In the News
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Council Approves Redeveloper for 'Old Audi Dealership'
April 26, 2022
The redeveloper, a local resident, may put a craft distillery on the property
Read the full article here: Council Approves Redeveloper for 'Old Audi Dealership'
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Democrat push for "a better Bernardsville'
October 21, 2021
BERNARDSVILLE – Three Democrats on the ballot for Borough Council in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, election are running on a platform of “Building A Better Bernardsville.’’
The team, which includes the only two incumbents in the six-candidate field, is looking to build on recent accomplishments such as downtown revitalization and recreation advances, while encouraging environmental initiatives and expanding communication and outreach efforts with the community.
July 13, 2021
BERNARDSVILLE – Democrat Matthew Marino was appointed Monday night to fill a temporary vacancy on the Borough Council that was created by the recent resignation of former Democratic Councilman Thomas O’Dea Jr.
A resident of Fox Hollow Trail, Marino was the unanimous selection for the position from a field of three candidates whose names were forwarded to the council for consideration by the local Democratic Municipal Committee.
Earlier in the virtual meeting, he and fellow Democrats Christina Balas of Old Fort Road and Mariel O’Brien of Anderson Hill Road presented their credentials and answered a handful of questions from Mayor Mary Jane Canose and the council.
After the candidate presentations, the council continued with its regular agenda before adjourning into executive session at 9:07 p.m. to deliberate on the selection. They returned to public session after only 20 minutes with the decision. It was unanimous but with no discussion other than congratulations offered to Marino.
The motion to appoint Marino was made by Republican Councilman John Donahue and seconded by Councilman Chad McQueen, also a Republican. Also voting yes were Democrats Jeff Hammond and Christine Zamarra and Republican Jena McCredie.
“Matt, we look forward to having you,’’ said Mayor Canose after the vote.
“Great, thank you,’’ Marino responded. “I appreciate the honor. I’m really looking forward to working with all of you over the next few months.’’
Canose then thanked all the candidates, saying any of the three would have been “wonderful’’ for the post.
A professional educator, Marino has resided in Bernardsville since August 2013. He has twice before run unsuccessfully for council, in 2016 and 2018. He is a member of the borough’s Open Space and Cultural Arts Advisory committees. He earned a doctoral degree in higher education leadership, management and policy from at Seton Hall University in February 2020 and was recently was appointed assistant director of community standards at New Jersey City University.
During his presentation, Marino touted his experience as an education and his volunteer involvement locally. He said he hoped to work with the council to build on the ongoing community improvements. He emphasized his ability to collaborate and work together, “something I have done throughout my career.’’
“I see a bright future,’’ he said about the borough’s downtown improvement initiatives. He called working with the cultural arts committee on the Mount Airy Road mural project “a galvanizing experience’’ and a big step to bring people together and get things done...
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March 29, 2021
BERNARDSVILLE - The Bernardsville Municipal Democratic Committee has now endorsed its full slate of candidates for the 2021 Borough Council election, with Old Fort Road resident Christina Balas joining incumbent Dr. Jeffrey Hammond of Flintlock Court on the party ticket.
The endorsement was announced in a press release from Democratic Chairman Robert Frawley on Monday, March 29.
“We’re very pleased to have two such outstanding candidates in this year’s race,” Frawley said. “Both candidates bring impressive skills, significant experience and tenacious energy and enthusiasm to our community.''
Two, three-year terms are up this November on the six-member council, which is now evenly split between the two major political parties.
The Bernardsville Republican Municipal Committee (BRMC) endorsed two first-time council candidates, Jay Ambelang of Mullens Lane and Al Ribeiro of North Finley Avenue, for the June primary during its screening on Wednesday, March 17.
Republican incumbent John Donahue is not seeking re-election after having served one term.
Monday, April 5, is the deadline for candidates to file to run in the primary elections.
Balas is making her first bid for public office.
"She has been active in our town from the moment she planted her roots here,'' Frawley said. "Her enthusiasm for the community has already contributed to the Bernardsville tax base, as she successfully recruited her parents and their best friend to move into town.
"A committed political activist since a young age, she has volunteered on Congressional campaigns and served as an election challenger. She is a member of Bernardsville’s Diversity Council and is passionate about making government accessible to and for all its citizens.''
Balas is a Rutgers University graduate with a master’s degree in organizational communications.
“What most excites me about serving on the council is the opportunity to merge my professional and personal passions to boost downtown walkability and retail potential,” she said.
She said she looks forward to “working with the council to continue to increase residents’ awareness of, and participation in, municipal government.”
Balas is an operations and strategy director for a commercial real estate firm. She has one child at Bedwell School and another in pre-kindergarten.
Hammond, the former chief of trauma/surgical care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Level 1 Trauma Center and now an administrator at Morristown Medical Center, was first elected to the council in 2018.
"An engaged and committed council member, Dr. Hammond has championed safety issues as chair of the Public Safety committee last year such as speeding mitigation, walkability and bicycling initiatives and the town's Covid-19 response,'' Frawley said.
Hammond is a liaison to the borough's Office of Emergency Management and serves on the Somerset County Health Recovery Advisory Committee. In recent weeks he has led three video and in-person town halls providing information on the virus and vaccine availability.
In 2019 he spearheaded the committee that designed and implemented the banners honoring Bernardsville veterans and in 2020 led borough efforts to expand diversity and anti-discrimination policies and training.
An avid cyclist and hiker, he is the council liaison to the Environmental Commission and the Green Team and has secured two energy efficiency focused grants for the borough.
A 29-year resident of Bernardsville, Hammond and his wife, Jill Books, have three grown children who attended Bernardsville public schools.
11/4/2020
"BERNARDSVILLE – Preliminary results showed Democratic incumbents Tom O'Dea and Christine Zamarra with a comfortable lead in a contest for two, three-year seats on the Borough Council.
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If successful, they would be the first Democrats to win re-election to the council in 83 years.
The last was James McGuirk who won a third council term in 1937. He did not seek a fourth term in 1940.
In the next 77 years, only four Democrats were elected to the governing body and all served only one term."
For the full article click: https://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/democrats-well-ahead-in-race-for-bernardsville-council-seats/article_a000a36a-ff95-5a8f-b6c7-95f8f2389cbe.html