Former Belleville Mayor Raymond Kimble has passed away, according to a Bergen Record report.  Kimble, who was 80, served as police chief in Belleville and mayor, first elected in 2006, until his defeat by Michael Melham in 2018.

Melham wrote on Facebook this morning that ‘Mayor Kimble served our Township with distinction for many years in various capacities. From Police Officer he rose through our ranks to become Police Chief. After retirement from the Department, he went on to serve as Public Safety Director and Township Manager. He would then serve three terms as Mayor. As a young Councilman I worked closely with Mayor Kimble when he was Public Safety Director and Township Manager. I have asked Township Manager Iacono to place all Municipal Flags at half staff and have mourning bunting draped across Town Hall. I ask that you respect the privacy of the Kimble family at this time. We extend our deepest condolences to the Kimble family. The Township will provide additional details as they become available.’