Hillsborough Committee elects John Ciccarelli mayor, Catherine Payne deputy mayor

John Ciccarelli was elected mayor of Hillsborough Township for 2025 at the township committee’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 2 and took the oath of office, and the committee elected Catherine Payne as deputy mayor.

The committee nominated Ciccarelli for mayor; the roll-call vote was 4–1 in his favor with Committeewoman Hand the lone “no.” Ciccarelli then recited the oath administered by Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and pledged to “impartially and justly perform all the duties of the office of mayor.”

The nut of Ciccarelli’s remarks centered on three priorities: fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and open space. He said the township would continue a “business-like approach to governance,” maintain fiscal policies and the town’s credit rating, expand roads and other infrastructure, and preserve and buy open space through the township trust fund and coordination with Somerset County and state programs.

Catherine Payne was nominated and confirmed as deputy mayor by unanimous roll-call vote. She was administered the oath and thanked the committee for the appointment.

The committee also administered oaths to re-elected committee members and newly seated members earlier in the meeting. The reorganization meeting opened with a presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. Municipal Clerk Sarah Brake presided over the meeting until the election of the mayor.

Mayor Ciccarelli thanked staff, volunteers and family, said he would champion a forthcoming master plan update and reiterated support for police funding and community programs. He noted recent awards for the township, including sustainability recognition and a health award, and said township staff practices and shared-service work drew statewide attention.

The committee set its meeting schedule and carried other organizational business on the consent agenda later in the meeting.