Qualifications/Experience
Resident for 25+ years, mother of 4, Degrees: BS in Economics and JD. I am a practicing civil trial attorney with prior experience serving as an Assistant Prosecutor in Morris County and as Manager for a MPL insurer. I was elected to the Township Committee and served a 3 year term from 2019 to 2021. I served on numerous committees including the Sewerage Authority, DPW & Engineering Subcommittee, Environmental Commission, Police Dept. Subcommittee, Green Team, Community Service, Golf Advisory Committee, Insurance Fund Committee, Planning Board, Liaison Friends of Kennedy-Martin-Steele Farmstead, Parks, Pathways & Recreation
Involvement in Community
Team Mom Ridge HS Girls Lacrosse Team - 2012, Board Member Ridge HS Boys Lacrosse Team – 2016 - 2018, Speaker at community and school events concerning adolescent substance use disorder – 2016 - 2018, Formerly certified by the National Council for Behavioral Health as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor trained 100+ members of the community including local school districts' administrators and teachers, Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project – Pro Bono Attorney – 2019 to present, Homeless Solutions – team member preparing dinners – 2019 to present.
Slogan
Leaders You Know, Experience You can Trust
Major challenges – the rising costs of goods and services and the loss of ratables due to vacancies or under-utilization of commercial properties. These challenges directly impact the budget and taxes.
If elected, I will continue to pursue county, state, and federal grants to offset budget gaps. I will also aggressively pursue businesses to increase the commercial ratable base to lower the residential tax share. First, by asking residents what businesses they would support and then, by pursuing discussions with private entities whose interests best align with the community’s needs (e.g., if desired a Sports and Wellness Hub to serve youth, adaptive, and senior recreation and wellness needs, sports medicine, healthy food restaurants).
The Township Committee recently passed an ordinance banning data center development which I support. Given the potential environmental impact of these centers, including their use of large amounts of electricity and water to cool equipment, they can incite soaring energy bills and a strain on the electric grid. Many centers rely on back-up diesel-fueled generators which create a risk of fuel spills and in turn, can lead to polluted water, wildlife endangerment, and costly clean-up and /or long-term monitoring. Thus, local governments considering such development need to need to protect their municipalities from such additional costs and place them on the Data Center Owners.
Factors critical to the quality of life include the safety of our residents, our open spaces, and our public school district.
Safety – assess annually; sponsor educational initiatives; and provide our police, fire and EMS with the tools and support they need to serve and protect.
Open Spaces – investigate the benefits and impact of conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan; insure preserved open spaces are cared for and offer benefits to the entire community
Public School District – continue to act in supportive manner, participate in shared-services agreements, and maintain open communication.
The Fifth Round is now ten years away. Thus, it will be important to keep abreast of any legislative changes, and proactively and strategically plan for future affordable housing to comply with state mandates while preserving the character of our community and protecting our resources.
Qualifications/Experience
Paul Humbert brings extensive professional experience in business management, contract negotiation, procurement, supply chain optimization, and complex commercial transactions. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for evaluating costs, negotiating agreements, solving operational problems, and making decisions with long-term financial consequences. As a Bernards Township resident, Paul has also been actively engaged in the community and has spent significant time listening to residents about property taxes, development, public safety, schools, infrastructure, and the effect of state mandates on local government. His combination of private-sector financial and operational experience, problem-solving skills, and commitment to respo
Involvement in Community
Paul Humbert has been actively involved in the Bernards Township community through civic engagement, local events, community outreach, and support for organizations serving township residents. He has participated in and supported community events throughout Bernards Township, including local cultural and civic gatherings. Paul has been a supporter and sponsor of Basking Ridge Indian Community events, including Dandiya Night, and has used these opportunities to meet residents and learn more about the concerns of families throughout the township. Paul has also been engaged in important local issues affecting Bernards residents, including responsible development and the fight against overdevelopment. He has worked alongside community members concerned about the Millington Quarry and has consistently advocated for residents to remain involved in decisions affecting the future of the township. Throughout his campaign, Paul has made meeting and listening to residents a priority, attending
Slogan
Common Sense, Not Extremism
Bernards Township faces rising property taxes, overdevelopment, increasing school costs, public safety needs, and growing pressure from state mandates. If elected, I will bring fiscal discipline to every decision, carefully review major expenditures, pursue shared services and joint purchasing where appropriate, and protect taxpayers while maintaining the high-quality services residents expect. I will oppose unnecessary overdevelopment, challenge mandates that weaken local control, fully support our police and first responders, and improve communication between residents and local government. My focus will be affordability, accountability, public safety, and preserving the charm and quality of life that make Bernards Township special.
Local governments should place clear limits on data-center development when projects threaten residential neighborhoods, strain the electric grid, increase water demand, generate excessive noise, or undermine the community’s long-term land-use goals. I would require a thorough review of traffic, noise, energy use, water consumption, environmental impact, emergency-service needs, and the effect on nearby property values. Any approval should include strong buffering, setbacks, noise limits, infrastructure protections, and enforceable mitigation requirements. Data centers should provide a clear tax and economic benefit to Bernards Township without shifting hidden costs onto residents.
Bernards Township’s quality of life depends on safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, responsible development, well-maintained roads and parks, strong public services, fiscal stability, and preserving the charm that makes our community special. If elected, I will work to keep taxes under control, fully support our police and first responders, oppose overdevelopment that strains schools and infrastructure, and carefully review spending and major projects. I will also support practical cooperation between the Township and Board of Education where it can reduce costs, protect open space, maintain our recreational facilities, and improve communication with residents. My goal is to preserve what people love about Bernards while making thoughtful decisions that keep the community safe, affordable, welcoming, and financially strong for families, seniors, and future generations.
Bernards Township should use every lawful tool available to limit unnecessary density, protect taxpayers, preserve local control, and reduce the impact of state affordable housing mandates. I would prioritize redevelopment of appropriate sites, use existing infrastructure where possible, pursue available credits and alternative compliance options, and carefully evaluate the fiscal impact of every proposal. I would also strongly advocate in Trenton for reforms that give municipalities greater flexibility. Our approach should protect sound planning, neighborhood stability, and the long-term charm of Bernards Township.
Qualifications/Experience
I have lived in New Jersey my entire life, growing up in Berkeley Heights but calling Bernards Township my home since 2010. I live here with my husband, Frank, my daughter, Caeli (22) and my son, Jaxon (11). My daughter graduated from Ridge High School in 2022 and my son currently attends Liberty Corner Elementary School. I love this town! I care about this town, so much so, that when I saw the quality of our schools beginning to decline while our taxes soared, I got elected to the Board of Education (BOE) and served our community in that capacity for three years. While I served on the BOE, I was the Finance Committee Chair and a member of the Facilities & Operations Committee for two years. During this time, I was able to keep the
Involvement in Community
I am currently the District 12 Representative for the Republican Municipal Committee. In addition, I am a member of the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women and a founding member of Somerset Forward Republican Women's Club. I currently serve as a Board Member for the Boys Lacrosse division of Ridge Youth Sports Inc. and was elected and served one term on the Bernards Township Board of Education.
Slogan
Light the way to Victory
Bernards Township faces two interconnected challenges: uncontrolled overdevelopment, and related fiscal results. While the Township Committee doesn't control schools, our decisions profoundly affect them.
The Westgate development exemplifies the problem: development without regard for community capacity or school impact. I propose forming a regional housing authority with surrounding municipalities to build only the housing we genuinely need—not what developers profit from—while protecting school capacity and neighborhood character.
As School Board Finance Chair, I achieved 0% tax growth in year two while raising teacher salaries. I'll apply that discipline to municipal spending, conducting audits to streamline costs and eliminate waste.
Our Township Committee recently unanimously decided to ban data centers in our community. However, this issue is nuanced and still being vetted out all across the country. And in addition, all data-centers are not alike and require the resources that AI Data Centers required. Therefore, I think this decision was premature.
In communities like Loudon County, VA, data centers have reduced annual property taxes per household by $5,800. Additionally, the data centers have brought in additional direct contributions related to infrastructure improvements, Volunteer Fire & Rescue department donations and renewable energy investments.
We should not have voted for an overall ban but rather looked at the opportunities on a case by case basis.
Quality of life in Bernards Township depends on three critical factors: excellent schools, strong neighborhoods, and fiscal responsibility.
While the Township Committee doesn't control schools directly, we control development patterns and tax burden that affect school capacity and resources. I will limit overdevelopment to protect schools from overcrowding and preserve property tax rates that allow families to afford living here.
Strong Neighborhoods require protecting community character through thoughtful development. I propose a regional housing authority ensuring we build only needed housing, not speculative excess that transforms neighborhood character overnight. Smart growth beats uncontrolled growth.
Fiscal Responsibility means every tax dollar serves residents, not waste.
These factors aren't separate—they're interconnected.
I propose working with neighboring municipalities to form a regional housing authority that will work to build, manage and maintain the minimal amount of units required by the State of New Jersey to prevent developers from building developments three times the size of what is required and being a net negative tax revenue situation for the township costing the residents more of their hard earned income.
Qualifications/Experience
I was a senior executive at Citi for more than two decades, leading the company’s global strategy for hiring and developing diverse talent, fostering an inclusive work environment, and ensuring management accountability. Afterward, I joined the Forté Foundation as the Director of Corporate Partners, responsible for new business development. I am now principal of a business consulting firm headquartered in Bernards Township. My professional background, including strong skills in policy development and implementation across 100 countries, and working with government affairs, public affairs, non-profit organizations, enabled me to embrace public service.
Involvement in Community
I have been an active volunteer in Bernards Township for the nearly 30 years that I’ve lived here, including the YMCA board, PTO committees, and professional organizations. Since 2023, I have served as the Township Committee liaison to a broad range of our boards, including the Environmental and Shade Tree Commissions, Golf Advisory and Agricultural Advisory Committees, Municipal Alliance, Police Subcommittee, Office of Emergency Management, and Utility liaison.
Yrs. of Residence
27
Slogan
Leaders You Know: Experience You Can Trust
The Bernards Township Committee has sustained momentum on several objectives including the following: fiscal responsibility, economic development, and inclusive communities. The Township experienced a base plan increase of 35.4% for health care employee benefits in 2026. In addition, because of vacancies from decreased demand for retail and office space, the share of the ratable base attributed to commercial properties has markedly decreased from 23% to nearly 10% since 1989. Bernards Township is partnering with other municipalities on reform, and seeking additional funding sources. As Mayor, I initiated an application for $1.8M in 2027 Community Project Funding, and will continue to explore ways to ensure our financial stability.
I spearheaded the initiative to introduce and pass Ordinance #2026-2599, prohibiting data centers across the municipality and removing "data processing centers" as a permitted use in office zones. Data centers have the potential to create substantial environmental impacts through high energy consumption, cooling demands, backup power generation systems, and related infrastructure requirements. Limiting development of highly energy-intensive facilities advances the Township's Master Plan's relevant conservation and environmental resource objectives. We also wanted to be mindful of environmental concerns and sewer capacity. We believe the prohibition of data centers is important at this time.
Bernards Township is proud to be the second safest community in New Jersey and is appreciative and deeply supportive of our Police Department, Fire and Rescue Companies, and EMS. Public safety is a priority. I initiated the Township’s work with Ride Wise, a non-profit organization that partners with Somerset County municipalities on pedestrian, cyclist, and driver safety, in partnership with the Bernards Police Department. Ride Wise conducted a Street Smart Campaign during May and June, including Community Days to provide pedestrian education. Ride Wise will provide the Township with a Street Smart Report including recommendations in support of enhancing safety. I am committed to communicating these learnings with the community and Township leadership and continuing to work in partnership with our Police Department to enhance public safety.
I am committed to meeting our state-imposed Mount Laurel obligations to provide diverse, affordable housing options so that those who wish to live here can consider calling Bernards Township home. The Township needs to ensure that the growth is sustainable, can be supported through our existing infrastructure, and is aligned with the character of our community. The Township met its 4th round affordable housing obligations creating the least number of new units and maximized the number of bonus credits. We cannot foresee what a potential fifth round in 2035 will require, yet I will advocate that the Township be proactive toward planning for future affordable housing obligations in the spirit of retaining our community’s unique character.
