Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the December 20, 2022 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.
Resignation of Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler: During her report, Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler announced that she was resigning from her position as Mayor effective December 31, 2022 at midnight. The Council President will serve as Acting Mayor until the Council votes on a person to serve out the final year of the Mayor’s term. The Mayor has been a dedicated member of the governing body since 2009 when she began her term as a Councilwoman. She served in that role and as Council President. In 2014 she became Interim Mayor and then won her first four-year term as Mayor in 2015 and her second in 2019.
Rent Control Ordinance: Borough Council passed an ordinance updating rent control regulations in Highland Park. These regulations apply to all rental dwellings in the Borough including single-, two-, three-, and four-family dwelling units. The ordinance establishes an annual allowable annual rent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) that is capped at 5 percent and also establishes a Rent Control Board made up of tenants, landlords, and homeowner/residents that will work to implement the ordinance. The new regulations go into effect upon publication.
Downtown Recycling Toters: The Borough is purchasing more than 300 95-gallon wheeled recycling toters for the business district on Raritan Avenue. These recycling receptacles with lids will reduce litter on the avenue and prevent businesses with high volumes of recycling waste from needing to put out multiple cans at a time which crowd the sidewalks.
Raritan River Trail Connector: Borough Council authorized a professional services agreement with Highland Park-based ETM Associates, LLC for the preparation of a feasibility study of a bicycle and pedestrian-oriented River Trail that would connect Donaldson and Johnson Parks along the Raritan River. This feasibility study and subsequent concept plan is funded by a generous allocation of $250,000 from the New Jersey FY 2022 budget.
Stop & Shop Redevelopment Area: Borough Council passed a resolution designating the property known as Stop & Shop and several adjacent parcels as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. The Planning Board reviewed a report by LRK, Inc., the Borough’s Planner, and heard testimony at its December 8, 2022 meeting. They voted to adopt and accept the recommendation in the report to designate the Study Area as such. This designation which is governed by the NJ Local Redevelopment & Housing Law provides for the creation of a redevelopment plan for the designated area. The Council has indicated that such a plan will incentivize developers to use the site for a grocery store.
If you’re interested in watching the December 20th Council meeting, go to HPTV’S Youtube channel where the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The Reorganization Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
