RECREATION
Many families have inquired about our winter indoor programs, including but not limited to High School Basketball, In Town Basketball, Wrestling, Intro to Cheer and Dance. As of this writing, we still do not know for sure if we will have facilities available to us for these and other winter programs. However, we have decided to err on the side of optimism and begin planning for Winter 2021, with an eye to beginning activities the week of January 11th. Since we do not want to open registration and accept payment prematurely, we plan to begin accepting winter registrations on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Please keep your eyes open for emails from us with any updates or changes. You can also follow us on Twitter @bridgewaterrec. If you have any questions please call our office at (908)725-6373.
Thank you.
Bridgewater Recreation
Continue to stay well, be active, and stay positive.
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. You must be a Bridgewater resident senior to participate.
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 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.
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
Bridgewater Township Council regular meetings are being held virtual via Ring Central access. Please check the website www.bridgewaternj.gov for the access link.
The 2021 Annual Reorganization Meeting will be held virtual on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 7 p.m. Please check the website for ring central access available the week prior.
DOG LICENSING
All dogs at the age of seven months or possessing a permanent set of teeth must be licensed. Licenses are renewed each year in January. Application forms can be found at http://www.bridgewaternj.gov/twpclerk.html.
Owners must present proof of a current rabies vaccination, and proof of sterilization if spayed, or neutered. A current rabies vaccination is one that covers the duration of the licensing year. TO LICENSE YOUR DOG IN 2021, THE VACCINATION MUST BE CURRENT UNTIL AT LEAST THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2021. We suggest you check the expiration date of your dog’s rabies vaccination prior to renewal time (January). If this is the first shot for a puppy or for a newly adopted dog, we will make an exception to this rule.
The license fees are as follows:
$18.00 Un-Altered Dogs
$15.00 Altered Dogs
Late fees: $3.00 after February 1 and $10.00 after June 1
If you have a license issued by another municipality in New Jersey for the current licensing year Bridgewater Township will recognize it as a valid license.
ELECTION BOARD WORKERS NEEDED
You can participate in the electoral process not only by voting, but by serving as an Election Board Worker at the polling places. The Somerset County Board of Elections is seeking qualified district board workers to staff the polls in Bridgewater Township and throughout the County during the June 8, 2021 Primary and November 2, 2021 General elections. The hours on Election Day are from 5:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Board Workers are paid $200 for the day. A two-hour training class is required for new board workers.
If you are interested, please contact the Somerset County Board of Elections at 908-231-7086.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
SNOW PLOW OPERATIONS
It is getting closer to snow season and the Public Works Division wants to remind residents that portable basketball hoops, street hockey goals, etc. must be removed from the roadways including cul-de-sacs for snow plow operations. They should be far enough away from the curb or edge of pavement so that they will not hang over the edge.
During snow events, we request that cars be placed in driveways and off the street. Trash cans and recycling containers should also be kept off the roadways as the plow driver may not see these obstacles or may go around those obstacles leaving these areas unplowed. The Township will not be responsible for any damage to trash cans, recycling containers, basketball hoops, street hockey goals, etc. damaged during snow plow or salting operations. It is the owner’s responsibility to have these items relocated or removed.
In general, the snow plow procedure during the storm is to clean the center of the roadway, to provide access to all roads in an area. Once the storm is over the driver will then proceed to clear the roadway curb to curb (edge to edge of pavement) on each street in the area. Depending on the rate of snowfall we may need to open the center of all the roadways in an area first, delaying the full width clearing to a later time in the snow event. If the roadway has not been cleaned curb to curb, be aware that the front of your driveway maybe covered with snow as the plows complete their work. Please be aware that major roads are plowed first before local residential streets and cul-de-sacs.
If you have any questions please call (908) 725-6300 ext. 6000.
SNOW REMOVAL (SIDEWALKS)
Owners or tenants of any land next to Township public streets must remove all snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of daylight after snowfall has stopped. Snow should be kept on the owner’s property and not moved into the street so that traffic safety is not impacted. If the sidewalk is covered with ice that the owners or tenants cannot remove, the sidewalk must be thoroughly covered with sand, ashes or rock salt within 24 hours after the snowfall has stopped.
Snow that is not removed from sidewalks or ice that is not treated within the time provided above may be removed or treated by the Public Works Division at the
homeowner’s expense.
LEAF BAGS
Fall leaf bags can be picked up at the Department of Public works starting on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Bridgewater residents are allowed in the Public Works complex, see the gate attendant who will allow you inside. The hours of distribution will be from 8 AM – 3 PM, Monday through Friday until supplies run out. There is a limit of 20 bags of bio-degradable leaf bags per household and you can only pickup for your household only. Please bring identification to display when picking up bags. Leaf bags will be picked up once per week until December 31st , please have your bags out by the curb on Monday of each week. If it should snow, please make sure your leaf bags are not in the roadway so that the streets can be plowed.
The Yard Waste is operating normally.
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
Beware of Scams
The Police have seen an uptick in scams targeting the elderly and families. Chief Paul Payne has provided the following links so residents can be informed.
Incident Reports
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.
Body Cams
Bridgewater Police are currently testing their updated Body Worn Cameras (BWC). The BWC, shown below, is attached to the officer’s chest area.
