Dragging their feet, like everyone else

There are a lot of reasons more towns do not consolidate in New Jersey — debt, tax inequities, an unnecessary sense of singularity — but I’m wondering if the biggest reason might not be foot-dragging that kills discussions before they can start.

Consider the case of Hightstown and East Windsor. An independent group in the borough conducted a study calling for a full-blown study to be done. The Hightstown council was split but agreed to at least explore the issue. East Windsor said it was open to the discussion, but only were it clear that substantial benefits would accrue to the township.

That was three months ago. Informal discussions are set to begin this week, which means that real discussions of a real study are likely still months away.

My guess is that consolidation is unlikely, unless the state does what it should have done following the 2006 legislative joint session and empower a panel to push the process forward. As things stand now, the vague assistance the state can offer is just not enough to get anyone to the table, whether it be East Windsor and Hightstown, Jamesburg and Monroe, the Princetons or the many other doughnut and hole communities and small towns in the state.

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet