Committeeman Ruh Leads Concept Efforts for Senior Center

The Hillsborough Township Committee, in conjunction with representatives from several Hillsborough Township Departments, including Recreation, Social Services, and Administration, and members from Chapter A and Chapter B of the Hillsborough Senior Citizen Clubs, have spent the last several months gathering data in order to establish plans for the much anticipated Hillsborough Senior Activity Center.   The group visited several nearby Senior Centers in Piscataway, Old Bridge, and Hamilton Township to see what design concepts and facilities they offered as dedicated senior centers.

The planning process took another step forward earlier this month when members of the team gathered around a conference room table at the Peter J. Biondi Municipal Complex to derive a collaborative plan for the Senior Center.  “This was an opportunity for all of us to be in the same room and discuss options and the possible ‘wish list’ of items to be considered in the proposed center,” Committeeman James Ruh, Liaison to Social Services.  

Anthony Ferrera, Township Administrator; Bob Wagner, Director of Parks, Recreation and Social Services; James Ruh, Jr., Committeeman; Gene Reinhardt, Diana Reinhardt, and Karen Joho from Chapter A of the Senior Citizens Club; and Tony Fusco, Ed Bertin, and Donna Amundsen from Chapter B of the Senior Citizens Club; all participated in the tabletop design.  The group considered features they saw at other facilities and integrated ideas they believed would make Hillsborough’s Senior Activity Center a premier facility.   

“Chapter A appreciates the opportunity to visit a few regional senior centers and provide some perspective on our senior community needs. This is a wonderful chance to participate in the preliminary brainstorming of a new senior/community center for Hillsborough,” stated Gene Reinhardt, Senior Chapter A President.

“Bringing us all together to discuss the possibilities of the Senior Center was very informative,” stated Tony Fusco, Senior Chapter B President.

“We look forward to moving along with this process in the coming months,” concluded Committeeman Ruh.  

About Hillsborough Township Social Services Department:  Hillsborough Social Services offers a host of Senior Citizen Programs including the Senior Wellness Program, Senior Transportation, Senior Line Dancing and Senior Citizen Clubs.  

The Senior Wellness Program, which is currently at capacity, offers an enhanced fitness program led by a qualified instructor for all levels of agility. The Senior Transportation program offers handicapped accessible van service to residents 60 years of age and older who do not drive and have no other means of transportation.  This service provides curb to curb service for a variety of essential activities in Hillsborough such as shopping, banking, hair salons and doctor appointments.  Senior Line Dancing, also known as the Hillsborough Rockettes and Rockets, is an energetic group under the direction of a professional choreographer, who learn and practice dance routines that are performed at area events.  There are two very active Senior Citizen Clubs in Hillsborough.  Chapter A meets the first Thursday of each month and Chapter B meets the second Thursday of the month.  Each group has their own website with a full calendar of activities.

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