Hightstown Moves Forward with Public Works Building Renovation

By: Megan Malloy

The Hightstown Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing nearly $10,000 worth of improvements for the Hightstown Public Works building at the Hightstown Council meeting Monday night.

The Public Works building currently houses borough operations as the original building sustained damage during Hurricane Irene in August 2011.  

“We will be making improvements to the Public Works Building in conjunction with the purchase of a used modular building to house staff and alleviate the overcrowded working conditions that the staff has had to work in,” Police Director James LeTellier said. “The money will also be used to replace work desks that were damaged and destroyed in the flood.”

The money to purchase the modular building and make improvements will come from capital surplus funds previously appropriated for temporary housing, according to the resolution.

The council also rescinded an ordinance which approved the leasing of  two units on Mercer Street. The units, 100 and 102 Mercer Street, were intended to house borough operations temporarily.

Finally, the council discussed rescinding the ordinance providing for the construction of a new Borough Hall in its original location. A petition with 355 signatures from the public sought to put the $3.4 million project to a referendum in November.

Councilwoman Lynne Woods made a motion to rescind the ordinance, arguing that the borough needed to move forward.

“You’re just talking about another extremely long delay that you cannot move on anything,” said Woods. “You’re talking October or November on something that’s going to take two or three years to accomplish.”

Councilwoman Susan Bluth and Council President Lawrence Quattrone did not support rescinding the measure.