The Montgomery News | Posted March 18, 2026
A New Jersey Chancery Court Judge ruled in favor of a local community group and the Borough of Rocky Hill, concluding a long-running legal battle over the fate of the shuttered Mary Jacobs Memorial Library. The court ruled on March 18 at 9 am that a newly formed entity, the Harold & Mary Jacobs Library Foundation, Inc. (H&MJLF), presented a viable plan to reopen and maintain a small community library in Rocky Hill — consistent with the original intent of donor Harold Jacobs.
Judge Haekyoung Suh's decision, which followed a bifurcated trial that concluded this week, accepts the dissolution of the Mary Jacobs Foundation (MJF) and mandates the distribution of its assets. Suh is the presiding judge of the General Equity Division (Chancery) for Vicinage 13, which includes Somerset County.
The Mary Jacobs Memorial Library in Rocky Hill in springtime. Photo courtesy of Brenda Fallon.
In the final judgment, the court ordered the following transfers:
Land and Building: The library land and building at 64 Washington Street shall be transferred to the Borough of Rocky Hill.
Liquid Assets: The remaining liquid assets of the dissolving MJF, after payment of all liabilities (including approximately $150,000 in unpaid legal fees), shall be transferred to the Harold & Mary Jacobs Library Foundation.
Case Conclusion: All remaining claims and counterclaims are dismissed with prejudice.
The ruling rejected the MJF's original proposed dissolution plan, which sought to transfer the liquid assets to the Somerset County Library Commission (SCLC). The Office of the Attorney General had objected to the SCLC transfer, arguing it would not align with Harold Jacobs' expressed intent to build and maintain a library specifically within the Borough of Rocky Hill.
The litigation began when plaintiffs—the Borough of Rocky Hill and citizens including Helen Morris, Walter “Brad” Bradherring, Susan Bristol, William K. Hallman, and Thomas D. Bremner—commenced the suit to gain control of the library and reopen it after it had closed. MJF then filed complaints against third-party defendants, Robert Uhrik, in his capacity as mayor of the borough of Rocky Hill, Susan Bristol, and Connie Hallman.
After nearly three years of litigation, the MJF unanimously voted to dissolve on November 13, 2025. Their third party complaint was dismissed with prejudice by the courts on February 19, 2026, after MJF voted to dissolve.
The core issue of the trial's final phase was the viability of the H&MJLF's plan to operate the library.
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Representing the plaintiffs, Brian Kasper argued that the evidence conclusively demonstrated a viable plan founded upon a well-reasoned budget, which used data from comparable municipal-run libraries including those in Hopewell and Pennington. Kasper emphasized that the H&MJLF's mission statement and bylaws squarely align with the last will and testament of Harold Jacobs, fulfilling the principle of cy-près (applying charitable funds to a purpose as near as possible to the original intent).
Defense counsel Keith A. Loughlin, representing the MJF, argued the plaintiffs' plan failed and asserted that the plaintiffs came into the case with "unclean hands," which should prevent them from receiving any foundation funds.
Kasper defended the Borough of Rocky Hill, and the non-profit citizens' group, saying there is no evidence before the court, as it relates to bad faith conduct, or “unclean hands.”
Deputy Attorney General Thomas Swan briefly affirmed the NJ Attorney General's position that the funds should be applied to a charitable intent closely related to Mr. Jacobs' wishes.
The court placed significant weight on the commitment and talents of the plaintiffs' witnesses, finding their testimony reliable, trustworthy, and convincing.
Financials: The H&MJLF's trustee Walter “Brad” Bradherring testified that an annual operating budget would be $181,457. The income side of the budget was found to be viable, with key components including $120,000 budgeted from investment income and an annual $10,000 contribution pledged by the Borough of Rocky Hill.
Partnership: The plan hinges on a critical partnership where the Borough of Rocky Hill, as the building owner, will assist with grants and maintenance.
Startup Funding: To cover startup costs, including an estimated $100,000 for a physical collection of about 8,000 books and items and $12,000 for equipment, various fundraising efforts are underway. Bradherring, who is also one of the plaintiffs, pledged a personal matching grant of $25,000 to the re-opening of the library.
Community Support: The plan is backed by significant community interest, as evidenced by a petition to save the library that collected nearly 300 signatures—representing approximately 33% of Rocky Hill's 737 residents.
Judge Suh noted during the trial in Flemington this week that the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library had closed in February 2025 with nothing left but basic furniture, one book, and the portrait of Mary Jacobs.
"But, where there is a will, there is a way," Judge Suh said. "The plaintiffs have demonstrated not just a will to have a library specifically to serve residents of Rocky Hill, but have backed that up with municipal and community support, affluent donors, enthusiastic residents with skills, and a viable budget."
The judge ruled then that reopening the library — which has been a fixture in the community for more than 50 years — with a smaller footprint is a "viable endeavor." She mentioned the MJF had just spent more than $450,000 to renovate about one-third of the library, and this would complement the reopening.
The intent is to operate a small community library in the heart of Rocky Hill, supplementing rather than duplicating the services offered by the Somerset County Library System at its Montgomery Township branch.
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Rocky Hill Borough Mayor Bob Uhrik told The Montgomery News, “I am extraordinarily pleased with the court decision. The borough thanks the residents who supported this effort, especially those participants who were personally involved in the court proceedings as well as Rocky Hill Borough council members who focused on this important effort.
“Rocky Hill residents have been granted the continuance of one of the most important features of this community or any community: its own public library.”
Borough Council President Richard Novak said, “We were successful on behalf of the residents of Rocky Hill for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save an important community asset and the showpiece anchor of our historic downtown.”
Brenda Fallon, former President of the MJML Foundation, commented that the conclusion of this trial is “a tremendous relief.” “This morning I have spoken to former trustees Wendy Rayner, Hank Bristol, and Sherley Young, about the good news,” she said. “These former trustees who led the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library Foundation for over 25 years are excited and happy about this ‘right decision.’
“This is proof there is goodness and fairness in the world. We are relieved that our years of dedication were not wasted. We thank the local community group — SAVE MJL — for pursuing this outcome. We look forward to a new rejuvenated and competent Board of Trustees to lead with integrity, decency, and knowledge to restore the foundation to its original purpose—Harold Jacob’s intent to memorialize his wife Mary through a library in her home town of Rocky Hill."
Sherley Young, a former trustee and daughter of the founding trustee who handled Harold Jacob’s will, said: ‘My father would be dancing for joy in heaven with Laura Stabler, the other founding trustee, along with Harold and Mary Jacobs.”
The Montgomery News reached out to the MJF president and vice president for a statement but did not hear back from them in time for this article. This article will be updated if they issue a comment.
