Tracey Abby-White, who was recently named chairman of the Atlantic Highlands municipal Tri-District Feasibility Study Committee, is being honored as Trustee Woman of the Year by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

The former councilwoman in this borough, as well as former member of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education and former Middletown Township teacher, received announcement of the honor from Dr Monique Umphrey, Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs for the Austin Community College District. Dr. Umphrey is also president of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

In her letter to Ms. Abby-White, Dr. Umphrey said the honoree was also recognized at the Annual Awards Breakfast of the AACC National Convention.

“We applaud you on your accomplishments and your esteemed work as a Trustee for Brookdale Community College,” Dr. Umphrey wrote. Ms Abby-White is currently serving her third term on the Board of Trustees for the community college. She is also the Senior Director of Global Sales Enablement for IronNet Cyber Security.

Ms. Abby-White will accept her newest honor Sunday, May 1 in New York.

In issuing the invitation, Dr. Umphrey also said “you have joined an elite group of women community college leaders who are making a difference for their institutions and the communities they serve.”

In a high-level meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) raised the need to indict and prosecute Vladimir Putin for war crimes now.

At the meeting, Smith, the Congressman who is leading efforts in Congress to push for Putin’s indictment and prosecution, proposed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as one of the most viable venues for a timely trial. He pointed out that both Russia and China would veto the creation of a tribunal in the UN Security Council; however, they have no veto power in the General Assembly.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister told Smith he would “absolutely support such a move by the General Assembly.”

Smith added that another high priority to resolving the dire humanitarian situation currently unfolding, is putting an end to the escalating risk of human trafficking.

“The trafficking of innocent Ukrainians—most of whom are women and children—as they seek shelter after being forced out of their homes is an affront to humanity that must end now,” he said. The Congressman has authored five laws to combat human trafficking, including the United States’ historic Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000

“Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and others responsible for unleashing the massive death and destruction against innocent Ukrainians must be indicted and prosecuted immediately for their egregious war crimes,” he said. Smith also chaired the first hearing in the House of Representatives to hold Putin accountable for his actions

Smith noted more than seven million Ukrainians have crossed into neighboring countries fleeing the aggression, which is targeting civilians and non-military infra structures, including schools hospitals and residential buildings.

Prime Minister Shmyhal told Smith that Ukraine would stand in solidarity with efforts to prevent trafficking and protect victims from perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Smith, a strong supporter of those on the frontlines defending freedom against tyranny, voted to provide Ukraine with critical military assistance and ban U.S. imports of Russian oil in the wake of Putin’s attack on the neighboring country.

The Rev.Joseph Donnelly Knights of Columbus will be out in front of Bayshore Pharmacy and the Liquor store at the Foodtown Shopping Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 23 accepting donations of dimes to dollars or more for ARC of Monmouth County, one of the great local groups the Knights support on a regular basis.

Too often we forget about these charities that do so much good for the less fortunate, or those in particular need, but the Knights always manage to come through and raise funds for so many great causes. Don’t pass them by if you’re in the Shopping Plaza tomorrow.

It’s another one of those things that will make YOU feel good, besides helping someone else. And be sure to make your reservations for their great Entertainment Night and diner next month. It’s another fundraiser for all their charities, but what a fun way for all of you to contribute towards helping others. Sounds like the Charles Hesse Parish Center will be full to overflowing, based on the caliber of the entertainment, the meal, and the price!

“My concern is that the parents will not have the opportunity to hear their options and vote in November because of the process and timeline required to get a question on the ballot.” said Tracey Abby-White. “While parties are urging the AH Regionalization committee to “stand down and wait” for the Tri-District study to be completed, it is important to know that two studies are different. “

Abby-White was recently name chairman of the Tri-District Feasibility Study committee in this borough by Mayor Loretta Gluckstein. She comes to the committee position well prepared and well versed in the duties and obligations of both school boards and council members. She has served on both and taught in the Middletown school system. and is serving her third term as a member of the Board of Trustees for Brookdale Community College. She is the Senior Director of Global Sales Enablement for IronNet Cyber Security currently, and is neither involved politically nor serving on any of the three school boards or governing bodies.

The completed Feasibility study commissioned by the Borough will add approximately 60 Sea Bright students, averaging 3 per grade level, to a new Pre-K – 12 district. Adding the Sea Bright students will provide funding for educational programs without taxing the families in Atlantic Highlands or Highlands. This authorized study was conducted by Prozio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. who has handled the only three regional school district dissolutions in state history.

The Tri-District includes Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Henry Hudson Regional. The Tri-District feasibility study, the one that is still in process, will look at consolidating Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Henry Hudson Regional and then also look at what other districts would be feasible to include in a new consolidated district. “It is the adverb “then “that is misleading,” said Abby-White. “We are waiting to compare apples and oranges. In the meantime, the clock is ticking.”

In a recent article in NJ.com, Dr. Tara Beams, Tri-District Superintendent, said, “There are some governance and operational efficiencies that we think we would find if we operated, maybe, as one district. We don’t know that until we get our study back.” But at the same time, Beams said she doesn’t think the Tri-District will see “these giant cost savings, because we share so much as it is.”

The school regionalization question resurfaced in 2019 under Mayor Randi LeGrice. Sea Bright wanted to join Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, separating itself as a sending district to Oceanport elementary school and Shore Regional High School. However, at that time, school board members here were fearful of litigation from any district from which Sea Bright attempted to withdraw and declined any further action on the feasibility study done at that time. With the passage of the state law by unanimous consent in both houses and signed by the Governor in January, new regionalization possibilities are permitted and encouraged to improve better education for students and cut costs for taxpayers.

“Today’s children compete globally and need a competitive edge. Based on the findings of the completed study, we can provide more educational programs at no cost to the taxpayers.” the Chairperson of the borough’s Committee said.

The first step is to send a petition to the Commissioner of Education for approval to regionalize. The Commissioner can deny or approve our application. Highlands and Sea Bright have already unanimously approved the resolution and are still waiting for action by Atlantic Highlands. If approved, several steps must happen before a question can be added to the ballot by August 15.

Former and current council and board members serve on the regionalization study committee with Abby-White, including Kim Spatola, Sara Ann Weiner, Councilman Steve Boracchia, Councilman Jon Crowley, and Mayor Loretta Gluckstein. The committee has no authority other than to review the feasibility study information updated recently by the Porzio firm and inform the public of their findings.

There have been no meetings of the Regionalization committee since March because the Atlantic Highlands Council is waiting for the Tri-District study to be released. “I am hopeful that the council will pass the resolution and submit our application to the Commissioner so that we can continue the process and hold town hall meetings,” Abby-White said. “Atlantic Highlands could be among the first to set an educational precedence in New Jrsey, and our children would reap the benefits. If not, we are leaving ourselves open to having the regionalization decision made for us.”

Interested persons attending Wednesday evening’s Speaker Series presentation on the Titanic at the Strauss House Museum will also want to plan a second visit to view the new Titanic exhibit that just opened and will be on display through May.

Give credit to a mom who wanted access to her dining room table and an equally creative and ambitious daughter adept at putting together Lego blocks to create a scale model of the famed passenger liner.

Joanne Dellosso, the acting vice-president of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, researched and created a Titanic Exhibition for the Mansion, located at 27 Prospect Circle., after her daughter, Katie, frustrated by Covid restrictions and shutdowns, purchased a Lego kit of the Titanic. Over the course of a week, working every night, Katie transformed 9,090 Lego blocks into the 1:200 model of the ship, doing her work on the Dellosso dining room table.

Knowing others would enjoy seeing the model, and realizing the intricacy of it since it also includes interior rooms in her daughter’s Lego model, the society’s vice president focused on more research to open a special and limited exhibition at the Museum.

With the approximate five foot long completed model a focal point of the exhibit, there are also numerous photos, historic explanations of the ship and its crew and passengers, along with décor and fashions of the 1912 era when the Cunard ship struck an iceberg April 15 on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York. Discovery of the remains of the ship in the 1980s regenerated interest in the ship, its passengers and crew with most stories concentrating on the wealthy and well-known names of travelers. Ms. Dellosso did all the research herself on this special exhibition at the Strauss House and created a unique angle for the presentation..

The local exhibit focuses more on the lesser known names and personalities, including stories on the two dogs that were rescued from the ship, as well as the second and third class passengers. It gives details about the brothers who were orphaned on the trip as well as the cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and stories associated where some of those who lost their lives are buried.

During the exhibition, Dellosso said visitors will also have the opportunity to either sit and watch an entire 90 minute movie on the Titanic, or simply stop and view small portions of it depending on their own schedules., Three different videos will each be on screen in the living room of the Mansion each on separate Sundays, when the Museum and exhibition are open to the public. The Museum is open every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to make a $5 donation for their visit.

Local resident Steven Schwankert will present his program on a small group of passengers aboard the ill-fated Titanic when he addresses the Society Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30 pm. His presentation is part of the museum’s feature of shipwrecks and maritime disasters as its central theme for 2022, and Schwankert’s presentation presents a unique and surprising view of six Chinese passengers, all survivors, as well as Titanic owner J. Bruce Ismay. No reservations are required and the lecture is free and open to the public, though donations will be accepted.

On Friday, Apr. 22, the Museum is also offering a showing of “A Night to Remember” at 7:30 p.m. with seating limited to 30.

For more information on this and all programs, events, and hours at the Strauss House, visit the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society website at http://www.ahhistory.org.

While it has always been an area that movie stars, journalists like Jim Bishop, tv personalities, and entertainers like to call home because of its serenity and natural beauty, Highlands had more than its share of popular stars of the stage and screen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nellie McHenry Webster was just such one of those famous names.

Known professionally as Nellie McHenry, she was born in St. Louis, Missouri, this lady who toured the country as well as Canada with other stage stars like Edwin Booth and Lillian Russell. She began her career in her native city but then went on to Chicago, where she performed with the Hooley Comedy Company. She met John Webster, whom she later married, and Nate Salsbury, a theatrical impresario, and the trio formed the Salisbury Troubadors, touring for nearly 20 years in the 1870s and 1880s.

It was Salsbury, who also lived in Highlands, who organized actors into a small series of plays joined with a single threat of a plot, an idea that was hugely successful and led to the troop, Nellie included, even going to Australia and Tasmania of all places, to display their talent. The Troubadors disbanded around 1890 but Salisbury kept things alive as co-owner of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show which went on to even greater acclaim.

Nellie toured numerous countries of Europe as well, bringing her stage talent to the public through her expertise in both comedy and drama. At one time, in the 1880s, she had a week’s engagement at the Chestnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, and many extras were needed for minor roles at those performances. They were provided by none other than J.S. Hoffman, who also happened to be a Highlands councilman in 1935 at the time of her death.

Nellie and her husband had their home atop the hill on Portland Road, a gracious old Victorian with massive porches on two levels to ensure constant views of the Shrewsbury river and Atlantic Ocean. Salsbury also lived in the area, as did Wallace Reed and Franchon Campbell Webster, Nellie’s daughter, who, like Nellie’s son, John, Jr., made her living on stage and was a highly regarded actress.

After starring in “M’liss” and having a huge success with that one-act play, Nellie bought the rights to the play, then conducted her own highly successful tour around the country with it.

Nellie died at Monmouth Medical Center, then known as Hazard Hospital in Long Branch, when she was 82 years old. Her funeral was at the A.M. Posten Funeral Home in Atlantic Highlands and the service was held at All Saints Memorial Church in Locust, with the rector, the Rev. Charles P. Johnson, officiating. She is buried in the church cemetery.

Her husband, John Webster, disappeared on night in 1899 and it is believed he committed suicide by jumping into the rapids at Niagara Falls. His body has never been found. Their son, John, Jr. died in 1925 in his dressing room at the Henry Miller Theater on West Forty-Third Street, NY, of a heart attack. It was a scarce few minutes before his curtain call for the play “The Poor Nut”.

On April 15, we observed the 12th anniversary of the death of Capt. Joseph Azzolina, a businessman, municipal and state leader, Highlands native, military officer, newspaper publisher and so much more. Continued sympathy to his family on this anniversary.

A piece of History on a busy bridge

Changing the name of the bridge that spans the Shrewsbury River between Highlands and Sea Bright was clinched in 2011, when the state General Assembly approved Senate Bill 2073. The bill had already passed the Senate offering a change of name to honor the late Highlands native, Middletown businessman, and state Assembly, Senator, and United States Naval Captain, Joseph A. Azzolina.

It was old friends from even before they worked together at the Senate level who took the lead in the action to honor Capt. Azzolina. Sen. Sean Kean knew Azzolina from his reputation as an Assemblyman beginning in 1966, then later worked with him in the Assembly when Kean was elected to his first term in 2002. Senator Joe Kyrillos, who retired in 2018 and was honored himself when the Red Bank Bridge was named in his honor, knew Azzolina when the latter owned The Courier weekly newspaper in Kyrillos’ home town, and the young then assemblyman dropped off his own press releases for publication.

Azzolina lived in Middletown with his family, and was a successful businessman, growing his family’s first business on Miller St. to the Food Basket supermarket on the main street Highlands, then to the Food Circus in Middletown, eventually the heart of the Foodtown Enterprises still in the family today. He knew the Kyrillos family well. Kyrillos always commented on how his friend Joe loved New Jersey especially Monmouth County, and how the businessman’s immigrant parents had started their own small market, the one on Miller St. in Highlands, shortly after arriving from their native Italy.

Sen. Jennifer Beck had worked side by side with Azzolina when he was an Assemblyman and she was his chief of staff. But Beck had worked with and known Azzolina even earlier and always referred to him as her mentor. She spoke of his special affinity for the Bayshore and at the time of introducing the bill to name the bridge, said how honored and humbled the Sailor would have been at the honor paid to his memory.

The new construction was designed to eliminate the bridge openings that backed up traffic along the state highway. The construction on the higher bridge included high railings, putting an end to the summer ritual of daring Highlands kids who reveled at jumping from its highest peaks to the channel below, a ritual a young Azzolina also pursued. Yet even the new higher bridge could not quite put an end to traffic tie-ups on sunny days when everyone wants to go to the National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook.

Trying to put a Sunday early afternoon ride along Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright into a Hidden History context is only possible because of a recent 45-minute trip from the Sea Bright side of the Highlands to the Rumson bridges. There was plenty of time to reminisce about the 1950s when the same trip at the same time on a sunshiny-y weekend day would have taken three minutes, maybe five if keeping below the speed limits.

The new and beautiful Captain Joseph Azzolina bridge is successful in its purpose of keeping boat traffic sailing smoothly along the Shrewsbury River. No longer do bridge tenders stroll out, close the gates and stop traffic, to reappear again in the same slow pace to reverse the pattern and let vehicular traffic pass, once the boats are safely through. There was even a time when the bridge opened on demand of the river traffic; that was improved somewhat when openings were changed to twice an hour and even boats had to occasionally wait or improve their own arrival timing at the bridge.

The old Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge opened to allow marine traffic to pass. But for the vehicular traffic on the state highway between the two communities, the new improved situation only works if drivers are courteous, polite, and intelligent. On a recent weekend this was a tough combination to find.

Heading towards Rumson from Middletown along Route 36 at 1 p.m. on a July Sunday seemed like it would be a quick trip. But once the vehicle rounded the last curve before Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, it was evident the Oceanic Bridge in Locust would have been the longer but better option.

Traffic in the ‘through’ lane, the one NOT heading into Sandy Hook, was moving slowly but steadily, but one wonders why the lane heading into Sandy Hook was stopped. West of the bridge, there had been two signs posted indicating the park was closed. There was plenty of opportunity for drivers to choose other options rather than continue across the bridge, options that included going under the bridge, into the wonderful town of Highlands, and visiting a river beach…same water, same beautiful sand, simply a lot quieter, and much calmer. Far better than sitting in a car with impatient kids, angry drivers, and no beach in sight for an afternoon’s enjoyment. Another pleasant option could be going down into Buttermilk Valley and perhaps stopping at Hartshorne Park for a walk through the woods or heading back to Atlantic Highlands for a stroll through the Yacht Harbor. Or up the hill either to the magnificent Twin Lights or via Portland Road to see the newly renovated defense site complete with that huge gun from the Battleship New Jersey (and where the temperature inside the battery hovers somewhere in the ‘70s!).

Yet the cars were at a stop at the top of the bridge all waiting to get into Sandy Hook… for what? To turn around and head back? Didn’t drivers see signs saying the park was closed? To visit the Sandy Hook Lighthouse? Getting to Twin Lights would take less time, offer more spectacular views, and include a sensational museum full of great history and artifacts. Does anyone even know a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from the Spanish-American War was once a lighthouse keeper here?

It was about the middle of the bridge where the rudeness showed up. Among all those cars NOT going to Sandy Hook lane were half a dozen drivers who WERE going to Sandy Hook, but knew they could move faster in the opposite lane and cut in at the last minute. Forget about the anger that caused; the stopping it created in BOTH lanes, the near misses, and the language children shouldn’t be hearing. Think of the idiocy of it. Why would you still try so hard to cut into a lane heading to where the Park folks were going to turn you back anyway? Even the smarter folks who made that apparently illegal turn at the end of the bridge to head back toward Highlands didn’t impede traffic as much.

But something happened to drivers on the other side of the bridge, once the vehicles going to Sandy Hook were out of the way. Suddenly, they seemed nicer, calmer, politer. The cars coming off the Hook…turned back by rangers who advised them once again the signs were telling the truth…the park really was closed to beachgoers…..had to get into that lane of traffic heading through Sea Bright. But they were waiting in line for a break, waiting patiently in line for a break. And they got it. Drivers continuing to Sea Bright from Highlands began to cooperate with the outgoing Hook cars; they were taking turns, the way it should be done! One car would continue the road, the next car would pause to enable a car leaving the Hook to blend in, then another road car would proceed, then a Hook car would blend in. Alternating, one car at a time. There were hand waves, signs of thanks, even smiles. It worked! Alternating cars actually worked! No more foul language, angry looks, instead, smiles, signs of appreciation. Life was getting better.

Because of the added traffic, the situation continued slowly along Ocean Avenue, but steadily moving with no horn blowing, no fist shakes, nothing but peaceful driving. What’s more, drivers were not only stopping at cross streets to enable other cars to get out, they were even stopping to allow those leaving the ‘rocks’ to cross safely. More waves, more thanks, more smiles.

For the drivers, there was time to enjoy the unique houses along the Strip. Sadly, these are not the gracious old Victorian mansions that provided many a fire drill for the volunteers in the Highlands, Sea Bright, Rumson, Atlantic Highlands and Navesink fire companies in the ‘50s and ‘60s when alarms sounded in the middle of the night and these volunteers rushed out to ‘save the fireplace’ and surrounding homes. But they are magnificent new dwellings, both single and multi-family, well-kept, attractive, and a credit to Sea Bright.

The twice hourly bridge closure at the Rumson bridge slowed traffic somewhat, but people didn’t seem to mind so much. At that point, there were walkers to watch, cyclists to see, and motorcyclists who carefully wended their way creating their own lane but safely moving forward. And when there was some type of emergency in the north end of Sea Bright requiring police from the center of town, cars moved quickly and safely to the sides of the road to create a lane for the police cars to pass.

Ocean Avenue is the same width it was 60 years ago. The ocean is still the same, albeit not visible because of the higher sea wall. The land side view is different, and the river is still vibrant to see in many areas. Actually, driving slowly along the Strip can truly be an enjoyable experience, once angry and frustrated drivers realize it doesn’t get them there any faster, any happier, or any safer, than simply accepting how popular we’ve become and enjoying the ride.

The Shore Casino at Easter Time! You simply couldn’t find any bunny hopping down the trail that didn’t say it was a fabulous, wonderful experience and they’re looking forward to the next one.

It all started at the St. Patrick’s Day party last month at the Casino. The corned beef and cabbage wasn’t gone five minutes, the Irish Dancers from the First Avenue Irish Dance studio were still tripping the light fantastic and the Guinness had not yet run dry when guests were already asking for another event, specifically an Easter Brunch. So Kathleen and Jay met the challenge and immediately planned the Brunch, offering two seatings, and a bountiful buffet that overflowed tables, platters and dessert cups and bowls.

Shore Casino owner Kathleen Sweeney and her son and Restaurant Manager Jay Strebb responded to the requests of dozens of people to offer an Easter Brunch, a new event for this decades old landmark in the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor.

Guests came from all over, many from Jersey City where they shared their own stories of the Sweeney’s ever popular Casino in the Park of the past. There were youngsters in arms and high chairs, teenagers, grandchildren and grandparents, and even great grandparents, all gathered together to celebrate the holiday and a celebratory meal as a family.

Known primarily as a catering facility in the 21st century when it switched from what made it so popular in earlier years during the 20th century as an elegant dining and dancing restaurant, the recent St. Patrick’s Day party hosted at the Casino was a first event that is establishing a future where management will be offering its own parties and gatherings in addition to continuing the weddings, anniversaries, repasts, club meetings, PBA events and so much more that is always scheduled at The Shore Casino.

Mother’s Day specials are on the horizon but what and what time it will have not yet been established.

For Easter Sunday, Jay advertised reservations for two seatings, one shortly before noon the other after 2. Reservations for both seatings poured into the point Jay had to turn down the last minute attempts, and the Easter Buffet was on.

For many it was simply a time to sit, relax, enjoy great company, some seeing friends they had not seen in years and welcoming the opportunity to get updated on each other’s lives. For others, it was a bit of nostalgia, and another hint to Kathleen that “let’s have more of these.” For all it was a day to enjoy friendship, sunshine, the million dollar view of the yacht harbor and beyond, and take advantage of a repast as artfully arranged and decorated as it was delicious and unusual.

In addition to two long tables of everything from fresh vegetables, cheeses, all kinds of muffins, breads and croissants, as well as several kinds of pastas, salads and Eggs on Chicken and several different kinds of hot and cold meats, there were two meat carvers offering tasty and large cuts of ham, beef or turkey; there was an omelet table made up with all the fixings and a talented and friendly chef who looked like he enjoyed making the omelets as much as guests enjoyed eating them.

Of course with Kathleen bringing recipes for some of her favorite dishes and fruits of the earth from her native Ireland, there were potatoes prepared in numerous ways, as well as beets mixed with bleu cheese and walnuts, a distinctly different and delicious way to eat a vegetable some say only the Irish could love.

There were waffles and French toast, eggplant wrapped around a delectable cream cheese and peppers, and the list goes on … Without even taking in the dessert table filled with cannoli made right at the Casino, cones of flavored creams, puddings, and the world’s best rice pudding, back by popular demand after it was first presented at the St Patrick’s event. With Bob such an outstanding kitchen manager, and a hard working cuisine staff of men and women working so well together and meeting the needs of the wait staff ready to bring out all their delectable presentations, to say nothing of the bartenders and waitresses, all of whom help each other with all of the jobs, simply trying to get everything was done to perfection and in record time.

Each of the serving tables in the buffet room was neatly adorned with attractive settings of fruits and vegetables of many colors, while in the dining room tables with their sparkling white tablecloths and pink napkins made the room spring- like and beautiful.

Throughout the afternoon, pianist/singer Lou Parisi offered some pretty spectacular background music, which at some tables also turned into a joyful singalong. As Laura Blasaucci of Colts Neck put it, “Just being here, reliving old memories and seeing new people is perfect.”

“I’m glad the people asked for it,” said Jay, “and I’m glad we were able to make it so enjoyable for them.” And Kathleen added, “Ah, it’s just so nice to see so many people enjoying themselves and knowing we can be part of making them so happy.”

Construction of what was originally the $10 million borough hall moved another step further this week as initial groundwork got underway, in spite of the fact the long awaited construction is now starting at $10.599 million, Kappa Construction of Ocean was the low bidder on construction at that amount.

And borough administrator Michael Muscillo is in communications with FEMA weekly pinning that agency down to a date when the borough will receive the anticipated $5 million included in the original bond ordinance last June.

“I can’t wait for this to be completed!” said a joyous Muscillo, adding, “I think the residents of Highlands will be very happy when it’s done

The former parking lot for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church was filled to capacity Easter Sunday for morning mass, and filled again early Monday morning, this time with pre-construction equipment signifying work has officially begun on the new $10 million, now $10.599 million boro hall.

Although KAPPA Construction’s low bid was higher than anticipated and bonded for was awarded by the governing body and the new building will house municipal court, all municipal offices, and the police department.

Currently, the site on Route 36 between Valley Avenue and Miller St., which also had included the location of both the convent for the teaching sisters when Our Lady of Perpetual Help School was active, and a private residence on the corner of Miller St. is being cleared and prepared for base work for the new construction.

Muscillo said the time frame for total construction is 18-months, and the borough is anticipating a completion date by October, 2023. “Provided there aren’t any supply chain issues,” the administrator added, in light of long delays in materials and equipment impeding numerous construction projects throughout the country.

The work is partially funded with a grant the borough received in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed the former borough hall on Bay avenue. To date, the borough has received approximately $2 million from the Sandy disaster, and is waiting to hear on an additional $5 million.

Muscillo is confident of receiving the additional $5 million, but pointed out the other options should it not be received, including raising additional funds through taxation, or issuing notes or bonds, which would also mean a tax increase. Other options are raising funds from redevelopment projects, reclassifying other projects already set up and applying those funds to the borough hall project, or a combination of any of the possibilities.

Council also had passed a resolution requesting approval of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to pay the expenditure to set up a “Donations for Borough Hall” fund so interested persons could contribute to offsetting the total cost.

Muscillo added that while the higher than anticipated low bid could increase taxes as one option, there are numerous other factors that also increase municipal taxes, including a decrease in state aid, high health care, pension costs for employees, and more, none of which can be anticipated. Without knowing if and when the borough would get the $5 million, he added, “We’ll cross that bridge IF we come to it.”

Obviously happy that construction is finally underway on a project that has been discussed by three different mayors, several different councils and has met with numerous hurdles, Muscillo said, “We’re moving forward.”

The administrator, who came into his position long after Sandy and the first attempts at constructing a new borough, well knows the long history of meetings, discussions, land acquisition from the Catholic Diocese of Trenton, and more, including the unusual way in which the $10 million bond ordinance was approved.

That began last May, when Council was comprised of Linda Mazzola and KL Martin, along with Mayor Carolyn Broullon, Donald Melnyk and Joann Olszewski. The $10 million bond resolution was introduced by Mayor Broullon, with Martin and Mazzola dissenting.

At that time Martin said he was listening to the people and the cost was too much, and also felt FEMA could not always be trusted to follow through with the funds. Mazzola predicted the final cost would be even higher than that and was too much to expect taxpayers to fund. Both council members said it was not a wise business decision and the resolution failed since four of five votes is necessary for a bond issue.

The following meeting, the same ordinance was introduced once again, this time with Martin absent; with only four members present, it only required three votes to introduce it. Martin was present for the June meeting and the public hearing on the same ordinance he had opposed. This time he voted in favor of the $10 million issue, explaining he was a “complicated person,” and saying it was nobody’s business why he had missed the previous meeting.

With his vote in favor of the issue, along with Broullon, Melnyk and Olszewski, the bond issue passed. Mazzola, once again opposing it, added that the previous December the governing body received notice the cost would most likely be over $12.5 million. No one on Council gave any explanation why the bond ordinance they introduced twice since then did not indicate the additional $2.5 million, nor did any member of council indicate from whence those additional funds would come. Nor was there any response to Mazzola’s recommendation the bond issue be put on a referendum to be voted on by residents. The meeting was held in person, with no access for residents to attend virtually.

With KAPPA’s bid of 10.6 million, acquisition and design cost, it appears Mazzola may be spot on with her estimate, and very likely, she may even have cited a conservative dollar amount.