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Bernards Township Planning Board authorizes chair to seek engineering proposals after UTRS change
Summary
After a closed executive session on Oct. 21, the planning board authorized the chair to either issue an RFP or negotiate directly with engineering firms to replace or supplement UTRS services following staff turnover at the boardengineer firm.
Following the parking-report discussion on Oct. 21, 2025, the Bernards Township Planning Board held a closed executive session to discuss professional appointments. Board members reported concern that their contract engineer, Bryce Hood, left UTRS and that the board needed a plan to ensure continuity for engineering services before year-end.
After the closed session the board returned to open session and voted to authorize the chair to pursue one of two options: issue a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from engineering firms, or directly enter negotiations with prospective firms for professional services as allowed by the professional-services exemption to public bidding. Members said the authorization was intended to avoid a gap in engineering support given the board's limited meeting schedule through the end of the year.
The motion to give the chair that authority carried on a roll-call vote. Board members also noted administrative items during the meeting, including cancellation of the Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 meetings and scheduling the next regular meeting for Dec. 2, 2025.
What this means: The board has formal authority to begin securing engineering services promptly; the authorization does not obligate the board to any contract but allows the chair to negotiate or begin an RFP process so the board has professional coverage when it next meets.
