Bridgewater Bulletin August 2024

August 2024

THE BRIDGEWATER BULLETIN

FromtheMayor:

Hello,Bridgewater!I'mexcitedtosharewithyouthehighlightsofour2024municipal budget,whichunderscoresourcommitmenttodeliveringessentialserviceswhile stayingfiscallyresponsible.

Thisyear,we'refocusingonkeyareas suchasinfrastructureimprovements, publicsafety,transparencyinitiatives, andenhancingourparksandrecreation spaces.Despitechallengesfromstateand federalmandates,we'redeterminedto continueprovidingtheservicesyou expectanddeserve.

andmoreefficienttransportationbyupgradingandmaintainingourroads,andwe're alsofocusingonimprovingoursewerutility.Publicsafetyisparamount,sowe've increasedfundingforourPoliceDepartment,addingnewofficers,trainingprograms, andequipment,aswellasdeployinglicenseplatereaderstokeepourcommunitysecure.

Transparencyisacornerstoneofourgovernance,andwe'remakingstridestokeepyou informedandengagedWe'rerevampingourtownwebsitetobemoreuser-friendlyand arecontinuingtolivestreamtownmeetings.We'realsoaddressingbudgetrealitieslike affordablehousingandstormwatermanagement,whicharestateandfederalmandates thatrequiresignificantresources

Otherhighlightsincludeinvestinginourparksandrecreationfacilitiestoenhance communitylife,andsupportingourseniorsthroughimprovementsattheBridgewater SeniorCenterWe'recommittedtomaintainingquality servicesamidstrisingcosts,thankstostrategicplanning andefficientspendingpractices.

Oneofourtopprioritiesisinvestingin infrastructure.Thisbudgetensuressafer Thankfulforallofyou,

The late Frank DeVita, a D-Day hero and former Bridgewater resident, is being honored posthumously with a Coast Guard Cutter named after him, thanks to a successful campaign led by the Knights of Columbus Council #5959 and its Grand Knight,BillMaxwell.DeVita,whoservedasaGunner'sMateduringWorldWarII, played a pivotal role in the Normandy and Provence campaigns His bravery was recognizedin2014whenhereceivedtheFrenchLegionofHonourduringthe70th anniversary of D-Day. Inspired by an article in the Knights of Columbus national magazine,aretiredCoastGuardcaptaininitiatedthenominationprocessforthecutter, promptingaletter-writingcampaigninvolvingover160supporters.InlateMay,itwas confirmed that hull #1165, a Sentinel-class cutter, will bear DeVita's name and is expected to be commissioned by December 2026 This tribute joins other honors, includingtherenamingofArdsleyLanetoFrankDeVitaLanein2020,andhighlights DeVita'slastinglegacyasapatriotandwarherointheBridgewatercommunity.

Welcome,BigChicken!MayorMoenchandCouncilmanPedrosowereonhandforthegrand openingofBigChickeninBridgewaterCommons.Checkthematatwww.bigchicken.com

Senior Center

Senior Center Calendar

TheSeniorCenterhasitsowncalendarfullof eventsandclasses.Clickonthecalendaricon toseewhat’scomingupthismonth!

RegistrationformostofourFall&Winterprogramswillopen earlythismonth Checkyouremailorourwebsite: https://brd.leagueapps.com

Callingallfootballfans(ofbothtypes),wehavesomediscounted ticketopportunitiesforyou!TheNewYorkJetsareofferingthe BridgewaterRecreationcommunityspecialpricingonselectseats forallupcominghomegamesthisseason,andtheRedBullsare excitedtopresentBridgewaterNightonSeptember7 More informationisavailableontheSpecialEventspageofourwebsite https://www.bridgewaternj.gov/bridgewater-recreationdepartment-special-events/.

Remember to protect your skin! Always wear sunscreenwhenoutdoorstopreventsunburn, skindamage,andreducetheriskofskincancer. Applyabroad-spectrumSPF30orhigher,even oncloudydays.

Reapply every two hours, especially after swimmingorsweating.Let’sstaysafeandenjoy thesun,Bridgewater!

DidyouknowSDLgivescontractorsand homeownersaccesstoallofyourbuilding permits?Ifyoucreateanaccountby clickinghere,youshouldbeabletoseeall permitsfortheproperties,bothopenand closed!Youcanalsoscheduleinspections atyourownconvenienceandevenpayfor thepermitonline.