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Highlands council approves $400,000 bond for new street sweeper, updates parking rules and adopts resolutions
Summary
The Borough of Highlands approved a $400,000 bond ordinance to buy a fully outfitted street sweeper, adopted parking-spot ordinances for residents with disabilities, and passed a slate of resolutions including funding authorizations and proclamations; the mayor also reported on grants and infrastructure work.
The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council on April 1 approved a $400,000 bond ordinance to acquire a new street sweeper and passed several related ordinances and administrative resolutions.
Council voted to adopt proposed ordinance 02606, which appropriates $400,000 for the acquisition and authorizes issuing $380,000 in bonds and notes to finance part of the cost. Mayor Ban said the purchase is to "replace our street sweeper that served us well but it is nearing its end of useful life," and staff confirmed the quoted price covers a fully outfitted machine with additional attachments, including hoses to clean storm-sewer grates.
The funding authorization for the vehicle was coupled on the consent agenda with resolution R26093, which authorizes purchase of a Bravo 5 R5 street sweeper through the Source cooperative purchasing program. The council moved and carried the ordinance on second and final reading; the meeting record shows the motion carried.
The council also completed two parking-related ordinances. Ordinance 02607 removed a restricted parking space on Water Avenue that had been reserved for a resident who has since moved out of town; the motion passed on second and final reading. Ordinance 02608, which designates a restricted parking space for a different resident with a disability, was introduced on first reading and a public hearing was scheduled for April 15, 2026.
On the consent agenda the council adopted resolutions R26090 through R26096, including proclamations recognizing Arbor Day and Alcohol Awareness Month, a resolution recognizing New Jersey Local Government Week, amendments to professional services contracts, and authorization for payment of bills. During discussion a council member asked about a $29,425 line item on the bills list labeled "check checkmate neoprene clamp;" the record shows staff did not provide a detailed explanation on the floor.
In his mayoral report, Mayor Ban summarized March departmental statistics: first-aid squad incidents (27), fire calls (23) and police incidents (788). He reported ongoing work on stormwater and outfall repairs, replacement of tide valves, playground resurfacing funded by a Mammoth County Open Space award (about $225,000), and pending grant applications, including an implementation grant expected in May or June and an NJ agritourism grant to fund an informational video display about local clamming. He also said discussions continue with county and state planners about a proposed multi-use overpass over Route 36 to improve pedestrian safety.
No members of the public spoke during the public portion. The council adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Votes at a glance - March 18, 2026 meeting minutes: motion carried (record shows one abstention). - March 18, 2026 executive session minutes: motion carried (record shows one abstention). - Ordinance 02606 (bond for street sweeper): passed on second and final reading (motion carried). - Ordinance 02607 (remove restricted parking space on Water Avenue): passed on second and final reading (motion carried). - Ordinance 02608 (designate restricted parking for resident with disability): introduced on first reading; public hearing set for April 15, 2026. - Resolutions R26090–R26096: adopted as a consent package.
