Mayor Bob Patten addresses concerns and hopes for Hightstown at the annual reorganization meeting.
By: Michael Ross
HIGHTSTOWN Mayor Bob Patten delivered his vision for Hightstown in an address that took place during the New Year’s Day reorganization meeting at Borough Hall.
"Wishes, hopes, dreams, prayers whatever word I use for my message to you for peace, happiness and good will it translates into a vision for and actions on behalf of our town," Mayor Patten said to more than 50 residents in attendance.
The mayor outlined many thoughts on the future of Hightstown after recognizing the recent tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia.
"This tragedy is not just an Asian one," Mayor Patten said. "It is a worldly one with Hightstown sharing in the sorrow and the recovery."
The mayor cited property taxes, economic growth, affordable housing and other matters as key issues he would like to see addressed in 2005.
"I hope for the relief from the oppressive property taxes that distinguish Hightstown’s tax rate as one of the highest in New Jersey," Mayor Patten said. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel if a state constitutional amendment is made to reform property taxes," he added. "May it come soon enough for us to retain our senior citizens and to attract new residents and businesses as well.
"I dream of a continued economic growth for our Hightstown businesses with the mill’s Redevelopment Plan and the extension of our downtown’s streetscape up to Mercer Street," Mayor Patten said.
The borough’s economic prosperity is evident with new specialty shops like Sugar Jar at 104 Mercer St. and Kisura Boutique at 24 N. Main St., Mayor Patten said. He added that all of the offices at the remodeled 120 Main St. building, owned by The Peddie School, are rented and that a new Italian restaurant is scheduled to open on Mercer Street this spring.
In addition, all five houses at the North Preserve development on North Main Street are pre-sold, according to the mayor, and the Enchantment at Hightstown development in the Wycoffs Mill Road area, which broke ground Dec. 22, will bring 78 new adult-active community houses to the borough.
"I hope that you will take a walk around our tree-lined streets and feel the heartbeat of New Jersey," Mayor Patten said. "Hightstown is alive and thriving."
The mayor touched on a number of other "wishes for Hightstown in 2005" including the "hope" for the borough to meet its affordable housing responsibilities and "dream" for the redevelopment of the mill property to "fly smoothly with a tail wind."
"Another priority wish is for the sale of Coca Cola’s Minute Maid property to a developer who must be creative enough to address the needs and dreams of both Hightstown and East Windsor Township," Mayor Patten said.
"Although my wish list keeps growing, I envision emergency medical services responding to 911 calls within a few minutes," the mayor said. "Public health and well-being are the highest priorities.
"I dream every day that the cats of Hightstown will be content, contained and cared for," Mayor Patten said. "That would be a puuurrfect world for them.
"The forecast for our town is sunny days and starry nights," the mayor said. "Please join with me to wish for continued bright days, like today, and a brilliant future."