Year end review
By:Rebecca Weltmann
The community rallied to help after 10 families are left homeless by a fire. A judge, police chief and high school principal said their bittersweet goodbyes as they announced their plans for retirement. Local schools said goodbye to "junk food." Hillsborough Township had its share of good news and bad news in 2006 and the Hillsborough Beacon takes a look back at these and other top headlines of 2006.
Changing of the guard
The year kicked off with Carl Suraci taking over as the township’s mayor. The 39-year-old Simonson Lane resident was elected to the committee in 2003 and served as deputy mayor in 2005. He brought several things he wanted to see accomplished, among them was the removal of mercury storage from the township. The removal is scheduled for this summer.
While Mayor Suraci was swore in, Henry Rzemieniewski stepped down as municipal judge in Hillsborough and Manville after a quarter of a century. Mr. Rzemieniewski said he wouldn’t miss the job all that much and that he knew it was time to step down.
Online tax payments
In February residents were able to pay local taxes via the Internet. The Township Committee announced its contract with Cit-e-Net, an on-line financial company, for handling township payments. The method was greeted with mixed feelings, but many agreed the entrance into a more digital-based payment method made paying taxes more convenient.
Gazaway sets retirement
Early in March, Police Chief Robert K. Gazaway announced his retirement effective Aug. 1, after 11 years as chief.
He said "I’m sure to miss my employees, my associates in law enforcement but I am also looking forward to spending more time with my family and catching up on hobbies like golf."
In May, it was announced that Paul Kaminsky would take over as chief of police following Mr. Gazaway’s retirement.
In mid-March, families from Williamsburg Drive found themselves suddenly displaced after a fire ravaged through their condos.
The fire, which authorities believed was sparked by a plumber’s welding torch, destroyed four of the condos and damaged six others.
Many people donated funds to Williamsburg Square Fire Fund and others donated supplies, gift certificates, cash and checks to the Williamsburg Square’s clubhouse to aid the families.
Construction on a new building began last month.
Life without the bell
For the third month in a row, April brought about yet another retirement announcement. After 41 years of service, Hillsborough High School Principal Doug Poye said he was anxious to learn how to live life without a bell schedule.
He became vice principal of the high school in 1985 and served as principal since 2000. In June, Mr. Poye had the opportunity to see the largest class in the high school’s history graduate.
In August, the school board announced plans to promote Vice Principal Karen Bingert to the head principal position of Hillsborough High School.
In December, the school board announced that Evette Charney of Franklin Township would take over Ms. Bingert’s vacant seat.
What’s in a name
The Township Committee in June renamed the ballfields at Woodfield Park West in honor of founder and former director of the Department of Recreation Tom "Mr. C" Czerniakowski, who died in May 2005. Mayor Carl Suraci read the proclamation to Mr. C’s son, Michael Czerniakowski. Ron Skobo, Recreation Commission chairman, said he knew Mr. C for 30 years and was proud of the ballfield’s new name. He said, "He was a steadfast pioneer; although I could never pronounce his name we’ll always know him as ‘Mr. C.’"
In response to the March fire that displaced 10 families from the Williamsburg Common, the Township Committee revealed on June a 33-foot-long Sterling Acterra command center to be used as headquarters for future emergencies. The vehicle is part of a plan adopted in June called the National Incident Management Systems.
For many, bowling is a sport or a fun weekend activity. For Lastacia Parker, it’s a craft and a passion that she doesn’t plan to give up any time soon. After bowling for 28 years and placing first in many tournaments, Ms. Parker was inducted into the New Jersey United States Bowling Congress Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame.
"Bowling is really fun but it’s the competitions that I love," Ms. Parker said. "I like that it is fun and physical."
Bittersweet farewells
A group of local fire fighters were honored in August for their service to the community. Bill Shaffer, Chris Decator, former Chief Patrick Kelly, Curtis Carnes and Robert Lowery were given recognition for their outstanding work in their volunteer positions.
On Aug. 24, former Deputy Mayor John Gelardi died after complications from a series of heart problems. Mr. Gelardi was appointed to the Township Committee in August 1999 and three months later was elected to a full term on a platform aimed at curbing rampant development. His term ended in 2002 when he lost the election.
"He loved the town, wanted to do right by the townspeople," said his wife of 40 years, Kathy Gelardi. "He made friends easily and continued to make friends right up until the end."
Life-saving technology
Twelve defibrillators, donated by local home and school associations were distributed in September in the district. Each was placed in unlocked boxes mounted on the walls.
"I am very pleased to have the benefit of this life-saving technology present in our school," said Joe Trybulksi, principal of Hillsborough Middle School.
Voters OK charter study
In the November elections, voters gave nods to Committeemen Carl Suraci and Robert Wagner for another three-year term each on the Township Committee.
Voters also said they want a commission to review the township’s form of government, and review other forms allowed by the 1950 Optional Municipal Charter Law, commonly called the Faulkner Act. The question was placed on the ballot by the Township Committee after last year’s failed petition drive seeking a direct change to a mayor-council form. Five candidates from a list of 14 were chosen to head the study, with Gloria McCauley, George Ostergren, Chris Jensen, George Fenwick Jr. and Glenn van Lier tapped for the study commission.
The Charter Study Commission is in the process of reviewing the current township form of government and the Faulkner Act alternatives, and will issue a report recommending keeping the current form or changing the form of government by August.
Mercury shipments planned for April
December presented the township with some of the warmest winter temperatures in many years.
Along with the new vice principal taking over at the high school, officials announced that mercury stored at the Defense Logistics Agency depot in Hillsborough would begin shipment to Nevada in April, with all 2,600 metric tons of the depot’s supply moved by the summer.

