Mayor Britting Jr. commenced the meeting with an affirmation of his dedication to the township, backed by the support of his family and the community. His enthusiasm was evident as he spoke about his sons’ excitement towards their new connection to local governance. The mayor’s focus areas were reiterated, emphasizing the council’s strategic approach to fostering a safe, well-maintained, and economically vibrant community. Public safety, a componet of the mayor’s agenda, was underlined by his discussion of the township’s efforts during storm conditions, including the provision of a warming and charging station at the municipal building to support residents during power outages.

The council’s stance on resident safety was further evidenced by their legal actions concerning Route 206. Mayor Britting Jr. detailed the correspondence with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and interactions with the Deputy Attorney General’s office regarding safety concerns.

Infrastructure issues were also addressed, with Deputy Mayor John Ciccarelli reporting on the impact of snow on building inspections and site work, as well as an increase in calls to the public works department about water puddling in yards due to winter conditions. These updates point to a responsive and attentive municipal body actively monitoring and addressing the township’s infrastructure needs.

The council meeting took a moment to celebrate the achievements of young Hillsborough residents who have shown exceptional community engagement. Charlotte Bret, a graduate of Hillsborough High School and a freshman at Gettysburg College, was recognized for earning her Girl Scout Gold Award by reconstructing an outdoor classroom behind Auten Road Intermediate School. Similarly, Claire Murphy and McKenzie Reef were also celebrated for their Gold Award projects, which focused on flood safety education and aiding new transfer elementary students, respectively. These recognitions reflect the council’s support for youth involvement and the positive impact of their contributions to the community.

In administrative proceedings, the council approved the hiring of Gretchen Marsenic as a part-time assistant to the tax collector. Furthermore, the council adopted a resolution urging the state to allow municipalities more time to review and provide input on critical decisions, with a particular focus on affordable housing legislation.

Two new ordinances were introduced, one to amend salary ranges for various classifications and another to revise the sign review committee membership. The claims list for 2023 was also approved.