By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — One local organization dedicated to the betterment of the town will be eliminating the “incorporated” from off its name.
Downtown Hightstown Inc. has received approval from the federal government to become an official nonprofit organization of the Borough of Hightstown.
"We are pleased to inform you upon review of your application for tax-exempt status that you are exempted from federal income tax under 501(c)3, which is full-throttle, nonprofit,” said Downtown Hightstown member Lev Golinkin, of East Windsor, as he read the IRS letter at Wednesday’s meeting.
When the group was first set up, it was incorporated as a business.
However, Downtown Hightstown has worked on raising money for the community rather than making a profit for years.
"This is retroactive to May 2009, which is the best news we could’ve hoped for,” Mr. Golinkin said. His statement was followed by a round of applause from the group.
In other noteworthy news, Downtown Hightstown has joined the Main Street movement, which works to transform the way communities think about the revitalization and management of downtown and neighborhood commercial districts.
Michael Vanderbeck, of Hightstown, and a former council member announced during the monthly Downtown Hightstown Inc. meeting Wednesday that it officially is recognized as a participant in the Main Street program. It competed against 28 other communities in the state and was among the final four awarded for the program this year through the Department of Community Affairs. It officially was recognized at the beginning of January. This has been something the group has been working on over the past few years.
"We haven’t officially signed the letter,” said Ryan Rosenberg, of Hightstown, chairman of Downtown Hightstown Inc. “I have seen the draft, but I haven’t seen the official letter yet.”
Mr. Vanderbeck and his wife, Anastasia Vanderbeck, just recently attended the National Main Street Conference at the beginning of April in Baltimore and shared what they learned and discovered at the conference with the group.
"Look at the stuff we’re doing for the last 10 years without even being a Main Street and all the years of not following that approach,” Mr. Vanderbeck noted.
Steven Misiura, of Hightstown, a Planning Board member, decided to attend the meeting unexpectedly that evening. While returning his library book, he soon found himself deciding to stay and voice some concerns, and wanting to work as a team was a starting point, “an introduction and an outreach.”
"A year ago, we were kind of under a time constraint to do what is called a Master Plan and reexamination by state law of the Master Plan, which is the vision for Hightstown,” Mr. Misiura said.
Now more time has been made available due to the Greater Hightstown-East Windsor Improvement Project report and the Route 33 Corridor Study, he said, and the Planning Board was still looking to build on the momentum with the issue of the Borough Hall and how that fits into the downtown or doesn’t fit into the downtown.
"I see your group as critical,” Mr. Misiura said.
Mr. Misiura pointed out Hightstown Borough Council is moving ahead with its decisions with Borough Hall.
March 8, Ryan Rosenberg and another Downtown Hightstown member, Gary Grubb, presented a check to Hightstown Engine Company No. 1 for $3,650.
According to Downtown Hightstown, this contribution was to fund the replacement of lifesaving equipment and diving equipment that was heavily damaged during Hurricane Irene. The monies came from a Downtown Hightstown Hurricane Relief Fund.
The next Downtown Hightstown meeting will be held May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Library.
For further information, visit www.downtownhightstown.org.
