The Hillside Municipal Council is the legislative body of the Township of Hillside
The council enacts by ordinance, resolution, or motion the local laws which govern the Township of Hillside. The Municipal Council is responsible for approval of the municipal budget, approval of certain Mayoral appointments, and official policies of the Township of Hillside.
Please click on the Councilmember’s name to access contact information.
George Cook is a lifelong Hillside resident with more than 40 years of deep roots in the community. A product of the Hillside school system, he is a proud graduate of Hillside High School, Class of 1986.
Mr. Cook is a U.S. Army veteran, having served honorably in the Army and New Jersey National Guard from 1991 to 1994. His commitment to public service extends throughout local and county government, education, and community organizations.
He served on the Hillside Town Council from 2017 to 2021 and previously dedicated eight years to the Hillside Board of Education from 2009 to 2017, including four years as Board President from 2010 to 2014. In recognition of his leadership in education, he was elected to the New Jersey School Boards Association Board of Directors in 2015.
Mr. Cook has long been active in civic and community service. He has been a member of the Hillside Lions Club since 2016 and served as Club President in both 2020 and 2021. He has also been a member of the Hillside Scholarship Fund since 2008 and served on the Hillside Recreation Advisory Committee from 2023 to 2025.
At the county level, Mr. Cook was appointed to the Union County College Foundation Board of Trustees in 2018. Earlier in his community involvement, he volunteered as a youth basketball and football coach at the local recreation center from 2005 to 2009, leading teams to championship wins in flag football (2005) and basketball (2009).
George Cook’s lifelong dedication to Hillside reflects his belief in service, education, and building strong community partnerships.
Lisa has been with the County of Union for thirty-four years. She studied at Kean University as well as Rutgers University, Newark Campus. Additionally startingher long career at the Board of Social Services and now is currently employed with the Union County Workforce Development Board for over fifteen years, where she currently hold the title of Deputy Director. She loves working with smart, passionate people to create programs that make training and good job opportunities available to residents in need. In her role, Lisa connects local and field implementation with innovative strategies to help create new solutions for the greater workforce community. Through her years at the UWDB, she has learned to take on every opportunity to learn from people around her: co-workers, colleagues, grantees, and stakeholders. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing anything creative from cooking to art, all the while making time for mentoring the next generation of public servants. She is a New Jersey State Certified Job Coach, as well as a State Job Developer and Navigator for the Disabled Job Seeker. She is a member of the Hillside Chamber of Commerce, as well as a proud member of Hillside Chapter of UNICO and is the treasurer of The Union County Status of Women. Lisa is a proud Hillside Resident for over forty-five years. Lisa’s enthusiasm for reaching out to make a difference is reflected in her commitment to serve, and her passion to educate local residents. She follows a long lineage of civil servants starting with her father Angelo J. Bonanno, a former Hillside Health Administrator and a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. As well as her mother Lee Bonanno a Library Assistant for Hillside Public Library as well as a former Hillside School Board member and culminating with her attaining the rank of Board President in the 1980’s.
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DR. ANGELA GARRETSON
2nd Ward Council President
Dr. Angela Garretson has a comprehensive educational background including a Doctorate in Urban Systems with concentrations in Educational Policy and Environmental Studies from Rutgers University/New Jersey Institute of Technology, a Master of Public Administration with honors from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Communications from Syracuse University.
As a senior administrator at New Jersey's leading technology institution, Dr. Garretson spearheads innovative economic impact studies and community engagement initiatives that strengthen public-private partnerships.
Dr. Garretson is particularly passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders working with students from pre-college through university levels. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Omega Psi Omega Chapter) and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa (Delta Pi Chapter). She is also a member of Bethany Baptist Church.
“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” - Douglas Adams
Daryl Joyner has been a proud Hillside homeowner for over 23 years.
Daryl brings over 30 years of accounting experience where he has implemented processes, and managed groups of individuals which helped the company to benefit efficiently. Aside from that Daryl has years of professional entrepreneurial experience that could benefit the town. Most people know Daryl from being an event planner where he has managed events throughout the east coast which brings communities together through social engagement.
As a community service advocate, Daryl volunteers with the Big Brother program working as a mentor for youth who come from single parent families and need someone to provide additional guidance as they navigate through life.
Daryl also volunteers with the Junior Achievement Program. Helping youth discover the positives in their lives as they learn and experience the challenges of social, educational, and emotional events of life and the ability to use the tools given through mentoring to understand how to maneuver through life.
Daryl promotes “A positive attitude will bring a Positive outcome.” It is part of Daryl’s goal with not only youth but the community to not allow your past challenges to dictate your future.
As Ward 3 councilman it is Daryl’s goal to help the mayor improve, and execute her mission for a better Hillside, and to be the liaison between the constituents and the mayor.
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DAVID FEUERSTEIN
4th Ward Council Vice President
David has been a proud resident of Hillside for over 13 years, and had the privilege of witnessing the growth and development of a vibrant community firsthand. David's journey in Hillside has been marked by a deep commitment to serving neighbors and contributing to the betterment of the Town.
With a career spanning 15 years in the insurance industry, David has cultivated valuable skills in negotiations, creative risk management, and customer service. This professional experience has equipped him with a keen understanding of the needs and concerns of community members and businesses, particularly in matters relating to safeguarding their assets and ensuring their well-being.
Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to make a lasting impact, David took the leap to start his own insurance brokerage three years ago. In addition to his professional pursuits, Daivd has been engaged in the civic life of Hillside. Over the past decade, David has actively participated in local elections, advocating for policies and initiatives that promote transparency, inclusivity, and progress. David's outlook reflects his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and ensuring that the voices of all residents are heard and represented.
As a member of the Hillside community, David is dedicated to fostering a spirit of collaboration and unity to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. David brings new energy and new solutions to the complex problems that have kept Hillside from reaching its full potential.
David lives in Hillside with his wife and 5 children. He is involved with a few charity organizations and volunteers as a Chaplain.
