Councilman Richard Hughes was elected to the Council in 2007 for a three year term.  His term will expire in 2010.

A lifelong resident of North Arlington, Hughes graduated from N.A. High in 1971.  He received his ARA degree from Luther College in 1974, and attended the Rutgers University/Cook College Certificate program for Environmental Health and Law, receiving a license from the State Health Dept. as a Registered Environmental Health Technician.

Mr. Hughes worked for the North Arlington Health Dept. from 1975 – 1978 as a Health Inspector.  In 1979 he went to work for Garden State Messenger as a Branch Manager.  Today he owns the company.

A member of the North Arlington Fire Department since 1974, Hughes served through all the ranks, from Firefighter through Chief of the Department in 1995.  He has served in many capacities in the Fire Service, and has received numerous awards and citations, including Firefighter of the Year in 1994, and a Unit Citation for response to Ground Zero on 9/11/01.

Rich lives on Beech Street with his wife of 17 years, Karen.

Councilman Hughes was appointed by Mayor Massa to the Budget Committee in 2008, and is the liaison to the Health Department.