To post a flyer please call 732-819-3786. Please note the flyer must be an event or Garage Sale and the Borough does not post flyers to promote businesses

Appointments are required and can be made online at testnj.online.  

Yes. Customers can bring any bag into a retailer to use. The plastic ban applies to Single-Use plastic carry-out bags provided by the business.

There are specifications that must be met, such as being in a legal parking space and have reflective tape. Please speak with Lt. Gary Panichella prior to leaving a dumpster at 732-572-3800 ext. 4212 or gpanichella@hpboro.com.

A court appearance is always required in criminal matters; however non-criminal matters such as traffic, boating, fish and game parks and forests violations can often be paid through the mail or at the court office. If you wish to plead guilty and give up your right to a hearing for such a violation, you may do so provided the "court appearance required" box has not been checked on the ticket and provided the charge is listed on the Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule. If the penalty does not appear on the Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule or personal injury is involved, a court appearance is required.

To dispose of your case, you may bring or mail it, together with payment in the correct amount, to the Violations Bureau at the address found on the ticket. You may also pay on-line at NJMCDirect.com. Payments received after the appearance date may be assessed additional penalties. Failure to pay a traffic ticket will result in a suspension of your driving privileges and the issuance of a warrant.

If you have posted bail on a payable ticket, you may contact the court about a ball waiver. That means your bail can be applied to the fines, costs and contempt penalties you owe, eliminating the need to appear in court.

Participants under the age of 18 can be tested with a parent/guardian present.

We are unable to recommend or guide consumers in their choice of a contractor because of our legal obligation as Licensed Code Enforcement Professionals.

Appointments are required and can be made online at testnj.online

Yes, Highland Park Recreation offer's a Fee Assistance program. This offers reduced fees for Highland Park Residents, for all of our youth recreation programs based on income requirements. If you are on free or reduced lunch or if you fall within the USDA income eligibility guidelines, you may qualify for this program. You will need to submit a copy of your current fee or reduced lunch letter or proof of household income in person at the Highland Park Community Center once per year. All forms will need to be renewed by December 31st each year.

Fee Assistance is subsidized by Sponsorships, Donations, and the Middlesex County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This program is available for all of our youth programs, including Summer Camp. For more information 732-819-0052 or email Andrea Baay at abaay@hpboro.com.

As noted above, you can participate by completing the online survey and attending the upcoming community meetings. You can also help by spreading the word about this project by sharing on social media and telling your neighbors, friends and family!

There are inexpensive ways to control excess runoff created by patios, driveways, sidewalks and roofs. Landscaping and careful grading can be used to control runoff, reduce its speed and increase the time over which it is released. The following suggestions can be implemented to decrease surface runoff:

• Install gravel trenches along driveways or patios to collect stormwater and filter it into the soil.
• Plant sod on bare patches in your lawn as soon as possible to avoid erosion.
• Grade all areas away from your house at a gentle slope.
• Use a grass swale, which is a man-made depression, to move water from one area to another.
• Plant shrubs and trees to promote infiltration.

Call to schedule an appointment at (732) 572-3800 ext. 4220. You must be a current resident and there is a $25 charge for this service.

Forms are issued by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, and you will need to file with the State Department of Revenue. New Jersey Division of Pensions.

Call (732) 572-3800 ext. 4211 approximately 5 business days after the incident Records.

Visit the Municipal Court at 221 South 5th Avenue or call at (732) 777-6010.

All registration is done online through highlandparkrec.com. If you are a first time user you will need to go to the website and click on "New Account." If you have already created an account, simply click on "Log In" to register for programs. Be sure to add all members of your household into an account. Payment can be made online via debt or credit card or in person at the Highland Park Community Center using cash, check or money order.

Sign up for the Borough's Nixle Alerts.

You can unsubscribe by emailing your Name, email and telephone/cellular # and put unsubscribe in the heading to communications@hpboro.com.

• Cost to reproduce the structure new, minus depreciation (any loss in value due to age, economic conditions, etc.), plus land value
• Value of the property in comparison to similar properties that have sold
• Value of the rental on income producing properties

If your construction permit requires a zoning permit, the Zoning Officer has 10 days to complete his review. A construction permit must be reviewed within 20 business days. If more information is required for any of these reviews, the process starts over as soon as the required information is received.

12/27/21 UPDATE: Due to the high demand for COVID testing, results are being returned within 3 - 4 days at the moment. Please DO NOT call the lab looking for your results if you are outside of the 4-day window.  

Results will be analyzed within 24 – 48 hours. Residents will receive an email or text message with their test results. Participants who request a call instead will receive their results that way.

You are welcome to take advantage of this testing opportunity as often as you’d like.

Yes. You may apply for SMLB if you meet the eligibility criteria. Contact PAAD for an application. Alternatively, you may call the Outreach Coordinator.

Power Outages, Telephone service disruptions, residential water supply problems, or any other utility questions should be directed to the specific utility company

• PSE&G: 800-350-PSEG
• Middlesex Water Company: 732-579-0290
• Cablevision: 732-885-3880
• Verizon: 800-837-4966

All Wire Down incidents should be reported immediately to the police.

You can check the status of open permits online through the SDL Portal.

No, there is not fluoride in the water.

You should purchase a 65 or 95-gallon Universal Container. The body and lid of the container should be formed using high-density polyethylene and the thickness of the body shall be no less than 0.175”. The lid should be of one-piece construction with two (2) oblique handles on the front corners for easy opening.

Dimensions of the 65-gallon bin should be as follows:

• Overall Height: 42.2”
• Overall Width: 25.9”
• Overall Depth: 26.5”
• Wheel Diameter: 10”

Dimensions of the 95-gallon bin should be as follows:

• Overall Height: 46.1”
• Overall Width: 27.7”
• Overall Depth: 31.6”
• Wheel Diameter: 12”

The Borough assumes no liability or maintenance/repair responsibility for trash containers or toters purchased by homeowners.

You will need to bring the following to the Police Station for the Vehicle release.

1. Valid Driver's License
2. Valid Vehicle Insurance
3. Valid Vehicle Registration

The vehicle owner is responsible for speaking with the tow company directly.

You may be eligible for such programs as USF / Heap and lifeline to help pay a percentage of your utility bills. Please call the Outreach Coordinator for help in applying.

• Location and size of the lot
• Size and age of structure
• Number of baths
• Basement area (finished / unfinished)
• Overall condition of property
• Accessory buildings (sheds, cabanas, detached garages)
• In ground pool / decks / patios

Home care can be provided through private home care agencies. You can also apply for free or low cost programs, such as McMAP, JACC and Respite.

The Borough requires that all coaches complete a volunteer application and an online background check. The background check is required every 2 years and is completed online. Head coaches may register one child for free.

Bags used to contain the items below are still permissible and exempt from the $0.10 fee:

1. Frozen foods, meat or fish
2. Flowers, potted plants or other items where dampness may be an issue
3. Prepared foods or bakery goods
4. Unpackaged bulk products, herbs or flavors
5. Refrigerator butchered meat and fish
6. Newspapers
7. Laundry or dry cleaning

Take a look at the Foreclosure Resource Guide for Middlesex County to find out how to get help!

• Ridgewood Diagnostic Lab will need your first and last name, date of birth, address and health insurance information. 

The Assessor assigns a value to each property for tax purposes based upon its market value. The market value is the highest price a property can be sold for on the open market as of 10/1 of the pretax year.

A reexamination report is a review, or a reassessment, of previously adopted Master Plans, amendments and local regulations.

A Master Plan is a blueprint for a municipality’s future growth and development. It guides the use of land throughout the Borough and includes a statement of goals, objectives, principles and strategies.

An impervious surface is one that does not allow water through to seep into the ground. Examples include concrete sidewalks and asphalt. There are alternatives to these items that are pervious. Some other examples of attractive alternatives to concreate are listed below:

• Wood or recycled material decks, usually installed for their functional good looks, can serve as a form of porous pavement. Decking allows rainwater to soak into the ground beneath it, and the space between the planks provides ample room for precipitation to drain directly onto the soil surface. As long as minimal air space is maintained between the soil surface and the decking, wood rot can be minimized.
• Using bricks, interlocking pavers or flat stones (flagstone, bluestone or granite), you can construct an attractive, durable walkway. If placed on well-drained soil or on a sand or gravel bed, these modular pavers allow rainwater infiltration. Avoid using chemicals to control weeds growing in the joints between the pavers; Corsican mint or moss can crowd out weeds and add beauty to the paved area.
• Pre-cast concrete lattice pavers also rest on a bed of sand and gravel and allow rain to soak slowly into the ground.
• Dutch drains, which are containers of gravel with holes used to infiltrate water from rooftops directly into the ground, carry water from rain spouts into the soil, where it gradually filters into the ground.

The Reexamination Report must address the following five (5) issues:

• The major problems and objectives relating to land development at the time of the last reexamination report.
• The extent to which such problems and objectives have changed.
• The extent to which there have been significant changes in assumptions, policies, and objectives forming the basis of the Master Plan.
• The specific changes recommended for the Master Plan or regulations.
• The recommendations of the Planning Board concerning the incorporation of adopted redevelopment plans.

A PCR nasal swab test.

Available jobs are posted on the main bulletin board in Borough Hall and are also posted on our Employment Page.

A construction permit is required for any new construction as well as for work on the existing buildings including:

• Structural
• Plumbing
• Mechanical
• Electrical

There are some exceptions to the general permit requirements. For example, construction permits are not required for ordinary maintenance, which includes routine repairs. For additional information contact the Code Enforcement office at (732) 777-6013.

The strategic update of the Land Use Plan Element will include action-oriented recommendations in the form of potential draft zoning ordinance amendments and the creation of goals and strategies for specific areas and corridors within the Borough.

Leaf recycling occurs November and December of each year. Leaf bags are traditionally distributed around Columbus Day. Starting November 1, place leaf bags out at the curb by Monday morning and they will be collected during the course of the week.

Tax bills are mailed after the adoption of the current year's budget (usually in the month of August).

A court appearance is always required for criminal matters (assault, shoplifting, harassment, drug charges). In traffic or other matters, if "court appearance required" is checked on the ticket, you must appear in court on the date and time indicated even if you wish to plead guilty. If "court appearance required" is not checked on the traffic ticket, you must still appear in court if:

• You wish to plead not guilty and have a trial.
• The charge is not listed on the Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule (it cannot be paid by mail or in the court office)
• Personal injury is involved

Please visit our Bulk Waste Collection page for information.

Mondays,  Wednesdays, Fridays from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

All vouchers are submitted to the Borough Council for approval at each Council meeting. Once approved, the checks are mailed on the following Friday.

It is intended that the Master Plan will be adopted by the end of December 2019.

The Tax Freeze Program is a State program. You can call (800) 882-6597 or view General Tax Information.

A Borough Employment Application form must be submitted along with your resume to:

221 S. Fifth Ave.
Highland Park, NJ 08904

Please call our office at (732) 819-3780 with any additional questions.

Stormwater flows directly into our rivers, lakes, streams and oceans. Drains are frequently located in parking lots and along the curbs of roadways. Some of the larger pieces of trash are prevented from entering the drain by a catch basin but smaller items can still get through. The water and these smaller items make their way through pipes which lead to an outfall where the stormwater enters a larger body of water. In some areas, the water may end up in a stormwater management basin. These basins control the flow and improve the quality of stormwater, depending on how they’re designed.

In the Highland Park Community Center at 220 So 6^th Avenue. Parking is available.

All single-use plastic carry out bags that re predominately made of plastic derived from either petroleum or a biologically-based source, such as corn, or another plant source.

Anyone! There are no residency restrictions to being tested.

1. A plastic bag is used for an average of 12 minutes
2. The average family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year
3. It takes 50+ years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill, and there are no options for recycling them in the U.S.

*According to the Center for Biological Diversity - 2019

Hydrant flushing is essential to good water distribution system preventive maintenance. Flushing helps enhance water quality by removing minerals and sediment that naturally accumulate in water mains over time. The process also helps maintain proper chlorine concentration within the piping network. Flushing keeps water moving in the water distribution system so that water does not stagnate in the pipe. Fire hydrants are flushed on a routine schedule throughout the year to help ensure that they are in proper working order and to test fire flows, water pressures and flow rates. Sometimes, residents may misinterpret the flushing process as a waste of good clean water, but in reality, it is an essential preventive maintenance activity that helps maintain the integrity of the water system.

Occasionally, hydrant flushing may result in a temporary discoloration of water. These conditions are not harmful and are usually short term. During flushing operations, residents are encouraged to avoid using washing machines, dishwashers or other water using devices. If any discoloration is noted, briefly running the cold water tap for a few minutes typically helps to clear discolored water.

View more facts on Hydrant Flushing.

Urbanization and increasing commercial and residential developments have had a great impact on local water resources. With new developments come more impervious surfaces which increase the rate of stormwater runoff. This means a greater volume of water carrying pollution into surface waters and less of it being soaked into the ground. Less water soaking into the ground can lower ground water levels, which can dry up streams and hurt stream ecosystems and can reduce the supply of well water.

The Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) requires that municipal master plans be reexamined or updated at least every 10 years. Highland Park’s last Reexamination Report was adopted in 2010. The last Master Plan was adopted in 2003. This effort will build on the 2010 Reexamination Report and the 2003 Master Plan and will result in an updated Master Plan for 2020. It is timely that a Master Plan update be undertaken in order to maintain the presumption of validity associated with the Borough’s Zoning and Land Development Regulations.

More specifically, NJSA 40:55D-89 states:

“The governing body shall, at least every 10 years, provide for a general reexamination of its master plan and development regulations by the planning board, which shall prepare and adopt by resolution a report on the findings of such reexamination, a copy of which report and resolution shall be sent to the Office of Planning Advocacy and the county planning board. A notice that the report and resolution have been prepared shall be sent to any military facility commander who has registered with the municipality pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2005, c.41 (C.40:55D-12.4) and to the municipal clerk of each adjoining municipality, who may request a copy of the report and resolution on behalf of the military facility or municipality. A reexamination shall be completed at least once every 10 years from the previous reexamination.”

The most common reason is due to weight, but there are other reasons: You may have had garbage in your recycling or recycling in your garbage. You may have had an unacceptable material. It is suggested you contact the Public Works Department for additional information at (732) 247-9379.