Good Morning, Bridgewater!

Volume V | March 25, 2020

A Message from Mayor Moench

Dear Bridgewater Resident,

I hope this message finds you in good health in this time of confusion and concern. We must treat all of our neighbors like family now. Everyone has a role to play by practicing the guidelines placed by our public health professionals. I have seen the way this community has pulled together in the past and I am confident that we will come out from this crisis stronger and more close knit than ever.

Make sure, if you are able, that you are doing your part to support local businesses in the area. There are plenty of Bridgewater restaurants that are still open for take out and delivery and other essential businesses that still have their doors open. Small businesses need all the support that we can provide for them and if you can support them in a safe way, I encourage you to continue to do so.

Sincerely,

Matthew C. Moench

Mayor

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

COVID-19 is a flu-like illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It is mainly spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and close contact.

The COVID-19 prevention guidelines for Bridgewater residents remain the same:

– Avoid close contact with people who are sick (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.

If you have more questions:

State of New Jersey: Dial: 211 or 1-800-962-1253/Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 or Text: your zip code to 898-211 for live text assistance

Somerset County: Dial: 908-231-7111 to listen to daily updates about the status of the coronavirus in Somerset County

Bridgewater Township: Dial: 908-429-8444 or Email: [email protected] for Bridgewater specific questions

Visit https://NJ.gov/health or https://cdc.gov

UPDATE ON THE UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING

In order to practice safe social distancing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the March 30 ^th Bridgewater Township Council Meeting will be held digitally at 6:00PM ( note time change from 7:30PM ), and will be accessible to the public for online viewing.

The agenda for this meeting will be available for public viewing on Friday, March 27 ^th , around 3:00PM as will instructions for those residents who wish to listen to the meeting as it occurs Monday evening. Also on Friday, Bridgewater Township will release an interface through which Bridgewater residents can submit public comments, which will be read into the record by the Council President during the meeting as it is broadcast. The public comment must include full name, complete address and telephone number.

Please be advised that the Council will be conducting regular scheduled business. There will be NO Council discussion regarding the COVID-19 virus.

If you have questions, comments, concerns or requests related to COVID-19 which fall within the scope of the Bridgewater Township government, please e-mail [email protected] , or call the Bridgewater Township Department of Health hotline at 908-429-8444 .

Basic information about the meeting is below, while further updates will come later this week. These updates will provide information about the meeting agenda, public comments, and participation.

*** Please note the change in start time ***

Event: Bridgewater Township Council Meeting

Date/Time: 6:00PM on Monday, March 30, 2020

Location: Remote online/telephone for the public

Bridgewater Township, as with most of America, is navigating uncharted territory. We are taking every possible measure to ensure that we remain an open, transparent and effective government for our residents during this difficult time. We appreciate your patience as we work to deliver the quality of service that you expect and deserve. Thank you.

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.

Our Senior Citizen Center remains closed, but we have welcomed our new Center Coordinator, Jennifer Osterberg. Jen is busy making plans to welcome our Seniors back to their “home away from home” as soon as we can. We will be postponing our Senior Health Fair, which usually takes place in April.

CLERK

The Township Clerk’s Office is up and running. We are here to assist with the majority of our daily functions just via mail, email or fax. The building is closed to the public. However, 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.

Registrar/Vital Records and Statistics, while we can’t process marriage licenses at this time, certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates may be provided.

Please visit the Clerk's webpage for available items for download on the Clerk’s page. Completed forms and applications may be mailed (if permitted) to: Bridgewater Township Clerk 100 Commons Way – Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Please click the button below for contact information.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

All Planning and Zoning Board meetings have been cancelled through April. The Township will re-evaluate the scheduled meetings in May.

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.

Engineering, Code Enforcement, Planning, DPW and Zoning offices are available by phone and email. Please click the button below for contact information.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

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.

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.

RECREATION

Despite many sports and activities temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, the Recreation Department is working hard to prepare for the upcoming seasons. Stay tuned for updates! In the meantime, we’d like to remind you to stay active & healthy! Enjoy some fresh air – take a walk, take a moment to meditate, and take a break from screen time!

FINANCE

The Finance Department is continuing its full operation. Residents can submit tax and sewer payments online with the ACH fees waived. To reach Township Finance, Tax Collector or Tax Assessor offices you may send them an email. Please click the button below for contact information.

DEPARTMENT 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!

What other information would you like to see? Please click the link below and give us feedback on items that you think should be included.

FEEDBACK

Matthew C. Moench, Mayor