Highlands Council Tackles Municipal Budget and Infrastructure Concerns
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
05/01/2024
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Recording Published:
05/02/2024
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Duration:
28 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Highlands
- Meeting Overview:
The Highlands Borough Council meeting on May 1st, 2024, was marked by the adoption of the 2024 Municipal budget and engaging discussions on the town’s infrastructure projects and health insurance costs. The meeting also saw the introduction of an ordinance to amend brush and branch pickup regulations, aiming to improve equity for businesses and residents, and the council’s response to a resident’s call for better communication on sewer and drainage work.
The council addressed the proposed ordinance 024 07, which sought to bring fairness to the pickup of brush, branches, and leaves, particularly benefiting businesses that rely on contractors for these services. The ordinance, which passed on first reading, stipulates that brush must be placed on the street rather than private property for pickup, with a public hearing scheduled for May 15, 2024.
Moving to the financial aspects of the town, the council adopted the 2024 Municipal budget. A minor paperwork correction was noted; however, it did not represent a change to the budget itself. During the budget discussion, concerns were raised regarding the substantial rise in employee group health insurance rates. The council revisited the town’s history with joint insurance funds and its current position in the state health benefits fund, which offers more substantial purchasing power. Despite this, the search for cost-effective solutions continues, as the council contemplates collaborations with other municipalities for better rates.
The council’s discussion on infrastructure focused on the challenges of the ongoing sewer and drainage work in the community. After a resident voiced concerns about the repeated excavation of streets and sought clarity on the project’s timeline, council members responded by detailing the unforeseen issues they encountered, such as the discovery of an old bulkhead. Acknowledging the need for more proactive communication, the council agreed to schedule a meeting to thoroughly discuss the project and address any questions from the community.
Another topic of interest was the council’s representation on the State Cross Acceptance Committee, with a volunteer stepping forward to serve as the town’s representative. The committee’s role is to conduct reviews similar to those of the master plan but at the county level. In addition to this, the mayor provided updates on a variety of town activities, including local elementary school news, spring sports, emergency services, building department inspections, a sanitary sewer project, and the commuting rating system.
During the public comments session, an individual who attempted to raise issues regarding the school was interrupted, leading to an incomplete delivery of their statement. Separately, a resident commended the council for making meeting recordings available on YouTube but called for clearer verbal communication during sessions. The same resident also brought up the topic of the sewer and drainage work, which led to the council’s aforementioned commitment to improved communication.
The meeting concluded with the public comments section and the council’s decision to move into an executive session, where no formal action was planned. The meeting was then adjourned.
Carolyn Broullon
City Council Officials:
Jo-Anne Olszewski, Donald Melnyk, Karen Chelak, Leo Cervantes
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
05/01/2024
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Recording Published:
05/02/2024
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Duration:
28 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Highlands
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