Politics & Government

Future of Hightstown Borough Hall, Police Department Remains Unknown

Council members praise the conversation started at Tuesday's special meeting.

The conversation on the future of Hightstown's Borough Hall and the kicked off Tuesday night at a .

Although no action was taken and no decision was made as to the , it opened discussion between council members, town professionals and members of the public.

Several options were discussed – from remediating or demolishing all or part of the building, to moving it completely, tearing it down or rebuilding it and bringing it up to code – but there are several lingering factors that may weigh into the council’s ultimate decision.

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The Borough is still waiting to hear if the County will accept the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps created a few years ago, according to Mayor Steven Kirson. Flood maps from 1977 that are in effect places the building in a high-hazard flood zone, making Hightstown’s insurance deductible $1 million.

“If the new maps are accepted, that takes a bit of a burden off our backs,” Kirson said.

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It is also unknown at this point exactly how much money both FEMA and the insurance company will be giving the Borough to remediate, relocate and/or rebuild Borough Hall and the police department, according to Borough Administrator Michael Theokas.

Council member Rob Thibault pointed out Borough Hall is not a modern building and did not fully meet the needs of the Borough before the storm. 

It has been months since environmental tests have been done in the building, however, FEMA and the insurance company recently said the building could be cleaned, Borough officials said.

The police department has been temporarily relocated to the Lucas Electric building, which is listed for sale around $1.7 million. The police department’s temporary use and occupancy agreement at Lucas Electric expires on May 5.

Each council member had varying visions for what should be done with the building, and residents also had ideas and suggestions they offered the Council.

J.P. Gibbons told council members to figure out what they want and then tell FEMA and the insurance company their direction, instead of waiting on them.

“You tell them what you want in your community, you tell them where you’re going in your community and you challenge them not to give you what you need for your community. It’s a Federal Emergency Management Agency. Its job is to help you restore the community, not reorientate the community,” he said. 

If the updated flood maps are approved, council member Susan Bluth said she liked the idea of moving back into Borough Hall where it currently stands because it is a center point in town.

Council members said there is too much up in the air to have a steadfast decision of what to do with the building, but commented on the benefits of having the workshop meeting to discuss possible options and hear from the public.

“This is the type of government I like to hear – discussions, open forum – this is what we should be doing for years and years and years to come,” said Council President Larry Quattrone. “It’s so important to keep the town molded together without mold.”

 

The following costs are an estimate of some options discussed at the meeting, developed by a third-party architect hired by the Borough. 

Possible Action Cost Remediate Borough Hall/Police Station/Back Storage Area to condition prior to storm

$500,000 to $700,000

Remediate Borough Hall/Police Station/Back Storage Area, including bringing the buildings up to code

$1.8 million

Demolish Borough Hall/Police Station/Back Storage Area, raise it a few feet and completely rebuild

$3.7 million

Other possible costs of options discussed at the Tuesday meeting, broken down by remediation and demolition, developed by a third-party architect hired by the Borough.

Possible Action Cost Demolish Borough Hall/Police Station/Back Storage Area (excluding rebuilding) $245,000 Tear down Police Department only (excluding rebuilding) $141,000 Remediate Borough Hall only $258,000 Remediate interior of police station only $159,000


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