HILLSBOROUGH: Man accused of arson could avoid trial and jail

   Curtis Westover, charged with aggravated arson of a decrepit, but historic, building on Amwell Road, should know by the end of the month if he’ll be accepted into a judicial program that would help him avoid trial.
   Mr. Westover was interviewed Tuesday by officials of the Pre-Trial Intervention program, said his public defender, Chanal Wilson.
   Criminal case management officials then will send paperwork to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office where it must be reviewed and accepted to admit Mr. Westover into the program.
   He’s accused of setting a fire that destroyed a 200-year-old building at 697 Amwell Road the morning of Sunday, March 18.
   If accepted into PTI, Mr. Westover, 69, could be put on probation for up to three years, but avoid trial and a possible jail sentence, if convicted. He also could face a fine, community service and/or restitution.
   Ms. Wilson said Mr. Westover should know by Aug. 24 whether the PTI option will be extended. That’s the date the case comes back before a judge, she said.
   Mr. Westover also has applied to the Planning Board to subdivide an 8-acre lot on Zion Road into smaller lots of 2.01 and 5.99 acres. He would need variances for lot area, setback and allowable impervious coverage. He’s scheduled for a hearing at the board’s meeting Thursday, Sept. 6.