Candidates Debate (Almost) at Township Committee Meeting

If Hillsborough voters hoped to see a debate between Township Committee candidates Frank DelCore and Art Skaar, the closest they may get will be watching Tuesday's Township Committee broadcast.

Skaar, the Democratic candidate for the committee, approached the dais at the meeting to offer some suggestions and talk to the committee, and engaged in a bit of back-and-forth with Mayor Frank DelCore, the Republican candidate seeking re-election to the committee.

The exchange lacked any sparks between the two some voters would undoubtedly hope for, but when Skaar brought up the Open Space referendum and his opposition to "diverting" funds, several other committee members jumped into the fray.

He began by referencing his open letter to the mayor about the open space referendum, which outlined his concerns about the referendum.

"I thought that it bears mentioning that people want to have more information about why we need to divert money from open space," Skaar said.

"There is no actual diversion—it's the ability to use these funds," Committeeman Carl Suraci shot back at one point.

Skaar also used his time during the meeting's segment for public comment on non-agenda matters to encourage the committee members to not participate in the state health and pension benefits plans, which Mayor DelCore said the members are ineligible for after changes in the state plans took effect in 2012.

Skaar began by complimenting the committee, recalling how nearly 20 years ago broadcasting the meetings was a major issue in town.

"I have to say the five of you and the staff do a wonderful job with these meetings," he said. "I think they're well run."