Hillsdale’s Frank presides over final meeting as mayor

Mayor Doug Frank accepts a plaque recognizing his service to the Borough of Hillsdale, as he stands with Borough Clerk Denise Kohan and Council President John Ruocco. (Photo courtesy Zoltan Horvath).


BY PAUL HUMMEL
PASCACK PRESS CORRESPONDENT

HILLSDALE, N.J.––Mayor Doug Frank has presided over his last Hillsdale council meeting.

The mayor, who announced his resignation effective Aug. 31 at last month’s council meeting, was acknowledged for his efforts by the Hillsdale Council at its Aug. 8 gathering since the next such meeting is in September.

Council President John Ruocco presented Frank a small plaque with a gavel attached to it in honor of Frank’s long service to the borough.

Frank served as councilman from 2009 to 2015 and as mayor from 2016 to the present.

Ruocco quoted from Shakespeare’s tragedy “Coriolanus” and said, “When the sea is not calm, that is when leaders come to the fore. For much of that time, it was not calm here [in Hillsdale].”

“The waters got a little rougher and the mayor kept the boat afloat and kept us moving forward,” he added. “I suspect we will miss you in ways that we cannot fully comprehend at this moment but we will down the road. We all want to wish you the best of luck in the coming months.”

The plaque presented to Frank read in part “for your appreciation of many years of dedicated service, devotion and commitment to the Borough of Hillsdale.”

During the part of the meeting allotted for councilmembers’ comments, Councilman Anthony DeRosa wished Frank well.

“He went above and beyond what he was elected to do,” DeRosa said. “We didn’t always agree on things, but I never questioned his commitment to the residents of Hillsdale. I wish you the very best in your second retirement.”

“I want to thank everybody who sent me good wishes,” Frank said. “I can assure you that I will be back in good health in just a few months. I’ll be around for a long time with my family and grandchildren.”