Highlands council introduces 2025 municipal budget with lower municipal tax rate; approves emergency demolition

The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council on Wednesday introduced the 2025 municipal budget on first reading and approved an emergency demolition contract for a long‑vacant dwelling at 36 Miller Street.

A presenter for the council said the introduced budget would lower the borough's municipal tax rate from 0.935 in 2024 to 0.803 under the proposal and noted the 2025 budget contains about $200,000 more than the prior year. "So it's a pretty steep decrease," the presenter said while offering the budget for introduction. The council moved to introduce resolution R25‑078 on first reading and scheduled a public hearing for April 16, 2025.

The council also approved resolution R25‑079 authorizing an emergency contract for demolition and removal of the dwelling at 36 Miller Street. The presenter described the property as "an abandoned property for roughly 40 years" and said the action is intended to remove an "eyesore" from the neighborhood. The resolution was introduced by a council member, seconded, and recorded as passed; the transcript contains ambiguity about recorded abstentions in the roll call but records the resolution as passed.

Council members introduced three ordinances on first reading. O25‑03 would designate restrictive parking in front of residences occupied by persons with disabilities and was passed on first reading with a public hearing set for April 2, 2025. O25‑04 would permit the borough to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limit and establish a cap bank; it was also passed on first reading with a public hearing set for April 2, 2025. O25‑05 would amend Chapter 10 (Buildings and Housing) and Chapter 21 (Zoning and Land Use Regulations) of the Borough Code concerning signs and outdoor display structures; it too passed on first reading and will be heard at a later public hearing.

The council adopted a consent agenda of routine resolutions (R25080–R25089) covering items such as a tax overpayment refund, approval of a waiver of an alcohol ban for a community center rental, LOSAP contributions, deputy registrar appointments, payment of bills, authorization of a professional services contract for environmental work at Frank Hall Park, self‑examination of the budget, and a shared‑services street sweeping agreement with the Borough of Seabright.

The clerk read rules for public comment (three‑minute limit and requirement to state name and address) and the council voted to enter executive session for litigation; council members amended the executive session language to add attorney‑client privilege. The clerk stated no formal actions will be taken during the executive session. The public meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Next steps: the ordinances introduced on first reading have public hearings on April 2, 2025, and the municipal budget public hearing is scheduled for April 16, 2025.