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.
SENIOR CENTER
Although Bridgewater Township Senior Center is closed for onsite operations until further notice, virtual activities and programs for Bridgewater residents of age 55 and above are offered via Zoom. Among the programs offered via Zoom are Dance Fitness, Weights Class, Strength Training, Yoga, and Brain Games. Clients can now participate in many of their favorite activities and classes in the comfort of their own home using Zoom. These virtual classes are a great way to stay active while reconnecting socially with others from the center. If you are interested in participating in Bridgewater Township’s Senior Center’s virtual classes, please contact Jennifer Osterberg at seniors@bridgewaternj.gov for more information. You may also call the senior center at 908-725-8020. Callers are asked to leave their name, phone number, and a brief message. Calls will be returned as soon as possible.
CLERK
The Township Clerk’s Office is up and running. We are here to assist with our daily functions via mail, email or fax. We are currently making appointments for those who need specific services. 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.
Election News:
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. This year is unprecedented in New Jersey since it is the first time a General Election will be held primarily by mail after Governor Phil Murphy issued an Executive Order mandating this new voting process. As the election proceeds we will continue to update the voting public on the election.
Important Dates During the Election
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Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 – Ballots for active voters will be mailed out by this date. Ballots can be submitted as soon as they are received, which may happen before this date.
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Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 – This is the last day to register to vote and be able to cast a ballot in the 2020 General Election.
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Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 – This is the last day to request a replacement ballot through the mail. Ballots can still be requested in person at the Somerset County Clerk’s Office (location TBD due to COVID restrictions) through 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2020.
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Wednesday, Oct. 28 – This is the last day Qualified Overseas and Military Voters can request electronic balloting.
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Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 – Election Day.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
The Yard Waste is operating normally. Senior Brush pick-up (age 65 or older) is still continuing with expanded days and hours after the Tropical Storm, contact Public Works for scheduling.
Bulky Trash dates are set for this year. Please click the link for additional details.
All of our Parks, trail systems and playgrounds are open for use. Governor Murphy has ordered that if you can’t safely social distance (6 feet or more) with people who are not in your household, you must wear a mask or a cloth covering when out in public.
Please do not visit playgrounds if you have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, recently tested positive for COVID-19, or were exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days. If you choose to visit a playground please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with. Avoid crowded playgrounds.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Adults and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer: Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub hands together until dry, if soap and water are not readily available.
- Wear a cloth face covering, if you can. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on:
o Children under age 2;
o Anyone who has medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask
Engineering, Code Enforcement, Planning, and Zoning offices are open to the public from 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday as well as being available by phone and email. DPW is available by phone and email only. Please click the button below for contact information.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Child Safety Seat Inspections
Child safety seat inspections are done by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact the Traffic Safety Bureau at 908-526-1977 or email the Traffic Safety Bureau at traffic@bridgewaterpd.com . Please include your name, phone number and dates/times of availability
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 hybrid reporting process that allows an officer to contact you by phone (or respond directly in certain circumstances)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
Registration is now open for some of Bridgewater Recreation's Fall programs!
NEW FIELD HOCKEY CLINICS available for girls in grades 1 through 8. Players are invited to learn or improve field hockey skills at our new clinics run by Total Dutch Field Hockey Professional Ingrid Alkhoven and BRHS Head Field Hockey Coach Lydia Pinto. There are both Sunday morning and Wednesday evening sessions available at the 1000 Turf. Interested participants must register in advance. Registration and more details are available at brd.leagueapps.com.
College Soccer is a Wednesday night program consisting of pickup games for players ages 18 - 25, supervised and refereed by a DTS trainer. Sign up with some friends and meet some new ones! Registration and more information can be found at brd.leagueapps.com.
Ladies Night on the MCT is a great opportunity for women age 26 and up to get out, be active, and have fun playing soccer on Thursday nights. Pickup games will be supervised by Soccer Centers staff. Participants in both these programs must register in advance. Registration and more details are available at brd.leagueapps.com.
High School Soccer is a Monday night pickup game program for players in grades 9 - 12. Games are refereed and supervised by a DTS trainer. All players must register in advance at brd.leagueapps.com, where you may also find more details regarding the program. Registration deadline is Friday, September 4th.
Junior Panthers Soccer is for boys and girls ages 4 & 5. Participants will learn the fundamentals of soccer in a fun environment. There are three sessions being offered, Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., Sundays at 9:00 a.m., and Sundays at 10:10 a.m. Registration is strictly limited and on a first come, first served basis, please go to brd.leagueapps.com for more details.
Panther Soccer Academy is an instructional development program designed for players who want to take their game to the next level and are interested in trying out for Bridgewater United's travel soccer club. Players must have previous experience on an In Town Soccer team. Additional information and registration is available at brd.leagueapps.com.
Our popular In Town Soccer program is for boys and girls entering grades K - 8 in Fall 2020. Teams practice on local fields one night per week with games on Saturdays. More information is available at bwtintownsoccer.leagueapps.com. Players are still welcome to join the waitlist!
Summer Programs
Missed our Crafternoon Sessions? We are offering Curbside Crafts. Complete craft kits are available for pickup. Visit https://brd.leagueapps.com/pages/registration to see a variety of fun projects, including Hello Sunshine Tote Bag, Hot Shot Soccer Craft, Three-Pointer Basketball Craft & more. Supplies are limited. Registration is open to Bridgewater residents only. Prices vary by project. Registration and details for the projects are available on our website. Check back often for additional projects!
Please follow us on Twitter, @bridgewaterrec or on Bridgewater Township's social media sites for the latest information. If you have any questions please call the Bridgewater Recreation Department at (908)725-6373.
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
To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.
