Race With Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon seeking another term as Mayor, and being challenged for the position by Henry Hudson Board of Education member Rebecca Wells, VeniVIdiScripto sent both candidates several questions, asking both to answer by October 6.
Both candidates responded and answered all of the questions as listed below.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR MAYOR?
Mayor Broullon: I have not finished everything I want to do. The Redevelopment projects are at a tipping point right now and we are looking to have at least 2 more Developers’ agreements signed before the end of the year. I have a proven track record of getting funding and getting long waiting projects done.
Mrs. Wells I’m running for Mayor of Highlands because I see a real opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our community. With a practical, people-first approach to leadership, I bring the skills, experience, and dedication needed to lead effectively and responsibly. Becoming Mayor of Highlands has been a lifelong goal of mine—one I’ve held since grammar school. My deep-rooted love for this town and its people drives my commitment to serve. I want to ensure that the decisions we make today create a stronger, more vibrant Highlands for generations to come. This is more than a role to me—it’s a calling to give back to the community that has given me so much.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU CAN IMPROVE THE BOROUGH?
Mayor Broullon: I feel it is important to continue to balance infrastructure updates with improvements to our open spaces. Our grant writers have been very successful in the last 6 years, more than any other administration. Also, back to redevelopment, our team is very strong, and we work well together. We need to get Sea Bright into our district, and I won’t stop fighting for a formula that works for everyone. 100% equalized value is not a fair formula as it doesn’t account for enrollment.
Mrs. Wells: (the candidate chose to respond to this and the following question in one response.) I feel as these two questions go hand in hand, During my first term in office or essentially first 6 months. I plan to hold strategic planning sessions with all stakeholders within our community, this will ensure diverse representation in our decision-making process. By hosting these listening sessions, it will help me form a community improvement plan and really identify the key issues in Highlands. I will work diligently to stabilize taxes within our community, Expand smart growth initiatives, and work tireless to strengthen volunteerism. Our volunteers are the backbone to our amazing community, and we need to invest in all that help and support our fellow neighbors.
WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY GOAL FOR HIGHLANDS IN YOUR FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE (OR DURING THIS TERM?
Mayor Broullon For the next term, here are my plans: We are looking into a new type of backflow prevention for our outfalls that is neither a flap nor a duckbill. We are also looking to redirect piping in the Phase 2 sanitary project [Seadrift to Snug Harbor from Marine to Shore] so we can explore removing some outfalls that are very low. We have submitted a grant to reconnect our community to Kavookjian Field with a pedestrian overpass and install new curbs and sidewalks on the dry side of 36. Making Highlands more walkable is something that is important not just for safety but to encourage more people to walk for wellness.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOUR PRIMARY ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS AS MAYOR BROULLON OR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WELLS?
Mayor Broullon: Made sure we had flood insurance on all Borough-owned buildings. Installing new curbs and sidewalks on Shore Drive where no sidewalks were ever there.
Finishing the large sanitary project and pressing the County to pave Bay and Linden avenues in late October 2024 instead of us waiting for the spring of 2025
Updating Frank Hall Park and the creation of Overlook – the first new park in Highlands since 1975,
Getting Washington Ave paved [we bonded for this in 2013]
Getting the planning grant to pay 100% for the Clam Plant Study.
I could also include that since I have been Mayor, we have been awarded more than $14 million in grants.
Mrs. Wells As a member of the Board of Education, I am proud to have contributed to some of our district’s most significant accomplishments. Chief among them is the advancement of the regionalization effort—an initiative that has taken nearly four decades to bring to fruition. This was an incredibly complex and time-intensive undertaking, requiring persistence, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future of our schools.
In addition to regionalization, we’ve seen consistent academic growth across all grade levels. We’ve also expanded the STEAM Academy at Henry Hudson Regional, providing students with enriched opportunities in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Furthermore, we’ve significantly increased access to extracurricular activities and clubs, ensuring that students at every grade level have opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills.
Inasmuch as if elected Mayor, Board member Wells would have to step down from the Board of Education, Veni VIdiScripto also asked:
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU CAN SERVE HIGHLANDS BETTER AS MAYOR RATHER THAN ON THE BOARD?.
MS. WELLS: While both boards are engaged in important work, I believe my knowledge and experience are better suited to serving on the Highlands Borough Council currently. I am confident that I can help advance the school regionalization initiative in a more cost-effective manner, avoiding the significant legal expenses currently being incurred by both the Borough of Highlands and the Board of Education.
The school district entered into a settlement agreement to protect itself from ongoing litigation and the mounting legal fees associated with defending its position on regionalization. At the time of the agreement, the district had already spent over $300,000 in legal fees—this figure does not include the additional costs borne by the Borough of Highlands.
The district’s position remains that Sea Bright must first resolve its legal entanglements with Oceanport and Shore Regional before any meaningful progress can be made. Sea Bright is still actively involved in litigation, and the latest appeal has now reached the New Jersey Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the case. As Mayor, once the legal proceedings have concluded, I am committed to working collaboratively with all parties to move this initiative forward in a way that is fair and equitable for everyone involved.”
Mayor Broullon: When people run for office, I feel they should respect the will of the people. I also feel those elected to office need to answer for their actions.
Any Highlands resident that was a member of the Board of Education from 2023 to 2025 needs to explain to Highlanders:
- Why they vigorously encouraged a funding formula that not only works against Highlands Taxpayers but was not the formula suggested by their own professionals.
- Why they voted to, and signed an agreement with Oceanport and Shore Regional that excluded Sea Bright from ever joining our new regional. District. All of the Boroughs and all of the then separate districts were already indemnified by Sea Bright. You can read the agreement here: https://bit.ly/Agreement6Boards
- Why they allowed a $3 million asset disparity including a $1.5 million cash reserve to not be refunded to Highlands residents after regionalization.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE MAYOR AND BOARD MEMBER YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
Mayor Broullon: If you take the time to see what Highlands looked like in 2019, then now in 2025, you will see proven results of my leadership to further improve Highlanders’ quality of life.
I have always been for Regionalization. My goal over the last few years is to do it with an equitable funding formula that balances enrollment and equalized assessed tax value. The 100% equalized value formula that we have now just pits our towns against each other
Mrs Kane: I’m not just a leader—I’m a lifelong member of this community who deeply loves Highlands. My husband Charles and I have proudly raised our three children here: Emily (26), Parker (13), and Lucie (11). This town has given so much to my family, and I’ve spent my life giving back in every way I can.
For 26 years, I’ve served in the Highlands Fire Department, including as Chief in 2009. I currently hold the rank of Senior Captain. My public service extends beyond emergency response—I’ve served 15 years on the Borough Council, 13 years on the Highlands Housing Authority, and 10 years on the Board of Education. In 2013, I was honored to be named the St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal, a moment that symbolized my deep connection to this community.
Professionally, I’ve worked as a Senior Contracts Administrator for a telecommunications firm in Wall since 2006. My career has equipped me with the skills to navigate complex negotiations, manage budgets, and lead with integrity.
I’m running for Mayor because I believe in Highlands. I believe in its people, its potential, and its future. With a practical, people-first approach, I’m ready to lead our town with transparency, accountability, and heart. This has been my dream since grammar school, and I’m ready to serve with the same dedication I’ve shown throughout my life.
Tired of Facebook? You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
race race race race race race race race race race race race race race race
