Senator Patrick Diegnan joined Assemblymen Rob Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley in presenting Gayle Brill Mittler with a Joint Legislative Resolution during Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting.
The former Highland Park mayor profoundly impacted countless lives during her tenure. Her legacy includes creating a sustainable infrastructure in the borough, taking multiple steps toward property tax stabilization, actively advancing downtown redevelopment, enhancing the quality of life of Highland Park residents, and reorganizing the police department, fire department, and first aid squad.
A member of the Borough Council from 2009 through 2014, during which she served as council president for two years, Brill Mittler served as Highland Park’s mayor from 2014 through 2022.
Gov. Phil Murphy appointed Brill Mittler to the New Jersey Clean Air Council in 2022. She also served as second vice president of the New Jersey League of Municipalities (2022), Central Jersey’s coordinator for Obama Jewish Outreach (2008), president of the Highland Park Conservative Temple (2006-08), director of the Fund for Highland Park (2002-04), and chair of the Highland Park Democratic Municipal Committee (2000-02).
The full text of the resolution presented to Brill Mittler, which encapsulates her legacy and impact, can be found below.
WHEREAS, The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey are pleased to salute the Honorable Gayle Brill Mittler, the highly esteemed mayor of Highland Park, for the immeasurable contributions she has made to the Borough throughout many years; and,
WHEREAS, Gayle Brill Mittler has served with distinction as the Mayor of Highland Park since 2014, a superb tenure marked by her steadfast efforts to improve the Borough’s environmental sustainability and foster economic development and fellowship within all sectors of the community; and,
WHEREAS, Under her exemplary stewardship, Highland Park has earned Sustainable Jersey’s Silver Certification every year since 2017, and in 2020, the Borough repurposed a tract of land to be used as a solar field, one that has benefitted occupants of a nearby apartment complex and created additional revenue for the municipality; and,
WHEREAS, She compiled an outstanding record of accomplishment throughout her five years on the Borough Council and as its one-term President, and since assuming the responsibilities of the Mayor’s office, she has continued to meet the needs of her constituents by stabilizing real estate taxes, establishing shared services agreements with adjacent towns, promoting and celebrating diversity, and forging a redevelopment plan to revitalize the downtown area; and,
WHEREAS, As a result of her remarkable leadership, the Borough has been a three-time recipient of the Innovation in Governance Award, conferred by the New Jersey League of Municipalities for its Park Partners Community Grant Program, the HP Gives a Hoot initiative, and the invaluable Civics for the Community Program; and,
WHEREAS, Through her uncommon understanding of and extraordinary dedication and allegiance to her fellow citizens, Gayle Brill Mittler has set a standard of excellence in public service and, in so doing, provided a model of faithful commitment worthy of emulation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey
That this Legislature hereby commends Gayle Brill Mittler, pays tribute to her meritorious record of service to the people of Highland Park, and extends sincere best wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.
Senator Patrick Diegnan 