Fire and EMS in Bernards

A regular meeting. The agenda lists recognitions of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and First Responders Appreciation Month, the reappointment of the shared municipal court judge, a final change order reducing the 2025 Reivax road contract by $73,236.70, and a snow removal contract. The township had not posted minutes of this meeting as of Nov. 1, 2026.

The Committee adopted a filming permit ordinance (#2602), school-hours no-stopping rules on Peachtree and Woodstone Roads (#2606) and no-parking zones on Church Street near the Liberty Corner Firehouse (#2607), and accepted the $835,000.00 federal grant for the police communications upgrade, all 5-0. One person spoke.

With McNally absent, the Committee rejected the second round of bids for the 2026 road program, citing record diesel and asphalt prices, moved the Lake Road project's completion to November 10, 2026 at no added cost, and introduced the filming ordinance (#2602) and two traffic ordinances (#2606, #2607), all 4-0. One person spoke, on the Master Plan and the former Lord Stirling School property.

With Hodges absent, the Committee adopted Ordinances #2604 and #2605, accepting two riparian conservation easements, tabled the introduction of a filming ordinance (#2602) to September 29, and approved an opioid-settlement-funded agreement with Community in Crisis, Inc., all 4-0. Four people spoke, one about historic preservation of the former Lord Stirling School.

With McNally absent, the Committee adopted Ordinance #2603, a property maintenance ordinance for non-residential properties, 4-0 after a hearing at which five speakers supported it and one did not. It rejected all seven bids for the 2026 road program as over budget, ordered Motorola radios for the fire companies and emergency management (not to exceed $536,023.28) and met in closed session on Toll/Tavistock v. BTSA. Ten people spoke in all.

The Committee introduced Ordinance #2603, a property maintenance ordinance for non-residential properties, appointed seven Class III special officers for school security under agreements with the Board of Education and Saint James School, and awarded crossing guard services for 2026-2027 (not to exceed $201,000.00), all 5-0. Five people spoke.

The Committee continued the community-based deer management program for 2026-2027, approved change orders on the Renda Roads repair contract (+$79,952.87) and the 2025 Reivax road program (+$31,701.57), and bought Public Works trucks, hooklift equipment and a van totaling about $851,000, all 5-0. Five people spoke, all on the former Lord Stirling School property.

The Committee adopted capital Ordinance #2597, $6,250,380.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund for roads, drainage, fire and EMS equipment, radios, parks and police equipment, and easement Ordinance #2596. It urged state leaders to curb public employee health premium increases after a 36.25% State Health Benefits Plan rise, and made seven police appointments and promotions, all 5-0. Two people spoke.

After a public hearing with one speaker, the Committee adopted the 2026 municipal and golf utility budgets 5-0: $49,773,967.75 in appropriations and a municipal tax rate of $0.246. It authorized estimated third-quarter tax bills, adopted Ordinance #2595, and introduced capital Ordinance #2597 ($6,250,380.00) and easement Ordinance #2596. Four people spoke in all.

After a closed session on potential litigation over the Reivax road improvements contract, the Committee awarded Renda Roads up to $1,025,000.00 for road repairs, hired Boswell for MS4 stormwater mapping ($94,000.00), approved a Speed Sentry radar display loan from RideWise and two police vehicles, and introduced Ordinance #2595, all 4-0 with Asay absent. Two people spoke.

The Committee introduced the 2026 municipal budget ($49,773,967.75 in appropriations, $24,315,594.30 to be raised by taxes plus a $3,261,768.00 library levy) and the golf utility budget, 4-0 with McNally absent, and set the hearing for April 28. It also asked for $1,840,125.00 in federal funds for the Pleasant Valley Park culvert and paths, awarded a cricket pitch and accepted the 2025 LOSAP volunteer lists. Two people spoke.

The Committee recognized the Police Department's reaccreditation, adopted an Affirmative Marketing Plan for affordable housing required by the court's conditional compliance order, and introduced Ordinance #2593, which incorporates the state's Fourth Round housing rules into the land development ordinance, all 5-0. One person spoke, about snow on sidewalks.

With McNally absent, the Committee introduced Ordinance #2591, a wetlands easement on Rocky Lane, and #2592, the 2026 appropriation cap bank, approved a second change order on the 2025 road program and appointed three Pool Commission members, all 4-0. All three public speakers commented on Allen Road.

With Mayor Fields absent, the Committee bought Motorola radios for both fire companies (not to exceed $500,058.05) and police video and body cameras ($73,372.00), set the 2026 Pleasant Valley Pool fees, ratified a 2025-2029 Teamsters Local 469 contract, reappointed the Tax Collector with tenure and introduced Ordinance #2590, all 4-0. Five people spoke, two on Allen Road.