Doug Tomson Elected Hillsborough Mayor For 2020

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Doug Tomson was elected to serve as Hillsborough Mayor for 2020 during the reorganization meeting. Shawn Lipani was also elected as deputy mayor.

Committeewoman Olivia Holmes was the only one to abstain from voting for Tomson and Lipani.

Born and raised in Hillsborough, Tomson was first elected to the township committee in 2012. He previously served on the Planning Board and Capital Planning Committee since 2008.

Senator Kip Bateman swore in both Tomson and Lipani. Bateman also swore in Committeeman Republican incumbent Frank DelCore on Jan. 2.

DelCore won over Democrat newcomer Jeffrey Wright for the only open three-year seat on the township committee in the November election. He previously served as mayor five different times. (See Related: Hillsborough Committee: DelCore Wins, Unofficial Results Say)

During Tomson's mayoral address he mentioned his plans for the future of the township.

"It means the world to me to serve as mayor of the town I grew up in... I am looking forward to 2020 and to follow in Frank [DelCore]'s footsteps to present a budget that is fiscally responsible and reflects the business-like approach that we've led Hillsborough here for over a decade."

He went on to talk about continuing to maintain and pave roadways in town and to keep Route 206's completion date set for fall 2020 on target.

Tomson also mentioned working with national leaders to combat the growing opioid epidemic.

"We have buried too many sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends within the last year to not take a new look at this to see what we can do as a community," Tomson said.

Lastly Tomson noted the increase in the amount of seniors and the lack of space at the municipal building to house their meetings. He said he plans to work with Somerset County to build a new senior wellness center near Mountainview Park, which will be similar to the one in Bridgewater.

"I look forward to working with the county to bring this to fruition this year," Tomson said. "With a little planning from us here the township can work with the county and if possible national leaders to see if we can get money here in town to get this built or at least start the planning for this to be built."

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