By: Vic Monaco
Talks between Hightstown and East Windsor over possible consolidation of the borough Police Department resumed this week without borough Mayor Bob Patten, who left the last meeting in early February after an argument with a township leader.
Borough Council President Walter Sikorski said officials from both towns met for about 45 minutes Tuesday and he expects that will happen again within the next month. He said the meeting went well, as both sides continued to discuss such issues as companies that might perform a consolidation study, for which state funding would be sought.
In attendance, he said, were himself, Township Mayor Janice Mironov, Township Councilman Alan Rosenberg and Borough Councilmen Ryan Rosenberg and Larry Quattrone.
The talks began in the spring of 2006 after the Borough Council ordered Mayor Patten to begin such discussions. That action was taken as the council was looking at 2006 police-related expenditures of about $1.5 million and a hefty tax rate hike that wound up at 18 cents.
The fifth session, on Feb. 7, ended early for Mr. Patten, who departed after no more than five minutes because of an argument with Township Councilman Marc Lippman.

