HIGHTSTOWN: Permits curbed parade route

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — The Ladies Auxiliary of Hightstown Engine Company No. 1 hosted its 27th annual lighting ceremony at the firehouse the day after Thanksgiving, but new deadlines for permits to use county and state roads prevented the ceremony from taking its normal parade route.
   Usually, the parade passes through the heart of the borough from Hightstown High School on Leshin Lane to the firehouse on Main Street, but this route includes county Route 539 and an intersection of state Route 33.
   Hightstown Police Director James LeTellier said it takes six to eight weeks to get a permit to use county or state roads for events that would require closing off the roads, such as a parade.
   Mayor Steven Kirson said the borough needs to change the language of the ordinance regarding road permits so it’s easier for community programs to anticipate such obstacles to their plans.
   Mr. LeTellier offered other routes for the parade, he said, however, the Ladies Auxiliary chose to just hold its normal Christmas events — including the tree-lighting ceremony, carols and, of course, the arrival of Santa — at the firehouse without the preceding parade. It took place on Black Friday, Nov. 23.
   And Santa, portrayed by Jim Sidelinger, president of Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1, did arrive to the firehouse in a ladder truck.
   During the annual Christmas lighting ceremony, Santa turned on the holiday lights downtown from the fire station. Afterward, many local children sat with Mr. Claus to share their Christmas wishes.
   As for the permits needed for the parade route, “I gave them every option. The one they chose is the one that resulted,” Mr. LeTellier said.
   A member of the Hightstown Engine Company No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said members just need to get the permits in advance in the future, adding they hadn’t been aware of the new permit changes.
   In the end, neither Mr. LeTellier nor the Ladies Auxiliary considered the change to be a very big deal, and there already are plans to have the parade return with its normal route in 2013.