April is a great time to embrace the outdoors. I was happy to do so, joining the Bernards Township Democratic Committee on April 22, Earth Day, as a volunteer to help clean out invasive plants at the Environmental Education Center.  

Arbor Day, April 25th, was another opportunity to celebrate the importance of our trees, and connect  fifth graders at Liberty Corner and Oak Street Schools with members of the Shade Tree Commission.  The students were each given a tree sapling to plant and nurture toward maturity. I encourage everyone to visit the Environmental Education Center, one of our County Park treasures, and enjoy the walking trails and educational programs offered.

The Township Committee focused on two priorities in April, including the approval of two ordinances that will meet our current Affordable Housing obligations of 198 units, and the introduction and approval of the Township municipal budget. 

During the weeks leading up to our vote on April 15th we heard from many residents through emails, calls, and during public comment who were both opposed and in favor of the Ridge Oak Senior Overlay, (Ordinance #2753) and opposed to the Westgate Overlay for multi-family units (Ordinance #2575). Most were concerned with the construction of high-density housing occurring in close proximity to their neighborhoods, along with the impact on schools, traffic patterns, and ecosystem of our community. Affordable Housing has a timeline, and if Bernards Township plans to avoid builder’s remedy lawsuits, the Municipality needs to amend our master plan and adopt a Housing Element Fair Share Plan (HEFSP) before June 30 that addresses the status of compliance towards the Prior Round obligations, and identifies our present need of 24 units and prospective need of 198 units. The Municipality also needs to detail how those housing needs will be satisfied, and needs adopt this by June 30th.   To see a diagram of fourth round Affordable Housing timeline click here.

I voted yes on both Ordinances and provided my rationale during our Township Committee member comments. Here are abbreviated summaries of those remarks.

Ridge Oak Ordinance #2573

Each municipality, including Bernards Township, has a constitutional obligation to provide a realistic opportunity for the construction of their fair share of affordable housing. Ridge Oak seeks to create the new Senior Housing-4 Zone, permitting the construction of one, two-story building to provide 29 age -restricted units that will be 100% affordable housing.  I heard from residents in the surrounding area, and I had the opportunity to walk the neighborhood with one resident and tour the facility.  I voted in favor of this ordinance for the following three reasons: 

First, the mission of Ridge Oak. Ridge Oak is a mission-based, non-profit organization, including, among its objectives … “We are committed to meeting the needs of our residents by providing quality affordable housing supplemented by an array of support services and programs that promote safety and self-sufficiency.”  Ridge Oak provides affordable housing within a caring environment, and in close proximity to the downtown and parks, which are desired elements. As we heard during public comment, 28% of the Ridge Oak residents lived in Basking Ridge before moving to Ridge Oak, as are 30% who are on the waiting list. 

Second, Ridge Oak has a longtime place in the community.  Ridge Oak is approaching its 50th Anniversary, with the first resident moving in 1977.  

Third, the Ordinance aligns toward meeting our AH obligations. Bernards will receive 29 credits for housing, along with 29 bonus credits, which is significant toward our overall prospective need of 198 units. In light of the significant opposition to this project from neighboring residents, I recommended to Bonnie Kelly, Executive Director, Ridge Oak, that she engage with the residents in the community on the concept plans which is something she has committed to do.

Westgate Overlay Ordinance #2575

In December 2023, Ordinance #2023-2541 was approved by the Township Committee creating an overlay for 374 units of senior housing.  In adopting Westgate, the new overlay changes from senior housing (age-restricted) to multi-family units. The office building would be redeveloped into family units, as would the existing parking garage. In light of this, while the Westgate development is large, it was already approved in 2023 to be developed with 374 units, a hotel and retail.  Westgate, paired with Ridge Oak and the four units with the Our House residence on Mount Airy Road, will meet our obligation.  The alternative was approving two additional construction projects that would net an additional 251 units in the community. 

I voted to approve the Westgate ordinance as the Westgate development was already going to be developed with 374 units. More on these scenarios was the focus an article in the Bernardsville News.  As next steps, the Planning Board will review a draft HEFSP and conduct public comment at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20th. The HEFSP will then be voted upon at the June 24th Township Committee meeting, in advance of the aforementioned June 30th deadline.

Going Forward

I would like to do my part to make our Township Committee proactive on how we look at our future, such as being open and willing to  have a thoughtful consideration of the Highlands Council, looking at the Affordable Housing trust fund and see if there are opportunities for Special Needs Housing, exploring ways, be it  sidewalks and pathways or bike lanes, that continue to connect our community to existing resources and facilities, and to be transparent with you the residents.

Municipal Budget

Lastly, at our April 29th meeting the 2025 municipal budget was approved. The 2025 municipal services tax rate will be $0.253, the amount to be raised through taxation is $23,507,499 and the total budget will be $48,534,609. A full budget presentation can be found here beginning on page six.

Overall, the Township Budget supports a continued focus on improvements.  A significant portion of the capital budget, $3.7 of the $7.5 million is targeted for road projects.  For those of you who watch our meetings in livestream, we will be making upgrades to the technology in the Warren Craft Room.   Additionally, there is continued focus on public safety initiatives and supporting equipment for the Police Department, such as body cameras and an additional drone. One concern is the potential loss from federal/state/county grants. We are hopeful we will not see a significant decrease however those funds are not included in the budget until received. 

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.