By Matt Chiappardi, Staff Writer
HIGHTSTOWN —Take a look at the borough’s Web site and you’ll find something that most municipalities around the country don’t seem to have.
On the left side of the screen is a link to the borough’s “wish list.”
But unlike other municipalities, whose shopping lists are usually related to expensive capital projects and programs, the borough is advertising for things as mundane as paper clips, envelopes and office furniture.
It’s a unique idea. And it’s not spurred by the current economic doldrums, said Borough Administrator Candace Gallagher.
The wish list has been online for the more than a decade. In fact, it’s been posted for as long as the borough’s Web site has been in existence, she said. The history stretches back so far, Ms. Gallagher doesn’t remember who came up with the original idea.
Still, most departments have benefited from the donations. Clerical areas have gotten things like paper, pencils and sometimes even chairs. Departments like Public Works have received chainsaws, weed whackers or lawn mower parts.
”If someone is just going to throw something away, maybe we might be able to use it,” Ms. Gallagher said.
And use it, the borough has. The large table that sits in the Borough Council chambers where Ms. Gallagher and town professionals sit during meetings is a result of such a donation.
As for other stuff, Ms. Gallagher said every few weeks or so, the borough will receive something in the mail, or someone will just anonymously drop off a donation at the municipal building. They come from all areas and have been mailed from as far away as the Midwest, she said.
”It’s been a steady stream. We’ll do pretty much anything we can do to save money,” Ms. Gallagher said.
Borough officials have never put a value on the items they’ve received, and don’t record who donates what because of how haphazardly things come in, she added. Ms. Gallagher estimates the annual savings from the cast-off items to be in the “hundreds of dollars.”
Even though, these donations have been coming in since at least the late 1990s, the borough does need as many savings as possible at this juncture. A number of factors, including tougher economic times, higher energy prices, and the state becoming more frugal with its municipal dollars forced the borough to do some belt tightening with its budget.
And that’s resulted in a number of tax increases including a 16-cent one this year.
That makes any donations from the list especially welcome these days, Ms. Gallagher said.
”It’s not a lot, but every bit helps. Plus, it keeps things out of the waste stream,” she said.

