Highlands council passes salary ordinance, adopts package of resolutions

The Borough of Highlands mayor and council on March 5 adopted Ordinance O25-02, amending Schedule A of the borough salary ordinance, following a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke. The ordinance passed on second and final reading after a motion and second by council members.

Why it matters: The salary schedule revision affects municipal pay classifications under the borough’s personnel authority and was approved without public comment. At the same meeting, the council approved a consent agenda that bundled a set of administrative and operational actions, allowing multiple items to be adopted by a single motion.

The consent agenda (resolutions R25-67 through R25-77) approved the refund and cancellation of certain tax overpayments, a pledge on sustainable land use, a non-fair-and-open contract award for professional planning services related to the borough’s master plan reexamination, a contract for drug and alcohol testing services, submission of a municipal alliance grant application for fiscal year 2026, appointment of a member to the Highlands Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, appointment of a deputy emergency management coordinator, a shared services agreement with the borough of Sebright for lifeguard operations, payment of bills, and acceptance of a donation of safety equipment for the police canine Colt.

Mayor Boulan publicly thanked the Montecobo family for the donation, describing the item as a vehicle heating alarm that alerts an officer if the canine is overheating: "I would like to thank the Montecobo family for this donation, which is for a heating alarm system for the police dog Colt," the mayor said.

The ordinance and the consent agenda passed by voice vote; the minutes record the motions carried. The meeting proceeded to routine reports and then scheduled an executive session, so no further council debate on these items was recorded.