Hightstown Borough voters returned one incumbent Borough Council member and chose a political newcomer to fill two seats on the Hightstown Borough Council in the Nov. 3 general election.
Incumbent Borough Councilman Joseph Cicalese earned 1,298 votes and his running mate, Cristina Fowler, received 1,432 votes. Together, the two Democrats presumably beat back a challenge by Republican Party candidate James “Mickey” Eufemia, who garnered 619 votes.
Hightstown Borough Councilman Charles “Lee” Stults did not seek re-election. He is a Republican.
The vote tallies are unofficial, and were updated last on Nov. 7, as per press time on Nov. 11. The deadline to count all votes is Nov. 20, and Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello must certify the results to the State of New Jersey by Nov. 23.
Cicalese, who was elected in 2019 to fill out an unexpired term, sought election to a full, three-year term. He has lived in Hightstown since 2016 and works for Conair in East Windsor.
“With the election behind us, I am excited to press on with my work on the council. I will continue to promote increased transparency and share openly our efforts to manage costs, while improving the quality of life and building public trust,” Cicalese said.
Acknowledging the COVID-19 pandemic and the “unprecedented adversity” facing residents and businesses, Cicalese said public health and safety will be a priority while ensuring that Hightstown businesses may continue to thrive and flourish.
“I pledge to promote and support initiatives that will help achieve this goal through coordinated efforts with our boards and committees to connect our local businesses with the resources they need,” Cicalese said.
Fowler, who was making her first run for elected office, said she was honored and thankful to be elected to the Hightstown Borough Council. She has lived in Hightstown for three years, and is the marketing manager for Keep Middlesex Moving.
Fowler plans to focus on the economic development of the business district, including exploring the possibility of creating a Business Improvement District or an Economic Development Commission.
“I will advocate for our small businesses. I am passionate about our downtown. Its success and growth will contribute to the overall attractiveness of our town,” Fowler said, adding that “there is plenty of work to do.”
She said she would also like to enhance communications between the town and its residents. She would like to explore establishing a digital media footprint that complements the town’s current website and e-newsletter blasts.
At a little over one square mile, “Hightstown Borough may be tiny in size but big in heart,” Fowler said. The town has much going for it – a small downtown and a walkable community, she said.
“Each of the issues I outlined lends to not only the attractiveness of our community, but moves us forward to a more sustainable and desirable destination. It will increase our property values and attract more businesses to open their doors on Main Street,” she said.
