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High Bridge council discusses reassessment program, Solitude House oversight and DPW year-end updates
Summary
Council members flagged changes to the borough reassessment program and called for candidate interviews; they discussed oversight and potential agreement for Solitude House and heard year-end Department of Public Works updates.
Mayor Michele Lee and Administrator Brett Bartman led council discussion about the borough's property reassessment program. Mayor Lee said the Tax Assessor will not conduct future reassessments and other individuals are being considered to continue the program. Administrator Bartman outlined options for continuing the program; council and mayor discussed inspection requirements, assessing interviews, advertisement and hiring processes to finish the current program and move forward.
The council also discussed Solitude House. Mayor Lee described it as experiencing a "positive transformation" but said the borough needs more review and oversight of Solitude House expenses and grant use; she and Councilwoman Ferry said more information is necessary to continue the discussion. Councilman Nowell and Councilman Schwartz raised questions about using non-profit funds for borough buildings, grant statuses and the costs of heating an older building. Administrator Bartman reported on the status of different Solitude House grants, and Attorney Barry Goodman advised that an agreement with the non-profit should be in place.
Councilman Silvestri reviewed year-end Department of Public Works accomplishments, including completed water and sewer projects, curbside metal recycling, street and road work and DPW training completed during the year.
The minutes record no formal decisions on the reassessment program or Solitude House beyond direction to gather more information and consider candidate interviews; the council approved multiple consent resolutions relating to operations during the same meeting.
