A Message from Mayor Moench |
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Dear Bridgewater Resident,
I hope this message finds you and your family in good health. In case you missed it, the big news over the past week was the announcement that Minor League (AA) Affiliate of the New York Yankees is moving to Bridgewater! The team will merge with the existing Somerset Patriots, a team and a brand that has been a staple of this community for years.
The Patriots are are likely the biggest tourist attraction, not just in Bridgewater, but in Somerset County. They have an enormous reach across the region. They put out a great product and I am sure that it will draw fans from all over the area who will also patronize our local businesses.
I can't wait until the season starts and I hope I see you at the ballpark!
Sincerely,
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEALTH OFFICER
We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases that appear, at least to some degree, to be associated with parties/gatherings and sports activities. We are also seeing cases in family clusters as well as cases coming from other, often unknown, sources and environments, such as long term care and schools. No single setting seems to be the cause of the increase. While the increase in cases ranges across all ages most seem to be younger (school aged) and between the ages of 35 and 60.
- The key messages are the same, but due to the rise in cases are more important than ever.
- We have received many calls about individuals not abiding by quarantines, especially as they relate to schools
- Maintain physical distance
- Wear a face covering
- Wash your hands
- Avoid gatherings and parties
- Follow the directions of health professionals, especially if advised to isolate or quarantine
- Even if you do not feel sick that does not mean you cannot give it to someone else if you have been exposed
- As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday it is very important to avoid contact with people not of your household
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Rent Relief Program
Somerset County has established an Emergency Rental Relief Program for County households that had a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may be eligible for up to 3 months’ rent or $3,000.00, whichever is less, for payment toward rent that is owed. The Program will only pay rent that is owed and will NOT pay late fees. Payments will be issued directly to the landlord. Note that this program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and as a result, residents of Franklin Township, which has its own CDBG program, are not eligible.
Please click the link to learn more.
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PSEG RPV Tower Replacement Project |
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Residents: Over the next couple weeks, the first stages of this project will begin in Bridgewater. The initial work will consist mainly of the construction of temporary access roads to their tower right of way. If you have any questions, please read information below and see the contact information and project website at the bottom.
The Roseland – Pleasant Valley Project (RPV) is a $546 million investment designed to strengthen the electric transmission system by replacing older transmission facilities between PSE&G’s Roseland Switching Station in Roseland, N.J., and its Pleasant Valley Switching Station in Hopewell, N.J. On average, these transmission facilities are approximately 90 years old.
Authorized in April 2018 by PJM Interconnection (PJM), the regional transmission organization responsible for planning the transmission system in all or parts of 13 states, including New Jersey, the 51-mile project replaces existing lattice towers that have reached their end of life. The existing towers, most of which were built around the 1920s and 1930s from Roseland to Lambertville and in the 1960s from West Amwell to Pleasant Valley, will be replaced with new steel structures. The voltage of these transmission lines is remaining the same.
The project replaces aging infrastructure in 17 municipalities, spanning Essex, Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Mercer counties, including Roseland Borough, Livingston Township, Florham Park Borough, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Long Hill Township, Bernards Township, Warren Township, Bridgewater Township, Branchburg Township, Hillsborough Township, Readington Township, Raritan Township, East Amwell Township, West Amwell Township, Lambertville City, and Hopewell Township.
In addition, this project makes minor modifications to three PSE&G electric stations, including Roseland Switching Station, Branchburg Switching Station and Pleasant Valley Switching Station.
The project is separated into two segments and requires overhead transmission modifications within existing PSE&G rights-of-way. Segment I of the project runs from Roseland to Branchburg, while Segment II runs from Branchburg to Pleasant Valley. This project is anticipated to be in service in June 2023.
For questions and comments about this project, please call the Roseland – Pleasant Valley Project Information Line at 1-888-378-0788
The dedicated website for Bridgewater Township is below:
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SOMERSET PATRIOTS PRESS CONFERENCE |
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Last week, Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench, along with other Township, Somerset County and Somerset Patriots officials and personnel, held a press conference to announce the partnership between the New York Yankees and the Patriots.
Officials were joined for this announcement by baseball legends Sparky Lyle, Willie Randolph and Joe Torre!
Is it baseball season yet?!
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SENIOR CENTER UPDATES
Are you a Bridgewater looking to get connected with and get updates from the Senior Center? If so, please email Seniors@BridgewaterNJ.gov and ask our Senior Center Coordinator, Jen Osterberg, to be added to their email distribution list. |
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LEAF BAG CURB-SIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM |
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Fall leaf bags can be picked up at the Department of Public works starting on Thursday, October 1, 2020. The hours of distribution will be from 8 AM – 3 PM, Monday through Friday until supplies run out. There is a limit of one bundle of leaf bags per household and you can only pickup for your household only. Please bring identification to display when picking up bags.
Only leaves should be placed in the bags. Grass clippings, brush and other materials will not be picked up.
The bags are picked up continuously on a rotating basis Monday – Friday throughout the Township between November 1st and December 31st, weather permitting. The curbside collection of leaf bags will end December 31st.
Residents may continue to drop-off their leaf bags at the Township’s Yard Waste site located on 136 Foothill Road behind Costco. The Yard Waste site is open from Mid-March through the end of each year. Residents may bring all yard waste material to the Township’s Yard Waste Site.
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ICYMI: BRIDGEWATER VETERANS DAY CEREMONY VIDEO |
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Bridgewater Township is proud to recognize the service of our veterans. Even as we continue to combat this pandemic, we must still meet our responsibility as citizens to say "thank you" to those who swore the oath and wore the uniform in defense of our nation.
While we hope to be able to bring together our entire community to celebrate their service in 2021, this year, we'd like to share this short video with you, your family, and with all our residents.
We'd like to especially thank Ms. Victoria Coey & Ms. Sarah Nichols of Immaculata High School for their stunning performance of the National Anthem, retired Bridgewater police officer Cliff Delaney for so skillfully playing the bag pipes despite the rain and cold, and SSG Richard Varrone of the United States Army, for raising the American flag at our ceremony.
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NEW TAX COLLECTOR LOCATION |
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For the safety and convenience of our residents who pay their taxes at the Municipal Building, we have permanently moved the Tax Collector's Office from the 2nd Floor to the 1st Floor Administration Lobby. If you have any questions please contact the Tax Collector at 908.725.6300 x5145 or taxcollector@bridgewaternj.gov.
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RECREATION
Registration is open for some of Bridgewater Recreation's Winter programs!
Ski/Snowboard 2021 Registration is now open! Our program offers five Sundays of downhill excitement at Shawnee Mountain! Ski/Snowboard options are available. Due to COVID-19, our registration process has changed. For more information & registration please visit: https://brd.leagueapps.com/pages/registration
Virtual Chess Program Registration opening soon!
Wrestling, In-Town Basketball, High School Basketball & Travel Basketball Update: although travel basketball try-outs are being held, we are still unable to secure indoor facilities at this time. We will be postponing registration for In-Town Basketball, High School and & Wrestling until later this fall. Once we have official permits to utilize indoor facilities we will post registration on our website. We will continue to keep players, participants, and parents updated. Thank you for your patience.
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.
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 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.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
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.
Portable Basketball Hoops – Please make sure your portable basketball hoops are out of the roadway when it snows to enable the plows to pass through unobstructed.
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.
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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 to the Township Lock box in Newark.
Bridgewater Tax Collector
P.O. Box 24005
Newark, NJ 07101-0406
To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.
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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.
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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!
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