The Township Committee reappointed Joseph Tricarico as mayor and filled about 180 paid and unpaid positions in township government, including newcomers to the deputy mayor and second deputy mayor posts.
By: Laura Toto
Two new planning board members also were appointed.
Mayor Tricarico and Sonya Anne Martin were sworn in Tuesday to their three-year terms on the committee.
The committee then unanimously voted Mr. Tricarico as mayor for a second one-year term.
Christine Jensen, former deputy mayor, moved that John Gelardi be appointed the new deputy mayor, and he was voted in for a one-year term.
"I have grown to love government, and I have grown to love the Hillsborough government," Mr. Gelardi said.
Bob Mack was also voted in as the second deputy mayor for a one-year term.
Paul Drake and Peg Van Patton, former planning board members, were replaced by Bill Pugh and Valerie Chaucer-Levine. Mr. Drake is newly seated on the Board of Adjustment and Ms. Van Patton remains on the Environmental Commission.
"They both have done commendable jobs," Mayor Tricarico said. "I think it’s very important we move the town in a certain direction and I want people there with new ideas and new energy."
The Agricultural Advisory Committee was formed, appointing Richard Norz, Tom Everett, Art Taylor, Jeremy Singer and Ken Osterman.
The advisory committee will encourage farmers to continue farming, and assist with farmland preservation applications. It also will identify existing problems facing farmers and those in related endeavors in the township and recommend solutions to the Township Committee. Instead of giving year-in-review comments, Mayor Tricarico talked about the things that bother him, such as property taxes.
"Mayors are blamed for property tax, although they have little to do with it," Mayor Tricarico said.
The municipal government takes 11 percent for taxes, Mayor Tricarico said. But the real burdens are the county government and school taxes, Mayor Tricarico said.
"I think we can handle the roads and open space," Mayor Tricarico said, noting that money from property taxes is used for both of those things. "The money is better off in the hands of local needs."
Mayor Tricarico also said it is "time to give up some of our control and think about regional schools to help keep the taxes down."
Mr. Gelardi also agreed with the mayor that the property tax burden is "horrendous," but also sees rampant growth of the town as another major issue.
Mr. Gelardi said he would like the growth in the town slowed to maintain a strong infrastructure. He also said that with certain zoning changes development can be controlled without hurting the farmers.
"I’m looking forward to a good year in Hillsborough Township," Mayor Tricarico said.
Township Committee meetings will be held at 8 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the municipal complex.