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Bernards Township committee honors Eagle Scout, proclaims May observances and approves routine business
Summary
The committee adopted three ceremonial resolutions including an Eagle Scout commendation, recognized Jewish American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, approved the consent agenda and minutes, tabled a construction-fee ordinance for correction and invited public comment on neighborhood curbing and a historic-farm grant.
Bernards Township’s committee met and adopted a series of ceremonial and routine measures, including a commendation for an Eagle Scout project, proclamations recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, approval of the consent agenda and minutes, and a tabling of a fee-schedule ordinance for a typographical correction.
Mayor Dorothy McCarthy read a resolution honoring Ian Shepherd for earning the rank of Eagle Scout and for building a mile-long orienteering course at Pleasant Valley Park. “Your project of creating an orienteering course in Pleasant Valley Park is impressive,” McCarthy said as the committee unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-246 and invited Shepherd to make brief remarks.
The committee adopted Resolution 2026-267 recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month; Rabbi Mendel Shemtov thanked the committee and highlighted the long history of the Jewish community in the township. The committee also adopted Resolution 2026-269 designating Bernards Township a stigma-free community for Mental Health Awareness Month; Caitlin Cartocchio of the township health department thanked the committee and credited partnerships with schools, parks and other local agencies for program delivery. “We’re able to do these programs because of the support of the township committee,” Cartocchio said.
On the consent calendar, the committee approved routine items and accepted minutes from the May 12, 2026 open session. The committee moved to table Ordinance 2598 (a construction-fee schedule amendment) until 06/09/2026 to correct a typographical error.
During the public-comment period, Michael Fitzpatrick, a Kennedy-Martinsdale Farmstead trustee, thanked the committee for approving a grant application to support ongoing restoration. Tom Lambert raised concerns about recently resurfaced streets and asked how neighbors might request Belgian block curbing; the mayor explained the petition process and noted that extensive street replacements would be a multimillion-dollar program and that American Water Company responsibilities may apply to recent work.
The meeting adjourned after finishing the agenda; several recipients and presenters were invited to come forward for photo recognition after resolutions were adopted.
