Municipal Budget, Ridge Traffic Solution, Christie Visit Top Local News

Bernards School and Twp. Officials Agree on Solution for Ridge Traffic

The Bernards Township Committee and Board of Education may be in relative agreement on a solution with the goal of improving traffic flow and safety on the Ridge High School campus. However, the choice of "option 9," constructing a new two-way driveway by the Bernards Township health department to divert bus and student traffic away from parents dropping off students, requires approval from Somerset County. It also raised objections from nearby neighbors, and some who are sceptical it will meet its goal.

Bernards Twp. Introduces 2013 Budget Asking $300K More in Total Taxes

The Bernards Township Committee on Tuesday adopted a $35.14 million municipal budget for 2013 that raises municipal taxes by 1.99 percent, under the 2 percent state cap on budget spending, according to township figures. The budget would add another $31 in municipal taxes onto an average township home assessed at $587,000 if given final approval following a scheduled May 14 public. Overall, since the Bernards Township Library's assessment dropped by about $40,000 from 2012, the proposed increase in the municipal tax levy would be slightly over 1.5 percent, according to township figures.

Christie: 'I Don't Think Teachers Are the Problem... Unions Are'

Gov. Chris Christie said there is an "extraordinary divide" between teachers and the unions that represent them during a stop Thursday at Raritan Valley Community College.

Bernards Teachers Contract Discussions Underway

Less than two years since the last contract was settled, contract talks already have started on the next three-year contract between the Bernards Board of Education and the Bernards Township Education Association, which covers the school district's teachers and related staff. Last time, negotiations took 18 months, and teachers worked for a full year under the terms of an expired contract.

New Jersey Monthly Features Sky Farm in Nudist Club Story

Bernards Township's low-key Sky Farm Nudist Club was profiled in New Jersey Monthly Magazine in a story on the state's nudist camps.

To Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, the 1,302 rifles, shotguns, handguns and assault weapons purchased over the course of the county's first gun buyback program last week was an "outstanding success."

How Much Has Sandy Cost Bernards?

The storm may be long past, but the bills for Hurricane Sandy have carried over into this year's municipal budget for some local towns, including Bernards Township. Post-Sandy, township officials also are planning this year to purchase a generator capable of keeping township operations going at the municipal building during power outages, and making the main meeting room into a potential "warming center."

Hundreds Attend Basking Ridge Fire Co.'s Pancake Breakfast

It seems like the Basking Ridge Fire Co.'s annual all-you-can pancake breakfast gets more popular every year — this year more than 450 hungry people showed up. Were you there?

Ridge Boys LAX Scores Comeback Win Over Hillsborough

The Ridge High School boys lacrosse team was trailing Hillsborough, but then came back to tally up a 10-5 win.