Every spring, Bernards Township graduates a class of young people with plans, skills, and a lot of potential. Some are headed to college. Others are heading straight into work, and some of them are autistic adults who are ready for a job but may not know where to start or which employers are willing to give them a chance. Recent college graduates face a different version of the same question: how to turn a degree into a career without leaving town. A township can’t create job

Many of the people who built this township, raised families here, and volunteered for its schools and sports leagues are now in their seventies and eighties. Some want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Others want to downsize without leaving the community they know. Whichever they choose, the township should make both paths realistic. That means looking closely at the services we offer, how residents find out about them, and where people fall through the cracks. Sta

Drive through Basking Ridge or Liberty Corner on a weekday and you’ll see it: office buildings with half-empty parking lots and “For Lease” signs that have been up a long time. Every vacant suite is a loss for the landlord, for the businesses around it, and for the township’s tax base. It’s also an opportunity. Bernards Township has the households, the location, and the access to major highways that businesses look for. The question is how we make it easier for the right ones

Thinking about the threats of tomorrow! When residents think about local government, few responsibilities are more important than public safety. A safe community allows families to thrive, businesses to invest, children to grow up with confidence, and residents to enjoy the quality of life that makes Bernards Township such a desirable place to live. If elected to Township Committee, I believe supporting public safety must mean more than approving a budget each year. A Townshi

150 Allen Road, Basking Ridge August, 2026 A recent decision by the Superior Court of New Jersey regarding the proposed redevelopment of 150 Allen Road has generated understandable interest and concern among Bernards Township residents. The case involved Signature Acquisitions, L.L.C. and the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of Bernards, and it is important to understand what the court actually decided and, just as importantly, what it did not decide. What Was the

As Bernards Township residents consider the proposed Westgate development, one question deserves a straightforward answer: Will the property taxes generated by the development cover the cost of the public services it creates, particularly education costs? The Westgate fiscal impact model attempts to estimate that question using publicly available demographic and cost data. It is not a prediction, but rather an illustrative analysis designed to show the potential financial imp

For decades, New Jersey municipalities have wrestled with the challenges created by the state's affordable housing obligations under the Mt. Laurel doctrine. While few dispute the importance of providing housing opportunities for lower-income residents, many communities are increasingly concerned about the unintended consequences of the current system: large-scale developments, strained school districts, increased infrastructure costs, and significant changes to community cha

In 2024, Township Committeewoman Jennifer Asay began exploring the idea of joining the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council as a means to minimize the amount of affordable housing that the Township needed to build and protect our community. That suggestion was met with angry accusations, non-sensical arguments and general dismissal of the idea. But she is not wrong. So why, when Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy voted against this measure back in 2024 & 2025, is she now

August 31, 2026 Introduction In New Jersey's complex system of local government, Township Committee members serve as elected officials who wield substantial power over the daily lives of residents. These five-member committees (in most New Jersey townships) make decisions that directly shape community character, financial obligations, public safety, and educational quality. Understanding the significance of this role illuminates how local democracy functions and why engaged c

When it comes to voting, being informed is everything. I know how important it is to have easy access to voter information, especially here in Basking Ridge. Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned participant, knowing where to find reliable details about registration, polling places, and upcoming elections makes all the difference. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to stay on top of your voting game in Basking Ridge! Why Basking Ridge Voter Info Mat

As a point of introduction, my name is Kirsten Light and the purpose of this communication is to ask for your vote in the primary for Bernards Township Committee on June 2nd . I have lived in New Jersey my entire life, growing up in Berkeley Heights but calling Bernards Township my home since 2010. I live here with my husband, Frank, my daughter, Caeli (21) and my son, Jaxon (10). My daughter graduated from Ridge High School in 2022 and my son currently attends Liberty Co