Summer is in the midst of its transition to fall and all that follows. Whether you have a student, are a student or perhaps a teacher, the fall always feels like back to school to me, and as such, I hope it’s a wonderful academic year for your loved ones.  Differently, we began the week with the shooting and killing of two children and wounding of more than a dozen at the Annunciation Catholic Church, where the school community marked the beginning of the school year attending Mass. The grief these families now carry, and its impact on the Minneapolis community, is reverberating across the nation. While I pray for them, as is part of my faith, this tragedy underscores the continued need for gun violence prevention.

This is a segue to those who serve and protect our community, the Bernards Township Police Department, which was a major highlight of August. On August 5, the Township Police Department and Parks and Recreation ran the annual National Night Out. The national program seeks to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while instilling a true sense of community. This year residents had an opportunity to interact with first responders including, among others, members of our Police Department, fire and rescue companies, Somerset County’s K-9 unit, and a host of other community partners.   

The Bernards Township Police Department is currently undergoing reaccreditation. The accreditation is administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and requires departments to comply with best practice standards in five basic areas: the administrative function, the personnel function, the operations function, the investigative function, and the arrestee/detainee function. Our Police Department has been accredited for quite some time now. The department goes through this process every three years. Lieutenant Alex McNight is leading the effort with the whole team contributing. As part of the reaccreditation process, the public is invited to provide feedback and comments on the department’s performance. Comments may be offered by calling 908-204-8802 on Sept. 5 between 10 and 11 a.m. or via email to the Police Department at accreditation@bernardpsd.org. For more information, you are invited to contact Lt. Alex McKnight at 908-204-3055.

Those of you who attended or watched the August 12th Township Committee meeting are aware that there were public comments and discussion on the dais regarding the Bernards Township Law Enforcement Fund (BTLEF) and the organization’s objective to contribute to the Police Department. There were differing opinions expressed, among the Township Committee, on the efficacy of accepting funding raised.  As a Township Committee member, I see it as my responsibility to perform due diligence on any organization that wishes to donate to the township, to ensure that the organization’s mission and objectives are aligned to the Township’s and to understand any potential for conflicts of interest. It’s important to me that the organization has stated its scope, and does not have an involvement in day-to-day operations, including, among other areas, matters of employment, strategy and policy, or having an advisory or consultative role.

I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with the leadership of the BTLEF and our Police Department in June 2025, and my takeaway was that the BTLEF’s objective is to raise money to support our Police Department, that in turn provides an opportunity for the PD to consider wish list items.  At the time of the meeting, the BTLEF’s mission and bylaws were still in development.  Considering that, I recommended the group connect with an expert in non-profit governance, Mr. David Carcieri, CEO of the Greater Somerset County YMCA, and Mike Fitzerald, President of BTLEF, has done so. I look forward to seeing the updated bylaws and mission statement, which will inform future consideration of accepting funding.

Another issue is the participation of Township Committee members serving on non-profit boards that would donate to the Township.  A municipal official sitting on a non-profit board could potentially have a conflict of interest, particularly if their involvement impacts decisions or actions related to a department or city resources. The question was raised during the August 12 meeting, and I anticipate we will consider guidelines for current and future Township Committee members who are active on boards that intersect with municipal matters.

Join the Community to Celebrate our 265th Anniversary on Saturday, September 20!  “Colonial Farms, The Original Work from Home” is being presented by Bernards Township, Farmstead Arts & the Basking Ridge Business Alliance, on Saturday, September 20th, 10am-2pm.  The focus will be on the original work from home and pay tribute to the contributions of local businesses both past and present. During this event, attendees are invited to bring items to be appraised by antique appraiser Jon Felz of RZM Fine Art & Antiques inside the beautifully restored English Barn. Inside the Barn, attendees will be able to view the premiere of a new display tracing the business and economic history of Bernards Township from colonial times until today. In addition to the events in the Barn, attendees will enjoy the Fall Members Art Exhibition in the 18th century farmhouse, and take self-guided tours using the maps provided. Picnicking on the Farmstead’s riverside 4-acres is highly encouraged on what is sure to be a spectacular fall day. Hope to see you there!

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