Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the January 17, 2023 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.
1) Stop & Shop Update: Councilman Hale offered an update on the closure of Stop & Shop and reminded folks about the Frequently Asked Questions document, which offers a more detailed overview of the situation. He emphasized that the Mayor and Council understand that a grocery store is critical to the future of our town and explained that the Borough is working on two parallel tracks: 1) find and recruit a new supermarket for the existing location; and 2) pursue redevelopment of the site, incorporating a grocery store as an anchor use. In addition, the Borough is pulling together a variety of resources, including different transportation options, to help bridge the gap between when the existing store closes and a new one reopens.
2) COVID-19 Caution: The COVID-19 Community Level in Middlesex County is High and the Highland Park Board of Health recommends following CDC guidance, which includes wearing a high-quality mask or respirator when indoors and in public and staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses. For more information on COVID-19 resources and information, go to https://covid19.nj.gov/.
3) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: The Zone 6 Teen Center hosted its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 16th. The event featured moving performances by Nigel Finley and Jordan Jackson and honored individuals and organizations that make a difference in Highland Park: Andrew Dalton, Danielle Finklin, Acting Mayor Elsie Foster, Juan Ramos, Aliima Zimmer, Highland Park High School Teen Center, Team Franklin and Stop & Shop. The full program can be viewed here.
4) Woodbridge Avenue Neighborhood Preservation Program Year Two Plan: Borough Council adopted the Implementation Plan (IP) as part of its grant proposal for the second year of the Woodbridge Avenue Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). The IP delineates the planned activities of the NPP program and describes how the $125,000 grant funds will be put to use. The Year Two plan includes a commercial façade grant program, continued improvements to Molimock Graff Park, and a commercial tree planting.
5) Shared Services for Information Technology Support: Borough Council authorized a shared services agreement with Freehold Township for IT Consulting Services. Shared service agreements reduce costs – thus benefitting taxpayers in both municipalities – and improve service delivery. The contract will begin on February 1.
If you’re interested in watching the January 17th Council meeting, go to HPTV’S Youtube channel where the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The next meeting of Council is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7th.
