Mayor Ciccarelli Appoints Gregory Gillette Local Historian, Vivek Rao Community Engagement Advisor

Volunteer Positions Highlight Active Community Involvement

At the October 14 Township Committee meeting, Mayor John Ciccarelli appointed longtime Hillsborough resident Gregory Gillette to the volunteer role of Local Historian. Another longtime resident, community leader Vivek Rao, was appointed to the volunteer role of Community Engagement Advisor. Both positions highlight their active involvement with and contributions to the Hillsborough community.

“It’s my pleasure to appoint both of these qualified individuals to well-deserved roles,” said Mayor John Ciccarelli. “Greg Gillette has been sharing Hillsborough’s rich, interesting history with the community for years, and Vivek is a community champion for the Township and the South Asian community.”

Gregory Gillette has been a member of the Hillsborough Historic Preservation Commission for over 20 years, serving as Chairman for many of those years. He has also served on the Hillsborough-Millstone Municipal Alliance and as chair of the Cultural Arts Commission. Greg and his wife, Patty, have also served as co-chairmen of "Central New Jersey Walk Now for Autism," the local chapter of the international research and awareness organization Autism Speaks.

Additionally, Greg was elected and served for 5 consecutive terms on the Hillsborough Township Board of Education from 2007 to 2023. Greg is currently serving on Hillsborough Township's 250th Anniversary Committee and has been sharing local history with Hillsborough residents for years with his Facebook column, "Gillette on Hillsborough." He is the 2018 Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission History Award winner in the Leadership and Education category.

Vivek Rao has been a member of the Hillsborough community since 1997 and has acted as a liaison between Hillsborough’s growing South Asian population and the Township.

Vivek is a member of Hillsborough’s Interfaith Community Network, the Hillsborough Municipal Alliance, and serves on the Township’s Open Space Committee and formerly served on the Board of Adjustment.

Vivek has provided outreach to the South Asian community, Mary Mother of God Church, and other local and state cultural and spiritual sites. An advocate for South Asian business owners, Vivek has become a liaison between them and the different Township Departments. He has been integral in bringing new business to the Hillsborough Business Association and in providing cultural and spiritual awareness to high school students.

“It’s my honor and pleasure to welcome Vivek and Greg to Hillsborough Township,” said Committeeman Robert Britting. “They’ve been an asset to our community in the past, and we look forward to good things from them in the future.”

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