Outgoing Committeewoman Touts Flat Tax Rate, Communication Upgrades

Outgoing Chatham Township Committeewoman and former Mayor Nicole Hagner cites the municipality's flat tax rate and improved communication among the township's accomplishments during her nine-year tenure on the governing body, which is up at the end of the year, according to a news report.

She said the township early on looked for ways to hold down costs and avoid layoffs, the Chatham Courier reported.

She cited the township's flat tax rate, new website, police alert system, closing on the 17-acre Averett property as open space, and more resident-friendly land use boards as accomplishments, according to the newspaper.

Hagner stepped down as mayor this month, while remaining on the Township Committee, so Bailey Brower Jr. could serve as mayor, which he said was an honor.

Hagner, who lost her bid for a state Assembly seat two years ago, said she hasn't thought that much about possibly returning to politics, and looks forward to spending more time with her daughter, Brooke, and fiance Jim Novick, according to the report.