HEALTH
The Health Department continues to work with health officials to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, and to keep the public as informed as possible. At this time we will respond to any complaints filed in our office, but we have postponed routine inspections until we can ensure the safety of our residents, businesses, and Township employees. If you encounter an issue that requires immediate attention, you can still reach us by phone or email. Please click the button below for contact information.
CLERK
The Township Clerk’s Office is up and running. We are here to assist with the majority of our daily functions just via mail, email or fax. The building is closed to the public. However, we are here assisting the governing body with upcoming meetings (via broadcast), available for licensing including but not limited to dogs, cats, raffles, bingo and other games of chance and other duties as imposed by statute, regulation or municipal ordinance.
For Registrar/Vital Records and Statistics, please see the information below for Marriage or Civil Union applications.
Although we are not currently open to the public certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificate requests may be processed.
Election News:
On Friday Governor Murphy issued
Executive Order 144
ordering the July 7 Primary Election be conducted primarily by vote-by-mail ballots with at least one polling location open in each municipality.
Vote-by-mail ballots will automatically be sent to all “active” registered Democratic and Republican votes without applying for the vote-by-mail ballots. Vote-by-mail applications will automatically be sent to all “active” voters who are registered as Unaffiliated and all “inactive” registered Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated voters. All vote-by-mail applications and return envelopes will have prepaid postage.
The order also suspends the requirement that vote-by-mail ballots be counted prior to the closing of polls. Instead ballots may continue to be counted beyond the close of polls and continue until the counting is completed. To be considered valid the vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked on or before July 7, 2020 and received by 8:00 p.m. on July 14, 2020. Please note vote by mail ballots may not be returned to the polling location.
The order also suspends the requirement to mail sample ballots. Instead the appropriate county official will send a notice of the voter’s polling place, information on where to obtain a sample ballot prior the election, a statement indicating that a sample ballot will be available at the polling place on the day of the election, and, if applicable, information on a county website where a sample ballot may be viewed.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
The Yard Waste and Senior Brush Pick-up services are continuing as scheduled and as man power will allow. There may be changes forthcoming and we will update residents when appropriate.
There are currently no Bulky Trash days scheduled. We will update when we can hold these events safely.
Electronic waste recycling is run by the Somerset County Recycling Division and is not currently accepting E-Waste.
Governor Murphy has reopened the State and County Park systems and our trails and parks systems remain open for exercise but social distancing still needs to be practiced. Several amenities in the parks have been temporarily closed off to encourage this practice. We will continue to assess the viability of keeping our parks open but for now, please enjoy them safely.
Engineering, Code Enforcement, Planning, DPW and Zoning offices are available by phone and email. Please click the button below for contact information.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police have seen an uptick in scams targeting the elderly and families. Acting Chief Paul Payne has provided the following links so residents can be informed.
To protect the officers and personnel of the Bridgewater Police Department, as well as the community from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we will be implementing a reporting process that allows an officer to contact you by phone after the incident has been reported to Somerset County Communications. Officers will contact you at the number provided to dispatch for crimes/incidents such as Harassment (Phone Calls and non-Domestic Violence), Hit and Run Accidents, Fraud and Financial Crimes, Identity Theft, Thefts, Lost Property, Criminal Mischief, Property Damage, and Threats. Please note that telephone reports are intended for offenses that do not require a police response due to violence or the need to collect evidence. The officer will confirm with the complainant that:
• This is not an emergency.
• The complainant knows that filing a false police report is a crime.
• The incident occurred within the Bridgewater Township limits.
• The complainant understands that the Bridgewater Township Police Department will review this case and may contact them if further information is needed.
After the Report is taken:
• When finished with the call, the officer will give the complainant a case number to reference at a later date and time.
• If documents are needed, such as written statements, have the complainant fax or email them to you, have the complainant bring them to the police department, or lastly, meet the complainant outside in the open.
Please note that telephone reports are intended for offenses that do not require a police response due to violence or the need to collect evidence.
This process allows the public to report crimes in which the complainant does not have access to a computer to utilize the self-reporting system located on our website.
Anyone requesting a copy of an incident report can call our Records Bureau at 908-725-4044 or email
Records@bridgewaterpd.com
. A copy of the report can be emailed back to the requesting party. Make sure to provide your name, phone number, email address, and case number.
We will do our best to assist the public in any way we can. However we need the community to follow the recommendations of the CDC and limited their exposure risks.
RECREATION
All Bridgewater Recreation activities are cancelled until further notice. We have been begun the process of refunding all registration fees for our Spring 2020 season. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to our department. As always, we are available via email at
recreation@bridgewaternj.gov
.
The Municipal Complex is closed to both the public and non-essential employees, however, we are working remotely and available should you have questions or concerns. Please continue to visit the Bridgewater Township website,
www.bridgewaternj.gov
for updates, along with the Bridgewater Township social media sites. Follow us on Twitter
@BridgewaterRec
.
Continue to stay well, be active, and stay positive.
FINANCE
The Finance Department is continuing its full operation. Residents can submit tax and sewer payments online with the ACH fees waived.
Pay online:
TAX BILL PAYMENT:
SEWER BILL PAYMENT:
Payments can also be mailed either to the Township Lock box in Newark or to the municipal building.
Bridgewater Tax Collector
P.O. Box 24005
Newark, NJ 07101-0406
or
Bridgewater Township
c/o Tax Collector
100 Commons Way
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Taxes can also be dropped off at the building. There is a mail slot marked "Recreation" at the far employee entrance on the Garretson Road side of the building. There are 3 reserved parking spaces for residents for this purpose.
May 1, 2020 taxes grace period was extended until June 1, 2020. To avoid interest charges pleased pay by this date. Failure to pay by June 1, will result in interest charges charged back to May 1, 2020.
Sewer payments are still due June 1, 2020 and have a 10 day grace period.
To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.
