Hillsborough General Election 2023: Catherine Payne

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's general election on Nov. 7 has four candidates running for two open seats for Township Committee.

Catherine Payne is one of two Republican candidates running. Payne is running with incumbent James "Jim" Ruh.

Additionally, there are two Democratic candidates Ron Yoder and Samantha Hand also running.

All of the candidates are running for the two, three-year seats on the township committee.

Are you running for office in Hillsborough? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Hillsborough Patch.

Catherine Payne

Age: 50

Town of residence: Hillsborough since 2007

Position sought: Township Committee

Party Affiliation: Republican

Family: Spouse, Al; Police Chief, Raritan Township; Children: Brenna, a Sophomore at West Chester University, Emma & Dylan, both Juniors at HHS.

Education: BS International Business and Spanish, High Point University

Occupation: IT Project Manager balancing timelines, resources, budgets, and advancing technologies, as well as training users on the final tool development.

Previous or current elected appointed office: Currently serving on the Hillsborough Board of Adjustments and Hillsborough’s Open Space Advisory Committee.

Campaign website: Their Journey: Committeeman Jim RUH & Catherine PAYNE - Hillsborough Republican Club (hillsboroughnjgop.com)

Why are you seeking election for Township Committee?

My commitment to Hillsborough has guided for the actions and experiences of myself and my family throughout our 15 years here and I want to take those experiences and make a greater difference for Hillsborough families and residents. I have volunteered for Woods Road PTA, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, GiGi’s Playhouse, and serving the Parish of St. Joseph. The best way I can
continue helping the Hillsborough community is by committing my time and energy to the Township Committee to keep Hillsborough one of the Best Places to Live in America.

Manufacturing buildings or warehouse applications are becoming more common in NJ. How do you feel about proposals to bring this type of development to Hillsborough Township? And how do you propose to limit it?

Developers have always wanted to propose building a variety of projects in Hillsborough because the township is a desirable location with a great community. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world changed as did shopping habits of people, which spawned the recent phenomenon of warehouse development all across New Jersey. The rush of applications into Hillsborough has consumed the time of the volunteer Planning Board as well as the Township Committee, staff, and professionals. Many residents in Hillsborough have expressed their opposition to these applications, and especially because of the size of the buildings being proposed, the traffic that would be brought to the town, and the strain on the existing infrastructure. I propose to address these developments to limit the long-term effects of any construction on the community and its residents by emphasizing and enforcing our existing Master Plan and ordinances, while participating in the update process that has already started. As a member of the Open Space Advisory Committee, I will also continue expanding our already extensive open space and preserved farmland.

Having trust and transparency in the township government and police department is important to residents. Do you feel the township is doing a good job of being transparent? How would you improve this?

Absolutely! I have never felt out of the loop in Hillsborough thanks to the communication efforts of the Township Committee and the Township Staff. Both the Police Department and the Township are active on social media, holding open forums, community events (like kickball), open and honest dialogues with the residents at regularly scheduled meetings, and publishing a weekly newsletter from the Mayor's office. These efforts along with many others, in my opinion, demonstrate that the Township’s efforts to be transparent with residents are succeeding. I will continue this transparency through my honesty, words, and actions and will add my unique perspective to improve any perceived communication issues as I join the Township Committee.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the township?

The primary “other issue” is overdevelopment; driven by the State’s affordable housing mandates, continues to be an issue. Hillsborough is a one of the best places to live in America and people want to live here. Similar to the warehouse issue, I plan to address the affordable housing by emphasizing and enforcing our existing Master Plan and land use ordinances while updating the plan for the future. As stated before, we must continue expanding our already extensive open
space and preserved farmland. Lastly, we will continue lobbying our NJ Legislature representatives in Trenton to address the affordable housing mandate crisis by passing meaningful legislation reforms, as has been told by the NJ State Supreme Court.

Other issues to be tackled in the township include: expanding the comprehensive list of services and programs available to residents, including students, seniors, non-English speakers (by continuing to hire bilingual staff and volunteers, provide multilingual information, and offer ESL classes).

Hillsborough may be a well-to-do community, but there are struggles that some families face. By bridging gaps in services and programs, we can help all families thrive and create a more inclusive and supportive community.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

As a member of our community, I see firsthand the struggles that many of our neighbors face. Through my work with HOLY C.H.O.W and GiGi’s Playhouse, I have learned that there is a great need for advocacy and action to support these residents. I am committed to being a voice for those who need to engage more with Township services and to working towards solutions that will improve the lives of all members of our community. If elected, I will prioritize efforts to expand
resources for our marginalized populations, and work towards keeping Hillsborough an equitable and just community for all.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I believe that Hillsborough can continue to grow and thrive by embracing diversity, improving communication, and working together towards a shared vision for our town. I am committed to being a leader who listens, learns, and serves the needs of all residents, regardless of political affiliation or background.

I am excited to be part of this community and look forward to working with all of you to make Hillsborough an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.