One of the most notable developments was the establishment of the Jacobus Vanderveer House Commission, formalized through Ordinance 2025-015. This new commission aims to revitalize the operations and programming of the historic Vanderveer House, previously managed by the Friends of the Vanderveer House. The ordinance creates a township commission with up to 21 voting members. This move followed a decline in participation and interest, prompting the council to prioritize local representation in the site’s management. The council underscored the importance of prioritizing taxpayer interests over those of external organizations.

Resolution 2025-118 saw the appointment of various members to the Jacobus Vanderveer House Commission. The appointees, who possess backgrounds in historic preservation, fundraising, and community involvement, include Norm Penny, a grant writer, Sue Manion, a teacher with ties to the historical society, and Cynthia Crossen, involved with the Somerset Hills Historical Society. Bedminster residents Robin Ray and Renee Moreski were also appointed, with the latter serving as a liaison for several years. The council expressed enthusiasm for the diverse expertise of the appointees, which is anticipated to greatly benefit the commission’s work.

In addition to the formation of the Vanderveer House Commission, the council addressed the hazardous condition of a connector pathway between O’Brien and the hike and bike path. In response to community concerns, the council swiftly replaced all the pavers, receiving commendations for their prompt action. The council emphasized the importance of community input, encouraging residents to report any issues for timely resolution.

A significant topic discussed was the impact of recent severe weather on the community. A storm had caused substantial disruptions, including power outages due to downed wires at the Greater Crossroads substation. The outages primarily affected western Bedminster, requiring manual resetting of breakers to restore power. The council acknowledged the severe nature of the outages and the tragic loss of life in nearby areas.

The meeting also provided updates on infrastructure projects, including the anticipated completion of roof work by the end of July, with gutter alignment being the final task. Additionally, ongoing construction on Hills Drive, which had been disrupted by the storms, is scheduled to continue with plans for underground boring, cabling, and testing. Meanwhile, the OEM computer shed sustained damage from a fallen tree, disrupting the paging network for fire and first aid services. The council coordinated with local agencies to prioritize power restoration to the repeater shed, successfully overcoming the challenges posed by the damaged gate.

Moreover, the council discussed developments at the Somerset Hill Shopping Center in Pluckman, where construction is progressing despite the absence of a secured tenant. The project, approved by the zoning board three years ago, has attracted interest from potential businesses, signaling potential growth for the area.

The council meeting also touched on a range of community initiatives. The recent farmers market saw significant attendance, with 1,288 visitors. An emotional moment was shared as a regular attendee, Larry, returned following the passing of his wife, expressing that the market gave him a reason to get out of bed.

In the realm of local business, Fresh Pet has recently moved into town, with plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. There is an expectation that Fresh Pet will contribute to the upcoming dog park. Additionally, the council addressed a property known as Lana Lobel, which had fallen into disrepair. It was purchased by Fiddler’s Elbow for development into event space and guest accommodations.