Greg Burchette had until the end of the year to serve out the rest of his term on the Hillsborough Township Committee, but during the governing body’s most recent public meeting, he announced that his time as an elected official would come to an end five months ahead of schedule.
Speaking to the public via a prerecorded video recording during the July 10 meeting, Burchette announced that he was stepping down that Friday after changes in his personal life meant he “no longer [meet] the Hillsborough residency requirement to be a committeeman in this town.”
“I’ve been in this position for five and a half years and I would like to thank the great residents of Hillsborough for their trust and confidence that put me here,” he said.
The news comes months after he and fellow Republican Carl Suraci did not file to run in last month’s primaries to retain their seats this November.
“I’m of the belief that you should do two terms and move on,” Burchette said at the time.
Burchette was first nominated as a Republican canddiate for the township committee in 2012, after then-candidate David Wald withdrew his interest in running. The now former committeeman ultimately earned a seat on the township committee, with Suraci as his running mate.
“You get to know someone real well when you’re out there campaigning those nine or ten weekends in the fall,” Suraci said. “He really worked hard as a campaigner, but also as a township committeeman…he will definitely be missed and his replacement will have some big shoes to fill.”
Over the years as a public official, Burchette was lauded for his work around town, including his spearheading of the Shop Hillsborough initiative, which strove to promote local businesses and expand programs for our seniors and veterans.
“I certainly want to wish him the best in his endeavors, thank him for all the time that he has put in and the things he has brought to Hillsborough Township,” Mayor Gloria McCauley said.
Committeeman Doug Tomson, who had Burchette as his deputy mayor when he served two years as mayor, said he was going to miss his straight-forward approach to governance.
“I’ve never had someone more dedicated than Greg Burchette,” Tomson said. “His no-nonsense, business-like approach to government sometimes made some of us cringe but it also got the job done every single time.”
Moving forward, township officials said they will begin searching for Burchette’s replacement to serve out the remainder of 2018.
“We haven’t had to go through this to have someone step down in this regard,” Committeeman Frank DelCore said. “We certainly wish Greg well and he will be missed up on the dais. I hope he’s happy in his new venture in life and…I wish him the best.”
This November, Republicans Shawn Lipani and Ron Skobo will run against Democrats Jeffrey A. Wright and James Bergstrom for two open seats on the governing body.
Before signing off in his video message, Burchette thanked the “utmost professional township staff that’s always done fantastic work in making me look good up here,” as well as his fellow committee members for their “friendship and camaraderie.” He also thanked Committeeman Doug Tomson in particular for his friendship and advice as a “fellow newbie.”
In the video, Burchette said he remains the owner of Bridgewater Motorworks, will continue to serve as the president of the Hillsborough Rotary Club and plans to remain active with the Hillsborough Republican Party.
“I look forward to seeing everyone around town in this great town of Hillsborough,” Burchette said.
