Hillsborough Public Information Session for the Proposed Off Track Wagering Facility

There will be a Public Information Forum hosted by the Township of Hillsborough regarding a private developer’s application for a proposed Restaurant with Off Track Wagering (OTW) at the former Maestro 206 Bar and Restaurant located at 150 Route 206 South.

The Forum, which is open to all residents, will be held at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Building 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, New Jersey on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm.

By way of background, in February 2011, the New Jersey Legislature created a new process for granting or denial of an OTW facility. As long as said facility is located in an industrial or commercial zone (as this property is on Route 206 South in such zone), the decision to grant/deny an OTW rests solely with the New Jersey Racing Commission and the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, not the municipality.

Such facilities are considered permitted uses under State law. Therefore, there is no longer any veto power on behalf of the local government entity (Hillsborough Township Committee) and in short, the State took away our vote, also known as "Home Rule". 

In an effort to educate the public prior to the New Jersey Racing Commission hearing, the following parties will be present to provide information and answer questions related to the law, the application process and, the proposal: 

Mayor Doug Tomson

Committeeman Frank Delcore

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli

Police Chief Paul Kaminsky

Representatives of Darby Development/Monmouth Park Racetrack

PLEASE NOTE:  This is NOT the Racing Commission hearing; that date has not yet been announced by the Racing Commission.