probably wondering why it's not on. >> I would like to call to order the reorganization meeting of Bernard's Township for January 6th, 2026. We will begin with the flag salute. Please stand to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands indivisible. Adequate notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building one collier lane basking ridge on the township website and emailed to the Bernardville news whipony the courier news bridgewater tap into.net patch.com and filed with the
township clerk on December 17th 2025. Any motion to go into close session will include that all matters discussed at such close session will be disclosed to the public when such matters are finally determined and there is no further reason to prohibit the public from disclosure of information relating to
such matters. No new business will be introduced after 10:30 p.m. Public comments will be accepted at all meetings. Speakers will be limited to 5 minutes each. All meetings will adjourn no later than 11:30 p.m. Our first order of business is to swear
in Mr. Brett Hodes and Mr. John Tomkins for their terms on township committee. Brett, if you please join your family in front of the deis. Somerset County Commissioner Director Chanel Robinson will administer the oath of office. I state your name.
solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution, >> United States, >> Constitution of the State of I will bear true faith. saying
>> governments >> established in the United States >> established >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people and further >> and >> I do solemnly swear >> I >> that I will faithfully
>> partially >> just thusly perform all the duties of the office of township committee member According to the best of my ability. Congratulations, Brett. Would you like to make a few remarks?
Um, I'm feeling gratitude and humbleness. I am so grateful for Don, if you would please meet your family in front of the deis. Somerset County Commissioner Director Chanel Robinson will administer the oath of office.
I state your name. I, John Tomkins, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith
>> and that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and further
>> and further >> I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> and partially >> and partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of office of township committee member >> all the duties of office of township committee member
>> according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratulations, John. Would you like to make some remarks? >> Uh, very briefly, uh, I would just like to thank everyone who worked so hard to
get, uh, both Brett and myself up here. Um, our fierce ladies, um, were fantastic. Um, it just it just was amazing how everything kind of came together. I had no idea the complexity and the amount of
work that went into this. I want to thank you all. I want to thank uh everyone who supported the campaign outside of that. And uh lastly, um I'm looking forward to um working uh to make uh Burners Township a better place for
everyone whether you voted for me or not. Thank you. I will now call the role for attendance. Miss AC. >> Mr. Darte McCarthy >> here. >> Mr. Hodes here. >> Mr. McN here. >> Mr. Tomkins
>> here. >> Thank you. I open the nominations for 2026 mayor. >> I have the distinct privilege honor of moving McCarthy be.
>> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Are there any other nominations? Seeing none, I will close the nominations and call the roll call. >> Miss AC, >> yes. >> Mr. Hodes, >> yes.
>> Mr. McN, >> yes. >> Mr. Tomkins, >> yes. >> Motion carried. I hereby declare Miss Anna Dwarte McCarthy as a mayor. Heat. Heat. Anna, if you would please meet your family in front of the deis. Mendum
Township Committee Woman Amalia Dwarte will administer the oath of office. This is obviously such a big sister. Um but when she asked me to do this at her life leadership So repeat after me.
I state your name. Alia, I open the nomination for deputy mayor. I nominate John Tomkins for deputy mayor. John and his wife Sharon have lived in our township for nearly 27 years. He brings a set of professional
and volunteer experiences to the role, including a longtime career in financial services and for the past 15 years running a nonprofit business designed to support the community. He is a pastboard member of the Summit Speech School and brings that experience of collaborating on a common mission. John shared that
he's learned throughout his professional career and volunteered service that we are better off rowing in the same direction. He is committed to our community and will embrace the responsibilities as deputy mayor. Are there any other nominations? There are no other nominations. I close
the nominations and ask the clerk to conduct a roll call. Christy. >> Miss Acy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hodes. >> Yes. >> Mr. McN. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dwarte McCarthy.
Yes. >> Motion carried. I hereby declare Mr. John Thompson as deputy mayor. Well, I now have the opportunity to make some remarks and we have new microphones. So, if you hear some static, let us know. Uh, thank you, Amalia. It is an honor to have you swear
me in. You're a great sister and an inspiring leader on the Mandum Township Committee. They are very fortunate to have you. And she is entering her ninth year, her third end of her third term. Mike, my husband, thank you for being you and supporting me and being a great
listener. You put up with a lot. You've always been my biggest fan and I am yours. Alyssa and Taran are newlyweds. Thank you for making the trip down from Boston and for your love and support in this new adventure. And mom, you are the
best. I am so happy that you are with us tonight. You inspired me and Amalia and all our family through your volunteering to get involved and make a difference. And to the extended Dwarte and McCarthy family here, there's a lot of them. Uh
thank you. Family is everything. We show up for each other and having you here is wonderful. I want to acknowledge Chanel Robinson, Somerset County Commissioner Director, and Sarah Suie and Elizabeth Graer, Somerset County Commissioners, for joining us. We are really grateful
to have you here and to conduct our oath of office. Also joining us tonight is outgoing Mayor Janice Fields and her husband Barry. Janice, uh, you have just been terrific. We had a chance to honor you and our colleague David Tankrey
during the December 9th township committee meeting recognizing your years of service and volunteering in our community both as a volunteer and as an elected official. You have had significant and positive impact on Bernard's Township. Thank you for
providing me with a broad set of responsibilities and for your mentorship, advice, and friendship. I wish you and Barry all the best in your future endeavors. So just and a big thank you to all the friends and family here tonight, including some
of Alyssa's high school friends from the Ridge class of 2013. Um, and along with those of you who are watching from home, we really appreciate you're taking the time to join us tonight. It's very humbling. For those of you who don't know me, Mike and I moved to Basking Ridge in 1996. Mike
grew up here. His family moved to Basking Ridge in 1969. So for him, moving here was coming home. Our daughter Alyssa went to Oak Street William Anon and graduated from Ridge High School 2013. Uh we have roots in Burners Township and
a strong interest in the vitality of our community. I'll share a secret with all of you. No one is more surprised than I am to be sitting here as your new mayor. As our local journalist Jake Perry wrote in the Bernardsville News, "The last
time Democrats held a majority on the township committee was in 1938 when the governing body still consisted of three members led by a committee chairman. The committee switched from having a committee chairman to a mayor in July
1952 and then annually chose a mayor from one of its own for a one-year term. Tonight is the first time the township committee has selected a Democrat. I'm humbled to be the first, although my mom likes to remind me that I'm not the
first mayor in the family. That was my grandfather, Manuel de Jesus Bono Garcia. So, what does that mean having a Democrat as a mayor? Well, a friend recently said to me, you know, we're not a red town or a blue town. We're a
purple town. I liked the idea that we are a blend because at the national level, the political narrative has become very divisive and political identity has made some family and friends into enemies. Here, we are locals. At the end of the day, it's not
whether you are a Republican or a Democrat or an independent. What matters is that we are one town. Regardless of political affiliation, residents want to be heard, have their concerns addressed, and to be treated with dignity and respect. I believe our township
committee is in a great place to do that. We have a strong set of elected leaders. Committee woman Jennifer Acy and Committeeman Andrew McN have experience having served as mayors and deputy mayors and we have the talent and enthusiasm and fresh perspectives of our
newly elected colleagues Brett Hodgeges and John Tommpkins. I've also shared that my philosophy is that you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Our township is in solid financial standing. The township has maintained a pay as you go capital budgeting policy
and has not issued debt for any capital project in nearly 35 years with our last borrowing being in 1991. This coming year we will again look at our operations to be as efficient as we can be while we also examine our capital
so that we are responsible stewards of our taxpayer spending focusing on our comp on our community priorities. It's been my experience that our town is wellrun through the contributions of talented and committed staff, including Ryan Wallace, our head of public works,
Tom Timco, head of engineering, Jennifer Gander, head of parks and recreation, Sean McCarthy, our CFO, and Emily Feifenberger, our head of HR. All those individuals report to Pat Monaco, our chief administrative officer to our left, who has been with the township for
38 years. Our municipal clerk, Christy Kefir, and her team are vital to the administration of our local government, and they work tirelessly on a broad array of responsibilities. Tonight, we also reappoint a set of professionals, including our township
attorney, John Bolardo, who has served Bernards for 27 years. We have exceptional individuals who serve our community in the police department under the leadership of Chief King and Deputy Chief Sweeney and Tim is here to my right and the brave
volunteers in our Liberty Fire Company under the leadership Ronda Pasqual, the Basking Ridge Fire Company under Chief Doug Mazali, and the company's EMS squad under Captain Sarah Bonafal. These first responders put their lives on the line
in service to our community and I wish for their continued safety in the year ahead. Our community is also fortunate to have vital innovative services provided through the Bur Township Library with director Rachel Bert and the board of health under health officer
Don Marling. Collectively, we have a strong team ready to focus on priorities, both those we are aware of and those that will emerge in the year ahead. Three that are top of mind for me include our public
safety, the future of our community, and understanding and addressing the needs of our residents. In 2025, for the second year in a row, Bernard's Township has been ranked through a Safe Wise study as the second safest city in New
Jersey. That's fine. In 2025, for the second year in a row, Bernard's Township has been ranked through a SafeWise study as the second safest city in New Jersey and 21st in our nation. Our police department also worked hard to go through the
reacredititation process administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. Our police department has been accredited for quite some time now. Yet the department goes through this process every three years to promote the best possible standards.
While we have a great department, we are a town of 28,000 people. This past October, we had residents share their concerns about public safety on Allen Road in the wake of township resident Pavani Mani being struck by a car and
then succumbing to her injuries. Allen Road is among the most enforced for traffic safety in the township. Nonetheless, Committeeman Andre McN and I serve on the police subcommittee and are in communication with residents, county, and staff alike regarding this
priority. The county and township are proceeding with several engineering studies and will anticipate outcomes within the next few months to inform and guide next steps. In addition, we are exploring opportunities such as partnering with Ridewise, Inc. to
provide education in our community. Donna Allison, who leads Ridewise for Somerset County, shared that they are an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for transportation choices that are efficient, safe, and sustainable, and
offer education and programming that focuses on pedestrian safety, public transit, biking, and ride sharing. Rideways is grant-f funded, and the services they provide are free to municipalities. Public safety is an important
cornerstone of being a livable community. Looking back 50 years ago, Mike remembers when there was only one light, and it was a blinking light in Bernard's Township. Imagine Bernard's Township 50 years from now. What will it be like? This past
year, the township committee approved ordinances to fulfill our statemandated affordable housing obligations. We expect shortly an order of conditional compliance from Judge Menon that approves our affordable housing obligations for the next 10 years
through July 2035 and protects us from builder's remedy lawsuits. As we fulfill our obligations, we can consider the vision of what we want our community to be. During our affordable housing comp public comment, we heard from residents
concerned about construction and development happening in proximity to their neighborhoods along with the potential impact on our schools and traffic. We also heard from families of adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the dire
need for housing. This past July, Bernard's Township partnered with Our House Foundation and provided 200,000 for the renovations from the town's affordable housing fund to open the six Our House location in Vernis Township. While we celebrate the opening of the
six home, there's more to do. What development would we like to see in the future and now? What do we want to preserve? As we meet our fourth round affordable housing obligations, I plan to encourage discussions to consider these and other questions on our hoped
for future. Part of that is fostering economic development. Committeewoman Jen Accomman John Tomkins himself a small business owner partner on a subcommittee to support our local enterprises and see opportunities for the township.
The third priority I see are understanding and addressing the diverse needs of our residents. Our township provides a broad and strong array of programs and services to residents of all ages and among other areas through our parks and recreation and our board
of health. As an example, this past year in response to residents, the pool commission created two new past categories. one membership category for residents 18 years and above with a disability and the second a reduced rate
caregiver pass. This summer, Bernard's Township also became the home to an innovative adaptive golf clinic. The New Jersey Golf Foundation offered clinics at the Inspiration Golf Range for individuals with adaptive needs. These actions address the needs of members of
our community. And building upon that, I'm pleased to share that the Somerset County YMCA in partnership with Burners Township has been awarded a $70,000 grant the new through the New Jersey Department of Human Services age friendly grants program. Berners
Township will support the Somerset Hills YMCA in its efforts to assess, plan, and implement age friendly initiatives that will enhance the quality of life for older adults in the community. Those are a few ideas on our top priorities and we
also have cause to celebrate. 2026 will bring the FIFA World Cup to the US and our local area and marks the 250th anniversary of our nation. Bernard's Township played a rich, vibrant role in the nation's history. Our township
anniversary committee was launched last January with David Becker, president of Ross Farm serving as chair and a committed group of residents, volunteers, and representatives from our schools and local organizations. We are keen on highlighting events in Bernard's
Township that occurred on and around the 250th anniversary along with significant events that happened later. One of those was the 680 mile march in 1781 where 10,000 French and Continental soldiers
under the leadership of General Washington and French General Roshambo stopped to camp at English farm in Liberty Corner on their way to Yorktown, Virginia, the site of the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War.
Past September, Verner's Township in part in partnership with the Basking Ridge Business Alliance celebrated our township's 265th anniversary. We are older than the country with a special event at the Farmstead Arts Center. The program Colonial Farms, the
original work from home, paid tribute to the contributions of local businesses past and present. And in conjunction with the theme, we recognize our oldest continuously operating business, English Farm, founded in 1740.
A set of five panels called Burners Township Business Then and Now, were created for the event, and these panels are traveling around town and today were placed at Ridge High School. In the meantime, we ask that you save December 10th through the 15th for a special set
of programs and a live reenactment of the capture of General Charles Lee. The capture happened on December 13, 1776 at the Widow White Tavern in Basking Ridge that was located across from St. James Church. The program, including the
live reenactment, will explore the captur's impact on the Revolutionary War and the connection to several prominent citizens of Baskin Ridge at the time. In light of our nation's 250th anniversary, Mike and I have been
watching Ken Burns documentary American Revolution. Has anyone else been watching it? It's really good. I recommend it. Uh I'll admit sometimes we fall asleep watching it. It's uh somewhat dense. Uh however, there was an
aha moment I had and it was how the fight for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all was an unintended consequence of the revolution. The leaders of the Continental Congress were men of wealth and prestige. Their
original plan was to have their grievances with Great Britain resolved without necessarily seeking independence. However, the need to recruit regular folks, including the poor, women, and those enslaved, changed the narrative to the idea that all
people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. The American Revolution created our great nation in which the ideals of liberty, equality, civil rights, and responsible citizenship are the basis of
law and the foundations of a free society. These are principles I value and will embrace during my tenure as mayor in service to you. In closing, our 2026 township committee is pleased to appoint residents to the various boards
and committees. All of you have said yes to giving your time, expertise, and talent to Bernard's Township, and for that we are grateful. I'll close with a quote from the late Maya Angelo who said, "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them feel." I hope that in the coming year you feel positive about our community and that you experience that we, the township committee, are working together collaboratively and in good faith to provide you with the best
possible outcomes. Thank you, municipal clerk Christy Kefir and your team for planning this evening's reorganization. And following our meeting, you are all invited to join us for refreshments at the Liberty Court Firehouse. With that,
a happy new year to all. Right. For those of you new to our meetings, it's not over yet. So, now we'll move on to item 10 on the agenda. Mayor's appointees. For the sake of expediency, I will not be reading each appointes name or resolution title
out loud as we proceed with the remaining agenda. I will refer to them by agenda number. On behalf of the township committee, I thank each each and every appointee who will serve on behalf of the township and urge the public to consult the agenda for a list
of tonight's appointees. Copies of the agenda are available on the table just outside the meeting room and on the township website. And again, we do welcome everyone to join us back at the Liberty Corner Firehouse after the meeting adjourns for the mayor's reception.
Agenda items listed under number 10 on the agenda are my 2026 mayoral appointments. Agenda items listed under item 11 on the agenda are my 2026 appointments subject to township committee confirm confirmation and I ask
for a motion to approve same >> motion. Got it. >> I second. >> I hear a motion at all. >> I'll make the motion. >> Okay. All in favor?
>> I >> I. >> Okay. Motion carries. >> Agenda items listed under number 12 are consent agenda items. These items have been previously referred to the township committee for reading and study. A copy placed on the website and are routine.
They will be enacted by one motion of the township committee with no separate discussion. If separate discussion is required, the item may be removed from the agenda by township committee action and placed on the regular agenda under new business. >> I move the consent agenda.
>> Second. >> Will the clerk please call the role? >> Miss AC. >> Mr. Hodes. >> Yes. >> Mr. McN. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tomkins. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dwarte McCarthy? >> Yes. Motion carried.
>> Thank you, Christie. Moving on to item agenda number 13, public comment. Comments are welcome during the public comment period. During this meeting on any agenda item or any other matter over which the township committee has jurisdiction, the public comment portion of the agenda is not structured as a
question and answer session, but offers an opportunity to share your thoughts with the township committee. The township committee may or may not address these comments during the meeting. However, all comments are considered. To address this body, the speaker must come forward to the microphone and state their name and
address for the record. Each speaker is limited to five minutes. The clerk will keep time. Please promptly yield the floor when time is called and return to your seat. Your cooperation in adherence to these rules of order will ensure an orderly and respectful meeting. I open
public comment. Jane Conklin, 110 Spencer Road. I just wanted to take one moment to share my joy on this moment, this occasion. This is an historic moment in our town, and it couldn't happen with any more deserving people. Anna, John,
and Brett have given so much of their time, energy, dedication, and service to our community and all those around them. Congrats on a well-deserved win. I'm sure you will serve the whole community well. I've also been asked on behalf of Joan
Bannon, who was the forerunner of this epic moment, to say a few words since she couldn't be here due to family obligations. from Joan. I'm sending my best wishes to Anna, John, and Brett. I'm disappointed that I can't be here with you this
evening, but I wanted to send a reminder. Never doubt that a few that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret me. Thanks.
>> Thank you, Jane. Sarah Suie, 15 Morgan Court, Bedminster. On behalf of the board of county commissioners, congratulations on this historic reorganization meeting and we look forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sarah.
>> Okay, seeing none other, I close public comment. this time, it's my pleasure to call for staff and committee comments. I'll start with you, Mr. Monaco. >> Uh, thank you, mayor. Uh, I'd just like to congratulate you on your appointment as mayor for this upcoming year. I'd
also like to congratulate, uh, Committeeman, uh, Tomkins and Hodes. Uh, and just reiterate that staff is very excited and looking forward to working with you and the rest of the township committee in the upcoming year. Thank you, mayor. Bad. Thank you, mayor. Um, I just want to
echo Mr. Monaco. I'm looking forward to working with you, Brett and John. And congratulations, Mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you, Christie. >> Ballardo. >> Yes. Congratulations, Mr. Hodes and Mr. Tommpkins. Mayor, certainly congratulations. Glad to be back here
with Miss Acy. And I thank all of you for and this year as your township. >> Thank you, John. It's a pleasure having you. >> Colleagues, committeeman Hodes.
>> Um I just would like I am to be up Committee woman AC congratulations to our newest members have a large uh group of I do need to make some important announcements of
things that are ongoing if I may. Um, so, uh, a couple things. One is the voice of health community needs, uh, assessment is still available and I encourage everyone to please complete it for our health department. The completion deadline has been extended to
January the 20th. Your input is absolutely vital to help us better understand the health needs and priorities of our community. So, please go to the Bernard Township Health Department website for a link. Or if you prefer to have a paper uh survey, you can request those as well. Also, for us
animal owners on Saturday, the free rabies vaccine clinic for dogs and cats um will happen Saturday 10 to 12. Um it's at the Bernard Township Public Works garage located at 277 South Maple Avenue. So, please help to protect your
pets in our community by keeping their licenses and vaccines up to date. No appointments are needed. Open to dogs and cats ages six months and older. All cats must be in carriers. All dogs must be leashed. Um, and a gentle reminder that our licenses expire on January the
31st. And I just did want to do a quick shout out, the uh ski club had an awesome event on our first ski trip on January the 4th. We successfully kicked it off of which our mayor formerly participated in in a ski club. It was an
excellent trip. Uh we look forward to our next trip on Sunday and a tremendous thank you to each of the volunteers to help enable that opportunity to be given to her. >> Thank you, Jen. Good >> Thank you, Mayor. Um good evening. Happy
new year. Um, just wanted to extend my warmest congratulations to Brett and John and certainly to our new mayor, Anna. Uh, I look forward to a productive 2026 serving the residents with Bernard Township and I certainly m very much
look forward to working with all of you. Thank you Tomkins. Um, I'd just like to uh thank everyone and congratulate everybody sitting up here. Um, I'm looking forward to this year. Uh, Anna, I can't tell you how
happy I am, uh, that you're the head of the snowplow going through this. Um, good luck and, uh, I really appreciate all your help. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Moment. I see a number of staff and township staff here as well. And thank
you for being here. Have wonderful wonderful staff there is what makes this happen. We we are the stewards but you make things. So I will not speak any further since I
took up quite a bit of time already. But thank you again for being here. Um it's an honor and a privilege to serve you the community and we hope and look for a productive year. We have a great, we'll call it a team up here of people who are so dedicated and talented and we look
forward to a wonderful year in this eve of our nation's anniversary. Uh so this concludes the agenda for the evening. I welcome again everyone back to the Liberty Corner Firehouse after the meeting adjourns for the mayor's reception. And if there are no
objections, I declare the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent. Okay, we are adjourned. Thank you.