Council OKs borough revitalization bonds

Hightstown will be able to borrow up to $800,000 for its revitalization project. Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh also announced plans to solicit more donations from commercial and industrial interests.

By: Mark Moffa
   HIGHTSTOWN — The Borough Council this week unanimously passed an ordinance that will allow the borough to bond up to $800,000 for the downtown revitalization project scheduled to take place this summer.
   In a meeting attended by more than three dozen residents, the council listened to more than an hour of opinions on whether it should approve the measure.
   Councilman Larry Quattrone was the only council member to oppose the introduction of the bond ordinance May 21. He said he was concerned with the possibility of the borough bonding more money than it should.
   Several residents, including former Councilman Ken Hitchner, said money needs to be solicited from businesses and organizations in town, especially The Peddie School.
   "They are going to get a great deal of positive publicity," Mr. Hitchner said of Peddie. "They need to contribute something to this revitalization."
   Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh said she already made attempts to solicit money from Peddie and Minute Maid, but was told to return when the borough had all the necessary permits. A verbal commitment to donate money was made by Minute Maid, she said.
   She promised the residents Monday that she soon will begin soliciting contributions again, now that the project’s plans are finalized.
   The borough already has received $630,000 in grants for the work.
   The borough plans to begin accepting bids for the work this month.
   Council President Mike Vanderbeck, who spearheaded much of the revitalization effort, said he was glad Mr. Quattrone voted against the introduction. The vote made him check his numbers and collect more details on the itemized costs of the project, he said.
   The revitalization, not including a relining of the downtown water and sewer lines, is anticipated to cost $1.5 million. A portion of that cost, $217,000, is budgeted for shoring up the bridge over Peddie Lake, which is part of Route 33. Mr. Quattrone previously said he did not want the borough to have to pay for work on a road owned by the state.
   Mr. Vanderbeck said the borough needs to put up the money for the repair, and will seek reimbursement from the state.
   Many residents Monday addressed Mr. Quattrone directly, asking him to support the measure.
   "If we’re not willing to contribute ourselves, I don’t think we should dare ask anyone else to give to us," said Charles "Cappy" Stults, trustee of the Allen & Stults insurance company at the corner of Stockton and Main streets.
   Mr. Quattrone acknowledged the will of the majority of the residents present.
   "It’s amazing how many people showed up and said ‘You’re wrong,’" he said before voting for the bond ordinance.
   The revitalization project will include devices designed to beautify the downtown area, slow traffic flow and make the region easier to navigate for pedestrians. Officials hope the design changes will spur economic redevelopment.
   The project will include five "impact zones," or areas that will see construction, according to the plan.
   One impact zone is centered at the intersection of Franklin Street with Main Street and another is at the intersection of Main and Stockton streets.
   The third covers Franklin Street, or Route 33, from the intersection with Broad Street past the entrance to Krauszer’s Food Store. The fourth is focused around the intersection of Rogers Avenue with Mercer Street and the fifth is centered where Main Street forks into Mercer and South Main streets.