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April has been called “the cruelest month,” usually in reference
to the weather. The words “the month of taxes” apply even more
appropriately to April — with the annual filing of income tax and
the introduction of the municipal and school budgets, the reality
of taxes hits us very hard this month.
Our municipal budget does have some positive aspects, as noted
by Borough Administrator Candace Gallagher: For three years in a
row, the municipal budget has reflected an overall decrease in
departmental operating
costs, a result of the successful efforts of Department Heads
and Borough administration to keep costs in check and increase
efficiency. In 2006, the Borough was able to utilize $567,000 in
available surplus funds generated during 2004 and 2005 to offset
the potential 2006 tax
increase, a considerably larger amount than has been available
in years past. That surplus is largely the result of the collection
of additional revenues during 2005 and cost savings realized during
2004, as well as the collection of taxes from added
assessments.
A budget has been developed that is nearly $12,000 under the cap
imposed and allowed by the State.
However, despite our efforts to create the leanest budget
possible, property owners are faced with an increase in property
taxes due to circumstances beyond Council’s control. These include
dramatic cost increases in health benefits, pension contributions,
utilities, and the need to contract for emergency medical services.
Over the past two years, the Borough has been able to reduce its
controllable costs by six percent; however, those costs which are
largely beyond our control (and which comprise the largest part of
our budget) have increased by 34 percent.
Many have called for more efforts to enter into shared services
with other towns in order to offset the budget increases.
Currently, the Borough participates in interlocal agreements with:
Cranbury Township (we administer their 9-1-1 emergency calls); West
Windsor Township (a two-way partnership — we utilize their health
department and they utilize our Community Nurse); East Windsor
Township (they provide animal control services, senior services and
bus services); Roosevelt Borough (which utilizes our Public Works
department for certain work); Hamilton Township (whose clinic we
utilize for sexually transmitted diseases); and South Brunswick
(from whom we lease mobile data terminal units used in our police
cars).
In addition, the Borough participates in: a county-wide
interlocal agreement for recycling services; a joint purchasing
program with towns in Middlesex and Mercer counties for office
supplies; a three-way partnership with East Windsor Township and
the East Windsor Regional School District for fueling services; and
a joint insurance fund (the Mid Jersey JIF) for workmen’s
compensation, liability and property insurance.
(Continued on page 4)
April 2006 News From Hightstown Borough Hall Volume 10, No.
2
www.hightstownborough.com
6th Annual BOROUGH-WIDE GARAGE SALE
Saturday, May 6, 2006 (rain date Sunday, May 7)
Registered addresses will be posted on our website and provided
in printed handouts. Visit our website or call 490-5100, Ext. 772
for more information.
Mayor’s Message
148 N. Main Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520 (609) 490-5100 Fax
(609) 371-0267
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Healthy Hightstown - Sharon Lane, RN
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH
All adults can benefit from regular physical activity. The
activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits. Adults
can obtain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of
physical activity, preferably daily. A moderate amount of activity
can be obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activity
(such as walking) or in shorter sessions of more vigorous
activities (such as fast walking or stair climbing).
Regular physical activity can:
Reduce the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and of
developing high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes.
Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and foster improvement
in mood and feelings of well being.
Help maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.
Help control joint swelling and pain associated with
arthritis.
Now that spring is here, one great way to get more exercise is
to begin a walking program. Here are some tips for getting
started:
Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any fitness
program.
To warm up at the beginning of your walk, stretch to keep
limber, improve balance and prevent injuries.
Take full, relaxed breaths and exhale gradually and
completely.
Find a friend to walk with you.
Choose a convenient time of day and stick with it- find a time
that best fits your schedule.
To increase your health benefits, add more movement to all of
your daily activities—take the stairs instead of the elevator, or
park your car at the farthest end of the parking lot.
Congratulations on taking steps to improve your life!
“ICE” Your Cell Phone To Help Rescuers To its owner, the cell
phone is an indispensable lifeline at times of crisis, reuniting
loved ones separated by unforeseen events at the touch of a button.
But for members of the emergency services making life-and-death
decisions, the cell phone poses a conundrum: Which of the numbers
stored in its electronic address book should they call to reach a
casualty's next of kin?
Now a simple initiative, conceived by a paramedic in Britain,
has gained momentum on both sides of the Atlantic, including here
in Hightstown, to try to solve this problem. Cell users are being
urged to put the acronym ICE -- "in case of emergency" -- before
the names of the people they want to designate as next of kin in
their cell address book, creating entries such as "ICE -- Dad" or
"ICE -- Lisa."
EMTs, paramedics, police and firefighters often waste valuable
time trying to figure out which name in a cell phone to call when
disaster strikes. They usually must look through wallets for clues,
or scroll through cell address books and guess. Many people
identify their spouse by name in their cell, making them
indistinguishable from other entries.
"Sometimes dialing the number for 'Mom' or 'Dad' might not be
appropriate, particularly if they are elderly, suffer from ill
health or Alzheimer's," said Erini Papafilipakis, Captain of the
Hightstown First Aid Squad, which is promoting the ICE initiative.
"This would give EMTs a way of reaching the appropriate person in a
few seconds."
Please take the time to designate an individual and add them
under your address book as “ICE”. If you have any questions please
feel free to contact your volunteer squad at (609) 426-1512 and
they will be happy to help you set it up.
P O L I C E L I N E Effective March 1, 2006, New Jersey's
bicycle helmet law has changed. Young people under the age of 17
will be required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller
skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding.
Head injury is the most serious injury type and the most common
cause of death among bicyclists. The most severe injuries are those
to the brain that cause permanent damage. Bicycle helmets can
prevent or diminish the severity of these injuries.
Parents, please have your children wear their helmets at all
times. Please also share with them that bicycling, roller skating,
in-line skating and skateboarding are prohibited on the sidewalks
in downtown Hightstown .
- Police Chief James Eufemia
HELP KEEP OUR SEWER LINES CLEAN by properly disposing of cooking
oils and grease. NEVER pour fats into your sink or toilet. Pour or
scrape them into a heat-proof container and dispose of them with
your garbage.
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Spring Events
The Hightstown Library Book Discussion Group meets monthly in
the Library’s Community Room from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Join us for:
April 12 - My Favorite Books (come and discuss your
favorites)
May 10 - The Ditchdigger's Daughters, Yvonne S. Thornton
June 14 - In Cold Blood, Truman Capote
July 12 - The Plot Against America, Philip Roth
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 8 9 a.m. (Rain date Saturday,
April 18) Bring the little ones to hunt for Easter eggs at
Association Park on Grant Avenue. This annual event is sponsored by
the Hightstown-East Windsor Lions Club.
Borough-wide Garage Sale Saturday, May 6 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Rain
date Sunday, May 7) For more information or to register, visit our
website or call 490-5100, Ext. 772.
Youth Fishing Derby at Peddie Lake Saturday, May 20 9 a.m.
Sponsored by Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1. Call 490-5100 for
details.
Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 29 9 a.m. Join your friends and
neighbors in downtown Hightstown for our 87th Annual Memorial Day
Parade!
Summer Garden Tour Saturday, June 10 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. “Backyard
Paradise” Tour, sponsored by the Rocky Brook Garden Club. For
details, see article at right.
AT THE PEDDIE SCHOOL: (for information or tickets, call
490-7550) March 31 - Mariboe Gallery April 21 Ellen Harvey
April 1 Signature Series 8 p.m. Sérgio and Odair Assad
April 7 Jazz Fridays Series 8 p.m. John Patitucci Trio
April 19 Dramatist Workshop Series 7:30 p.m. “Between a Princess
and a Witch” by Luigi Jannuzzi
April 23 Light Sundays Series 2 p.m. “Astaire!” starring Jim
Caruso
May 20 Signature Series 8 p.m. Christopher O’Reilly
Community Cultural Calendar
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STORMWATER is included as an insert
with this CRIER. “Solutions to Stormwater Pollution - Easy Things
You Can Do Every Day to Protect our Water” is a publication of the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Borough has
adopted ordinances necessary to comply with the State’s
requirements for stormwater protection. For more information, visit
the Borough’s website, or call 490-5100, Ext. 772.
The Rocky Brook Garden Club is sponsoring a Summer Garden Tour,
“Backyard Paradise,” featuring private
gardens in Hightstown and Cranbury. The tour will take place on
June 10, 2006, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. rain or shine. Advanced sale
tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children and are available
at Perennial Home on West Ward Street. Tickets can be purchased on
the day of the tour for $15 at the Ely House. Call 609-448-8388 for
more information.
to our Hightstown Crier! In 2006, the Crier entered it’s 10th
year of publication! Many thanks to those who have contributed
articles, artwork and suggestions along the way!
Summer Garden Tour
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SCHOOL ELECTION Tuesday, April 18 Polls open 3 to 9 p.m.
PRIMARY ELECTION Tuesday, June 6 Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you are unsure of where your polling place is located,
contact the Borough Clerk’s office at 490-5100, Ext. 772.
Monday, April 3 Monday, April 17 Monday, May 1 Monday, May 15
Monday, June 5 Monday, June 19
All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted, and are
open to the public. Meeting information is available on the
Borough’s website and at Borough Hall on the Friday before each
meeting.
Borough Hall will be CLOSED on the following dates:
Friday, April 14 (Good Friday)
Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day observed)
Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day)
The Borough will be conducting the Spring Fire Hydrant Flushing
Program on weekdays between April 3 and April 21, 2006. This
procedure is necessary to remove sediment build-up from the water
mains and fire hydrants for proper operation.
During this time, you may experience some temporary
discoloration. If you have any questions, contact the Water
Department at 490-5117.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO
VOTE
Did you know that you can receive a credit on your sewer charges
when you fill your pool? That’s right—before you fill your pool,
come to the Borough Clerk’s office and apply for a “Pool Fill-ing
Permit.” The cost is $10. Someone from the water department will
visit your pool and calculate the amount of water needed to fill
it. You will receive a credit for the sewer portion on your next
bill.
Upcoming Council Meetings
(continued on page 4) As your Mayor, I have reached out to
municipal officials in our area to discuss even more shared
services such as garbage and recycling collection, police and
dispatch coverage, first aid coverage,
equipment/personnel/facilities/supplies, recreation, construction
and housing code inspections, court administration, and health
benefits coverage. For years, Borough officials have been making
this effort!
At the Borough’s Council meeting on March 20th, I was given the
Council’s support to continue this outreach effort to other
municipalities “with gusto,” which I certainly intend to do. Our
Borough Administrator and I will continue to explore every avenue
open to us for reducing costs without reducing services to our
residents.
Remember ... Hightstown’s municipal tax rate is about 21 percent
of the total property tax levy with the school district needing
about 60 percent, the County getting about 17 percent and the rest
going to open space and library use. Are you getting enough “bang
for your buck”? We are doing a remarkable job with that 21
percent!
Why are Hightstown’s property taxes so high? Because the State
of New Jersey has not designed another way, in whole or in part, to
fund public education. Unlike other states, New Jersey ranks first
in reliance on property taxes to pay for public education. We, the
property owners, are bearing the brunt of the refusal of state
politicians for decades to act on this inequity. You have a right
to be angry about your taxes! Let the governor and your state
legislators know that you demand a change! Our town and each of New
Jersey’s other 565 municipalities should not have to suffer because
of the state legislature’s reluctance to act on a constitutional
amendment to give you property tax relief!
As your Mayor, I have been voicing across New Jersey your
concerns over the out-of control increase in property taxes and the
need to make changes at the state level across New Jersey. In
addition, I continue to search for new ways for the Borough’s
operations to be cost effective and to seek new revenue sources, so
that Hightstown can move successfully and prosperously into the
21st Century.
Together, we will make a difference!
Mayor’s Message (continued from page 1)
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SA Guide to Healthy Habits forCleaner Water
ollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain
into storm drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and
the ocean
and lakes our children play in. Fertilizer, oil,pesticides,
detergents, pet waste, grass clippings: Youname it and it ends up
in our water.
Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey’s greatestthreats to
clean and plentiful water, and that’s whywe’re all doing something
about it.
By sharing the responsibility and making small, easychanges in
our daily lives, we can keep commonpollutants out of stormwater. It
all adds up to cleanerwater, and it saves the high cost of cleaning
up onceit’s dirty.
As part of New Jersey’s initiative to keep our waterclean and
plentiful and to meet federal requirements,many municipalities and
other public agencies includingcolleges and military basesmust
adopt ordinances orother rules prohibitingvarious activities
thatcontribute to stormwaterpollution. Breaking theserules can
result in fines orother penalties.
Easy Things You Can Do Every Day To Protect Our Water
olutions toStormwater Pollution
Make sure you properlystore or discard anyunused portions.
Properly use anddispose ofhazardousproducts
Hazardous productsinclude some household orcommercial
cleaningproducts, lawn and gardencare products, motor
oil,antifreeze, and paints.
Do not pour anyhazardous productsdown a storm drainbecause storm
drains areusually connected to localwaterbodies and the wateris not
treated.
As a resident,business, orother member ofthe New
Jerseycommunity, it isimportant to knowthese easythings you cando
every day toprotect ourwater.
Limit your use offertilizers andpesticides
Do a soil test to see ifyou need a fertilizer.
Do not apply fertilizersif heavy rain is predicted.
Look into alternativesfor pesticides.
Maintain a small lawnand keep the rest of yourproperty or yard
in anatural state with trees andother native vegetationthat
requires little or nofertilizer.
If you use fertilizersand pesticides, follow theinstructions on
the label onhow to correctly apply it.
P
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If you have hazardousproducts in your home orworkplace, make
sureyou store or dispose ofthem properly. Read thelabel for
guidance.
Use natural or lesstoxic alternatives whenpossible.
Recycle used motor oil.
Contact yourmunicipality, county orfacility management officefor
the locations ofhazardous-waste disposalfacilities.
Keep pollutionout of stormdrains
Municipalities andmany other public agenciesare required to
markcertain storm drain inletswith messages remindingpeople that
storm drainsare connected to localwaterbodies.
Do not let sewage orother wastes flow into astormwater
system.
Don’t litter
Place litter in trashreceptacles.
Recycle. Recycle.Recycle.
Participate incommunity cleanups.
Contact information
For more information on stormwater related topics,
visitwww.njstormwater.org or www.nonpointsource.org
Additional information is also available at U. S.Environmental
Protection Agency Web siteswww.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater or
www.epa.gov/nps
New Jersey Department of Environmental ProtectionDivision of
Water QualityBureau of Nonpoint Pollution ControlMunicipal
Stormwater Regulation Program(609) 633-7021
Dispose of yardwaste properly
Keep leaves and grassout of storm drains.
If your municipality oragency has yard wastecollection rules,
followthem.
Use leaves and grassclippings as a resource forcompost.
Use a mulchingmower that recycles grassclippings into the
lawn.
April 2004
Clean up afteryour pet
Many municipalitiesand public agencies mustenact and enforce
localpet-waste rules.
An example isrequiring pet owners ortheir keepers to pick upand
properly dispose ofpet waste dropped onpublic or other
people’sproperty.
Make sure you knowyour town’s or agency’srequirements and
complywith them. It’s the law.And remember to:
Use newspaper, bagsor pooper-scoopers topick up wastes.
Dispose of thewrapped pet wastein the trash or un-wrapped in a
toilet.
Never discard petwaste in a storm drain.
Don’t feedwildlife
Do not feed wildlife,such as ducks and geese, inpublic
areas.
Many municipalities andother public agencies mustenact and
enforce a rule thatprohibits wildlife feeding inthese areas.