Hillsborough Amends 2026 Budget, Adds Senior Club Funding Placeholder

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — After some pushback over funding cuts to two senior citizen chapters, the Hillsborough Township Committee adopted a resolution amending its 2026.

The amended budget, introduced at the June 9 Township Committee meeting, has several changes, including the addition of a placeholder for funding for Chapter A and Chapter B senior clubs.

In the amended budget resolution, there is a line for "Contribution to Senior Citizens Organizations" that changes from $0.00 to $1.00.

Christiaan Bushell, the township’s CFO and director of finance, said the $1 amount serves as a placeholder for the senior clubs.

"It allows us to transfer funds in if the funds are available at the end of the year," Bushell said.

During the meeting, Committeeman and Social Services Liaison Robert Britting Jr. also shared some statistics surrounding the senior population in Hillsborough.

He said that, according to census data, Hillsborough has around 10,048 residents aged 60 and older.

He added that the two senior clubs currently have around 645 registered members combined, which represents roughly 6 percent of the township's total senior population.

"Providing context to these numbers is important as it reminds us that when we discuss senior services, we must think beyond just any single organization and consider all 10,000 plus seniors who call Hillsborough home," said Britting.

"And the reality is Hillsborough already provides a significant number of services available to every resident aged 60 and older, regardless of whether they belong to a club," said Britting.

Britting said Hillsborough already provides services for older residents through its social services department, including transportation assistance, exercise programs, educational wellness programs and other activities.

He said that 2,405 seniors engage with the Township's social services department every year, or around 20 percent of the township's senior population.

Britting ultimately wanted to focus on figuring out ways to "improve the quality of life for all 10,048 Hillsborough seniors while remaining fiscally responsible and avoiding additional taxpayer burden."

"That is the conversation I hope we continue to have as a community. And this is not the end of it. This is just the beginning. This is getting us launching. It's putting it out in the public," said Britting.

The amended budget resolution also includes an increase in the “Contribution from Somerville Business Park” line from $600,000 to $640,000.

Total miscellaneous revenues rise from $9,870,286.04 to $9,910,286.04, while the amount to be raised by taxes for support of the municipal budget drops from $30,792,776.73 to $30,755,397.33.

Total general revenues also change from $43,063,062.77 to $43,065,948.77.

The amendment also shifts several appropriation lines.

Fire Hydrant Service moves from $967,000 to $952,500, while "Contribution to Fire District" changes from $0.00 to $14,500. Solid Waste-Recycling drops from $455,000 to $440,898.69.

Not all committee members supported the amended budget.

Committeewoman Samantha Hand said, "I’ve concluded that I cannot support the introduction of the amended version of the 2026 municipal budget for the second time this year."

She also said, "I am also unable to support the elimination of the funding for our senior programs."

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

A public hearing on the amended 2026 municipal budget will be held at the June 23 Township Committee meeting.

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

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