Hillsborough Township will be led by a new mayor this year.
Doug Tomson was tabbed as the new mayor of Hillsborough Township at the committee’s Jan. 2 reorganization meeting.
Tomson, the former township deputy mayor, will take Frank DelCore’s seat on the committee. Committeeman Shawn Lipani was selected by the township officials to take on the role of deputy mayor this year.
Officials said Tomson brings “extensive knowledge and experience to the position of mayor,” beginning his ninth year on the committee and third term as mayor.
During his tenure on the committee, Tomson served as liaison to multiple boards and functional areas including Public Safety and Emergency Services; Economic and Business Development Commission; Board of Health; Hillsborough-Millstone Municipal Alliance; Parks and Recreation Commission; and Board of Education.
He was born and raised in Hillsborough and is a graduate of Hillsborough High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Global and Multinational Studies from Rider University.
Following the oath of office of mayor administered by State Senator Kip Bateman (R-Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset), Tomson assumed the role of presiding over the remainder of the meeting with the next order of business being the selection of the deputy mayor. Lipani was selected this position.
Lipani was then sworn in by former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. Lipani first joined the township committee in August 2018 to fill a vacancy. He then ran and won the seat in the November 2018 general election.
Prior to the selection of mayor and deputy mayor, DelCore was sworn into his position of committee member. DelCore won reelection in November for his fifth term. DelCore was sworn in by Bateman as well.
During his mayoral remarks, Tomson thanked his family, friends, colleagues and the residents of Hillsborough for their continued support.
“It is my honor to be given the opportunity to serve as mayor for 2020,” Tomson said.
Following his remarks, Tomson provided an overview for 2020, some of the highlights which included “maintaining a fiscally responsible budget under the 2% cap” and proceeding with the aggressive road paving plan. Tomson said he will also monitor the Route 206 Bypass progress to ensure the state keeps to their promise of completion this year.
He also highlighted two new initiatives, which included an intent to develop a task force to address the opioid crisis and ensuring resources are available for those impacted, and said he would also like to explore the possibility of building a new senior community center in the community.
“I would like to work with national, state, county and local individuals to address and take a fresh look at combating what I believe is a growing opioid epidemic that has increasingly grown in suburbs like Hillsborough,” Tomson said. “While Hillsborough is certainly not unique with this issue, we have buried too many sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends within the last years, and we will now take a new look at this and see what we can do as a community.”
Following Tomson’s statement to the public, Lipani shared remarks as well where he thanked his family and the township for their support during his time as a municipal official, but he also made sure to acknowledge township employees for their services.
“I would like to thank the hard work and dedication the professionals here in this building because without them, nothing could get done,” Lipani said in a statement. “The entire staff in this building is beyond reproach and of the upmost professionalism. I am looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the township committee and am honored to serve as deputy mayor for Hillsborough.”
After Lipani’s statement, DelCore addressed members of the meeting to commend Tomson and Lipani for their new roles as well as express his own experiences on the committee and his previous tenure as mayor.
“We had such an amazing year last year, and it’s an honor to be the mayor of this town,” DelCore said. “I am very proud of the work that we do here and especially of the accomplishments from last year.
“Most importantly, I would like to thank the people of Hillsborough for allowing me this opportunity to sit up on this dais for another three years. It is an amazing feeling to have the voters tell you that they want you to represent them in the town, but it is also an incredible responsibility and one that I take seriously,” DelCore said.