By Alli Tretina
HIGHLANDS – The nonpartisan election for mayor of Highlands is the only municipal race before voters in the Nov. 4 general election. Incumbent Mayor Carolyn Broullon (We Are All in This Together) is being challenged by a former council member and council president, Rebecca J. Wells (Deep Roots New Wave).
The Two River Times asked the candidates to respond to questions about their background and experience and their priorities for the future. Their responses have been lightly edited for style and length.
The Two River Times: Describe your previous political or community experience, incumbency, or other background relevant to the election.
Carolyn Broullon: I started my community service in Highlands after Hurricane Sandy. So many of us were either living out of town or simply couldn’t make it up the hill to go to the council meetings, so my wife, Donica, and I signed up for a free uStream.tv account, bought a USB microphone and started streaming the meetings from our laptop. We felt it was important for those displaced to have a way to see the council meetings, to participate in our future. At the end of the summer of 2013, a group of residents came together to try to help the town move forward by reintroducing nonpartisan elections to Highlands. We met as strangers with different ideas and party affiliations but banded together to make our town more than just Democrats and Republicans. After knocking on doors and educating residents on how nonpartisan elections work, we successfully changed how we elect our council people in Highlands. This is now a direct process in which political party leaders do not choose who is on the ballot, Highlanders do. I ran for council in Nov of 2015 and won. The past six years as mayor has been a proven results agenda of getting things done for all Highlanders.
Rebecca J. Wells: As a lifelong resident of Highlands, I’ve proudly raised my three children in the same community that shaped me. My commitment to Highlands spans decades, including 26 years of service with the Highlands Fire Department, where I made history as the first female chief in 2009. I’ve dedicated 15 years to the borough council, 13 years to the Highlands Housing Authority, and 10 years to the Board of Education, always striving to improve the lives of our residents. Professionally, I’ve worked for 18 years at Yorktel, bringing the same dedication and leadership to my career. In 2013, I was deeply honored to ser ve as the grand marshal of the Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade – a moment that symbolized my enduring connection to this town. My journey reflects a lifelong passion for public service, community engagement, and the belief that Highlands is not just where I live, but where I lead and give back.
TRT: What issue or issues are your top priorities to accomplish if elected?
Broullon: It is vital that we continue working on solving the flooding issues in town. Working with our engineers and grant writers, we have laid the groundwork to make a comprehensive plan for mitigation. We were in the process of final approval before a large grant was cancelled. Using that existing framework, we will continue our work to fund this project with the NJ Infrastructure Bank and NJ CHAMPS.
Wells: If elected, I will prioritize stabilizing taxes by ensuring they remain predictable and fair through assessments. This approach will help residents plan confidently while maintaining fiscal responsibility. I will advocate for regionalization efforts that reduce redundancy and promote efficiency – without incurring wasteful legal expenses. To diversify our revenue streams, I will explore innovative ideas such as implementing paid parking in strategic areas and allowing tasteful waterfront advertising, both of which can generate income without burdening taxpayers. Growth must be smart and sustainable, so I will initiate a five-year strategic plan shaped by meaningful community input, ensuring development aligns with our shared values. Improving access and transparency is also key; I will review the current permit parking system and streamline the permitting process to eliminate unnecessary red tape. Our volunteers are the backbone of our community, and I believe in recognizing their contributions. I will propose tax credit incentives to recruit and retain volunteers, strengthening civic engagement and fostering a culture of service. These initiatives reflect a commitment to thoughtful governance, community collaboration, and longterm prosperity. Together, we can build a more efficient, inclusive and forward-thinking municipality.
The article originally appeared in the October 16 – October 22, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
