Highlands council adopts consent agenda, authorizes two pickup truck purchases and municipal CPACE liaison

The Borough of Highlands mayor and council adopted a consent agenda at their Sept. 17 meeting that included authorizing the purchase of city vehicles and designating a municipal CPACE liaison.

The resolutions adopted, listed as R25-173 through R25-178, covered reimbursement authorization (R25-173), naming the borough administrator as the municipal property assessed clean energy (CPACE) liaison (R25-174), the purchase of a 2024 Ford F-250 and a 2026 Ford Super Duty F-350 (R25-175), a waiver of an alcohol ban for a community center rental (R25-176), payment of bills (R25-177), and approval of a membership application for the Highlands First Aid Squad (R25-178).

Council members raised one brief question about the two truck purchases — whether the vehicles would replace retired units or expand the fleet — and the meeting record indicates funds for the purchases will be set aside in the 2023 capital budget and the current trucks would be sold when replaced. The consent agenda was moved and seconded and carried on roll call; votes recorded in the transcript for the minutes-approval vote included Council member Spontes — Yes; Council member Schulack — Yes; Council member Malak — Abstain; Council member Roshevsky — Yes; Mayor (as recorded) — Yes.

The CPACE designation makes the borough administrator the municipal contact for the local implementation of a property-assessed financing program; the resolution text was read into the record as part of the consent list. No substantial debate followed the readings, and the council proceeded to other business.