New Mayor Appointed, Outlined Challenges For 2023 In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — For 2023, Bernards Township remains the same for the second year in a row. There were no changes to the people serving up on the dais and no changes to the majority party as the Committee remained entirely Republican.

Incumbent Republican Janice Fields was sworn in to serve her second, three-year term with the committee.

"You have shown me repeatedly that you are there to support me and I deeply, deeply am so grateful," said Fields to her supporters during Tuesday night's Reorganization meeting. "I want to assure you that I will continue to work hard to make a difference here in Bernards Township. When we work together, not as Democrats or Republicans or even Independents, but as members of one community I know that we can accomplish a lot together and we will."

Fields won over Democrat Jessica Simpson-Cook for the one township committee seat in November's election. The final vote tally was 5,907 for Fields and 5,714 for Simpson-Cook.

2022 Mayor James Baldassare said Fields "continues to put in a commendable amount of time and effort for the betterment of our residents and the community is extremely lucky to have her. Welcome back."

Additionally at the meeting, the committee unanimously voted to appoint Andrew McNally as Mayor and Jennifer Asay as Deputy Mayor for 2023. They are both beginning the second year of their three-year term on the committee.

"It would be my honor to nominate Andrew McNally to serve as Mayor in 2023. Andrew is a steward of the people. … I can think of nobody better to lead us to 2023," said Baldassare.

McNally noted that Baldassare would be a "tough act to follow" but that he learned a lot from him. During his speech, McNally also laid out the challenges Bernards Township will face in 2023.

Chief among the challenges is keeping the municipal tax levy low while maintaining top-notch local government services amid rising costs associated with inflation, according to McNally.

"Inflation or no inflation the municipal tax levy will remain low, your services will remain high and we won't borrow a single penny," said McNally.

Additionally, McNally said the township will be hosting a new event in 2023 to highlight all of the nonprofits in Bernards Township for all of their contributions. The township will also continue to grow the Fabric of Bernards initiative.

"From the day you started, and I mean the day you started, you stepped up by giving your colleagues and this community your full commitment. Your passion and drive in making this community a better place is to be commended and admired," said Fields of McNally.

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