The two Democratic Party candidates for Hightstown Borough Council are running unopposed for the two, three-year terms in the upcoming November election.
Joshua Jackson is seeking re-election, while Todd Frantz is a political newcomer.
Jackson, who is a lifelong Hightstown Borough resident, works at The Peddie School golf course.
Frantz is a 21-year resident of Hightstown Borough. He is a senior project manager for an environmental consulting and engineering firm. He has served on the Hightstown Borough Environmental Commission for six years.
Jackson said he is seeking re-election because he believes that the town has a “great future.” The diversity of the residents and the dedication of the volunteers makes the community a wonderful place to live, he said.
Jackson said there are several major projects under way in town that he would like to see through to completion including the redevelopment of the rug mill property and the new joint municipal court and police station that is being built in Robbinsville Township. The two towns joined together to build it.
The former Hightstown Rug Mill property is slated to be redeveloped, he said. The plan calls for adapting the existing buildings to accommodate rental apartments, and construction of a new multifamily apartment building. There are plans for townhouses, too.
The Hightstown Rug Mill property is bounded by Bank Street, North Academy Street and North Main Street. There are several abandoned buildings on the property. Plans were approved in 2020 for a mixed-use development of residential and commercial uses.
Another project that Jackson would like to see through to completion is renovations to the former YMCA building at 230 Mercer St., which is slated to become the new Hightstown Borough Hall.
The Mercer Street property will replace the former municipal building, which was flooded by Hurricane Irene in 2011. The municipal offices were relocated to 156 Bank St., following the flood.
“It has been a privilege to serve this borough that I love so much. I would like to continue working to make Hightstown all it can be,” Jackson said.
Frantz agreed with Jackson that the focus should be on the redevelopment of the rug mill property and on renovations to the former YMCA building in preparation for its conversion to become the new Hightstown Borough Hall.
Asked about issues facing Hightstown, Frantz was quick to reply that stormwater management is among those issues facing the borough.
“During my time on the Hightstown Borough Council, I would like to guide smart development of the borough to benefit the community, while minimizing negative impacts on the community from issues such as stormwater flooding,” Frantz said.
Polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8.
