March 15, 2007


Via Facsimile 973-597-2351 and U.S. Mail

Peter H. Ehrenberg
Lowenstein Sandler
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, NJ 07068-1791

Re:	Center Bancorp, Inc.
DEFA14 filed on March 12, 2007
PRE 14A filed February 27, 2007
DEFA14A filed February 5, 2007
DEFA14A filed February 2, 2007
SEC File No. 0-15491

Dear Mr. Ehrenberg:

The staff in the Office of Mergers and Acquisitions has conducted
a
limited review of the filings listed above. Our review is focused
on
issues related to the proxy contest initiated by The Committee to
Preserve Shareholder Value ("Committee").

Please understand that the purpose of our review process is to
assist
you in your compliance with applicable disclosure requirements and
to
enhance the overall disclosure in your filings.  We look forward
to
working with you in these respects.  We welcome any questions you
may
have about our comments or on any other aspect of our review.
Feel
free to contact me at the phone number listed at the end of this
letter with any questions about these comments or your filings
generally.

All defined terms used in this letter have the same meaning as in
your proxy statement, unless otherwise indicated. Note that you
should comply with these comments, to the extent applicable, in
any
future soliciting materials used in this proxy contest.


PRE 14A filed February 27, 2007

General

1. Please fill in the blanks throughout the proxy statement,
including the blank for the record date, which we understand has
now
been set.

2. Add a section to the proxy statement summarizing any prior
contacts between the Company and members of the Committee or its
representatives.

Cover Page

3. List the names of all participants in this solicitation, as
defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A, on the cover
page
of the proxy statement.

4. Revise to indicate that shareholders may also revoke a proxy
granted to you by submitting a later-dated proxy to the Committee.

Employment Agreements, page 16

5. Item 5(b) of Schedule 14A requires you to describe any
substantial
interest of any participant in this solicitation. As you are
aware,
"participant" is defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule
14A
to include any director. Therefore, as to each of your directors,
quantify the amount of cash and other benefits (if any) such
director
would receive if Mr. Seidman`s solicitation is successful. In this
regard, we note the figures listed on page 18; clarify whether
those
would become or might become due if Mr. Seidman`s nominees are
elected to the Board. Your revised disclosure should address such
as
(i) what constitutes "good reason" which would permit resignation
of
the officer/director as it relates to this proxy contest?; (ii)
how
many members made up the Company`s board when each employment
agreement was entered into, and thus what constitutes a "change in
control" as defined in such agreements?

6. We note that changes to the named officers` employment
agreements
were adopted recently. Briefly describe the reasons for these
amendments, including the reasons for their timing.

Closing Comments

We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy
of the disclosure in the filings reviewed by the staff to be
certain
that they have provided all information investors require for an
informed voting decision.  Since the filing persons are in
possession
of all facts relating to the relevant disclosure, they are
responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures they
have made.


In connection with responding to our comments, please provide, in
writing, a statement from the Company acknowledging that:

* it is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the
disclosure
in the filing;

* staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff
comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action
with
respect to the filing; and

* the Company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any
proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the
federal securities laws of the United States.

In addition, please be advised that the Division of Enforcement
has
access to all information you provide to the staff of the Division
of
Corporation Finance in our review of your filing or in response to
our comments on your filing.

Please amend your filings in response to these comments.  You may
wish to provide us with black-lined copies of the revised consent
revocation statement to expedite our review.  Please furnish a
cover
letter with your amended filing that keys your responses to our
comments and provides any requested supplemental information.
Please
file such letter on EDGAR.  Detailed cover letters greatly
facilitate
our review.
Please understand that we may have additional comments after
reviewing your amended filings and responses to our comments. If
you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202)
551-3263.



Sincerely,



Christina Chalk
Special Counsel
Office of Mergers and Acquisitions


Peter H. Ehrenberg, Esq.
March 15, 2007
Page 1



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-0303

         DIVISION OF
CORPORATION FINANCE