Deputy Mayor Erickson Resigns From Hillsborough Township Committee

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Deputy Mayor Janine Erickson abruptly resigned from the Hillsborough Township Committee on Wednesday.

Mayor Shawn Lipani announced the news at the Wednesday night Committee meeting.

"We have been made aware of a letter delivered to our municipal clerk that, unfortunately, Deputy Mayor Janine Erickson has tenured her resignation effective immediately," said Lipani.

Lipani did not read the letter or disclose what the letter said at the meeting. Erickson did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

"It's always a difficult decision to do that. We take this job very seriously, as does she, and she has decided that she needed to step down so that the people who can put their full effort, dedication, and time to the job are there," said Lipani. "We wish her all the best and thank her for her service."

Erickson was elected to the Township Committee in November 2020. Her term was set to expire at the end of 2023.

With her position left open, the Committee unanimously appointed Frank DelCore to serve as Deputy Mayor through Dec. 31, 2022.

DelCore's term ends at the end of 2022 after he chose not to seek re-election.

"Thank you all. I will try to help you out," said DelCore.

"What you thought you could skate the last couple of months?" joked Lipani. "Frank, I am sure for the last two months you will be as involved as you always were."

The Committee must now fill Erickson's seat within the next 30 days. Three names of candidates will be provided by the Hillsborough Republican Committee to the Republican Township Committeemembers to make a selection.

The successor will serve out the remainder of Erickson's term.

Erickson is the third committeeperson to resign from the township committee in the past two years. Democrat Committeewoman Olivia Holmes resigned in February 2021 because she was battling a "really bad case" of COVID-19. Read More: Olivia Holmes Resigns From Hillsborough Committee, Has COVID-19

Then earlier this year, Committeeman Steven Cohen resigned in March 2022 due to his ongoing battle with long-haul COVID-19. Read More: Hillsborough Committeeman Resigns Due To Long-Haul COVID Battle

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.