Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the March 24, 2026, Meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council:
1) 2026 Spring Tree Planting: Council Member Hersh announced that this April the Borough will be planting 100 trees throughout town, which will help strengthen Highland Park’s tree canopy for years to come. Downes Tree Service will be responsible for planting and watering the new trees. He also encourages residents to attend the Shade Tree Advisory Committee’s “Ask STAC” webinar on Monday, April 6, at 7pm. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to support newly planted trees and play a role in keeping our town green, healthy, and beautiful.
2) Bulk Trash Collection by Appointment: Council Member Hersh reminded residents that Highland Park’s Bulk Pick-Up Program runs by appointment starting in April, and continuing in May, June, September, and October, with each household allowed two pick-ups per year. To schedule a pick-up call Public Works at 732-247-9379. Items like furniture, fixtures, and small amounts of home improvement debris are accepted if properly bundled and placed at the curb the day before pickup; materials set out without an appointment won’t be collected. A special town wide pick-up follows the October garage sale with no appointment needed. For more information, visit the Bulk Waste Collection page on the Borough Website.
3) Highland Park is Film Ready! Mayor Foster announced that Highland Park is among a cohort of 15 towns that have been certified as Film Ready, bringing the total number of Film Ready Towns to 58. This recognition certifies that Highland Park is prepared to host film and television productions, with staff trained to support permitting, logistics, and public safety needs. The Borough is now ell positioned to benefit from New Jersey’s booming film industry. This designation opens the door to new economic opportunities, increased visibility for local businesses, and a chance to showcase Highland Park’s unique character on screen.
4) Budget Introduction: Following a brief presentation by Borough Administrator Jover, the Borough Council passed a resolution to introduce the 2026 Municipal Budget. The Borough Council also passed a resolution to introduce Main Street Highland Park’s 2026 Budget. A public hearing and vote on both budget proposals are set for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7 PM.
5) Extension of Conditional Developer for Tract A: Borough Council extended HP RarDen Redevelopment LLC’s conditional redeveloper designation for the Tract A portion of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. This action allows ongoing planning and negotiation work to continue as the Borough and the redeveloper refine a potential redevelopment project for this key downtown site. By extending the timeline through March 2027, the Borough is maintaining momentum while allowing additional time to finalize a redevelopment agreement that aligns with community goals.
If you’re interested in watching the March 24th 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, April 14th at 7 p.m.
