Flemington-Raritan School District honored its school nurses recently.

The Flemington-Raritan School District celebrated its school nurses recently. They were honored during the May 9 Board of Education, where they were presented with a certificate of recognition from the board and a proclamation from the State of New Jersey.

School Nurse Day was held on May 11.

The nurses are:

• Kathleen Kolvites, Barley Sheaf School
• Melanie Rosengarden, Copper Hill School
• Kathleen Barbee, Francis A. Desmares School
• Tommie Lou Judson, Robert Hunter School
• Yvette Shangold, Reading-Fleming Intermediate School
• Noreen Bradley, J.P. Case Middle School
• Sharon Malzberg, Reading-Fleming Intermediate School and J.P. Case Middle School

Groups 1 through 4 and Non-Public A and B are included in the preview

Groups 1 through 4 and Non-Public A and B are included in the preview

Check out the previews for the start of the sectional baseball playoffs

Check out the previews for the start of the sectional baseball playoffs

The 25th annual Larry Grantham Celebrity Golf Classic takes place on July 13 at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster.

A lineup of sports celebrities is set to hit the links at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster on July 13 for the 25th annual Larry Grantham Celebrity Golf Classic, a fundraising event to benefit Clinton-based Freedom House, a residential substance use disorder halfway house in northwest New Jersey. 

The day's events include brunch, golf, a post-golf reception, dinner, and an awards ceremony which will celebrate honoree, Bruce Harper, former running back and kick returner for the New York Jets.

"We are very excited to be honoring Bruce Harper with the Sportsman of the Year Award for his outstanding sportsmanship throughout his career," said Stan Prater, Golf Committee chairman. 

Freedom House 5K Run & Walk

This year's award will be presented by Karl Nelson, former offensive tackle for the NY Giants and member of the 1986 Super Bowl XXI Giants. Scott Clark, former Director of Sports at WABC-TV in New York City, will be emceeing the day and evening festivities.

For more information about the event or for registration information, contact Tracy Moran at tmoran@freedomhousenj.org or call 908-617-5492. 

"A wide variety of sponsorship and participation opportunities are available to fit nearly every sports enthusiast," said Dawn Knill, Freedom House director of marketing and development. "What a great way to enjoy a wonderful day of golf, rub elbows with some sports celebrities, all while helping to raise money for a great cause."

The shelter board's president said the closure should give them time to review policies and procedures, repair the facility, assess staffing and improve management.

ALEXANDRIA TWP. -- The Hunterdon County Humane Animal Shelter will temporarily close starting June 1 to allow for the group to reorganize, set new policies, hire staff and repair its facilities.

"In an effort to develop a strategic plan that encompasses community service and partnerships with regional organizations, the Board of Trustees voted to close the shelter temporarily," shelter board President Mike Rogers said in a statement.

Conditions at the shelter led to charges against its former director, Theresa "Tee" Carlson, in January 2014.

Carlson, then 84, was charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty for failure to provide proper sustenance to nine cats at the shelter. Half the charges were later dismissed. The state SPCA took control over the shelter for six months.

Hunterdon SPCA loses charter

The charges against Carlson were dropped in March, according to the terms of a plea agreement Carlson signed a year ealrier. According to that agreement, Carlson is not allowed to interfere with management of the shelter. 

Rogers said in his statement that the shelter's trustees are "looking for people to help us achieve our goals," and that includes a veterinarian.

Dr. Karen Froberg-Fejko was the most recent supervising veterinarian. Rogers announced her appointment in early March. Before that, the shelter was without a supervising veterinarian after Donna Alfieri left in mid-August.

5 questions about Hunterdon animal shelter

Earlier this year, the New Jersey Department of Health ordered Hunterdon County to set a deadline for the shelter to acquire a new veterinarian. The veterinarian's legal obligations include establishing a program for disease control, meeting the healthcare needs of the animals and educating staff on proper animal care.

Rogers' statement said the shelter's board is committed to reopening the shelter as soon as possible.

"We take our role as an animal shelter in the county seriously and we intend to implement a strategic plan that will provide the needed resources and services for the care and protection of animals for decades to come," Rogers said.

The shelter is developing a plan to partner with other private and public agencies, and groups interested in learning more about opportunities to partner with the shelter are asked to email Rogers at mrogers@mcdonaldrogerslaw.com.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The largest chunk would go toward marketing.

FLEMINGTON -- The borough council will discuss the new Flemington Community Partnership's proposed budget for 2016 when it meets Monday night.

Councilman Brian Swingle is an incorporator of the partnership, which replaces the former Business Improvement District board.

He will review the partnership's budget at the council's work session, which starts at 7 p.m. A resolution calls for introduction of the budget during the council's regular meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Flemington Community Partnership held introductory meetings last week, and gave a preview of how its budget would spend the roughly $362,000 available in 2016.

Incorporator Dr. Karen Monroy said economic development would take 13 percent of the budget, addressing suggestions like bringing in business, including restaurants. Marketing would take the largest chunk, 40 percent, and address suggestions like cleaning things up, fixing roads and improving signage.

Respect is motto of Flemington business group

Visual programs would use 21 percent of the budget, Monroy said, and include items like planters and benches. The partnership is also planning to offer businesses a matching-grant program, simplifying the application to one page.

Administrative costs would take up 19 percent of the 2016 budget, Monroy said, and would include hiring an executive director. The goal is to keep annual administrative expenses under 30 percent, she said, and consultants have suggested "hiring an executive director in combination with an administrative staff person that will keep us below 30 percent," she said.

The budget would hold 7 percent in reserve.

At Monday's meeting, council will also consider a resolution approving the payout of accrued compensation time to Police Chief George Becker upon his retirement. Becker has made no formal announcement of retirement plans.

Discussion is also expected at the work session on summer plans for the former Hineline Towing station in town.

Council meets at Borough Hall, 38 Park Ave., behind the fire station.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The accident happened on a curve on Route 517 in Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY -- A Franklin Township man was injured Sunday when he crashed a motorcycle while attempting to negotiate a curve on Route 517 in Hunterdon County, police said.

Eddie A. Lee, 21, of the Somerset section of Franklin, was taken by helicopter to Morristown Medical Center after the 4:17 p.m. crash.

Lee was thrown from the motorcycle near Laurel Mountain Way end landed in a gully, police said.

Lee's condition is unclear. Morristown Memorial Medical on Monday had no record of his admission.

Officers issued Lee summonses for failure to keep right, unregistered vehicle, fictitious plate (a temporary tag), and having no motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

High Honor Roll Grade 12 – Madeleine Andreas, Brady Bean, Emily Brand, Cameron Calv, Rebecca Canright, McKenna Douglass, Kelsey Farbanish, Shannon Gurreri, Jamie Hahn, Christopher Hallingse-Milligan, Cecelia Higgins, Stephen Joswick, Sirius Just, Brett Kramer, Kelly Landers, Tyler Lardieri, Jenna Macri, William Maroney, Theodora Mavros, Jessica Maziarczyk, Marinne McNally, Christopher Mead, Kathleen Menezes, Megan Mercurio, Ross Monteith, Maggie O'Connell, Connor...

High Honor Roll Grade 12 – Madeleine Andreas, Brady Bean, Emily Brand, Cameron Calv, Rebecca Canright, McKenna Douglass, Kelsey Farbanish, Shannon Gurreri, Jamie Hahn, Christopher Hallingse-Milligan, Cecelia Higgins, Stephen Joswick, Sirius Just, Brett Kramer, Kelly Landers, Tyler Lardieri, Jenna Macri, William Maroney, Theodora Mavros, Jessica Maziarczyk, Marinne McNally, Christopher Mead, Kathleen Menezes, Megan Mercurio, Ross Monteith, Maggie O'Connell, Connor Oldakowski,...

High Honor Roll

Grade 12 -
Madeleine Andreas, Brady Bean, Emily Brand, Cameron Calv, Rebecca Canright, McKenna Douglass, Kelsey Farbanish, Shannon Gurreri, Jamie Hahn, Christopher Hallingse-Milligan, Cecelia Higgins, Stephen Joswick, Sirius Just, Brett Kramer, Kelly Landers, Tyler Lardieri, Jenna Macri, William Maroney, Theodora Mavros, Jessica Maziarczyk, Marinne McNally, Christopher Mead, Kathleen Menezes, Megan Mercurio, Ross Monteith, Maggie O'Connell, Connor Oldakowski, Jasmine Perez, Alexa Sendro, Julia Staszak, Jena Ungarten, Daria VanDoren, Michael Vitti, Tiffany Yang, Isabelle Zerfas

Grade 11 -
Brian Barrett, Caroline Bennett, Andrew Berger, Connor Berson, Christopher Bortuzzo, Emily Bucher, Rae Burach, Brielle Burns, Zoe Chang, Kevin Chroback, Jonathan Cordova, Brielle Cruz, Lindsey Eugenio, Skyler Farrand, Brendan Feeley, Finnbarr Fielding, Elizabeth Fink, Mitchell Finnegan, Austin Frank, Olivia Franklin, John Hanley, Natalie Holderbaum, Byron Jurkouich, Michael Krummenacker, Molly Linnen, Emily Lundy, Samantha Magda, Cole Marra, Logan McMahon, Sean McQuade, Max Mergentime, David Montes, Courtney Nealon, Sarah Okner, Hannah Palahnuk, Amber Pan, Nicole Perez, Santiago Pinzon, Nicholas Pittman, Kathleen Radican, Claire Ravenburg, Amanda Riccitelli, Emilie Rucci, Emily Russell, Mugdha Sanglikar, Elliot Schneier, Nathan Sferra, Daniel Shirey, Rebekah Smith, Taylor Spence, Joseph Steitz, Samuel Stentz, Sarah Sylvestre, Jacquelyn Twaddle, Rachel Wang, Laurel Weiss, Helen Wiegand, Urszula Wisniewska, Richard Wolf, Haley Wright

Grade 10 -
Gehrig Anderson, John Anderson, Shady Barsoom, Kayla Boyle, Kyle Cannillo, Kevin Clinebell, Erik Dehkes, Matthew DeSousa, Grace Ehrmann, Jordan Fernandes, Jacob Fink, Thomas Flynn, Jessica Greene, Andrew Hollabaugh, Faizah Holmes, Luke Ingenito, Justin Johnson, Sarah Khan, Phoomphiphat Khechornsart, Meghan Klisch, Gabriel Lipp-Martin, Lawrence Luo, Sara Meyer, Jessica Mitchell, Jacqueline Netschert, Isabel Prieto, Ryan Reed, Ryan Ruscansky, Michael Sabatella, Pranav Sharma, Molly Stockwell, Rory Temple, Michael Vantslot, Alisha Vekaria, Michael Zhang

Grade 9 -
Casey Ammerlaan, Alexandra Anastasi, Rebecca Beswick, Abhay Bhatt, Charles Brenckle, Alison Cafaro, Katherine Carney, Amanda Chisholm, Declan Coster, Ryder DeCanio, Elena DiMarcello, Angelina Engira, Ella Fasciano, Abigail Fiorentino, Christopher Fischer, Katherine Fullowan, Thomas Garcia, Olivia Garvey-Blackwell, Caitlin Gilvey, Juliana Gonzalez-Rivas, Bethany Graham, Molly Gregor, Nicholas Guasta, Megan Hanily, Kathleen Hanley, Luke Hannon, Taylor Hucke, Christian Ingenito, Lacey Kestecher, Libbie Kirkpatrick, Adrian Krowicki, Emma Lang, Gaetano Lardieri, Alison Leung, Katelyn Marchiondo, Cynthia Mavros, Rachel Mead, Matthew Montes, Alyssa Morris, Sarah Motter, Jonathan Murry, Alyssa Nolan, Thomas Obiedzinski, Jazzmine Parliyan, Nicholas Paulter, Grace Peck, Julia Pereira, Caroline Petrie, Erin Provines, Luis Quiroz, Audrey Riccitelli, Jayden Ruffo, Shannon Russell, Kiley Schaefer, John Schneiderhan, Sean Seibert, Anjali Shukla, Roshan Shukla, Liam Smeraglia, Dylan Snyder, Kayla Solino, Georgiana Sopkovic, Cynthia Talamo, Caroline Thompson, Ashley Trepkau, James Vallay, Samantha VanBelle, Casey Vitiello, Kateryna Voznyuk, Clare Westra, Devon Williams, Emily Willigan, Jacquelyn Wolters

Honor Roll

Grade 12 -
Alexandra Anderson, Madison Aulson, Travis Bate, Jacob Battipaglia, Devyn Bellanca, Liliana Bellini, Adam Bettelli, Vanessa Bonanno, Erin Boutillier, Stephanie Braddock, Sean Brennan, Taylor Brinker, Abbie Buckhout, Dana Burnejko, Kyle Busher, Thomas Callari, Elizabeth Cancelliere, John Capezzuto, Brandon Carnevali, Anna Carosi, Katelyn Carswell, Christopher Cheng, Derek Ciavarro, Patrick Clements, Cameron Cobb, Taylor Danson, Siena Dante, Chaz Darby, Frederick Darcy, Thomas DeAngelis, Sarah Dehkes, Connor DePalma, Danielle Donaruma, Alexandra Dorsey, Fiona Duckworth, Gillian Evers, Leigh Federici, Samantha Fegely, Corey Feick, Hannah Ferenci, Amanda Ferrante, Sara Fetzer, Olivia Fitzpatrick, Sean Fluchel, Darian Francki, Jason Fresolone, Alyssa Frey, Dana Fuentes, Eric Gaidos, Michaela Gardiner, Ryan Garvey, Marisa Gasalberti, Steven Gassaway, Leonardo Gelato, Jacob Gladdis, Jessica Graham, Brennan Granger, Julianne Grillo, Shaylyn Guasta, Jeffrey Guile, Emily Gutierrez, Taylor Hatch, Daniel Hett, Kathleen Higgins, Russel Hillman, Meghan Hoban, Blake Horun, Abigail Johnson, Rebecca Jones, Alexandra Kassebaum, Jakob Kastrud, Lauren Kepenis, Ryan King, Ian Kirk, Brandon Klisch, Steven Knoble, Gregory Kortina, Celine LaBelle, Grace Leffler, Lorenzo Lemise, Taylor Lewis, Faith Lindabery, Brandon Lopez, Ethan Lyte, Colin Makombe, Nicholas Mannix, Lucas Marchiondo, Robert Marron, Joshua McBriar, Rebecca McElroy, Thomas McGourty, Griffin Middleton, Lilianna Mikitiuk, Ernest Monaco, Olivia Morris, Marissa Mugnano, Ryan Mulhall, Ryan Negoescu, Catrina Nelson, Nicholas Nelson, Michelle Nguyen, Alexandra Niebling, Joshua Obidike, Stephanie Ostrowski, Michelle Parkhurst, Joseph Perez, Gianna Porfano, Brandon Puc, Dominique Quartararo, Chetram Ramsood, Carmine Ricciardi, Sean Rooney, Elizabeth Rotolo, Tyler Rubner, Evan Rys, Stewart Saharic, Tempe Salatiello, Samantha Santamaria, Mary Schaeffer, Richard Schlack, Alyssa Schwartz, Vincenzo Sciacca, Cara Shannon, Alyssa Shapiro, Katherine Shea, Ellen Shelly, Steven Slack, Samantha Slapa, Glenn Smith, Ryan Smith, Alexander Spann, Ivan Spann, Robert Spies, Amy Sroka, Gemma St Louis, Thomas Strupp, Caelan Sujet, Daniel Szalecki, Rachel Thatcher, Stephanie Thompson, Christine Torrey, Heather Tostevin, Sara Tumulty-Ollemar, Ellen Tyerech, Shannon Tyms, Christopher Tywanick, Anthony Vacca, Samantha Vallay, Abigail VanEsselstyn, Wyatt Vrancken, John Walton, Caroline Wasser, Andrew Wells, David Wells, Olivia Wierciszewski, John Wilson, Ethan Witherup, Courtney Wright, Benjamin York, Erin Yu, Luke Zengel

Grade 11 -
Evan Acocella, Olivia Adams, Yaritza Amaya, Nikolas Ammerlaan, Romain Amrani, Alexandra Anastasiou, Michael Anderson, Paige Ashey, Ann Babcock, Alexander Bai, Hannah Baker, Rebecca Barter, Jordan Beneducci, Jacob Berg, Luke Bernick, Sarah Blumenfeld, Rylee Boyd, Raymond Bragin, Patrick Brinker, Robert Brinker, Rebecca Brotons, Myles Brown, Richard Bruton, Alyssa Buck, Nina Bussanich, Ryan Bussell, Casey Cheponis, Kristen Connors, Kelly Corcoran, Madeline Coronato, Claibourne Countess, Zoe Countess, Jake Curtachio, Andrew Cuthill, Rory D'Alesandro, Olivia Deeming, Troy DeSavino, Anna DiMarcello, Kelly Dineen, Denis Dobias, Mary Drwal, Rebecca Durange, Lauren Edelsberg, Emily Eugenio, Rebecca Farinaccio, Jenna Fortunato, Hannah-Jo Gassaway, Brittany Goepfert, Jahel Gomes, Meghan Graham, Maeve Green, Erin Gregor, Matthew Gregory, Annika Gustafsson, Catrina Gutescu, Renee Guzzo, Kristina Harrel, Amy Holdaway, Timothy Hollabaugh, Karli House, Erin Howard, Guide Hubbard, Drew Hummel, Morgan Innella, Pauline Jaffe, Sarah Jennison, Michael Jinks, Gabrielle Jordan, Robert Judice, Benjamin Kaplan, Shawn Kavanaugh, Erin Kelley, Zoe Kirsch, Sydney Kozakis, Victoria Krok, Carmen Nina Kuo, Nicholas LaBelle, Matthew Lagomarsino, Sarah Lara, Allison Lenert, Ethan Leung, Matthew Lewis, Jenna Lifshitz, Jacob Lione, Eli Longordo, Zhantia Kyree Lopez, Kayla Lozada, Maxwell Macaulay, John Macce, Uriel Magana-Salgado, James Magnier, Claudia Maira, Tyler Marcantuono, Issam Mardini, Katelyn Martin, Connor Martino, Emelia Maslanka, Kelley McCarten, Hannah McCreesh, Julia McGowan, Elizabeth Miglis, Abigail Miller, Alexis Miranda, Carly Monks, Jessica Mooney, Louis Motta, Allison Moyer, Marissa Muench, Daniel Murillo, Emily Murphy, Milo Newman, Andrew O'Connell, Natalie Owchariw, Zachary Panzarino, Alexander Parson, Caroline Paul, Stephen Paulo, Tyler Peragallo, Emma Rae, Joseph Reed, Vincent Riello, Olivia Ripnyak, Katherine Robinson, Andrew Rooney, Samuel Rosenberg, Matthew Roskoski, William Russo, Randall Ryan, Loretta Salano, Andrew Scangamor, Jack Schaefer, Julie Schmidt, William Schwartz, Robert Scimeca, Karl Sethna, Shane Siebentritt, Jordan Sinoway, Brielle Smith, Tyler Snyder, Dillon Spear, William Spencer, Jennifer Sroka, Lauren Stack, Christa Stehr, Megan Stenberg, Ivan Stiscia, Carolyn Stoner, Sean Swider, Sarah Swint, Samuel Szych, Brendan Talian, Wesley Taylor, Katherine Teipel, Destiny Thorne-Kovacs, Charles Tordik, Sarah Tranquilli, Hannah Trinity, James Trontell, Melissa Trzpis, Christopher Ventre, Gabrielle Viegas, Sebastian Viera, Ana Vlad, Graham Wandless, Gregory Windeler, Mark Winter, Julia Witkowski, Joshua Zaleha, Alexis Zangari, Caroline Zentmayer

Grade 10 -
Steven Ackaway, Pius Adomako, Daniel Alpaugh, David Andreas, Madison Anidjar, William Arnold, Joseph Badenhausen, Luke Baratta, Namarata Battula, Casey Bertola, Kimberly Bieksha, Madalyn Blomkvist, Emily Braddock, Alexander Braun, Elizabeth Brown, Gianna Buffa, Matthew Busher, Ethan Button, Arianna Calhoun, Bianca Camano, Kimberly Cao, Ariana Capece, Dienes Carbine, Rosa Castaldo, Michelle Cecil, Emily Cerullo, Matthew Chang, Carolyn Chester, Lauren Ciambruschini, Brianna Clemente, Grace Clifford, Kyle Conover, Alanna Conway, Meaghan Cotter, Jason Curtachio, Jake Dalrymple, Haley Danson, Siddharth Datar, Kadie Davis, Allison DeAngelis, Jordan DeRose, Noah DiRoberto, Samantha Dolloff, Michael Donahue, Samantha Downey, Peter Duttweiler, Zada Edwards, Mary Evers, Glen Farbanish, Grace Fariello, Carla Faust, Catriona Ferguson, Faith Fernandes, Andrew Ferrante, Jillian Ferreira, Natalie Fitzpatrick, Fernanda Flynn, Robert Fodera, Christopher Fornarotto, Luke Fresolone, Zachary Furman, Joseph Gallo, Jack Garanzini, Matthew Garceau, Kevin Garvey, Michael Garvey, Bethany Gawalis, Victoria Gelato, Brinton Gibbons, Alicia Giordano, Indra Glasergreen, Jason Glucksman, Julianna Grampone, Sonny Harris, William Harrison, Dylan Hartman, Katherine Hermann, Madison Hesse, Patrick Hill, Joshua Hisaw, Samuel Hisaw, Kathleen Hoban, Cameron Holt, Jasmine Horruitiner, Kiera Horun, Clayton Jenson, Kady Johnson, Justin Kapp, Jacklyn Karpinski, Meghan Kelly, Erin Kepenis, Tucker Kirchberger, Elijah Klein, Thomas Kochanowski, Evan Komorowski, Caleb Korson, Jessica Kravetsky, Heather Kunz, Makayla Lally, Hannah Lamer, Victor LaSasso, Charleston Lavigne, Colin Lavigne, Cassandra Lawler, David Lazar, Jacob Lazarek, Connor Letko, Madeleine Lewis, Margot Lewis, Helen Liu, Scott Lloyd, Karrie Ma, Ana MacNiven, Kelly Mahaney, Jake Marotta, Haley Marra, Hallie Mathews, Jason Mayer, James McCutcheon, Hannah McDevitt, Kate McGeary, Madison McGourty, Cassandra McHugh, Connor McMahon, JaredMcMahon, Elizabeth McPherson, Olivia Metropoulos, Caitlin Meyer, Kathryn Miller, Jacob Modzelewski, Caroline Morris, Allison Nardi, Jessica Nolan, Nicole O'Connell, Melinda O'Leary, Erik Pan, Rachel Parilis, Rupsa Paul, Andrea Pauliuc, Ava Perricone, Kyle Piekarski, Emily Pomrinca, Alexa Poniatowski, Fabiana Popolla, Gwenyth Porter, William Pritchett, Cameron Puc, Dylan Puma, Noah Quental, David Reed, Lulu Ricketts, Antonio Rojas, Steven Ruggiero, Hailey Sabol, Prajeet Sarker, Evan Schifko, Amy Schroeder, Leanna Schultz, Sophia Schwarzmann, Raymond Sellaro, Francesca Setaro, Kaitlyn Sharon, Stephanie Sharp, Juliette Shore, Grant Sible, Brian Slack, Aniya Stevenson, Connor Strohm, Margaret Swan, Olivia Swanson, Katherine Szalecki, Tayler Tarabokija, Nicolette Taylor, James Thompson, Danielle Tostevin, Nicholas Trepkau, Kaitlyn Tyms, George Uchrin, Victoria Valendo, Harley Varga, Ryan Visicaro, Gabriel Volpe, Brooke Wachenheim, Lauren Wagner, Luke Wain, Taylor Warren, Jake Weed, Brian Weller, Thomas Westra, Abigail Whalen, Alistair Wilson, Sarah Wingler, Gillian Wintermute, Madeline Wolf, Paul Woolhouse, Rebecca Xu, Bryden Yarnell, Michael Zakhary, Carlie Zandanel, Brendan Zappala, Bree Zhang

Grade 9 -
Ian Adams, Felice Agaronin, Garrett Andreski, Katherine Approvato, Lauren Ashby, Zachary Atherton, Ethan Avecillas, Josue Ayala Vargas, Lauren Bancalari, Julianne Bavaro, Xavier Bennett, Jonatha Berg, Kathryn Berger, Gwenyth Bernick, Charlotte Black, Katherine Blomkvist, Veronica Bober, Alexander Bors, Jonathon Bourque, Ryan Bower, Sophia Brotons, Owen Buczek, Amy Carosi, Toni Castellani, Rebecca Cecil, Thomas Cerra, Grace Chen, Richard Chen, Eanne Chiang, Kayley Cobb, Hannah Cooke, John Corcoran, Ella Countess, Emily Cuthill, Luke DaSilva, Maya Davis, Tyler Demers, Kurt Derwid, Louie DeVletter, Brianna Diederich, Gina DiEsso, Thomas Duda, Christopher Dyson, Thomas Egg, Colburn Ehrhart, Connor Esch, Brennan Farrand, Evan Ferry, Matthew Flegg, Madison Fonseca, Ciara Freeman, Jessica Gallaway, Cassandra Gizzo, Michelle Gladdis, Emma Graham, Andrew Green, Peter Gregory, Brett Griffith, Jack Grygon, Anthony Hale, Erica Harmon, Alexander Hellwig, Shannon Hesse, Julia Hilty, Ethan Ho, Justin Holderbaum, Griffin Honthy, Justin Horton, Nicolas House, Kyle Jacowleff, Jozef Janosko, Nicholas Jinks, Emily Johnson, Kaitlyn Jones, Orion Just, Hannah Kassim, William Kastrud, Alyssa Katyan, Angela Kearsley, Riley Koehler, Jake Koscielski, Benjamin Kravitz, Emily Kundla, Andrew Kurtiak, Arthur Lai, Riley Lance, Caroline Layding, Rebekah Lazarek, Patrick Leamy, Sanghyun Lee, Amy Lenert, Jonah Lione, Adam Lum-DeBono, Jensen Macaulay, Julia MacIsaac, Pierce Makombe, Sean Malecki, Stephen Maliszewski, Claire Malley, Colleen Malley, Maria Mancuso, Brittany Marcantuono, Alyssa Markey, Brendan Martin, Jake Marzarella, Brett Mathews, Elizabeth McDevitt, Andrew McKinney, Anthony Menes, Hannah Menichillo, Nicholas Minadeo, Hannah Mitchell, Mark Monaco, Braedon Monticello, Chloe Morris, Madelyn Nenna, Chloe Neria, Maria Newsome, Hutch Novacek, Emily Nugent, Isabella Ogorzalek, Patrick O'Rourke, Melissa Ostrowski, Sophia Panageas, Marilena Parker, Jeel Patel, Gabriella Pinto, Maeve Plassche, Charlotte Plumpton, Margaret Powers, Agesino Primatic, Sean Procopio, Emily Radican, David Rende, Theresa Rogovin, Veronica Romanek, Christian Rottner, Justin Rush, Andrew Rusnak, Eric Rys, Adwait Sahasrabuddhe, Allison Salkin, Colby Schneider, Marisa Schwab, Charles Scopetto, Adam Shaikh, Robert Sierp, Hope Simpson, Sydney Smit, Maya Sorhage, Kayla Spencer, Matthew Spichiger, Matthew Stanzione, Hannah Stapleton, Joseph Staszak, Catherine Stenberg, Erik Stevens, Victoria Stone, John Stothoff, Jeffrey Strand, Carmela Streicher, Hamilton Sujet, Siddhi Sundaram, Tyler Sutton, Brenna Talamo, Tara Teipel, Kira Thomas, Matthew Todaro, Katherine Toms, Andrew Tota, Andrew Trapp, Madison Trevaskiss, Caroline Tumulty-Ollemar, Kai Vaarkamp, Matthew Vallely, Dalton VanEsselstyn, Alexandra Vasile, Mark Walling, Ryan Wanko, Tara Willmer, William Wilson, Trevor Wise, Caroline Witte, Connor Woods, Luke Worobey, Samantha Zaleha, Thomas Zappetti

Eradicating illiteracy and educating women in Ghana are Angela Bamford's longterm goals.

BEDMINSTER -- Angela Bamford is a determined young woman whose goals are to educate women and eradicate illiteracy in her home country of Ghana.

The former Milford resident took a big step in that direction when she graduated from Raritan Valley Community College recently.

"It's definitely not easy to be an international student in America," she said, "but regardless of the barriers, educating yourself is the key to breaking poverty, to breaking illiteracy, and to being the better version of you." Then, she said, "we can go back to our countries and be the change we want to see."

Bamford's seen a lot of change herself. At 12, she was the tallest in her class and was recruited by a modeling agency, which led to her competing in the first ever Fashion Week in Ghana. Modeling led to commercials, and they led to her recruitment by a band and a record deal.

"We were big enough, we got to perform for the president," she said of her group, D3, "which stands for Three Diamonds."

Bamford was 15 when she joined D3, and stayed with it several years, going on a video tour in Ghana and pulling in a nomination for best new act of the year at the Vodaphone Ghana Music Awards. Then Bamford put on the brakes.

"I decided my education should come first, even though the singing was fun and we were starting to make money. I figured I could go back into music later." 

Raritan Valley College graduates 1.3K

She loves to travel, "and I am very curious," Bamford said, so she signed up for an exchange program to study in America, and ended up attending North Hunterdon High School her senior year. She credits her host family, Richard and Laura Shaw and their four daughters, for her drive to succeed. "They called me their fifth daughter," she said. "I had to hold my own."

At Raritan Valley Community College she carried a five-class load each of the four semesters she was there, served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society this year, and held down three jobs to finance her stay in the U.S.

She worked as a part-time nanny, and worked on campus in the advising counselor's office and as a tutor. She also served as a Student Ambassador, and has been involved with such campus groups as Rotaract, Sister to Sister, the campus radio station and The Record student newspaper. And she graduated magna cum laude.

"Balancing three jobs and all that was crazy," she said recently. For motivation, she thinks of her three siblings and six half-siblings back in Ghana, and her mother. "They're the reason why I'm here and working hard," Bamford said.

"My mother never went to school and because of that she's had some struggles. I decided at a very young age that wouldn't happen to me. I can secure a better future for my siblings. With my success is their success."

When Bamford's mother was young, "educating women was not a big thing in my country," she said. "I'm very passionate about educating women; when you educate a woman, you educate a village."

To that end, she's working toward starting a news network in Ghana "that will broadcast unfiltered news," she said. "The news here about Ghana is always negative. You never hear the wonderful things Africans are doing in the world." And she plans to "use that access to information, through quality content, to eradicate illiteracy."

First things first, though. Bamford has to decide where she'll go to study liberal arts and communications. Possibilities include Rutgers and Montclair in New Jersey, Syracuse University, or possibly Cornell in the spring.

She says she's already had "two amazing years" at RVCC. "I have a family at RVCC. From President Michael McDonough, Dean Diane Lemcoe, Dean Richeleen Dashield to Donyea Collins, Greg DeSanctis, Ronnie Weyl, my professors Carl Lindskoog, Ronald Tyson, Bick Treut, Mark Bezanson, among others, I had a family that supported me and pushed me to be the best. For that, I will forever cherish my experience at RVCC."

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The recently restored fence at the Veteran's Monument in Flemington will be rededicated on Memorial Day.

To the editor:

Prior to the erection of the Veteran's Monument and Fence on the Flemington Green, it was the dream of patriotic Flemington residents and the Lambert Boeman Post of the Grand Army of the Republic of a way to honor veterans.

It took a long time for that dream to be realized, but it was finally erected in 1892.

Some years ago, the monument was removed for cleaning and expanded to what we see today, and the fence was removed and stored by the borough.

Recently, the restoration of the wrought-iron fence at the green became the dream of the Flemington Historic Preservation Commission. In 2014, the Historic Preservation Commission located the original fencing and had it restored and installed by Gary Nickels of Nickel Fabrication.

Many thanks go to the Borough of Flemington for their support in obtaining Open Space Funding from Hunterdon County for this project.

The Veteran's Monument again has a beautiful wrought-iron fence that graces the perimeter of the Green. The installation of the fence was successfully completed in December of 2015 complementing the monument as a fitting entry to Historic Flemington. 

Although the original monument and fence were dedicated to Civil War veterans, it now stands to honor all veterans.

Since the monument was originally dedicated on Memorial Day, 1892, it is only fitting that we do so again today, Memorial Day, 2016. So it is with great honor and pride that this monument and fence are rededicated to all the veterans of Hunterdon County, so that our veterans will never be forgotten.

Elaine Gorman, Linda Swingle,

Dianne Potter, Jamie Wright,

Brian Spuhler

Flemington Historic Preservation Commission

Several Hunterdon County entrepreneurs are offering flexible office space for those who work remotely.

My first business was born at home on the dining room table. It was a handy place to spread out files and folders while I worked through a flurry of papers.

As days turned into weeks, that table became my office. When our daughter complained that she couldn't find a place to set her cereal bowl, my wife finally put into words what she had been thinking for some time.

"Get this mess out of the house," she told me.

The next day was spent searching for office space. What I found was an eye-opener. So many possibilities, so many locations, so many different arrangements.

***

"It's a place where remote workers share an open space," said Lisa Fielding.

She was describing The Office Mill, an operation in Clinton that opened its doors a year ago at 37 Main St.

"We are the first co-working space in Hunterdon," she added. "We provide a space for any type of remote worker - mobile types, entrepreneurs, programmers and business analysts, business start-ups, project managers, e-publishing people and the like. It's not for salespeople."

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In this galloping age of technology, a co-working space fills a need for the remote worker. It provides a shared working space, good comradeship and a community of kindred spirits. Bring your tablet and you're ready to engage in your work for the day. Co-workers can provide inspiration and collaboration.

"There is much sharing back and forth among the workers," she explained. Since they are not competing, they help each other - with technical problems and issues they might encounter, or with everyday concerns like proofreading and career discussions.

Co-working spaces have exploded in popularity in recent years. There are hundreds scattered across the nation, mainly in big cities. New York and San Francisco have dozens of these operations, and more seem to be opening to fill a growing need.

Remote workers are everywhere. They are frequently seen in Hunterdon coffee shops and cafes. They are hard at work, bent over their tablets and mobile devices. The Office Mill now provides them with a friendly space to conduct their daily affairs.

Fielding has been helping home-based businesses for more than five years. She specializes in public relations and branding. Last year she partnered with Winnie Scuteri to open The Office Mill. Scuteri had been a member of a co-worker space in New York and brought the concept and experience to the Clinton business.

Here, members get a space to work, come and go as they please, and share with others. There is no lease - they offer a 30 day notice instead. Members have access to a dedicated desk or a flex desk, high speed Internet, along with coffee, tea and water. There is a lounge and a conference room. Memberships start at $75 per month.

For more information, call 908 894-5650, email info@TheOfficeMill.com or visit the website.

***

Back when my wife told me to get the business out of the house, there was no such thing as a tablet. In those days, every business had folders stuffed with paper documents.

So I went looking for office space where I could install a desk, a telephone, work tables, and filing cabinets for a growing stack of folders.

Today, I might have found a home at the Lower Valley Professional Building. It's located at 440 Rt. 513 in Califon.

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"I converted a building that I own into suites," said Paul May. "There are no long term leases - everything is on a 30 day notice."

Currently, some suites are occupied by a driving school, a travel agent and a real estate agent. Make arrangements and you can move into a space on a day's notice.

"The only cost is the rent," May continued. There is free Wi-Fi, plenty of parking, a common area along with a conference room, and a coffee room. The building is located between the shopping center and Staino Furniture.

May has a similar space called The Hitching Post on Rt. 31 outside Clinton. To see what you might do there, call him direct.

For more information, call 908 507-9340 or Paul57May@icloud.com.

***

For more traditional office space rentals, do a quick search of "Office Space" with the location you want to target. A search of OfficeSpaceFlemington, for example, yields dozens of rental possibilities for that business you are building. These vary from single offices to large complexes for bigger undertakings.

***

No discussion of space rentals would be complete without mentioning The Spoke Works in Lambertville. This place is home to artists' studios - photographers, painters, glass workers, artists specializing in hand carved signs, kinetic creations, and antique furniture restoration, even a yoga studio.

Back in the 1860s, the original Spoke Works turned out the wheels that moved the Union Army's wagons and cannons during the Civil war. Today the building at 204 N. Union St. (at Elm) provides open studios for all types of creative types.

If you are looking for a space where you can unleash your creativity, The Spoke Works might be the answer. It attracts lots of shoppers, browsers, and others.

Quakertown Fire Company hosted a large-scale water supply drill on May 23, 2016. Watch video

FRANKLIN TWP. - 11 Hunterdon County fire departments conducted a large-scale water supply drill at the Clinton Elks on Monday.

Located on Sidney Road in the Pittstown section of the township, the Elks property was used to set up portable dump tanks that were filled out of a pond on the property. The water was supplied to fire engines and an areal ladder.

The drill simulated a two-alarm fire and the goal was to achieve a flow of 1,750 gallons per minute of water, according to Quakertown Fire Department, Station 91, Fire Chief Bradley Patkochis.

 

Fire departments regularly hold drills, and in Hunterdon County there have been at least 15 multiple-alarm fires this year. The most recent was a fire at a cottage at the Hunterdon Developmental Center in Union Township, a facility with hundreds of staff and residents, and at the former Music Hall in Clinton.

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The following fire companies took part in the drill:

• Quakertown Fire Department, Station 91
• Clinton Fire Department, Station 45
• Annandale Hose Company, Station 46
• Lebanon Borough Fire Department, Station 18
• High Bridge Fire Department, Station 14
• Glen Gardner Fire Department, Station 12
• Pattenburg Fire Department, Station 25
• Raritan Twp Fire Department,Station 21
• Lebanon Twp Fire Department, Station 19
• Kingwood Twp Fire Department, Station 16
• Sergeantsville Fire Department, Station 47

Teachers, parents, students and alumni urged school board members to settle with teachers quickly.

ALEXANDRIA TWP. -- Delaware Valley High School's teachers' union and school board are heading to a fact-finding session June 6 to try to resolve contract negotiations.

Teachers have been working under the terms of a contract that expired last summer. About 100 people attended Monday night's school board meeting and many of them spoke, asking board members to find a way to settle the issues quickly.

"I think the struggle to keep positive people in the lives of our children is so important," said Sissy Cecchini, addressing both the teachers' contract and the board's decision not to rehire cheerleading coach Kimmy Sweet. "The community feels fractured."

Teachers' union President Jim Gessner said the big issue in contract negotiations is the gap between what Del Val's teachers are paid and what teachers in surrounding districts earn. "The offer on the table is going to cause it to widen further," he said after the meeting adjourned for an executive session. "Hunterdon Central is always going to lead the pack, but we have the ability to come close to North, South and Voorhees."

Teachers turn to Facebook as talks stall

School board President Ellen Gordon noted at the start of the public comment section of Monday's meeting that the board would not respond to anything said, and district officials have declined comment on negotiations in the past.

Business Administrator and Board Secretary Teresa Barna said after the meeting that salary and benefits are the issues left to be decided. "A lot of other contract language we've dealt with," she said, noting she was limited in what she could say about negotiations.

The frustration level for teachers has been rising, Gessner said, when teachers see what the board has been spending on facility improvements. "They have a decent facility that they put a lot of money into, then they nickel and dime the teachers to death," he said. "It's saying we value the facility more than the people. When it comes to the people, there's not that sense of balance."

Comments from teachers at Monday's meeting showed the frustration. "Our personal words don't seem to be making an impression, so we're looking for other people's words," said math teacher Carolyn Wolsiefer.

Teacher after teacher stood up to share emails, letters and cards of support they've received over the years from students, parents and administrators. Several recent alums came to the meeting to add their voices.

"We need to pay these people or they're going to leave," said Drew Mera, who graduated last year. "These people mean the world to us. We need to figure something out so they do feel appreciated."

Gessner said he's hoping the contract talks can be settled when the school board and teachers' union meet for fact finding. If not, "we've tried all the civil things we can do," he said. "Come fall, we'll be looking at job actions."

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Lambertville will be able to reduce the cost to illuminate its street lights by 10-percent thanks to a recent electric power auction.

LAMBERTVILLE -- A recent third-party electric power auction will save the city approximately 10 percent on the costs to illuminate its street lights.

The May 17 auction, conducted for the city by engineering firm T&M Associates, was for electric power needed specifically to operate the city's street light system. Those costs currently total approximately $35,000 per year, according to a news release.

TriEagle Energy, the company currently providing the city with energy for street lights, supplied the low bid, slicing .5 cents per kilowatt hour off its current rates.

Mayor David DelVecchio said that would amount to a 10 percent overall savings to the city.

"We are always looking for opportunities to save taxpayers money in the provision of City services, and the current state of the electricity marketplace provided a good place for us to be able to realize some additional savings," said DelVecchio. "TriEagle Energy has been a good partner with us, and we are pleased that they will be able to continue to provide this service at a lower cost."

The new contract, which will become effective in June, will run through June 2018.

It comes on top of the successful third-party power agreement the city and West Amwell Township recently entered to provide discounted electric power to all residential customers in both communities under the state's Community Energy Aggregation program.

That contract is expected to save the average household $240 over 21 months.

Too often equine rescues and adoptions do not have a happy ending. If either horse or human is not physically and mentally prepared for the new relationship, the horse may end up back at auction or abandoned again, and the human left disappointed and disillusioned. The mission of a new non-profit, The Pegasus Foundation, based in Ringoes, N.J., is...

Too often equine rescues and adoptions do not have a happy ending. If either horse or human is not physically and mentally prepared for the new relationship, the horse may end up back at auction or abandoned again, and the human left disappointed and disillusioned.

The mission of a new non-profit, The Pegasus Foundation, based in Ringoes, N.J., is to restore and transform horses using the principles of classical equitation to ensure that each horse adopted is a viable and willing partner, and to educate new owners and the general public about compassionate and evidence-based training methods.

The Pegasus Foundation was founded Dr. Maria Katsamanis, horse trainer, author, clinical psychologist. Dr. Katsamanis saw a need for rescued horses to be not just rehabilitated but transformed, so that they are mentally and physically balanced and can perform to their full potential. She said that the goal is for the horse to not only be able to complete at a lower level dressage test, at minimum, but also to be comfortable and enjoy its time with a human.

Horses accepted into the Foundation's program may come from an auction house, may have been abandoned, or simply may no longer be suitable for their previous sport. "We will make sure that these horses don't end up back in an auction, that they are sound and sane, and that their new owners are educated so they can move forward with tools and with a community that can support the wellness of the animal and a beautiful new relationship between horse and human," said Dr. Katsamanis. She is committed to transforming horses, regardless of the horse's breed or discipline. "All horses deserve a second chance, and many horses can, given that chance, become a true masterpiece," she said.

Dr. Katsamanis's background demonstrates a commitment to equine wellness and to education. She is coauthor with Dominique Barbier of the book "The Alchemy of Lightness," which introduced the concept of molecular equitation to the equestrian community. She pioneered an elective course at Rutgers-RWJ Medical School using horses to teach medical students bedside manners. She maintains an active training barn at Amwell Ridge Farm in Ringoes.

The foundation's team also includes a veterinarian and a farrier who will assess equine candidates for potential to recover from injuries and then assist chosen horses in their restoration to physical health through nutrition, medical care, and hoof care. The classical training program will transform the horse through physical and mental fitness. And the development of each horse will be documented on video and in educational materials to inspire the general public and the equestrian community about what is possible between horses and humans. "We want to preserve the classical equestrian tradition and demonstrate its effectiveness in restoring horses. So we're not just rescuing animals, we're preserving an equestrian art form," said Dr. Katsamanis.

Volunteers are an essential part of the team as well. They assist in a variety of areas from working directly with a horse to administrative and technical support. There are many ways to help, and many horses that are waiting for their second chance. To learn more about corporate sponsorships, to make a donation, to volunteer, or to apply to adopt a horse, visit the foundation's web site at www.thepegasusfoundation.org or send an email to mskatsamani@gmail.com.

Those interested in the work of The Pegasus Foundation can get a glimpse of Dr. Katsamanis's approach to transforming horses and creating a connection between horse and rider at a clinic June 25 and 26 at Amwell Ridge Farm. All proceeds from auditors will go to The Pegasus Foundation. To inquire about fees and to apply for the clinic as a participant or as an auditor, send an email to Heather Faller at hrfaller@gmail.com

For current equestrian news see Horse News or check out the online version of the print edition.

Horse News covers everything equestrian in the mid-Atlantic area and can be reached at horsenews@hcdemocrat.com

To subscribe to the print edition call 908-948-1309.

For advertising e-mail mchapman@N.J.advancemedia.com. Find Horse News on Facebook

Several Hunterdon County communities will be marking Memorial Day with parades and ceremonies.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 30. Here are the Memorial Day services and parades planned in Hunterdon County this year. In Flemington, there will be a re-dedication of a recently-renovated wrought-iron fence at the Veteran's Monument on the Flemington Green.

Here is a list of services and parades:

CALIFON Memorial Day Parade, beginning 11 a.m. Monday, May 30, on School Street, traveling down Main Street and concluding at Island Park, with memorial service at noon on the Califon bridge next to Califon Veterans Memorial.

HIGH BRIDGE Memorial Day Ceremony, service sponsored by American Legion Post 188 and High Bridge Borough Cultural and Heritage Committee, Saturday, May 28, 11 a.m. Hoffman Memorial Park, West Main Street

FLEMINGTON Memorial Day Parade, presented by the Hunterdon Veterans Alliance. Assembly is at 9:15 a.m.; the parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30, from Church Street down Main Street, ending at Veterans Monument for short ceremony where the wrought-iron fence will be rededicated.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP (Hunterdon County) The Quakertown Fire Company will host its 61st annual Memorial Day observance at the Franklin Township School on Quakertown Road on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, starting at 9:15 a.m. The keynote will be given by Hunterdon County's well known Archie Fagan.

LAMBERTVILLE Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies, begins 9 a.m. Monday, May 30, at North Union and Cherry streets, traveling south on Union Street to Mount Hope Street, then north on Main Street to York Street, ending at Mary Sheridan Park with ceremonies.Lt. Col. Philip J. Faherty, III will serve as the Grand Marshall. lambertvillenj.org, 609-397-0110.

READINGTON Memorial Day Parade, starting 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 30, starting on Main Street and continuing to the municipal building for a flag-raising ceremony, followed by Community Day for township residents at Pickell Park.

The 2016 Flemington Car Show series begins on Saturday, May 28, 2016.

FLEMINGTON - The annual Flemington Car Shows returns on Saturday.

Registration starts at 5 p.m. front of the historic Hunterdon County Courthouse located at 75 Main St. The show runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. and is the first of eight shows being held on alternating Saturdays this summer.

All makes and model cars can participate as long as they are registered.

This show's featured makes are Ford, Oldsmobile and Mercury, and those models should park in the lot behind 71 Main St., while all other cars park along Main Street on a first come, first serve basis.

There will be music from DJ Chuck Leonard, as well as two bands - Exit Row Band playing at 26 Main St. (Main Street Bagel) and Triple Addiction playing at 136 Main St. (The Grill Shack)

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There will also be kids activities including a bounce house and games sponsored by Central Hunterdon Baptist Church being held next to police station at 100 Main St., as well as face painting sponsored by Fred Beans Toyota in front of Union Hotel.

The upcoming schedule includes:

• June 11: Camaro and Chevelles
• June 25: All Mopar and motorcycles
• July 9: GTO, Firebird and Pontiac
• July 23: Mustang and T-Birds
• Aug. 6: Corvettes
• Aug. 20: British invasion and foreign
• Sept. 3: Military, trucks, and first responders (police, ambulance and fire)

The shows are led by Chairman Ron Van Horn of Van Horn Financial and Vice Chairman Jerry Jaremenko of Kries Jeweler. Main sponsor for the third consecutive year is Fred Beans Toyota-Scion-Kia of Flemington.

Trophies will be awarded by this show's trophy sponsors: Northfield Bank of Flemington, Rita's Ice of Flemington, Candy Coral of Flemington and Al's Auto Care & Performance of Flemington.

Door prizes will raffled off to car owners and spectators. The entire event and activities are free to car owners and spectators.

For full details or to pre-register go to www.flemingtoncarshows.com or call Van Horn 908-806-6041.

The Flemington-Raritan school board's newest member is borough resident Jessica Abbott.

FLEMINGTON -- Borough resident Jessica Abbott is the newest member of the Flemington-Raritan school board. She was appointed Monday night to fill a seat vacated by Alan Brewer, who resigned from the school board and was appointed to Flemington Borough Council.

Abbott, who has two children in the school district, has lived in Flemington since 1998. "I've been extremely involved in the schools and appreciate them a lot," she told the board before her appointment.

It was the first board meeting she's been to, she said, but "I've looked over the minutes from the last year. I'm interested in the curriculum development for math you've been doing," she said, as well as "personnel movements" and finances.

Leadership moves spark concern

Though officially appointed, Abbott still has to go through a background and fingerprint check, said board President Anna Fallon. Fallon said the board is hopeful Abbott will be sworn in at its next meeting.

Abbott will serve through December. She will have to run for election in November to serve the unexpired portion of the term, which ends in 2018. Brewer had just been elected in November 2015, before his resignation at the end of March.

Board member Bruce Davidson asked Abbott what skills she thinks she will find useful as a board member. "I'm pretty good at listening to a lot of points of view," Abbott said. "I'm not without strong opinions, but I do have an open mind."

When asked what she thinks the board needs to strengthen, she said, "I think we need to strengthen our diversity.

"And as a parent at Robert Hunter School, we need to assure that community of some sort of stability in the long term. Beyond that, I'm looking forward to learning."

The board broke into executive session to discuss Abbott's application before confirming her selection. She was the only applicant for the seat.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.