All borough candidates against GPU purchase, move

Following the release of a feasibility study examining the renovation or moving of borough hall, many Hightstown residents and officials spoke their mind on the issue.

By: Scott Morgan
   HIGHTSTOWN — Borough residents listened receptively to the results of the fervidly awaited Vincentsen Associates feasibility study at the Borough Council’s meeting this week.
   After hearing the 25-minute presentation Monday night outlining three possible scenarios for the borough’s planned expansion of its municipal space, borough residents and council members reacted with tough questions and strong opinions.
   While a few in attendance Monday spoke in favor of the purchase of the GPU site on Mercer Street, all four candidates for Borough Council this fall agreed with the majority who spoke against it.
   The Borough Council is expected to vote on an ordinance authorizing the use of eminent domain to buy the site Monday, Oct. 15, at a site yet to be determined.
   In a press release dated Oct. 3, two days after the Vincentsen report, Councilman Bob Patten announced his stance against acquiring the GPU property on Mercer Street.
   "After reviewing the results … I have made a decision to vote ‘no’ on the acquisition of the GPU Energy property and to support the renovation of the current municipal facility," the press release said.
   Mr. Patten, a Republican seeking re-election in November, said he supports renovation over a move because current economic and tax conditions "do not justify the risk involved in purchasing the property." He said the renovation of the current municipal site and the upgrading of the Police Department should be the borough’s major concerns and that buying the GPU site "would place too heavy a tax burden" on property owners.
   Democratic candidates Dan Buriak and Rick Pratt also spoke out against the buy in a guest opinion column sent to the Herald Tuesday.
   "We don’t feel enough research was done to allow anyone — including the Borough Council — to make an educated decision," the column said.
   Mr. Pratt also spoke at the podium during the Oct. 1 meeting and asked what such a project would cost each individual taxpayer.
   Republican candidate Paul Szewczyk asked where the money to fund the purchase and move will come from, particularly in light of other needed projects. In a later interview, he specifically cited the outstanding Public Works bid and the downtown revitalization project, which he said is the type of project prone to extraneous expense.
   "I’m concerned that we have limited resources, but the pool from which we draw is the same," he said. "Whether it’s water and sewer or a municipal budget, we have to be judicious about how to spend it."
   Much public reaction addressed the question of what the borough needs versus what it wants. Mr. Szewczyk summed up many citizen comments in saying, "I have wants and I have needs, but my purchases are based on what I can afford."
   The issue of what could be afforded — and who will suffer the greatest economic setbacks — centered on the borough’s senior population.
   "I love this town and I hope I don’t have to leave," said Violet Johnson, a senior borough resident. She said the plans for the GPU property "sound great, but who pays? How much more can seniors take before being pushed out?"
   Environmental concerns, not addressed through the Vincentsen Associates study, were another major sticking point for the public. Borough resident Gary Lucas, a former electrical worker, asked if any remediation might be necessary for the GPU site. Power plants are widely criticized by environmentalists for being environmentally unsound.
   Borough resident Robert Murdich called the lack of an environmental study of the GPU property by the borough "frightening."
   Borough Attorney Michael Pane said a preliminary study of the GPU site has been done, and has shown "nothing serious." When questioned what "nonserious" issues might be lurking beneath the GPU site, he encouraged residents to read the information available at borough hall.
   Not all reaction, however, was negative. Maurie Hageman, a borough resident and Realtor, said he believes the GPU site is a "good deal." In support of the council, he urged, "Have the courage of your convictions and the courage of your leadership."
   Dana Uziak, another resident, said she feels investment makes the future better.
   "The money will come back," she said. "And taxes shouldn’t limit our options."
   Of all concerns voiced by the public, perhaps the strongest were those who said they were troubled by the thought of watching the seat of government move from downtown just as the borough wants to make the downtown area more attractive to visitors.
   Said borough resident Suzann Fallon, "It’s nice to have the heart of the borough right here in the heart of the borough. West Windsor and East Windsor are building pretend downtowns to get the feeling we have here."
   Former Mayor Scott Caster added, "It doesn’t make sense that our first order of business for the revitalization of downtown is to move the downtown."
   In a later interview, Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh said she still is open to all possibilities. The mayor, who will not actually vote on the GPU purchase, except in the event of a tie by the council, said that if the GPU property is bought and used for municipal purposes, the borough could benefit greatly from developing the current municipal space into enjoyable retail places.
   She did not express how she would vote in the event of a tie.
   Also troublesome to residents was the thought of moving the Fire Department nearly a mile from the center of town.
   Mayor Aughenbaugh insisted the Fire Department will not be moving, regardless of what happens with the GPU site.
   "There is no reason for the Fire Department to move," she said, adding the reason it was even considered was as part of the broadest possible scenario. She said including it in the study was needed to show for certain that the fire department space was adequate.
   Bill Slack, a partner at Vincentsen Associates who delivered the presentation Monday night, said the Fire Department has ample space for current and future needs.
   The mayor added the consideration to move the Fire Department also was based on the future.
   "We don’t know what will happen down the line," she said, alluding to the possibilities of state-mandated consolidation with other departments or shared municipal services. She said the council wanted to be certain that if the Fire Department ever needs to be moved, there would be space to put it. More to the heart of the project, Mayor Aughenbaugh said, is the pressing need for renovations in the Police Department.
   "It’s very tight back there," she said, explaining the need for more office space, better holding and interview areas and the need for women’s facilities.
   The need for Police Department renovations was largely agreed upon by residents Monday, but by the end of the public session, many had expressed a desire to know more. Residents implored council to show them proof of why the GPU purchase is a good idea. Others said they are willing to accept the council’s decision, but with a caveat.
   "What happens next will have enormous impact," borough resident Dolores J. Seip told the council. "You don’t have an easy job, but you wanted it. I leave this in your hands … but I will be watching you."
   Borough Council largely listened without comment throughout the public hearing session.