Highlands council passes multiple ordinances and adopts resolution opposing Williams Transco pipeline

The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council approved multiple ordinances and resolutions at its July 16, 2025 meeting and formally adopted a resolution opposing the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancements Pipeline.

Council approved amendments to Chapter 3 (police regulations) by ordinance 02512 on second and final reading after a public hearing that produced no public speakers. The council also passed Ordinance 02513, which removes restricted parking spaces previously reserved for a now-relocated resident, and Ordinance 02514 (wildlife-related code amendments), both on second and final reading. The council introduced Ordinances 02515 (updates to the Uniform Fire Code appointment language, changing “certified” to “licensed”) and 02516 (no-parking/time limits on Water Witch Avenue) and scheduled public hearings on those measures for Aug. 20, 2025.

The council adopted routine resolutions including R25146 (governing-body certification of the annual audit) and a consent package of resolutions (R25147–R25154) authorizing salary increases, raising local bid thresholds, authorizing payment of bills, and inserting special items of revenue into the budget under state law.

Separately removed from the consent agenda for individual consideration, Resolution R25149 — declaring opposition to the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancements Pipeline — was offered, seconded and adopted by the council. Jesse Sutherland of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters later thanked the council and said the state public-comment window had opened, urging municipalities to request hearings and submit comments within the 30-day window: “We have 30 days to give any public comments and we are encouraging all towns to request public hearings on the pipeline,” he said.

Public comment also included a resident, K. Mets, who asked to review engineering plans after receiving a parking citation following recent curb and sidewalk work on Ocean Rear. Mets said the curb was repainted yellow without notice and asked town staff for the bid/engineering files.

No numeric roll-call tallies were recorded verbatim in the published transcript for each individual ordinance vote; the minutes record the motions and that each motion “carries” or “passed.” The council scheduled public hearings for items introduced on first reading (02515 and 02516) for August 20, 2025.

Votes at a glance: O2512 (Chapter 3 amendments) — approved on second and final reading; O2513 (restricted parking removal) — approved on second and final reading; O2514 (wildlife regulation amendments) — approved on second and final reading; O2515 (fire-code language) — passed first reading, hearing set Aug. 20, 2025; O2516 (Water Witch Ave no-parking/time limit) — passed first reading, hearing set Aug. 20, 2025; R25146 — adopted (annual audit certification); R25147–R25154 — adopted by consent (except R25149); R25149 — adopted (resolution opposing Williams Transco pipeline).

The meeting moved to executive session later in the evening to discuss litigation and attorney-client privileged matters related to a noise ordinance and park-improvement projects; no formal action on those litigation items was taken in open session.

The council adjourned at 8:58 p.m.