Sandy Power Outages, Teachers Contract Top 2012 News

September

• Possible plans for redevelopment of a location on Route 202/206 in Bedminster have been thrown away after the developer was involved in a dispute with the state over another piece of land that was supposed to be part of an exchange of property.
• The Bedminster Fall Fest included vendors, farm animals and fire company demonstrations as thousands came out to celebrate the event at River Road Park.
• A tentative contract between the Somerset Hills Education Association and board of education was up for ratification at the beginning of September.  

October

• Superstorm Sandy dominated the news at the end of October, as Somerset Hills and Bedminster schools were closed for days, and almost 100 percent of residents in Bedminster and Bernardsville were without power just after the storm hit on Oct. 29, and lasting for about 14 days, in addition to gas rationing, stores closing and the town remaining fairly quiet for days.
• The in the 92nd annual event that included eating, drinking and the races themselves.
• The Far Hills Races were held, but the mayor said it was time to do something to put an end to the issues of alcohol and drug use, among other problems that occurred at this year’s event.
• Drew Isaacs was initially the only Bedminster resident to apply for a seat on the board of education vacated by Jason Anagonstis, but the board of education declined to make an official decision on his candidacy after interviewing him during a meeting in October.
• The current contract negotiations between the Bedminster Education Association and the board of education headed to fact finding in mid-October.
• The search for a new superintendent of the Somerset Hills School District began in mid-October, with the quest to replace Peter Miller, who had been with the district for 35 years.
• Corby Swan began as the new principal of Bedminster Township School, moving from the Branchburg School District.
• The Bedminster Township Committee approved a question for the ballot concerning allowing for some open space funds to be used for maintenance of open space throughout the township.    

November

• The month started with Superstorm Sandy headlines as residents continued to deal without power, some well into the second week of the month, gas lines remained long leading to rationing and stores slowly started to reopen throughout the township.
• The Bedminster Township School District eliminated the long Presidents Day Weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day to make up for days lost during the power outages of Superstorm Sandy.
• The Bernardsville Borough Council determined that it would remove brush and trees that came down during Superstorm Sandy so long as they are placed into public right of ways.
• The by having school on the days that were originally scheduled for the NJEA Teachers Convention.
• Steve Parker and Lawrence Jacobs were elected to the township committee in the November elections.
• The Bernardsville voters rejected a proposal to build a new turf field, but did approve spending $10 million on road repairs.

December

• A .
• , and the superintendent said they would be looking into additional security measures for the future.
• Mayor Robert Holtaway is stepping away from public service after nine years on the committee and more than 30 years working for local government.
• Somerset Hills Board Member Karen McMahon is leaving the board, and a new Far Hills board member will be sworn in to replace her Jan. 2.
• A three-year contract between the Somerset Hills teachers and board of education was finally approved in mid-December, retroactive to the last school year and giving teachers raises for two years.
• The Bedminster Township Land Use Board is beginning considerations for an ordinance to regulate the building of different kinds of solar panels throughout the township.
• Monica Burch was chosen as the newest Bedminster Board of Education member after being interviewed by both the county superintendent and the board of education itself.