By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Warming center: The Hillsborough Municipal Building is open from 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. as a warming center at least today and Friday. Further need will be reevaluated Friday.
Water: Distribution is also available at the health department in the municipal complex between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Gasoline: Odd-even gas rationing exists in Somerset County. The last number on your license plate determines what day of the calendar you can fill your car’s tank. Gas cans can be filled any day. If you have a specialty license tag with no number, it’s considered odd.
Brush and debris: Leaf pickup was scheduled to start Monday but has been delayed. Rake leaves to the curb, but the leaves should be free of branches. Workers have to take time to pull them out, slowing the leaf cleanup.
People can take debris, including large branches and cut-up downed trees, to the DPW yard on Auten Road. The facility is now open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. seven days a week until further notice for tree debris only. Do NOT bag your debris.
Halloween: Hillsborough’s trick or treating has been scheduled for Friday, Nov.16, to coincide with in-school activities. The delay will allow for the continued clean-up and restoration efforts to ensure children’s safety, the township said.
Library: Seven branches of the Somerset County Library System were running normally as of Monday.
You pick up the latest bestseller or making sure a borrowed item is returned on time, but the library says its branches also offer a lifeline to area residents.
”We’re open. We’re warm and we have been able to offer people the chance to recharge their mobile devices, particularly cell phones,” said spokesperson Lisa Bogart.
”For many, their cell phone is the only way to check on family members, call the utility company, find out what the status is for school and work, find out where to get emergency help, and what supermarkets and gas stations are up and running,” said Brian Auger, director of SCLS.
Hillsborough library hours are 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Manville library hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
YMCA: The Hillsborough and Somerville branches of the Somerset Valley YMCA welcome people who are still without power to take a shower, use the exercise equipment, charge phones and use the wireless Internet. The Hillsborough Y, which reopened Friday, has a limited number of personal items that people can pick up, too.
”We will keep our doors open to the entire community for as long as we are needed,” said CEO Paul Kieltyka.
Hours are 5 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. 5:45 p.m. Sunday.
For information, contact program director Matt Gray at 908-369-0490, or ask at the member services desk.
“”Senior centers: The Hillsborough center at 339 South Branch Road and in Manville at Fire Company No. 1 at 20 South Third Ave. reopened yesterday, Wednesday.
County parks: As of 11 a.m. Monday, Duke Island Park in Bridgewater, Colonial Park in Somerset, Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough and Montgomery, and Skillman Park in Montgomery were among the county parks closed until further notice.
Residents are asked to not attempt to visit these facilities as fallen trees and residual damage make the parks unsafe. Re-opening decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis.
Recycling: The next pickup in Hillsborough and Millstone will be made on Tuesday, Nov. 13, since Somerset County offices will be closed Nov. 12 for Veterans’ Day.
The Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22, for Thanksgiving.
Red Cross: The Red Cross sent out a plea for the public’s help by giving blood or donations.
People can make a financial donation by visiting www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
The need for blood continues and availability has been hampered by Hurricane Sandy. The weather-related cancellation of blood drives has resulted in a loss of as many as 11,000 blood products. People who are eligible to donate are being asked to schedule a blood donation now.
Inspections and auto licenses: Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agencies and inspection stations in Flemington, South Brunswick and Somerville will remain closed until further notice.
For information, including facility openings/closures, administrative orders and other MVC issues related to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, visit www.njmvc.gov.
FEMA assistance: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications from residents and business owners who sustained losses.
Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

