Borough of Highlands council approves parking, budget cap and multiple project resolutions

HIGHLANDS, N.J. — The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council met April 2, 2025 and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions affecting parking, the municipal budget cap bank and several capital projects.

Council adopted Ordinance 02503, designating a restricted parking space in front of a residence occupied by persons with disabilities at 121 Water Witch Ave., unit C6, after opening and closing the public hearing without public comment. The council also passed Ordinance 02504 to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limit and to establish a cap bank; the temporary budget amendment was requested by the borough CFO and was adopted as Resolution R25089.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution R25088, authorizing execution of a right-of-way and hold-harmless agreement related to block 35 (blocks 10–12). The consent agenda — as revised to correct a typographical year on one item and with R25096 removed for separate consideration — was adopted to include recognitions for Arbor Day and Alcohol Awareness Month, awards for Shore Drive pedestrian improvements, construction-administration contracts for Shore Drive and Washington Avenue projects, and approval of change order number one for the Portland Road drainage and road improvements project.

R25096, the fair-and-open contract awarding for the Washington Avenue improvement project (base bid), was discussed separately; one council member recorded an abstention on that item while other members voted in favor as recorded at the meeting.

Mayor Bulan used the report portion of the meeting to summarize several capital priorities and grant awards. He said the borough aims to mill-and-pave Washington Avenue this year and that the Shore Drive pedestrian improvements — sidewalks from Water Witch to Willow — were approved "so we'll be looking to get that done as soon as possible," adding that officials hope to complete key projects before Memorial Day weather permitting. Work on Portland Road drainage continues following utility relocations, and bids were solicited for targeted dredging at the Jones Creek outfall.

The mayor also said the borough received a $50,000 planning grant for upgrades to the James T. White plant and is awaiting decisions on a separate $50,000 T‑Mobile grant proposed to fund a bronze statue of Captain Joshua Huie to be sited at Honey Park. Officials are advancing environmental review for Frank Hall Park and continue efforts on the FEMA Community Rating System to reduce flood-insurance costs for residents and borough buildings.

The council adopted a resolution to meet in executive session after the public meeting to consider matters related to litigation under state law; no formal action was taken in open session. The public meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

Quotes and attributions in this article are drawn from remarks recorded at the April 2 meeting: Mayor Bulan invited residents to an open house and summarized project timelines, stating, "we'll be looking to get that done as soon as possible" in reference to Shore Drive pedestrian improvements.