Bernards Twp. Mayor Wants End To Outdoor Limits For Graduations

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township's Janice Fields joined 21 other mayors in calling for Gov. Phil Murphy to erase the gathering limit for outdoor graduations.

New Jersey currently has no outdoor-gathering limit for wedding ceremonies and receptions, funerals, memorial services or religious and political activities. But a group of 22 mayors dubbed "Mayors for 'Main Street'" want outdoor graduation ceremonies added to the list of activities with no gathering limit.

Murphy expects updated state guidance on graduations next week, he said at Wednesday's coronavirus briefing. But the governor acknowledged that people should start planning for major events.

"We also owe people our best guess as to what it's going to look like for graduation, summer and the beaches," Murphy said. Read more: NJ To Provide Graduation, Beach Guidance Amid COVID Crisis

The "Main Street" alliance calling for a lift on outdoor-graduation capacities features 22 mayors from five counties:

• Larry Jacobs, Mayor, Township of Bedminster
• Janice Fields, Mayor, Bernards Township
• Mary Jane Canose, Mayor, Borough of Bernardsville
• Matthew Moench, Mayor, Bridgewater Township
• Janet Hoven, Mayor, Chester Borough
• Marcia Asdal, Mayor, Chester Township
• Jason Cilento, Mayor, Dunellen Borough
• Paul Vallone, Mayor, Far Hills Borough
• Brian Tipton , Mayor, Harmony Township
• Shawn Lipani, Mayor, Hillsborough Township
• Jim Mengucci , Mayor, Lopatcong Township
• Richard Onderko, Mayor, Manville Borough
• Christine Serrano Glassner , Mayor, Mendham Borough
• Sarah Neibart, Mayor, Mendham Township
• Al Morgan, Mayor, New Providence
• Greg Skinner, Mayor, Peapack Gladstone
• Todd Tersigni, Mayor, Phillipsburg
• Zachery Bray, Mayor, Borough of Raritan
• Michael Marion, Mayor, Warren Township
• Al Smith, Mayor, Scotch Plains
• Matthew Murello, Mayor, Washington Township
• Jeff Herb, Mayor, White Township

The conversation around graduation has echos of the same debate last year. In spring 2020, there was a chance graduation ceremonies couldn't happen at all. Then New Jersey had an outdoor-gathering limit of 25 by late May.

By July 6, Murphy increased outdoor-gathering limits to 500 people. The increase allowed ceremonies to occur, but many institutions had to hold multiple ceremonies to accommodate all students or invite families.

But this year, several New Jersey mayors believe the state should be ready to lift the caps on outdoor ceremonies.

“We have taken so much from our students in the last year but the class of 2021 deserves a graduation," Washington Township Mayor Matthew Murello said in a statement. “It’s time for the Governor to permit our schools to hold outdoor graduations this Spring. Schools are planning now and we cannot wait any longer for action from the State.”

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Basking Ridge Patch Facebook page.