Local resident Robert Zelinski of Portland Road addressed the Mayor and Council at Wednesday’s Highlands council meeting suggesting the governing body send letters to every borough resident telling him the negative aspects of voting against the Army Corps of Engineers plan to building wall around the borough.
Information on the questions, which will appear on the ballot in November as a non-binding referendum, will be discussed by local officials and Army Corps of Engineers professionals at an informational session called by Mayor Carolyn Broullon for October 7 at 6 p.m. at Henry Hudson Regional School.
The mayor requested use of the school gym for the meeting, the second town hall meeting she has called to keep the public informed on the Army Corps plans, to ensure sufficient capacity for all who want to attend. The mayor also indicated that the borough’s plans for future projects will also be discussed at the town hall meeting, with professionals present to respond to questions from the public. “We want to be as open as possible,” the mayor said.
Zilinski rhetorically asked the governing body at its recent meeting a series of questions, about whether residents love living in Highlands, want to be protected, want flood insurance and want free federal funds, indicating all would say yes.
He continued rhetorically asking whether residents want higher taxes, or decreased property values, answering no, and noting the borough turned previous offers for a storm wall in 2017, again in 2018 both times when it was offered, he said, at no costs to local taxpayers. He said turning it down this year would cut off any Army Corps assistance for future flooding in the borough from rising waters.
Broullon thanked Zilinski for his comments but suggested “I invite you to look back” before continuing to make statements on what has happened, making it clear and citing records to show his facts as presented at the meeting were in error.
Broullon said the Corps had indicated the November vote would have no impact on flood insurance, guided by other specific information, and that the borough never voted against the project. The borough was rather seeking completion of the study for the flood plain, she said, adding “it was still only 35 per cent after 30 years…”
“Make sure your talking points are correct,” she urged Zilinski, who courteously thanked the mayor for her advice.”
