Every resident has been impacted by this pandemic in significant ways, but none more so than the family and friends of the 101 residents we lost this year – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters. Bridgewater will forever grieve this tragic loss of life, and I know that words cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, but I impress upon you the importance of remembering those that have passed.

Matthew C. Moench

Mayor

This past February the Township of Bridgewater/Code enforcement dept offered an amnesty period for construction work performed without permits. We received in excess of 30 applications during that time for various types of construction work ranging from replacement of heating and cooling equipment, water heaters to finished basements.

These permits were issued without assessing violations or penalties as long as the permits were applied for and inspections completed as amnesty suggests. The amnesty period was provided by the Township to allow residents a means to get permits and inspections without the worry of monetary penalties.

The inspections performed and inspectors preforming the inspections were able to if deficiencies were found offer solutions and answer any questions.

Permits and inspections are there to make sure the work meets the code minimum requirements for health and safety. Think of our codes as a history book of everything that has ever gone wrong. They are put in place to protect the health and safety of the residents.

The downside of not getting permits besides the potential safety issues include insurance issues. If in the event of a catastrophic event, fire or flood and your insurance company researches the properties permit history and finds that the cause of the insurance claim was work that required a permit and no permit was applied for they potentially could deny the claim.

During February’s amnesty period we received numerous phone calls asking questions about what required permits, how to go about applying for permits and what were the requirements for applying for permits for different types of work, additions, alterations, bath and kitchen renovations among others.

It seems that based on these phone inquiries there is a lot of confusion regarding what requires permits and the process. The Township in an effort to answer the resident’s construction questions has set up a virtual "Code Night" for a Q &A session with the appropriate Departments there to answer these types of construction and procedural questions. If you have any specific questions or are just curious regarding the process, please join us on Wednesday, March 31st at 7:00PM. Click the button below to register.

See you then!

Radon continues to be recognized as a public health concern in certain sections of New Jersey and Somerset County. The Bridgewater Division of Health, in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Radon Section, will offer free radon test kits to interested community residents. One test kit per household will be available to residents on a first come, first serve basis. A New Jersey certified laboratory will provide a written report for your reference after test kit return and analysis.

Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that occurs naturally in soil. It is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium and radium in rock formations. Radon gas has the ability to accumulate in your home. Prolonged exposure to radon gas at elevated levels may contribute to the development of lung cancer. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in general. Radon exposure is estimated to contribute to 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Bridgewater Township Division of Health to verify the availability of radon test kits. Radon test kits are also available at local hardware stores and home improvement centers. For further information on radon testing or mitigation, please contact the Division of Health at (908) 725-5750 or via email at health@bridgewaternj.gov. Further information is also available from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at (800) 648-0394 or visit www.njradon.org.

You can find more information on the Food Bank Network of Somerset County here: https://somersetfoodbank.org/

Please check out the below links to see the latest in COVID-19 Vaccine information from Somerset County and the State of New Jersey.

The Township has recently installed a secure drop-box in the Municipal Complex Parking Lot. Residents can use this box to drop off anything needed to be delivered to the Township, including applications and payments (no cash), without the need to enter the building. The drop box is located in the parking lot on the Police Department side of the Complex (next to the Somerset County Ballot Box).

Please clearly mark the requested destination of the materials that are left in the drop-box. Please call the Office of Constituent Relation at 908-725-6300 x5888 or email OCR@bridgewaternj.gov if you have any questions.

March 16, 2021 @ 7:30PM - Bridgewater Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

March 18, 2021 @ 7:30PM - Bridgewater Township Council Meeting (Agenda TBA)

Murdock Madness is back for Spring! Registration is open for our outdoor basketball clinics with former NBA player Eric Murdock. Sessions are available for players in grade 3 through grade 10.

Our popular High School Rugby program will begin at the end of this month. Interested boys in grades 9 - 12 are welcome to join, no experience necessary.

 Ladies Night on the MCT is a great opportunity for women to get out of the house and have fun playing soccer. Grab your girlfriends and join us!

Our High School Soccer program offers Monday night fun for players in grades 9 – 12. Pick-up games are supervised by a trainer from Dutch Total Soccer.

 There are a few spots available in some sessions of our Spring Tennis Lessons. Clinics are held at Harry Ally Park.

More details and registration for all of the programs listed above can be found at https://brd.leagueapps.com/pages/registration

The Spring In Town Soccer registration deadline is just around the corner! Register your player no later than Monday, March 15th at https://bwtintownsoccer.leagueapps.com.

Thank you and stay safe!

Bridgewater Township Senior Citizen Center located on 455 Somerville Rd. is not a current vaccination center. Please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/covid-19-vaccine-locations-for-eligible-recipients to view an updated list of vaccination centers in New Jersey. 

Everyone interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is asked to pre-register in the state’s vaccination registration portal at: https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/

Somerset County residents are encouraged to visit the Somerset County Department of Health web page at www.co.somerset.nj.us/health for updated information about the COVID-19 vaccine. This web page includes the state's vaccination registration portal link. 

                                         

 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.

Bridgewater Township Council regular meetings are being held virtual via Ring Central access.  Please check the website www.bridgewaternj.gov for the access link.

Pursuant to Chapter 78 of the Bridgewater Township Code, all Dog Licenses are to be renewed annually during the month of January. New dogs that have reached the licensing age of seven (7) months or possess a set of permanent teeth must be licensed. Application Forms can be found at http://www.bridgewaternj.gov/twpclerk.html. If a dog already in our system an application is not needed.

1.    Drop off in the NEW Township Drop Box located at the municipal parking lot on the Police side of the complex.

2.    Mail to 100 Commons Way – Bridgewater, NJ 08807 ATT: Dog Licensing 

Enclose a check or money order (NO CASH) payable to “Bridgewater Township” and enclose a Self-Addressed STAMPED envelope for us to mail your license and tag back to you. Additional postage is required when mailing back more than one license. PLEASE ENSURE CORRECT POSTAGE.

COST: $15.00 Altered or $18.00 if NOT Altered.

Note: Late Fees are an additional $3.00 after February 1^st and $10.00 after June 1^st per license.

RABIES VACCINATION MUST be good for the licensing period which means your dog’s vaccination must be good until November 1, 2021. Proof of current rabies vaccination must be provided if new to the system, near expiration or expired. Proof of spaying/neutering is required unless previously provided.

Township of Bridgewater Office of the Clerk 100 Commons Way – Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm 908-725-6300 ext. 5020

SENIOR BRUSH PICK UP

Senior Brush Pick-up will begin on April 22, 2021 and eligible residents can begin scheduling appoitments on April 1, 2021. For more information, visit: https://www.bridgewaternj.gov/public-works/

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.  

-         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

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

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.

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.

Crash reports can be obtained by utilizing https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/

To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.

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!