Bernards Court and Meeting Room Prepares to Close for Overhaul

An amped-up electrical system that could charge residents' electronics during a power outage, an improved sound and visual system, and Wifi for the public are only some of the improvements being planned for the combined municipal courtroom and primary meeting room at the Bernards Township municipal building.

In order for the approximately $335,000 project to upgrade, modernize and expand the uses for the room and hallway outside, the room will be closed to be public starting around Labor Day, said Bernards Township Administrator Bruce McArthur.

Even at last week's Township Committee meeting, some of the old chairs bolted to the floor were being removed, and electricians had opened some sections of the wall to investigate wiring.

Technological improvements will be a large part of the upgrade, Bernards Township Administrator Bruce McArthur said on Monday.

But the project also will include the installation of new heating and overall ventilation for the room, along with stackable chairs and the arrival of tables.

That would allow the room to be transformed into a command center in the event of another prolonged power outages. Eventually, probably next year, an "accordion" type door is planned to allow part of the room to be separated during meetings or other potential uses for the room, McArthur said.

Although officials said at the meeting that the room would not be a shelter, it could serve as a "warming center," where residents also could plug in cell phones or other electrical devices if needed, according to descriptions offered by local officials.

All of those improvements, as well as the intended installation of a generator large enough to power the entire municipal building during the power outage, would be paid for by money already set aside, rather than being borrowed, McArthur and other municipal officials said previously.

McArthur said Monday the township still is waiting for specifications regarding the proposed generator. The $260,000 set aside for a generator also includes moving the old generator, which only partially functioned, to the township health department.

The state must approve any changes in an official courtroom, but McArthur said he doesn't expect any objections to the township's plans.

Municipal Court being moved temporarily to Bedminster

But during the fall months, and potentially into December, McArthur said that the municipal court will be relocated to Bedminster's court facilities. However, he said that Bernards Township's usual court hours will be changed from Tuesday to Monday, starting at 10 a.m., since Bedminster's court hours are held on Tuesday afternoon.

Township Committee meetings set for Sept. 10 and 24, and Oct. 15 and 29 are being moved to the Bernards Township Library, Township Clerk Denise Szabo already announced about a month ago. All of those meetings are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The Township Committee meetings are scheduled to be held in program room B in the library, located at 32 S. Maple Ave. in downtown Basking Ridge.

McArthur said on Monday that the Bernards Township Planning Board and Board of Adjustment also will relocate their meetings to the library in September and October.