Several posts to be filled at reorganization meeting

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   The Township Committee is preparing to enter into the new year with one new committee member, who will be sworn at the Jan. 7 reorganization meeting.
   Frank DelCore, of Hoagland Court, will make the committee entirely Republican when he begins his term after having defeated current Democratic Committeeman Paul Drake, of Balmoral Court.
   Kevin Davis, township clerk, said the new Township Committee will first select which of its members will be appointed to the mayor and deputy mayor positions.
   ”I’ve enjoyed the past year and I’ve been very involved in the community,” said Mayor Anthony Ferrera. “But everyone on committee would do an effective job as mayor.”
   Mayor Ferrera said committee members can nominate others to fill the two positions, after which the five members will all vote.
   ”Committeeman Paul Drake nominated me last year,” he said. “People have been happy with my performance this past year, but I would feel confident with any of the five of us filling the position.”
   The committee also will select residents to serve in open positions on the different Hillsborough commissions. Mr. Davis said the committee will look toward those people who have already served, residents who have expressed interest in serving and those who have proved to be an asset to the community.
   Mayor Ferrera said he and the other committee members receive requests throughout the year from residents interested in being part of the many Hillsborough commissions. He said all requests are considered when looking for who to appoint to open positions at the end of the year, but he looks for people who have backgrounds in the different fields required to be part of the separate commissions.
   Mayor Ferrera also said he looks for people to appoint when he meets new members of the community, and sees what they have to offer through different volunteer positions.
   ”I also check with the liaisons of each commission to check if the current members are doing the jobs they are expected to do,” he said. “If the person is doing a great job, we tend to reappoint that person the following year.”
   Once people have been chosen, Mayor Ferrera said, letters are sent out to ensure that they are still willing serve.
   Among the opening positions are chairmen of the Zoning Board of Adjustments, Cultural and Arts Commission, Recreation Commission and Parks Commission.
   Mayor Ferrera said that during the reorganization meeting, he will also discuss goals for the coming year, including support of the Route 206 bypass and moving forward with the purchase of the GSA Depot.
   ”We need to do what is best for the residents and best for the town,” he said.
   Mayor Ferrera said he is proud of the work done by the current committee, and is looking forward to the year ahead with the addition of Mr. DelCore.
   ”This past year, all our different backgrounds were what made us work together so well,” Mayor Ferrera said, explaining that the members all had different occupations and political backgrounds, which lent to multiple opinions being brought to each meeting. “We were able to look at all the facts to make the best decisions possible for the residents.
   The reorganization meeting will be held Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building on South Branch Road.
   For more information on the different positions, visit the township’s Web site at hillsborough-nj.org.