Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the March 14, 2023 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.
1) Proclamations Recognizing Police Lieutenant Thomas Hammill and the Stop & Shop Employees: Mayor Foster issued a proclamation to recognize Lt. Thomas Hammill’s stellar record of service to the Highland Park Police Department. Lieutenant Hammill, who grew up in Highland Park, has devoted more than 25 years to the department and the community and will retire at the end of the month. Mayor Foster issued a second proclamation thanking the hardworking associates of Stop & Shop in advance of the store’s closure on March 16th. She thanked all the individuals who stocked the shelves, provided service at the deli counter, refreshed the produce, and assisted with other operations in the store.
2) Farewell Gathering for Stop & Shop Employees: The Mayor invited all residents to join her in the Stop & Shop parking lot, in the area near the front doors, on Thursday, March 16th at 5:50 p.m. to thank the staff as they exit the store for the last time. Anyone interested in joining is asked to RSVP to [email protected] so we can count you in.
3) Grocery Store Transportation Options: With the imminent closure of Stop & Shop, the Highland Park Department of Community Services has ramped up shuttle service to area grocery stores, such as Acme, Target, Shop Rite, Lidl, Walmart, etc. The Department will refine the schedule in the coming weeks based on trip demand. Schedules will be released on Thursdays for the upcoming week and will be posted on the Borough website and the department’s Facebook page. To reserve your spot on a grocery trip, or to ask any questions, please call 732-819-0052.
4) Introduction of Cap Rate and Stop Intersection Ordinances: Two ordinances were introduced during the meeting and public hearings prior to a vote on their passage will be held on Tuesday, April 4th at 7 p.m. The cap rate ordinance is typically passed by the Borough each year. It allows for the creation of a future cap bank of unused appropriations in the event there are future expenditures that may cause the budget to exceed what is allowable. The second ordinance would add stop signs to the following intersections: No. 6th & So. Park Avenues (North), Eden & So. 11th Avenues (East), and Avon Road & Columbia Street (West).
5) Community Development Block Grant Application: Borough Council authorized Highland Park’s 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to Middlesex County. The application includes requests to support the Borough’s senior transportation and outreach programs, teen & youth outreach programs, the Highland Park Community Food Pantry, and improvements to Molimock-Graff Park. Special thanks to the CDBG Advisory Committee for its dedication to this undertaking every year.
If you’re interested in watching the March 14th Council meeting, go to the HPTV Youtube channel where the video of the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The next meeting of Council is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th at 7:00 p.m.
