Housing group eyes South Academy Street
By Vic Monaco, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN – The area affiliate of Habitat for Humanity would like to get started on its first Hightstown house.
Tony Infosino, the site selection chairman for the Millstone Basin affiliate of Habitat, told the Planning Board on Monday that a borough-owned lot at 250 S. Academy St. is an appealing prospect, possibly combined with another, privately owned lot next door at 246.
”We need land opportunities for us to work with partner families, whether it’s a vacant lot or a house that needs to be demolished,” Mr. Infosino said later in the week.
Mr. Infosino said the lot at 250 S. Academy, like many Habitat projects, would require a variance. In this case, he said, that is because it is undersized in depth, even if the next-door lot were added.
”The town has a number of options (for Habitat) on that street,” he added.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide. Since 1976, it has provided more than 250,000 houses worldwide.
The Millstone Basin affiliate, which has an all-volunteer staff, serves Hightstown, East Windsor, Robbinsville, West Windsor, Cranbury and Plainsboro. It opened an office at 120 Main St. in the borough about a month ago.
Thus far, since 1992, the chapter has helped needy families move into eight area houses, with six in East Windsor, all on Evan Avenue.
”We’re open to anything in our six candidate towns,” Mr. Infosino said.
Habitat for Humanity relies heavily on donations of materials and equipment and labor, including the sweat equity of the family chosen for each house. In Hightstown, Mr. Infosino said, Habitat has the help of the 1st United Methodist Church, which is raising money for a local project.
Mayor Bob Patten, who sits on the Planning Board, asked Mr. Infosino on Monday night to give him a call to discuss the matter. Mr. Infosino said the two men plan to look at the properties today.
The mayor did not return a call seeking comment.
Planning Board Chairman Steve Misiura said Thursday, “I think Habitat for Humanity is a great organization and I’m glad they’re interested in Hightstown.”
For more information on the local Habitat for Humanity group, log on to habitatmba.org.

