Bernards Township approves recognitions, introduces fee and salary ordinances

The Bernards Township Committee on June 9 approved a series of ceremonial resolutions and moved two ordinances to public hearing.

Committee members unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-266 honoring St. James School's 60th anniversary and recognizing the school as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School that serves roughly 350 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Christie, the township clerk, read the resolution and the committee approved it without recorded opposition.

The committee also approved Resolution 2026-294, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States and formalizes a yearlong slate of local events tied to the township's colonial and Revolutionary War history. David Becker, chair of the township's anniversary committee, told the body the plan includes Charter Day, events at Ross Farm, a September program at the farmstead and a December program marking the historical capture of General Charles Lee.

In separate action, the committee passed three resolutions recognizing local Eagle Scouts'Shaun Griffin, Chase Lynch and Arya Parthabon'for projects that improved the Environmental Education Center, including boardwalk construction and restoration. The three scouts were invited to the dais and each spoke briefly to thank family and volunteers.

On policy items, the committee introduced Ordinance 2598 to amend the township's construction fee schedule and Ordinance 26000 to update the salary ordinance effective July 1, 2026. Officials said construction fees (for example, in-ground pool fees) were adjusted to reflect increased inspection needs and that some items are aligned with state-mandated fee requirements, including categories for fire extinguishers, exit signs and electrical work for solar and battery systems. The salary ordinance updates follow a municipal salary survey that used New Jersey League of Municipalities data and neighboring-town benchmarks. Both ordinances were scheduled for public hearing and further consideration on June 23, 2026.

Routine business included approval of the May 26, 2026 open-session minutes and the consent agenda, both approved by roll call. The committee closed the meeting after a brief second public-comment period.

Actions at a glance:
- Resolution 2026-266 (St. James School recognition): approved (unanimous).
- Resolution 2026-294 (Bernards Township 250th): approved (unanimous).
- Resolution 2026-295/297/298 (Eagle Scout commendations): approved (unanimous).
- Consent agenda: approved by roll call (Miss Acy, Mr. Hodes, Mr. McNally, Mr. Tomkins, Mayor Dwarte McCarthy voted affirmatively).
- Ordinance 2598 (construction fee schedule): introduced; public hearing set for June 23, 2026.
- Ordinance 26000 (salary ordinance): introduced; public hearing set for June 23, 2026.

The committee provided no dissent on the recorded items; several ceremonial resolutions and community recognitions reflected ongoing volunteer and historical programming in the township.