Readington News - April 2021 by Town Media

April 2021 www.readingtonnews.com

The

Readington News A Community Newspaper

Serving All of Readington Township, NJ “Market to Affordable Program” for Housing Coming

Readington Middle School Prepares for Spring Athletics By Mindy Bennington and Chris Kober, Athletic Coordinators Readington Middle School will be offering a spring athletic season. Students in grades six through eight who have submitted their sports forms are eligible for the following team sports: boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, and track and field. Safety protocols will be followed as per the New Jersey Department of Health guidelines. COVID Assurance forms must be submitted daily in order to participate. Athletes should arrive at all practices dressed appropriately and should bring their own water bottles. There will be no access to locker rooms. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from practices and home games. Bus transportation will be provided for away games. Coaches and spectators should remain masked at athletic events. Athletes should remain masked when not participating in drills and games. Practices will be cancelled in the event of rain to avoid indoor gathering. Further details on COVID guidelines will be published in a letter to parents. Practices will begin on Monday, April 12, from 2:30 to 4:30, and will take place outdoors at the middle school. The official season will open on April 19, with matches taking place both home and away. The finalized schedule will be posted to the Central NJ Conference calendar at https://www.cnjconference.org/. We look forward to offering spring sports for our middle school athletes.

The

By Christine Dey, Housing/Social Services, Township of Readington The Township of Readington has announced its new Market to Affordable Program beginning July 2021. Readington Township will purchase market rate condominiums, townhomes, and single-family homes, located in Readington Township, directly from market rate sellers. The Township will then sell these homes at an affordable housing rate with a 30-year deed restriction to income-qualified buyers. Preliminary applications will be accepted until May 31, 2021, to be included in the random lottery drawing to determine waiting list priority on July 7, 2021. All applicants must meet specific income requirements to be considered a candidate for the lottery drawing. For more information and to obtain a preliminary application contact Readington Township Affordable Housing Office at 908-534-0974 or by emailing: ss@readingtontwp-nj. org. The dwellings will be marketed primarily to people residing and working in Region 3 (Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Somerset counties).

Affordability Assistance Program Readington Township has announced a new Affordability Assistance Program for those who live in affordable housing located in Readington Township. The Affordability Assistance Program will offer four types of assistance: • Assistance with paying past-due HOA fees, • Closing cost assistance when purchasing an affordable housing unit, • Emergency rental assistance for those living in an affordable housing apartment and • Emergency Home Appliance repair. For more information and to obtain a preliminary application contact Readington Township Affordable Housing Office at 908-534-0974 or email: ss@readingtontwp-nj. org. –Submitted by Christine Dey, LCSW, DRCC, Housing/ Social Services, Township of Readington

Readington News A Community Newspaper

Serving All of Readington Township, NJ

Share the Work, Share the Harvest – A group of 30-plus

gardeners spent a morning in mid-March at the Readington Community Garden at Dobozynski Farm Park, 42 Woodschurch Rd., cleaning up, spreading compost, and preparing the beds for the rototiller. Gardeners generally gather on Saturday mornings, and new members are welcome. More info is available on the Readington Township website. (readingtontwpnj.gov) - Photo courtesy of Julia Allen

Readington School District Offers Summer Enrichment Program By Colleen M. Ogden,Summer Enrichment Coordinator

The Readington School District will offer a revised program this summer for students in the area. Workshops will be offered in Arts & Crafts, STEM and Baking Creations. For incoming 6th graders only, there will be a “Welcome to RMS” orientation course offered at the middle school. Each workshop is 2.5 hours (morning and/or afternoon) and will last either 3 or 5 days per week. For many years, outstanding Readington faculty and staff have offered a broad range of short courses for students in the township. These courses have always received very positive feedback from participating students and their parents. In response to recent feedback from the community, the district has redesigned the program to offer its same valuable instruction with a schedule that is more conducive to families’ needs. Summer Enrichment courses will be held at a district school, July 26 - 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Aug. 2 - 6, from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Additional information and registration information can be found on the Readington School District Website. Pre-registration is now open and will hold your place in the program, though no payment is due. The formal registration will follow and run until May 1. Registration is filled on a first-come first-served basis, with pre-registered students getting priority. All Readington students entering grades 1 - 6 are welcome. Students can expect to engage in a large variety of activities based upon their chosen topic. Kitchen Creations includes cooking and baking favorite recipes as well as dessert decorating and fun non-bake treats and snacks. STEM courses can include Legos, Escape Room type problem solving, hands-on science experiments and coding. Arts & Crafts spans well beyond popsicle sticks and yarn. Students work on a variety of projects from paper to 3D items. All district safety precautions will be implemented.

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The Readington News • April 2021

Easter Sunrise Service

Editors/Publishers: Monita Casey Haduch, Bill Haduch Advertising Manager: Karen C. Muller Contributors: Lisa O’Donoghue & Susan Torsilieri Mailing Services: Mike Sanchez Art: Jacki Hasko, Megan Clewell Layout Services: Steve Skladany The Readington News is mailed monthly, free-of-charge to every mailing address in Readington Township. Free copies are also available for distribution in places of business, schools, and municipal offices. DEADLINES FOR NEXT ISSUE May 2021

April 10 For Ad Materials April 15 For News Materials

The Readington News is not liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical errors, or errors in publication, unless, in our judgment, the error materially affects the content and advertising value of the ad. Compensation will not exceed the cost of the space in which an error occurs. The Readington News has the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason, and is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We ask our readers to keep us informed of any misleading advertisements. Phone/Fax: 1-800-530-3046 Email: readingtonnews@gmail.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 5351, Branchburg, NJ 08876 Web: www.readingtonnews.com A Creative Resources/ Town Media Newspaper Publishers: Bill Haduch, Monita Casey Haduch

An ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Easter Sunday, April 4, at 6:30 a.m. at Readington Reformed Church, 124 Readington Rd. The gathering place will be at the top of the hill of the church’s cemetery. For over 30 years, music has been provided by Mr. Ed and the Revs. Participating Hunterdon County churches include: Church of the Holy Spirit, Lebanon Reformed, Our Lady of Lourdes of Whitehouse Station, Readington Reformed, Rockaway Reformed, Stanton Reformed, Whitehouse United Methodist and Zion Lutheran. For information, call 908-534-4351.

Red Dog Day Planned at Readington River Buffalo Farm Readington River Farm invites the public to celebrate the newborn bison calves for Red Dog Day on May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Route 523 in Readington Township. In addition to the usual hayride tours to see the spring crop of calves, the day will be filled with activities that highlight the farm’s ecosystem, showcasing the many efforts that farmers take to keep the air, water, and soil healthy. There will be live music, a food court, beer at the farm saloon, face painting, pony rides, and a craft bazaar. The bison store will also be open for you to bring home something for dinner. There is no admission fee.

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Historical Society Holds Tag Sales

The Tewksbury Historical Society (THS) will participate in the 6th annual Oldwick Town Sale sponsored by the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oldwick, on Saturday, April 24 - 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. THS will hold an additional Tag Sale on Saturday, May 1 - 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. THS Sales will be located at the Oldwick Carriage House, 5 James St., Oldwick. The society will be selling antiques, furniture, dishes, housewares, garden items, costume jewelry and linens. The Town Sale on April 24 will include many residents holding their own yard sales throughout the community. Additional booths will be set up at the parking lot of the church’s Christian Education Building on Miller Street.

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Readington Artist Joanne Smith Bodnar will present an “in person” exhibit of her paintings at the Bound Brook Public Library through April. Library hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Phone is 908-458-8410. Joanne was an art teacher for 25+ years. She is president of the Hunterdon Watercolor Society and a member of the Garden State Watercolor Society. Her paintings can be found in numerous private and corporate collections. Her exhibit features watercolor and pastel, ranging from traditional to whimsical. All artwork is for sale and reasonably priced. Contact her for pricing at joanneart.b@gmail. com. Joanne offers adult art classes and creates pet, wedding bouquet and house portraits for you or for a special gift.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Three Bridges Volunteer Fire Company (TBVFC) will be hosting the annual Ham & Turkey Dinner as take-out only meals on Saturday, April 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. Curbside pickup will be at the Station 1 Firehouse, 467 Main St., Three Bridges. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children. TBVFC Ladies Auxiliary president Savanna Arabi-Katbi said, “This year’s dinner will have all the delicious home-made menu items we are famous for - it’s just that they will be served differently. For the convenience and safety of our patrons, meals will be takeout and pickup will be curbside. People can enjoy a great reasonably priced family meal while not worrying about being in the pubFree Football Clinic April 12 lic domain.” Meal choices can be pre-orJR Red Devils Football will host a free football clinic on Monday, dered via the TBVFC website, April 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Diamond Nation, 129 River Rd., FlemFacebook page or by contacting ington. Learn about the program and participate in a free off-season Victoria Maurer at 609-501-0263. clinic featuring athletic foundation and skill building drills. Open to grades K-8. Register at https://hcjrdevils.com.

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Girl Scout Virtual Pinewood Derby

Eleven Girl Scouts and siblings from Readington’s Girl Scouts Heart of NJ Service Unit 82 participated in the sixth annual Readington Girl Scout Pinewood Derby over the weekend of Jan. 22. Racers designed and built their own car from a block of pine, then competed to see which race car design would earn the title of fastest or win a design award. This year’s event was held remotely due to COVID-19 limitations. The cars were checked in ahead of the event and then turned over to Cub Scout Pack 1980, which generously shared its Pinewood Derby track, equipment and expertise for the Girl Scout race. Pack 1980 volunteers conducted the race heats

and shared video of each run so the girls cars race. Winners of the event were: K-3rd Grade Daisy/ Brownie race, 1st: Jenny Santoro; 2nd: Alexa Marchese; 3rd: Katherine Albrecht-Smith; 4th-8th Grade Junior/Cadette race, 1st: Joanna McDonald; 2nd: Evelyn Pitts; 3rd: Kathryn Mele; Family, 1st: Harrison Marr. Design award winners were Katherine Albrecht-Smith (Outdoor Adventure), Jenny Santoro (Best Blacklight “Glow”), Rosalia Pikulin (Most Spectacular), Joanna McDonald (Movie Theme) and Alexa Marchese (Best Quarantine Theme). - Submitted by Lisa McDonald, GSHNJ SU82 Service Unit Manager

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Hunterdon Sailing Club members on Spruce Run Reservoir

The Hunterdon Sailing Club will launch its 57th season of sailing on Spruce Run Reservoir, this spring. Club activities support experienced sailors as well those who want to learn. HSC membership, $125 per family, provides a wide array of included, or low-additional-cost activities, including learn-to-sail and advanced skills training programs using club supplied Sunfish sailboats. All training is provided by club volunteers, so the number of classes are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The club has worked to integrate Covidsafe practices into its club activities and adult training program. There will be no Youth Sail Training this year.

Thousands of sailors have participated with HSC since the reservoir was first filled in the 1960s. Spruce Run State Park has a trailer-boat storage area near the club where boats can be kept with their masts up from April through October. There is also separate winter storage available; fees are provided on the park’s website. HSC is not a yacht club, but rather a community sailing club run by volunteers with membership open to all. Our sole facility is a double-wide shed for storing safety boats, extra gear, and our all-important barbecue, pop-up shelters, and picnic supplies. In addition to instruction, the club offers weekly sailboat racing on Sunday and Wednesday. Special-events are often held on Saturdays and holidays. Members who have complete HSC training can use the club’s dozen or so Sunfish class sailboats for club events only. There are some opportunities to crew on larger boats owned privately by cub members. The club also has two safety boats and a pontoon boat for running events, and new members are encouraged to help out for the races. Picnics are also a key catalyst to the club’s strong sense of community. For general information about the club, visit the HSC web site www. sailhsc.org . There is a membership link for those who would like to join right away. The club’s Facebook page is Hunterdon Sailing Club (HSC). Submitted by Gordon Sell

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Readington Middle School invited author Wendy Mass to speak with its students in two virtual Zoom assemblies on Feb. 9 and 11. The award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of 29 books for youth gave an inspiring presentation that covered the writing process, the genesis of her books, and how to remain persistent in the pursuit of your goals. As she recounted her childhood reading and the subsequent journey to her current success, she engaged students with humor and sound advice. In addition, she conducted a smaller writing workshop with select students interested in learning more writing strategies. continued on page 8

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Pictured are (top row, from left) Daisy/Brownie Racers Jenny Santoro, Alexa Marchese, Katherine Albrecht-Smith, Rosalia Pikulin, Lia Moser, (bottom row) Junior/Cadete Racers Joanna McDonald, Evelyn Pitts, Kathryn Mele, Anne Albrecht-Smith, Mary Mele.

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The Readington News • April 2021

Fire Companies Need Volunteers

Atomic Kittens Compete in Robotics

By Betty Ann Fort, Readington Twp. Committee Member

Robotics Troop 33082 Team members are Leah Soucy, Anya Karnani, Joanna McDonald, Marianne Negin and Elizabeth Dorman.

By Lisa McDonald, Robotics Troop 33082 Leader In 2020, Readington’s Girl Scouts Heart of NJ Service Unit 82 founded a specialty Robotics troop for Girl Scouts interested in STEM activities and robotics. Robotics Troop 33082 is open to local girls in grades 4-8, and the troop’s members recently took part in their first robotics competition under the team name “Atomic Kittens.” The team built a LEGO Mindstorms robot in September 2020, then met outdoors or in a garage through the fall to program the robot and build LEGO attachments to complete various competition “missions.” The girls met regularly over Zoom with their team youth mentor,

10th grade Senior Readington Girl Scout Vivian Marr, a youth robotics competition veteran, for valuable feedback on their robot design and presentation skills. The team demonstrated their hard work and dedication in a remote qualifying event of the NJ FIRST LEGO League Competition on Jan. 16. The troop had a wonderful rookie year, even with the unusual circumstances brought on by COVID-19. The Atomic Kittens were sponsored this year by a grant from Verizon and from the American Association of University Women awarded to Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council, given to expand the number of Girl Scout Robotics teams in the GSHNJ council area.

You wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of your smoke alarm blaring. You jump out of bed and smell smoke. You get all of your family safely out of the house and you dial 911. In a few short minutes, you hear sirens and see an engine from one of Readington’s four volunteer fire companies arriving at your house. Fire fighters rush into your home, locate the fire and work on putting it out. If more help is needed, more volunteers are called out. But did you realize that these brave firefighters are volunteers?

They leave the comfort of their homes or their jobs, day or night, no matter what the weather, to keep you, your family and our community safe. And they do it without pay, as a way to give back to our community. But now they need our help. Volunteers are desperately needed at all four fire companies — East Whitehouse, Whitehouse, Readington and Three Bridges. It is a wonderful way to meet people and to give back. And just think what would happen if we should run out of volunteers. Please consider joining. As the sign on the front of the Whitehouse firehouse once said: “Help wanted. Long hours, no pay, funny hat.”

So, what can you do to help? Well, there are many things. First, thank a firefighter. Second, be sure to contribute when your local fire company has its fund drive — and contribute generously. And most important, volunteer. Stop in at your local firehouse and ask what you can do to help. Train to become a firefighter. Or help with their fund drive, or work at a fundraising event. They desperately need more volunteers. Find the time. It is hard work, but very rewarding. Just think, without our amazing volunteer firefighters, you might wake up some morning at 3 a.m. and not hear sirens.

Readington Township Board of Education Vacancy The Readington Township Board of Education is seeking a township resident to fill a seat which was recently vacated by Andrew Saunders. Interested parties should send a letter of interest and resume to Jason Bohm, Board Administrator/Board Secretary, c/o Readington Township Board of Education, P.O. Box 807, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 or jbohm@readington.k12.nj.us. The letter should include qualifications and a brief description of interest in

the position. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 5. Board members will interview candidates on April 13, starting at approximately 6:30 p.m., after which an appointment will be made to fill the seat for a one-year term, expiring in January 2022. The legal requirements to become a member of a local board of education in New Jersey include the following: Hold citizenship and one year’s residency in the school district; Have

no direct or indirect contract with, or claim against, the Board; Not hold office as mayor or member of the municipal governing body; Be registered to vote and not be disqualified as a voter under N.J.S.A 19:4-1. Call the Board Office at 908-534-2885, if you require further detailsor assistance as well if you are interested in becoming a board member next year. The board anticipates having four (4) vacancies to fill.

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News from the Municipal Building

FIND MORE MUNICIPAL INFO ON THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE: READINGTONTWPNJ.GOV

First Responders Honored

The Township Committee passed a resolution at its March 1 meeting honoring four members of the Three Bridges Volunteer Fire Company and one member of the Whitehouse Rescue Squad. On February 5, just after 7:00 am, they responded to a call for a structure fire. The first unit on the scene was Engine 33-2 from TBVFC, manned by Mike Brown, Adam Cesario, Justin Pickett and Bill Witt, as well as WH Rescue Squad with Zach Waseleski, a trained firefighter and EMT. Upon learning that someone was trapped on the second floor, this team flew into action, with two of them entering the house to locate the victim, two placing a ladder to the second floor, and one manning the engine to begin extinguishing the fire. The victim was located and rescued from the house, and first aid began immediately. This team demonstrated how their courage and training paid off. We are very fortunate to have these and our other volunteer firefighters and EMTs in Readington, and the Township Committee is proud to honor them. Thank you! Celebrate EARTH DAY April 22

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Township Committee introduces 2021 Municipal Budget The Township Committee introduced the proposed 2021 municipal budget at its March 15th meeting and will hold a public hearing on the budget at the April 19th hearing prior to adoption. The budget proposes to increase property taxes by .115 per $100 of assessed property value. For the average property taxpayer ($452K assessed value), this is an increase of approximately $52/year. The municipal portion of your property tax bill totals approximately 19%. Readington carried a $2.8M surplus into 2021. Surpluses are desirable to keep bond ratings high, bond interest rates low and allows flexibility for the municipality throughout the year as needed. Approximately $1.9M of the surplus was used to fund the 2021 budget. The total proposed budget increased from 2020 by a total of $347.109 or 1.6%. The primary driver of budget increases is employee salary increase year-over-year, pension increase (as per the State of New Jersey) and normal operational expenses.

Mullen Road / Bramco Property Updates Readington Township has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with SAVE Associates, Inc., the owner of The Gables, and Plaza 22, the owner of the long-closed diner on Route 22 East at Mullen Road. The memorandum calls for the property owners to allow a minor collector road through the property to allow access to the inclusionary (market-rate and affordable) apartment development to be constructed by SARS on the former Interstate Iron Works-Bramco property. This collector road will protect Mullen Road from an increase in traffic. In exchange for permitting this minor collector road, the property owners would be allowed to redevelop their property at a density greater than what would ordinarily be permitted by Township zoning ordinances. The property owners are proposing a mixture of residential and commercial uses on the former diner property. Plans include four upstairs apartments, two affordable and two market rate, first floor commercial space, and a self-storage facility in the rear. The Gables would remain and the diner will be removed. Any development plan would come before the Planning Board for approval. All in all, this plan is a winner for everyone involved. Mullen Road will become a cul-de-sac with four new homes to be constructed at the southern end to complete the neighborhood. No increased traffic on Mullen Road will result from the new apartments, the unsightly diner will finally be removed, the owners of those properties will be able to develop an attractive project, and the inclusionary development will have its own access road.

The Township Committee this year dedicated .01 (about $262K) of the taxes to go towards capital improvements that will increase the down payment on the capital bond significantly as a mechanism to incur less debt. Capital improvements are; road repairs, emergency equipment, parks equipment and maintenance, public works equipment, etc.

Verano Upgrades Planned The Planning Board is hearing the application of Branchburg Route 22 LLC, doing business as Verano, for preliminary and final site plan approval for a cannabis grow facility at the former Laneco/Walmart site on Route 22. Representatives from Verano testified that when the site becomes fully operational there will be approximately 100 employees at the site during normal working hours. There will be no overnight workers. Verano will be replacing the failing septic system, and they will also install a holding tank for gray water, the water left over from watering the plants, which will be removed from the site by a small tank truck as needed. They also testified that they will install HVAC units around the outside of the building which will be shielded from view by fencing and landscaping. There will be a loading ramp in the rear of the building so that vans can pull up inside of the building to pick up finished products to be transported to Verano’s retail shops. When questioned by Board members about traffic and parking, they testified that there would be no tractor trailers accessing the site after construction is completed. They plan to close the westernmost exit from the parking lot onto Route 22 west and install gates and improve the entrances on Route 22 and Island Road. At the Board’s request, they agreed to reduce the number of parking spaces and plant grass and landscape areas where parking spaces are removed. They also addressed security issues, telling the Board that there are multiple security cameras on the site and that the State and the Readington Police are able to monitor those cameras at any time. Areas of concern to the Board which still need to be discussed include exterior lighting and odor. A second hearing will be held virtually on March 22, after this article has gone to press. The results of that hearing will be reported in the next issue.

The Readington News • April 2021

Township of Readington

The Readington News • April 2021

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Barkley’s Pushes Through Pandemic, Opens Second Store Barkley’s Marketplace in Flemington is a family-owned pet food and supplies store with a reputation for friendly service, expertise, and an extensive selection of healthy pet food. Andy Cohen opened the store 10 years ago, in March of 2011, and had been thinking about expanding. Then the pandemic hit last March and everything changed. Along with health and safety fears, Cohen worried about losing customers to large online retailers. “At Barkley’s, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and expertise,” he said. “Suddenly, no one was com-

ing into the store, and we had to quickly transition our business model. We focused on providing the same level of service through delivery and curbside pickup, even providing my personal cell number to clients for emergencies.” A former business executive, Cohen knew that providing delivery was key to continued growth, and he had invested in two delivery vehicles a few years back. “Delivery had been growing a little bit each month, then, all of sudden it was 30% of my business almost overnight.” “I am so grateful to my cus-

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tomers because they stayed with us all the way through this crazy year and recommended us to their friends,” Cohen said. While changes were already in the works for Barkley’s, the pandemic accelerated everything. The sudden closing of all PetValu stores last year gave Barkley’s an opportunity to expand, an idea Cohen had been mulling over for a few years. “After 10 years, I know there is a market for a brick and mortar pet shop with an emphasis on creating a community for pet owners, stocking healthy nutritious food, and providing friendly service and expertise.” Cohen recently signed a lease for a second store in Branchburg, the site of a former PetValu location. The store’s “soft open” was March 20, with an official “grand opening” planned in early May. “I am thrilled to bring Barkley’s to Somerset County pet owners,” Cohen said. The manager of PetValu, Dustin McCullough as well as several staff members have been hired to run Barkley’s Branchburg location. “They are dedicated, experienced folks who love pets, and I am excited they are on the Barkley’s team,” Cohen added. Another big change was the launch of Barkley’s new online store, barkleysmarketplace.com. Customers can order from the site for curbside pick up or local delivery. Delivery is free within a 10 mile radius of both stores with a $50 purchase. The new Branchburg store is located at 3150 US-22, near ShopRite. Hours are: 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm on Sundays. Barkley’s Marketplace in Flemington is located at 79 Main St., next to the historic Flemington Courthouse. It is currently open 10am-6pm MondaySaturday, 11am-5pm Sundays. Customers can shop online at barkleysmarketplace.com.

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Pictured are Stephanie Hatch, Laura Gonzales, Danielle DeRose, AnnaMarie Skibinski, Robin Zabel, Kelly Zabel, Cindy Bush, Nicole Biondi. (Not pictured: Mindy Ostoyic, receptionist.

Style Station Salon recently celebrated one year at the Shoppes at the Farm on Rt. 22 East in Whitehouse Station, after more than six years in business. The salon first opened in November 2014, when the owners Kelly Zabel (stylist), Robin Zabel, and Wesley Baum purchased a salon that was going out of business on Rt. 22 West, across from Bishop’s Plaza. They rebranded the business as Style Station Salon, and opened with two stylists. Robin recalled, “Over the next five years, we added tanning beds

and three additional stylists. With a growing clientele, we moved and expanded into a beautiful, much larger space at the Shoppes at the Farm.” That opened March 4, 2020, and two weeks later the pandemic shut everything down. “With the help of our wonderful landlords we were able to weather the storm and reopen under new restrictions and protocols. A few months after we reopened, we added two new stylists and have now made it to our first anniversary in our new home,” Robin said.

Looking Back. . . History of Taxes is a Tale of Woe Following is a reprint of a tax time tale of woe by Stephanie B. Stevens, local historian:

Have you ever wondered just why we need to be taxed? By whom and how and why did this process all start? Briefly, going back to British King Charles II, we find that in March 1664 he gave to his brother, The Duke of York, all of the land which included New York and New Jersey. York, being a generous fellow, in turn, in June of 1664 gave the land called Nova Caesaria (NJ) to his friends, Berkeley and Carteret, who set up a constitutional government. By 1670 Berkeley and Carteret decided that there had to be a land tax for support of the government. Thus the very first NJ tax was ½ penny per acre for the support of the central government. Those were the days when there was lots of land and not many people, thus immigrants were deeded 70 acres a piece. By 1676 the province was divided into two parcels called West New Jersey and East New Jersey. (We live in West New Jersey.) Berkeley had sold his western section to John Fenwick in trust for Edward Byllynge (Quakers.) By 1681 the counties of Burlington and Salem were created –

all other counties followed. 1682 saw the creation of the Tax Act with six men in each county “to assess and make the rate for respective counties.” Each inhabitant of a county, was to make a list of his land and stock and forward it to the Constable who was also the Tax Collector. In order to pay for jails and pounds the tax rate was set by the Justice of the Peace. Taxes became more complicated as time passed. In 1686 new laws added that the inhabitants of each town were allowed to make tax rates for the establishment of highways and bridges. The assessor was to make a list of lands within his jurisdiction and send it on to the Assembly, which in turn determined how the property should be valued and levied the tax rate. In 1693 East Jersey passed an act to pay for a school master’s salary - the first educational provision in New Jersey. Along with schools, taxes were levied on slaves, cattle, hogs, white sheep, plus “improved” land – land that was cleared and fenced. By 1701 West Jersey had a total of 16,000 persons. Taxes for the whole province were $3,000. Assessors from each jurisdiction were to meet annually and assess fairly and provide lists of every person’s tax. Infractions of the law brought serious fines. Included in

the taxable list were gristmills, fulling mills, sawmills, ferries, householders, cartmen, trading sloops, furnaces, forges, glass houses, molasses stills, laboring men, a coach, a bought servant, chaise, and a chair, peddlers, cattle, improved land, live stock. In other words, everything! Taxable property in 1801 included all land, all houses, all single men, horses and mules, shopkeepers, tanyards, saw mills, gristmills, rolling mill, ferries and toll bridges. By 1820 the newest burden was placed upon the homeowner - the school district, which today demands the majority of local taxes. 1851 saw more taxes added – this time it included all personal property including stocks. The Railroad Act of 1884 which included the Canal Companies added another tax burden. As the state expanded in business ventures, so did the government which, of course, meant more offices to house the tax collectors and their staffs, more dispensers of taxes to prove that the tax money arrived at its designated goal, more paper work to be checked and rechecked - and on and on. Now you know the history of taxation in New Jersey – get your check book ready - it’s that time of the year!

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The Readington News • April 2021

Style Station Salon Marks a Year in New Location

The Readington News • April 2021

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What do you call a sleeping dinoTroop 90 hiked the Grand Loop Trail at the Morristown National Historic saur? A dino-snore.

Jockey Hollow Hike– On Dec. 12 a group of 22 scouts from

Site. The trail connects the sites of Jockey Hollow where the Continental Army encamped during the winter of 1779-1780. While on the 10-mile hike the scouts got to see recreations of the soldier huts, as well as a farm that was accurate to the time period. Pictured are Sean Maizel, Chris Rasch, Josh Rutka, Brian Armstrong, Alex Bukowski, Josh McDonald, Evan Osworth, and Mateo Aguire.

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What did one hat say to the other? You stay here. I’ll go on ahead.

Caregivers Wanted! Comfort Keepers of Flemington is seeking kind, caring, reliable and compassionate caregivers. Flexible Hours. Full-Time, Part Time, Weekends and Overnights. Top Pay! For more information call: 908-806-3768.

Why did the stadium get hot after the game? All of the fans left.

Author Wendy Mass Visits RMS continued from page 3 Why Put Your Pet in a Kennel?

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Sharon Moffat, Principal at Readington Middle School, observed that “the students were really engaged and got a lot out of the presentation. The response of those who attended this unique assembly has been very enthusiastic. We are so grateful to our Home School Association for making it happen.” Readington Middle School Library Media Specialist Stephanie Singer said, “It is always a pleasure to have a professional of Wendy Mass’s caliber and character present to our students and staff. It’s also highly gratifying to see even more of her books being checked out of the Library Media Center and enjoyed.” Wendy Mass’s novels have been translated into 26 different languages and have been nominated for 91 state literary awards. Her first novel, A Mango-Shaped Space, was awarded the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award. She was named the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Author of the Year in 2018. Her book, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, was adapted into a feature film starring Mira Sorvino and includes the author herself in a cameo appearance. She has also written for television, most notably an episode of the detective show Monk. She is a New Jersey native.

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