Hello! I begin with wishing a Happy Ramadan to all those in our community who are observing.  Ramadan begins Friday, February 28 ending Saturday, March 29. and opens with the lighting of the Crescent at the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge. The Township also recognizes and celebrates the Lunar New Year and will participate in the Bernards Chinese American Association’s Party on Saturday, March 1.  These are two celebrations which, among others, demonstrate the diversity within our community.

Among my responsibilities is serving, along with Deputy Mayor Andrew McNally, as one of two Township Committee liaisons to our Police Department.  This month Chief Jon Burger announced his retirement from the Police Department.  Chief Burger has served our community exceptionally for 26 years. As a leader, Chief Burger established a positive and thriving work environment and culture, ensured the safety and security of our community, and did so while seeking innovative strategies, such as the installation of license plate readers to identify stolen vehicles, while maintaining and developing a top team of officers.  Chief Burger impressed me with his commitment to integrity. The Township Committee recognized and honored Chief Burger at our February 25th meeting with a Resolution, and as a body wish him great success in his next adventure. In light of Chief Burger’s retirement, Deputy Mayor McNally and I were among those who interviewed and recommended the appointment of Deputy Chief Tim King to become Chief, and Detective Lieutenant Michael Sweeney to be appointed Deputy Chief.  Both individuals are long serving officers with outstanding accomplishments, and are committed to serving our community. Our February 25th meeting included a resolution appointing both gentleman to their new respective roles effective March 1. The formal swearing in will occur at the upcoming March 11th Township Committee meeting.  Are you interested in getting to know the members of our local Police Department? Join me at the upcoming coffee with a cop event, and have a complimentary helmet/bike safety check on Saturday, March 22, 9-11am, at Liberty Corner Coffee.

I am also the liaison to our public utilities. During February we experienced a high wind event where more than 60 households lost power. JCPL reported that this was the result of a downed tree and broken pole.  Crews were dispatched and began repair work when the winds had abated to provide safety for the crews. As residents, I encourage you to sign up for “Rave Alert” through the Bernards Township website to keep you informed of emergency and non-emergency alerts, including weather events.

At our January 28 Township Committee meeting, five individuals, including Mr. David Schley, our Township Planner, and me, were appointed to the Cross Acceptance Committee.  As background, on December 6, 2024, the New Jersey State Planning Commission published the Draft Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan.  New Jersey expects and encourages economic and population growth and seeks to do so in ways that broadens economic prosperity and balances the benefits and impacts of growth. This action launched the Cross-Acceptance process, a statutorily mandated (15:30-3.1 (c)) public process for comparing and negotiating local, county, regional, and state agency plans with each other, and the Draft Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The Cross-Acceptance is conducted to achieve the highest level of consistency possible at all levels of government. The Bernards Township members of the Cross-Acceptance Committee attended the Somerset County meeting on February 20. Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson led the meeting, where we heard the ten aspirational goals of the State plan along with the timeline for the cross-acceptance process, which should conclude the publication of a Final Draft Plan, targeted for year end.  We will continue to keep the public informed of our progress.

Thank you as always to those who are attending the Township Committee meetings. Reminder that we have a new meeting start time of 7:30pm!

Your Voice Matters! You can contact me with township questions/thoughts/comments at (201) 306-0178, or via email at amccarthy@bernards.org. Please note that any correspondence sent to me will be visible to the full township committee and clerk.