Walled After two public meetings to be sure the residents were informed, and after putting the question on the ballot so all voters cold express their opinions, the Highlands Mayor and Council made it clear they do listen to the will of the people.

By formal resolution at its meeting last month, Mayor Carolyn  Broullon and the Highlands Council told the Army Corps of Engineers thanks, but no thanks: the people of Highlands reject “the Coastal Storm Risk Management Project proposed by the United States Army Corps. of Engineers, as described in detail at the May 14, 2024 and October 7, 2024 public hearings, and declines to issue a Letter of Support.”

At the same time, and by the same resolution, the governing body left the door open for the Army Corps to come back with other ideas that may be more amenable to the people of Highlands.

In fact, the resolution reads, “the governing body encourages the Army Corps of Engineers to propose alternative solutions to reduce the impact of flooding in the Borough….”

The resolution even went further, including some possibilities the engineers could consider. The governing body added “such as the construction of a protection barrier from Sandy Hook to Popamora Point, similar to a project that was done in New Bedford, Massachusetts.”

The resolution passed unanimously by the three members present, with Councilwoman Karen Chelak offering the motion, approved by both Broullon and Council President Joann Olszewski and Councilman Leo Cervantes and Donald Melnyk absent.

Mayor Broullon also noted that in order to approve what the Corps offered and what was explained at the two public hearings, the borough would have had to indicate support of the specific project design and construction as well as enter into an agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection for a State Aid agreement in which the borough would have financed part of the construction, operation and maintenance of the entire project.

However, Broullon noted the governing body made the determination that it preferred to consider the sentiment and opinion expressed by voters in what the resolution terms “overwhelming rejection of the project.” The mayor had called for the question to be put on the ballot to ensure the governing body gave the voters every opportunity to express their opinion with the expectation their elected officials would follow their will.

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Tax Rates Telling the residents she is excited about all that is happening, and assuring them that “We have some challenges but we will prevail,” Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon gave a brief history of the year’s accomplishments for the governing body and the borough as well as highlighting planned events and activities that point to an even more positive 2025 for residents.

After swearing in Council members Karen Sherlock and Leo Cervantes to their second three years terms on the governing body, terms both won unopposed, Broullon briefly highlighted some of the past year’s accomplishments.

Noteworthy, the mayor said, is the fact borough assessments rose by more than $250 million, an approximate 23 per cent increase over the previous year. The figures, she explained mean “the investments you made are even higher now.” The higher assessments also mean lower tax rates, she added, but noted the 2025 figures do not come out until the second quarter of the year.

The mayor also noted there will be a meeting of the Land Use board on January 19 with the result the possible condemnation of the Captain’s Cover property between Cheerful Place and Marine Place, the former Highlands Marina site built in the 1940s and now in a serious state of disrepair, creating flooding problems and lack of owner response to making improvements or responding to regulation violations.

Also anticipated during the upcoming year, is development of the Shadow Lawn Trailer Park on Route 36 just below Eastpointe and the borough line, Broullon said. There is a purchase contact signed in December, the mayor said, with a contract developer who seems “very anxious” to get improvements underway.

The borough received more than $1.9 million in grants during the year, she continued, with funds going towards both parks and infrastructure.

Work is proceeding on Portland Road, she said, where the New Jersey Natural Gas company is moving gas mains at their own expense that have impacted municipal properties, and all work should be completed by spring.

Another grant has been approved for Veterans Park with a grant anticipated for increased work in that area along the shoreline and renovated bulkheading.

Also planned for the upcoming year is coordination with Monmouth County on dredging Jones Creek, in serious need of considerable silt removal, elevating the platforms along Marine Place, bids are being sought for pedestrian improvements along the length of Shore Drive, including sidewalks and other safety features for pedestrians, as well as roadwork on Washington Avenue between Marine Place and Cheerful Place, the side of the Captain’s Cove Marina property on the January 19 agenda.

The mayor continued there will be a FEMA meeting and assured residents she and Council are doing everything possible to ensure residents know the latest DEP regulations on construction to meet their newest restrictions and requirements for building.

“We’re between a steep slope and waterfront flooding” the Mayor said, noted the beauty but challenges of the borough that boasts both a waterfront and the highest point on the East Coast. “We have been challenged, but we will prevail.”

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Student Council officers representing the student body of the Highlands Elementary School gave outstanding presentations that resulted in a standing ovation as the students outlined some of the duties and obligations of the members of the Council.

Council president Sean Larue was the first to make a presentation before the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education and the public present at the regular meeting, highlighting the work of the Student Council and their responsibilities to the student body, their education and their teachers.

His report was continued by Vice President Jack Hanratty, secretary, Adrian Desczc and treasurer Isaiah Hernandez-Snow, each of home gave specifics on their particular duties and responsibilities.

The Council works with all faculty members and students are under the guidance of Student Council Advisors Megan Harbstreet, the 5th grade teacher and Lauren McBain, 6th grade teacher.

During the presentation and recognition ceremonies held at every board meeting, Teagen Zachok-Rose was also recognized as the Student of the month at the Highlands School. Teagen is a 6^th grade student and was recognized for excellence in academics.

Amelia Baxendine was honored as the Student of the month for the Atlantic Highlands School and Finley Reese, who was unable to attend the meeting, was cited and praised as the Henry Hudson Regional School Student of the Month.

Teachers honored during the board meeting were Megan Fantuzzi, first grade teacher at the Highlands School, Clint Campbell, recognized for excellence as the Atlantic Highlands Staff member of the Month, and Kathleen Boylan as the Henry Hudson Regional School Staff Member of the Month.

Henry Hudson student Julianna Werdann, during the regular reports given by board members and their contractors, gave a comprehensive Student Representative Report at the meeting, keeping the board informed on student activities, events, awards and presentations throughout the month.

Ms. Werdann reads an extensive several page report at every meeting of the board and has been acclaimed on a regular basis for the excellence of her regular reports.

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