Where’s the need for new borough hall?

Letter to the editor

To the editor:
   As a borough resident for nearly 30 years, I am astounded at the sudden turn-around by our elected officials on the issue of spending taxpayers’ money. During those three decades, the constant mantra from our residents and elected officials (especially during election times) has been that Hightstown is a small town with no ratables and no place to grow. We are familiar with the refrain that we are burdened with an inordinate amount of land that is non-taxable (The Peddie School lament). Over these same years residents have consistently voted down the school budget.
   Suddenly, we have $1 million to purchase a commercial property (which no doubt is paying taxes) and move the borough hall to the GPU property. If, as we have been told over the past 30 years, we have not grown, why do we need a new Municipal Building?
   The current Municipal Building is centrally located in the borough. There are sidewalks on all access points. Residents, particularly senior citizens who may not drive, can walk to it. The GPU building is on a state highway at the very periphery of the town. There are no sidewalks and even bicycling to it is dangerous.
   The revitalization of downtown Hightstown is a wonderful and long overdue project. But one of the hallmarks of a great, historic, small town is that the center of government is accessible to people. The current Municipal Building is only yards away from the spot where John and Mary Hight built their mill that the town is named for. Moving borough hall to GPU will simply make it akin to a strip mall on the entrance to just another town along Route 33.
Thomas P. Smith
Hightstown