Hightstown Imposes Public Comment Time Limit

By: Megan Malloy

The three-minute time limit on public comment, passed by the Hightstown Borough Council on June 3, was largely ignored at the June 17 Council meeting.

Residents were critical of the decision, saying the borough had more pressing problems to deal with. 

J.P. Gibbons, of Hightstown, also criticized the long wait that residents endure before getting to speak at council meetings. 

“It’s asinine to have the public come to a meeting and wait an hour and a half before they have their first public comment,” he said on June 17. “A couple of years ago, our first public comment was right after we had the flag salute and we had the adoption of the minutes.  For the continuity of the borough and public input, if we’re restricted to three minutes and there are 10 people here, that’s 30 minutes.”

Councilman Robert Thibault, who voted against the three-minute time limit, said the first public comment period was originally moved to after council discussion items because residents had complained about having to wait to respond to issues raised in the discussion period.

“If we’re going to have a time limit, we can’t selectively enforce it,” said Councilwoman Doran, who also voted against the time limit along with Councilwoman Woods.  Doran added that “9, 10 p.m., when we start at 7:30, is way too late for public comment.”

What do you think about the three-minute time limit? Tell us in the comments below!