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December 2025 THE BRIDGEWATER BULLETIN FromMayorMoench:

Stay informed, stay engaged.

AsweapproachthecloseofanotheryearinBridgewater,weareremindedthatseasons ofserviceinevitablygivewaytoseasonsofchangeThismonth,wehonorseverallongstandingpublicservantswhosededicationhashelpedshapethecharacterandstrength ofourTownship.

Captain Tennant and Captain Savare each conclude nearly three decades of distinguished service with the Bridgewater Police Department. Their leadership, unparalleled professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the safety of our residents have left an indeliblemarkonthedepartmentandon ourcommunity.

Wearedeeplygratefulfortheexampletheysetandthestabilitytheybroughttoan agencythatprotectsuseveryday

We also acknowledge the conclusion of service for Councilmen Howard Norgalis, AllenKurdyla,andFilipePedrosoattheendoftheyear Formanyyears,eachhas playedameaningfulroleinguidingourTownshipgovernment,lendingtheirtime, experience, and thoughtful leadership to the work of representing Bridgewater’s residents.Theircontributionsacrossnumerouscommittees,initiatives,andmunicipal decisionswillcontinuetobenefitourcommunitylongaftertheirtermsconclude.

Aswebidfarewelltothesededicatedindividuals,wedosowithgratitudefortheir service and with confidence in the foundation they leave behind Bridgewater is strongerbecauseoftheircommitment.

As we look toward the new year, we do so with appreciation for all who step forward to serve, and with continued optimism about the work ahead for our community

Township Calendar

FreeRabiesClinic

Saturday,December6

WatchungFirehouse

57MountainBlvd

Watchung,NJ07069

9:00AM-10:00AM

OpentoallSomersetCountyresidents! Pleasekeepdogsleashedandcatsin theircarriers. Noregistrationrequired.

Holiday Happenings

Christmas Tree Lighting

Monday,December8th

6:00-7:30PMLighting 5:30-8:30IceSkatingRink

Menorah Lighting

Thursday,December18th 6:30-7:30PMLighting

Bridgewater Salutes Two Exemplary Careers:

CaptainsTennantandSavareRetireAfterNearly28YearsofService

BridgewaterTownshipproudlyhonorsCaptainBrianTennantandCaptainRobertSavareastheyretirefromtheBridgewater TownshipPoliceDepartmentafteranextraordinary27yearsand11monthsofservice.Theircareershavebeenuniquelytheirown,yet theirpathshaveruninremarkableparallel fromstartingasAlternateRouterecruitsattheSomersetCountyPoliceAcademyand graduatingtogetherinDecember1997,tobeingsworninside-by-sideasBridgewaterPoliceOfficersinJanuary1998.Fromtheirvery firstdayinuniform,bothmenembodiedtheoathtoservewithintegrity,courage,anddevotiontothepeopleofBridgewater.

CaptainTennant:ASteadyHandandTrustedLeader

CaptainTennant’scareerismarkedbyquietprofessionalism,steadfastleadership,andan unwaveringcommitmenttopreparednessHejoinedtheSomersetCountySWATTeamin 2002,servingonbothperimeterandentryteamsandultimatelybecominganassistant teamleaderduringhis19yearswiththeunitHisserviceinSWAT alongwithhismany yearsasaFieldTrainingOfficer,FirearmsInstructor,andinstructorinnumerouscritical disciplines reflectsadepthofexperiencethatshapedgenerationsofBridgewaterofficers

PromotedtoPatrolSergeantin2015andPatrolLieutenantin2018,CaptainTennanttookonkeyrolesoverseeingtraining,firearms instruction,anddepartmentalreadiness In2022,hewasappointedCaptainoftheAdministrationDivision,whereheledrecruitment, InternalAffairs,andessentialadministrativeoperations HisdistinguishedservicehasbeenrecognizedwiththeDepartment’sMedalof Honor,thePoliceAcademyInstructorAward,lifesavingawards,exceptionalserviceawards,andnumerouslettersofcommendation CaptainSavare:ADrivingForceinOperationsandExcellence

CaptainSavare’scareerhasbeendefinedbygrit,drive,andanunwaveringcommitmentto operationalexcellence.HejoinedtheSomersetCountySWATTeamin2003,servingformorethan twodecadesandrisingtotheroleofAlphaEntryTeamLeader,whereheplayedakeypartinhighstakesoperationsthroughouttheregion.LikeCaptainTennant,healsoservedasaFieldTraining Officerandasaninstructorinfirearms,less-lethaltactics,useofforce,andvehiclepursuits helpingshapethetacticalreadinessofthedepartment.

PromotedtoSergeantin2015andPatrolLieutenantin2020,CaptainSavaretookonleadershipofpatrolsquads,scheduling,and fleetmanagementbeforebeingappointedCaptainoftheOperationsandPatrolDivisionsin2022.HisaccoladesincludetheMedal ofHonor,MedalofMerit,the2019OutstandingSWATTeamMemberAward,thePoliceAcademyInstructorAward,and numerouscommendations.Withinthedepartment,heisknownforhisloyalty,hisforward-leaningleadershipstyle,andhisdeep commitmenttothemenandwomenunderhiscommand.

ASharedLegacyofService

Thoughtheircareersfolloweddifferenttrajectorieswithinthedepartment,Captains TennantandSavaresharealegacydefinedbynearlythreedecadesofselflessservice, mentorship,andexcellenceTheyservedtogether,trainedtogether,ledtogether,and time aftertime rosetomeetthedemandsofaprofessionthatasksmuchofthosewhochooseit BridgewaterTownshipissafer,stronger,andbetterbecauseoftheirleadershipandsacrifice Onbehalfofourentirecommunity:thankyou,CaptainsTennantandSavare,foryour extraordinaryservice.Wewishyoubothameaningful,joyful,andwell-earnedretirement.

Honoring Three Decades of Service: A Fond Farewell to Councilmen Norgalis, Kurdyla, and Pedroso

After many years of dedicated service to the people of Bridgewater Township and countless hours working behind the scenes for our community CouncilmenHowardNorgalis,AllenKurdyla,andFilipePedrosowillconcludetheirserviceontheTownshipCouncilatthe endofthisyear.

CouncilmanNorgalishasservedcontinuouslysinceJuly2004andledtheCouncilasPresidentin 2008,2011,2015,2020,and2025 whilealsosteppinginasVicePresidentin2019and2024. Overthoseyearsheservedasliaisontomultipledepartments,includingEmergencyServices,Sewer Utility,CodeEnforcement,andtheBridgewater/SomersetCountyLibraryCommittee quietly keepingthewheelsofmunicipalservicesturning.

Councilman Kurdyla’ s first term spanned 2004–2007, andafterabriefhiatushereturnedin2010andhasserved eversince HeheldtheCouncilPresidencyin2006,2012, 2017, and 2022, and twice served as Vice President His decades-longdedicationtopublicsafetybeganlongbefore joining Council volunteering with the Finderne Fire Department since 1967, later serving as Fire District CommissionerandultimatelyBoardChairman.Asliaison tokeycommitteesincludingOpenSpace,FloodControl, andregionalplanningcommissions,Kurdylachampioned preservationeffortsandshapedBridgewater’sgrowth

Councilman Pedroso stepped onto the Council in January 2012andhasservedeversince includingstintsasCouncil President in 2016 and 2021, and Vice President in 2020 Throughout his tenure, Pedroso participated fully in deliberations and governance, partnering with colleagues to guide decisions on budgeting, infrastructure, public safety, andmunicipaloperations.

Together, Norgalis, Kurdyla, and Pedroso have overseen more than three decades of township evolution Theirdecades-longcommitment oftenbehindthescenesincommittees,publicworks, safetyoversight,open-spaceconservation,andday-to-daygovernment haveleftalastingmark Their leadership has helped Bridgewater grow, navigate change, and maintain the services our residentsrelyon

Astheyeachmovetotheirnextstagesoflife,wesalutetheiryearsofserviceandthankthemforthe countlesshoursdevotedtoourtownship oftenwithoutfanfare,butalwayswithdedication. Theirlegacyremindsusthatgoodgovernmentreliesnotonspotlight,butonsteadyhands,civic duty,andconsistentcareforthecommunity.

CouncilmanAllenKurdyla

Bridgewater Senior Center Shares the Spirit of Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, the Bridgewater Township Senior Center once again demonstrated the power of generosity Thanks to the kindness of our members, six Somerset County families received complete Thanksgiving meal baskets each filled with nonperishablefoods,freshitems,andaturkey,alongwithbeautifullycrochetedhats,scarves,andblanketshandcraftedbytheSenior Club’sYarnClub

A special thank-you goes to Wegmans of Bridgewater, whose generousdonationofsixfrozenturkeys awardedthroughagrant partnership helped complete every basket Their ongoing supportremainsaninvaluablepartofthisannualeffort

VolunteersDottieTurseandJanSopkospenttheweekpacking boxeswithcare,ensuringeachfamilyreceivednotjustameal, butareminderthattheircommunityisthinkingofthem The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services collectedthedonationsfordistributiontolocalfamiliesinneed.

ToeverySeniorCentermemberwhodonatedfood,createdhandmadeitems,orvolunteeredtime:thankyou.Yourcompassion helpedmakeThanksgivingbrighterforfamiliesacrossSomersetCounty

Seniors of Distinction Event Held at Bridgewater Senior Center

Bridgewater was proud to host Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.’s third annual Seniors of Distinction event on November 10. Thirty-three honorees from across New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District were recognized for theirexceptionalserviceanddedicationtotheircommunities.MayorMatthewMoenchwelcomedattendeesand celebratedtheinspiringcontributionsoflocalseniors.

Department Updates

BeBoard,NotBored!

Participantsingrades5-8areinvitedtogettogetherandplayavarietyofboardand parlorgameswiththeirpeersatourFood&BoardGameSquadprogram,no screensorcontrollersallowed!SnackswillbeprovidedTheprogramwillbeheldon SundaysbeginninginJanuaryAdditionaldetailsareavailableontheCurrent Programspageofourwebsite(Important!Youneedtoscrolltoviewallprograms) Pleasenotethatspaceisstrictlylimitedandonafirstcome,firstservedbasisThe registrationfeeis$30ifregisteredbeforethedeadline.Registrationsreceivedafter thedeadlineof9:00amon1/5/26willincura$20latefee

IsitSpringYet?

OurofficeisbusilypreparingfortheSpring2026season,lookforregistrationsto openinearlyFebruary

CongratulationsareinOrder…

PleasejoinusincongratulatingourownBridgewaterUnited(BUSC)2012Boys Ajaxand2017BoysPantherswhowontheirMCYSAflightsthisFall!

Taxes

FRAUD ALERT!

BridgewaterTownshiphasbeenmadeawareof fraudulentemailsclaimingtobefromthePlanning Boardandrequestingwiretransfersorpayments. PleasenotethatallofficialTownshipemailsonly comefrom@bridgewaternj.govaddresses,andthe Townshipwillneverrequestwiretransfers

Ifyoureceiveasuspiciousmessage,donotrespond reportittotheBridgewaterPoliceDepartment.

Police

Holiday Hazards

Theholidaysbringwarmthandjoy buttheyalso bringincreasedfirerisks.Keepdecorationsawayfrom heatsources,neverleavecandlesorstovetops unattended,andinspectlightsforfrayedwiresbefore pluggingthemin.Waterfreshtreesdailyandturnoff alldecorationswhenyouleavehomeorgotobed.As familyandfriendsgather,keepkitchensclearofclutter andensuresmokealarmsareworkingAfewsimple precautionscankeepyourcelebrationssafeandbright.