Hillsborough discloses settlement for GSA-site dispute; payment and solar-lease adjustments included

The Hillsborough Township Committee discussed and approved a settlement in the case captioned during the meeting as Donald J. Vulker v. Township of Hillsborough. Committee members and the township attorney summarized the financial terms during the public meeting.

According to the township's legal summary presented at the meeting, the settlement includes a $50,000 payment from Hillsborough and a $50,000 payment from the Somerset County Improvement Authority; a $150,000 payment from the solar developer; and a redirection of the first $250,000 in lease payments that otherwise would have been due to the township to the plaintiff. Committee members said the agreement resolves litigation tied to the township's purchase of a GSA property and associated payment disputes.

The settlement was included on the consent agenda and acted on during the meeting. Committee discussion identified the attorney handling the matter as Brian Hack of the law firm associated with Eric Bernstein; the public record indicates the town relied on outside counsel during the dispute. Officials did not provide further confidential settlement documents at the meeting; committee members said the agreement was negotiated and signed to resolve outstanding claims related to the GSA site purchase.

What the committee said: Officials explained the settlement in general terms during public comment and said the agreement was intended to resolve payment disputes and allow the township to move forward with planned projects for the site. No additional conditions or implementation schedule beyond the financial terms were presented on the record. The committee approved the consent agenda that contained the settlement on a roll call vote.