Hillsborough Mayor Addresses Senior Club Funding Cut, Seeks New Way To Fund Activities

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Mayor Catherine Payne is addressing a recent budget adjustment affecting funding for local senior chapters.

Payne said the adjustment to cut $31,000 in total to two senior clubs was made to comply with New Jersey law, not to reduce services for older residents.

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In a public statement, Payne said the township could not continue a historical practice of sending lump-sum checks directly to private nonprofit social club chapters for their own use.

"The recent budget adjustment was a necessary correction to comply with New Jersey state law, which prohibits us from giving lump-sum checks directly to private nonprofit social clubs to use at their own discretion," the mayor said.

She said the practice of writing direct checks to individual chapters "creates a significant legal and audit vulnerability for the Township."

The mayor also addressed concerns from residents, saying, "Please know that my respect for Hillsborough’s seniors, veterans, public servants, and long-term residents is steadfast."

According to the mayor’s statement, broader senior services are not changing.

She said programs run through the township’s Social Services department "remain fully intact and free" and serve more than 2,000 residents.

The township’s goal is not to end activities tied to the senior chapters, according to Payne.

"Our goal isn't to eliminate luncheons, trips, or meetings, but to find a way to fund them through other means," the mayor said.

She said the administration is working with the senior chapters.

"To make this happen, our administration is reaching out to the leadership of Chapters A and B to sit down, review past expenditures, and figure out how to integrate these popular activities into our Social Services programming,” the mayor said.

The statement also points to an outside funding search.

"I have also spoken to Congressman Kean's office to seek funding. We want to ensure the activities that bring joy to our seniors continue with strict legal clarity."

Payne's statement to the public follows the May 26 Township Committee meeting, where seniors pushed back against Township officials after learning funding for two senior citizen chapters would be cut in the upcoming budget.

• Read More: Senior Club Cuts Draw Pushback, Hillsborough Delays 2026 Budget Vote

A public hearing on the proposed 2026 municipal budget will continue at the June 6 Township Committee meeting.

• Previous Reporting: Hillsborough's $43M Budget Proposes Tax Increase For Residents For 2026

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