sarah Brake (sbreak@hillsboroughnj.gov) for written responses and to attend the May 27 public hearing. Manzo and the clerk said staff will answer emailed questions submitted between introduction and adoption.

Ending

Committee members praised the clarity of the presentation, encouraged public review of the materials posted by the township, and reiterated that final adoption remains subject to the state's review and any committee-directed amendments.

","Acting CFO Joe Manzo presented the township's 2025 municipal budget on April 22, citing the loss of one-time state aid and rising pension and health costs. The committee introduced the budget, approved emergency temporary appropriations and set a public hearing and adoption for May 27.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Watershed Institute urges Hillsborough to join regional Lower Millstone plan to meet MS4 requirements

Resident raises surface and aggregate concerns as committee approves spring paving program

Hillsborough committee introduces $40.1 million 2025 municipal budget; public hearing set for May 27