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RECREATION
WINTER REGISTRATIONS
Registration for our winter programs is winding down, however there are still a limited number of spots available in the 9 a.m. session of our Introduction to Cheer & Dance program for participants in grades K & 1. There is also limited availability in our Boys High School Basketball program for players in grades 9 & 10 and several spots open in our Girls High School Basketball program. Check them all out at https://brd.leagueapps.com/pages/registration.
DISCOUNT TICKET OPPORTUNITIES
The Prudential Center is offering the Bridgewater Recreation Community the opportunity to purchase tickets to New Jersey Devils home games and Monster Jam at special discounted rates. You can view these offers on the Special Events page of our website, https://www.bridgewaternj.gov/bridgewater-recreation-department-special-events/
Coming soon - Jurassic World Live!
Please note that we are passing along these offers on behalf of the Prudential Center. Neither Bridgewater Recreation nor Bridgewater Township have any involvement in this transaction.
HEALTH
The Health Department continues to work with health officials to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, to keep the public as informed as possible, and to help residents to navigate their vaccination options. Routine inspections of retail food establishments are ongoing, and include review of Coronavirus- related compliance. If you encounter an issue that requires immediate attention, you can reach us by phone or email. Please click here for contact information.
SENIOR CENTER
The Bridgewater Township Senior Citizen Center is located on 455 Somerville Road. In order to attend, individuals must be a 55 and older Bridgewater resident or a municipal tax payer to Bridgewater.
View the Senior Citizens Events Calendar on our website
Open Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM-2:30 PM
WHAT TO BRING:
Drink
Lunch/Snack (optional)
Although Bridgewater Township Senior Center is open for indoor social gatherings and activities, some virtual activities and programs are still being offered via Zoom. Among the programs offered via Zoom are Sit & Get Fit, Dance Fitness, Stretch Bands, Tai Chi, Weights Class, Strength Training, and Yoga. Individuals can 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.
BRIDGEWATER SR. CLUB
The Bridgewater Sr. Club is a private club that meets every Tuesday at 12:00 at Bridgewater Township Sr. Citizen Center located at 455 Somerville Road.
There is an annual due of $20. You must be a 55 and above Bridgewater resident or a municipal tax payer to Bridgewater to attend. Once a month Bingo, 50/50 drawings, various entertainment programs, and a business meeting occur. After each of the above meetings, coffee, tea and refreshments are served. The last Tuesday of each month a birthday luncheon occurs to celebrate those members whose birthday fall in that month. Other special occasions observed are Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween and an annual Holiday Party. Day trips throughout the year, including casino trips, plays and more are planned.
For more information call 908-725-8020.
Transportation to the BWT SR. Center is available for Bridgewater residents based on a limited schedule.
Click here for the November Bus Schedule.
Click here for more information on the Senior Bus.
If you are interested in participating in Bridgewater Township’s Senior Citizen Center’s activities, want information on transportation to the center, or have any questions about the activities at the center, please contact
Jennifer Osterberg at [email protected].
You may also call the senior center at 908-725-8020.
TOWNSHIP CLERK
The Township Clerk’s Office is open to assist the public and are available in person, via telephone, email and fax to conduct 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, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
Bridgewater Township Council regular meetings are now being held in-person and via live broadcast. Please check the website https://www.bridgewaternj.gov for the broadcast link 48-hours in advance of the Council meeting. The 2022 Township Council Schedule of Meetings is available on township website here.
DOG & CAT LICENSE REMINDER NOTICE
Dog & Cat Licenses are to be required for all dogs and cats which have attained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth
LICENSING OPTIONS:
1. Visit the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. We are open Monday thru Friday from 9am to 5pm
2. Use regular mail - 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 ATTN: Animal Licensing
For options 2, please enclose a check or money order (NO CASH) payable to “Bridgewater Township” and a Self-Addressed STAMPED envelope for the license and tag to be mailed back to you. Additional postage is required when mailing more than one license. PLEASE ENSURE CORRECT POSTAGE.
Cost for Dog Licenses: $18.00 Un-Altered Dogs, $15.00 Altered Dogs. There is a $10.00 late fee after June 1
Cost for Cat Licenses: $5.00 Spayed/Neutered; $8.00 if NOT Spayed/Neutered
IF PAYING BY CASH, EXACT CHANGE IS REQUIRED
Unfortunately, the Clerk’s Office does not have change and does not accept Credit/Debit cards
Application forms can be found at http://www.bridgewaternj.gov/twpclerk.html
RABIES VACCINATION MUST be good for the licensing period which means it MUST be good thru April, 2023 for cats and November, 2022 for Dogs. Proof of current rabies vaccination must be provided. Proof of spaying/neutering is required unless previously provided. Rabies is a SERIOUS concern of the Township Officials. By licensing, we know your pet has been properly vaccinated.
Recycle your old dog & cat tags with us; proceeds will go to the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter!
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
CODE ENFORCEMENT
With the increase of recent real estate transactions, the Code Enforcement Department has seen an influx of property owners coming in to schedule inspections for open permits that were never closed out. In some cases, delaying the closing of the property because of open permits.
It is always good practice to have permits inspected in a timely manner. Property owners can sign up and log onto the SDL portal https://www.sdlportal.com to confirm that there are no open permits on their property. Any open permits can be scheduled by calling 908 725-6300 ext. 5563.
ZONING UPDATE
Zoning is the establishment of standards across our neighborhoods in an orderly pattern to protect our community's health, safety, and welfare. It determines how our town's land is used and what operations or activities may be permitted when and where.
The Zoning Officer reviews permit requests to ensure all projects and proposals conform to our ordinance standards. In addition, Zoning also investigates property maintenance issues.
Before starting any home project or development, you should check with Zoning to determine if the work requires a permit. Depending on the project, you may also require construction, plumbing, and electrical permits, but a Zoning permit is your first step.
Permits are required for the following:
- New house construction, additions
- Detached garages
- Decks, porches, or patios
- Sheds, fences, retaining walls
- Pools (above and in-ground), hot tubs, spas
- Standby generators
- Signs
If you have questions regarding the permit process or other zoning matters, please get in touch with Roger Dornbierer at 908-725-6300 x5541.
PUBLIC WORKS
Bridgewater Township has several thousand catch basins in our roadways to collect storm water, Public Works is requesting that you “adopt” the catch basin in front of your home and make sure the top of the grate is kept free from leaves and sticks. This will keeping the water draining freely into the basin. If you should have a catch basin filled with debris, below the grate, give us a call and we’ll create a work order to clean it out.
LEAF BAG PICK UP HAS STARTED
Bridgewater Public Works has started picking up fall leaf bags. Leaves should be placed in brown, bio-degradable leaf bags. Leaves in plastic bags will not be picked up.
Public Works will be picking up leaf bags from now until December 31, 2022. We pick up leaf bags daily and as we finish the entire Township, we start again at the beginning and repeat the process. Initially, we strive to pick up once a week, but as more leaves fall and more bags are put out or if a weather event should occur, it may extend our pickup times to once every week and a half.
Please do not block the street with the bags, make sure they are put on your property on your side of the curb line. If it should snow, pull the leaf bags in approximately 10 feet so that they are not caught up in the snow plows.
Leaf bags are still available for pickup at Public Works 411 Chimney Rock Rd.
Building A Bound Brook, NJ 08805 Mon. – Fri., 8 am – 3pm.
For November, residents are now allowed to pick up an additional 20 leaf bags each week at Public Works until our supply runs out.
YARD WASTE SITE
The yard waste is on a normal operating schedule. All Bridgewater Residents must show ID at the trailer to use the facility. Click here for more details - https://www.bridgewaternj.gov/yard-waste/
PARKS
All of our Parks, trail systems and playgrounds are open for use. Some portions of the Middlebrook Trail are closed between Mt. Vernon Road and Crim Road due to damage caused by Ida. If you observe any issues in these facility’s that need to be brought to our attention, contact Public Works at (908) 725 – 6300 x6000 or email [email protected]
POLICE DEPARTMENT
LOCK YOUR VEHICLES!
Due to recent vehicle burglaries, the Police Department want to remind all residents to lock your vehicles when unattended. Take this easy step to avoid unnecessary valuable losses!
See Something, Say Something
If you see any suspicious activity in your area that makes you feel unsafe,
please call 911 immediately.
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 [email protected] . 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 John Mitzak has provided the following links so residents can be informed.
https://fraud.org/grandparent-scams/
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0204-family-emergency-scams
Incident Reports
Anyone requesting a copy of an incident report can call our Records Bureau at 908-725-4044 or email [email protected]. 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.
Crash reports can be obtained by utilizing https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/
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 utilizing Body Worn Cameras (BWC). The BWC, shown below, is attached to the officer’s chest area.
Firearms
Please note that the process to apply for a Firearms Identification Card or Permit to Purchase a firearm is completely online.
Firearms Registration and Application System (FARS):
Step 1: Log on to www.njportal.com/njsp/fars
Step 2: The Bridgewater Police Department's ORI # - NJ0180600
Step 3: Complete the online application. You may complete the application using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop or desktop computer. When completing the application you will need the email addresses of two (2) reputable references. Your references can be family members.
Step 4: You must appear at your police department to pay for your initial Firearms Identification Card (FID Card) and/or Pistol Purchase Permits. Your application will not be processed until you have paid for the FID Card/Pistol Permits. Non-refundable payment is required to be made prior to the completion of the background as per NJSC 13:54.1.4.
* You will be receiving automated email updates throughout this new process.
* Once your application is complete, a station representative will contact you to retrieve your FID card and/or Pistol Purchase Permit documents.
* Please advise your references that the FARS system will email them the reference questions to be answered. Your references can complete the questions using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop or desktop computer. Please advise them to complete the questions immediately to progress your background application.
* The online application is applicant driven. Please ensure that you have entered the best phone numbers for yourself and references as well the best email addresses for you and your references.
License Bureau Contact:
Robert Hanlon II
908-722-4111 ext 4026
[email protected]
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