Hightstown Rug Mill Suggested for Future Borough Hall Location

An art studio, reception hall and retail shops were some of the options two council members on Bank Street, while incorporating the future Borough Hall location into the plan.

Council members Lynne Woods and Selena Bibens said they see an opportunity to do something about the large vacant property in the downtown, and presented what they called an “outside the box” option for Borough Hall and the police department, which were . 

The presentation had four phases, which included purchasing the rug mill, moving the police department in a modular building and eventually moving borough hall into the front portion of the rug mill building and using the back brick portion for retail. Woods and Bibens also suggested forming a development team that does not include local officials.  (The full PowerPoint presentation can be found at the right of this article)

“I am hoping that we will actually put some real thought into this and not take a year to discuss it,” Woods said.

Council member Gail Doran said the presentation is more about the redevelopment of the rug mill than getting back into borough hall as soon as possible.

“I’m just worried about coupling this with our progress with Borough Hall right now,” she said. 

Council member Robert Thibault suggested looking at the most affordable option that will get the staff back in offices. He proposed modular offices, as he did in a presentation with Woods at a previous council meeting, and volunteered to get an idea of the cost by the next special meeting.

as the permanent location for Borough Hall, including refurbishing the building that was flooded out and moving into the Lucas Electric building where the police department is temporarily housed.

Fran Palumbo, Tavern on the Lake owner, questioned why it has taken nearly a year for progress.

"We need to bring the Borough back," she said. "Everyone one of the stores on Main Street refurbished and opened the door. The only one that's shut down is Borough Hall."

The next special meeting on Borough Hall is tentatively set for Aug. 23 with the time and location TBD.

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