Bedminster ratifies a 6-year police contract

The Bedminster Township Committee on Monday night ratified a six-year retroactive contract with its police union, dating back to Jan. 1, 2008, that grants 14 officers annual increases of between 3.8 percent and about 3 percent through 2013. The police union later ratified the contract on Tuesday morning, both sides said. For the first time, police will begin contributing to health benefits payments this year, said Bedminster administrator Judy Sullivan.

Spokespersons for both sides said they were pleased to conclude negotiations on the retroactive pact.

Having a longer contract also makes it easier for the township to budget ahead in upcoming years, said township Mayor Robert Holtaway.

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Bernardsville police offered no pay raise, negotiation to continue

Borough police have received an offer of zero-percent change in salary during a two-year period, said Sgt. John Remian, a negotiator for the police union.

The two police officers negotiating a contract on behalf of the local police bargaining unit said they will continue seeking a settlement with the town. Another negotiating session may be soon be scheduled as a follow-up to the most recent talks on Feb. 19, said Officer Jeff Melitski, president of the PBA.

Mayor Lee Honecker confirmed the zero-percent offer had been made at the mid-February meeting. He said town's request to police to keep their salaries at a flat level reflects the reality of the borough's finances, and also takes into account the financially stressed situation of some residents.

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Love your horse with a Valentine’s Day horseback ride at Lord Stirling Stable on Feb. 14

Lord Stirling Stable in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township will host the annual "I Love Horses" Valentine’s Day Ride on the scenic trails of the county-onwed property on Sunday, Feb. 14. Check-in time is 10:30 a.m. The ride will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. Lord Stirling Stable is located at 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge.

This event is open to all riders tested at Intermediate 2 level and above. Children must be at least 12 years old unless currently enrolled in class at Lord Stirling Stable. Riders must weigh less than 240 lbs.

The leisurely one-hour ride is at a walk and trot only. Trail guides will be happy to answer questions, point out and attempt to identify the various plants, birds and animals that can be seen on the 18 miles of trails at Lord Stirling Stable.

Registration is open this month, and will continue through Thursday, Fe. 11. The fee for the ride is $28 for Somerset County residents and $36 for out of county residents. An approved helmet and riding boots or shoes are required and may be rented at the stable. A charge of $3 per item will apply.

For information, contact the stable office at 908-766-5955 (NJ Relay 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment).
Information on other events of the Somerset County Park Commission can be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Bernardsville police investigating burglary reports, seeking information

Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine is releasing information about several reported burglaries and thefts in the borough police said had taken place between Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 27-30. The department continues to investigate the reported incidents, and is seeking public input.

Valentine said a homeowner at Maple Village Court in the borough reported a burglary that had supposedly taken place during the evening of Wed., Jan. 27. The homeowner told police the burgary was discovered that evening, and personal property was taken from the home, the chief said. The value of the property has not been determined and police are still investigating, Valentine said.

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Bernardsville Police Chief says police school resource officer needed in Somerset Hills school district

December 15, 2009
Letter from Kevin Valentine,
Chief of Police, Bernardsville

Kudos to officials of the Bridgewater Police Department, Bridgewater Raritan School District and Township of Bridgewater for recognizing the important role Police School Resource Officers play in the safety and security of our public schools. Kudos to the students and faculty in the Bridgewater Raritan School District who embrace the presence of the School Resource Officers assigned there to protect them, teach them, mentor them and support them. Isn’t it about time that our elected municipal officials in the Somerset Hills and the Somerset Hills School District come to the same conclusion?

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Bedminster reaches tentative contract pact with police

The township has reached a tentative contract agreement with the local police union almost two years after the expiration of the last police contract.

A proposed contract, retroactive to Dec. 31, 2007, has been submitted for review to the attorney representing the township's Police Benevolent Association, said Township Administrator Judy Sullivan.

The township is expecting the contract will be ready to be signed at the Dec. 21 Township Committee meeting, Sullivan said on Thursday, Dec. 11.

"We are almost there,'' Sullivan, who served on the township's negotiating committee, said on Thursday.

The contract would cover 14 officers and sergeants within the department, said Police Lt. Pat Ussery. Ussery said he and Chief William Stephens are the only local police in a 16-member department who are not covered by the terms of the contract.

State watchdog report criticizes Bernards for big police payout

Retirement benefits paid to former police officers in the township are one example of why the independent State Commission of Investigation is calling for statewide reforms to curb excessive employee payouts.

A commission report released Tuesday has been submitted to the state Legislature and governor with several recommendations, including a cap of $15,000 for unused benefits payouts to individual employees at all levels of government, said Lee Seglem, assistant director of the commission.

The report noted that Dennis Mott, the former Bernards police chief, received a one-time payment of $107,000 when the Township Committee reached a settlement with him at the end of 2008 as part of an agreement ending his tenure as chief. Mott had been on the township police for 23 years, but members of the Township Committee said last year they believed he was ineffective in the position of chief.

Between 2005 and 2009, five retiring Bernards police officers received a combined total of $390,735 in payments for accrued sick leave, including last year's payment to Mott.

The state report criticized Bernards officials not only for paying Mott $107,000 for unused accumulated sick and vacation leave, but also allowing him to apply about two years of military service toward logging 25 years of police service and collect a pension through the state Police and Firemen's Retirement Service pension plan. That extra time boosted his annual pension, to be paid by the state, from $64,950 to $84,435, the report said.

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Bernards committee honors police for excellent service

Township police and dispatchers were directly responsible for saving the lives of nine citizens last year — just some of the department's achievements during 2008-09.

The services provided by township officers included everything from busting burglars to rushing into burning buildings, said Police Chief Brian Bobowicz.

The awards given by the Township Committee recognized local police who:
* Performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation to bring eight unconscious people back from the brink of death;
* Rescued another person locked in a room during a house fire;
* Catalogued 50 years of collected evidence.

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Bernards police to be publicly honored today, Nov. 10

Members of the township police department are scheduled to be honored for their achievements and actions during 2008 and 2009 at an awards ceremony today, Nov. 10.

The annual Police Award and Recognition Ceremony will honor 27 police officers and dispatchers for meritorious service, honorable service, excellent service, educational achievement, life-saving, military service and unit citations. The awards ceremony will take place  during the Township Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.

"The ceremony will recognize in a public forum outstanding and exemplary actions of the officers of our department," Township Police Chief Brian Bobowicz said.

The chief said officers from Bedminster Township and from Raritan Borough will also be included in the ceremony for their assistance to the township department.

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Hamilton Farm treats local first responders to a day of golf

Hamilton Farm Golf Club hosted its second "Guns and Hoses" golf outing Oct. 26 in support of the first responders from local municipalities. Teams were made up of golfers from the Somerset County Sheriff’s office, Somerset County’s “200 Club,” fire and rescue personnel from Bernardsville, Chester, Far Hills, Bedminster, Lebanon, Peapack-Gladstone, Pottersville and Watchung. Participants also included the New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement officers for a total of 136 players.

Frank Provenzano, Somerset County Sheriff, thanked Hamilton Farm for their support: “On behalf of the law enforcement and first responder community, we would like to thank Hamilton Farm Golf Club for their generosity and for a beautiful day of golf. It always makes our jobs worthwhile when people go out of their way to show their thanks and appreciation for the local municipalities.”

The event took place on the Championship Highlands Golf Course, including nine holes on the Hickory Course — the only USGA-rated, 18-hole par-3 course in the country.

Players were welcomed with a breakfast and treated to sliders, personally delivered on the course by the chef. This was followed by a gourmet lunch in the clubhouse. The day was sponsored by Hamilton Farm Golf Club, Vic Gerard Golf Cars and SYSCO.

“The management and staff were proud to host this event for the second time at Hamilton Farm,” said Tim Bakels, general manager. “It was an honor to serve those who protect and serve the community every day.”