Hello! The Spring Equinox, March 20, is just around the corner, and just in the nick of time, as the community has “weathered” through several significant snowstorms that prompted school closings and disruption to transit.  I would like to express my gratitude to our Department of Public Works, Police Department, Fire companies and EMT squad for their planning and readiness for these winter events.  My appreciation also goes out to the preparedness of our utility companies, and the ongoing communication from their respective liaisons to the township throughout.

This month the Township Committee (TC) has been actively fulfilling our fourth round Affordable Housing obligations. On February 10, the TC passed Resolution #2060-0160, adopting an Affirmative Marketing Plan and introduced Ordinance #2593, amending, revising and supplementing the code of the Township of Bernards, Chapter 21, “Land Development.”  The Affirmative Marketing Plan ensures that all affordable housing units created, including those created by the rehabilitation of rental housing units within the Township of Bernards, are affirmatively marketed to low- and moderate-income households, particularly those living and working within Housing Region 3, encompassing the Township of Bernards.

Through the Ordinance, which will have the second reading on March 10, the Township, if adopted, will follow regulations that the state put in place on December 13, 2025.  During the February 24 meeting, as reported in The Patch, the TC passed two resolutions, including #2026-0177, to adopt a Spending Plan, a required component of meeting our 4th round AH obligations and which was updated to comply with N.J.A.C. 5-99 (adopted November 2025). It also passed the Uniform Affordability Housing Regulations, as well as Resolution, #2026-0189, to adopt an affordable housing agreement with Ridge Oak Management, Inc. and Ridge Oak, Inc. to extend affordable controls on 247 age-restricted affordable housing units to Oct. 31, 2072.

Public Safety is among our priorities.  I am pleased to share that for the third consecutive year, Bernards Township has been ranked as the second safest city in New Jersey, according to the latest SafeWise “Safest Cities in New Jersey” report, released this month. The annual ranking, based on FBI crime data and adjusted for population, places Bernards Township just behind Vernon Township of Sussex County, which claims the top safety spot again in 2026. Officials and residents say the continued high ranking reflects persistent low crime rates and concerted public safety efforts.  In addition, at our February 10 meeting, the Township Committee passed a Resolution in recognition of our Police Department earning reaccreditation. We are very appreciative that the Bernards Township police department intentionally plans and goes forward with reaccreditation administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The accreditation supports a strategy of continuous improvement.  While our Police Department has been accredited for quite some time now, the department goes through this process every three years.  Congratulations to Chief Timothy King, Deputy Chief Michael Sweeney, Lt. Alex McNight, who led the effort, and the Bernards PD on achieving a successful reaccreditation, and for your continued commitment and service to our community.

This past month the TC also passed resolution #2026-0165, celebrating February as Black History Month, which links to NJ designating 2026 as the Year of Black History to commemorate 100 years of honoring Black History and the 250th anniversary of American Independence.   As we consider our township’s history, I want to give a nod to the people in our community who continue to research and tell the stories of local residents.  The earliest records point to the existence of enslaved Blacks in Bernards Township throughout the 1700s and 1800s, including a man named Belfast, owned by the Morton family, and Sarah and Nate Woodward. Nate Woodward lived to the age of 110 when he passed away in 1901. Other historical evidence includes a marker at the Liberty Corner Church cemetery recognizing the burial on church grounds of “those of African Ancestry… whose names and number are unknown” between 1837 and 1865. Our community embraces diversity, and as noted in the resolution, are proud of the contributions and achievements of notable residents of Black Heritage, which are nearly 2% of our residents.

At our most recent meeting, the TC voiced its support for Community Hope’s Somerset County Community Development Block Grant Application to fund the ongoing employment of the Employment and Benefits Specialist to help veterans, all honorably discharged, to apply for and secure employment.  The purpose of the Employment Training Program is to help veterans overcome barriers to securing employment, an underlying factor in homelessness.

Last week, February 17, I was invited along with my colleagues to participate in the Crescent Lighting at the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge Mosque and had the honor of “lighting the Crescent”, where I was joined by Committeewoman Jennifer Asay. The lighting marks the beginning of Ramadan which lasts until March 18. Ramadan, among the holiest times of the year, a time of devotion, generosity, and renewal, coincided with the beginning of the Lenten season in Christian faiths, on February 18, which also serves as a time for self-examination, devotion, repentance and spiritual renewal. For those of you who are observing, may the following month, 40 days, be a time of growth and reflection.

This past month, I had the pleasure of being among elected officials invited to speak on a Leadership Summit panel on Municipal government.   Leadership Summit is offered through Somerset County to support the development of emerging leaders through a series of seminars, workshops, and projects. Bernards Township’s own Deputy Municipal Clerk, Kendra Kelly, is participating in the year-long program. I also attended the NJ Conference of Mayors’ Winter Summit, focused on economic development, another township priority. Committeeman Andrew McNally also attended, along with economic development subcommittee members Committeewoman Jennifer Asay and Deputy Mayor John Tompkins.

The Township Committee meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm, at Town Hall. All are welcome to join us.  In addition, you can contact me on Township matters 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 county clerk.

– Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy