Rebecca P. Newman

This Master Plan Reexamination Report for the Borough of Rocky Hill, issued in February 2026, reviews and updates the Borough's land use policies, especially concerning residential development and affordable housing. It reaffirms goals such as retaining traditional residential and historic character, providing for nonresidential development, expanding open space and recreation, and fostering intergovernmental relationships. The report addresses significant policy changes since the 2019 reexamination and recommends specific zoning updates, including new office zones and changes to the business district. It also outlines strategies to manage regional traffic, improve parking, protect against natural hazards, and preserve environmental resources to enhance community quality of life and stabilize the tax base.

The River Friendly Program is a voluntary certification initiative by The Watershed Institute aimed at improving environmental literacy, promoting behavior change, and implementing ground projects to protect water quality and restore wildlife habitat. It focuses on four key goals: reducing pollution through water quality management, conserving fresh water resources, restoring and improving native wildlife habitat, and fostering advocacy and education. The program works with diverse groups including residents, schools, businesses, golf courses, and farms across New Jersey.

The meeting included the election of officers, with Mr. Rizzi elected as president. The board discussed the activity report, communicable disease report, and health education programs, including stress management and vaping prevention. A rabies clinic was scheduled for 2019. The board also discussed a potential vaping ordinance and the massage parlor ordinance, focusing on sanitation and inspections. Accreditation updates were provided, and the Somerset County Community Health Improvement plan was reviewed. The board addressed the need to update the BOH page on the Borough website and discussed the length of terms for Board members.

The budget reflects difficult decisions due to the current economic environment and a reduction in state aid. The proposed budget will not increase the local tax rate, which will remain at 71.8 cents. The Borough continues to utilize a conservative approach to utilizing revenues. Appropriations in the proposed budget are down from 2009 overall and on non grant related spending. Reducing the cost of health services, insurances, freezing employee salaries, and spreading the remaining sidewalk repair work out over a two year period, are some of the ways the Borough has been able to reduce its spending in the 2010 budget. Aid to first responders and the library will remain the same in the proposed budget.

The budget includes general appropriations for municipal purposes within and excluded from "CAPS", covering areas such as general administration, mayor and committee expenses, municipal clerk operations, financial administration, audit services, tax collection, COAH, tax assessment, legal services, engineering, planning board activities, recreation, maintenance of parks, police services, liability insurance, workers compensation, office of emergency management, aid to volunteer fire and ambulance services, fire department operations including fire prevention, municipal prosecutor activities, streets and roads maintenance, garbage and trash collection, recycling programs, buildings and grounds maintenance, public health initiatives, animal control, state uniform construction code enforcement, water and sewer services, shade tree maintenance, public defender services, municipal court operations, community services, electricity, street lighting, fire hydrants, and telephone services. It also covers deferred charges and statutory expenditures like public employees' retirement system and social security system contributions.