Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hillsdale Borough Council Election 2026

2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to vote Check your registration

Early voting begins (Oct 24): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Borough Council

Vote for up to 2

Voters choose up to two of four candidates for two at-large Borough Council seats; the mayor is not on the ballot.

Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

U.S. Senate
- Cory Booker · Democratic
- Justin Murphy · Republican
- Veronica Fernandez · End the Corruption!
- Joanne Kuniansky · Socialist Workers Party
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. HouseDistrict 5

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01East-side cell coverage and the Stonybrook tower4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted 4-2 on April 14, 2026 against a Verizon tower lease at Stonybrook Swim Club. The borough administrator is now exploring alternatives with AT&T.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to pursue another tower site, small cells or other options for the east side.

On April 14, 2026, Camp and Mazza-Chiong voted for the Verizon lease; Osso, Ruocco, Colletti and DeRosa voted against. Borough of Hillsdale · Apr 14, 2026
Nineteen of 23 residents who commented on April 14 opposed the monopole tower at Stonybrook Swim Club. Pascack Press
At the June 9, 2026 meeting, two residents urged the council to address unreliable cell service on the east side of town. Pascack Press
The administrator said AT&T has not decided whether to site a monopole in Hillsdale and said a Wi-Fi test at Beechwood Park and Stonybrook Swim Club would cost about $9,000 in hardware at each location plus $200 a month. Pascack Press

02Taxes, the 2026 budget and the cap bank4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget and a cap-bank ordinance on May 5, 2026, with health insurance costs the main pressure.

What's on the tableThe next council will write the 2027 budget and decide whether to draw on the cap bank.

Ordinance 26-14 authorized a 1% increase, amounting to $201,500.92, in excess of the increase otherwise permitted by the cap law, and established a cap bank. Borough of Hillsdale · May 5, 2026
The borough administrator said health insurance costs are expected to rise about 20 percent next year without changes. Borough of Hillsdale · May 5, 2026
A consultant is evaluating high-deductible plan options that the administrator estimated could save $200,000 to $300,000 a year. Borough of Hillsdale · May 5, 2026
The local Board of Education budget includes an increase of approximately $1,011 for the average home, reflecting the school budget and the final portion of a bond obligation. Borough of Hillsdale · May 5, 2026

03Patterson Street redevelopment and self-storage4 sourced facts

Where it standsA 256-unit mixed-use project is under construction in the Patterson Street zone, and the council authorized a developer's agreement for a four-story self-storage facility on July 14, 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee construction and any further changes in the redevelopment zone.

The mixed-use redevelopment includes 256 multifamily units, 20 affordable units and a 5,000-square-foot community center. Pascack Press
Ordinances 25-05 and 25-06 allowing self-storage on Block 1208 and a 30-year payment in lieu of taxes agreement passed 5-0 on Feb. 11. Pascack Press
The Planning Board granted site plan approval and variances for the self-storage project on December 11, 2025. Borough of Hillsdale · Jul 14, 2026
Resolution 26184, authorizing the mayor to sign a developer's agreement with the self-storage developer, was adopted July 14, 2026 with the consent agenda. Borough of Hillsdale · Jul 14, 2026

04State housing bills and the gas tax3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council adopted resolutions opposing state bills on affordable housing zoning and urging repeal of the gas tax escalator.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to keep taking positions on state legislation.

The resolution on Senate Bills 1766, 1786 and 1836 and Assembly Bills 3535 and 3576 passed with all six members in favor on July 14, 2026. Borough of Hillsdale · Jul 14, 2026
The mayor said Hillsdale has been fully compliant with the state's Round Four affordable housing requirements. Borough of Hillsdale · Jul 14, 2026
The gas tax escalator resolution passed 5-1 on July 14, 2026, with Camp voting no. Borough of Hillsdale · Jul 14, 2026

2 notes on these statements

Danielle D. Ganter is running for the seat now held by retiring Republican Councilman John Ruocco. New Jersey Globe

Republicans hold a 4-2 majority on the Borough Council. New Jersey Globe

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Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should the borough lease part of Stonybrook Swim Club for a Verizon cell tower?
2. How should the borough handle the state budget cap?
3. Should the council oppose state bills that override local zoning for affordable housing?
4. Should the council urge the Legislature to repeal the gas tax escalator?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted5 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots mailedBorough of HillsdaleSep 19, 2026
Voter registration deadlineBorough of HillsdaleOct 13, 2026
Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)Borough of HillsdaleOct 24, 2026
General election day (polls 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)Borough of HillsdaleNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Christopher Camp, Melissa Mazza Chiong, Robert Colletti, Jr., Anthony DeRosa2 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The governing body is a mayor and a six-member Borough Council, all elected at large. Borough of Hillsdale
The mayor is elected directly by voters to a four-year term and votes only to break a tie. Borough of Hillsdale
Council members serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats up for election each year. Borough of Hillsdale

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