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THE BRIDGEWATER BULLETIN

Stay informed, stay engaged.

AswewelcomethemonthofApril,thereisagreatdealhappeningacrossBridgewater, anditisencouragingtoseesomanyresidentscontinuingtotakepartinthelifeofour community

ThismonthmarksthestartofanotherCitizens Police Academy, where residents have the opportunitytogainadeeperunderstandingof the work performed by our Police Department.Programslikethisstrengthenthe relationship between our officers and the community they serve, and I thank all those whohavechosentoparticipate.

WearealsopreparingforourupcomingTown-WideYardSale,whichcontinuesto groweachyearandoffersagreatwayforneighborstoconnect.Inaddition,ourTrees for Tomorrow shade tree program is now underway, helping to expand our tree canopyandenhancethecharacterandenvironmentalhealthofourneighborhoods I would also like to remind residents that Township offices will be closed in observanceofGoodFriday

ThishasbeenastrongseasonforBridgewaterathletics Ouricehockeyteamcaptured a State Championship, and we also celebrate individual achievements like Matthew McCann reaching his 100th career wrestling victory an impressive milestone that reflectsdedicationandhardwork.

Atthelocallevel,ourRecreationprogramscontinuetobringenergyandfuntoour youngestresidents.Congratulationstothisseason’swinnersofthecovetedRecreation High School Basketball League Championship Ring Pops! The 11/12 Division ChampionsareTeam4,captainedbyDeclanK,andthe9/10DivisionChampions areTeam1,captainedbyJackW.

Thankyou,asalways,foryourcontinuedengagementand prideinourcommunity.

Township Calendar

Mayor Welcomes New Citizens Police Academy Class

Mayor Matthew Moench recently addressed the newest class of the Bridgewater Police Department’sCitizensPoliceAcademy,welcomingparticipantsandthankingthemfor theirwillingnesstoengagemoredeeplywithlocallawenforcement.

The Citizens Police Academy offers residents a behind-the-scenes look at police operations,providinginsightintotheresponsibilities,training,anddecision-makingthat shape daily policing in our community. Through hands-on demonstrations and direct interactionwithofficers,participantsgainagreaterunderstandingoftheworkperformed bytheDepartment.

BridgewaterTownshipisgratefultothemembersofthisyear’sclassfortheirinterestin public service and to the Bridgewater Police Department for continuing to foster transparency,education,andstrongcommunityrelationships.

Congratulations Bridgewater Champions!

Bridgewater-Raritan’sicehockeyteamcappedoffanoutstandingseasonbycapturing the State Championship, a testament to the team’s hard work, discipline, and perseverance The Panthers’ title run brought pride to the entire community and reflectsthestrengthanddedicationoftheprogram,itsplayers,andcoaches.

JuniorMatthewMcCannreachedanimpressivemilestonethisseason,earninghis 100thcareervictoryandbecomingoneoftheprogram’sfewwrestlerstohitthatmark beforehissenioryear.Hisachievementreflectsyearsofcommitmentandconsistent excellence,andwithanotherseasonahead,heispoisedtocontinuebuildingonan alreadyremarkablecareer.

Council President Geiger Tours SRVSA

CouncilPresidentJoanGeigerrecentlyjoinedSomersetRaritan ValleySewageAuthorityCommissionersBobAlbanoandJoseph LifrieriforatouroftheSRVSAfacility,guidedbyExecutive DirectorRonaldAnastasio,PE(notpictured)

Withadedicatedstaffofjust40employees,theSRVSAplaysa criticalroleinprotectingpublichealthandmaintainingessential infrastructure for the region Their work often unseen but always vital reflects a high level of professionalism and commitment.Theseindividualsaretrulyunsungheroes,carrying outcomplexanddemandingresponsibilitieseachdaytoensure the safe and reliable treatment of wastewater for our communities

Pinwheels Planted for Child Abuse Prevention Month

BridgewaterWomen’sClubAnnualCalltoPreventChildAbuse

OnApril1st,theBridgewaterWomen’sClubonceagainfilledtheMunicipalCourtyard with blue pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each pinwheel servesasavisiblereminderofoursharedresponsibilitytoensurethateverychildinour communitygrowsupinasafe,supportive,andcaringenvironment

Thisannualdisplayispartofthestatewide“PinwheelsforPrevention”campaign,which emphasizesthatstrongfamiliesandattentivecommunitiesarethefoundationofhealthy childhoods.Thesimpleimageofpinwheelsinmotionismeanttorepresentthebright, hopefulfuturethateverychilddeserves

TheTownshipthankstheBridgewaterWomen’sClubfortheircontinuedleadershipand commitmenttothisimportantcause.

Residentsareencouragedtotakeamomenttovisitthedisplay,reflectonitsmeaning, andconsiderhowtheycansupportchildrenandfamiliesintheirowncircles whether through volunteering, supporting local organizations, or simply looking out for one anotherinoureverydaylives

www.preventchildabusenj.org/get-involved/pinwheels-for-prevention/

Animal Shelter News

Bridgewater is advancing improvements at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter on CommonsWay,includingupgradestothefacility’sparkingarea

Theworkispartofthe ongoing capital program to maintain and improve public facilities and better accommodatevisitors,staff,anddailyoperations

Duringarecentvisit,BridgewaterCouncilmanMichaelKirshstoppedbytheshelterto deliverhisannualdonationinsupportofitswork Whilethere,hehadtheopportunity towitnessaspecialmoment theadoptionofLilly,afriendlygoldendoodle,intoher newhome.

Moments like these highlight the important role the shelter plays in our community not only as a place of care, but as a place where new beginningstakeshapeforanimalsandfamiliesalike.

The shelter welcomes community support in many forms, including monetarydonations,petfoodandsupplycontributions,and,ofcourse,the adoptionofanimalsinneedofalovinghome

www.srasnj.org

@somersetregionalanimalshelter (908)725-0308

2026 Town-Wide Yard Sale

Bridgewater’sannualTown-WideYardSalereturns onSaturday,May2.

Residents are invited to clear out unwanted items, make a little extra money, and take part in a fun Saturday.Homesthatregisterwillbefeaturedonan official digital map, released the week before the eventtohelpshoppersfindparticipatinglocations.

Getting involved is easy: just sign up using the QR code,setupyoursaleatyourhome,andjoinin.

Don’t miss your chance to declutter, connect with neighbors, and be part of this Spring Townshipwideyardsale!

Free Trees For Residents

BridgewaterTownshipiscontinuingitscommitmenttopreservingandstrengtheningourcommunity’s naturalcharacterthroughtheTreesforTomorrowProgram,aninitiativedesignedtoexpandourtreecanopy

Treesaremorethanjustascenicadditiontoourstreets:theyplayavitalroleinimprovingqualityoflifeacross theTownshipAhealthytreecanopyhelpsreducestormwaterrunoff,providesshadeduringthesummer months,supportscleanerair,andenhancesthebeautyandvalueofourneighborhoods

Throughthisprogram,residentshavetheopportunitytorequestafreeshadetreetobeplantednearthe roadwayinfrontoftheirhome.

Whilethereisnocosttoparticipate,placementiscarefullyevaluatedbyTownshipstafftoensurethateach treeisplantedsafelyandinalocationwhereitcanthriveFactorssuchasundergroundutilities,spacing,and siteconditionsarealltakenintoconsiderationbeforeplanting

Thiseffortreflectsabroadergoal:toinvestinthelong-termhealth,appearance,andsustainabilityof Bridgewaterforfuturegenerations

Requestatreeat:

https://tinyurl.com/BridgewaterTrees

TimetoPlanforSummer!

Wearecurrentlyacceptingregistrationsforoursummerprograms,includingYouth FootballCampwithHighSchoolFootballCoachoftheYearDJCatalano,Panther BaseballCampwithCoachNewill,LadyPantherSoftballCampwithCoach WinchockWearealsoonceagainofferingCricketCamp,SoccerSkillsClinics, MultiSportCamps,TennisMiniCamps,PantherKickball&Gametime,Flag FootballCamp,MurdockBasketballClinics,andFlagRugby.

PleasegototheCurrentProgramspageofourwebsite, https://brdleagueappscom/camps,toseeallthedetails!

TravelSoccerTryoutRegistration

TheBridgewaterUnitedSoccerClub(BUSC)willbehavingtryoutsfortheFall 2026andSpring2027seasonsduringthefirstweekofMayYoucanfindmore informationaboutourclubandabouttryoutsontheBUSCwebsite, https://bridgewaterunitedleagueappscom/Youmustregisterinordertotryout!

Bridgewaterresidentsareencouragedtosignupfor Nixletoreceiveimportantreal-timealertsfromthe Township,includingemergencynotifications,road closures,andpublicsafetyupdates.Stayinformedand connectedbyregisteringtoday it’sasimplewayto gettimelyinformationwhenitmattersmost.