Kristine McNamara

This document provides an update to Bernardsville's 2002 Open Space Plan, focusing on enhancing community engagement in open space and farmland preservation. The plan aims to review and revise the previous plan, incorporate new environmental data, identify and detail open space, trail, and farmland preservation project areas (greenways), and suggest ways to link protected open spaces within and outside Bernardsville. Key priorities include creating better connectivity through pedestrian-friendly roads and off-road trails, and providing accessible information about existing open spaces, with specific focus on the Mine Brook, Patriots' Path, and Little Brook & North Branch Greenways.

The 2017 Master Plan Reexamination for the Borough of Bernardsville critically assesses the existing Comprehensive Master Plan, adopted in 2000, and its subsequent amendments. It reaffirms core objectives such as preserving residential and open character, promoting commercial development, protecting natural resources, and enhancing community facilities. The reexamination identifies persistent challenges including traffic congestion, limited sewer capacity, and overbuilding, while also proposing specific recommendations for updating development regulations, addressing historic preservation, and improving downtown infrastructure and design standards to guide the community's future.

This document outlines an amendment to the Borough of Bernardsville's Master Plan Land Use Element, implementing changes recommended by the 2020 Master Plan Reexamination Report. Key objectives include promoting the downtown as a commercial and civic center, enhancing its physical characteristics through improvements in signage, facades, architecture, and streetscapes, creating a pedestrian-friendly environment, and ensuring sufficient parking. Additionally, it focuses on integrating affordable housing opportunities consistent with the Borough's 2018 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. The plan component details specific amendments regarding affordable housing sites and the restructuring of downtown commercial districts into new subdistricts.

The meeting included the swearing-in ceremony for Sergeant Christopher Luckenbach, scheduled for a later date. The council introduced and passed on first reading five ordinances concerning sewer connection fees and rates, kennel fees, council meeting procedures, exceeding municipal budget appropriation limits for 2026, and affordable housing set-asides, all scheduling public hearings for February 23, 2026. Resolutions addressed various administrative items, including authorizing bill payments, a shared service agreement for Styrofoam recycling, issuing bond anticipation notes, emergency temporary appropriations, contract renewals for IT maintenance, a change order for the Polo Grounds Walking Path, appointment of a Class III Special Police Officer, amending a professional services contract, setting kennel license fees, the 2026 Recycling Agreement, awarding a contract for pool management, granting complimentary pool memberships to volunteer first responders, authorizing the solicitation of bids, and awarding a contract for a police vehicle through a cooperative pricing council. The Mayor reported on community engagement activities, including attending events and meetings regarding resident communication software and data analytics platforms. The Administrator reported on snow removal efforts following a significant storm, noting challenges with snow banks along Route 202 and coordination with New Jersey American Water for removal. Discussions also occurred regarding council goals, specifically adjusting language related to downtown economic vitality, and the Board of Health did not meet due to weather.

The meeting included public comments regarding library events and a detailed pool update presentation covering registration figures, expenses, and attendance for 2025, with a recommendation to rehire Loeffler Pools Management, Inc. for 2026. Council consented in concept to granting complimentary pool access to volunteer first responders. The Council agreed to allow Rippled Waters Engineering LLC to apply for a dam removal grant and Millenium Strategies to file a local recreation grant application for the pavilion project, with resolutions forthcoming on later agendas. Discussions on the Polo Grounds Pavilion anticipated design proposals soon. A significant portion of the meeting involved a discussion regarding the potential establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID) to support downtown economic development, including weighing advantages against concerns about complexity and financial impact. Council also reviewed draft goals for 2026, covering topics such as the train station project, facility improvements, and sewer utility matters. New business included a suggestion to review the license plate reader system due to an increase in car thefts in the county. The meeting concluded with an executive session to consider personnel matters and attorney-client privilege.