Whether or not Bernards Township should opt in to the Highlands Regional Master Plan has become an important issue, and we are opening this up for discussion at our December meeting – at 6:30 p.m. on December 17 at the Bernards Township Public Library, 32 South Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge. Julia Somers, Executive Director of the NJ Highlands Coalition, a non-governmental organization that supports the Regional Master Plan, will make a presentation at the meeting.

Here’s some background on the issue, and an invitation to join us for this discussion:

On November 11 the Bernards Township Committee voted to not start a year long review of the merits of “opting in” to the Highlands Regional Master Plan [RMP]. If the committee changes its mind and votes to start the review, the township may at the end of 2009 opt in or not. There will be no obligation either way. But the committee must act before December 31 of this year to start the process.

Bernards has a history of go-it-alone thinking and this decision fits the pattern. Some of us expect that more good will come from participating in the Highlands RMP than not, and that a thorough review should be made. The committee’s decision on November 11 was made on the basis of some questionable assertions of by the township engineer, and without adequate consideration of long term outcomes. [See article in the Bernardsville News on November 20 ]

Julia Somers, Exec Dir of the NJ Highlands Coalition, a non-governmental organization that supports the RMP, will make a presentation at the regular meeting of the Bernards Democratic Municipal Committee on December 17. Please come and learn more about this important subject. Then let the Township Committee know what you want them to do.

Bill Allen, November 30, 2008

We would also like your help in publicizing this event. We believe this issue is of interest to all residents regardless of political persuasion, and we are opening the meeting to everyone. Please help us spread the word, and get a good cross-section of our citizens to attend.