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Hillsborough Township Committee praises DPW, approves 30‑item consent agenda and introduces land‑use ordinance
Summary
At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Hillsborough Township Committee praised Department of Public Works for storm response, approved a 30‑item consent agenda that includes an opioid‑settlement allocation and police equipment participation, and introduced Ordinance 2026‑1 revising light‑industrial land‑use rules for a Feb. 24 public hearing.
HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. — The Hillsborough Township Committee on Jan. 27 commended the Department of Public Works for its snow‑season operations, approved a 30‑item consent agenda, and introduced an amendment to the township land‑use code for further public hearing on Feb. 24, 2026.
Mayor Payne opened the meeting after an executive session and led roll calls and routine approvals of prior meeting minutes. Committee members took time in liaison reports to highlight recreation openings — summer camps for children ages 5–14 and spring break programs — and to urge residents to donate to social services, where winter donations typically decline.
During the meeting Committeewoman Hand and Deputy Mayor Leani both praised DPW’s storm response and explained how the township prioritizes plowing and salt use to keep main arteries clear for emergency vehicles. Committee members pointed to recent temporary paving and maintenance while the township pursues longer‑term funding.
“The Department of Public Works prioritized main roads and emergency routes so first responders could get where they needed to go,” Deputy Mayor Leani said.
The committee discussed an engineering update on Bloomingdale Drive: the township completed paving a 550‑foot portion past the first driveways in December 2025, but the remaining sections were not in the 2025 program. Administrator Ferrer said Hillsborough will apply for a New Jersey Department of Transportation local aid grant in May 2026; if awarded, design and bidding would follow in November with permanent repaving anticipated in 2027.
The committee also unveiled an interactive historic marker and a semiquincentennial logo to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary; the logo was developed in part by DPW staff and a local planning team. Deb Ing, chair of the township’s 250th committee, and Blair Derona were credited for the design work.
Personnel resolutions one through nine were introduced and approved. The committee welcomed Nicole Metzel, a new hire in a recreation role, who was present in the audience.
On the consent agenda, the committee approved items 1–30 by roll call. Members highlighted several items in the package: a Parkerson Recreation Grant to support playground improvements; authorization for the Hillsborough Police Department to participate in a Department of Defense excess property program that enables requests for certain equipment; the appointment of Rehabco as the township’s affordable‑housing administrative agent (a state‑mandated function for background checks); a planned safety pavilion at Singley Park funded by prior bonding; and a plan to manage opioid‑settlement funds through social‑service channels.
Mayor Payne moved and the committee voted to introduce Ordinance 2026‑1, which amends Chapter 188 (land use and development) to clarify definitions and standards for light industrial districts; the ordinance was set for further consideration and a public hearing on Feb. 24, 2026.
Claims list 2026‑2 was approved by roll call vote. The meeting closed after a public‑comment period and brief remarks about the township’s public‑records procedures.
What’s next: The public hearing on Ordinance 2026‑1 is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2026; the township will apply for NJDOT local aid funding in May 2026 for additional paving work on Bloomingdale Drive.
