The Engineering Department manages land use and construction in Bernards township. The department reviews land use and construction projects, providing feedback to the Zoning Department. The department also provides in-house engineering designs for civic projects.
The department staffs nine employees: the township engineer and planner, assistant township engineer, assistant planner, township surveyor, chief inspector, staff engineer, zoning officer, administrative coordinator and administrative assistant.
The Bernards Township Fire Prevention Bureau administers inspections of all businesses, schools, restaurants and health care facilities in Bernards Township to make sure they are all compliant with the Uniform Fire Code of the State of New Jersey.
The Bureau also inspects smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in residential homes being sold, leased or rented.
The office is located on the second floor of the Engineering Services building.
The Bernards Township Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the upkeep of the parks and recreational facilities in town. It also offers recreational and athletic programs for adults and children.
Yoga classes, tennis leagues, open gyms, volleyball games, non-competitive recreational sports leagues for children and summer camp trips are just a few of the programs offered by the department. All programs are open to residents of Bernards and can be registered for on the parks department Web site.
The community pool is located off of Valley Road in Pleasant Valley Park. The pool is a 50-meter Z-shaped pool open from May to September each year. Membership is available to Bernards Township residents only.
The Planning and Zoning departments regulate all new construction and building within Bernards township. Residents or businesses wishing to start a building project must first get approval from the Planning Board, and if the project falls outside of any of the land use variances or zoning ordinances, the builder must get special permission from the Zoning Board.
The Zoning officer in charge of the department also reviews applications for homeowner improvements such as home additions, decks, patios, fences, pools, driveways, and sheds.
Nearly 8,000 acres of wild habitats and plant and animal life make up the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Established by Congress in 1960, the Great Swamp is managed by the U.S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service "specifically for the protection of wildlife and its habitat," according to its Web site.
The Great Swamp extends into Morris County from the Helen C. Fenske visitor center in Basking Ridge. Along with its large variety of native and endangered species, the Great Swamp offers hiking paths, wildlife observation opportunities and environmental education programs.
The Public Works Department provides maintenance services for the township of Bernards.
The department consists of three divisions: roads, fleet, and buildings, each with a staff of full-time employees. The roads division provides streets and drainage ways maintenance, as well as services such as street marking and signage.
The department is also responsible for solid waste collection, recycling, lighting, building maintenance, snow removal and general upkeep of the town.
The Municipal Clerk acts as the secretary of the municipal complex in Bernards. The clerk prepares meeting agendas, takes minutes, keeps a journal of all proceedings and is in attendance at all municipal meetings.
The clerk also acts as the administrative officer in charge of accepting applications for licenses and permits and as the manager of the town archives.
The Health Department exists to protect and promote the good health of the local community. Run by the Board of Health, the department has the authority to pass ordinances and set codes related to public health, along with educating the public on health safety tips and administering vaccines.
The Health Department also houses the Bernards Animal Control office. The Animal Control office deals with stray animals in the community and enforces local pet regulations and ordinances.
The Bernards Township Community Services Department manages projects using individuals who are given mandatory, court-appointed community service time.
The department works on projects such as furniture donation pick-ups, litter and graffiti removal and working with nonprofit volunteer groups on various community projects.
Residents can contact the Community Services Department with requests for litter removal and clean up at locations in town. Requests are addressed in the order in which they are received.
The Sewerage Authority operates a 2.5 million-gallons-per-day plant with 10 pump stations in the sewer area off of Martinsville Road in Liberty Corner.
The purpose of the authority, and the plant, is to promote health and safety by treating town waste before disposal. The plant removes more than 95% of the pollutants it receives before discharging into the Dead River, according to the Authority's Web site.
The Bernards Finance Department oversees and administers the financial resources of the township. The chief financial officer oversees the four divisions of the department: treasury, tax assessment, tax collection and purchasing.
The department handles everything from managing the town budget to carrying out the town's purchases.
The Township Administrator acts as the chief administrative officer of the town. The office works to implement the policies of the Township Committee, as well as act as the coordinator between the township departments. The administrator's office also handles town public relations, issues related to personnel and contract negotiations.
The office is staffed by the Township Administrator, the Administrative Assistant, Administrator Coordinator, IT Director, IT Manager and Systems technician.
The Bernards Board of Education oversees six schools within the township: Ridge High School, William Annin Middle School, Cedar Hill School, Liberty Corner School, Mount Prospect School and Oak Street School.
The board is comprised of nine members who serve three year terms and must be Bernards township residents. Three positions are open for election each April.
The Board typically meets twice monthly to talk about policy development, curriculum goals, school management and communicating with the residents of the town on school-related matters.