Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bernards Township officials and properties provide an example of reduced-use pesticides and herbicides.
With Bernards Township properties now eliminating or avoiding use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for several years now, the municipality is available as an example of ways individual homeowners and multi-family homeowner associations can move away from lawn pesticides. That was the message when representatives of some of those homeowner associations met this month with some Bernards Township officials to look for advice on how to begin an "integrated pest management" program. "You have people who want to be pesticide free for health reasons, and for their kids and pets," Bernards Township Committeeman John Malay said at a roundtable discussion held at the town hall at 1 Collyer Lane, which has a pesticide-free lawn. "And then you …
But attorney advises township to wait for state's next move before answering letter suggesting possible seizure of affordable housing funds.
As in other municipalities around the state, Bernards Township officials reacted negatively when receiving a recent letter from the state Council on Affordable Housing asking that money in a specially dedicated fund for affordable housing be turned over to the state because it hadn't been spent or specifically budgeted so far. But Township Administrator Bruce McArthur, discussing the matter with members of the Township Committee on Tuesday, insisted that about $538,000 being eyed by COAH already is earmarked as a contribution for group homes for developmentally disabled adults. McArthur also said that about $1 million from an affordable housing fund — set up under state guidelines several years ago to require local developers to set aside …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Spending plan will raise this year's municipal portion of the property tax bill by an average of $35.
With no comment from residents, the Bernards Township Committee on Tuesday night gave final approval to the $35.14-million municipal budget for 2013 that will raise taxes by $35.26 this year on an average township home assessed at $587,553.65. Mayor Carolyn Gaziano said that some residents will experience no tax increase this year since overall assessments for township properties still are down from what the valuation of local homes was a few years ago. Officials said that municipal taxes in Bernards Township have risen by about 5 percent since the mid-2000s, a period during which other New Jersey towns increased by about 50 percent. Township CFO Terri Johnson noted at a previous meeting that the actual impact on a particular township home…
Monday, May 13, 2013
No changes in proposed budget from previous discussions about 2013 Bernards Twp. municipal spending plan.
The proposed $35.14-million municipal budget for 2013 is due to be presented unchanged at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting and, if given final approval, would raise taxes by $35.26 this year on an average township home assessed at $587,553.65. Township CFO Terri Johnson noted at a previous meeting that the actual impact on a particular township home will differ depending on how the assessment for that property has varied through the years. That can depend on what improvements were made to individual homes and other variables such as location, with The Hills holding its value, she noted. The $35 increase includes financing for the Bernards Township Library and the municipal open space tax, Johnson said. Assessments up from 2012, but …
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Township Committee candidates to be listed on primary ballot, but no contest until November's general election.
This Tuesday, May 14, is the last day to register to vote in the Primary Election to select party candidates, to be held June 4. The Somerset County offices on Grove Street will have extended hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday for anyone still looking to register. There will be no local race in this year’s primary, with one Democrat and one Republican each seeking the one-three year seat on the Bernards Township Committee that is being vacated by Republican Scott Spitzer, who is not seeking re-election. For the Democrats, candidate David Ferdinand, who ran last year but was not elected to the all-Republican Township Committee, again is seeking his party's nomination to be listed on the ballot this November. For the Republicans, …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
This year's Charter Day again due to welcome thousands of residents and visitors for an all-day celebration.
It's the day that's the favorite local event of so many Bernards Township residents. Charter Day is once again expected to draw thousands of teens and adults who expect to meet friends there, local musicians, artists performers who want to display their talents and kids looking for hours of fun — including those students at Oak Street Elementary School must longingly watch rides and attractions being put up on their schoolyard the day before. This year Bernards Township’s 253rd anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday, May 18. Charter Day, which will fill all of downtown Basking Ridge, is due to begin at 11 a.m. with foods, entertainment and exhibits and last through 10 p.m. with dancing in the street. Charter Day again will feature a …
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Governor chides reporters for obsessing about 'silly,' 'shallow' subject, says he is not a role model
Gov. Chris Christie reluctantly fielded reporters’ questions Tuesday about his February Lap-Band surgery, but said he would not be providing the public with any news as he heads towards his weight-loss goal, which he pointedly refused to disclose. "This is it. You ask me any more questions about this, I’m not answering,” Christie said during a groundbreaking ceremony at a Newark vocational high school. "I’m not going to be giving you all updates as this goes along. ... I’m not giving people a day-by-day, week-by-week, blow by blow," he said, adding, "I don’t care to be a role model for anyone. This is an intensely personal issue." The governor told the New York Post Monday night he’d had Lap-Band surgery in February because of concerns …
Governor tells New York Post that Lap-Band procedure was done at the urging of his family. An NYU doctor made house calls to Christie's Mendham home to not draw attention to the surgery.
Gov. Chris Christie underwent stomach-shrinking Lap-Band surgery in February, he confirmed to the New York Post on Monday night while refuting speculation that he was slimming down for a White House run in 2016. Christie quietly had the Lap-Band — or laparoscopic adjustable gastric binding —procedure done in a New York hospital, telling the paper that he agreed to the surgery at the urging of his family after turning 50 in September. Sean Conner, a spokesperson for Christie, confirmed the story to Patch Tuesday. The governor insisted that the Lap-Band was not inserted to help him lose weight in the run-up to 2016. "I know it sounds crazy to say that running for president is minor, but in the grand scheme of things, it was looking at Mary …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance addresses banking reform, immigration at Warren town hall meeting.
U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, who now represents Bernards Township as part of the 7th district, worked to boost his reputation as a fiscal conservative in Congress during a town hall meeting in Warren Wednesday, with about 50 residents on hand. In response to questions from residents, Rep. Lance said he still opposes the Federal Reserve Bank's quantitative easing program. He added he still believes the biggest impediment to economic growth is the malaise of uncertainty hanging over the nation. "Seven of 10 jobs that will be created in this country will be created by small business—and small business is waiting on the sidelines in so many ways because it does not know what is going to happen with regard to tax policy and it does not know what's …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The $1.2 million ad buy shows road to New Jerseyans' optimism in their state.
In Gov. Chris Christie's first television ad of his 2013 re-election campaign, the governor's leadership style is credited for renewing New Jersey residents' pride in their state after years of overtaxation and too much government spending. "Jersey Proud" shows how bipartisan reforms have helped "to strengthen New Jersey's future," according to the Christie campaign.
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11:51 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
I would love if Spring Ridge would follow this ordinance. The use of these pesticides and herbicides is so prevalent and is so dangerous for everyone,especially the young children out playing on the grass. The water is effected and look up where our water comes from in Basking Ridge, you would be quite surprised. I still can't figure out what is wrong with dandelions?????? more ›