Hello!

The Township Committee had a full agenda on February 13. Among the highlights were:

• Resolution #2024-0130 recognized Ridge High School sophomore Rachel Yuan and the Chinese Culture Club Efforts for the Designation of Lunar New Year in New Jersey. As background, on January 12, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation designating the first new moon of the first month of the lunar calendar as Lunar New Year in NJ.  Rachel and the club contacted all the state legislators and filed petitions on behalf of this effort.  Rachel interviewed Township Committee candidate Lily Wong this past year, and the article was widely circulated.  Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis was also in attendance and presented Rachel and the club with a state resolution and said that Rachel is interning in her office.
• Approval of Resolution #2024-0148 Opposing Assembly Bill A-4 and Senate Bill S-50 proposing to overhaul the Fair Housing Act in a way that imposes unrealistic deadlines based upon onerous standards.   As background on Affordable Housing, in 1975, The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that each municipality has a constitutional obligation to provide a “realistic opportunity” for the construction of their fair share of affordable housing. This is now law. The Fourth Round of affordable housing obligations is set to begin in July 2025. Municipal leaders on both sides of the aisle continue to have significant concerns with many provisions in A-4, which was passed in the Assembly on February 12. The Senate Bill (S-50) is scheduled to be voted upon on February 22. I support the Township resolution, which passed unanimously, considering concerns with the bills in their current form, including, among other elements, the methodology proposed and some of the provisions. I am hopeful that the legislation that ultimately emerges provides a framework our community can absorb.
• Appointments – Two BTDC members were among the appointments made onto Township Boards, including Nancy Cook, reappointed as Deputy Chair, Environmental Commission, and Catherine Santaiti,appointed as Citizen Representative, Municipal Alliance. Catherine had previously served as the PTO representative.
• Finally, special thanks to BTDC Chair Jane Conklin and BTDC member Lily Wong for attending the meeting.  BTDC attendance and support at Township Committee meetings is very much appreaciated!

This past week I also attended a meeting of the Somerset County Governing Officials Association, along with Mayor Jennifer Asay. The bipartisan group is a forum to network with officials across the county and share insights and challenges. 

Did you know residents are welcome to attend meetings of the Township Boards and Committees? The full schedule of meeting dates are available on the Township Calendar.

Please continue to consult the BTDC Beat Calendar (On the Docket) for meeting dates. I hope to see you soon!

Get In touch with any questions or concerns: (201) 306-0178

Email: amccarthy@bernards.org. Please note that all correspondence sent will be visible to the full Township Committee and Clerk.

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-Committeewoman Ana Duarte McCarthy