Bridgewater Bulletin August 2025 by OCR Bridgewater

THE BRIDGEWATER BULLETIN

Aswesoakupthefinalweeksofsummerbreak,Iwanttotakeamomenttohighlight theenergyandmomentumbuildingacrossBridgewater.

Thismonth’sBulletincapturesthe spirit of our community from thebraveryofOfficerNoahAllatt, who was recently honored by CongressmanTomKeanJr.,tothe exciting ribbon cuttings at L.L.Bean and Applebee’s, where revitalized spaces and new businesses continue to strengthen ourlocaleconomy

We’realsomakingmeaningfulprogressonlong-termpriorities InJuly,Bridgewater successfullyhelditsannualnotesale animportantfinancialtoolthathelpsfund capitalprojects.Thisyear,wehadsixcompetitivebidders(twomorethanlastyear), andwesecuredalowerinterestratethanin2024,whichwasalsothelowestinthe stateforthatsale.That’sadirectresultofBridgewater’ssoundfinancialmanagement andstrongreputationinthemarketplace anditultimatelysavestaxpayerdollars.

AtCampCromwell,we’refinallyabletomoveforwardinearnest.Withthefederal HUD agreement now finalized, our team is advancing the next phase of work, includingconceptplanningandcommunityengagement.Thishistoricpropertyhas incredible potential, and we ’ re committed to seeing it thoughtfully transformed, thanksinlargeparttothe$4millionfederalgrant

Whetherwe’reinvestingininfrastructure,supportinglocalbusinesses,orpreserving openspace,everythingwedoisaboutbuildingaBridgewaterthatfuturegenerations willbeproudtoinherit.

Enjoytherestofyoursummer andasalways,thankyou forbeinganengagedandvitalpartofourTownship.

North Bridge Street Prolonged Detour

OnJuly14,NewJerseyAmericanWaterlauncheda major infrastructure maintenance project in BridgewaterTownshipthatwillrequirefullweekday closures of a section of North Bridge Street The project,scheduledtolastapproximatelyeightweeks,is part of New Jersey American Water’s ongoing commitmenttomaintainingandupgradingessential waterserviceinfrastructure.

The impacted area is North Bridge Street between PrinceRodgers/VogtDriveandFoothillRoad This segmentwillbeclosedtothroughtrafficfrom8:30 AMto4:30PMonweekdays,thoughresidentsand emergencyvehicleswillstillbepermittedaccess.

Tohelpmanagetrafficduringconstruction,adetourroutehasbeenestablished,directingmotoristsaroundtheclosureusingVogt Drive,FoothillRoad,andSomersetStreet.Theclosureisnecessarytoensurethesafetyofworkersandthepublicwhilecritical upgradesarecompletedtoimprovelong-termservicereliabilityinthearea

Motoristsareadvisedtoplanalternateroutesandallowextratraveltimeduringconstruction Forprojectupdatesandmoredetails, visitwww.bridgewaternj.gov.

QuestionsmaybedirectedtoBridgewaterTownship’sOfficeofConstituentRelationsat908-725-6300x5888orviaemailat ocr@bridgewaternj.gov.

Help the Bridgewater Police DepartmentWin a New Bronco

ScantheQRcodetolikeandsharetheBridgewaterPoliceDepartment’svideoentryinAll AmericanFord’scontest!Themorelikesandsharesweget,thecloserwearetothetop10 andabrandnewBroncoforouramazingpolicedepartment,courtesyofAllAmericanFord inParamusandGTBM

PerchedonahillwheretheRaritanRivermeetstheMiddleBrook,the275-year-oldPhilipVanHorneHousehaswitnessed centuriesofhistory.Namedafteritsmostnotableresident,PhilipVanHorne,thehousehasseenNativeAmericanfootpaths turnintoroadsandfreeways,andgenerationsoffamiliescomeandgo.

Currentlyinitsthirdstageofrestoration,thehouserevealsitsrichpastthroughexposedhand-hewnposts,18th-century plaster,andhandmadenails.HighceilingsandotherarchitecturalfeaturesreflectthewealthofmerchantPhilipVanHorne, whowasknownforhishospitality.

Thehouse,oftenreferredtoas"ConvivialHill,"welcomedneighbors, strangers, and notable figures such as Lord Cornwallis and Generals Lincoln,Greene,andWayne.

Operated by the Heritage Trail Association, the house hosts tours, events,andspeakersthroughouttheyear The250thanniversaryofthe War for Independence begins in 2026, highlighting Van Horne's involvement.Joinusforthishistoriccelebrationbyattendingevents andtours!Formoreinformation,visithttp://www.htanj.org.

BridgewaterPoliceOfficerNoahAllattwasrecentlyrecognizedby Congressman Tom Kean Jr. as NJ-07’s “Law Enforcement HometownHero”forhisextraordinarybraveryinthelineofduty

InMarch,OfficerAllattrespondedtoafierycrashonRoute22 involving a fuel tanker and a car with an unconscious driver trapped inside. Despite knowing the tanker had just been filled with flammable fuel, Officer Allatt acted without hesitation forcing open the car ’ s damaged door and pulling the driver to safetyjustmomentsbeforetheflamesovertookthevehicle.

CongressmanKeanhighlightedtherescueasapowerfulexampleof courage,selflessness,anddedicationtopublicservice.“Thankyou, OfficerAllatt,”hewrote,“foryourcourage,quick-thinking,and dedicationtotheBridgewatercommunity.”

BridgewaterTownshipisproudtohavesuchheroicofficersserving and protecting our residents every day Congratulations, Officer Allatt,onthiswell-deservedrecognition!

BridgewaterofficiallywelcomedoutdoorretailerL.L.Bean totownwithagrandopeningcelebrationonJuly25,2025, atChimneyRockCrossing The16,000-square-footstore marksL.L.Bean’sfirstlocationinSomersetCounty.

Opening day festivities kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m., attended by Mayor Matthew Moench,CouncilmanTimRing,andCouncilmanMichael Kirsh Excitedcustomersbeganliningupasearlyas6:00 a.m.tobeamongthefirst100throughthedoors—each receivinga$50giftcard.

Thecelebrationcontinuedthroughoutthedaywithfamilyfriendlyactivities,giveaways,refreshments,andphotoops withtheiconicL.L.BeanBootmobile.Guestsalsoenjoyed free custom grocery tote screen printing and boot lace personalization

As part of its commitment to the community, L.L.Bean presented a $10,000 donation to the Bridgewater YMCA

The new Bridgewater location brings thebrand’ssignatureoutdoorgearand apparel to the heart of New Jersey, offering residents a new hub for adventureandcommunityconnection

On July 23, 2025, Applebee’s in Bridgewater celebrated the grand reopening of its revitalized interior with a ceremonial ribboncutting Therefurbishedspacefeaturesupdateddécor andarefresheddiningexperience,aimedatprovidingguests withanevenmorewelcomingandenjoyableatmosphere.

Theeventwasattendedbylocaldignitariesandmembersof the Applebee’s leadership team, including Kurt Pahlitzsch, Vice President of Operations for Doherty Enterprises; Jim Pelliciari, Area Director for Applebee’s; Randy Giuliano, Assistant General Manager of the Bridgewater location; Michael McKee, Director of Operations for Doherty Enterprises/Applebee’s; and Bridgewater Councilman MichaelKirsh

Addingatouchoffuntotheoccasionweretwolivelymascots asmilingappleandacheerfulbee whohelpedmarkthe celebrationintrueApplebee’sspirit.

Bridgewater Township is proud to support local businesses like Applebee’s and congratulates them on their continued investmentinourcommunity.

Applebee’sisopenMondaythroughFriday11:00AM-12:00 AM,andSaturday-Sunday11:00AM-1:00AM

INTOWNSOCCERDEADLINEISHERE!

ThedeadlinetoregisterforourFallIn-TownSoccerseasonforplayersin gradesK–8isMonday,August4 at5:00pmIfyouhaven’talreadydone so,pleaseregisteryourplayerathttps://bwtintownsoccerleagueappscom/ inordertoguaranteeaspotonarosterandtoavoidthelatefee!

FALLINGINTOAUTUMN…

Yes,Fallisjustaroundthecornersowe’vebeenbusilypreparingforour Fall/Winterprogramregistrationstoopenearlythismonth.Programs includeBasketball(Travel,In-Town,HighSchool,Clinics),Tennis, Volleyball,JuniorPanthersSoccer,HighSchoolSoccer,LadiesNightonthe MCT,Wrestling,IntrotoCheer&Dance,BollywoodDanceFitnessand morePleasekeepaneyeoutforanemailfromuswithmoreinformation!