Government

Civil engagement, social justice and service to a greater good start with being informed about our main local institutions: local government, its services like the Police department, the local school district and civic organizations. This section covers our engagement with Government. Please note additional resources at the end of this page.

Report: Community Conversation 1/20/2023

cc_lights_489x489_circle.pngGovernment Summary

The first town-wide One Hillsborough community conversation was held on 20th of January 2023 at the Hillsborough municipal building, in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Listed below is the excerpt related to Government. The full report covering all topics and Post-It boards in pdf format is also  available for download.

 

 

Government topic Post-It boardsGoing well

Leadership and Township Administration

  • Leadership is showing up seems open to cooperation and suggestions
  • Responsiveness and approachability of leadership
  • Township’s appreciation of community through recognition
  • Township Administration exploring youth involvement in government

Communication

  • Township’s communication with the public
  • Appreciation for the Township calendar

Services

  • Public library with relevant information for the community and the Somerset literacy group

Needs improvement

Leadership

  • Lack of transparency in how decisions benefit Hillsborough and/or the public
  • Lack of support for LGBT+ community

Diversity

  • Lack of diversity in leadership and boards/commissions
  • Lack of diversity in reaching out to various cultural groups
  • Lack of diversity in employees, noting that it may be difficult to find diversity for certain vacancies

Communication

  • Lack of awareness by public of civic processes, leading to lack of more public engagement
  • Lack of communication from township about more difficult subjects
  • Unclear to people where township videos are posted
  • Township calendar not visible enough

Partisanship

  • Blatant partisanship where this is NOT needed
  • Growing partisanship in BOE
  • Appointment of commission members who did not even seek appointment

Transportation

  • Public transportation, especially as the 206 corridor is growing
  • The population has changed and township is not adjusting to the change (observation from Community Involvement)

Full report

The Full report covering all topics and Post-It boards in pdf format is also available for download.

 


 

Government Resources

Hillsborough Flag

Somerset County Prosecutor's Office

The Somerset County Prosecutor, as the chief of law enforcement for the County, provides leadership and supervision over the chiefs of police and municipal prosecutors with a view to ensure the effective, efficient and uniform enforcement of the criminal laws and the administration of criminal justice throughout the County.

Somerset County Sheriff's Office

Responsibilities include maintaining a safe and secure environment at the Somerset County Courthouse, related government buildings and the Somerset County Jail, and providing a School Resource Officer for Somerset County schools.

NJ Division on Civil Rights (DCR)

State agency charged with enforcing New Jersey’s civil rights laws, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA), and the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA). The mission of DCR is to protect the people of New Jersey from discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

NJ Senator Andrew P. Zwicker (16th District)

American physicist and politician serving the 16th Legislative District (which includes Hillsborough) since 2022. He previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 16th District from 2016 to 2022.

US Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ District 12)

Representative for New Jersey's 12th congressional district (which includes the center and eastern section of Hillsborough) since 2015 and the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress.

US Senator Bob Menendez

American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from New Jersey, a seat he has held since 2006.

US Senator Cory A. Booker

American politician and attorney who has served as the junior United States senator from New Jersey since 2013. Also the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey.