Former mayoral candidate is vying for a three-year seat on council
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
"I’m running for Borough Council because the underlying reasons for our high taxes have not been addressed. We — like every other family in the borough — have seen our property taxes more than double while services have been reduced." -Rob Thibault
HIGHTSTOWN — Rob Thibault, as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, has helped build more than 10 homes in rural Louisiana. Now, as a Democratic candidate for Borough Council, he’s building his case for voters.
Mr. Thibault, 54, is vying for one of two three-year seats on Borough Council this November.
He was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to Hightstown in 1996.
"We chose to move to Hightstown because of its beautiful old homes, tree lined streets and downtown area,” Mr. Thibault said. “Adding to that is the wide-spread spirit of volunteerism and civic involvement,” he said, describing those two components as “the heart of what makes the borough a true community."
Mr. Thibault often raises the topic of consolidation when addressing Borough Council.
"Consolidation can provide a long-term solution to the high property taxes we endure in the borough,” he said. “Certainly it is a contentious issue, but taxpayers cannot afford for the council to continue to cater to special interests committed to serving their own needs at our expense. Any consolidation process will be long and time consuming, but we must have the political will to begin the process.
"Our water and sewer services are (prime examples) of how we can save residents money through shared services as a prelude to consolidation. Borough residents currently pay three times more for water than East Windsor residents (do). I believe it is possible to reduce borough residents’ water bill by at least a third while still providing enough revenue for the borough to pay off the debt it has incurred (in) trying to maintain an aging and outdated water system."
Mr. Thibault also considers high taxes as a major issue for the borough.
“Hightstown’s municipal taxes are the highest in suburban Mercer County and among the highest in the state,” he said. “We need to stabilize the tax burden on residents without further reducing services.
“These high taxes are at the root of many of the other issues facing the borough. High taxes make it more difficult to sell a home and discourage new families from buying one. High taxes drive down property values and drive out long-time residents who can no longer afford to live here. And finally, high taxes drive up costs for existing businesses and discourage new businesses from relocating and investing in the borough.”
He consistently partakes in the public comment portion of the Borough Council meetings.
“In speaking out on issues at public meetings over the years, I’ve developed a reputation for meticulous research, comprehensive analysis and reasoned well-informed discussion,” he said.
In addition to serving on the board of directors of Jersey Battered Women’s Services Inc., Mr. Thibault has been a mentor for Big Brothers and Sisters, a tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of America, and a volunteer with the Hightstown Animal Welfare Committee and the Community Unity of HEWR.
In recent months, Mr. Thibault was a vocal advocate at council meetings for the creation of the new civilian director position, a measure that the council approved in August, which also eliminated the law enforcement position of police chief.
Mr. Thibault is a corporate communications executive and is presently employed by a financial services technology company in northern New Jersey.
He is the vice-president, and also a past president, of the Hightstown Board of Health.
Mr. Thibault ran for mayor, as a Republican, in 2010. He was defeated by now Mayor Steve Kirson.
"I ran for mayor in last year’s election and was touched and inspired by the many residents who told me that I voiced the concerns they had over the borough’s failure to address ever rising taxes but were afraid to express publicly for fear of retaliation. No one should be afraid to express (one’s) opinions publicly and preserving a healthy democracy should be everyone’s priority.
"I’m running for Borough Council because the underlying reasons for our high taxes have not been addressed. We — like every other family in the borough — have seen our property taxes more than double while services have been reduced. I have experienced first-hand how it has gotten harder to keep up with each tax increase and still take care of my family. I think it’s time to take the steps necessary to help make Hightstown a better and more affordable place to live, work and raise our families by pursuing cost-saving solutions.”
He said, if elected, he would work to change the basic approach to development of the borough’s budget.
"We can’t know for sure what type of shared services can lead to savings and how much can be saved until that analysis is done,” he said. “The budget development process is the time to do that. If elected, he said he would seek to ensure that at least one open public forum occur each quarter to improve transparency.
"I know residents are frustrated by not being able to ask direct questions during council meetings and by the general lack of opportunities to publicly discuss their concerns and issues. An open public forum provides those opportunities. If I am unable to convince my fellow council members of the importance of these forums, I will schedule and conduct them myself and report residents’ concerns, issues and questions to the council.”
He lives on South Main Street with his wife Lisa and their daughter Emily, 11. Emily attends public school in the East Windsor Regional School District.