November 14, 2022
Message from Mayor
Lawrence F. Jacobs
On behalf of the Bedminster Township Committee, I am pleased
to announce the following promotions of two outstanding individuals to
leadership positions in our town. On
October 17 the Township Committee promoted Kevin Murray to Director of Public
Works, and on November 7, the Township Committee promoted Francesco (Frank)
Bernardo to Chief of the Bedminster Police Department. Both Kevin and Frank have a long record of
service to the Bedminster community and have strategic visions for enhanced
community engagement.
Kevin Murray
Director Murray has been with Bedminster for a total of
eight years, and during that time rose to the level of General Foreman working
with our former Public Works Director John Mantz. From 2019 to 2021, Kevin served as Public
Works Director for Allamuchy and returned to Bedminster in the General Foreman
role. Kevin is a graduate of Warren
County Vocational Technical Institute and has taken classes at Rutgers University,
earning several certificates related to public works. Kevin brings tremendous enthusiasm to the
position, has the respect of all Bedminster staff and is a tireless champion of
our town. Kevin has been an asset to the
Township Committee during budget sessions and is always on the lookout to save
Bedminster residents money while providing great service.
Already in his short time in the Director position, Kevin
has been busy with:
· - overseeing the construction of improvements to
our playgrounds,
· - coordination with residents and contractors for
the paving of the Clucas Brook neighborhood,
· - working with the utility companies to ensure
their activities are undertaken in a manner that is consistent with our paving
management plan.
· - engagement with our Recreation Department to
improve amenities at our parks, including the pending establishment of our
Bedminster Community Garden.
· - the set up and break down of the temporary
structures at Bedminster’s Fall Fest.
Kevin is an eight-year member of the Far Hills-Bedminster
Fire Department, and currently and proudly serves in the role of Lieutenant.
Please join us in welcoming Kevin to his new role with
Bedminster.
Also on behalf of the Township Committee, I thank Rodney
McCatharn for serving as our Interim Public Works Director over the last year. Rodney was instrumental in providing expert
management to the Bedminster Public Works Department following John Mantz’s
retirement. During his tenure, Rodney worked with Bedminster staff and the
Township Committee to secure millions of dollars in grant monies for
improvements to our sewer facilities and paving projects. We are pleased that Rodney will continue to
work with Bedminster as we undertake the replacement of the Miller Lane Sewer
Pump station.
Francesco Bernardo
Chief Bernardo has been with the Bedminster Police
Department since 2002 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2012. He has held leadership positions as Field
Training Officer, Radar Instructor, Squad Team Leader, Patrol Sergeant,
Internal Affairs Supervisor, Detective Bureau Supervisor, and most recently as
Administrative Sergeant under former Chief Rock. Prior to enrolling in the police academy,
Chief Bernardo was a Process and Technology Consultant with Accenture. Chief Bernardo graduated from Rutgers
University with a Bachelor’s Degree in finance and holds a Master’s Degree from
Farleigh Dickinson University in public administration.
Chief Bernardo is the proud son of immigrants. His devotion to family is obvious to anyone
who engages him in conversation or who observes his management style. He views all of Bedminster as his
family. His family-first approach may explain why he
is uniformly respected by his peers and subordinates on the police department, and
by Township staff and Bedminster residents.
Chief Bernardo’s vision for the Bedminster Police Department
mirrors the goals of the Township Committee.
We are fully aligned for enhanced community engagement; upholding the high
degree of professionalism and teamwork of our officers and sergeants; upgrading the
equipment, technology, and training of our officers to address the growing
demands and stresses imposed on law enforcement; and, maintaining constant vigilance
for the safety and security of our community.
In the coming weeks, Bedminster residents can expect to see
Chief Bernardo reach out to our condominium associations, businesses, and
community organizations for introductions, safety updates, and maybe a cup of
coffee. With his technology background
and corporate management, Chief Bernardo is uniquely qualified to keep
Bedminster police at the forefront of modern police work.
The safety and security of Bedminster residents is paramount
to the Township Committee. Car thefts,
break-ins, and cyber-crimes are not just news stories; they are real threats to
the quality of life we enjoy in our town.
We consider ourselves fortunate to have Chief Bernardo as the leader of
our police department.
Again on behalf of the Township Committee, I thank all the
Bedminster Police sergeants who participated in the promotion process. The high degree of competency was evident in
the applications, resumes, and interviews.
The promotional process is a satisfying reminder that Bedminster is in
good hands.
Lawrence F. Jacobs, Mayor – Bedminster Township
* * * * * * * * * * *
Notice to Bedminster Businesses & Commercial Property Owners regarding temporary commercial signage . . .
In 2020, the Bedminster Township Committee adopted a township-wide special use permit that: (1) allowed certain outside signage to be displayed without going through the formal approval process; and, (2) relaxed strict conformance with our signage requirements. The Township Committee undertook this action to assist our local businesses during the height of the COVID public health emergency. The special use permit was renewed in 2021 and expires on November 30, 2022.
On December 1, 2022, all Bedminster Businesses and property owners will be responsible to ensure their signage and/or the signage of their tenants confirms to the Township's requirements set for in our Ordinance at Chapter 13: Land Management. Click the link below for detailed information.
Signage Requirements
