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Volume 1, Issue 3 November 2016
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Fall is arguably one of the most beautiful and busiest times of year in our Township. Whether walking one of our many trails or viewing hillsides from a distance the palette of fall colors is breathtaking.
Fall is also an active time for celebration and there is something happening almost every weekend including neighborhood block parties, traditional harvest celebrations, festivals, and sporting events. Whether you celebrate a traditional event or explore something new, I encourage you to be active and enjoy all our community has to offer.
As the colder weather begins, we see many Township road improvements winding down. Throughout various parts of the year, my Roads Advisory Committee and I travel our almost 700 roads in order to determine what the status of our roads are and continuously strive to gain more funding for those with the greatest need for improvements.
I believe one of the main reasons we have been so successful in attracting new businesses and jobs to Bridgewater is our location and supporting infrastructure. Maintaining this asset is critical in keeping Bridgewater a top destination for growing and relocating businesses. I always appreciate your patience during this process.
Finally, with Halloween approaching, the days growing shorter and the weather increasingly unpredictable, I'd like to remind everyone to drive safely and to be mindful of pedestrians, especially school children. When storms do arrive, please remember local conditions can vary greatly. Please heed weather warnings, use sound judgement, and above all be safe.
I wish you all the best!
Sincerely,
Mayor Hayes
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9-11 Heroes Run/ 1- Mile Walk at Ethicon
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On September 11th, the J&J Veterans Leadership Council hosted the 2nd Annual Bridgewater 9/11 Heroes 5K Run and 1 Mile Family Walk on the Ethicon Somerville Campus. The event, in support of veterans and first responders, included over 600 registrants of all ages and levels. An estimated $23,000+ were raised at this sucessful event with the collaboration of several local corporations, such as Ethicon and Janssen, in partnership with our Township.
In addition to participants and spectators, the event was attended by local, state, and other emergency personnel, including the American Red Cross and the NJ State Police. Mayor Hayes thanks and congratulates the J&J team for their incredible success in executing such a positive event. Having had the pleasure of touring the Ethicon Facility, Mayor Hayes is impressed by their organization, their employees, and their adherence to the company credo. The Mayor is grateful Ethicon chose Bridgewater for their operation and their service to our community.
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Service Spotlight on Provident Bank,
Shop Bridgewater Property Tax Reward Program's Featured Sponsor
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Provident Bank, one of the primary sponsors of the Shop Bridgewater Property Tax Reward Program, has been serving the financial needs of individuals, families, and businesses in our local communities since 1839. Their community focus is evident in the participation and support of Township events, such as the Eco-Blast and Halloween Fest.
They strive to deliver a mix of innovative services
to simplify their customers’ lives and power their dreams. They are proud to have been selected by
Forbes
as one of America’s Top 50 Banks in 2016. Over the years they have grown from a community savings bank to a major financial institution, expanded their service area, increased their market share, and added talented people to their staff. Provident Bank has been providing Commitment you can Count on for more than 175 years. You can visit one of the most active branches located here in Bridgewater:
477 Union Ave
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(T):732-748-1500
www.providentbank.com
For more information on the shop Bridgewater Program, click below.
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SJP Properties announced iconectiv, formerly known as Telecordia, will be relocating its 500 to 550 employees to the Somerset Corporate Center in the Spring of 2017. The company is the latest major corporation to move to the SJP complex, joining other tenants including Valeant, Qualcomm, and Merrill Lynch.
The move will place iconectiv closer to the growing talent pool of telecommunications workers in Bridgewater and Somerset County. iconectiv works with private, government, and non-governmental organizations, who rely on them for network and operations management, numbering, registry, fraud and identity, and messaging solutions.
Welcome to Bridgewater Township!
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Mayor Hayes attends Nevakar's One Year Anniversary Celebration
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On Wednesday, October 12th, I had the pleasure of attending the One Year Anniversary Celebration of an innovative, new drug company, Nevakar at the NJ Center of Excellence in our Township. Nevakar is a specialty pharmaceutical company, focused on developing innovative products in injectable and ophthalmic space.
I was incredibly impressed by those I met, particularly, Dr. Navneet Puri, Founder and CEO of Nevakar. Dr. Puri is a pharmacist by education, and a pharmaceutical business executive by training and experience. I asked Dr. Puri why he chose to house Nevakar in Bridgewater and he shared with me the following:
“Bridgewater is home to several pharmaceutical companies, and the township’s approval of the expansion of NJ Center of Excellence is an admirable sign of Bridgewater’s commitment to nurture and support the pharmaceutical ecosystem. These were all significant attractions for Nevakar as it was looking for a home where it could develop and expand state of the art R&D infrastructure, and provide career growth options to highly skilled workers. We are happy to be part of this community and family!"
On behalf of our Township, I am happy Nevakar chose Bridgewater and wish them much success!
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4th Annual BioNJ CEO Summit
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On September 23rd, Bridgewater Township was chosen as the location for the Fourth Annual BioNJ CEO Summit, where nearly 300 influential leaders came together to discuss issues in life sciences.
BioNJ's CEO, Debbie Hart, has high hopes for the future of life sciences in NJ, particularly our Township. She states that since the early 90's, companies have been coming here from other states and other countries; growth is coming from all angles and she expects it to continue.
BioNJ, much like many life science companies in Bridgewater, chose our Township for its deep and rich talent pool for innovation, geographically centered location, and great quality of life for its residents.
Mayor Hayes is grateful for the opportunity to have hosted this event in our Township, and is happy to continue to support both Debbie Hart's and BioNJ's visions of future growth of life sciences in this region. He looks forward to hosting and attending this event in the future.
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Bridgewater Stands Together Teal for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Below: Renee Edwards and Mayor Hayes
Photo Credit: Audrey Blumberg
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On September 27th, a panoramic display of teal ribbons was provided at the Bridgewater Together Teal event at the Township Municipal Complex in support of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Built on the vision of Renee Edwards, who launched the campaign in 2014 during her battle with ovarian cancer, the campaign was designed with the intent to build proactive awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms. During the month of September, educational materials were distributed throughout the community and all citizens were urged to take cognizance of the campaign and offer support to those whose lives have been touched and impacted by ovarian cancer.
At this event, Mayor Hayes proclaimed the month of September in Bridgewater Township as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Through courage and perseverance, Renee Edwards was able to physically attend the event to receive this proclamation in honor of her vision. Shortly after, Renee Edwards lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer, but not before touching the hearts and minds of those in our community who came out to show their support. In the future, we will continue to hold this event in her memory.
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Harry Ally Park
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A special ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 16th to unveil new playground equipment at Harry Ally Park. Ingredion,
a leading global ingredients solutions company, graciously donated $20,000 to purchase the equipment. The new climbing play set was built with the collaboration of 80 volunteers, both from Ingredion and Bridgewater Township.
Mayor Hayes, joined by representatives of Ingredion, and members of Bridgewater Township Parks Board, Council, and Recreation Department, officially cut the ribbon to introduce the new playground equipment to our community. This equipment will certainly increase opportunities available for children to exercise while going out to play.
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Indian Association of Greater Somerset Navratri Festival
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On Saturday, October 1st, Mayor Hayes, dressed in traditional kurta pyjama, attended the Indian Association of Greater Somerset County's Navratri Festival. This event was held at the Bridgewater Raritan Middle School
The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar and women follow tradition to wear colorful dresses. Approximately 500 people attended to celebrate the festival by dancing to folk music.
"It is an event I look forward to every year- friends, food, music, and fun."
-Mayor Hayes
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Chinese American Cultural Association Autumn Barbecue
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October 16th, the Chinese American Cultural Association (C.A.C.A.) held its first ever Chung Yeung Autumn Culture Festival and BBQ at Duke Island Park. Mayor Hayes, an honored guest , joined members of C.A.C.A. to enjoy an afternoon of games, biking, hiking, and other outdoor fun.
Traditionally, the Chung Yeung Festival is when entire families congregate to engage in age-old practices of ancestor worship. In Hong Kong, they venture to the great outdoors for a picnic. It is also popular to hike to the city’s high points, as it is believed this will bring good luck.
This event was h
osted by five Chinese schools and several other associations of C.A.C.A. Mayor Hayes values the program offered through the Chinese schools as a great way to get children involved in a new language and culture early on. These schools try to promote Chinese as second language to the general public. He encourages you to check visit the link to the Raritan Valley Chinese School:
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Mayor Hayes Supports Junior Girl Scout Troop 60084 at recent Bronze Award Pinning Ceremony
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Junior Girl Scout Troop 60084 recently achieved their first major milestone by fully completing their service project for the Bronze Award. The main purpose of the project was to move flower beds at the daycare to a better location, design a new garden, learn about gardening, grow plants at home and, in the end, plant them at the daycare so kids could enjoy watering and taking care of them during late spring and summer.
In support of the completion of this this project, Mayor Hayes attended their Pinning Ceremony, where he presented the girls with their bronze award pins and offered words of encouragement as they continue their journey towards the Silver, and eventually, Gold award in their Senior years.
Congratulations Troop 60084!
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Tree 4 All Ceremony and Tree Dedication
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The Bridgewater Township Shade Tree Board (Team Arbor) and the Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) held a tree dedication celebration in recognition of October as Urban and Community Forestry Month. The “Tree 4 All”, which took place on October 15th at Chimney Rock Park, was sponsored through the support of the AFNA.
The event included a memorial tree dedication, live music and a host of cultural arts performances. To conclude the event, a nature hike to the Hawk Watch with the Bridgewater Environmental Commission took place.
The celebration also marked Bridgewater’s achievement as a recognized Tree City USA community from the U.S. Forestry Service for the 20th consecutive year and honors the community for its commitment to effective urban forest management. The celebration included cultural arts performances by the Bhaarat Nritya Academy, Rutgers Bhangra, the Lynn Academy of Irish Dance, Gujarati Folk Dance and Bihu Dance. The arts program also included a community Dandiya performance, martial arts display, tai-chi display yoga display and a musical performance from members of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Orchestra. Various community exhibits including the Raritan Valley Community College Sustainability Program were also featured at the event.
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Did You Know?
The story behind Bridgewater Towship's Canna Lillies
Below: Robert "Bobby" Kwiatek maintaining Canna Lilies at the Municipal Complex
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Thirty years ago, Bobby Kwiatek, employed with Bridgewater Township since the Spring of 1978, built and installed new signs for 23 of our Township Parks. After receiving a dozen Yellow Canary Cannas bulbs from his neighbor, he decided to plant them at 2 of our new park signs. Year after year, Bobby continued to winter the bulbs over and replant them in the spring, housing them in various greenhouses for the winter months. Bobby explained that
"unfortunately, our new facility is not greenhouse friendly so we improvised by creating our portable green-housing. Our Canna bulbs are dried on flatbed trailers in our park bays. In mid-February, we start dividing up the bulbs and potting them dry. March 1st we start watering, at which point we are two tiers high on our flatbed trailers. As Spring approaches, we pull our trailer out by day and in by night to protect from frost. Eventually, May 1st we leave the trailers outside to start our planting approach."
Through the years, the Canna Lilies doubled, and eventually, Bobby had enough to plant at every Township park entrance, and now the new Municipal Complex (pictured above)! With the amount of doubling every year, there are now enough Canna Lilies to donate to the Bridgewater Garden Club and the Bridgewater Women's Club.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Bobby Kwiatek and his team's beautification project, Bridgewater Parks' entrances now boast over 3,000 Canna Lilies. Throughout the years, Bobby has received several awards and accolades for his masterful beautification projects. In
2007 and 2008, he was recognized by the Raritan Borough Environmental Commission for Most Outstanding Garden. In 2009, he won the Bridgewater Garden Club Random Acts of Beauty Certificate for lovely landscaping. Bobby "was feeling the heat from all the competitors and dropped out of the events to give someone else a chance."
Bobby and his wife of 35 years, LouAnn, are both graduates of Bridgewater Raritan High School. They have two sons, Keith & Tyler, both whom attended Bridgewater Raritan District schools, graduated college, and started their own careers.
Next time you visit a Township Park and admire the lovely Canna Lilies at the entrance, you will know they came from a mere dozen bulbs planted by Bobby 30 years ago.
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Bridgewater Township, NJ | 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 | 908-725-6300 | www.bridgewaternj.gov
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