Township briefs

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Robin Road fire zones OK’d
   The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday to amend Hillsborough’s fire zones to include new locations.
   The ordinance was approved by a 4-0 vote; Committeeman Carl Suraci was absent the meeting.
   The new fire zones added in the ordinance are at Cardinal Village-Robin Road, and are 143 feet west from the northeast corner of 634 Robin Road; 137 feet west from the southeast corner of 700 Robin Road; and 327 feet south and then 74 feet west from the northeast corner of 894 Robin Road.
Personnel payments, hirings approved
   The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to make several personnel changes in different departments throughout Hillsborough.
   Joseph Maturin was hired as Public Works Worker I in the Department of Public Works, to fill a vacancy left by a retirement. Mr. Maturin will receive a salary of $30,015, effective Aug. 27.
   Fire Marshal David Foelsch was granted permanent status, from probationary, for pay roll purposes, according to a previous appointment by the Hillsborough Township Board of Fire Commissioners Aug. 12.
   Edward Wasser, assistant building sub-code official, was granted a one-time stipend payment of $1,000 for using his additional construction code official license for the benefit of the township. Jack Daniels, fire sub-code official, was granted the same one-time stipend payment.
   According to Mayor Anthony Ferrera, Mr. Wasser and Mr. Daniels have been called in for certain jobs when Construction Official John Fielder has been unavailable.
County COAH agreement renewed
   To continue an agreement with the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing (SCCOAH), the Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to enter into the contract to allow the county to maintain the existing affordable housing units at Hillsborough Point and Hearthstone at Hillsborough.
   According to Township Clerk Kevin Davis, there are 15 affordable housing units at Hillsborough Point and 14 units at Hearthstone at Hillsborough.
   This agreement, Mr. Davis said, allows the county to manage the units, ensuring they remain affordable housing and advertising when the units are open. In addition, he said, the county checks into the people applying to live in the units to make sure they do qualify for affordable housing.
Consultants hired for forestry plan
   The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to award a contract to ForesTree Consultants for the purpose of preparing a five-year community forestry management plan.
   The plan itself will cost a total of $3,950, but the township has received a Community Forestry Management Plan 2008 Green Communities Phase II Grant, which covers $3,000 of the payment.
   In compliance with the grant, the township will match 33.3 percent of the amount, with 100 percent of that being made up of in-kind services.
Leaf collector bids ‘deficient’
   The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to reject three bids received for the purchase of one or more 25-cubic yard leaf collectors.
   ”All three bids received were deficient,” Mayor Anthony Ferrera said.
   According to the resolution, the first bid from Old Dominion Brush Company was rejected because of material deviation and the ones from Loughberry Mfg. Corp and Cornell Equipment Co., Inc. were non-conforming.
   The resolution allows Township Clerk Kevin Davis to re-advertise for bids.