Hello!

I will open with saying please vote!  It’s an honor serving as your mayor, and as a member of the Township Committee. I am hopeful you will vote for Joan Bannan, my running mate, and me. We will continue the momentum of service that benefit you and our community.  Your voice, and vote matter, and this is the time to exercise that right.

In the meantime, the brilliant fall foliage and a host of sunny days were the perfect backdrop to a month of community activities. On Saturday, October 3, the Township held the Mayor’s Fall Festival. The community enjoyed family activities, beginning with a sensory friendly hour from 1-2pm, and then a full program from 2-5pm.  A big thank all our first responders, Department of Public Works, The Historical Society of Somerset Hills for tours of the Mansion, Lord Stirling Stables, and in particular Jen Gander, Director of Parks and Recreation, and her team, for a great day!  During the festival we also dedicated a Commemoration Sugar Maple tree in front of Town Hall in honor of our nation’s 250th Anniversary.  The tree, a donation of the Shade Tree Commission will live more than 100 years, is resilient to wind, and grows quickly, achieving 35-40 feet in height.

On Saturday October 10, I joined the Basking Ridge Indian Community (BRIC) at the annual Dandiya festival. The event was sold out, with over 1,000 participants. BRIC celebrates its tenth anniversary as an all-volunteer organization that provides a wonderful array of cultural experiences for their members of all ages and our broader community.

Also, a few weeks back, the Ridge High School Democratic club invited me to share perspectives of life as a civic servant and my role as mayor to a group of 40+ students. It was a wonderful time meeting and gave me hope for the future.

At our first monthly meeting, the Township Committee presented three resolutions; one recognizing Community Hope, and two others for October as First Responders Appreciation and National Disability Employment Awareness Months.

Community Hope, located at the Veterans Administration in Basking Ridge, has helped more than 6,000 veterans and their families overcome homelessness and challenges through comprehensive services addressing the complex challenges faced by veterans. Community Hope’s “Hope for Veterans” programs offer transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention services that promote long-term stability for veterans.  Community Hope also recognizes that veterans experiencing homelessness may face challenges related to mental health, trauma, substance use, employment, transportation, and other barriers, and therefore provides supportive services including mental health counseling, transportation assistance, and employment counseling.

We are proud to support Community Hope through the annual Bernards Township Field of Honor, a display of American flags at the Municipal Building that honors and remembers veterans who have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom.  A ceremony to dedicate the Field of Honor will take place Sunday, November 1, 12:00pm at Town Hall. All are invited to join us for this ceremony.

In recognizing, First Responders Month, celebrated in NJ and states across the country, we express our gratitude to the members of the Bernards Township Police Department, the Basking Ridge Fire Company No. 1 and EMS, the Liberty Corner Fire Company, and our Office of Emergency Management.  Whether answering a midnight medical call, responding to a fire, or keeping our neighborhoods secure, the men and women serving as first responders approach each situation with professionalism, bravery, compassion, and care.  In addition, Wednesday, October 28, was National First Responders Day.   The Township has placed a banner honoring our first responders on South Finley Avenue as a symbol of our respect and to say thank you to all our local heroes for their unwavering service, their bravery, and their commitment to our community.

Each October, our nation observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  During this time, as written in the resolution, we recognize the value, talent, skills, and contributions of people with disabilities, including individuals with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities.   National Disability Awareness Month also highlights the importance of increasing access to meaningful employment opportunities.

Ridge High School, through the Work-Based Learning program, provides essential training in partnership with local businesses that enable students to learn skills in the workforce that will support their future lives and potential employment.  The Work-based learning program works because our local businesses have stepped up to make it a reality. Hiring, supporting, and investing in individuals with disabilities demonstrates that talent knows no barriers, and can lead to stronger, more innovative and inclusive teams.

This month, the Township became a step closer to being a certified film ready municipality.  As background, in June 2024, the Township Committee passed an Ordinance to set the table for being a “film ready” municipality. While we had passed the Ordinance in 2024, the application was not deemed complete. This year, we amended the Ordinance to reflect the current criteria and upon the adoption, we submitted the new ordinance to the NJ Film Commission for review to be designated a “Film Ready” Municipality by the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission. Stay tuned, your acting career might be just around the corner!

Differently, I have received numerous inquiries regarding 150 Allen Road. On September 29, Somerset County Superior Court Judge Robert Ballard sent the 150 Allen Road, Signature Acquisitions LLC’s denied development application back to our Zoning Board of Adjustment, ruling that the board acted improperly when it did not consider the applicant’s request for reconsideration.

Under New Jersey law, the Zoning Board of Adjustment performs an independent, quasi-judicial function when considering land-use applications. The Board must evaluate the evidence presented in the public record, apply the statutory criteria, and reach its own findings and conclusions. Accordingly, the Bernards Township Committee must not direct, influence, or otherwise interfere with the Board’s consideration of a pending application. Any review or challenge must proceed only through the processes expressly authorized by law. Respecting these boundaries protects the fairness, impartiality, and integrity of the Township’s land-use process. To that end, I am unable to comment on Allen Road and appreciate your patience as the process continues under the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Lastly, in past newsletters I’ve shared that we have a group of Township staff, residents, and community partners working on an “Age Friendly Community” committee. This was made possible through the awarding of a grant to the Somerset Hills YMCA. A survey conducted earlier in the year provided areas of opportunity, including how to better communicate resources and programs for residents 55+ years of age that take place in our community. We are happy to share that a new webpage has been created to serve a forum for sharing information. The page “Senior Services” is on the Bernards Township website. Please take a look and let us know if there is information you’d like to see added. 

I appreciate those who attend or livestream the Township Committee meetings. Upcoming meetings are posted on the Township Committee web page. Meetings are open to the public, and begin at 7:30pm, Town Hall, 1 Collyer Lane.

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.

– Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy