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.
The Senior Center continues to remain closed until further notice. To help strengthen the well-being and connectivity of our senior residents during this time, virtual Zoom events have been implemented weekly. Among the events offered are exercise classes such as Dance Fitness, Weights, and Strength Training. Other activities include brain games which intentionally engage cognitive processing while offering a relaxed, fun atmosphere among participants. In order to receive announcements about these virtual Zoom events, please provide your name and email address to Jennifer Osterberg at
seniors@bridgewaternj.gov
.
CLERK
The Township Clerk’s Office is up and running. We are here to assist with the majority of our daily functions via mail, email or fax. The building is closed to the public however, 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.
2020-2021 Cat Licenses are renewed annually during the month of June.
Mail–In payment or Drop off payment with a self addressed stamped envelope at the Municipal Building vestibule and place in the Clerk Office box to be processed and returned.
Cost: $5.00 Spayed/Neutered; $8.00 if NOT Spayed/Neutered
Rabies must be good for the licensing period which means thru April, 2021 for renewal. Proof of current rabies vaccinations must be provided. Proof of spaying/neutering is required unless previously provided.
Rabies is a serious concern of Township Officials. By licensing, we know your pet has been properly vaccinated. Should you no longer have your cat please note on the reminder card and return to Bridgewater Township Clerk Office at 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, so notices to renew do not continue.
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:
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.
For more information on the 2020 primary election, click the link below:
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.
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.
Pursuant to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #157 Bridgewater will be opening all municipal playgrounds except for Kid Street on July 2nd. The unique nature of the Kid Street facility poses additional social distancing challenges, and Bridgewater Township cannot adequately assure the safety of visitors to Kid Street at this time. 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.
o 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
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.
Bridgewater Police Department Records is open. We strongly encourage the public to call ahead to schedule a pick-up for reports. Reports can also be emailed to you by submitting your request to
records@bridgewaterpd.com
. This method provides you and the records staff with excellent social distancing practices. Make sure you have the case number and your contact information in case we need to notify you regarding the report. If you have any questions, please call our Records Bureau at 908-725-4044 or email them to
records@bridgewaterpd.com
Motor Vehicle Crash Reports can be accessed on our web page at bridgewaterpd.com and clicking on the LexisNexis Crash Reports tab located on the left side of the homepage. Follow the prompts on the LexisNexis page to access your report.
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 Summer programs!
Panther Baseball Camp with BRHS Head Coach Max Newill is a returning favorite. This program will be held the week of July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and is open to players age 7 -12. More details are available at
http://brd.leagueapps.com/camps/1670653-panther-ba...
.
New for this summer are our Basketball Clinics with former NBA player and Bridgewater native Eric Murdock and his staff. The program will run in the mornings, Monday - Thursday, with 8 sessions to choose from, beginning the week of July 6th. It is open to players entering grades 4 - 8 (2020 - 2021 school year). Additional information can be found at
http://brd.leagueapps.com/camps/1685992-basketball...
.
Also new are our Soccer Skills Clinics with DTS training staff. These week long clinics, open to players ages 7 - 12, will be offered at either 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. starting the week of July 6th. Please go to
http://brd.leagueapps.com/camps/1682920-soccer-ski...
for more details.
Don't miss our new Panther Softball Clinic with BRHS Head Coach Sandy Baranowski! This week-long clinic will be held beginning July 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It is open to players entering grades 3 - 9 (2020 - 2021 school year). Please visit
http://brd.leagueapps.com/camps/1688281-panther-so...
for more details.
We are also offering a new program,
Crafternoons in the Park
! Small groups of crafters can join us for a variety of fun projects, including making a fairy garden, designing a bird house, and painting your own gnome and forest door. Supplies are limited. Registration is open to Bridgewater residents only. Prices vary by project. Registration and details for several of the projects is now available at
https://brd.leagueapps.com/pages/registration
. Check back often for additional projects!
More new programs are coming soon! You can 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.
Many residents will be or have already received estimated tax bills in the mail. Typically, most municipal governments, including Bridgewater, have a finalized budget by July 1st so the tax rate is locked in. However, due to COVID-19 the budget process has been delayed to adjust for volatility in municipal revenues.
Please treat these estimated tax bills as your bill for the Q3 property taxes and if you have any questions please contact the Tax Collector's Office.
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.
To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.
