26 2026. Please stand for the flag salute. Thank you. Adequate notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building on the township website filed with the township clerk and transmitted to the Burnersville news courier news tap into
and patch.com on December 17, 2025. Any motion to enter close session will be made in accordance with the open public's meetings act and will state the general nature of the matters to be discussed. Minutes of such closed sessions will be made available to the public when the need for confidentiality
no longer exists and the matters have been fully resolved. No new business shall be introduced after 10:30 p.m. Public comment will be accepted at all meetings. Each speaker shall be limited to 5 minutes. All meetings shall adjourn no later than 11:30 p.m. Christy. Roll
call, please. >> Miss Acy, >> here. >> Mr. Hodes, >> here. >> Mr. McN >> here. >> Mr. Tomkins, >> here. Mayor Dwarte McCarthy >> here. >> Christie, any executive session? >> None this evening. Mayor, >> that brings us to presentations.
Christie, >> resolution 2026-246 commendation on attaining Eagle Scout designation. Ian Shepard. >> Well, Ian, who is here this evening with his parents, congratulations on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Your
project of creating an orientering course in Pleasant Valley Park is impressive. I am sure you learned a lot through this project. You had to identify an issue and then meet with stakeholders including our parks and recreation team and get agreement that
this was a real opportunity and then you thoughtfully developed a plan. You also learned how to manage people, in this case those helping you, keeping them on task and being an effective leader. These are just some of the skills and capabilities you've developed through
scouting. I also believe you have added elements to your character. You demonstrated your willingness to work hard and remain committed over the years when I'm sure you had other distractions and interests to move through the ranks and achieve the required merit badges.
That determination helped you get all the way to Eagle Scout. Whether it's through the orientering course project that has added value to our community or your continued involvement with the scouts, that desire to help others is something that's become a part of you
and will serve you well as a leader and in your ongoing pursuits in college and professionally. I also want to congratulate your parents and your scout masters for their support throughout your scouting experience. This is a very proud time for everyone. At this time,
would any of my colleagues like to comment? >> Uh, certainly. >> Man Hodgees. Go ahead, >> Ian. Um, I'm just thrilled to to be able to to recognize you tonight. The effort and the time and the skills that you put
into this community we will all benefit from. And it's exactly those skills and time and effort that you put in that is the foundation of what a community really is. And we thank you for that time. and focus. And I know that the skills that you've been learning to get
to this point are going to serve you wonderfully as you go through college um if that's your choice of of of future endeavors and further beyond that. Well done. >> Thank you, Committ. >> Yes. Well, congratulations, Ian. Congratulations to your parents, your
scout masters, your fellow scouts who helped get you where to to this uh high honor. As you well know, very few scouts achieve Eagle Scout. And it signifies a a tenacity, a stick tuitiveness, and a commitment to both scouting and the
project that you executed on in concert with our parks department. And like the mayor said, you added real value to our town. So, thank you so much. The one thing I would encourage you to do, you're probably a humble guy, but be sure to let people know you're an Eagle Scout. It conveys a message um that will
carry you through the rest of your life. It's an extraordinary honor and congratulations to you all. >> You committee woman AC. >> One of the most things my husband that my father was most proud of was becoming an Eagle Scout. Of course, back then he
was able to get at age 12. Um they don't allow that anymore. Um but it was something that it was very meaningful and he was always proud of it and had a display in his house when he was over 70 years old dedicated towards it with the
sash etc. So um I have a tremendous appreciation for what you have all gone through. My son just started and he is a scout so we're working on Tinderfoot and I also signed up to be a marriage merit badge counselor. So, I have a real
appreciation of the time and effort that you, your scout masters, all of those people that helped make sure you get all those requirements and all those merit badges and for you as parents to enable him to get him where he needs to be um over the many years. So, again,
congratulations. Um a tremendous accomplishment. >> Thank you, Jen. Deputy Mayor >> Ian, congratulations. And you, uh Mr. Mrs. Shepher. Um Ian, I just want to say uh this is an amazing accomplishment.
And when I used to run a trading floor on Wall Street, whenever an Eagle Scout application would come in, there would be fights over who was going to get this person because everybody understood the work that needed that needed to go in to
get that rank, the um intelligence, the creativity um and the goal orientation. So um take this with you for the rest of your life, whatever you decide. um get it out there and and and be proud
of it. And um it's it's an unbelievable uh accomplishment that not just your parents recognize, but um the community at large will recognize and it'll serve you well for the rest of your life. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I'm going to read the resolution and then we will
make a motion to approve it. It's a resolution 2026246 commendation on attaining Eagle Scout designation Ian Shepard. Whereas the Bernard's Township Committee of the Township of Bernards is very pleased to
recognize Ian Sheper and his outstanding personal efforts of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. And whereas Eagle Scout is the highest achievement rank in Scouting America, attained by only 4% of youth since 1911 after a rigorous multi-year
process and requires 21 merit badges demonstrating leadership and completing a comprehensive service project. And whereas Ian Shepard, a member of Troop 54 of the Boy Scouts of America, has been an active scout, demonstrating
outstanding leadership within the troop and has contributed many service hours to his community during his years in scouting, including designing and developing a plan which led a team of 30 volunteers. And whereas the Bernard's Parks and Recreation Department
sponsored Ian Shepard's Eagle Project, a milelong orientering course at Pleasant Valley Park that provides a familyfriendly outdoor activity promoting environmental awareness and teaching basic map reading and compass skills. And whereas having attain
attained the rank of Eagle Scout, Ian Shepard will carry forward a badge of honor representing a lifelong commitment to leadership and service. Now therefore, be it resolved that the township committee of the township of Bernards offered its best wishes to Ian
Shepard for continued success and congratulations for a personal achievement that will serve as a reminder of the importance of the pursuit of excellence throughout his life. So, may I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Congratulations, Ian. We'd like to invite Ian to come up and say a few remarks and then we'll come down and present the resolution and we can take some pictures. >> As you may know, uh I definitely made a
compass course. Um, I spent about seven years of my life as a scout and I put a lot of work and time into this and I may seem like it, but I really need to thank
both my family, my troop, and especially Mrs. Gander with pushing this project along. And I'm grateful that the town can now >> Thank you so much. we will express that
to Jen Gander and she'll be very appreciative. So, thank you. So, we're going to come down now and make the presentation. Your parents, we invite you to join us and any other family that's here. Congratulations. Next. Right.
All right. Item B, Christie. >> Resolution 2026-267, Jewish Heritage Month Celebration May 2026. Thank you, Christie. Well, it's been 20 years since the first presidential proclamation of May as
Jewish American Heritage Month in 2006. It is an opportunity to create awareness and respect for the Jewish American community and recognize the contributions to society past, present, and to come. In light of the rise in anti-semitism globally, it's important
to focus on recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of our Jewish residents and reaffirm that as a community, we embrace the unique differences of our residents and value that we are a stronger community when we value inclusion. Locally, our Jewish
American community plays a vital role celebrating traditions such as the annual lighting of the manora at the khabad of Somerset County and more recently at the Allen Street Gazebo on South Finley Avenue. Rabbi Mendel, we also recognize your efforts at fostering
interreligious understanding across faith groups in our community. Thank you for your leadership of the Shabbad of Somerset County and you and the members of your congregation bring so much. So, thank you for all that you do for our community. And at this time, I'd like to
invite my colleagues to comment. May Hajes, >> thank you, mayor. >> The Jewish community is enriches our lives here in this town and it makes our community a stronger
community. And I'm thrilled that we can again uh praise Jewish American Heritage Month. As a township committee, I feel as being part of the township committee, I feel it's important that we clearly speak out against any bigotry and that it has
absolutely no space in our community and our strength is our diversity, which I strongly believe and I am pleased and grateful that we can make this moment of recognition. >> Thank you, Committee Hodgeges. Committee McN.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I enjoy that this committee uh celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures, faiths, and traditions here in Bernard Township. And tonight we recognize May is Jewish Heritage Month. Contributions made by members of the Jewish community to our state and nation are extraordinary.
Providing examples cannot possibly compare the impact the Jewish community has had in America going back to when our nation was founded. like to highlight the Kabad of Somerset County and Rabbi Mendel Shento is here tonight from the Kabad to celebrate Jewish
Heritage Month with us. It's an honor to have this center for the Jewish community located right here in Bernard's Township. As the name implies, the Habad of Somerset County serves the Jewish community of Bernard's Township, but also provides a welcoming ba faith-based environment for Jews all
over our area. And while first and foremost it is a house of worship, it provides daycare, leads critical charitable work, and opens its beautiful facility to Jews and non-Jews alike for events throughout the year. Thousands of years of Jewish traditions, learning and culture and values are not just
maintained, but enhanced through the work that so many do at the Habad of Somerset County. The Habad is a true jewel of our community and we thank Rabbi Mendel Shento, Rabbi Hers, and the entire congregation for choosing Bernard's Township to build uh the Habad
here and we wish everyone a very happy Jewish Heritage Month. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you. Very eloquent committee AC. >> Rabbi, I just want to say thank you. Since I have been on the township committee, your outreach and the
outreach of your body has helped to really increase my understanding and my awareness and my gratitude to all that you contribute into our community. You're always there to help. Um when we asked for
participation in International Kindness Day a couple years ago, you were right there helping to put forth those words of the importance of showing kindness and respect to others. You also when I asked uh would you be open to filming
for instance perhaps at the Habad? you opened your doors and allowed a photographer. Maybe someday there'll be something shot at the Habad and it can be famous on that map. But your house of worship is absolutely stunning. It is a
true jewel in our community. The artwork is amazing, but your people really bring the warmth and welcomeness to our community. So, thank you to you and your family and your entire
organization. We're grateful to have you. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, Rabbi, uh, you and I touched on this briefly, um, at the 911 ceremony last year. Um, I grew up upstate, um, I had one Jewish person as
a friend. Um, until I went to college, I knew nothing about the Jewish religion. And as I've grown older, I've learned more about it, the traditions, the culture, the food. Um and uh I can say uh an awareness month like this I think
is fantastic because the more people are aware of other religions, other customs, um the less chance of bigotry, the less um chance of misunderstanding. Um I found the uh Jewish comm community to always be incredibly warm and
inviting. Um and uh I think this month is fantastic and Thank you, Deputy Mayor. And you know, everyone has been very eloquent in their outreach and comments. Um, you have always been incredibly welcoming to me.
You've opened your house of faith. And in light of the events of October 7th, when so many were afraid, you created a compass for people to feel safe, to have an opportunity to share their concerns, and to continue to advocate for faith in
this world. So, thank you for that. At this time, I will read the resolution and then we'll invite you to come and make remarks after we adopt it. So, resolution 2026 0267 recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Whereas
the month of May of each year has been designated Jewish American Heritage Month in the state of New Jersey and in Bernard's Township to recognize and honor the diverse contributions and achievements Jewish Americans have made to the development of our state and the nation. And whereas Bernard's Township
takes great pride in the varied religious and cultural traditions of residents and seeks to afford all people the opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the re rich histories, cultures, and shared principles of Jewish Americans. And
whereas at present when anti-semitism is rising across our country and around the world, Bernard's Township is unwavering in supporting our Jewish residents and the safety, dignity, and belonging of every member of this community. And whereas like many of the cultures
represented in the township, Jewish Americans contribute to every facet of our community and bring values and traditions that enrich the culture of our township. And whereas the Habad of Somerset County, founded in 1991, is a place where Judaism is celebrated
joyfully and meaningfully, where Judaism sheds relevant perspectives to daily lives and offers a wide range of learning venues for all ages, where questions are encouraged and embraced. Now therefore be it resolved further resolved that the township committee of
the township of Bernards do hereby recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month and the Habad Somerset County for the contributions of its leadership and members that strengthen and enrich our community. May I have a motion? >> So moved. Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. The resolution is adopted. So Rabbi, if you could come up and we invite you to make some remarks. Thank you so much for being here. >> Of course. And thank you. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Township Committee. I
uh I think it's important to acknowledge that while the resolution acknowledges contribution of Jewish Americans, to acknowledge a background against which was allowed to take place. You see, for our many thou multi,000-year history,
this hasn't always been the case. And this great country has provided Jews the opportunity to flourish, to contribute, to be part of community. And more specifically, our town of Bernest Township has been incredibly welcoming from the founding of Kabad in 1991 and
through its development and growth that we've seen. And I have had close personal relationships and have close personal relationships with township committed members and I know that they're always there. They always have our back and whenever we need, they're there for us. So, we appreciate the relationship. We don't take it for
granted and we look forward to many more years of growing and developing this beautiful town. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, Ian. Thank you, Christie. Item C, >> resolution 2026-269
recognizing May as mental health awareness month and Bernard's Township as a stigmafree community. >> Thank you, Christie. Well, I'm very pleased that we have Caitlyn Cartio from our health department here um in the opportunity for us to present the mental
health awareness and recognizing Berners again as a stigmafree community this evening. As background, the township first designated a stigmafree community in a resolution passed in 2018 and did so again last year in 2025. While the
resolution was not passed again until last year and again this year, there was continued focus from the board of health and the municipal alliance to focus on education and support for those with mental health concerns. And some folks have asked, what is stigma? Well, stigma
is the practice of associating negative stereotypes with certain memberships or characteristics such as substance abuse disorder, social class or income, or developmental disability status. This can create barriers and challenges that
could be eliminated in relationships, housing, employment, and education. Many folks are ostracized, feel isolated, and rejected based on these perceived differences. Having served as liaison to the municipal alliance, I'm humbled at the work that is offered through our
board of health and through partners such as community and crisis. That being said, there is more to do and we so appreciate the efforts of all involved in the work to continue the mission of this year's mental health American theme, turning silence into connection
that encourages individuals to share lived experiences, learn from their each other's experiences, build strong community connections, and support challenging stigma and creating spaces where people are supported, understood, and find healing. At this time, would
any of my colleagues like to comment? Brett, as liaison, I thought start with you. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, in being a liaison this year with the municipal alliance, I've been floored at how much they do for our youth in this community and
their commitment to it is unwavering. Um, and by declaring Burner Township a stigmafree community, we are telling our friends, families, and neighbors that it's okay to ask for help and that we
want to shatter the silence and shame that delay treatment. So, I'm thrilled that we once again this year are recognizing May as mental health awareness month and Burners Township as a stigmafree community. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Committeeman McN.
>> Not sure I can put it better than that, but let me see what I can do. Um, as the resolution states, um, there can be no health without mental health. And, you know, I believe that to be true in part because, as the mayor pointed out, you know, mental health challenges, uh, can
be isolating and causing those, um, to suffer in silence, for a lack of a better phrase. And the stigma, I think, is a real barrier for people getting help. So, in this small way, you know, this is our way of saying, as Brad
pointed out, you know, it's okay to get help. You should get help. There's nothing wrong with getting help. So, um, uh, thank you, Caitlyn, for all that you do, and I'm proud we're doing this resolution tonight. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Committee AC. >> Oh, Caitlyn, I have watched your work
for I don't know, well over 10 years. Um the health department I think is second to none and really am embracing this for decades. Um so as a pharmacist it's really I think disappointing that we have to designate stigmafree this health
condition versus any of the health conditions cardiovascular or diabetes. I don't understand why there still is a stigma but there is um and the work that you have done for years. Um I know I completed the QPR training which was
great. I know others have completed um some of the mental health um the series that you just completed uh the multi- the documentary um you know there's such a root cause uh to um many of the issues
and I know the work that you're doing day in day out is tremendous. So, tremendous gratitude to all that you and the others in the health department do um to help bring all this as well as the municipal alliance folks um to to help ensure that our community is is
welcoming and we recognize and try to support those with medical needs. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jen. Deputy Mayor. >> Um thank you. uh growing up in the 60s and 70s um mental health if it was discussed it was in very hush tones um
and swept under the rug and um over the last 50 years you've seen it evolve um at 911 I lost 15 friends and co-workers and um I didn't really understand for
you know maybe four or five years the impact that had on me and I wasn't wasn't alone. Um, you know, I know, you know, quite a few people that were in a similar situation. And you had to grapple with it. You had to
figure it out. And if we were back in the 60s and 70s, most of us wouldn't have. And because we've evolved and we're still evolving, um, uh, mental health is being treated as any other health um, issue. and uh thank you so
much for that and continue the good work and um there's no downside. Thank you. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Thank you, colleagues. And I I'll add, you know, having served also as the liaison to municipal alliance, I was so impressed and continue to be impressed with the
reach students, uh the students in our high school who serve as peer counselors and are committed to helping support drug, alcohol, and substance abuse education and awareness. And I think how you have fostered that community and
continue to help these young people help not only themselves but others is wonderful because that creates such a wonderful epicenter in our community. So thank you for all that you do Caitlyn and the municipal alliance and our board of health. So I'm going to read it's a rather long resolution so I'm going to
read just a few points. U so I will start with where my colleague Mr. Mc Vali started which whereas promoting awareness that there can be no health without mental health will break down barriers, encourage residents of all ages to be mindful of their mental
health and ensure that no one suffers alone or feels hopeless. Whereas continuing to designate Bernard's Township as a stigma-free community will raise awareness of established local resources, encourage residents to engage in care as soon as the need is identified, inspire hope, and help
prevent tragedies. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Township Committee of the Township of Bernards, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, that the month of May is hereby recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Township of Burners is hereby again
designated as a stigmree community. And be it further resolved that the township committee encourages all residents to support efforts to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and foster a healthier, more compassionate community for all. May I have a motion?
No move. >> Someone who made the motion. It was very quick. >> Second. >> All right. Just made sure two people spoke. Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Excellent. The motion is approved. So,
Caitlyn, can we invite you to come up and make a few comments? >> Thank you. Hi everyone. and thank you so much all for your kind comments. Um I'm a very very proud employee of Bernard's Township and whether that's representing the health department or the municipal
alliance and kind of everything in between. I'm able our health department's able to do all this work because of the support of the township committee because of the support of the board of health. Um and I I again feel very lucky not every health department
is able to do programs like this. there isn't the support and there isn't the focus. I want to say I'm really thankful for the partnerships that we do have with the school. I want to say parks and wreck and the library. It's all intertwined. I'm able to do these, not just me, I'm sorry. We're able to do
these programs because of all these partnerships from the support. Um just I can ramble on and on about the support and my love of these programs. I know I've talked to many of you before about how much I love the REACH program and as long as we have that support, we're going to continue to do it. and thank
you for this acknowledgement. Thank you to the township committee, Christy, Pat, everyone. Um, and we're also honored to share this night with uh Ian, and with the rabbi. >> Thank you very much, Caitlyn. So, we're going to join you to present the resolution, and then all of our recipients are welcome to leave so that
you don't have to sit through the business meeting. You're welcome to, but I just wanted to let you know. So, thank you, Caitlyn. That is great. Oh yeah, Twilight Challenge is on June 7th. Pretty funny, my friends. All right. Thank you again for being here.
Congratulations. >> Thank you. Okay. All right, colleagues. All right. Uh Christie, any public work session needed? >> None this evening, Mayor. >> Christy, any correspondence? >> None this evening.
>> That brings us to public comment. During the public comment period, comments are welcomed on any agenda item. However, if an ordinance is listed for its own public hearing on the agenda, please totally your comments for that particular public hearing. The public comment portion of the agenda is not
structured as a question and answer session yet offers an opportunity to share your thoughts with the township committee. The 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. To ensure an orderly and respectful meeting, speakers should avoid personal attacks, inflammatory language, or derogatory remarks toward any individual or group. Each speaker is limited to 5 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 will ensure an orderly and respectful meeting. I open public comment. I close public comment. Next, we will invite staff comments, township committee comments, including board and
liaison reports. Mr. Monaco, would you like to start? >> Uh, thank you, mayor. I just wanted to recognize some new hires. Uh, we have Logan Molina, a new police officer, and Rashny Na Na um with our library um as a
library assistant. And also just to um remind uh uh that we're going to be having our service awards for our staff and we have quite a few people we're recognizing. I'm not going to read them all and you'll see years of 30, 25, 20 years, but what struck me is half of
this list are five years. So we're retaining some young people, some new people, which is a good thing for the township. So that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Oh, thank you. Yes. 11 of them, right? 11. Yeah. That's terrific. All right. Uh Christie, >> none this evening. Thank you,
>> Mr. Balardo. >> Nothing, Mayor. Thank you. >> Good. Uh then, Mr. Hodes. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I'd like to start off with parks and recreation and pathways. Uh the unofficial start to summer has begun. >> And I would just like to remind
everybody that Parks and Wreck has a jam-packed summer waiting for everyone from concerts to plays to movies. And I encourage everybody to please go to bernards.org org in order to see all the offerings that they are putting on the plate for us to enjoy this summer. And I
also want everybody to know of some of the projects that are going on. Um there's a cricket pitch at Pleasant Valley Park that is under construction. There's going to be paving and painting of tennis courts and pickleball courts at Pleasant Valley Park. Uh the turf
fields at or at least at two of the fields um on Mountain Park are going to be replaced. And then lastly, Dunham Park is scheduled uh for an upcoming roller rink resurfacing. And I know that some of these projects may happen on
days that people wish to go and play tennis. And we hope for your patience because this is really just showing the township that we are investing in our in our resources so that our residents can have and enjoy the most of their lives
as possible through our amazing park system that we have here in Burners Township. Moving on to Municipal Alliance, I would like to uh bring forward that on June 7th there's the 36th annual Pleasant Valley Twilight Challenge. It has a 5K race, a onemile
walk, and even a kids lollipop loop. So, there's something for all ages, and again, it's on June 7th, and we hope that you'll consider uh coming and being a part of that and registering and helping support the Municipal Alliance, as we've just heard, all the amazing
things that they do for our community. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you very much, Committ. >> Yes, thank you, Mayor. Um, in keeping on the parks theme, I would just like to congratulate the parks department, our parks board, police, fire, and everyone who came together for an extraordinary
charter day. Um, I had so much fun. I got sunburn on my head having forgotten to put on any sunblock with summer creeping up on me that quickly. So, a really, really great day. Extremely well attended. Um, and my family and I definitely had a lot of fun. Um, and I'd
also like to thank everyone who came together from a variety of those departments and everybody who really came out for a Memorial Day parade uh just yesterday joining us in the rain um but in honor of those who paid the ultimate price for our country. So, thank you mayor. >> Thank you. Committee woman AC.
>> Yes, please. Um, so we don't have to pull the from the consent agenda. I I wanted to make a a comment about our employees. So, the deputy mayor and I have hosted multiple meetings to get feedback from businesses and a name has
come up numerous times in a very positive way. Um, and it's from the construction department, Dennis Betler. So, when you have business owners that know certain staff by name, you know what people say about you when you're
not in the room. He's amazing. 30 years and many others that are on this list, you wouldn't know their longevity of tenure in terms of their passion for their job. So, um Lynn Health in particular in the last
whatever um she's just tremendously helpful. Um I just I can't say enough. We're blessed for such amazing staff and thank you for Pat for your leadership and helping to ensure these folks stay with us because we as residents benefit
from it. So going to my remarks. So charter day um my opinion was one of the best in the recent history um aided by obviously the weather uh but the unique highlights like the historical figures and of course the FIFA World Cup 2026 Skyland to shoreline double-decker bus
was awesome. I have to thank Somerset County for their participation and lending their photographers. We have some beautiful images. Um, and you know, Somerset Countyy's partnership and and helping to bring the Battle of Basking Ridge to life. I also want to make a
note about the Memorial Day parade. Um, felt it was a very appropriate tribute to honor our local heroes. And mayor, I very much enjoyed your remarks and I enjoyed learning more about our community like Serge and Ruth who they were named after. So I found that to be
um very helpful and and interesting and it was really wonderful to see so many young people um participating and folks uh watching from the sides. So a couple of updates related to um the health department. There is some exciting news.
The free skin skin cancer screening is coming back. The details will be released next week in the June health matters e newsletter. So you have to make sure that you visit the website um and click on this sign up for the health department updates to subscribe. I just
want to do a shout out this free skin cancer screening I have participated myself as well as family members. It's a tremendous value and something important that all of us need to do. So please uh sign up and and be aware of when that becomes available. Then the library is
rocking it with two amazing programs. One of them is on May the 28th from 7 to 8:30. It does require registration, but it is how to use today's AI tools to simplify life business um to to simplify life and business. It's projected for
adults and teens and children ages 12 and up. So, uh there is a presenter that's going to show how AI tools can help to simplify daily tasks, improve productivity, and bring a new level of efficiency to personal and professional endeavors. platforms presented will
include perplexity GBT anthropics plaude midjourney gen 3 runway sun AI etc. So, it's amazing. And if you don't know what those words are, maybe you should register and go, too. Also, um I did a shout out about the
repair cafe. It's coming back June the 6th. So, this was I think almost a soldout event the last time. It is require registration, but just as a reminder, it's June the 6 from 11 to 2. The repair cafe has many community
members who have tremendous talent and skill and they fix things. So for instance, I have a broken lamp and instead this weekend of it being tossed in the garbage, I was like, "No, wait. I want to make sure. Let's fix it." And so there are talented people to do that for
free. So bring your items. Uh they ask for two and um you can make a donation and come to find out that donation helps to give those amazing volunteers lunch. So, please um register for the repair cafe. It was a huge hit last time. And
last but not least, the Battle of Basking Ridge Soccer Village and viewing party. It's only 18 days away. The mayor and I are working very closely to arrange some exciting activities along with refreshments and entertainment
between the 3 to 6 time period, followed by the viewing party on the lawn of Oak Street School from 6:00 to 8:30. Sponsorship for the village and festival is still available up until Thursday. If you or your business are interested, please contact the clerk's office for more information. We're also still
looking for volunteers. And we also welcome local organizations to host watch parties. So check out our web page uh for more information on those. And um I do have one ask. We are looking to gauge the potential interest for those
that wish to come. So, there is an event bright link that we're going to ask folks to register. Um, and more information is going to launch about this tomorrow, but we're using this to help ensure preparations and planning. So, if you could please be so kind to uh
click the event right link. Um, and please know that updates are coming fast and furious and we will continue to use the web page um as well as social media for any updates. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jen. and Jen maybe I that we do have a World Cup page on our website
so folks can guys can go to that. So thanks again for all your work on this um 18 days. Deputy mayor >> um just a very quick update on uh the economic uh development um we've uh embarked on um committee member AC and
myself uh we had our last roundt discussion 10 days ago maybe and it was very well attended. Um, we got a lot of good feedback um from the uh local businesses. Um, you know, touching on
what Miss Ay said, we did get a lot of very positive feedback about um town employees. Um, we didn't hear um too many very negative uh comments about what the town is doing. Um, there's
certainly things they would like to see done or changed. Um, but no, nobody would say this is, you know, this has got to stop or blah blah. It was all very positive. So, I think that's a that's a great um uh a great testament to the town. Um, and to your crew, Pat,
well done. Um, and uh, as I said before earlier, one of the byproducts we're trying to get out of this is a uh, local uh, Burner Township business directory. Um, and uh, we are working on that. We're gathering names. Um, Jen is doing
yman's work. Um, putting it all into spreadsheet form. Um, but, uh, we her is getting there. So, um, thank you and, uh, that's all I have. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Well, I'm going to just echo quickly a couple of things that have already been mentioned.
Welcome, of course, to our new employees, uh, to Logan and to Roshini. Our charter day, it's all been shared. A huge thank you. It takes a village. Um, in particular our parks and wreck head, Jen Gander and her team and all the staff, DPW, PD, fire, EMT. Huge effort.
And as Jen said, it was a lot of fun with the FIFA Bus as well as the debut of our Burners Township historic characters. If you have not met them yet, it included Elias Buddha, Lord Sterling, Lady Sterling, Eliza Morton, daughter of the Rebel Banker, Widow
White, and General Charles Lee. And General Lee was famously captured in December of 1776 at Widow White's Tavern that existed right up around the corner from us across the street from what is now St. James Church. And there will be a reenactment of this capture in
December for our community. So there will be more on that. Uh this past week was National Emergency Medical Services Week and likewise our appreciation and thanks to the members of our Basking Ridge Fire Company EMS squad Atlantic Health and who provide day-to-day
life-saving services here in the township. And as uh Committeeman McN said, our Memorial Day and echoed by Jen, uh lots of thanks to our Bicing Ridge Fire Company number one for organizing the parade. It was wonderful that we held it even though there was a
bit of rain. uh just brings together people to honor those who've given their lives for our country. Um so we appreciate it as well acknowledging our first responders and volunteers who put their lives at risk every day in service to Bernard's Township. A reminder that
we have on June 13th as well, Flag Day at Ross Farm. The theme from revolution to reflection. Flag day at Ross Farm is a free family-friendly open house bringing together history, music, and community in one of our most meaningful historic settings. This event starts
before our village, so it's from 11:30 a.m. to 7 and includes two musical performances and a cooking contest. And moving forward, um, we have two residents who have being recognized by Somerset County tomorrow evening as
recipients of the 2026 Somerset County Historic Preservation and History Awards that recognize and honor outstanding efforts to preserve and interpret local history and heritage. Those recipients include Megan Lipson, who's a trustee of Farmstead Arts, and Bruce MacArthur,
who's a trustee at Ross Farm. So, congratulations to Me Megan and Bruce. um and they are also serving on the township's 250th anniversary committee. Along the line of recognition, as Pat shared, we have 24 township employees being recognized for years of service
from Dennis Butler who has achieved 30 years to 11 colleagues who have achieved five years. And we congre congratulate all of them on their anniversaries. And a special shout out to Dennis who, as Jen shared, spends a lot of time with us
reviewing his uh very intentional and thoroughly pro developed construction fees, the work of the department. So, we greatly appreciate his expertise and commitment to his profession. And then coming up, for those of you who feel the
need to stretch, I invite invite you to join me for yoga in the park tomorrow at 6 PM at Dunham Park. This is part of the mayor's wellness campaign. I look forward to seeing some of you there. And then lastly, early voting is now available May 26 through the 31st at the
community center and then Tuesday, June 2nd at your customary polling location. I encourage you to exercise your right and privilege to vote. That concludes our comments. Number 11, Christy, any fire and rescue appointments? >> None this evening. Mayor >> Christie, any unfinished business?
>> None this evening. >> That moves us to the consent agenda. The items listed within the consent agenda portion of the meeting have been referred to the township committee for reading and study. A copy posted on the website are considered routine and 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. Would any of my colleagues like an item removed from the consent agenda?
May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Christie, roll call, please. >> Miss Acy, >> yes. >> Mr. Hodes, >> yes. >> Mr. McN, >> yes. >> Mr. Tomkins, >> yes. >> Mayor Dwarte McCarthy, >> yes. >> Motion carried.
>> Thank you, Christie. Item B, >> ordinance 2598, an ordinance to amend the revised general ordinances of the township of Bernard's chapter 12, building and housing section 1-3 constru construction fee schedule. >> Mayor, I move that ordinance 2598 be
tabled until June 9th, 2026 to correct a typographical error in one of the fees. >> I second. >> Thank you, Christie. Roll call, please. >> Miss Acy, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Hodes. >> Yes. >> Mr. McN. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tommpkins.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Dwarte McCarthy. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you, Christie. Item C. >> Ordinance 2599, an ordinance of the Township of Bernards, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, amending, revising, and supplementing the code of the township
of Bernard's chapter 21 land development regarding uses permitted in the E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5 office zones. And this is introduction. Thank you. And I'll just prov provide some context on this. So, ordinance 2599 is being introduced this
evening to amend the land use code including defining critical IT electrical load and defining data centers and prohibiting their use in commercial zones. Data data processing centers are amended from permissible to reserved. Why are we doing this? Data
centers as industrial facilities are designed to store and process digital information. While they're not exactly top of mind, they are the backbone behind everyday online activity. From streaming movies to checking bank accounts, not all data centers are
alike. There are traditional cloud or storage facilities and newer highdensity centers designed for artificial intelligence and high performance computing. While data centers can bring significant economic development, including job creation, they also pose
distinct planning and environmental challenges. As an example, AI data centers may have a continuous demand for water. Furthermore, their dependence on continuous electricity and fossil fuel powered backup generators raises air and
noise pollution concerns. There are also considerations such as the ability of first responders and emergency services to serve largescale industrial facilities. This ordinance as written preserves ordinary bank server rooms and utility supervisory control and data
acquisition systems and control infrastructure. Exempts hospital and municipal IT rooms. Prevents an office building from claiming a very large server is merely accessory. Blocks colllocation operators from exploiting
vague accessory use language and gives our zoning officer objective standards. If this ordinance is approved at introduction, the planning board will review it for consistency with our master plan and we will then hold a public hearing on June 23rd and vote for
final adoption. In closing, we wish to prohibit the potential for data centers in our community. It's my belief that we are elected to do what we think is best for the community and make life better for our residents. This step is taken in that spirit. Any discussion?
May I have a motion? >> I move that ordinance 2599 be introduced on the first reading, referred to the planning board and as and advertised as required by law and scheduled for a public hearing on June 23rd, 2026.
>> I second. >> Christie, roll call, please. >> Miss Acy, >> yes. >> Mr. Hodgeges, >> yes. >> Mr. McN, >> yes. >> Mr. Tomkins, >> yes. Mayor Dwarte McCarthy. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you, Christie. Approval of
minutes. >> May 12th, 2026, open session minutes. >> May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Thank you. All right. That brings us to our second public comment. Comments are
welcome during the second public comment period of this meeting on whatever 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 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. To ensure an orderly and respectful meeting, speakers should avoid personal attacks, inflammatory language, or
derogatory remarks toward any individual or group. Each speaker is limited to 5 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 will ensure an orderly and
respectful meeting. I open public comment. Michael Fitzpatrick, 34 Fieldview Drive in Basking Ridge. Uh good evening everybody. Um I'm here in my capacity as a board member at the Kennedy Martinsdale Farmstead. Um the agenda
tonight you approved our resolution a resolution which allows us to apply for a grant from Somerset. Lot of exciting things going on there. Um revenue so we rely upon grants for um much of our work. So I just like again
thank all of you for your support of us. >> Thank you Mike. And I'll also share that uh this grant is was pretty comprehensive and it was also something that does help support the ongoing restoration of the farmstead. So we
appreciate so much because it's a volunteer effort from all the trustees to do the work and to bring it forward and continue to invest in the community. So thank you. Oh, come right up, sir. My name is Tom Lambert. I live at 123
Fieldstone Drive. >> Thank you. >> And I may be a bit off here. Had a notice about a week ago that they were resurfacing our street.
neighborhood got in an uproar because the neighborhood has never had Belgium block curbing and township and I may be wrong I don't have any information township apparently has some type of
block curbing on their um the this neighborhood was developed in 1960 and I said I may be in the wrong place or misunderstood had recently last year put in a new water line and
it's probably the responsibility of the American water company. >> That's correct. Yes. >> So, it's really wrong for the neighbors to believe intelligent block should have been included part of the paving work.
So, here's my question. How do we get uh how do we get approval for Belgium block installation on our street? Get it in next year's budget. >> I'll give some context. U general and I would because this gentleman came to me
and his wife Helen and we traded voicemails and um so I appreciate your uh followup. So we have in our town and my husband and I went to take a look at Fieldstone. I've lived in town 30 years and the first thing I did as a resident, I organized a petition on my street
because I wanted it paved. Came to town hall, learned all about our roadway and paving. So, generally we have about 115 uh town 115 township roads and then you add another 30 or 40 that are county, state, and it's about 73%
that have curving and the rest don't. And it's a hodgepodge. So there's Belgian on some, there's asphalt, there's concrete, there's an intermittent asfield and concrete. So generally our role is to replace and repair. Um we would not at this time we
consider everything but to replace a whole street would be about a $250,000 project because I did pursue looking into it. So, as you can imagine, u if we looked at all of our streets and considered changing all of them, it would be a multi-million dollar project.
That being said, uh any work that's done on your street is responsible of American water at this time differently. If there's holes and asphalt or concrete of the around where besides what they're done, we would replace and work on that. I think that because I had talked to our
engineering department as well. Uh but the interest of replacing a street based upon a look and feel, you can imagine with 150 streets here, it would be hard for us to consider that across the community. U so that's yeah.
>> So but it's not a dead issue. We can get if we get all the if we get all our neighbors to sign a petition it would we submit? >> Oh, you can always come here. >> Come here to you. >> Absolutely. continue to pursue. I don't
care about the other streets, >> blocks, and stuff like that. We have a very nice neighborhood and apparently a lot of neighbors >> want to have want to have a Belgium block curb in front of their home. I I don't blame them. Quite frankly, I already have a section because I live on
the corner, so I benefit. I only have maybe 200 feet of walk and I don't really care. And I'm really surprised because my neighbor said they're all going to show up tonight. Um but anyway, the first thing we'll do is we'll get together a petition, have all the
neighbors sign it, and then we'll come back and see you guys. >> Absolutely. And again, we have 115. >> I understand that. But >> I don't want to feel like I'm being shut down because there's other people that don't have
>> if a group of people have enough of an interest, I think, >> well, it's it's we do consider, but look across the capital. appropriations and the cost and so there are lots of projects in town that we would want to consider
>> uh to replace every sidewalk here would be a multi-million dollar so just take that into consideration >> I understand that okay thank you very much for your time >> thank you for being here >> thank you >> any other comment
>> that I close public comment all right Uh Christie, any executive session? >> None this evening. Mayor, >> may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I >> I thank you and good evening everyone.
>> So, it's got to be G-rated though, right?