Politics & Government

Hightstown Approves $2.1 Million in Facility Upgrades

The repairs will be made to the borough's water and sewer utilities.

The Hightstown Borough Council voted Monday to borrow up to $2.1 million for upgrades to its water and sewer plants.

The ordinance making up the bulk of the money passed by a 5-1 vote, with Democratic Council President Isabel McGinty voting no. Another ordinance to borrow $100,000 for water tank refurbishment passed unanimously.

McGinty, who  from her position as president later that evening, said she voted against the larger ordinance because she objected to how multiple items were bundled together and were not fully reviewed.

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“You may be making it more comfortable for council members to vote in favor of this without having to explain why,” she said, “but I think there is also a need for council members to explain how the cursory review which we’ve given to this ordinance over time—(how you think) we really have thoroughly vetted this, such to the point that we would appoint $2.1 million in bonds or notes to finance this composite project.”

The larger ordinance will let the borough borrow money for the following repairs:

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Water Plant

  • New post-chlorination tank, $206,000
  • Installation of a third filter, $492,700
  • Replacement of media in two existing filters, $199,500
  • Installation of variable frequency drivers, $26,200

Sewer Plant

  • Sludge rotary fan press, $393,500
  • Upgrading of trickling filter media to plastic, $184,700
  • Repairs to secondary digester tanks, $96,400
  • Replacement of bar screen, $273,000
  • Repair to primary clarifier, $211,000

“This is a superb job,” said Democrat and former councilman Gene Sarafin. He said the borough council needs to remember machines don’t last forever.

“Hopefully you will not be accused of what I’m accusing your predecessors of, failing to looking ahead and anticipating machine failure,” he said.

But Rob Thibault, a Democratic candidate for Borough Council, said the repairs aren’t necessary right now and are overly costly.

“The actual amount of the water utility is in debt is $7.2 million,” he said. “We pay water and sewer rates that are three times what East Windsor pays… Where did the money go? Why wasn’t there planning?”

“We cannot continue to afford the highest water and sewer rates in Mercer County, along with the highest property tax rates in Mercer County. The people in town can’t afford it,” he added.

Democratic Councilman Mike Vanderbeck voted for the ordinance but said the public had made some “valid points.”

Democratic Mayor Steve Kirson said the borough’s infrastructure does need the repairs.

“We wake up in the morning anticipating clean water and having facilities that work without question,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to get the call from somebody to find out we don’t have water one day. That’s not acceptable here.”

“Water is one of our primary responsibilities,” said Republican Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin, adding she believed the council had reviewed the ordinance enough.

Democratic Councilman Larry Quattrone said potential savings the repairs could generate “were enough to open my eyes.”

Much of the money can be borrowed at a low interest rate of 2 percent, and the rotary press that has been approved is expected to bring in revenue by allowing the borough to compact waste to be used as fertilizer.


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