John Ciccarelli: 2025 Hillsborough Township Committee Candidate
Hillsborough’s General Election on November 4, 2025 includes a contested race for a three-year seat on the Township Committee. Incumbent Mayor John Ciccarelli (R) is seeking re-election, challenged by Jill Gomez (D).
To help residents learn more about the candidates, heyBORO invited both to participate in a written Q&A. Each was given the same questions and equal opportunity to respond. This post features John Ciccarelli’s responses in full. The spotlight on Jill Gomez will follow soon on our website and social media.
Township Committee members serve staggered three-year terms, with the Mayor elected annually by the Committee. Current Township Committee members include Samantha Hand (D) , John Ciccarelli (R), Catherine Payne (R), Shawn Lipani (R) and Robert Britting (R).
John Ciccarelli
2025 Hillsborough Township Committee Candidate (R)
John’s bio
Full Name:
John J. Ciccarelli, PE
Political Party:
Republican
Years Living in Hillsborough Township:
26
Current Occupation / Professional Background:
Managing Director, JS. Held Construction Advisory Services. Expert witness and project advisory consultant with 35 years of experience in the global engineering/construction industry. Licensed Professional Engineer with a BS in Civil Engineering from the U of Delaware and and MBA from Rutgers. Certified Cost Professional and Planning & Scheduling Professional; Industry thought leader with multiple leadership roles and publications. Employers include Marsh & McLennan, Deloitte, and the Port Authority of NY/NJ.
But first…
heyBORO:
If you could design your own signature sundae, what would it be?
John:
Chick-a-Boom CherryBerry - vanilla infused with black cherries topped with a mixed berry compote (black, straw, blue, ras)
Candidate Responses: Issues in Hillsborough
Traffic Safety and Infrastructure Improvements
Residents have expressed concerns about traffic congestion and safety, particularly at busy intersections. The Route 206 widening project, intended to improve traffic flow and safety, has experienced significant delays, affecting daily commutes and local businesses.
heyBORO:
How would you address traffic safety and infrastructure improvements in Hillsborough, including the ongoing Route 206 construction delays?
John:
I address traffic safety and infrastructure by championing 2 programs: one for comprehensive road paving and preservation and one for public works to provide needed resources to the Police and DPW. These ensure resident’s safety and responsibly use our financial strength and bonding capacity to keep costs down for taxpayers. I also coordinate safety with the Police and Engineering Dept. When safety risks are identified (i.e., need for crosswalk or traffic light), I direct the township to investigate and recommend improvements. We recently approved a traffic signal at the Camplain/Sunnymead Rd intersection. Similarly, if safety hazards are identified on the State’s Rt. 206 project, we contact NJDOT to resolve. I called on Trenton to speed up the project and make the site safe for all. Mitigating harm to Hillsborough caused by state-controlled project is a priority for me. I am a construction expert, hired multiple times by the NJDOT, which gives the town an advantage dealing with the State’s delay. We communicate regularly and directly with the NJDOT team and Trenton to obtain updates, coordinate permits, address safety, and build a better relationship. The State put Hillsborough as low priority as the stalled project continues to frustrate the town. Recently, my ongoing advocacy showed results as the project advanced civil site and steel work. I want Hillsborough to thrive for families and businesses and will advocate speeding up the Rt. 206 project on behalf of residents.
Zoning and Development Pressures
The township faces debates over land use and development. Proposals for large-scale warehouse developments have raised concerns about traffic impact and environmental safety. Residents have actively participated in Planning Board meetings to voice their apprehensions about these projects.
heyBORO:
How would you approach zoning and development while balancing growth with the township’s character?
John:
My approach to zoning and development is fully collaborative and aligned with the Master Plan (MP) as the township prepares the MP update. Under my guidance, the MP subcommittee and township launched “Engage Hillsborough” to collaborate with and obtain public input, received 2 sets of public input, held a public information session, and is planning another session for the land use plan and more surveys. Public input aligns with the existing MP for the town center which is long-term and being refined as projects are in various stages. Public input aligns with the MP and zoning that maintains the township’s character as a bedroom community with small-scale industrial and business zones. My approach also collaborates with the Economic & Business Development department to ensure the appropriate zoning is in place to attract appropriate development and business for balanced growth. The MP ensures large-scale warehouses and other inappropriate developments do not disturb the peace and solitude of residential neighborhoods. My actions demonstrate my approach as I voted for ordinances banning tractor trailers on certain roads and warehouses in all zones. On the Planning Board, I led motions to deny applications for large warehouses; of the 7 proposed warehouses, NOT ONE was approved; the Township is 7-0! I’ll continue to require developers to meet our zoning ordinances and use a comprehensive collaborative approach to planning and zoning to protect Hillsborough from overdevelopment.
Affordable Housing and Legal Challenges
Hillsborough has a state mandate to provide zoning for 565 affordable housing units over the next decade. However, this plan faces 12 legal challenges, indicating significant community opposition and concerns about the potential impact on the township's character and infrastructure.
heyBORO:
What is your approach to affordable housing in Hillsborough?
John:
The question premise must be clarified as the 12 legal challenges are not from the community, they are from outside developers and special interest groups. The community and I recognize the need for affordable housing (AH) but disagree with the State-mandated regional housing plan which, instead of providing AH for our workforce and residents, provides a means for developers to use urban planning concepts to build high-density housing to change the face of our town. The town’s 4th Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan reflects my approach. The Plan is well-supported and detailed and was developed over multiple months thru collaboration of the Planning Dept., our Affordable Housing consultant and counsel, the Planning Board, residents and Township Committee. The plan and resultant realistic development potential used allowable municipal/state laws, land use adjustments, land capacity factors, and other exclusions. Our commitment to AH is shown in the town’s 24% set-aside requirement for new developments, which is more than the state’s (another point developers do not like). I committed to “putting Hillsborough first” and the town’s plan defends our community and MP. I am proud that we lowered the State’s housing mandate by more than 50%. Developers are upset and challenged our plan, and I will defend Hillsborough from overdevelopment. We are confident that our housing plan will withstand challenges and keep Hillsborough one of the Best Places to Live in America.
Board of Education Tax Increases
In April 2025, the Hillsborough Board of Education approved a $176 million budget for the 2025-26 school year, increasing the school tax rate by 5.19%. This decision was made to address a significant reduction in state aid and to maintain educational programs and staffing levels.
heyBORO:
What is your perspective on the recent Board of Education tax increases, and how would you approach balancing educational needs with taxpayer impact?
John:
My perspective, along with that of numerous fellow taxpayers that I spoke with, is that imposition of this tax increase by the BOE appeared to be rushed and done without real decision input from the residents (not brought as a referendum vote). While I advised the BOE against taking the full tax increase ultimatum that Trenton placed on the district as it would impose a burden on taxpayers. Key to any response to this question is that the public understand, while school taxes are 66% of our tax bill, the Township Committee has no jurisdiction or control over the BOE policies, operations, or taxes. NONE. The school budget process is controlled by the BOE and Trenton and is relevant to the NJ State Legislature, Senate, and Gubernatorial elections. Hillsborough schools are among the top in NJ. My wife and kids received a great education and graduated from Hillsborough schools and have been very successful. The school system is a major factor that brings residents to Hillsborough to live, work, and raise a family, and which positively influences the quality of life, community, and real estate values, and is why many residents and families want to remain in town.
Other Township Priorities
While traffic, development, housing, and schools dominate local discussions, residents often have other concerns that impact daily life and community well-being.
heyBORO:
What other issues in Hillsborough do you believe need immediate attention from the Township Committee?
John:
Township Committee attention must stay focused on putting Hillsborough 1st and keeping the town one of the best places to live in America. Public safety is paramount, and I continue to support the Police and fully fund the needs of the department to keep Hillsboroiugh as one of the safest towns in NJ. Strong fiscal management with a business-like approach will continue to keep costs under budget. The municipal budget (13.5% of taxes) was prepared with full transparency and accountability to showcase my conservative leadership style to deliver services and maintain our strong financial status and AA+ credit rating. Open space and farmland preservation will continue to expand our extensive (almost 40%) open space, parks, and farms. Social, Health and Recreation Services programs will also expand for the well-being of all residents, children, senior citizens, and the underserved. As a resident, I also feel the affordability issue, and have firsthand experience confirming the cause is State-driven policies over which Hillsborough has no control. State policies increased the cost of living via mis-guided energy program and increased utility costs; failed school funding formula; failure to fully refund energy taxes taken from residents, unfunded mandates for new public works programs, and health insurance. Attention will be focused on advocating for the residents to address the issues for which Trenton is responsible and which caused increased costs for Hillsborough and residents.
Contact John Ciccarelli
Campaign website:
https://www.hillsboroughnjgop.org/candidates.html
Hillsborough GOP website:
www.hillsboroughnjgop.org
