We are approaching the 25th anniversary of what is considered to be the worst terrorist attack against the U.S., when 2,977 individuals perished, including 17 Bernards Township residents.

I would anticipate you too can recall where you were as the tragedy unfolded, and most likely you know and loved someone who was lost.  Maybe it was a family member, a close friend’s loved one, a friend, or someone you’d known in the past, whose face and story was shared in the many articles that memorialized those taken. Bernards Township will again honor those who perished, including the many first responders who responded to the emergency, at our 9-11 Memorial Services at Dunham Park on Friday, Sept. 11, beginning at 6pm.

We also encourage township residents to support some of the memorial programs occurring in the community. They include Thursday, Sept. 10th when Heartworks will offer a Night of Reflection on the front lawn of 19 Morristown Road, honoring the 25 years of continued kindness in the aftermath of 9-11. Another life affirming opportunity is a blood drive, September 10-11, at Robert Wood Johnson University’s Steeplechase Cancer Center, 30 Rehill Avenue, Somerville. Theresa Creedon, a longtime friend and local resident, has organized the blood drive in honor of her brothers Thomas Gorman, Port Authority officer, who perished in the Towers and John Gorman, who escaped the 81st floor of the North Tower, and a few years later succumbed to related illnesses. This memorial is poignant for the family as Tom Gorman donated blood at RWJ on September 10, 2001.    

The township is joining the call for blood donations from New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, which has invited municipalities across New Jersey to honor the lives lost and the heroes who answered the call by hosting a 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive. The Township’s blood drive will occur on October 1, from 12-6pm, at Town Hall. As we draw closer to the 25th Anniversary of September 11, I encourage our community to reflect, honor and remember all who were lost, and share our gratitude for the courage of the families who transformed their pain into purpose creating memorial programs, foundations, and other actions that have made the world better.  As written on the wall of the 9-11 NYC Museum, “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.”

Getting back to Bernards business, on Tuesday, August 25, the Township Committee unanimously approved Ordinance #2603, “An Ordinance of the Township of Bernards, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, Amending, Revising, and Supplementing the Code of the Township of Bernards, Chapter 3, ‘Police Regulations,’ Regarding Property Maintenance Excluding Residential Dwelling Unit Uses.” 

This ordinance is a step to protect neighborhood aesthetics and resident safety, and property values, while balancing the administrative workload of local code enforcement, hence it is focused on non-residential properties.  This past year, the Township Committee has been considering economic development through the work of Committeewoman Asay and Deputy Mayor Tompkins, including supporting our local businesses, and understanding where we have several vacant commercial properties where we hope to attract new retail/commercial corporations.  In addition, there has recently been public comment at our meetings regarding property maintenance and what if anything could be done to enforce maintenance.

To that end, we have approved an ordinance that establishes minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance and condition of premises situated in Bernards Township, and excludes residential property. This ordinance, prevents and eliminates conditions which if permitted to exist or continue, would depreciate or tend to depreciate the value of adjacent or surrounding properties. It includes a stipulation for violations and penalties for property owners that do not comply to the summons to correct safety, health, or aesthetic violations, and helps offset municipal costs for expenses, for example, those related to inspections. Residential properties will continue to be managed through our current local codes, such as through enforcement of our zoning, fire, and health codes.

Bernards Township is not unique in establishing this ordinance. The surrounding Somerset Hills municipalities, have a property maintenance ordinance, and Bedminster, among the municipalities, excludes residential except in the R-1 zone. In addition, 17 municipalities in Somerset County of 21 have Property Maintenance Ordinances. As a Township Committee, we want to preserve the safety and property values of our residents and act in service of our residents. This ordinance has been established in support of that goal.

In other news, “The Mayor’s Q2 Newsletter” highlighting summer activity, department updates, and upcoming events, is available on www.bernards.org. I invite the community to read it. 

Bernards Township’s celebration of our Nation’s 250th Anniversary continues.  Upcoming is a wonderful  program at Farmstead Arts – Saturday Sept 19, 11am-4pm, “Voices of the Revolution.” This is a semi quincentennial celebration featuring patriotic music by BrassWorks, an opportunity to meet local historical characters, a special talk on the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our nation, and a forum with Colonel Ephraim Martin who lived at the historic Kennedy Martin Stelle Farmstead in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, from about 1778 to 1795.  

September’s programming will include a conversation with the Highlands Council, an official state agency under the 2004 Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act focused on managing and protecting the natural resources in the region. The Township Committee has invited Executive Director Ben Spinelli, to offer a presentation on the Highlands Council on Wednesday, September 23, 7pm at Town Hall.  Mr. Spinelli will review the mission/purpose of the Highlands Council and how the organization works with 88 local municipalities in the Highlands Region to implement the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.

Lastly, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, and I want to wish those who will be observing the holiday “Shanah Tovah, a good year,” and best wishes as you and your loved ones begin the time of introspection, renewal, and looking forward with hope. 

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