Basking Ridge Appoints New Mayor, Swears In New Committeewoman

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Basking Ridge kicked off 2020 with the swearing in of Republican Janice Fields during the re-organizational meeting.

Fields was elected in November over Democrat Dr. Sophia Chadda and Independent Todd Edelstein for the one contested Bernards Township Committee seat.

The committee also appointed James Baldassare Jr. as the new mayor for Bernards Township for 2020.

Committeeman John Carpenter nominated Baldassare Jr. because he is a "son of Basking Ridge, a United States Marine, a father, husband and a retired Ridge High School devil."

"Bernards Township is in a very good place," Baldassare Jr. said. "I would say in many if not in most respects we are a model town. This is no accident and reflects years if not decades of good governance and good public leadership."

He went on to point out that he will continue to work with the other township committee members to "continue a fiscal and conservative approach to spending and indeed look for ways to reduce government spending without sacrificing the high quality of municipal services our residents have to come to expect and are entitled to."

He also touched on working with the school district to address mental health and opioid abuse issues. He also mentioned supporting the local police to keep the township safe.

Joseph Esposito was also nominated as Deputy Mayor unanimously.

Previous Mayor Carol Bianchi also wished farewell to residents and recounted the many accomplishments achieved this past year including improving communications between the town and residents, defeating a subdivision of housing on the Millington Quarry property, encouraging recycling plastic bags, the implementation of the mayor's newsletter, replacement of pedestrian bridges and more.

"This year was what I had hoped and wanted for this community. Accomplishing all of the above while earning the trust of the people and making you an important part of the process. To me it was a year of government by and for the people. And now we look forward to new leadership new ideas and initiatives and a bright future for the people of Bernards Township," Bianchi said at the meeting.

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