It’s 1 -2- 3 With the Highlands Council

HIGHLANDS –   It took less than half an hour, but in that time the governing body of Highlands, the Mayor and Council, in the absence of Councilman Leo Cervantes, unanimously”

• Honored MAST Cadet Russell Karshmer for designing one side of the New Jersey (SNN796) Commissioning Coin
• Approved an amendment to the Zoning and Land Use ordinance to name the construction official, rather than the borough engineer, the Flood Plain administrator with authority to delegate duties of employee employees
• Authorized an agreement with the Twin Lights Condominium Association to reimburse up to a specific length the association’s self-plowing during snow.
• Paid bills and authorized refunds for tax overpayment, one application fee, and retroactive back pay to employee Joe Walling for errors made in previous years
• Approved a grant application for $20,000 to the state Department of Agriculture for reduction and chemical control treatment of the spotted lanternfly.
• Waived the ban on serving alcohol on February 10 for the Elementary School PTO fund raising Sip & Paint event.
• And approved membership in the Highlands Fire Department for Spencer Patrick Branin as recommended by Fire Chief William Caizza.

Council members also gave reports on their committees and had discussions both from Council woman Chelak and borough resident Joseph Doran about the importance of trees and proper removal of them, and expressed pleasure at a recent Two River Times newspaper article that was positive and good news about their reorganization meeting.

Council then went into executive session for another approximately 45 minutes to discuss possible le litigation and to talk about tree removal regulations, with no action taken on either matter after the meeting.

Resident Doran, who lives on Valley Avenue and frequently attends the sparsely attended council meetings, reminded council members that removing trees for specific reasons is “a judgement call” and a qualified person is needed to make those decisions. He pointed out the replacement of trees, with many having been lost since Sandy, should be enforced and pointed out that many have never been placed, creating silt runoff problems. He pointed out the intrinsic value of trees in preventing runoff and flooding, with the governing body agreeing with him and thanking him for his interest and suggestions.