By Matt Chiappardi, Staff Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — The Downtown Hightstown organization is reorganizing and seeking a new executive director.
The current executive director, former Borough Councilman Ryan Rosenberg, says he will be stepping down from the volunteer position in May because his wife is expecting a baby.
”I have a feeling that my new role as a father is going to take up a bit of my time, so we are trying to get ahead of this and find the right person to take the reins when the baby comes,” he said.
The former councilman is one of the founders of the nonprofit organization, and has been at its head since its inception nearly two years ago.
As for its reorganization, the group is shaping itself based on the Main Street New Jersey program’s four-point approach, which combines promotion, economic restructuring, organization and design. The group will have four committees based on each of the points.
”We thought it would be the logical structure for our group,” Mr. Rosenberg said. “We have four teams now working together. We’ve grown from a fledgling group of a few people with nothing more than a simple Web site to a viable and energetic incorporated organization.”
But in the meantime, the group, which sponsored the borough’s application for the Main Street program this past fall, is still waiting to hear if it has been accepted.
Mr. Rosenberg previously said he was told by the state that he would hear word by October 2009, but the announcement of which towns would receive the designation was later delayed. And word from the state Department of Community Affairs, which oversees the program, is that it could be discontinued.
DCA spokeswoman Lisa Ryan said Monday that Main Street, which helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance and image of their central business districts, is one of the many programs under review by new Gov. Chris Christie. And it could be on the chopping block as the administration tries to figure out how to deal with a $2.2 billion deficit.
”The governor has made it a priority to get all state offices looking at every way of saving money,” Ms. Ryan said.
While Mr. Rosenberg said he is frustrated, he added that it makes sense, given the financial state of New Jersey.
”I can’t really be too frustrated because everything in the state is in limbo now,” he said. “We didn’t have the Main Street designation before and we were able to accomplish lots of things. We’re just going to plow ahead.”
He said the organization has a number of goals for 2010 including organizing a downtown summer farmers market, creating a ghost tour in the Stockton Street Historic District, and putting together a Visit Downtown Hightstown brochure.
”We also want to educate the public about the history and culture of Hightstown as well as continue to promote the downtown business district,” Mr. Rosenberg said.
He added he is glad the organization has developed its own legs and will continue on after he’s gone.
”I have the confidence the group will be able to function effectively,” he said. “There may be some logistical things we have to work out, but we have good people in leadership positions.”
Anyone interested in applying is asked to send a letter of intent and resume to [email protected]. More information about the position can be found at the organization’s Web site, www.downtownhightstown.org.

