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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.