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Let’s face it: Governance by consensus is no easy feat.

In fact, it’s akin to cat-herding, thanks very often to diverse communities where everybody, it seems, has their way of doing things. And that’s because everyone is supposed to have their unique ways of thinking, and living, like they do.

Ah, but people need to come together in a community to make it as viable as it is successful – and likeable. That includes Bedminster Township, where the governing body has, for decades now, had to not just round up the cats, but meet their needs and keep everyone as happy as possible.

It’s particularly challenging in a township like Bedminster, which over the years has seen many, many changes in its make-up – in particular, the addition of The Hills, itself a microcosm of communities comprised of many races and cultural colors – which, by the way, we love.

But being diverse does not mean no one shares goals. In a community, those include reasonable taxes for excellent services as well as a safe place to live. Both have been challenges over the years, but of late the five-member, now all-Republican dais has met those challenges.

By the way, those challenges are exacerbated by steady increases in the cost of living, e.g. fixed cost increases like salaries and health care for municipal employees, but also challenges at a time when certain people think it’s a great idea to cruise major interstates, like Routes 78 and 287, enter a community and light finger everything from vehicles to personal possessions.

Well, Township Committee members Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski are doing something about everything. Dais veterans, they have for several years now worked to maintain and improve services and offerings to residents. From the farmer’s market to a multi-town safety committee to keeping a leg on utility providers like Jersey Central Power & Light, they are doing what they can – and then some – to ensure residents stay put.

Yes, we like Democratic challenger Julia O’Brien too, be assured. But we think the Township Committee is in no need of change for now. The committee/cowboy cat herders all deserve kudos.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, re-elect Bedminster Township Committee members Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

BEDMINSTER TWP. – Juggling costs with quality of life, cutting crime and remedying those pesky power outages are among top concerns of Republicans and Democrats seeking to fill two, three-year expiring terms on the now all-GOP five-member Township Committee.

Republican incumbents Lawrence Jacobs of Hillside Avenue and Renee Mareski of Crestmont Road are being challenged by Democrats Julia O’Brien of Stevens Court and Lawrence McShane of Wendover Court.

Jacobs, a resident of Hillside Avenue, was first elected in 2012 and is seeking a fifth term. He is serving as mayor, a position decided each year by the governing body itself. Mareski, who is seeking her third term on the committee, resides on Crestmont Road.

Candidates, with the exception of McShane responded to a set of questions provided by The Bernardsville News. Their answers follow and are listed in alphabetical order according to the candidate’s last name.

Larry Jacobs

Jacobs said he is seeking re-election to continue addressing numerous issues, like providing excellent service and quality of life without cutting costs in an economically challenged environment. 

“When I first joined the Township Committee, I made a commitment to identify the short term and long-term challenges that Bedminster was facing and to put Bedminster in the best situation to address the challenges,” he said.

In the 12 years he’s sat on the committee, he said, “we’ve implemented programs to bolster our commercial properties, address affordable housing requirements, and confront security issues. I believe that the Township Committee has placed Bedminster far ahead of many other municipalities in identifying and addressing these concerns, and at the same time, keeping Bedminster’s taxes low.”

According to Jacobs, the county tax board identified Bedminster “as having the lowest tax rate in the entire county. While I was certainly pleased to see that we have the lowest taxes, I was more pleased to realize that we have done so without compromising any services to our residents,” he said. Those services include two officers to the police department, “excellent recreation opportunities,” and expanding farmland preservation, he said.

“We are not engaged in a race to austerity,” he said. “We do not keep taxes low merely for the sake of claiming low taxes.”

Jacobs also spoke as to how the committee examined ways to jump-start the local economy through re-zoning what was once a large ratable – the former AT&T complex off of Route 202.

“Nearly seven years ago, (then) Mayor Steve Parker and I engaged with the ownership of the AT&T campus. We recognized that property – our largest commercial ratable, as well as many other commercial properties in Bedminster were susceptible to corporate downsizing, and we wanted to be prepared for all possibilities,” he said.

“Over the next few years, I initiated planning studies to assess alternatives to keep our commercial properties viable. During this time, the evolution of commercial real estate was dramatically impacted by COVID – office space was deprioritized as ‘work from home’ became normalized, and the large single-user corporate campus had become a dinosaur facing an inevitable extinction. Bedminster needed to change our approach and we did.”

Those changes, he said, included re-zoning the campus “specifically to encourage high-tech and life sciences uses; this rezoning reflects the federal and state emphasis on on-shoring of these industries and takes advantage of the built-in expertise of the Somerset County workforce. The property is now known as the Bedminster Technology Center and is actively being marketed as a multi-use high-tech campus.”

He also brokered a deal in which AT&T stayed in the township, moving to another campus on Route 206.  “A once-empty parking lot is now full with AT&T employees,” he said.

Furthermore, the township also rezoned “to accommodate the changing office market – retail and other complementary uses can now be co-located at office properties. This rezoning resulted in Freshpet relocating its corporate headquarters from Secaucus to Bedminster.”

Jacobs has also played a leading role in keeping the township safe from the rash of car and home break ins and thefts that have pervaded the Somerset Hills, resulting in the multi-town Somerset Hills Public Safety Committee consisting of Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Bridgewater “as a forum to share best practices on issues such as communication, preparedness and security for our residents.

“All six municipalities adopted an ordinance to provide for municipal prosecution for unauthorized entry and attempts to steal vehicles. We added two police officers and we recently authorized the purchase of five automatic license plate readers. Bedminster has had less incidents than our neighbors but that should not detract from our commitment to vigilance and support of our police.”

“One of my first appointments as mayor was to create a utilities liaison and assigning Committeeman Colin Hickey to that role,” he said.

“During COVID, the inadequacy of internet connectivity in many of our neighborhoods was exposed. Work from home, school from home, and entertainment from home imposed greater demands than could be satisfied with the old co-axial service – frustration mounted against Altice,” he said.

A public forum, he said, led to that carrier not only increasing service but committing to replace its co-axial service with high-speed fiber optics.

Utility problems, however, continue, as the township tries to get Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to upgrade electrical services. As a result of many information sessions, “we have secured commitments on upgrades from JCP&L, many of which will be implemented over the next several months.”

However, he said, “JCP&L’s service will remain a challenge for Bedminster and will require leadership and resolve to see that those commitments are implemented.”

Another challenge that remains is one of affordable housing as the township continues to maintain its “town and country” character.

“Developers across New Jersey are looking for any opportunity to squeeze additional residential development into our town and will use affordable housing as the means to do so, and despite the promises made by Trenton, the new legislation provides multiple opportunities for builders to sue municipalities,” he said.

“Bedminster needs to take a careful approach to assessing the obligation as calculated by the Department of Community Affairs and being creative in implementing an affordable housing solution that does not overwhelm our community. This requires strong, knowledgeable and creative leadership.

“I hope to be elected one more time to see these initiatives fulfilled and keeping Bedminster ahead.”

Jacobs is in his 11th year on the committee and is its senior member in length of service. His day job is that of an environmental attorney.

Renee Mareski

Mareski said she is seeking re-election “to keep Bedminster Township both economically and environmentally healthy. Having served for 10 years on my Crestmont Homeowner Association board and 12 years the Bedminster Township Environmental Committee, I believe I have developed the skills needed to do this job.”

Mareski specifically is proud of three accomplishments while on the dais. One is holding down costs when it comes to the budget. 

“I use my budgeting skills to keep spending as efficient as possible,” she said. “And in a world of ever-increasing taxes and prices, by reviewing and scrutinizing every line of the town budget, we are able to keep our residents’ taxes low.

“This year was my sixth year working on the budget. It was the most challenging as we had many capital requests to review and prioritize. These requests included two new fire trucks, a new roof on the municipal building and emergency response radios.”

Close scrutiny of the budget, however, led to the ability to hire two new police officers. 

“This is a major addition to the safety of our township in light of the car thefts that have hit our area,” she said. “Additionally, we are prioritizing community policing, this funding allows our officers to spend more time interacting directly with our residents in our neighborhoods and township events.”

Mareski also takes pride in keeping the township green and sustainable. “As a past member, past chairman, and now liaison to the Bedminster Environmental Commission, I have worked to keep our township clean and green,” she said.

“Our educational programs, stream cleanup, Farmers Market, and the clean-up of the Bedminster Pond are all examples of how we can keep our environment and our residents healthy.”

As far as challenges go, Mareski, like Jacbos, sees the need for better JCP&L service.

“While we really have no ability to force them to do anything, we are acting as a very loud squeaky wheel,” she said.

“Bedminster Township is constantly in contact with JCP&L, we host programs at Town Hall so residents can make themselves heard, and we assist where we can for our residents.”

As an example Mareski cites a time when JCP&L told one homeowner’s association that members had to play to replace equipment in one building.

That turned out to be untrue, she said. According to Mareski, the committee “did some research and found that actually JCP&L was responsible for them, saving the residents thousands of dollars.

“As we maintain the pressure on JCP&L, they have begun a new project to upgrade our aging equipment. We await approvals on future projects to be funded but I will continue to keep the squeaky wheel turning so JCP&L knows we are watching out for our residents.”

Another challenge Mareski sees is “keeping a balance between controlled growth in our community and the maintenance of open land or green spaces.

“As new projects come before the Township Committee, I am always looking to make sure that there is appropriate open space and beneficial landscaping. It is important to keep our economy healthy and growing but it is just as important for our residents to keep the bucolic atmosphere of Bedminster intact.”

Mareski is also aware of the need to bind the diverse community.

“Bedminster is unique in that the town is split into many sections. We do not have a town center,” she said.

“We have the Hills that is separated from the larger single family properties. We have several major highways that bisect the area. So, I have worked on several strategies to help bring our neighbors together, including the Farmers Market, the Jacobus Vanderveer house, the Center for Contemporary Art (CCA), and the Hike and Bike trail. These entities are major gems in our town’s basket of jewels but they are easy to miss when residents have become isolated due to the aforementioned issues.

“I enjoy working at the Farmers Market and supporting the programming of the Vanderveer House and CCA. In my role as the Hills liaison, I push out the programming using social media and direct outreach to all our residents.”

Mareski has lived in the Hills for more than 20 years, beginning in Parkside and now in the Crestmont section, where he is a member of the homeowner’s association’s governing body. She chairs the township’s Environmental Committee. She is a graduate of St. Laurence University and has a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Kentucky.

Julia O’Brien

O’Brien said currently, “the biggest issue facing Bedminster residents is the number of power outages and other related issues with JCP&L. 

“The current Committee has worked closely with the utility for years, but we’ve had two outages in the past week alone.  Bedminster is a small town with limited ability to pressure the utility. But in New Jersey, we have the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and the current administration has not leveraged that to our advantage.

“My first priority if elected would be to build relationships with BPU. I believe JCP&L has under-invested in infrastructure and maintenance for a long time, and BPU can put pressure on them to make corrections. 

“Having lived elsewhere in New Jersey for many years, where other power companies supply electricity, I can say that the current state of our power is not normal.”

O’Brien retired in 2023 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where she was the Region 2 Geospatial Coordinator, responsible for data analysis of both natural and manmade threats and disasters.

Prior to joining FEMA, she consulted in the fields of public safety, community planning, and environmental analysis. She also served as a consultant on projects for Environmental Impact Statements and environmental analysis, and studies for community planning projects chiefly in New York and New Jersey.

O’Brien has lived in Bedminster since 2021, having lived in Union and Hudson counties for the previous 33 years. She chaired the Bedminster Democratic Committee since November 2023.

and has been a lifetime volunteer and activist for women’s rights, environmental responsibility, and community organizations wherever she has lived.

As a volunteer, she served two years as president of Business and Professional Women New Jersey. She has been Chair of Deacons and several other committees over her 35-year membership at Christ Church in Summit, and currently serves as a leader of the Reproductive Rights group at that church.

She is a mother of one son and a grandmother to 7-year-old twins.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: This year, the residents of Bedminster Township are fortunate to be able to vote for the re-election of Renee Mareski and Larry Jacobs to the Bedminster Township Committee.

While much has been conveyed about the distinguished record of our present Mayor Larry Jacobs, I would like to recount the similarly impressive credentials and accomplishments of Renee Mareski. What a great team!

Knowing Renee for many years, I have witnessed her commitment to community service. Throughout a wide variety of volunteer positions, she has consistently shown herself to be kind, authentic and full of integrity. Renee’s desire to help others combined with her love of horses led her to become a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. For 22 years, Renee devoted her Saturday mornings to delivering adaptive equine-assisted services therapy to people with disabilities.

As a one-time president of the Crestmont HomeOwners Association and past member of the Hills Village Master Association board, Renee built connections and represented her own and her neighbors’ interests with compassion and resolve. In her present role, she continues to be a strong advocate for Hills residents in matters that come before the Bedminster Township Committee.

During her first two terms on the committee, Renee advanced multiple successful municipal programs. As liaison to the Bedminster Environmental Commission, Renee supported the group’s successful efforts to clean up Bedminster Pond and launch and sustain a thriving Farmers Market. Now, Renee is behind the active pursuit of a Community Garden, which will enable Hills residents to have the space to grow their own produce to feed their families.

Within the broader scope of the Township Committee, Renee’s balanced approach has contributed to a sound budget that enables Bedminster Township to maintain stellar municipal services and keep our taxes low. Thoughtful decision-making has enabled Renee Mareski, Mayor Larry Jacobs and their colleagues on the Bedminster Township Committee to amass a long list of successes including adding two police officers, addressing affordable housing requirements and adopting a new ordinance to combat the recent spike in car thefts.

Prompted by the changing corporate real estate environment, the committee proactively rezoned commercial properties to accommodate controlled growth and preserve Bedminster’s country charm in harmony with the Bedminster Master Plan.

A proven, productive and worthy steward of Bedminster, Renee will continue her countless efforts to champion municipal services that benefit all residents.

If you are grateful for the high quality of life you enjoy in Bedminster, I encourage you to re-elect Renee Mareski and Larry Jacobs to the Bedminster Township Committee.

DEBBIE TAGLIERI

Wendover Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Nearly six years ago, the Bedminster Township Committee selected Larry Jacobs to serve as mayor.

One of his first initiatives was to create a farmers market to promote local agriculture. Mayor Jacobs, new Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski and the rest of the committee, valuing our rural character, wished to preserve open space by promoting the viability of local farms.

Profitable farms are an incentive to landowners to resist the lure of development. Rather than spend tax dollars securing open space deed restrictions, the farmers market aimed to highlight local growers and incent productive use of the land.

But something unexpected happened when Mayor Jacobs created the Bedminster Farmers Market. Not only did it become wildly popular, with over 1,000 visitors stopping by every week, it also became a social space. The market was suddenly the place to be every Saturday morning, a spot where you could share a cup of coffee with your neighbor while enjoying the fruits of our local agriculture.

During COVID-19, the outdoor market was one of the few places we could gather with our family and friends in person. Post-pandemic, the market is more popular than ever, serving as a place to catch up on children, tell stories and even walk our dogs.

Bedminster does not have a traditional town center, but the Bedminster Farmers Market has become our unofficial community square. With the creation of the Bedminster Farmers Market, Mayor Larry Jacobs, Renee Mareski and the Township Committee gave Bedminster a newfound town center and sense of community.

“Keeping Bedminster a Step Ahead” is not just a campaign slogan, it is the primary mission for our elected officials in all aspects of local governance. By always focusing on low taxes, a high quality of life and fostering a greater sense of community, Mayor Larry Jacobs and Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski have earned my vote, and I hope yours as well.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, let us re-elect both these leaders so they can continue to keep Bedminster a beautiful place to live and a bucolic destination to visit.

STEVE PARKER

Airport Road
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Bedminster Mayor Larry Jacobs and Committeewoman Renee Mareski, throughout their tenures on the Township Committee, have been confident and responsive leaders for the township.

They encourage and deliver opportunities for active community engagement and make certain that suggestions from community members are heard and that local issues move toward resolution.

In the midst of ongoing power grid failures in the community, Jacobs, Mareski and the Township Committee have obliged reps from the power company to appear at several public meetings to explore what can be done to improve service availability and reduce restoration times.

The latest opportunity for amplified public input was on Sept. 16. As has been the case each time Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) was included on the Township Committee Meeting agenda, this meeting was well-advertised and drew a large number of residents, who were encouraged to ask questions, voice opinions and enter into the public record the personal impact of the frequent outages.

Similarly, many in the community have experienced poor internet service, and the Township Committee again worked with reps from the internet providers and local homeowners associations for a new cable provider fiber network, which is now in the process of being built out at no cost to subscribers.

Over the last five years, at least three condo fires have devastated local residents – February 2021 in Village Green, November (Thanksgiving) 2021 in Four Oaks and the recent April 2024 fire in Crestmont Highlands.

Without hesitation, Jacobs, Mareski, and the Township Committee jumped right in to spearhead recovery efforts for all displaced residents, including working with the fire companies for quick responses, setting up collections and donations and simplifying permitting and reconstruction processes for rebuilding damaged units.

During the COVID-19 pandemic as well, Jacobs, Mareski and the Township Committee guided the community through crazy and unprecedented times – providing continuous updates, virtual meetings and donations for out-of-work families.

More recently, Mayor Jacobs has connected with mayors of neighboring towns to address increasing car thefts, burglaries and crimes in the community and has worked with the Township Committee to increase police surveillance and enact added penalties for these crimes to discourage them in Bedminster.

The consensus and cooperation that Jacobs has built among Bedminster and neighboring towns has led to investment in ALPRs (automatic license plate readers) that have already thwarted auto theft and burglary attempts.

Jacobs and Mareski have spent the better part of 20 years on volunteer boards within the Township. This is evident in their leadership.

Jacobs formerly lived in The Hills, and Mareski still does. In supporting the interests of Bedminster Township as a whole, they always take into consideration the unique needs of The Hills communities.

While there are many more aspects of advocacy and governance that I can add to this stellar list of accomplishments and initiatives, I will close with this reminder. Bedminster delivers great services to residents – all this and continued affordable property taxes under the leadership of Jacobs, Mareski and the Bedminster Township Committee.

This is a no-brainer. I encourage all to continue to support Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski in re-election for Bedminster Township Committee.

JEFFREY S. LEONARD

Wescott Road
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: It’s been a busy few years on the Bedminster Township Land Use Board. As the chair for the past eight years, I’ve presided over a wide range of land use hearings.

The lens my board has consistently applied when reviewing applications is whether the proposed use supports the objectives of Bedminster’s Master Plan. While that plan has always been consistent in its objectives, the way we achieve them has changed in response to the dynamics of the times.

I am proud to say that Mayor Larry Jacobs has been the catalyst behind our ability to anticipate and address the needs of an ever-changing real-estate market. The result has been improvements that have benefited our residents and businesses alike.

For example, several years ago Mayor Jacobs identified the need to provide relief for homeowners looking to make improvements to their properties.

Many were prevented from investing in their own homes due to dated land use policies that prohibited the addition of amenities like a pool or a patio. Without the ability to do so, families were leaving for neighboring communities, and home values were depressed.

By adopting some commonsense revisions, we turned the tide while still maintaining the look and feel that makes Bedminster unique.

When AT&T’s lease on its Bedminster campus looked to be coming to an end, Mayor Jacobs sprang into action. His objective was twofold – keep AT&T in town, and make sure the former AT&T headquarters site didn’t go the way of the dinosaur.

Not only did he ensure that AT&T continue to call Bedminster home, he also helped relocate them to the former Mallinckrodt campus, which itself had been vacated following the pharmaceutical company’s bankruptcy. Talk about a brilliant bit of land use strategy!

At the same time, recognizing the emergence of life sciences, he championed the rezoning of the former AT&T campus to include research, development and laboratory uses, in addition to office space.

As a result, the property is now being marketed by its owner as a highly desirable location for businesses engaged in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. A location situated at the crossroad of Routes 78 and 287 puts Bedminster at the intersection of great companies and high-paying jobs.

Speaking of great companies, we’ve got a new one in town, thanks again to our forward-looking mayor. Last year, Freshpet, the premier manufacturer of fresh pet food, was looking for a new location for its corporate headquarters.

Without hesitation, Mayor Jacobs knew that Bedminster was the perfect fit for Freshpet, which highlights people, pets and the planet as its corporate mission.

With the full support of the Land Use Board, he worked with the company and a local property owner to make this vision a reality. Today, as you drive North on 206, you’ll see construction underway on Freshpet’s beautiful addition to Bedminster’s business corridor, slated to open by mid-2025.

Recognizing that Pluckemin’s downtown business district needed a “good kick in the pants,” Mayor Jacobs convened local business and property owners, along with state and county resources, to identify areas for improvement. Pedestrian access, parking, signage and safety were all cited as key objectives, and the mayor has made it his personal mission to effect the necessary changes.  Once again, I suspect my land use calendar is about to get busy as a result.

Why does this all matter and why should you care? Well, as former Mayor Steve Parker used to say, you can think of local taxes as a pie divided between residents and businesses.

Too few businesses mean more of the tax burden placed on our residents.

Conversely, too many businesses, while decreasing the tax burden, would dramatically lessen the desirability of our local community and drive residents away. 

Maintaining the right balance helps us achieve the objectives of the aforementioned Master Plan, and executing against that plan is significantly advanced by the wisdom, guidance and experience of our chief executive, Mayor Larry Jacobs.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, I plan on voting for the candidates who consistently work to keep Bedminster a step ahead, making our small town a great place to live.  

Please join me in re-electing Mayor Larry Jacobs, along with his running mate Committeewoman Renee Mareski, to the Bedminster Township Committee.

CAROL GUTTSCHALL

Chair
Land Use Board
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: It’s early October, but the Democrat candidates for Bedminster Township Committee have already gone negative.

With nothing constructive to offer, they’ve chosen a well-worn path that many federal and state political races invariably and unfortunately devolve into. I suspect Bedminster voters know better, and regardless of their political affiliation, prefer actual performance over performance art.

Their latest campaign literature attacks the incumbent Republicans, Mayor Larry Jacobs and Committeewoman Renee Mareski, for Bedminster’s power problems and encourages voters to elect leaders “willing to stand up to JCP&L (Jersey Central Power & Light).”

Interestingly enough, at our Township Committee meeting on Sept. 16, we hosted JCP&L for a detailed review and Q&A session. While the committee and residents peppered the utility with comments and questions for over two hours, neither Democratic candidate mustered the courage to utter a single word.

Rather than be silent, the Township Committee has taken deliberate action over the past several years to address the issue of persistent outages. We compelled JCP&L to inspect its local infrastructure and install new transformers and switches to replace aging and rusted units. We pushed to have local switching more widely deployed (look no further than Hills Drive), so that power can be redirected from a failed circuit to an active one.

We won a major policy dispute with JCP&L, forcing them to maintain the laterals (the connections between transformers and meter banks), as opposed to burdening the Hills Homeowners Associations with this ongoing expense. We advocated for the deployment of additional trip-saver devices, so that circuit faults don’t become extended outages (when the lights flicker but don’t go out for good, that’s what happening). I’ve even personally testified in front of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to encourage additional investment in proactive measures like tree trimming, so that outages can be prevented instead of minimized.

But investment is the key word. Bedminster Township does not own the infrastructure that delivers our electricity. Rather, it is owned and maintained by JCP&L, which in 2001 became a subsidiary of Ohio-based First Energy. I would argue that since this time, the parent company has not sufficiently invested in JCP&L’s physical plant or operations, which has led to the subpar performance we have all witnessed. As a multibillion-dollar private entity, First Energy has, at least historically, chosen to put profit ahead of customer service.

This problem is not limited to Bedminster but is rampant across all Somerset Hills towns, and in fact, extends to many of the areas that are serviced by JCP&L throughout New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy has repeatedly slammed the utility for their poor performance and publicly decried their response to major weather events across the state.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jacobs sent a letter to the BPU demanding that JCP&L make the infrastructure investments necessary to improve reliability and resiliency. In 2024 alone, over $2.5 million has been allocated to two of Bedminster’s most problematic circuits and substations to improve uptime. As JCP&L deploys its circuit “loop scheme” architecture, which provides the ability to isolate faults and route around them, we should begin to see significant improvements.

This is critically important for circuits that traverse heavily wooded areas or run along the sides of highways, which are susceptible to downed poles due to motor vehicle accidents. In Bedminster, we certainly have both.

But this is not a one and done proposition. These investments must continue to be made by JCP&L, particularly against the backdrop of increased demand and more frequent storms.

As Mom used to say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and by holding public hearings and amplifying the concerns of our residents, the Bedminster Township Committee has certainly gotten the attention of JCP&L. Our job now is to continue to advocate that JCP&L put its money where its mission statement is – “making customers’ lives brighter.”

As the Township Committee utility liaison, and at the risk of being TL,DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read), I wanted to provide some insight into why these problems are occurring, and what’s being done to address them. There are no silver bullets or magic wands, and like most things in life, details matter. Talk is cheap, and anyone proclaiming their solution is to simply “hold JCP&L responsible” has no understanding of the underlying issues and therefore little chance of success.

But don’t take my word for it. Ask the candidates, both Republican and Democrat, what their plans are when they coming knocking at your door this campaign season. As a voter, you have a right to know where your candidates stand on all the issues impacting our local community. If you hear buzzwords like “transparency” and “accountability,” rest assured you’re playing political bingo with nonserious actors.

Public service calls for those willing to put in the time and do the work. If you love living in Bedminster, I strongly encourage you to vote for the team that consistently has the answers and delivers strong results.

Please join me in voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to re-elect Mayor Larry Jacobs and Committeewoman Renee Mareski to the Bedminster Township Committee.

R. COLIN HICKEY

Desiree Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: The writer is a Bedminster Township Committeeman. Jacobs and Mareski are being challenged by Democrats Lawrence McShane of Wendover Court and Julia O’Brien of Stevens Court. This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Having served for many years on both my neighborhood Homeowner Association’s Board as well as on the Hills Village Master Association Board, of which I am currently a Trustee at Large, I have found that it is far easier to say what should be done than actually rolling up your sleeves and doing the work.

Mayor Larry Jacobs and Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski have a proven track record of doing the work, and that is why they are getting my vote for Bedminster Township Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Mayor Jacobs’ leadership consistently keeps Bedminster a step ahead of the issues facing the township.  With car thefts, break-ins and other crime rising in the surrounding suburbs, Mayor Jacobs is leading a coalition of local mayors to promote community policing, increase resident awareness and introduce local ordinances to crack down on gang infiltration in the region.

Committeewoman Mareski’s commitment to prioritize preservation of open space and protection of the environment through programs and awareness allows Bedminster to remain true to its heritage of green spaces and judicious land management. Having lived in The Hills for many years, she maintains her connections to the residents and HOA boards that comprise The Hills.

The Bedminster Township Committee has kept property taxes the lowest in Somerset County through a painstaking review of the municipal budget.  They also have and continue to address issues such as internet and electric service in The Hills, maintaining our recreational facilities and parks and advocating with county and state government when needed regarding traffic challenges that arise.

While some look to bring partisan politics to Bedminster, Mayor Jacobs’ and Committeewoman Mareski’s focus has been and will continue to be what is best for the residents of Bedminster. This was best demonstrated by the adoption of the recent parking ordinance on Clucas Brook Road.

Bedminster is such a special place because of the people who look to serve the needs of their neighbors, both now and in the future, which is why Mayor Jacobs and Committeewoman Mareski will be getting my vote. Please consider doing the same on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

BARBARA BAUMANN

Wendover Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s Note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: The fear of crime is running rampant through the New Jersey suburbs. This is especially true in the Interstate 78/287 corridor where car thefts are becoming commonplace.

Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin have openly failed to prosecute these crimes. They have directed state resources to stand down, not chase car thieves, or prosecute property crimes.

Our local mayors and municipalities are passing ordnances that criminalize these offenses so our local police can arrest these thieves and prosecute them in municipal court—and we need to appreciate the efforts of Mayors like Larry Jacobs of Bedminster, Jennifer Asay of Bernards, and Matt Moench of Bridgewater, who are trying to keep us safe.

Now we are hearing that the stolen automobiles make their way to the ports, are loaded on ships, and transported overseas where profits from their sales are funding ISIS and other terrorist organizations. Frightening, but what can be done?

How about the state send a task force to the port, check the vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) of the cars before being loaded on the ships and determine which cars are “hot,” prevent their export and arrest the people who bring them in? This is infinitely easier and less dangerous than having several hundred local police forces on alert.

Where is the federal government in all of this? Don’t we have a Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Service to monitor our ports? It would appear President Biden’s border security failure also includes the Port of Elizabeth.

For those who do not believe their vote counts, sleep well.

STEVE PARKER

Airport Road
Bedminster Township

Editor’s Note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

The Bedminster Township Republican Committee met March 12th and unanimously nominated Mayor Larry Jacobs and Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski for the Bedminster Township Committee.  Mayor Jacobs and Committeewoman Mareski’ s leadership has kept Bedminster a step ahead of the issues facing the township.  With car thefts, break-ins and other crime rising in the surrounding suburbs, Mayor Jacobs is leading a coalition of local mayors to promote community policing, increase resident awareness and introduce local ordinances to crack down on gang infiltration in the region.  The Bedminster Township Committee has kept property taxes the lowest in Somerset County through a painstaking review of the municipal budget.  Spending is based on the efficient prioritization of resources, not simply austerity for the sake of meeting a number.  They continue to prioritize preservation of open space and protection of the environment through programs and awareness. Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski will appear on the Republican ballot in the Primary June 4, 2024.

The Bedminster Republican Municipal Committee (RMC) will hold a screening for two candidates for Bedminster Township Committee on Tuesday March 12, 7 PM at the Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, 811 Rattlesnake Bridge Road, Bedminster.  Chosen candidates will appear on the June Primary ballot under the local party line.  Republicans who seek to screen should notify the RMC Chair no later than Friday March 8 via email at [email protected] or text/call 609-319-0832.

Last week Bedminster bid farewell to Theresa Petras, a woman who spent much of her life devoted to serving this community.

Theresa, who lived in the Timberbrooke, Parkside and Wynnewood neighborhoods, served as Secretary and Trustee of the Hills Village North Master Association. These homeowner’s associations are vital to maintaining the quality of life and facilities in these neighborhoods. Her work, along with others who have served, has kept these communities one of the reasons Bedminster is such an attractive place to live.

She was also an elected representative on the Bedminster Republican Municipal Committee. She championed her belief in small, responsive, conservative local government by vetting local candidates, promoting their policies, and sharing that philosophy with her neighbors. A founder of the local Republican Club, she served as treasurer, in an organization designed to bring people together with common values and interest.

As a member of the Bedminster Environmental Commission, she took a leadership role as Vice Chair, reviewing development applications for their impact on our open spaces and rural character. Theresa was a strong advocate for our township’s natural beauty.

Most of all, we all know that Theresa Petras could always be counted on as a friend and supporter of our wonderful community. Her service has truly made Bedminster a much better place, we will miss her and honor her memory.

Steve Parker
Bedminster Republican Municipal Committee Chair

BEDMINSTER TWP. – With a rise in car thefts and other crimes in the area drawing concern, township officials have organized a working group of local mayors and police chiefs to combat the problem.

Mayor Larry Jacobs said at the Township Committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 5, that the group was convened at the municipal building earlier in the day.

Participating, he said, were himself, mayors Jennifer Asay of Bernards Township, Mary Jane Canose of Bernardsville, Kevin Welsh of Far Hills, Mark Corigliano of Peapack-Gladstgone and Matthew Moench of Bridgewater Township, as well as police chiefs Frank Bernardo of Bedminster, Jon Burger of Bernards and John B. Mitzak of Bridgewater.

The participants spent two hours sharing the experiences of the police departments and the elected officials, Jacobs said.

Among the topics were “a lot of Ring camera videos of kids checking out cars, knocking on doors,” he said.

“There is tremendous concern among the residents,” the mayor added. The mayors and police chiefs discussed what they can do, what they can learn from each other, and if there are issues they can take “up the ladder” of government and law enforcement.

“It’s a working group now” and has been tentatively dubbed the Somerset Hills Safety Committee, Jacobs said. Participants are looking to meet monthly, with more input to be sought from detectives of different police departments.

They plan to discuss “what’s working, what could be working better” and “getting the word out to residents” to lock their cars, keep packages in cars out of view, and lock the doors to their homes.

“We will continue to have updates,” Jacobs said.

Crime has been a key topic at recent public meetings in several towns.

In Bernardsville, Police John Remian gave a presentation to the Borough Council last Dec. 11. Remian said the number of car thefts in the borough was not much greater than a decade ago but has risen since the pandemic.

He said an “alarming” trend has criminals now entering homes to get car keys.

On Jan. 22, council members said they would try to combat car thefts by providing the police department with rented license plate readers that would be installed at entrances to town.

In Bedminster, Lt. Thomas Polito spoke at a committee meeting last Dec. 18. He described the tactics of a national crime ring that targets any area where cars park so they can enter or break into those cars to steal exposed valuables.

In Bernards Township, Mayor Asay said at the Township Committee meeting on Jan. 23 that police have increased patrols to combat crime in locations and times when they occur.

Asay also said that, at the suggestion of a local resident, the township was launching a platform where residents could upload doorbell camera and related videos to police for use in their investigations.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

EDITOR: I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to the residents of Bedminster for the confidence they have placed in me as reflected at the ballot box.  

As is the case every October, candidates for elected office invade the physical and digital landscape.  Corners are filled with signs, Facebook feeds become filled with political advertisements and strangers knock on doors at the most inopportune times.  While these are the necessary evils of campaigning, the fact that you allow us to interrupt your daily routine is greatly appreciated and never overlooked.

I am grateful that the good folks of Bedminster took time out to share with me their thoughts and feedback as I walked the neighborhoods.  Campaign season affords candidates the opportunity to do some “walk around management” every year and hear directly what’s on people’s minds. The rainy weather precluded me from getting to everyone this year, but if you have a concern, please reach out to me via email or social media.

Public service is a privilege that I do not take lightly or for granted, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work on behalf of all our residents.  Regardless of where folks may stand politically, I think every resident has a strong interest in maintaining the quality of life and low taxes that are the hallmark of Bedminster and township government.  I will continue to advocate for all residents and will maintain a strong focus on tackling and resolving local issues.

I would also like to express my thanks to Larry McShane – running for office is never an easy job, and both campaigns approached this year’s contest in a very positive and respectful manner.

Now that campaign season is over, I am eager to get back to work.  What has always been paramount to me is listening to your thoughts and taking action.  I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Bedminster.

R. COLIN HICKEY

Desiree Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: The writer is a member of the Bedminster Township Committee. This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Colin Hickey’s endorsement from the Bernardsville News is well deserved (“Our local endorsements,” Thursday, Oct. 26).  As was succinctly stated, “He’s a go-getter and really does work for his constituents.”  

Colin is a positive force for Bedminster.  He has set a new standard of excellence in service to our residents. He always demonstrates a can-do attitude and gracious demeanor on the dais. He emphatically believes that local government can do more with less, and that the governing body is there to serve as advocates for our residents.  And, perhaps most importantly, he delivers results, as many letter writers have already attested.

Frankly, it is difficult for me to reduce Colin’s impact to a few lines, so let me cite just a few examples.   Most recently, he compelled JCP&L to honor its commitment to replace broken electrical lines to our condominium buildings, sparing each association tens of thousands of dollars in potential repair costs.  When our residents complained about the poor internet service in the Hills, Colin pushed not only for immediate fixes and improved reliability, but for a long-term solution.  Due to his persistence, the cable company is investing in Bedminster and currently installing high-speed fiber in the Hills, providing not only state-of-the art service, but also significantly increasing the value of those homes.

Bedminster will be best served in this election by returning Colin Hickey to the Township Committee.  I hope you will join me in voting for Colin this November 7th.

LARRY JACOBS

Hillside Avenue
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: The writer is the Bedminster Township mayor. This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

New Jersey’s political season for this year’s general election comes to a close on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Needless to say, it’s been a frenetic season, with all state Senate and Assembly seats up for grabs, not to mention seats on county Boards of Commissioners.

Just as important have been the elections for our local municipal and school district governing bodies.

Here then, are our picks to serve on local daises.

In Bernards Township, where four candidates are battling it out for two seats on the Township Committee, we endorse Republican incumbents Gary Baumann and Tyler Seville. They are moderates, experienced and good-sensed.

In Bedminster Township, where one seat is expiring on the five-member Township Committee, we endorse Republican incumbent Colin Hickey. He’s a go-getter and really does work for his constituents.

In Far Hills, where a one-year Council term is open council, we endorse Peter Cocoziello Jr. Again, he is an incumbent with knowledge of borough needs. This is essential at a time when the need to hold down costs but maintain a high quality of life is mandatory.

In the school board races, in Somerset Hills, we endorse Samantha Frenda and Felicia Ballard in Bernardsville and Heather Santoro in Peapack-Gladstone because they understand a district’s commitment to protecting all their students.

In Bernards Township, where meetings have been rife with a battle between extreme conservatives and more rational board members, we endorse Jennifer White, Janice Corrado and David Shaw. Again, they understand a district’s tenet to protect all the kids.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

BEDMINSTER TWP. – Quality of life issues and if they are being adequately addressed are the main themes of a contest for a three-year Township Committee term in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

On the ballot are Republican incumbent R. Colin Hickey of Desiree Court and Democrat Lawrence McShane of Wendover Court in The Hills housing development.

The five-member Township Committee has been all-Republican for the last nine years. Still, there has been a Democrat on the local ballot for 22 straight years – easily the longest streak in the Somerset Hills, with the party scoring upset victories in 2005 and 2011.

But in recent years, several Democrats who ran were not well known locally and were not seen at Township Committee meetings.

Both the Republican and Democratic candidates responded to questionnaires from The Bernardsville News seeking information about their background and their positions on issues.

Hickey, 58, has served on the committee since August 2017. He has been a township resident for 31 years, spending the first 15 years in the Stone Run section of The Hills development.

He works as an independent consultant and venture partner. He previously worked for AT&T in various management capacities, and as a senior executive and founder of multiple start-ups in the technology sector.

He said his experience in the technology and utility industry “brings a unique perspective” to the committee. “I understand not only how the infrastructure works, but more importantly, how larger organizations assess capital investment opportunities.”

McShane, 49, has lived in The Hills for 16 years.

He works as a marketing director and previously worked in marketing, strategy and finance.

“My background is in management in the pharma and chemical industries, and I have worked in finance,” he said. “I understand how to solve problems within a budget, because I do that every day.”

Hickey cited numerous accomplishments on the committee, including maintaining low taxes, addressing persistent power outages in The Hills and elsewhere, spearheading an effort to upgrade Altice Internet service in The Hills, successfully fighting water use rate increases, and improving communication with residents through information technology upgrades.

Infrastructure

According to Hickey, the township’s main challenges include working with utility companies to make necessary infrastructure investments; ensuring land management policies support both preservation and economic health; and maintaining the viability of the township’s business corridor and villages.

McShane, however, said the township has continuing infrastructure problems, with examples including “constant power outages, poor quality Internet service, and difficult traffic patterns.”

Although Hickey said the committee has prodded Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to make infrastructure improvements, McShane said more work is needed and residents are frustrated.

McShane also questioned the work with Altice. “Where is the transparency and communication around the Internet service deal?” he asked. “Strengthening the monopoly for an historically bad service provider is the wrong way to go. We need more competition, not a monopoly.”

Hickey, in response, said, “Only someone uninvolved could oppose a project that is a transformational upgrade to our local infrastructure.”

He said that with providers like Altice owning the cable equipment, any new competitor would need to build similar equipment from scratch, making competition unlikely.

With respect to the deals, he said he facilitated public meetings between Altice and the 21 homeowners’ associations in The Hills.

“I only wish Mr. McShane had taken the opportunity to attend his own neighborhood board meeting or a Township Committee meeting to better understand the communications industry, the available options and the actions being pursued by these bodies to mutually address a long-standing issue,” Hickey said.

Traffic

With respect to local traffic, McShane said it is “very real, and about to get worse.”

“Development at Liberty Corner, Bedminster One, and planned developments on 202/206 will all contribute huge increases in traffic in Bedminster, especially between Hills Drive and Fresh Market,” he said. He said peak hour backups already occur on highway ramps and Route 202-206.

There is also dangerous traffic on Hills Drive,” he added. He said office workers and others “use Hills Drive as a shortcut and drive aggressively. The crosswalks are dangerous, and there is no police presence. Accidents are not uncommon.

“It seems to many that the Township Committee has shown no interest in these areas,” McShane said. “Bedminster needs to commission a traffic study to figure out real solutions.”

Hickey said that while Routes 202 and 206 are state highways, the township has worked with the state Department of Transportation (DOT) on safety measures, such as additional signage, roadway markings and signal improvements at the River Road and Hills Drive intersections.

Also, he said, “recognizing that many of the traffic delays in the areas adjacent to the Hills are caused by traffic back-ups in Pluckemin, we have worked closely with our own traffic engineers and the DOT to pursue dramatic improvements to the Washington Valley/Burnt Mills Road intersection.”

Looming improvements include “the installation of new signal heads and traffic sensing equipment, realignment of the intersection geometry, the addition of a peripheral ring road and the redesign of the queuing lanes to alleviate traffic back-ups,” Hickey said. He said they are expected to improve intersection efficiency by more than 50 percent.

“These improvements will begin within the next 12 months and will be made at no taxpayer expense,” he added.

Villages

Another issue was the local economy.

Hickey touted the township’s rezoning of the recently vacated former AT&T complex on Route 202-206. He said it will help attract life sciences and high-tech users while prohibiting warehouses.

The committee is currently focused on Pluckemin Village, he noted. He said that in spite of some business investments, the village had begun to look tired.

The committee passed a property maintenance ordinance that recently led to the removal of some unsightly buildings, he said. It is now working with business owners on “re-imagining” what the village could be, with better pedestrian access from The Hills being a possibility, he said.

McShane drew attention to vacancies in The Hills Village Center, saying “the travel agency is gone, the sushi place and Subway are gone, the Caldwell Banker building, Carriage House building and former Chinese restaurant are empty.”

“With the loss of these businesses, there are fewer services available to the residents of Bedminster and the Hills and people have to travel to other towns,” he said. “We need a plan to attract new businesses.”

“A green way to help with that would be to put EV charging stations in the Hills Village Center, driving commerce to the area from 287 and 78,” he said. “The Township Committee needs to be involved in solutions and incentives.”

When it comes to communicating with the public, Hickey said improvements have included real-time and recorded committee meetings online, up-to-the-minute updates via Bedminster Alert, and an online payment system for local property and sewer taxes.

McShane said the committee still needs a “better presence” with the community.

“I envision a monthly series of meet-and-greets or Town Hall events at Hills clubhouses and other local venues to hear concerns and communicate progress,” he said.

As for the election, Hickey said local politics shouldn’t be a partisan vote.

“At a municipal level, we don’t encounter uniquely Democrat problems or Republican problems, just problems that need to be resolved,” he said. “I embrace the philosophy that as a public servant, I work for the residents, regardless of political affiliation.”

McShane saw the situation differently, saying the “Republican incumbents clearly do not want Democrats to be involved in any aspect of governing Bedminster.”

Hickey disputed that. “If you were to look at the composition of the volunteer committees and commissions in Bedminster, you would see there are individuals serving from every political party,” he said. “There is no political affiliation test on the volunteer form.”

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.