HIGHLANDS, NJ — As the Borough of Highlands heads into another election season, Mayor Carolyn Broullon is officially seeking re-election for a third term. Since first stepping into public service after Hurricane Sandy, Broullon has emphasized leadership, infrastructure improvements, and long-term planning to protect and strengthen the community. In this exclusive Q&A, she reflects on accomplishments to date, challenges ahead, and priorities for the next four years.
1. What inspired you to first run for mayor of Highlands, and what motivates you to seek a third term?
After experiencing the Borough’s response to hurricane Sandy, I felt cpompeled to run for Council, then for Mayor. We, as a town were adrift and needed strong leadership to fix problem issues that have lingered for years.
2. Looking back on your time in office so far, what accomplishments are you most proud of?
I made sure we had flood insurance on all Borough-owned buildings, as we had none for Irene nor Sandy. Installing new curbs & sidewalks on Shore Drive where no sidewalks were ever there, finishing the large sanitary project and pressing the County to pave Bay & Linden in late October 2024 instead of us waiting for the spring of 2025, updates to Frank Hall and the creation of Overlook – the first new park in Highlands since 1975, getting Washington Ave paved [we bonded for this in 2013] and getting the planning grant to pay 100% for the Clam Plant Study. Since I have been Mayor, we have been awarded more than $14 million in grants, more than any administrator ever.
3. Highlands has seen projects like Jones Creek dredging, Shore Drive upgrades, drainage improvements, and even EV charging stations. Which of these do you think has had the biggest impact on residents’ daily lives?
See above, buy for everyday lives, I’d say making Highlands more walkable by investing is sidewalks and the updates to our open spaces as both help residents to enjoy a heathey lifestyle.
4. If reelected, what would be your top three priorities for the next four years?
1. Work with the Conditional Develpoer for Shadowlawn to sign the final agreement and see tax saving for all Highlanders
2. We are looking into a new type of backflow prevention for our outfalls that is neither a flap nor a duckbill. We are also looking to redirect piping in the Phase 2 sanitary project [Seadrift to Snug Harbor from Marine to Shore] so we can explore removing some outfalls that are very low.
3. We have submitted a grant to reconnect our community to Kavookjian Field with a pedestrian overpass and install new curbs and sidewalks on the dry side of 36. Making Highlands more walkable is something that is important not just for safety but to encourage more people to walk for wellness.
5. How do you balance new development and growth with preserving Highlands’ small-town character?
New development needs to be smart development. We work with developers to ensure they build to all DEP standards. We are also very committed to be sure all developers abide by the Affordable Housing requirements. We have strict Design Guideline and have updated our zoning & design standards to ensure proper development.
6. You’ve said, “We are all in this together.” How do you put that belief into action for the community?
Before I suggest any project, I reflect on how it will serve the community as a whole. There needs to be a benefit for all Highlanders.
7. How do your Meet & Greet events shape the way you connect with residents compared to formal council meetings?
I always tell people to meet/call/text/email me because I want to hear your issue and work to resolve it. Meet & Greets are great because it is not just a dialoge with me, but also with our neighbors. Council Meetings are formal dealings about getting the ppeople’s business done, so less of a chance for true dilogue.
8. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Highlands right now, and how do you plan to address it?
Getting consensus to think outside of the box to fix our flooding issues. As I stated above, newly designed maintainence backflow preventers are just one of the ways we can solve our flooding issues. We are waiting for the award of a grant that will help up implement a living shoreline at Veterans Park. The project includes building a new bulkhead, planting flora in the bay and populating mussels to aid in naturally cleanig the water.
9. Outside of being mayor, what do you love most about living in Highlands? Any favorite local businesses, restaurants, or traditions you’d like to share?
The St Patrick’s Day Parade is the best with the Tree Lighting being a close 2nd. They are a great way for the town to come together and celebrate all of Highlands.
10. Finally, what message would you like to give directly to Highlands residents as they consider their vote this fall?
If you take the time to see what Highlands looked like in 2019, then now in 2025, you will see proven results of my leadership to further improve Highlanders’ quality of life.
I have always been for Regionalization. My goal over the last few years is to do it with an equitable funding formula that balances enrollment and equalized assessed tax value. The 100% equalized value formula that we have now just pits our towns against each other as it ends up that one town will subsidize the other.
Closing Statement
As Highlands approaches the fall election, Mayor Carolyn Broullon points to progress made since 2019 and stresses the need for continued leadership on flooding, infrastructure, and smart development. With more than $14 million in grants secured during her tenure, she says her record shows a commitment to protecting Highlands’ future.
Disclaimer
This interview is presented as part of election coverage for Highlands, NJ. Questions were provided by Hello Highlands. Responses are printed in full exactly as provided by Mayor Carolyn Broullon, without editing, to ensure accuracy. Hello Highlands is an independent community blog with no affiliation to any political party, campaign, or candidate.