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HIGHTSTOWN: Committee returns with fresh goals, longer bridge idea

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — Six months after Hurricane Irene, the Greenway Bridge Committee presented to Borough Council a revised plan to restore a pedestrian bridge across the waterfall of the Peddie Lake Dam.
"(The) Bridge Committee took a break after the storm to let the town recover,” Greenway Bridge Committee chairman Darek Hahn told the council on Tuesday night.
The committee has raised $67,000 to date, eclipsing its previous fundraiser goal of $65,000.
However, the Bridge Committee’s new fundraising goal is $95,000, Mr. Hahn said.
"It may take a little more time,” Mr. Hahn conceded to the Borough Council.
In order to reach its new goal, the committee is looking to raise $28,000 in order to purchase and install a more lengthy walking bridge.
Mr. Hahn presented drawings of a revised pedestrian bridge during his presentation to the council.
"We’ve decided on the long bridge,” he said, noting it will require smaller steel.
Ascetically, the bridge will still feature steel, double-faced, hand-hammered medallions.
Yet, one key change is that the new, longer bridge will be handicap accessible.
Mr. Hahn said that the committee had also found several items in need of replacement near the dam.
The previous walking bridge over the Peddie Lake Dam, in Memorial Park, was removed years ago due to deteriorating safety concerns, as previously reported in the Herald.
With an updated fundraising goal of $95,00, minus the $67,000 already raised, the committee is now looking to raise an additional $28,000.
To help achieve that goal, Mr. Hahn shared with the council plans for two upcoming community-based fundraisers.
First, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 30, there will be a Wine and Cheesecake tasting featuring Dessert Beers at the Hightstown Diner. The tickets, which will become available beginning in March, will cost per person $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Next, the second annual Taste of Hightstown event, featuring a food tasting competition, will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Park on May 19. Mr. Hahn said that the number of participating vendors will more than double this year as compared to 2011, when eight local restaurants participated in the contest.
Molto Bene was crowned champion of last year’s competition, however, the business moved to Cranbury after Hurricane Irene.
Tickets for Taste of Hightstown will become available in April for $15 in advance and $20 at the door. There will also be a raffle along with beer and wine for sale. “We’re hopeful that after these two events we will be at $75,000,” Mr. Hahn stated to council.
The Greenway Bridge Committee’s sketches of the revised pedestrian bridge were drawn by local Hightstown artist Rich Teller.
"It’s beautiful,” said Councilwoman Selena Bibens.
Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson complimented the “whole” Bridge Committee.” He said, in concurrence with Mr. Hahn, that the journey to restore the borough’s pedestrian bridge “has been a community effort.”
Mayor Kirson said, “This is spectacular stuff. It really is.”
Borough Council unanimously approved Resolution 2012-81, which called for the governing body to support the Taste of Hightstown event for the Greenway Walking Bridge. It also waives borough permit fees.
Notably, the resolution allows for the consumption of alcoholic beverages at Memorial Park during the Taste of Hightstown fundraiser.
For more information, contact Mr. Hahn at [email protected].