Bridge Brings Hightstown Together at Council Meeting While Gangs Remain Sore Point

The Hightstown Borough Council touched on several topics during its three-hour meeting Monday evening, including fundraising efforts for the pedestrian bridge, potential upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and the state police grant report.

A check for $3,505 was presented to the Greenway Bridge Committee. The money will go towards restoring the historical walking bridge at Peddie Lake. The proceeds came from the Wine and Cheesecake tasting, which was held at the Feb. 25. The local community group Voices of Hightstown sponsored the event, which was described as a success.

“This is why we live in Hightstown.  It’s a representation of the community we’re really proud of,” said Mayor Steven Kirson.

“Who would have thought a walking bridge could have brought the whole town together?” Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin asked.

According to the Greenway Bridge Committee website, the fundraising goal ranges from $65,000-70,000, and to date, $34,000 have been raised.

Other items on the agenda included a presentation on waste management techniques and proposed updates to Hightstown’s sewage facility. Biff Searing, superintendent of the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, discussed the possibility of installing a new rotary sludge press and disposing of the waste by transporting it to farmers in Pennsylvania, who would use it as fertilizer. The cost of implementing this new system would be approximately $360,000 over 15 years.

Searing also focused on several parts of the plant that need to be replaced or updated. One example is the second digester tank, which dates back to 1938 needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $78,000. Another item in need of replacement is the trickle filter, which would cost $164,000. No grand total for the repairs was given, and discussions will continue on what work must be done.

In other business, the residents of Hightstown continued to express concern with the issued by the New Jersey State Police on gang activity. The report, which was released in January, apparently overstated the amount of gang activity in the municipality. During the public comment session of the meeting, several people spoke their minds.  Some were concerned about the effect it would have on Hightstown’s reputation as a safe town.

 “It’s going to hurt the homeowners for years to come,” said Rob Thibault, a local resident who said he was surprised at the amount of hits he found on Google that associated Hightstown with gangs.

Some also said they were concerned with Police Chief James Eufemia’s absence from the meeting last night.  He was originally scheduled to appear and give a presentation addressing the report.  However, his appearance was rescheduled for the next meeting. 

“The public have not been given an explanation and the council hasn’t been given an explanation,” Council President Isabel McGinty said about the aftermath of the survey’s release.  

The Borough Council’s next meeting will be held on Monday, March 21 at the .