Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the March 4, 2025 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.
1) Spring Tree Planting: Council Member Hersh reminded residents that as the spring arrives, so do beautiful new trees for our town! The spring tree planting will take place in the next month, and for those who want to know more, Highland Park’s Shade Tree Advisory Committee is hosting a “Caring for Our Trees” webinar on March 24 from 7:30-8:30 PM. During this online meeting, the Shade Tree Advisory Committee will answer your questions and offer tips to help young trees grow and thrive. Information on the webinar can be found here.
2) Veo Scooters Back in Town: Council Member Hale noted that the Veo scooters have started their return to Highland Park. This efficient micro-transit option helps residents and visitors get to work, school, and appointments and is a fun way to get around. As a reminder, scooters are not for minors under 18 years old, and motorists and scooter riders should use caution, follow all traffic signals, and look out for one another to keep everyone safe on our roads!
3) Municipal Budget Timeline: The Borough Council passed a resolution to extend the statutory budget deadlines as authorized by the Local Finance Board. Budget introduction will be at the April 1, 2025, Borough Council meeting, and the public hearing and adoption are scheduled for the May 6, 2025, Council meeting.
4) Affordable Housing Plan: The Borough Council passed a resolution authorizing Clarke Caton Hintz to prepare the Borough’s Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. The Plan must demonstrate the ability to meet or exceed Highland Park's Fourth Round obligations over the next 10 years and be adopted by June 30, 2025. In 2024, New Jersey established a new framework for determining and enforcing municipalities’ affordable housing obligations for each municipality under the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel doctrine and the State’s Fair Housing Act, and the adoption of the plan is a critical component of the Borough’s compliance with the law.
5) Renewal of Animal Control Shared Service: Highland Park renewed its Shared Services Agreement with Edison Township for the provision of animal control and sheltering services. The Edison Municipal Animal Shelter is located just behind the Edison Municipal Complex and serves Edison, Metuchen, Dunellen, and Highland Park.
For more information, click here.
If you’re interested in watching the March 4th Council meeting, go to HPTV’S Youtube channel where the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18th at 7 p.m.
