2025 Bernardsville Mayor’s Address

Mayor’s Address – January 6, 2025

First, I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Al on his re-election and Ross on his election to the Council. Ross’s achievement as the youngest individual ever elected to the Council in Bernardsville’s long history sends a powerful message to our young residents about the value of civic engagement. Thank you both for your commitment to serving our community.

As we step into a new year, I want to express my deep gratitude to the Council, our dedicated administration, and each of you who contribute to Bernardsville’s vibrancy. Together, we accomplished remarkable milestones that have strengthened our community across many dimensions:

Downtown Revitalization: We made significant strides in making our downtown area more vibrant and welcoming. The sale of the Audi dealership marked a new chapter, and we welcomed several new businesses, including Apres, Lily and the Rose, The Werks, EMS Fitness, Bernards Decorating Showroom, Haus of Suave, and Kumon Tutoring. With enhanced support for MainStreet Bernardsville and the unveiling of the "Museum in the Streets," we’ve added both cultural depth and economic vitality to our town center.

Recreation and Open Space: In 2024, we made significant progress in recreation. We relocated our recreation offices back into Borough Hall, addressed Phase I of the Recreation Plan with new lights at the Polo Grounds turf field, and awarded a bid for a walking path. The creation of a passive park at 251 Claremont by demolishing the house, coupled with a $450,000 state grant for our Open Space Trust Fund, reflects our dedication to preserving and enhancing community spaces.

Efficiency and Public Safety: Our focus on administrative efficiency delivered notable results.  The hiring of an in-house engineer, streamlining payroll systems, upgrading IT infrastructure, and reorganizing operations collectively saved over $400,000 in payroll and benefits.

Our Public Works department exceeded expectations, paving 3.3 miles of roads—double our previous annual average. In public safety, our partnership with neighboring municipalities to combat car thefts and burglaries has been effective, supported by strategically placed license plate readers.

Preservation and Sustainability: Preservation efforts took center stage as Bernardsville gained acceptance into the Highlands, ensuring the protection of our open spaces and aquifer. Additionally, our achievement of Silver status with Sustainable Jersey highlights our dedication to sustainability.

Community Celebrations and Recognition: The centennial celebrations were a resounding success, featuring events like "History and Coffee," "Love Your Library," Bernardsville Night at the Ballpark, Music Through the Years, a family festival at Kiwanis Field and a musical tribute to former resident Tommy Dorsey. These moments united our community and celebrated our rich history.

The Borough also gained recognition through a feature article in Business View magazine and a visit from the President of Paraguay. Additionally, we became a Film Ready town, opening doors to future opportunities.

Looking ahead to 2025, building on this momentum, we have ambitious goals for the year ahead:

Continued implementation of the Recreation Master Plan, including new restrooms and the completion of the walking path at the Polo Grounds, revitalizing downtown and supporting our local businesses, alongside completing round 3 of our affordable housing projects and preparing for Round 4, addressing walkability and pedestrian safety, including initiatives from the committee I appointed to tackle speeding and unsafe driving on our local roads, and maintaining our strong fiscal management while prioritizing investments in our community’s future.

We’ll also be exploring ways to increase resident involvement and keep the community informed about key issues and developments.

In closing, I want to thank our employees, volunteers and emergency service teams for their unwavering dedication. A special thank you to our Police, Fire and First Aid teams for their exemplary response to the tanker truck accident, which showcased their training and commitment.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your mayor. What I’ve learned over the past six years of my tenure is that collaboration is the cornerstone of progress. The collective efforts of our committees, boards, organizations, businesses, neighboring communities, and the school district have made Bernardsville a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Together, we truly embody our motto of Small Town, Big Community.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Mary Jane Canose, Mayor