Good Morning, Bridgewater!

Volume VII | April 22, 2020

A Message from Mayor Moench

Dear Bridgewater Resident,

Let me start by saying, "Thank you." Your patience, your courage and your compassion for your neighbors continue to astound and inspire all of us here at Bridgewater Township.

Many of you have been reaching out to us with insightful questions or helpful suggestions on Township policy as we navigate this pandemic. Still more continue to contact us every day, asking how they can best support their neighbors who are in need.

A community’s character is forged in crisis, and as we face this one together, I have never in my life been so proud to call Bridgewater my home.

Unfortunately, no matter the courage or the resolve with which we face the pandemic, the tragedy of it is inescapable. To date, we have lost 30 of our friends and neighbors here in Bridgewater. Because we are home to several Long Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities, Bridgewater has felt the effects COVID-19 even more acutely than some of our neighboring communities. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with everyone impacted by this disease.

Beyond our health and safety, many of us are feeling the effects financially. Small businesses are closing or have had revenues decrease drastically, and individuals are losing their jobs at historic rates.

If you need assistance, or if you have questions, comments or concerns, I promise you that we will do absolutely everything in our power to help you and your family. If we can’t assist or answer you directly, we will make every attempt to connect you with someone who can. The contact information for all Township offices is below.

Unfortunately, the Township itself is not immune to the impacts of this pandemic. In this newsletter, and over the coming weeks, we will do our best to explain to you what difficulties the Township government is experiencing, and what those difficulties mean for our future.

The struggle is far from over, but we will see our way through it, and we will be back.

In the meantime, stay safe, support our local businesses, help your neighbors—and remember that we stand together, no matter the task or challenge that lies before us.

Sincerely,

Matthew C. Moench

Mayor

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL

Last week, Mayor Matthew Moench, joined by Bridgewater's Health and Emergency Management Officials, held a Telephone Town Hall for Bridgewater residents to discuss the municipal response the COVID-19 pandemic.

The community conversation ranged from information released on positive cases in Bridgewater to public health safety tips for families and included discussion on municipal taxes and revenues.

Please see below to listen to the event in its entirety:

MAYOR MOENCH CALLS FOR LEGISLATURE TO PASS LOCAL FINANCE REFORMS

Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench sent a letter to Governor Phil Murphy and Legislative Leadership calling for them to take on a series of municipal finance reforms that would help municipalities, like Bridgewater, in dealing with budgetary issues as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER

SMALL BUSINESS WEBINAR HOSTED BY:

Last Friday, Mayor Matthew Moench and Bridgewater Township, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosted a digital Small Business Forum. Bridgewater small business owners will had the opportunity to hear directly from and ask questions to SBA officials.

Call Participants included:

· Matthew Moench, Mayor

· Michael Pappas, Bridgewater Township Administrator

· Alfred Titone, SBA New Jersey District Director

· Michael Lampton, SBA Disaster Field Operations Center Acting Deputy Director

· Kathy Cook, SBA External Affairs Specialist

Click below to watch:

SBA/Bridgewater Small Business Webinar 4/17/20

Over the past couple weeks, we have introduced our #ActiveBWT series brought you by #BridgewaterRecreation , designed to keep our residents mentally and physically active while we observe the measures set by our public health officials. This dynamic video series will feature a wide variety of sports, activities, disciplines and classes to keep our quarantined residents active, positive and energetic! Below is a sampling of our Yoga videos featuring Shalini Rajamani.

*The Bridgewater Township Division of Recreation hopes you enjoy this series of instructional videos. We ask that you be mindful of the varied physical requirements of each activity and use good judgment when participating in each program. To reduce and avoid injury, consult a medical professional before beginning any fitness program. Each participant in these programs performs them at their own risk. Bridgewater Township shall not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of our online fitness videos.

During the April 16th meeting of the Bridgewater Township Council, the governing body unanimously passed a Resolution expressing disappointment in the lack of federal stimulus funds coming to Bridgewater Township and called on the Township’s federal representatives to advocate for any future stimulus or aid for Bridgewater Township to help minimize the impacts of this crisis on its residents and property taxpayers. Click below to read the press release and the full text of the Resolution:

APRIL 16TH RESOLUTION

UPDATES ON UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

In order to practice safe social distancing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, meetings will be held digitally.

We had success operating the meetings digitally, with several members of the public participating. If you would like to participate in the next meeting, please click here to download RingCentral Meetings on your preferred device. Details on how to join will be available closer to the date of the meeting.

Bridgewater Township, as with most of America, is navigating uncharted territory. We are taking every possible measure to ensure that we remain an open, transparent and effective government for our residents during this difficult time. We appreciate your patience as we work to deliver the quality of service that you expect and deserve. Thank you.

SMALL BUSINESS QUESTIONNAIRE

In a effort to help small businesses that are struggling through this COVID-19 crisis, Bridgewater Township is attempting to aggregate information on businesses that are still open so that residents can patronize these institutions during this difficult time.

If you are a small business owner and are still open, please click the button below and fill out the online form.

SMALL BUSINESS QUESTIONNAIRE

If you are a consumer and would like to see the results of the questionnaire, please click below to see a lost of the businesses that have filled it out with their information.

If you know a small business owner, please forward them this email so that they have the opportunity to be included.

BRIDGEWATER BUSINESSES OPEN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

*Please note that the business listed here are those who responded to Bridgewater Townships online form. If you are a small business owner and are still open, please click below and fill out the online form. We will aggregate the responses and post them on a daily basis.

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.

Our Senior Citizen Center remains closed, but we have welcomed our new Center Coordinator, Jennifer Osterberg. Jen is busy making plans to welcome our Seniors back to their “home away from home” as soon as we can. We will be postponing our Senior Health Fair, which usually takes place in April.

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, while we can’t process marriage licenses at this time, certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates may be provided.

Election News:

The 2020 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Click the link below for a complete list of the new Primary Election Timelines.

https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/chrons/2020-chron-02-primary-election-040820.pdf

We encourage all voters to vote by mail-in ballot. Ballot applications can be found on the Township website at www.bridgewaternj.gov

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

All Planning and Zoning Board meetings have been cancelled through April. The Township will re-evaluate the scheduled meetings in May.

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.

Governor Murphy has closed the State and County Park systems but our trails and parks systems are open for exercise, 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

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.

Crash reports can be obtained by utilizing https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/

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 still postponed until further notice. We have been making contingency plans for a Spring 2020 soccer season. Games and sessions were set to begin at the end of April and we will continue to follow Health Officials recommendations. We will also provide any updates and/or changes accordingly and are trying to be proactive. More information will be forthcoming to registered participants in the near future. At this time we have not cancelled any programs and we thank you for your patience while we navigate these uncharted waters.

We are hopeful that we can provide some portion of the spring In-Town, BUSC Travel, Jr. Panthers and Panther Soccer Academy programs, maybe shortening the season or extending it. Other spring programs such as Adult Volleyball, GEM, Bollywood Dance Fitness and clinics will most likely start at a later date as well. Once we have a better idea on a time frame we will have more information regarding what the season will look like and if partial refunds or full refunds are necessary.

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 .

Also, Township owned parks and trails are currently still open. All state and county owned parks and trails are closed. For more information regarding which parks are Township owned please visit https://parks.bridgewaternj.gov .

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. To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.

DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The COVID-19 prevention guidelines for Bridgewater residents can help you stay healthy:

Stay at home (unless obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work, or engaging in outdoor activities.)
Avoid close contact with people outside your household (within 6 feet).
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If they are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, switches, cabinet handles, remotes, tables, counters, sinks, toilets, etc.

What should I do if I am sick?

Stay home. Avoid close contact with other people (within 6 feet), including family members.
Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands.
Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if you have trouble breathing.

After I get sick, how do I know that I'm recovered?

You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without using fever-reducing medication)
AND
your other symptoms have improved (for example, your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ or https://www.coronavirus.gov/ for more information.

Healthcare Workers: For working around the clock and facing this pandemic so bravely on the front lines.

Emergency Responders: For serving our community so bravely especially in these times of uncertainty. Putting yourselves in harms way every single day to ensure that we can stay safe and healthy.

Teachers: For adapting so quickly to this crisis and making sure that our children are still getting the education that they need.

Our Residents: For staying calm and patient in this trying time, following the guidelines set out by the Country's public heath authority and for helping your your neighbors in every way that you can.

This is not the new normal...we WILL be back!

What other information would you like to see? Please click the link below and give us feedback on items that you think should be included.

FEEDBACK

Matthew C. Moench, Mayor