The last time I wore this suit I was returning home to Highlands as your Mayor after two years serving as Freeholder in Monmouth County. I meant what I said that evening (January 4, 2008 at 7:00 pm), "To my friends and neighbors, the people of Highlands, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to work for you and to represent you as your Mayor. I am honored and humbled. It is good to be home." The same words apply today.
On January 1. 2009 I told you that "Highlands Borough will be fighting for our very existence in 2009 as we have never fought before." I said that "Your 2009 Borough Council will be exploring consolidation as an option toward tax relief." But that we would not take "this drastic action without consulting you." I established a new committee to the Council, named the 'Budget Review Advisory Committee'" to "permit members of the public and business owners in the Borough to more formally participate in budget examination." I still hope that "future mayors will continue this committee's existence." I also hope that future Councils will consider the benefit of reducing Borough staff by eliminating professional positions and bringing expensive Engineering Services in house. I also hope future Councils will consider alternative revenue sources like the Clam Plant Lease, and an Aqualife Seafood Distribution Lease to offset future tax increases, and perhaps reduce taxes.
Regarding differences among Council Members in 2009 and 2010, I have recognized that "Each individual brings a different area of expertise" to the Governing Body. I still believe that "Our differences are our strength." And that "we all take to heart the best interests of Highlands Borough and the people we serve." I shared my hope that the "true 'Highlands Spirit'" would unite us in a common goal: To contribute to the betterment of the Borough, our home.
Our work in snow removal this past week is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we all work together. Volunteers from the Highlands Fire Department completed 12 hour shifts in rotation with DPW workers to provide continuous plowing, and local contractors provided the heavy equipment needed to move the 4ft to 8ft drifts of snow so that plows could enter the streets. While many were confined to their homes for nearly 48 hours, Highlands streets were cleared before many of our neighboring towns. It is the "Highlands Spirit" that makes us successful and keeps us surviving. We are strong when we are united, and there is nothing we can't do.
Much of the work I have had the honor of doing with three different Councils each year in 2008, 2009, and 2010 proves that by working together, we can truly improve our Borough.
2008 - In 2008 I established the Route 36 Bridge Construction Committee to improve communication between NJDOT and Highlands Borough regarding traffic impact and to make concerns of residents and businesses known to NJDOT and its contractors. The Bridge Update button on the Highlands Borough website posted construction updates to the public. We continued work from prior Mayor and Council on Highland Avenue repairs; Obtained NJDOT funding for Valley Avenue drain repair; Discussed Bayside Drive repairs, relocation of police communications system and Portland Road repairs; Discussed water based transportation via the Seastreak ferry service to alleviate traffic issues associated with construction and travel to and from Highlands/Sandy Hook by car.
To address flooding downtown and high flood insurance costs, we supported a moratorium on FEMA flood maps to encourage consideration of flood abatement improvements; Established regular maintenance schedule for storm drain cleaning; Obtained Engineering report, inspection and proposed improvements for pump stations, capping of outfall pipes with valves, upgrades to bulkheads, storm pipe lining/repairs, and new pump at Snug Harbor Ave.
Regarding Code Enforcement we discussed need for Borough-wide Property Maintenance Inspection Schedule, assumption of BHI inspections in multi-unit dwellings to allow annual inspections instead of once every 5 years, and Scattered Site Redevelopment Program to address vacant buildings, cleaning them up to code, or tearing them down where appropriate.
For general improvement of Borough property and programming, we demolished the old Sewerage Plant on Shore Drive, established the Highlands Public Library, and recognized the need for a new Borough Hall with redesigned/remodeled Police Headquarters. We also updated the fire radio and moved emergency communications to the new Firehouse.
We improved our Steep Slope Ordinance; Enacted a stronger Shade Tree Ordinance; Appointed fully active Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Commission; Stronger Grease Trap Ordinance; Established flow meter at Basin 8 Sanitary Sewer, and designated plans for Basin 2 rehabilitation. We also received $220,000 Monmouth County Open Space grant to acquire #2 Private Road near Miller Street for public access to the water. To date there has been nearly $700,000 in grants received for this purchase.
The 2008 Council and I promoted Highlands through the HBP Tourism Video and Comcast Newsmakers tapings; Encouraged Realtors to propose commercial office space for properties on Bay Avenue; Discussed wireless internet connectivity downtown as a high-tech draw to vacationers and businesses; Discussed underground utilities for visual improvement and expansion of the Clam Festival; Discussed job creation in Highlands using the public library and the High School Media Center for Borough sponsored education and training; Improved Mercantile Licensing Procedures to allow new businesses in Highlands to open more efficiently; Discussed water transportation as mass transit to stimulate economic growth in Highlands and the Bayshore.
Most importantly in 2008 we cut variable expenses in the Budget 10-15%; Discussed bringing Engineering services in house to reduce costs; Reviewed Borough vehicle policy; Reviewed Clam Plant Lease, and a potential new lease to Aqua Life Seafood Distributors as alternative revenue sources to offset tax increases; Obtained 1% contribution by police officers toward health benefit premiums; Shared Service with Highlands Elementary for snow plowing, recreational programming and police communications; Discussed cooperative purchase of electricity through Bayshore Conference of Mayors to reduce utility costs to the Borough.
2009 - In 2009 after establishing the Budget Review Advisory Committee, and while continuing the Bridge Construction Meetings, our Council enacted zoning ordinances in compliance with the Master Plan, and created a Bond Ordinance allowing funding for a comprehensive solution to downtown flooding. We also supported economic development in the downtown business area for better quality of life to residents and increased property values, and improving Highlands' position in the FEMA Community Rating System for future funding and reductions in flood insurance costs.
2010 - With the 2010 Council we joined the Sustainable New Jersey Program; Supported the Clean Ocean Zone bill; Applied for a Tonnage Grant to improve Highlands' Recycling program; Established a Green Team; Scheduled a presentation on Ocean Tidal Power Generation; Delineated Flood Project Phasing to permit phased funding of the downtown flooding solution; Reduced our workforce to avoid a Levy Cap Breach and Tax Increases; Adopted the State Medical Insurance Plan to save costs and avoid Levy Cap Breach and Tax Increases; Accepted the PBA Agreement offered by the local union saving over $500,000, nearly 10 % of tax levy. We have ended 2010 with the completion of the Route 36 Bridge.
Many of you may know that I had the honor of serving the people of Congressional District 6 New Jersey as a candidate for U.S. Congress this year. I have done this for the benefit of the people of the Borough of Highlands and the Bayshore section of Monmouth County which is included in District 6. My family struggles as yours does with tax increases, job insecurity, and the fear of a bleak future for our children and grandchildren. Unlike the people of foreign nations who are denied the opportunity to participate in their government, "We the People" of Highlands, New Jersey in the United States do not have to suffer dictatorship by self interested officials who disregard the needs of the people they serve. In Highlands we, the people, elect our government to represent our interests fairly and honestly. In our small community we are able to know our elected officials and communicate with them freely. Our local officials have direct access to County, State and Federal officials who all report to us. We should appreciate our freedoms, and use the gift of self government to its fullest extent. We must remember that our Military fights to protect our freedoms, and we must honor their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families. Our government is only fully effective if we participate fully. I pledge to you that I will continue my work in whatever opportunity God puts before me to improve our government at every level for the benefit of our families, and this beloved Borough.
Thank you for three terrific years, and the historic honor of being the first Lady Mayor of Highlands Borough. I still believe that "Highlands is the best little town on Earth." I know that the 2011 Council and your new Mayor Frank Nolan will protect and serve Highlands Borough and you, the people with a fierce dedication. I will always be available from 52 Fifth Street for advice or assistance whenever I am needed.
Home is where the heart is. My heart belongs to Highlands, therefore Highlands will always be my home. A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2011 from our LITTLE family to yours. God Bless Highlands, and God Bless America.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Truth about the Highlands Borough Budget and the Agreement with Highlands PBA
The following is an explanation of the facts surrounding the recent decision of the Highlands Borough Council on December 1, 2010.
The Borough Council asked the Highlands PBA to agree to a wage freeze to allow the Borough to evaluate our budgetary circumstances in light of the 2.0 cap imposed by the State of NJ upon Municipal budgets. After analysis of the Borough's budget, the Borough Council asked the PBA to find $420,000 in savings. The Highlands PBA contract had already been finalized and there was no obligation on the part of the Highlands PBA to negotiate. The Highlands PBA reviewed the State Health Benefits Plan recommended by the Borough and agreed to accept it. The Highlands PBA and the Highlands Chief of Police have regularly reduced overtime during my tenure as Mayor. Younger officers were hired in order to reduce exorbitant overtime costs necessary to cover State mandated shifts round the clock in the Borough. As of December 1, 2001 the Highlands PBA has agreed to forego overtime completely in exchange for compensatory time. This will guarantee over $100,000 permanent savings to the Borough per year.
The Agreement with the Highlands PBA for which I voted on December 1, 2010 includes:
1. Highlands PBA concession to accept the State Health Benefit Plan, amounting to $320,000 in savings to the Borough of Highlands.
2. Overtime savings in this budget of $66,668.
3. Court time savings in this budget of $8,140.
4. Overtime savings in 2011-2012 budget $106,205.
5. Court time savings in 2011-2012 budget $13,000.
6. Waiver of Retroactive contractual wages that the Borough owed the PBA from July 1, 2010 to December 1, 2010, a savings in this budget of $140,000.
7. The single raise of 4.25% for a six month period from January 1, 2011 until June 30, 2011 allows retirement eligible officers to retire at a wage level less than but nearer to what they would have received under the contract to which the Borough was obligated. This concession also produced a savings to the Borough in the 2011-2012 budget. If retirements which have been mentioned actually occur as verbally represented, substantial savings to the Borough will result.
In conclusion, we must support Governor Christie's tool kit. Toward that end we must ensure that in the 2011 election cycle, WE THE PEOPLE deliver to Governor Christie a State Legislature that will work with him on the Tool Kit and other tax saving initiatives. Until the Tool Kit is in place, agreements with bargaining units are the ONLY way to ensure savings to municipalities. Layoffs of three police officers in the Borough of Highlands surely would have resulted in additional overtime costs to the Borough because of State mandates. Initial calculations indicated that the Borough might have been charged up to $18,000 per month in overtime.
Therefore, the PBA Agreement for which I voted on December 1, 2010 and which secured savings to the Borough of $654,000 (not including the contractual reduction in raises and expected retirement of senior officers) was in the best interests of the People of the Borough of Highlands. It is the People and only the People whom I serve during my tenure in elected office.
The Borough Council asked the Highlands PBA to agree to a wage freeze to allow the Borough to evaluate our budgetary circumstances in light of the 2.0 cap imposed by the State of NJ upon Municipal budgets. After analysis of the Borough's budget, the Borough Council asked the PBA to find $420,000 in savings. The Highlands PBA contract had already been finalized and there was no obligation on the part of the Highlands PBA to negotiate. The Highlands PBA reviewed the State Health Benefits Plan recommended by the Borough and agreed to accept it. The Highlands PBA and the Highlands Chief of Police have regularly reduced overtime during my tenure as Mayor. Younger officers were hired in order to reduce exorbitant overtime costs necessary to cover State mandated shifts round the clock in the Borough. As of December 1, 2001 the Highlands PBA has agreed to forego overtime completely in exchange for compensatory time. This will guarantee over $100,000 permanent savings to the Borough per year.
The Agreement with the Highlands PBA for which I voted on December 1, 2010 includes:
1. Highlands PBA concession to accept the State Health Benefit Plan, amounting to $320,000 in savings to the Borough of Highlands.
2. Overtime savings in this budget of $66,668.
3. Court time savings in this budget of $8,140.
4. Overtime savings in 2011-2012 budget $106,205.
5. Court time savings in 2011-2012 budget $13,000.
6. Waiver of Retroactive contractual wages that the Borough owed the PBA from July 1, 2010 to December 1, 2010, a savings in this budget of $140,000.
7. The single raise of 4.25% for a six month period from January 1, 2011 until June 30, 2011 allows retirement eligible officers to retire at a wage level less than but nearer to what they would have received under the contract to which the Borough was obligated. This concession also produced a savings to the Borough in the 2011-2012 budget. If retirements which have been mentioned actually occur as verbally represented, substantial savings to the Borough will result.
In conclusion, we must support Governor Christie's tool kit. Toward that end we must ensure that in the 2011 election cycle, WE THE PEOPLE deliver to Governor Christie a State Legislature that will work with him on the Tool Kit and other tax saving initiatives. Until the Tool Kit is in place, agreements with bargaining units are the ONLY way to ensure savings to municipalities. Layoffs of three police officers in the Borough of Highlands surely would have resulted in additional overtime costs to the Borough because of State mandates. Initial calculations indicated that the Borough might have been charged up to $18,000 per month in overtime.
Therefore, the PBA Agreement for which I voted on December 1, 2010 and which secured savings to the Borough of $654,000 (not including the contractual reduction in raises and expected retirement of senior officers) was in the best interests of the People of the Borough of Highlands. It is the People and only the People whom I serve during my tenure in elected office.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Downtown Commercial Uses: Key to Reducing Property Tax Burden on Residents
The cost of Borough operations in Highlands has been the subject of much scrutiny over the past two years. Levy Cap restrictions have generated concern as reductions in State Aid produced a need for possible tax increases throughout the Borough. The Governing Body of the Borough of Highlands is proud of our work with the Budget Review Advisory Committee in scrutinizing our Borough budget, and in prioritizing actions to keep taxes from rising despite economic forces beyond our control. Every employee in the Borough has committed to seeking ways to reduce costs in each department. Understanding that Borough operations are already at a bare bones level, your Borough employees have worked with the Governing Body to reduce the Borough budget by 5%. Sadly, this was not enough to result in a budget with a zero increase this year, the goal of the Budget Committee.
However, your representatives are continuing to identify Council actions that will further reduce the Borough's budget while we look for ways to increase revenue to provide resident taxpayers some relief in troubled economic times. Improving the Downtown Business District is one solution which would provide significant additional revenue. Through renewed Code Enforcement efforts along Bay Avenue, Borough officials will assist property owners in cleaning up and ensuring a presentable appearance adding to property values in the Business District. By enacting new zoning ordinances with relaxed height restrictions, we have made it possible for new Commercial Uses to be established downtown. Professional offices provide pedestrian traffic and a demand for retail and restaurant services throughout the day. Such offices provide minimal negative impact to residents living in the mixed use environment on Bay Avenue.
Commercial uses in properties on Bay Avenue provide reliable rental income to property owners. The potential income realized from the operation of a business on the property increases the assessed value of commercial properties in the business district. Because Borough operations remain more or less the same, if businesses are paying more taxes, the resident portion of the tax levy should decrease. Targeting Bay Avenue for commercial uses that will increase property values is one way Highlands Governing Body can produce relief for resident taxpayers. The new Commercial Uses would also provide new or increased income to property owners.
During this difficult Economic time when people are losing their jobs and seeking alternatives to support their families, Highlands must be creative in providing every available opportunity for Borough residents and business owners to survive. The Economic downturn is causing many business owners in more expensive commercial districts to consider downsizing or closing their doors. The Highlands Business District provides an alternative for these businesses to reduce their costs and remain viable, saving jobs and maybe even producing a few for Borough residents.
The Governing Body of the Borough of Highlands reminds our resident taxpayers that successful businesses in Highlands keep your residential tax bill low. When businesses leave Highlands, resident taxes will increase. Remember to thank a business owner for toughing it out in this difficult economic time. Try to shop local, keeping revenue close to home. And above all we must count our blessings in each other, and pull together against the pressures we are facing. Highlands people have learned over the years that by working together, we can weather the storm. We are strong stock. Our struggles make our future brighter. It doesn't cost a dime to see a sunrise on Sandy Hook, or to watch a sunset from the Highlands waterfront. With so many priceless gifts to offer, there is no reason we should not prevail.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Highlands First Impressions: Inviting Residents and Business Owners to Live, Work and Play here year 'round
For many the onset of Spring signifies a new beginning. In Highlands Spring reminds us that Summer fun is on the horizon. We emerge from cabin fever, spending more time outside in mild weather, enjoying nature's new life. Just as we spruce up our homes in the Spring celebrating the end of winter confinement, we straighten up our yards and make improvements that we can enjoy outdoors during our leisure time. The goals of Borough government are very similar.
Spring is the season for clean up throughout the Borough. Beach sweeps, bulk and brush pick ups, mulching and pruning in the parks, and general clean up of the basketball and tennis courts are some of the tasks assigned to the Department of Public Works in the Spring. Likewise Property Maintenance Code Enforcement becomes priority, as residents and visitors alike begin to stroll on Borough streets at all times of day and evening. Residents and Business Owners are encouraged to seek assistance and advice from Borough Hall in disposing of unwanted, unnecessary items and in improving the appearance of homes and businesses.
In 2010 the Highlands Borough Council has targeted the Downtown Business District for improvement. We are investigating requirements for a facade program for commercial property and residences throughout downtown. The Substandard Housing Committee continues to target vacant buildings in disrepair. Property owners are encouraged to meet with Borough Officials to discuss the condition of their home or business, receiving instructions about how to comply with code requirements. The benefit to the Property owner is a maximum value for their home or business. The benefit to the Borough is a clean and presentable appearance for Borough residents and visitors to the Borough.
Discussions are ongoing regarding grant opportunities for downtown improvements such as a Bay Avenue street scape, Broadband (aka Wifi) internet access, and underground utilities in targeted areas of the Business District. Grants are being carefully scrutinized for cost evaluation given the tight budget constraints facing residents, business owners, and municipalities alike. Planning future projects gives us hope and pride in Highlands Borough. Cleaning up what we have reminds us to put our best foot forward, reflecting on the value we place on our identity, history, and charm as a community. Projects which might draw new commercial uses to the Business District are high priority, because maximizing Commercial Property Values results in increased revenue from the Business District and a lower tax burden on residents at this difficult time.
In all matters facing the Borough of Highlands in 2010, we must be mindful of the need to balance the benefits and the cost of improvements to the Business District and generally throughout the Borough. Input from residents and business owners is key in determining where the benefits outweigh the costs of any project. The Governing Body of the Borough of Highlands encourages all residents and taxpayers to communicate with us via the web site and Borough Hall providing perspectives on the grant applications we may consider. We look forward to working with you as your representatives toward bringing out the best in Highlands for ourselves, and for future generations to come.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Mayor Little's State of the Borough Address: January 1, 2010
Happy New Year 2010 to you and your families. It is an honor to report to you regarding the experience of working with the Highlands Borough Council of 2009. The past year was filled with challenges, some created by actions of higher government, and some created by ourselves. We have all learned something from each other throughout this past year. We are all better as individuals for our experiences working together as members of this Governing Body.
In 2009, we continued to face many of the challenges that we faced in 2008 . Worldwide economic pressures yet unresolved resulted in new budget challenges here and in all levels of government. Moon Tides and sudden downpours continued to create flood management requirements. Bridge Construction continued to affect quality of life for residents and businesses throughout the Borough. Highlands felt an increased impact of the war in Afghanistan as we honored veterans and were reminded of the sons of Highlands fighting in the present foreign war, recognizing the needs of their families here at home.
We ourselves created a few new pressures on businesses via our ABC Ordinance enforcement and ID card requirements. We also sent business owners scrambling to rework the budget of the Highlands Business Partnership, and to determine new methods for running HBP signature events without the “seed money” provided by the annual assessment imposed by the businesses against themselves. Through communication about these issues, members of the Governing Body proposed changes to the ABC Ordinance and ID requirements, and business owners resolved to continue operating the Highlands Business Partnership as a nonprofit organization. Our work in these areas is far from complete.
Throughout 2009 the Highlands Borough Council continued our work on budgetary issues. Worldwide economic decline pushed unemployment into double digits, forcing state government to reduce aid to municipalities once again. Policy changes and new ordinances passed by the 2008 Council, and cost saving suggestions by Borough employees, saved Highlands from levy cap breaches yet again in 2009. The Budget Review Advisory Committee spent countless hours analyzing the Borough's budget and has learned much about the difficulty in making short term budgetary changes. The Committee has many long term goals which will be helpful guidance to the Governing Body in 2010. The 2010 Council can look forward to considering actions to facilitate the goals of this very valuable Committee.
Construction of the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge progressed with consequent quality of life issues, including traffic impact which created difficulty for residents and businesses alike. Through the Bridge Committee here in the Borough and via participation in the NJDOT construction meetings at the office of the Resident Engineer, we have made the concerns of residents and businesses known to NJDOT and its contractors. We continue to work on resolving many of the issues related to Bridge Construction, and will continue to post updates on the website under the Bridge Update button throughout 2010.
Our two most important achievements in 2009 were in the areas of zoning and flood abatement. In December 2009 the Governing Body enacted zoning ordinances in compliance with the Master Plan Reevaluation conducted by the Highlands Planning Board, and created a Bond Ordinance which would allow funding for a comprehensive solution to downtown flooding. Applications for funding assistance based on designs facilitated by the Bond Ordinance are expected to be submitted within the first quarter of 2010. These accomplishments were important in support of economic development in our downtown business area, improving quality of life for Highlands residents and increasing property values. Projects such as these improve our position in the FEMA Community Rating System giving us stronger eligibility for future funding and reductions in flood insurance costs.
I have already met informally with members of the 2010 Borough Council. There is certainly a different dynamic present in 2010 as compared with 2009. While our agenda for 2010 is still being formed, I am hopeful that in the true “Highlands Spirit” we will find unity in our common goal: To contribute to the betterment of the Borough, our home.
On this New Year's Day 2010 we should all be reminded of the gift given us by the founding fathers of our country, and which our military fights to preserve today. In many countries people are denied the opportunity to participate in their government. They are dictated to by leaders who are self interested and who disregard the needs of the people they serve. In Highlands we, the people, elect our government to represent our interests fairly and honestly. In our small community we are able to truly know our elected officials and communicate with them freely. We must all be encouraged to appreciate our freedoms and to use the gift of self government to the fullest extent. Our government is only fully effective if we participate fully.
Best Wishes for Peace and Prosperity in 2010. A Happy New Year to everyone.
In 2009, we continued to face many of the challenges that we faced in 2008 . Worldwide economic pressures yet unresolved resulted in new budget challenges here and in all levels of government. Moon Tides and sudden downpours continued to create flood management requirements. Bridge Construction continued to affect quality of life for residents and businesses throughout the Borough. Highlands felt an increased impact of the war in Afghanistan as we honored veterans and were reminded of the sons of Highlands fighting in the present foreign war, recognizing the needs of their families here at home.
We ourselves created a few new pressures on businesses via our ABC Ordinance enforcement and ID card requirements. We also sent business owners scrambling to rework the budget of the Highlands Business Partnership, and to determine new methods for running HBP signature events without the “seed money” provided by the annual assessment imposed by the businesses against themselves. Through communication about these issues, members of the Governing Body proposed changes to the ABC Ordinance and ID requirements, and business owners resolved to continue operating the Highlands Business Partnership as a nonprofit organization. Our work in these areas is far from complete.
Throughout 2009 the Highlands Borough Council continued our work on budgetary issues. Worldwide economic decline pushed unemployment into double digits, forcing state government to reduce aid to municipalities once again. Policy changes and new ordinances passed by the 2008 Council, and cost saving suggestions by Borough employees, saved Highlands from levy cap breaches yet again in 2009. The Budget Review Advisory Committee spent countless hours analyzing the Borough's budget and has learned much about the difficulty in making short term budgetary changes. The Committee has many long term goals which will be helpful guidance to the Governing Body in 2010. The 2010 Council can look forward to considering actions to facilitate the goals of this very valuable Committee.
Construction of the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge progressed with consequent quality of life issues, including traffic impact which created difficulty for residents and businesses alike. Through the Bridge Committee here in the Borough and via participation in the NJDOT construction meetings at the office of the Resident Engineer, we have made the concerns of residents and businesses known to NJDOT and its contractors. We continue to work on resolving many of the issues related to Bridge Construction, and will continue to post updates on the website under the Bridge Update button throughout 2010.
Our two most important achievements in 2009 were in the areas of zoning and flood abatement. In December 2009 the Governing Body enacted zoning ordinances in compliance with the Master Plan Reevaluation conducted by the Highlands Planning Board, and created a Bond Ordinance which would allow funding for a comprehensive solution to downtown flooding. Applications for funding assistance based on designs facilitated by the Bond Ordinance are expected to be submitted within the first quarter of 2010. These accomplishments were important in support of economic development in our downtown business area, improving quality of life for Highlands residents and increasing property values. Projects such as these improve our position in the FEMA Community Rating System giving us stronger eligibility for future funding and reductions in flood insurance costs.
I have already met informally with members of the 2010 Borough Council. There is certainly a different dynamic present in 2010 as compared with 2009. While our agenda for 2010 is still being formed, I am hopeful that in the true “Highlands Spirit” we will find unity in our common goal: To contribute to the betterment of the Borough, our home.
On this New Year's Day 2010 we should all be reminded of the gift given us by the founding fathers of our country, and which our military fights to preserve today. In many countries people are denied the opportunity to participate in their government. They are dictated to by leaders who are self interested and who disregard the needs of the people they serve. In Highlands we, the people, elect our government to represent our interests fairly and honestly. In our small community we are able to truly know our elected officials and communicate with them freely. We must all be encouraged to appreciate our freedoms and to use the gift of self government to the fullest extent. Our government is only fully effective if we participate fully.
Best Wishes for Peace and Prosperity in 2010. A Happy New Year to everyone.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
To BID or Not to BID: A very important question for Highlands (reposted)
The Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) has been the economic development engine for the Borough of Highlands for a number of years. There has been benefit to not only the businesses but to the residents of Highlands as a result of the efforts of this organization. However, there is little understanding by the businesses and by the residents of Highlands as to how this organization came into existence, how it operates, and what its relationship is to the Governing Body of the Borough of Highlands. This lack of understanding exists despite extreme efforts on the part of the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) to explain itself to all. My hope is that a blog entry of a more permanent nature may be helpful in this regard.
The Borough of Highlands was enabled by state statute to created a Special Improvement District (SID), and so did by Ordinance. The law requires all commercial property within the district must be assessed an additional tax to fund economic development efforts within the Special Improvement District (SID). The law also requires establishment of a nonprofit corporation to manage the district. Thus, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) was formed.
Every entity assessed by law is a member of the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The Board of Directors is established by annual election among the members of the nonprofit corporation. The purpose is that economic development be funded by the businesses and for the businesses, and that the managing corporation be governed by the businesses via democratically elected leadership. The Borough of Highlands participates in the management of the corporation by appointing two voting members of the Board of Directors.
The benefit to the Governing Body of Highlands is that there is no line item for economic development in the borough's municipal budget. Likewise, there is no staff in Borough Hall with duties toward economic development. In essence, the people of the Borough of Highlands have been saved this taxpayer funded expense because Highlands businesses pay for it themselves. In addition, Highlands residents benefit from a series of events funded by the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP), e.g. the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Clamfest, the Oktoberfest, and others.
The current economic downturn, political agendas, and personal agendas have culminated in an effort by the Borough Council to reconsider the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the managing corporation, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The context of discussions regarding this issue is submission and approval of the HBP 2009 Budget. The Borough Council has suggested that it may not approve the HBP Budget, but rather that events previously run by the HBP would be run by Highlands Borough instead.
A few difficulties exist with execution of the Borough Council's suggested plan. First, contracts for vendors and participants in 2009 events may have been signed in 2008 with the HBP. All or part payments may have been made to or from the vendors/participants at that time. Second, all advertising of the events was made at the expense of and in the name of the HBP. HBP has the right to advertise events as canceled. Highlands Borough would have to re-advertise events as not canceled. Third, Highlands Borough does not have staff or funding in place to support this year's events. Highlands Borough would have to establish staff and funding to do the work that the HBP now does. Fourth, equipment and utility upgrades paid for by the Highlands Business Partnership may belong to the Highlands Business Partnership and might have to be paid for or replaced. Highlands Borough could not use the assessments to pay for expenses, as there are no assessments unless a budget is approved. Fifth, Highlands Borough would not have the right to information collected by the HBP in running past events, as this information belongs to the HBP. In essence, Highlands Borough would be starting from scratch to run events that the HBP now successfully runs, and spending funds not allocated in the 2009 and 2010 Budgets at a time when services are being cut and layoffs are contemplated.
It is true that the Special Improvement District (SID) and the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) have been politicized in the past. This tactic was unwise and inappropriate. Regardless, the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the HBP are undeniable.
The Borough Council has suggested that there might be more suitable projects for the HBP to champion, and that the Borough is capable of running Highlands' signature events. This may be so. However, transition of the events from HBP sponsorship to Highlands Borough sponsorship must be a collaborative and cooperative project. The Borough Council should send communication to the Board of Directors requesting the transition. Transition could take one to two years to complete. The HBP could then focus on these other projects with cooperation from the Borough Council without negative impact on the Borough's economy or loss of diversions for borough residents at a time when life at home may be an economic struggle.
The Borough Council has suggested that a chamber might be a more suitable organization funded by donations instead of by an assessment. This may be so. However, businesses who are assessed should be making this suggestion. Not hearing this from the HBP Board of Directors, and not hearing businesses lobby the HBP Board of Directors for relief, I cannot justify the Borough Council taking action upon this matter at this time.
Some members of the Borough Council state that businesses need a break during this difficult economic time, and therefore the HBP budget should not be approved. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the businesses serving on the HBP Board of Directors to vote to disband the organization or cut their budget due to the economic downturn. I cannot justify Borough Council action that works against the spirit and purpose of state law and the borough ordinance that established the SID. Likewise, I cannot justify additional expense line items in the 2009 or the 2010 Municipal Budgets at a time when we are approaching breach of our statutory levy caps.
Highlands Borough is undertaking a Master Plan re-examination to increase potential commercial uses on Bay Avenue, e.g. professional service/office type uses. Highlands is also examining the benefits of reinvigorating our active seafood industry downtown via potential improvements to the Clam Depuration Plant and potentially establishing a new seafood distribution center in cooperation with Aqualife. Highlands Borough has been the center of discussions regarding expansion and development of water based transportation in the Bayshore Region of Monmouth County. This transportation alternative is significant in light of the Route 36 Bridge Construction and summer traffic conditions. Now is a time to build on our successful endeavors. Now is not the time to destabilize our economic engine.
There are so many pressing issues before the Borough Council, e.g. downtown flooding, budget reductions to comply with statutory levy caps, the need for a new Borough Hall, fighting gang influence, guns and drugs, code enforcement matters involving unsafe vacant buildings and property maintenance issues. The HBP issues can be solved via the HBP meetings and subcommittee meetings where businesses, council members and the public can plug in making statements and suggestions. The Borough Council should not unilaterally shut down a functioning organization without trying to effect changes appropriately through its process. If the Borough Council has tried to effect changes and failed because businesses do not agree, then we must not overstep our boundaries.
I hope that this matter can be decided based upon rational analysis, and not on political or personal agendas. A small town is like a family. We do not always agree with one another. Living in close quarters, our quirks can get on each other's nerves. However, none of us intends to leave Highlands. Thus, we must find a way to work together. Residents, Businesses, Governing Body, HBP: All for one, one for all. Better said: United we stand, divided we fall.
The Borough of Highlands was enabled by state statute to created a Special Improvement District (SID), and so did by Ordinance. The law requires all commercial property within the district must be assessed an additional tax to fund economic development efforts within the Special Improvement District (SID). The law also requires establishment of a nonprofit corporation to manage the district. Thus, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) was formed.
Every entity assessed by law is a member of the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The Board of Directors is established by annual election among the members of the nonprofit corporation. The purpose is that economic development be funded by the businesses and for the businesses, and that the managing corporation be governed by the businesses via democratically elected leadership. The Borough of Highlands participates in the management of the corporation by appointing two voting members of the Board of Directors.
The benefit to the Governing Body of Highlands is that there is no line item for economic development in the borough's municipal budget. Likewise, there is no staff in Borough Hall with duties toward economic development. In essence, the people of the Borough of Highlands have been saved this taxpayer funded expense because Highlands businesses pay for it themselves. In addition, Highlands residents benefit from a series of events funded by the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP), e.g. the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Clamfest, the Oktoberfest, and others.
The current economic downturn, political agendas, and personal agendas have culminated in an effort by the Borough Council to reconsider the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the managing corporation, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The context of discussions regarding this issue is submission and approval of the HBP 2009 Budget. The Borough Council has suggested that it may not approve the HBP Budget, but rather that events previously run by the HBP would be run by Highlands Borough instead.
A few difficulties exist with execution of the Borough Council's suggested plan. First, contracts for vendors and participants in 2009 events may have been signed in 2008 with the HBP. All or part payments may have been made to or from the vendors/participants at that time. Second, all advertising of the events was made at the expense of and in the name of the HBP. HBP has the right to advertise events as canceled. Highlands Borough would have to re-advertise events as not canceled. Third, Highlands Borough does not have staff or funding in place to support this year's events. Highlands Borough would have to establish staff and funding to do the work that the HBP now does. Fourth, equipment and utility upgrades paid for by the Highlands Business Partnership may belong to the Highlands Business Partnership and might have to be paid for or replaced. Highlands Borough could not use the assessments to pay for expenses, as there are no assessments unless a budget is approved. Fifth, Highlands Borough would not have the right to information collected by the HBP in running past events, as this information belongs to the HBP. In essence, Highlands Borough would be starting from scratch to run events that the HBP now successfully runs, and spending funds not allocated in the 2009 and 2010 Budgets at a time when services are being cut and layoffs are contemplated.
It is true that the Special Improvement District (SID) and the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) have been politicized in the past. This tactic was unwise and inappropriate. Regardless, the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the HBP are undeniable.
The Borough Council has suggested that there might be more suitable projects for the HBP to champion, and that the Borough is capable of running Highlands' signature events. This may be so. However, transition of the events from HBP sponsorship to Highlands Borough sponsorship must be a collaborative and cooperative project. The Borough Council should send communication to the Board of Directors requesting the transition. Transition could take one to two years to complete. The HBP could then focus on these other projects with cooperation from the Borough Council without negative impact on the Borough's economy or loss of diversions for borough residents at a time when life at home may be an economic struggle.
The Borough Council has suggested that a chamber might be a more suitable organization funded by donations instead of by an assessment. This may be so. However, businesses who are assessed should be making this suggestion. Not hearing this from the HBP Board of Directors, and not hearing businesses lobby the HBP Board of Directors for relief, I cannot justify the Borough Council taking action upon this matter at this time.
Some members of the Borough Council state that businesses need a break during this difficult economic time, and therefore the HBP budget should not be approved. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the businesses serving on the HBP Board of Directors to vote to disband the organization or cut their budget due to the economic downturn. I cannot justify Borough Council action that works against the spirit and purpose of state law and the borough ordinance that established the SID. Likewise, I cannot justify additional expense line items in the 2009 or the 2010 Municipal Budgets at a time when we are approaching breach of our statutory levy caps.
Highlands Borough is undertaking a Master Plan re-examination to increase potential commercial uses on Bay Avenue, e.g. professional service/office type uses. Highlands is also examining the benefits of reinvigorating our active seafood industry downtown via potential improvements to the Clam Depuration Plant and potentially establishing a new seafood distribution center in cooperation with Aqualife. Highlands Borough has been the center of discussions regarding expansion and development of water based transportation in the Bayshore Region of Monmouth County. This transportation alternative is significant in light of the Route 36 Bridge Construction and summer traffic conditions. Now is a time to build on our successful endeavors. Now is not the time to destabilize our economic engine.
There are so many pressing issues before the Borough Council, e.g. downtown flooding, budget reductions to comply with statutory levy caps, the need for a new Borough Hall, fighting gang influence, guns and drugs, code enforcement matters involving unsafe vacant buildings and property maintenance issues. The HBP issues can be solved via the HBP meetings and subcommittee meetings where businesses, council members and the public can plug in making statements and suggestions. The Borough Council should not unilaterally shut down a functioning organization without trying to effect changes appropriately through its process. If the Borough Council has tried to effect changes and failed because businesses do not agree, then we must not overstep our boundaries.
I hope that this matter can be decided based upon rational analysis, and not on political or personal agendas. A small town is like a family. We do not always agree with one another. Living in close quarters, our quirks can get on each other's nerves. However, none of us intends to leave Highlands. Thus, we must find a way to work together. Residents, Businesses, Governing Body, HBP: All for one, one for all. Better said: United we stand, divided we fall.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Fiscal Year 2010: Budget Reductions and Jobs in Borough Government
The quintessential struggle in managing a small municipality is balancing the need to reduce the budget with the need to keep Borough workers employed. Many Borough employees live locally in and around Highlands. These employees are also constituents, and have good insight toward keeping costs down and restructuring government to avoid future increases in the tax levy. It is important that management here in Highlands communicate freely with staff throughout the Borough keeping an open mind to suggestions that may come from Department Heads and individual Borough workers.
As Mayor I have had the distinct privilege of meeting one on one with many Borough employees. We have shared frank discussions regarding budgetary concerns and the need to reduce the size of Borough government. Employees have responded to concerns by identifying areas in each department where costs can be reduced or eliminated. Highlands should be proud of the dedication, professionalism and team work espoused by these members of our Highlands community.
Many employees who have become eligible for retirement are choosing to retire, increasing job security for their colleagues working in the Borough. It is touching to participate in discussions among employees about the priority for maintaining employment for those with young families and elder dependents. As retirements are accomplished, responsibilities are being analyzed and steps taken to hire from within, shifting additional responsibilities to existing staff. In most cases this has been accomplished with willing cooperation by Borough employees who keenly understand the impact of the levy cap and the threat of forced consolidation if we are unable to comply.
Our team in Borough Hall is pursuing technology as an alternative for streamlining Borough functions and improving response to the needs of Borough residents and business owners. Communication via email between Administration and Department heads provides a ready work list in chronological order, which can then be prioritized according to the emergent nature of each request. Increasing the number of forms available via the Borough website permits employees to focus more time on clerical duties and less time engaging in repetitive contact with the public.
Of course, the personal touch is necessary and preferred by some constituents. With small adjustments to the schedule and distribution of duties, morale is preserved and improved within Borough Hall. Employees who are comfortable with their work environment promote a more pleasant experience both for the public servant and for those served. I encourage all taxpayers throughout the Borough of Highlands to compliment your employees while interacting with them. Likewise make suggestions to them about how we can serve you better.
A dedicated workforce is our foundation and our hope for a better future in Highlands. Converting challenges into strengths by responding efficiently and effectively, Highlands can become a well oiled and well tuned instrument. All things are possible when we pull together and work as a team.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Flood Abatement: The Key to Quality of Life Downtown
Highlands is uniquely located on the shore of Sandy Hook Bay and the Shrewsbury River in perhaps the best location along the Jersey Shore. While we are best noted as a summer recreation town because of our close proximity to Sandy Hook and our renowned seafood restaurants, we are also only a 45 minute boat ride away from New York City, a world class cultural and business center. Most of the residents in Highlands live above sea level with good protection from storms due to the expensive and very effective bulkhead and pump system installed wisely after the 1992 flood. For this reason most summer residents in Highlands have chosen to make the Borough their year round home.
However, there are locations downtown in Highlands that routinely experience a collection of water in the streets. Some locations are subject to regular moon tide events which drive salt water from the bay into outfall pipes and into the streets. Other locations suffer storm water runoff from the Monmouth Hills section of Middletown leaving silt deposits in Highlands storm water pipes and most visibly in Jones Creek (the overflow basins at Snug Harbor and Huddy Park). While our pump system is effective, it requires regular maintenance by the Borough. The success of the Borough flood abatement solution also requires cooperation by private bulkhead owners in maintaining their private bulkheads where water may also seep into the ground and eventually into Borough streets. The Highlands storm water system is also in need of repair and updating in several areas and has remained so for several years.
In fairness to prior administrations I must admit that repairs and updates to the system are extremely expensive (roughly 4 million dollars). Clearly Highlands Borough taxpayers cannot afford to foot this bill all at once and without assistance from higher levels of government. Cooperation is also required from Middletown's Monmouth Hills residents in ensuring that the silt from their properties and the unpaved roadways does not remain in our storm water pipes and Jones Creek. Because the Middletown Monmouth Hills residents do not experience these events, awareness must be created through constant communication with them. The effect of the water events must be recorded diligently by photographs and reports by contractors cleaning the system and emptying Jones Creek of the silt and soil. There is much work to do before we will be successful in fully abating this recurring problem. However, the 2009 Borough Council and I have been working together to do whatever we can to immediately provide some relief.
In 2008 I asked Department of Public Works to designate a year round employee as a point of contact for flooding complaints related to the storm water system. A cell phone was provided to this individual so that he could remain on call around the clock for rapid response to maintenance issues. This individual is responsible for anticipating storms by monitoring the weather, and ensuring that pipes are cleaned and pumps are functional prior to storm occurrence. In 2008 I also asked Department of Public Works and the Office of the Administrator to establish a regular maintenance schedule for cleaning of storm water pipes in the Borough and for clearing of the silt and soil from Jones Creek. Administration and Public Works were already addressing the status of the Valley Street pump repairs and working with the maintenance bond provided by the manufacturer of the unit. The maintenance schedule for cleaning the system is aggressive and difficult for the Borough to maintain, but much progress has been made in reducing the amount of water downtown residents experience on a monthly moon tide basis.
Abatement of the collection of silt in storm water pipes and Jones Creek from storm water runoff during sudden rain events is a more difficult task. The storm water pipes in this area of the Borough as well as Jones Creek fill with silt and soil at a rapid rate with every heavy rainfall. The cleaning of the system after every heavy rainfall is cost prohibitive. To date we receive no assistance from Middletown Monmouth Hills in accomplishing this cleaning. Our goal is to establish a regular cleaning regimen that will avoid collection of water in the Huddy Park area after a sudden rain storm and to seek contribution from Middletown Monmouth Hills toward the expense. We are close to reaching this goal. However, I am advised by Borough Engineers that it may be impossible to produce the desired result without repairs and an upgrade to the system.
The 2009 Borough Council and I are committed to attending to this problem until it is resolved. We are presently seeking funding from FEMA and Economic Development grant sources to defray the cost of the repairs and upgrades. Regardless, the 2009 Council has made this project a priority by including it in the Capital Improvement portion of the 2009 fiscal budget. In fact, the 2009 Borough Council and I are considering removing other capital improvement items temporarily to permit this work to go forward while we seek grant opportunities to offset the expense. We must choose our priority projects in order to comply with state imposed budget limitations.
Highlands Borough Residents should rest assured that your representatives are aware of your difficulties in this area and are responding to your needs. Efforts are being made to make detail about our work in this matter available to you by every possible means. If you have questions or concerns regarding our progress, please feel free to contact your representatives by writing to them at Borough Hall or by using the email addresses provided at www.highlandsnj.com.
However, there are locations downtown in Highlands that routinely experience a collection of water in the streets. Some locations are subject to regular moon tide events which drive salt water from the bay into outfall pipes and into the streets. Other locations suffer storm water runoff from the Monmouth Hills section of Middletown leaving silt deposits in Highlands storm water pipes and most visibly in Jones Creek (the overflow basins at Snug Harbor and Huddy Park). While our pump system is effective, it requires regular maintenance by the Borough. The success of the Borough flood abatement solution also requires cooperation by private bulkhead owners in maintaining their private bulkheads where water may also seep into the ground and eventually into Borough streets. The Highlands storm water system is also in need of repair and updating in several areas and has remained so for several years.
In fairness to prior administrations I must admit that repairs and updates to the system are extremely expensive (roughly 4 million dollars). Clearly Highlands Borough taxpayers cannot afford to foot this bill all at once and without assistance from higher levels of government. Cooperation is also required from Middletown's Monmouth Hills residents in ensuring that the silt from their properties and the unpaved roadways does not remain in our storm water pipes and Jones Creek. Because the Middletown Monmouth Hills residents do not experience these events, awareness must be created through constant communication with them. The effect of the water events must be recorded diligently by photographs and reports by contractors cleaning the system and emptying Jones Creek of the silt and soil. There is much work to do before we will be successful in fully abating this recurring problem. However, the 2009 Borough Council and I have been working together to do whatever we can to immediately provide some relief.
In 2008 I asked Department of Public Works to designate a year round employee as a point of contact for flooding complaints related to the storm water system. A cell phone was provided to this individual so that he could remain on call around the clock for rapid response to maintenance issues. This individual is responsible for anticipating storms by monitoring the weather, and ensuring that pipes are cleaned and pumps are functional prior to storm occurrence. In 2008 I also asked Department of Public Works and the Office of the Administrator to establish a regular maintenance schedule for cleaning of storm water pipes in the Borough and for clearing of the silt and soil from Jones Creek. Administration and Public Works were already addressing the status of the Valley Street pump repairs and working with the maintenance bond provided by the manufacturer of the unit. The maintenance schedule for cleaning the system is aggressive and difficult for the Borough to maintain, but much progress has been made in reducing the amount of water downtown residents experience on a monthly moon tide basis.
Abatement of the collection of silt in storm water pipes and Jones Creek from storm water runoff during sudden rain events is a more difficult task. The storm water pipes in this area of the Borough as well as Jones Creek fill with silt and soil at a rapid rate with every heavy rainfall. The cleaning of the system after every heavy rainfall is cost prohibitive. To date we receive no assistance from Middletown Monmouth Hills in accomplishing this cleaning. Our goal is to establish a regular cleaning regimen that will avoid collection of water in the Huddy Park area after a sudden rain storm and to seek contribution from Middletown Monmouth Hills toward the expense. We are close to reaching this goal. However, I am advised by Borough Engineers that it may be impossible to produce the desired result without repairs and an upgrade to the system.
The 2009 Borough Council and I are committed to attending to this problem until it is resolved. We are presently seeking funding from FEMA and Economic Development grant sources to defray the cost of the repairs and upgrades. Regardless, the 2009 Council has made this project a priority by including it in the Capital Improvement portion of the 2009 fiscal budget. In fact, the 2009 Borough Council and I are considering removing other capital improvement items temporarily to permit this work to go forward while we seek grant opportunities to offset the expense. We must choose our priority projects in order to comply with state imposed budget limitations.
Highlands Borough Residents should rest assured that your representatives are aware of your difficulties in this area and are responding to your needs. Efforts are being made to make detail about our work in this matter available to you by every possible means. If you have questions or concerns regarding our progress, please feel free to contact your representatives by writing to them at Borough Hall or by using the email addresses provided at www.highlandsnj.com.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Highlands Budget Review Advisory Committee: Citizens working together with government
This year marks the creation of the first citizen budget review committee in Highlands. I created this committee due to the economic pressures on Highlands Borough and their effect upon our ability to meet the requirements of the budget levy caps. These caps are imposed by the state legislature and carry with them a consequence of state government takeover if they are breached. My goal as your mayor has been to avoid such a takeover and comply with the budget levy caps by all means available to us.
Unfortunately in 2008 our only available method of complying with these levy caps was to eliminate commercial garbage collection. This resulted in a layoff of some Borough employees. While this legislative action by the 2008 Governing Body has been successful in helping us meet the levy cap requirements this year, I would like to avoid the need for such drastic action in the future. Thus, the budget has been a focal point for me during my term as Mayor and a focal point of the 2009 Borough Council as well.
The Budget Review Advisory Committee is comprised of Highlands Borough citizens who have a financial background, or who feel they can make suggestions toward reducing budget line items and the resulting financial burden on Borough taxpayers. The Advisory Committee is charged with suggesting both short term and long term goals to assist the Governing Body in making the very difficult decisions required to avoid future unexpected cuts in services and loss of jobs by Borough employees. The final decisions required to implement changes proposed by the committee must be made by the Highlands Borough Council to become effective. If study is needed to determine steps required for implementation, expenditures must be approved by the Borough Council or the Executive Office of the Mayor depending upon the amount required.
I am hopeful that the committee will focus on items such as health insurance costs, legal expenses and engineering expenses. I am also hopeful that the group will examine available technology options toward streamlining services and reducing the need for additional employees to deliver increased services. However, the committee can also recommend ideas for producing revenue to the Borough which might offset expenses and avoid future tax increases. Government works best when it is representative of the people we serve. By participating in this advisory committee, Borough citizens will be directly communicating with their representatives. In this way necessary change will not be dictated, but will evolve through an open dialogue.
The Budget Review Advisory Committee is a groundbreaking tool toward streamlining the Highlands Borough Budget and creating a fair tax burden that permits an affordable quality of life in Highlands. All citizens are invited to participate. Information regarding how to become a participant can be obtained by contacting the Borough Hall offices.
Unfortunately in 2008 our only available method of complying with these levy caps was to eliminate commercial garbage collection. This resulted in a layoff of some Borough employees. While this legislative action by the 2008 Governing Body has been successful in helping us meet the levy cap requirements this year, I would like to avoid the need for such drastic action in the future. Thus, the budget has been a focal point for me during my term as Mayor and a focal point of the 2009 Borough Council as well.
The Budget Review Advisory Committee is comprised of Highlands Borough citizens who have a financial background, or who feel they can make suggestions toward reducing budget line items and the resulting financial burden on Borough taxpayers. The Advisory Committee is charged with suggesting both short term and long term goals to assist the Governing Body in making the very difficult decisions required to avoid future unexpected cuts in services and loss of jobs by Borough employees. The final decisions required to implement changes proposed by the committee must be made by the Highlands Borough Council to become effective. If study is needed to determine steps required for implementation, expenditures must be approved by the Borough Council or the Executive Office of the Mayor depending upon the amount required.
I am hopeful that the committee will focus on items such as health insurance costs, legal expenses and engineering expenses. I am also hopeful that the group will examine available technology options toward streamlining services and reducing the need for additional employees to deliver increased services. However, the committee can also recommend ideas for producing revenue to the Borough which might offset expenses and avoid future tax increases. Government works best when it is representative of the people we serve. By participating in this advisory committee, Borough citizens will be directly communicating with their representatives. In this way necessary change will not be dictated, but will evolve through an open dialogue.
The Budget Review Advisory Committee is a groundbreaking tool toward streamlining the Highlands Borough Budget and creating a fair tax burden that permits an affordable quality of life in Highlands. All citizens are invited to participate. Information regarding how to become a participant can be obtained by contacting the Borough Hall offices.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bayshore Business Conference: Building a Regional Economic Development Plan
This month I have had the honor of chairing and participating in the very first Bayshore Business Conference. The Conference is a focus group on economic development in the Bayshore section of Monmouth County. Both the organizers and the participants brought forth many exciting ideas for supporting business along our portion of the Jersey Shore. Topics ranged from improving synergy between local business groups and government at local, county and state levels to networking between towns to encourage regional marketing initiatives. I was encouraged and excited to share the concept of water transportation with the group as a means of linking our Bayshore towns and avoiding additional volume on Route 36. Some were very excited by the concept. I'm looking forward to working with each town on what their best next step might be toward supporting better business development in their downtown.
Highlands has been a leader in Economic Development in the Bayshore. The collaborative efforts of the Highlands business owners in cooperation with Highlands Borough government have resulted in Highlands becoming a destination for summer vacation fun, and terrific summer seasonal events. In recent years the season has extended from the early spring (Highlands' St. Patrick's Day Parade) to mid autumn (Highlands' Oktoberfest). The techniques developed by the Business Partnership in Highlands can be used in every Bayshore town. Our Borough has become an example to follow.
Highlands' downtown center is the Bay Avenue business district. Highlands also has great potential on our waterfront in the Shrewsbury Avenue area past Veteran's Park and to the south. And last but not least, our northern waterfront area presents a promising location for recreation and conference based businesses. While all business is suffering during this national economic downturn, Highlands is fortunate to have an active and vibrant business district anchored by distinctive and successful restaurants. These anchor businesses truly weather all storms keeping Highlands business district steadily active. I believe we have a firm foundation on which to build.
Increasing retail shops is a firm next step in improving the Highlands downtown business district. Highlighting our history as a clamming town and seashore vacation spot, focused retail shops could remind residents and visitors of the identity of Highlands. Inviting retailers that offer distinctive household items, arts and crafts, furniture, and jewelry will enhance the experience of the dinner patrons that visit Highlands during the evening hours. Retail shops supporting summer sports and recreation as well as cycling and skating enthusiasts might benefit from sales during the daytime hours. Our existing residents and visitors are likely to take advantage of these retail shops, and new visitors may be drawn to us knowing they can find fun for the whole family.
Another good next step might be encouraging service businesses such as accounting firms, law offices, financial management firms, technology companies, medical offices, printing services, and the like. These businesses will not only provide jobs for Highlands residents, but will provide support for retail shops to support their needs for day to day operation, and support for restaurants through meetings and conferences. The advertising produced by these service businesses will certainly benefit Highlands as it often reaches people beyond our borders, continuously placing Highlands on the map in the minds of their patrons. In this way the advertising of one business effectively advertises the whole town and other consumer opportunities available here.
Lastly, novelty combinations of recreation with technology could draw recreational visitors to our area. In this day of instant communication with cellular phones, text messaging, and multimedia messages wifi internet access in our downtown business district might provide a progressive marketing opportunity for Highlands. The possibility of working or communicating with friends and family from a public park, while on a boat in the river, or while sitting outside your favorite restaurant may be enticing to visitors. Likewise, our own Highlands residents can get out of the house into the open air while keeping up with work outside the office, and staying in touch with family and friends. The 2008 wifi proposal has a $125,000 price tag. Grant money may be available to defray some of this cost. I hope the Borough Council and the Planning Board will consider this as a short term stimulus for growth in the district.
The Highlands Borough Planning Board is reexamining the Master Plan for Highlands Borough in the hope of stimulating economic growth in our downtown business district and along our waterfront. This project is a collaborative effort taking into account a balance between the needs of residents and business owners in Highlands. It is one of the most important projects ongoing in Highlands this year. I have enjoyed working with this group of energetic, forward thinking individuals. We all want Highlands to be vibrant and healthy, while maintaining our quiet, peaceful seashore setting. I'm sure we can develop a Master Plan that works toward that goal.
The Bayshore Business Conference provides Highlands a forum in which to showcase our successes and discover new ideas through networking with other Bayshore towns. By organizing our efforts regionally, we can all advertise each other providing a host of alternatives for seasonal summer fun and year round business opportunity. I am honored to chair the Conference for the benefit of Highlands and the other participating towns in the region. The Bayshore is a valuable asset to Monmouth County and the State of New Jersey. Working together I am certain we will reach our full potential.
Highlands has been a leader in Economic Development in the Bayshore. The collaborative efforts of the Highlands business owners in cooperation with Highlands Borough government have resulted in Highlands becoming a destination for summer vacation fun, and terrific summer seasonal events. In recent years the season has extended from the early spring (Highlands' St. Patrick's Day Parade) to mid autumn (Highlands' Oktoberfest). The techniques developed by the Business Partnership in Highlands can be used in every Bayshore town. Our Borough has become an example to follow.
Highlands' downtown center is the Bay Avenue business district. Highlands also has great potential on our waterfront in the Shrewsbury Avenue area past Veteran's Park and to the south. And last but not least, our northern waterfront area presents a promising location for recreation and conference based businesses. While all business is suffering during this national economic downturn, Highlands is fortunate to have an active and vibrant business district anchored by distinctive and successful restaurants. These anchor businesses truly weather all storms keeping Highlands business district steadily active. I believe we have a firm foundation on which to build.
Increasing retail shops is a firm next step in improving the Highlands downtown business district. Highlighting our history as a clamming town and seashore vacation spot, focused retail shops could remind residents and visitors of the identity of Highlands. Inviting retailers that offer distinctive household items, arts and crafts, furniture, and jewelry will enhance the experience of the dinner patrons that visit Highlands during the evening hours. Retail shops supporting summer sports and recreation as well as cycling and skating enthusiasts might benefit from sales during the daytime hours. Our existing residents and visitors are likely to take advantage of these retail shops, and new visitors may be drawn to us knowing they can find fun for the whole family.
Another good next step might be encouraging service businesses such as accounting firms, law offices, financial management firms, technology companies, medical offices, printing services, and the like. These businesses will not only provide jobs for Highlands residents, but will provide support for retail shops to support their needs for day to day operation, and support for restaurants through meetings and conferences. The advertising produced by these service businesses will certainly benefit Highlands as it often reaches people beyond our borders, continuously placing Highlands on the map in the minds of their patrons. In this way the advertising of one business effectively advertises the whole town and other consumer opportunities available here.
Lastly, novelty combinations of recreation with technology could draw recreational visitors to our area. In this day of instant communication with cellular phones, text messaging, and multimedia messages wifi internet access in our downtown business district might provide a progressive marketing opportunity for Highlands. The possibility of working or communicating with friends and family from a public park, while on a boat in the river, or while sitting outside your favorite restaurant may be enticing to visitors. Likewise, our own Highlands residents can get out of the house into the open air while keeping up with work outside the office, and staying in touch with family and friends. The 2008 wifi proposal has a $125,000 price tag. Grant money may be available to defray some of this cost. I hope the Borough Council and the Planning Board will consider this as a short term stimulus for growth in the district.
The Highlands Borough Planning Board is reexamining the Master Plan for Highlands Borough in the hope of stimulating economic growth in our downtown business district and along our waterfront. This project is a collaborative effort taking into account a balance between the needs of residents and business owners in Highlands. It is one of the most important projects ongoing in Highlands this year. I have enjoyed working with this group of energetic, forward thinking individuals. We all want Highlands to be vibrant and healthy, while maintaining our quiet, peaceful seashore setting. I'm sure we can develop a Master Plan that works toward that goal.
The Bayshore Business Conference provides Highlands a forum in which to showcase our successes and discover new ideas through networking with other Bayshore towns. By organizing our efforts regionally, we can all advertise each other providing a host of alternatives for seasonal summer fun and year round business opportunity. I am honored to chair the Conference for the benefit of Highlands and the other participating towns in the region. The Bayshore is a valuable asset to Monmouth County and the State of New Jersey. Working together I am certain we will reach our full potential.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Highlands Public Library: Private dollars donated for public service
For the past twelve years, the National Education Association has been sponsoring "Read Accross America" during the month of March. Highlands Borough is supporting this literacy campaign with an event at our firehouse on March 11, 2009. Children and adults are encourage to participate by volunteering as a reader, listening, or sharing how reading can shape our lives. Now seems a fitting time to post an update on efforts to establish a public library in our Borough.
Members of the Borough Council have created a Dedicated Trust by Rider for the purpose of fundraising in support of a public library in the Borough of Highlands. The Highlands Public Library Committee was created in 2008 and meets every first and third Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the Borough Hall meeting room. So far, architectural drawings have been received depicting the old Borough Hall and a proposed retrofit for the old firehouse bay to incorporate shelving donated by the Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library as well as multiuse library/meeting space. It has even been proposed that when the library is not in use by the public, the space might be used by Borough employees who need expanded space to complete office projects, or by councilmembers, the administrator and/or Borough professionals for meeting purposes. Borough Council meetings may continue in the current Council meeting chambers, or could be rotated to other locations in the Borough to permit multipurpose use of that space as well. Most recently an experience contractor has agreed to scope the retrofit project for review by the Borough Engineer. Materials can be purchased with donated funds held in the Dedicated Trust, or can be donated to the project.
The Library Project is a community effort for the benefit of residents of all ages. The pro bono services of an attorney have been secured for the purpose of establishing a 501(c)(3) corporation that will conducting additional fundraising and management of the Highlands Public Library in cooperation with the Borough of Highlands in an Association Library structure. The Library Committee and I will keep you updated on developments as they occur.
Members of the Borough Council have created a Dedicated Trust by Rider for the purpose of fundraising in support of a public library in the Borough of Highlands. The Highlands Public Library Committee was created in 2008 and meets every first and third Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the Borough Hall meeting room. So far, architectural drawings have been received depicting the old Borough Hall and a proposed retrofit for the old firehouse bay to incorporate shelving donated by the Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library as well as multiuse library/meeting space. It has even been proposed that when the library is not in use by the public, the space might be used by Borough employees who need expanded space to complete office projects, or by councilmembers, the administrator and/or Borough professionals for meeting purposes. Borough Council meetings may continue in the current Council meeting chambers, or could be rotated to other locations in the Borough to permit multipurpose use of that space as well. Most recently an experience contractor has agreed to scope the retrofit project for review by the Borough Engineer. Materials can be purchased with donated funds held in the Dedicated Trust, or can be donated to the project.
The Library Project is a community effort for the benefit of residents of all ages. The pro bono services of an attorney have been secured for the purpose of establishing a 501(c)(3) corporation that will conducting additional fundraising and management of the Highlands Public Library in cooperation with the Borough of Highlands in an Association Library structure. The Library Committee and I will keep you updated on developments as they occur.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
To BID or Not to BID: A very important question for Highlands
The Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) has been the economic development engine for the Borough of Highlands for a number of years. There has been benefit to not only the businesses but to the residents of Highlands as a result of the efforts of this organization. However, there is little understanding by the businesses and by the residents of Highlands as to how this organization came into existence, how it operates, and what its relationship is to the Governing Body of the Borough of Highlands. This lack of understanding exists despite extreme efforts on the part of the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) to explain itself to all. My hope is that a blog entry of a more permanent nature may be helpful in this regard.
The Borough of Highlands was enabled by state statute to created a Special Improvement District (SID), and so did by Ordinance. The law requires all commercial property within the district must be assessed an additional tax to fund economic development efforts within the Special Improvement District (SID). The law also requires establishment of a nonprofit corporation to manage the district. Thus, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) was formed.
Every entity assessed by law is a member of the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The Board of Directors is established by annual election among the members of the nonprofit corporation. The purpose is that economic development be funded by the businesses and for the businesses, and that the managing corporation be governed by the businesses via democratically elected leadership. The Borough of Highlands participates in the management of the corporation by appointing two voting members of the Board of Directors.
The benefit to the Governing Body of Highlands is that there is no line item for economic development in the borough's municipal budget. Likewise, there is no staff in Borough Hall with duties toward economic development. In essence, the people of the Borough of Highlands have been saved this taxpayer funded expense because Highlands businesses pay for it themselves. In addition, Highlands residents benefit from a series of events funded by the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP), e.g. the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Clamfest, the Oktoberfest, and others.
The current economic downturn, political agendas, and personal agendas have culminated in an effort by the Borough Council to reconsider the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the managing corporation, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The context of discussions regarding this issue is submission and approval of the HBP 2009 Budget. The Borough Council has suggested that it may not approve the HBP Budget, but rather that events previously run by the HBP would be run by Highlands Borough instead.
A few difficulties exist with execution of the Borough Council's suggested plan. First, contracts for vendors and participants in 2009 events may have been signed in 2008 with the HBP. All or part payments may have been made to or from the vendors/participants at that time. Second, all advertising of the events was made at the expense of and in the name of the HBP. HBP has the right to advertise events as canceled. Highlands Borough would have to re-advertise events as not canceled. Third, Highlands Borough does not have staff or funding in place to support this year's events. Highlands Borough would have to establish staff and funding to do the work that the HBP now does. Fourth, equipment and utility upgrades paid for by the Highlands Business Partnership may belong to the Highlands Business Partnership and might have to be paid for or replaced. Highlands Borough could not use the assessments to pay for expenses, as there are no assessments unless a budget is approved. Fifth, Highlands Borough would not have the right to information collected by the HBP in running past events, as this information belongs to the HBP. In essence, Highlands Borough would be starting from scratch to run events that the HBP now successfully runs, and spending funds not allocated in the 2009 and 2010 Budgets at a time when services are being cut and layoffs are contemplated.
It is true that the Special Improvement District (SID) and the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) have been politicized in the past. This tactic was unwise and inappropriate. Regardless, the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the HBP are undeniable.
The Borough Council has suggested that there might be more suitable projects for the HBP to champion, and that the Borough is capable of running Highlands' signature events. This may be so. However, transition of the events from HBP sponsorship to Highlands Borough sponsorship must be a collaborative and cooperative project. The Borough Council should send communication to the Board of Directors requesting the transition. Transition could take one to two years to complete. The HBP could then focus on these other projects with cooperation from the Borough Council without negative impact on the Borough's economy or loss of diversions for borough residents at a time when life at home may be an economic struggle.
The Borough Council has suggested that a chamber might be a more suitable organization funded by donations instead of by an assessment. This may be so. However, businesses who are assessed should be making this suggestion. Not hearing this from the HBP Board of Directors, and not hearing businesses lobby the HBP Board of Directors for relief, I cannot justify the Borough Council taking action upon this matter at this time.
Some members of the Borough Council state that businesses need a break during this difficult economic time, and therefore the HBP budget should not be approved. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the businesses serving on the HBP Board of Directors to vote to disband the organization or cut their budget due to the economic downturn. I cannot justify Borough Council action that works against the spirit and purpose of state law and the borough ordinance that established the SID. Likewise, I cannot justify additional expense line items in the 2009 or the 2010 Municipal Budgets at a time when we are approaching breach of our statutory levy caps.
Highlands Borough is undertaking a Master Plan re-examination to increase potential commercial uses on Bay Avenue, e.g. professional service/office type uses. Highlands is also examining the benefits of reinvigorating our active seafood industry downtown via potential improvements to the Clam Depuration Plant and potentially establishing a new seafood distribution center in cooperation with Aqualife. Highlands Borough has been the center of discussions regarding expansion and development of water based transportation in the Bayshore Region of Monmouth County. This transportation alternative is significant in light of the Route 36 Bridge Construction and summer traffic conditions. Now is a time to build on our successful endeavors. Now is not the time to destabilize our economic engine.
There are so many pressing issues before the Borough Council, e.g. downtown flooding, budget reductions to comply with statutory levy caps, the need for a new Borough Hall, fighting gang influence, guns and drugs, code enforcement matters involving unsafe vacant buildings and property maintenance issues. The HBP issues can be solved via the HBP meetings and subcommittee meetings where businesses, council members and the public can plug in making statements and suggestions. The Borough Council should not unilaterally shut down a functioning organization without trying to effect changes appropriately through its process. If the Borough Council has tried to effect changes and failed because businesses do not agree, then we must not overstep our boundaries.
I hope that this matter can be decided based upon rational analysis, and not on political or personal agendas. A small town is like a family. We do not always agree with one another. Living in close quarters, our quirks can get on each other's nerves. However, none of us intends to leave Highlands. Thus, we must find a way to work together. Residents, Businesses, Governing Body, HBP: All for one, one for all. Better said: United we stand, divided we fall.
The Borough of Highlands was enabled by state statute to created a Special Improvement District (SID), and so did by Ordinance. The law requires all commercial property within the district must be assessed an additional tax to fund economic development efforts within the Special Improvement District (SID). The law also requires establishment of a nonprofit corporation to manage the district. Thus, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) was formed.
Every entity assessed by law is a member of the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The Board of Directors is established by annual election among the members of the nonprofit corporation. The purpose is that economic development be funded by the businesses and for the businesses, and that the managing corporation be governed by the businesses via democratically elected leadership. The Borough of Highlands participates in the management of the corporation by appointing two voting members of the Board of Directors.
The benefit to the Governing Body of Highlands is that there is no line item for economic development in the borough's municipal budget. Likewise, there is no staff in Borough Hall with duties toward economic development. In essence, the people of the Borough of Highlands have been saved this taxpayer funded expense because Highlands businesses pay for it themselves. In addition, Highlands residents benefit from a series of events funded by the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP), e.g. the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Clamfest, the Oktoberfest, and others.
The current economic downturn, political agendas, and personal agendas have culminated in an effort by the Borough Council to reconsider the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the managing corporation, the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP). The context of discussions regarding this issue is submission and approval of the HBP 2009 Budget. The Borough Council has suggested that it may not approve the HBP Budget, but rather that events previously run by the HBP would be run by Highlands Borough instead.
A few difficulties exist with execution of the Borough Council's suggested plan. First, contracts for vendors and participants in 2009 events may have been signed in 2008 with the HBP. All or part payments may have been made to or from the vendors/participants at that time. Second, all advertising of the events was made at the expense of and in the name of the HBP. HBP has the right to advertise events as canceled. Highlands Borough would have to re-advertise events as not canceled. Third, Highlands Borough does not have staff or funding in place to support this year's events. Highlands Borough would have to establish staff and funding to do the work that the HBP now does. Fourth, equipment and utility upgrades paid for by the Highlands Business Partnership may belong to the Highlands Business Partnership and might have to be paid for or replaced. Highlands Borough could not use the assessments to pay for expenses, as there are no assessments unless a budget is approved. Fifth, Highlands Borough would not have the right to information collected by the HBP in running past events, as this information belongs to the HBP. In essence, Highlands Borough would be starting from scratch to run events that the HBP now successfully runs, and spending funds not allocated in the 2009 and 2010 Budgets at a time when services are being cut and layoffs are contemplated.
It is true that the Special Improvement District (SID) and the Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) have been politicized in the past. This tactic was unwise and inappropriate. Regardless, the benefits of the Special Improvement District (SID) and the HBP are undeniable.
The Borough Council has suggested that there might be more suitable projects for the HBP to champion, and that the Borough is capable of running Highlands' signature events. This may be so. However, transition of the events from HBP sponsorship to Highlands Borough sponsorship must be a collaborative and cooperative project. The Borough Council should send communication to the Board of Directors requesting the transition. Transition could take one to two years to complete. The HBP could then focus on these other projects with cooperation from the Borough Council without negative impact on the Borough's economy or loss of diversions for borough residents at a time when life at home may be an economic struggle.
The Borough Council has suggested that a chamber might be a more suitable organization funded by donations instead of by an assessment. This may be so. However, businesses who are assessed should be making this suggestion. Not hearing this from the HBP Board of Directors, and not hearing businesses lobby the HBP Board of Directors for relief, I cannot justify the Borough Council taking action upon this matter at this time.
Some members of the Borough Council state that businesses need a break during this difficult economic time, and therefore the HBP budget should not be approved. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the businesses serving on the HBP Board of Directors to vote to disband the organization or cut their budget due to the economic downturn. I cannot justify Borough Council action that works against the spirit and purpose of state law and the borough ordinance that established the SID. Likewise, I cannot justify additional expense line items in the 2009 or the 2010 Municipal Budgets at a time when we are approaching breach of our statutory levy caps.
Highlands Borough is undertaking a Master Plan re-examination to increase potential commercial uses on Bay Avenue, e.g. professional service/office type uses. Highlands is also examining the benefits of reinvigorating our active seafood industry downtown via potential improvements to the Clam Depuration Plant and potentially establishing a new seafood distribution center in cooperation with Aqualife. Highlands Borough has been the center of discussions regarding expansion and development of water based transportation in the Bayshore Region of Monmouth County. This transportation alternative is significant in light of the Route 36 Bridge Construction and summer traffic conditions. Now is a time to build on our successful endeavors. Now is not the time to destabilize our economic engine.
There are so many pressing issues before the Borough Council, e.g. downtown flooding, budget reductions to comply with statutory levy caps, the need for a new Borough Hall, fighting gang influence, guns and drugs, code enforcement matters involving unsafe vacant buildings and property maintenance issues. The HBP issues can be solved via the HBP meetings and subcommittee meetings where businesses, council members and the public can plug in making statements and suggestions. The Borough Council should not unilaterally shut down a functioning organization without trying to effect changes appropriately through its process. If the Borough Council has tried to effect changes and failed because businesses do not agree, then we must not overstep our boundaries.
I hope that this matter can be decided based upon rational analysis, and not on political or personal agendas. A small town is like a family. We do not always agree with one another. Living in close quarters, our quirks can get on each other's nerves. However, none of us intends to leave Highlands. Thus, we must find a way to work together. Residents, Businesses, Governing Body, HBP: All for one, one for all. Better said: United we stand, divided we fall.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Active Fishing Industry in the Bayshore Begins with Highlands
The Borough of Highlands is historically a clamming town. We retain this heritage today in our support of the James T. White Clam Depuration Plant on Fifth Street and Cedar Avenue. Most recently individuals at the plant and working with Certified Clam corporation have participated in testing cutting edge technology which permits live shipment of shellfish internationally by boat, as well as cross continent in the US and to Canada by truck. This shipment method keeps packing and shipping costs low, reduces carbon emissions to the environment, and delivers a superior live product to the marketplace anywhere in the world for a more reasonable price. The Highlands Borough Council passed a Resolution last year supporting the development of a distribution terminal in Highlands Borough making her the hub on the United States Eastern Seaboard for this new packing and shipping method.
These latest technological developments in live shellfish shipment have created new excitement about Highlands' heritage and a better focus for seafood industry development in Highlands and the Monmouth County Bayshore region. Spin off discussions about strengthening retail shellfish operations in the Highlands Business District, and rekindling related retail business uses to support the shellfish industry are already heard about town. Thematic educational displays might be available to the Borough demonstrating the depuration process, and the new packing technology permitting low cost international shipment. There is even talk of encouraging development of a fish auction at one of the ports in the Borough.
All of these creative ideas could not have come at a more appropriate time, when the rest of the nation is grappling with increased joblessness and other effects of the worldwide economic downturn. I am encouraged by editorials in local newspapers that show others share similar thoughts regarding the direction of the local seafood industry. In Highlands Borough we are proud of the hard working clammers and fishermen who keep the industry alive, and delight us with delectable entrees night after night. It is difficult to justify cooking and eating at home, when such local fresh seafood is available via twenty restaurants in a half square mile!
I look forward to working with the people of Highlands and those who work here in our shellfish and seafood industry, making Highlands all she used to be and more. I believe we are the key to reviving the Bayshore regional economy. I am certain that the shellfish and seafood industry will be the core of that economic growth.
These latest technological developments in live shellfish shipment have created new excitement about Highlands' heritage and a better focus for seafood industry development in Highlands and the Monmouth County Bayshore region. Spin off discussions about strengthening retail shellfish operations in the Highlands Business District, and rekindling related retail business uses to support the shellfish industry are already heard about town. Thematic educational displays might be available to the Borough demonstrating the depuration process, and the new packing technology permitting low cost international shipment. There is even talk of encouraging development of a fish auction at one of the ports in the Borough.
All of these creative ideas could not have come at a more appropriate time, when the rest of the nation is grappling with increased joblessness and other effects of the worldwide economic downturn. I am encouraged by editorials in local newspapers that show others share similar thoughts regarding the direction of the local seafood industry. In Highlands Borough we are proud of the hard working clammers and fishermen who keep the industry alive, and delight us with delectable entrees night after night. It is difficult to justify cooking and eating at home, when such local fresh seafood is available via twenty restaurants in a half square mile!
I look forward to working with the people of Highlands and those who work here in our shellfish and seafood industry, making Highlands all she used to be and more. I believe we are the key to reviving the Bayshore regional economy. I am certain that the shellfish and seafood industry will be the core of that economic growth.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Mayor's State of the Borough Address
2008 was a challenging year for Highlands and throughout our nation, with ripples worldwide. In Highlands we must embrace our challenges because they bring us an opportunity to refocus our goals. While 2009 will also be challenging in Highlands, we will overcome by seizing the opportunity to work together as a Council and as a community.
I am proud of the 2008 Highlands Borough Council and our accomplishments. The following are just some of them. Relative to the Route 36 Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge Construction, we established a committee to improve communication between NJDOT and Highlands Borough; Continued prior Mayor & Council's efforts for Highlands Avenue repairs funding in amount of $1,184,000; Obtained NJDOT funding for Valley Avenue drain repair; Discussed Bayside Drive repairs, relocation of the police communications system and Portland Road repairs; Discussed water based transportation via the Seastreak ferry service to alleviate traffic issues associated with construction and travel to and from Highlands/Sandy Hook by car.
Regarding downtown flooding, we supported a moratorium on FEMA flood maps to encourage investigation and impact of flood abatement improvements; Established a regular maintenance schedule for cleaning of storm drains; Designated a Borough employee responsible for the maintenance schedule and additional cleaning before and after storms; Obtained Engineering status report, inspection and proposed improvements for increased capacity at pump stations, capping of outfall pipes with valves, upgrades to bulkheads, storm pipe lining/repairs, and a possible new pump at Snug Harbor Ave; Discussed Federal Stimulus Infrastructure Grants as possible funding source for this multimillion dollar project because all improvement must be simultaneously implemented to be effective.
In the area of code enforcement we discussed the need for a Borough-wide Property Maintenance Inspection Schedule and related manpower; Discussed the possible assumption of BHI inspections in multi-unit dwellings to permit annual inspections instead of once every five years; Used a Scattered Site Redevelopment program to address vacant buildings, holding the final meetings relative to existing code violations previously cited in past years.
We also recognized the need for a new Borough Hall; Redesigned/remodeled Police Headquarters, updating the fire radio and moving emergency communications to the new Firehouse; Discussed technology needs and incorporation of a public library into the new Borough Hall, establishing a dedicated trust for receiving donations for the library portion of the building; Discussed demolition of the old sewerage plant on Shore Drive and establishing additional public parking.
We addressed Zoning and Master Plan issues focusing on improved commercial uses in Bay Avenue's downtown business district and the Steep Slope Ordinance which is needed to maintain stability of steep slopes in Highlands while maintaining aesthetically pleasing solutions to destabilized slopes. We improved our sanitary sewer system by creating a stronger Grease Trap Ordinance, establishing a flow meter at Basin 8 and designing rehabilitation plans for Basin 2. Federal Stimulus Infrastructure grants may be a funding source for these upgrades. We supported quality of life initiatives by enacting a stronger Shade Tree Ordinance, appointing a fully active Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Commission, and receiving a $220,000 Monmouth County Open Space grant to acquire #2 Private Road near Miller street for public access to the water.
To stimulate our economy in Highlands we promoted the Borough via television through the HBP Tourism Video and Comcast News makers taping. We encouraged area realtors to propose commercial office space as an alternative to residential uses in properties on Bay Avenue; Discussed the possibility of wireless internet connectivity via a broadband system downtown as a high-tech draw to vacationers and suggesting that high-tech businesses are welcome in Highlands; Discussed underground utilities as a visual improvement and for expansion of the Clam Festival; Discussed creation of jobs for Highlands residents and use of the proposed public library in cooperation with the Media Center at Henry Hudson Regional High School for Borough sponsored education and training programs; Re-examined Mercantile Licensing Procedures to allow new businesses in the Borough to open efficiently but with the safety of residents and patrons in mind; Discussed water based transportation as a mass transit system that would stimulate economic growth in Highlands and the Bayshore section of Monmouth County.
Finally, regarding the Budget, we cut all variable expenses 10-15%; Discussed bringing engineering services in house to reduce costs; Re-examined the Borough vehicle policy; Increased Fees and Penalties; Re-examined the Clam Plant Lease as a revenue source to the Borough; Discussed establishing a new lease of Borough property to Aqua Life Seafood Distributors as a new revenue source to the Borough; Obtained 1% contribution by police officers toward health benefit premiums; Supported elementary school consolidation study; Shared service with Highlands Elementary School in the area of snow plowing, recreational programming and police communications; Discussed possibility of cooperative purchase of electricity through the Bayshore Conference of Mayors.
In 2009 we will work toward completing unfinished business in all areas of accomplishment in 2008. I have already met with each member of your 2009 Borough Council. We have agreed that the first major action items for 2009 are: SFY 2009 and SFY 2010 Budget; Storm Drain Improvements/Flood Abatement; Code Enforcement (including Property Maintenance, Grease Traps and Scattered Site Redevelopment); Steep Slope Ordinance/Master Plan Re-examination/Downtown Zoning; And a new Borough Hall including a public library (privately funded).
In all seriousness I project that Highlands Borough will be fighting for our very existence in 2009 as we have never fought before. Due to the economic downturn I expect further revenue reductions to the Borough in the area of state aid. In May of 2008 the state declared that aid would be cut to force consolidation of small towns under 10,000 people. Highlands has a population of roughly 5,000. Your 2009 Borough Council will be exploring consolidation as an option toward tax relief. However, we will not take this drastic action without consulting you. I intend to ask your 2009 Borough Council for support in submitting referendum questions for the November ballot asking you whether you support Highlands Borough exceeding the operations levy cap to avoid the layoff of Borough employees and whether you support consolidation of Highlands with another town to reduce taxes.
Today I will establish a new committee to the Council, named the "Budget Review Advisory Committee." This will permit members of the public and business owners in the Borough to more formally participate in budget examination, making suggestions from several perspectives for consideration during our difficult budgetary work. I hope that future mayors will continue this committee's existence. We must all work together if Highlands is to survive this economic climate.
On a positive note I am encouraged by my early meetings with members of this 2009 Highlands Borough Council. Each individual council member brings a different area of expertise to this table. Our differences are Highlands' strength. I believe we all take to heart the best interests of Highlands Borough and the people we serve. I am looking forward to accomplishing as much in 2009 as the 2008 Council did, if not more. When we are faced with challenges, we are given a chance to refocus our lives. We must always remember to focus on the people we love most. They are examples of the people we serve. At the Council level, the people we serve must be our focus.
I am honored to have served as your Mayor with the 2008 Council, and I continue to feel honored to serve you with the 2009 Council that you have elected. Highlands Borough is the best little town on Earth. A Happy , Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2009 to you and your families.
I am proud of the 2008 Highlands Borough Council and our accomplishments. The following are just some of them. Relative to the Route 36 Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge Construction, we established a committee to improve communication between NJDOT and Highlands Borough; Continued prior Mayor & Council's efforts for Highlands Avenue repairs funding in amount of $1,184,000; Obtained NJDOT funding for Valley Avenue drain repair; Discussed Bayside Drive repairs, relocation of the police communications system and Portland Road repairs; Discussed water based transportation via the Seastreak ferry service to alleviate traffic issues associated with construction and travel to and from Highlands/Sandy Hook by car.
Regarding downtown flooding, we supported a moratorium on FEMA flood maps to encourage investigation and impact of flood abatement improvements; Established a regular maintenance schedule for cleaning of storm drains; Designated a Borough employee responsible for the maintenance schedule and additional cleaning before and after storms; Obtained Engineering status report, inspection and proposed improvements for increased capacity at pump stations, capping of outfall pipes with valves, upgrades to bulkheads, storm pipe lining/repairs, and a possible new pump at Snug Harbor Ave; Discussed Federal Stimulus Infrastructure Grants as possible funding source for this multimillion dollar project because all improvement must be simultaneously implemented to be effective.
In the area of code enforcement we discussed the need for a Borough-wide Property Maintenance Inspection Schedule and related manpower; Discussed the possible assumption of BHI inspections in multi-unit dwellings to permit annual inspections instead of once every five years; Used a Scattered Site Redevelopment program to address vacant buildings, holding the final meetings relative to existing code violations previously cited in past years.
We also recognized the need for a new Borough Hall; Redesigned/remodeled Police Headquarters, updating the fire radio and moving emergency communications to the new Firehouse; Discussed technology needs and incorporation of a public library into the new Borough Hall, establishing a dedicated trust for receiving donations for the library portion of the building; Discussed demolition of the old sewerage plant on Shore Drive and establishing additional public parking.
We addressed Zoning and Master Plan issues focusing on improved commercial uses in Bay Avenue's downtown business district and the Steep Slope Ordinance which is needed to maintain stability of steep slopes in Highlands while maintaining aesthetically pleasing solutions to destabilized slopes. We improved our sanitary sewer system by creating a stronger Grease Trap Ordinance, establishing a flow meter at Basin 8 and designing rehabilitation plans for Basin 2. Federal Stimulus Infrastructure grants may be a funding source for these upgrades. We supported quality of life initiatives by enacting a stronger Shade Tree Ordinance, appointing a fully active Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Commission, and receiving a $220,000 Monmouth County Open Space grant to acquire #2 Private Road near Miller street for public access to the water.
To stimulate our economy in Highlands we promoted the Borough via television through the HBP Tourism Video and Comcast News makers taping. We encouraged area realtors to propose commercial office space as an alternative to residential uses in properties on Bay Avenue; Discussed the possibility of wireless internet connectivity via a broadband system downtown as a high-tech draw to vacationers and suggesting that high-tech businesses are welcome in Highlands; Discussed underground utilities as a visual improvement and for expansion of the Clam Festival; Discussed creation of jobs for Highlands residents and use of the proposed public library in cooperation with the Media Center at Henry Hudson Regional High School for Borough sponsored education and training programs; Re-examined Mercantile Licensing Procedures to allow new businesses in the Borough to open efficiently but with the safety of residents and patrons in mind; Discussed water based transportation as a mass transit system that would stimulate economic growth in Highlands and the Bayshore section of Monmouth County.
Finally, regarding the Budget, we cut all variable expenses 10-15%; Discussed bringing engineering services in house to reduce costs; Re-examined the Borough vehicle policy; Increased Fees and Penalties; Re-examined the Clam Plant Lease as a revenue source to the Borough; Discussed establishing a new lease of Borough property to Aqua Life Seafood Distributors as a new revenue source to the Borough; Obtained 1% contribution by police officers toward health benefit premiums; Supported elementary school consolidation study; Shared service with Highlands Elementary School in the area of snow plowing, recreational programming and police communications; Discussed possibility of cooperative purchase of electricity through the Bayshore Conference of Mayors.
In 2009 we will work toward completing unfinished business in all areas of accomplishment in 2008. I have already met with each member of your 2009 Borough Council. We have agreed that the first major action items for 2009 are: SFY 2009 and SFY 2010 Budget; Storm Drain Improvements/Flood Abatement; Code Enforcement (including Property Maintenance, Grease Traps and Scattered Site Redevelopment); Steep Slope Ordinance/Master Plan Re-examination/Downtown Zoning; And a new Borough Hall including a public library (privately funded).
In all seriousness I project that Highlands Borough will be fighting for our very existence in 2009 as we have never fought before. Due to the economic downturn I expect further revenue reductions to the Borough in the area of state aid. In May of 2008 the state declared that aid would be cut to force consolidation of small towns under 10,000 people. Highlands has a population of roughly 5,000. Your 2009 Borough Council will be exploring consolidation as an option toward tax relief. However, we will not take this drastic action without consulting you. I intend to ask your 2009 Borough Council for support in submitting referendum questions for the November ballot asking you whether you support Highlands Borough exceeding the operations levy cap to avoid the layoff of Borough employees and whether you support consolidation of Highlands with another town to reduce taxes.
Today I will establish a new committee to the Council, named the "Budget Review Advisory Committee." This will permit members of the public and business owners in the Borough to more formally participate in budget examination, making suggestions from several perspectives for consideration during our difficult budgetary work. I hope that future mayors will continue this committee's existence. We must all work together if Highlands is to survive this economic climate.
On a positive note I am encouraged by my early meetings with members of this 2009 Highlands Borough Council. Each individual council member brings a different area of expertise to this table. Our differences are Highlands' strength. I believe we all take to heart the best interests of Highlands Borough and the people we serve. I am looking forward to accomplishing as much in 2009 as the 2008 Council did, if not more. When we are faced with challenges, we are given a chance to refocus our lives. We must always remember to focus on the people we love most. They are examples of the people we serve. At the Council level, the people we serve must be our focus.
I am honored to have served as your Mayor with the 2008 Council, and I continue to feel honored to serve you with the 2009 Council that you have elected. Highlands Borough is the best little town on Earth. A Happy , Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2009 to you and your families.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Economic Downturn and Municipal Government: Global is Local
Surely we will all be affected by decision of the Federal and State Government in response to the economic downturn and its consequences. Many believe that local government is powerless to affect the overall economy, and must rather react to pressures adjusting policy accordingly. However, I believe that local officials also bear a responsibility to seek ways to address economic pressures. These are perhaps the single greatest threat to the quality of life of the people we serve.
Of course, we must scrutinize our budgets to curtail spending and avoid tax increases. Likewise, we must seek new revenue sources to offset the tax levy providing long term relief to our constituents. Further, we must streamline the delivery of services by local government using cutting edge technology where possible to reduce the financial burden associated with a demand for new or improved services to the public in a time of need. Lastly, government must look to share services among all levels of government, across town borders and regionally where appropriate. The individual taxpayer should pay a minimum required amount for the service received regardless of the government source of the service.
However, I believe the responsibility of local officials also extends to Stimulating Economic Growth. We must seek ways to stimulate the local economy in our towns, providing hope to our residents and businesses at a time when they so desperately need it. We must look forward bearing the past in mind and engage the public in discussion on the issues. It is difficult to lose hope while engaged in a project with a future goal. Hope can be restored to one who is desperate if a new plan is suggested and work is created as a result.
While we must first be concerned with economic activity within our town's borders, the overall economy can be supported by these grass roots efforts. For example, by attracting small to mid-sized businesses from a larger more expensive city to relocate in a small New Jersey town, local officials might be saving a business from closing its doors by offering a smaller rental payment and less demanding staffing alternatives, while creating jobs and rental income for constituents who might also be saved from desperation at a time of need.
I am sure that Federal and State Government needs all the help it can get. I believe global is local, and destiny is ours to dictate.
Of course, we must scrutinize our budgets to curtail spending and avoid tax increases. Likewise, we must seek new revenue sources to offset the tax levy providing long term relief to our constituents. Further, we must streamline the delivery of services by local government using cutting edge technology where possible to reduce the financial burden associated with a demand for new or improved services to the public in a time of need. Lastly, government must look to share services among all levels of government, across town borders and regionally where appropriate. The individual taxpayer should pay a minimum required amount for the service received regardless of the government source of the service.
However, I believe the responsibility of local officials also extends to Stimulating Economic Growth. We must seek ways to stimulate the local economy in our towns, providing hope to our residents and businesses at a time when they so desperately need it. We must look forward bearing the past in mind and engage the public in discussion on the issues. It is difficult to lose hope while engaged in a project with a future goal. Hope can be restored to one who is desperate if a new plan is suggested and work is created as a result.
While we must first be concerned with economic activity within our town's borders, the overall economy can be supported by these grass roots efforts. For example, by attracting small to mid-sized businesses from a larger more expensive city to relocate in a small New Jersey town, local officials might be saving a business from closing its doors by offering a smaller rental payment and less demanding staffing alternatives, while creating jobs and rental income for constituents who might also be saved from desperation at a time of need.
I am sure that Federal and State Government needs all the help it can get. I believe global is local, and destiny is ours to dictate.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Holidays in Highlands: A spirit of Warmth and Cheer
There is nothing like the Holidays in Highlands to lift a winter weary spirit. Just as we celebrate all year round, the holiday season in Highlands is a merry extravaganza. We begin with the Borough Tree Lighting where children meet Santa and Mrs. Claus to make their Christmas requests. Next we attend the Highlands Senior Citizen Club luncheon where stocking stuffers and games are abundant.
The Historical Society Holiday dinner is filled with carol singing, door prizes and the awarding of the coveted Golden Clam Award. And of course we cannot forget Breakfast with Santa at the Community Center or the Holiday Helpers activity night for kids. But the climax of the Christmas Season is always the holiday church services where the reason for the season is remembered and proclaimed to all.
This year I am very excited about an outdoor presentation and early services at the New Life Christian Church on Bay Avenue, and of course, the Choir Concert and later mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at Route 36 and Miller Street.
The Holiday Season in Highlands also includes the Hanuka celebration of lights. The Menorah is lit at Borough Hall as a symbol. But a better reminder is our own Twin Lights historic landmark which might make us think of the Hanuka story all year long. Just as the lantern remained lighted for that miraculous week, so the Highlands Twin Lights remain lighted for us, a beacon to new arrivals illuminating who we are and igniting our faith in what is to come.
Highlands truly embodies the holiday spirit. We live it all year round. Whenever there is sickness or tragedy in a family, word spreads like wildfire and gifts and fund raisers abound to help a family cope. When Highlands folks achieve great accomplishments, word spreads just as quickly. We congratulate them with public signs, and personal greetings in the streets. We are a true community family. Living here warms the heart.
Our volunteer Fire Department has a huge membership roster, and our volunteer First Aid Squad is growing by leaps and bounds. These groups are examples of the Highlands spirit of giving. But nothing illustrates our spirit better than our actions in 2001 during the terrorist attack in Manhattan. Tears come to the eye just thinking about the many people who lined the streets, one to a car, willing and ready to take survivors home to their families. What a sacrifice for people who had families of their own here in Highlands who were distraught. Some drivers traveled interstate to drive as many as three or four different people to distant locations.
When thinking of the giving holiday spirit this season, think like the people of Highlands. I am proud to be part of Highlands Borough. The world should strive to be more like we are.
Happy Holidays to all !
The Historical Society Holiday dinner is filled with carol singing, door prizes and the awarding of the coveted Golden Clam Award. And of course we cannot forget Breakfast with Santa at the Community Center or the Holiday Helpers activity night for kids. But the climax of the Christmas Season is always the holiday church services where the reason for the season is remembered and proclaimed to all.
This year I am very excited about an outdoor presentation and early services at the New Life Christian Church on Bay Avenue, and of course, the Choir Concert and later mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at Route 36 and Miller Street.
The Holiday Season in Highlands also includes the Hanuka celebration of lights. The Menorah is lit at Borough Hall as a symbol. But a better reminder is our own Twin Lights historic landmark which might make us think of the Hanuka story all year long. Just as the lantern remained lighted for that miraculous week, so the Highlands Twin Lights remain lighted for us, a beacon to new arrivals illuminating who we are and igniting our faith in what is to come.
Highlands truly embodies the holiday spirit. We live it all year round. Whenever there is sickness or tragedy in a family, word spreads like wildfire and gifts and fund raisers abound to help a family cope. When Highlands folks achieve great accomplishments, word spreads just as quickly. We congratulate them with public signs, and personal greetings in the streets. We are a true community family. Living here warms the heart.
Our volunteer Fire Department has a huge membership roster, and our volunteer First Aid Squad is growing by leaps and bounds. These groups are examples of the Highlands spirit of giving. But nothing illustrates our spirit better than our actions in 2001 during the terrorist attack in Manhattan. Tears come to the eye just thinking about the many people who lined the streets, one to a car, willing and ready to take survivors home to their families. What a sacrifice for people who had families of their own here in Highlands who were distraught. Some drivers traveled interstate to drive as many as three or four different people to distant locations.
When thinking of the giving holiday spirit this season, think like the people of Highlands. I am proud to be part of Highlands Borough. The world should strive to be more like we are.
Happy Holidays to all !
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Water Based Transportation: A Catalyst for our Economy and Quality of Life
A self sustaining year round economy is key to survival in this period of economic downturn. Our residents see the value in living in the Borough of Highlands year round. It is time to encourage businesses to value Highlands in a similar way. By encouraging year round commercial property uses in the downtown business district, the Borough can stimulate economic growth that will ease the burden on residential property taxpayers and provide jobs closer to home to improve quality of life for individuals and families in our Borough. Our water based mass transportation system is the key to achieving this goal.
A dining and recreational destination, Highlands has year round restaurants consistently serving a variety of top quality cuisine. Highlands is also home for first class distinctive year round lodging alternatives which are often fully booked due to high demand. We now have the opportunity to showcase Highlands' Bay Avenue business district as a unique and desireable location for commercial offices atop existing restaurants and storefronts, with temporary lodging and affordable permanent living space nearby. During this difficult economic period it is possible that offices currently located in Manhattan or its vicinity might consider relocating to Highlands. After all, we are only 45 minutes from Manhattan by ferry.
Office space on Bay Avenue might have minimal impact on the residents, especially if employees use mass transit to get to and from work. Employees in Manhattan are already accustomed to mass transit as the primary means of transportation. Some are already using the ferry to come to Highlands from Manhattan during the summer season. Local employees who live in Highlands can walk to work. Corporate clients are generally located in the city, and professional service companies usually travel to the client offices to perform their work. The ferry is within walking distance from the Bay Avenue business district, making travel from the home office to the client site pleasant and reasonable in time.
Occasionally meetings may occur in Highlands, where Highlands office staff would entertain clients in an effort to secure contracts. These clients might come to Highlands by ferry from Manhattan, met at the terminal by Highlands office staff. A brief walk or golf cart ride from the ferry to Highlands restaurants for lunch might signal the beginning of a beautiful business relationship. Commercial office uses could breathe new life into an already up and coming business district, our main street in the Borough of Highlands, providing new employment opportunities for Highlands residents and an increased demand for the businesses already here. It is also foreseeable that over time demand for other businesses (e.g. retail) would develop. All accomplished with water transportation at the center.
Highlands Borough will benefit from the enhanced value of individual commercial properties as they become more desireable and produce more income to the property owner. Better commercial assessments will relieve some of the burden now placed primarily on residential property taxpayers to maintain municipal operations. There may be potential for public-private cooperative funding of community projects benefitting our economy (e.g. facade improvement) once offices have relocated here and become part of the Highlands community. Our youth may wish to intern or take part time employment in these offices to test whether they would like to work toward those jobs, graduating from high school already with corporate job experience. The internship might include a trip to Manhattan to see work performed at the client site. What an educational networking opportunity!
Highlands is working with other municipalities in the Bayshore region and points north to establish a sustainable water transportation system for both commuter and recreational use, both arriving at the Jersey Shore and returning home. There are ongoing discussions regarding possible connection of water based mass transportation to land based mass transportation alternatives already in existence. This might entice those already using mass transit to give water based transportation a try. Furthermore, the reduced price of state subsidized transportation alternatives may make use of the possible mass transit loop more affordable.
Highlands is already a beautiful vibrant year round community. We should leverage what we've accomplished to improve quality of life and help Highlands taxpayers at the same time. Highlands businesses and residents have already invested our hard earned tax dollars in creating and maintaining our beloved Highlands as she exists today. We have all done a terrific job thus far. We should now consider taking our efforts to the next level, where our investment will produce even better return, not only financially, but in our future quality of life. Our families, our youth, and our businesses deserve it.
A dining and recreational destination, Highlands has year round restaurants consistently serving a variety of top quality cuisine. Highlands is also home for first class distinctive year round lodging alternatives which are often fully booked due to high demand. We now have the opportunity to showcase Highlands' Bay Avenue business district as a unique and desireable location for commercial offices atop existing restaurants and storefronts, with temporary lodging and affordable permanent living space nearby. During this difficult economic period it is possible that offices currently located in Manhattan or its vicinity might consider relocating to Highlands. After all, we are only 45 minutes from Manhattan by ferry.
Office space on Bay Avenue might have minimal impact on the residents, especially if employees use mass transit to get to and from work. Employees in Manhattan are already accustomed to mass transit as the primary means of transportation. Some are already using the ferry to come to Highlands from Manhattan during the summer season. Local employees who live in Highlands can walk to work. Corporate clients are generally located in the city, and professional service companies usually travel to the client offices to perform their work. The ferry is within walking distance from the Bay Avenue business district, making travel from the home office to the client site pleasant and reasonable in time.
Occasionally meetings may occur in Highlands, where Highlands office staff would entertain clients in an effort to secure contracts. These clients might come to Highlands by ferry from Manhattan, met at the terminal by Highlands office staff. A brief walk or golf cart ride from the ferry to Highlands restaurants for lunch might signal the beginning of a beautiful business relationship. Commercial office uses could breathe new life into an already up and coming business district, our main street in the Borough of Highlands, providing new employment opportunities for Highlands residents and an increased demand for the businesses already here. It is also foreseeable that over time demand for other businesses (e.g. retail) would develop. All accomplished with water transportation at the center.
Highlands Borough will benefit from the enhanced value of individual commercial properties as they become more desireable and produce more income to the property owner. Better commercial assessments will relieve some of the burden now placed primarily on residential property taxpayers to maintain municipal operations. There may be potential for public-private cooperative funding of community projects benefitting our economy (e.g. facade improvement) once offices have relocated here and become part of the Highlands community. Our youth may wish to intern or take part time employment in these offices to test whether they would like to work toward those jobs, graduating from high school already with corporate job experience. The internship might include a trip to Manhattan to see work performed at the client site. What an educational networking opportunity!
Highlands is working with other municipalities in the Bayshore region and points north to establish a sustainable water transportation system for both commuter and recreational use, both arriving at the Jersey Shore and returning home. There are ongoing discussions regarding possible connection of water based mass transportation to land based mass transportation alternatives already in existence. This might entice those already using mass transit to give water based transportation a try. Furthermore, the reduced price of state subsidized transportation alternatives may make use of the possible mass transit loop more affordable.
Highlands is already a beautiful vibrant year round community. We should leverage what we've accomplished to improve quality of life and help Highlands taxpayers at the same time. Highlands businesses and residents have already invested our hard earned tax dollars in creating and maintaining our beloved Highlands as she exists today. We have all done a terrific job thus far. We should now consider taking our efforts to the next level, where our investment will produce even better return, not only financially, but in our future quality of life. Our families, our youth, and our businesses deserve it.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Mayor Anna Little on Economic Development: The Future of Downtown Highlands.....
The HBP has done a terrific job of making Highlands a destination. The signature events spanning most of the year draw patrons to town and expand the identity of our town from a clamming or summer recreation town to a year round festival style vacation town and a varied seafood and dining location.
This year the water taxi and the concept of an expanded water transportation system has drawn positive attention to Highlands in spite of the ongoing Route 36 bridge project. Most recently, Highlands was the subject of a NY Times Real Estate article where water based transportation was noted as well as acceptable schools, close beaches and hiking, biking trails, and valuable, but moderately priced real estate investment opportunities. Notes about the history of Highlands included not only clamming, but also our signature event: the Clamfest.
Today we are ready for the next phase of economic development. Highlands is an exceptional place to do business. We want to encourage economic growth in new areas adding new types of commercial uses in the Borough. Our goal is to create a self-sufficient self-sustaining economy in Highlands. Professional Services as commercial uses are key to achieving this goal. Professional service businesses create little to no impact to residents, but result in an increased demand for services already existing in Highlands. Professional service businesses may also create a demand for new services not already existing in Highlands, thus sparking start up businesses to fill corporate or personal needs of the workforce. Professional service businesses also create high-quality jobs for people living and working in Highlands.
To attract professional services to Highlands we must maintain and expand Water Based Transportation for travel to and from Highlands. We should also connect to existing railroad transportation in the area. We may have to adjust the Master Plan and zoning regulations to permit additional affordable workforce housing, and to encourage downtown main street commercial buildings to convert residential space into office suites located out of the flood zone on Bay Avenue. We should begin by creating a project that turns the mind toward business while thinking of Highlands as well as using the identity Highlands has already established through the HBP. The Borough Council will soon be discussing the possibility of establishing Wi-Fi (wireless internet access) for use by recreational visitors in the downtown business district as well as recreational boaters and beach goers. This novelty will not only improve quality of life downtown in Highlands, but might inspire thoughts about opening corporate offices here. Corporate offices downtown would allow adults living in Highlands to take better paying jobs closer to home. Quality of life would improve, because adults could live and work in the same town and children could be managed better because Mom and Dad work close to home. The hope for high school graduates to gain work experience here in Highlands that expands wage-earning potential might lead more kids to seek higher education as a means toward even greater professional accomplishments.
But there's more. Business incubation efforts of public-private cooperatives in Monmouth County and the possibility of Fortune 500 Companies taking advantage of research opportunities provided by the incubators might help Highlands encourage professional service businesses downtown because of available low-cost workforce housing for not only incubator participants, but also the spin-off corporations created once research results in successful applications. The Highlands Borough Public Library project I am working on could include adult education programs in cooperation with area colleges or Henry Hudson Regional High School, helping residents in Highlands obtain qualifications necessary to fulfill job requirements in professional service or administrative positions.
Professional Services workforce might require daily lunch, florist services (for secretaries, office environment, and take home bouquets) retail, laundry and takeout food service. Professional Services workforce might require health industry services within walking distance from the workplace, as well as workout and nutrition education services to comply with workplace insurance requirements. Technology support services, and personal electronic device retail options might also be in demand. General retail shops and boutiques might also spring up due to the need for convenience to the work place. The possibilities are endless.
I have floated the idea of a marketplace at the old Connor's Beach location where Seastreak LLC now operates. The marketplace could showcase shellfish distribution and the Highlands clam brand, while providing boutique showcases for all restaurants and businesses in the Borough. Perhaps we could bring back the Carousel to Highlands and a two to three level parking garage, depending upon the height of adjacent condominiums. A showcase of Highlands history and a nature walk on the beach with Ferry Terminal to complete the development. A concept with a broad spectrum, but a cornerstone for economic development on the north end of town.
Development in appropriate areas of the Borough to accommodate workforce housing needs while preserving the recreational appearance of the town might help lower property taxes generally. New business uses created in the downtown area might increase the number of properties subject to the BID assessment or increase the assessed value of those already included, thus providing better budgetary options for broader HBP programming. A facade program and more landscaping improvements throughout the Borough would be great future projects. Seminars about business use diversification, and explaining interdependent use examples would help businesses brainstorm about refining their uses to help each other.
Diverse economies which consist of interdependent uses are the healthiest. Each use drives demand for the next in a circular fashion. If we accomplish this type of diversification including professional service commercial uses and follow through on Clam Distribution to maximum potential I think we'll have accomplished affordable living in Highlands Borough and an excellent quality of life while respecting Highlands' history, maintaining our identity, and enhancing our year round lifestyle in the Borough.
Stay tuned to www.highlandsnj.com for future updates and feel free to join us in making this vision a reality. There are always many opportunities for the public to get involved. You may contact me or any member of the Highlands Borough Council via email using www.highlandsnj.com or by telephone at 732-872-1224.
It is an honor and a privilege for me to serve you as mayor. You continuously inspire me. I am truly grateful.
Mayor Anna C. Little, Esq.
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