THE BRIDGEWATER BULLETIN
Stay informed, stay engaged.
FromMayorMoench:
Februaryoftenremindsusjusthowstrongacommunitycanbewhenwework together.TherecentwinterstormbroughtsignificantsnowfallacrossNewJersey,but thankstothepreparation,coordination,andtirelesseffortsofourDepartmentof Public Works, Police Department, and Office of Emergency Management, Bridgewaternavigatedthestormsafelyandeffectively
Crewsworkedaroundtheclockclearing roads, responding to calls, and ensuring that residents remained informed. On behalf of the Administration and our entire community, I extend my sincere appreciation to each of these dedicated professionalsfortheiroutstandingservice andprofessionalism
I was also honored this past month to administer the oaths of office to the newly installedofficersoftheMartinsvilleFireDepartmentandMartinsvilleRescueSquad. These men and women represent the very best of Bridgewater’s tradition of volunteerism. Whether responding to emergencies at all hours, committing time to rigoroustraining,orsupportingpublicsafetyinitiatives,ourvolunteerfirefightersand rescuesquadmembersplayanindispensableroleinkeepingourTownshipsafe We aredeeplygratefulfortheircontinuedserviceandthesacrificestheyandtheirfamilies makeonbehalfofourcommunity.
As we move through February, we begin to look ahead to the promise of spring. Longerdaysandwarmerweatherbringnewopportunitiestogather,reconnect,and enjoyallthatmakesBridgewatersuchaspecialplacetocallhome.Untilthen,please continuetolookoutforoneanotherandstaysafeduringtheremainderofthewinter season
ItisanhonortoserveasyourMayor,andIthankyoufor theprivilege
School Board Recognition Month
TheBridgewaterTownshipCouncilrecognizedthededicationoflocal schoolboardmembersatitsJanuary22meetingbyproclaimingJanuary 2026asSchoolBoardRecognitionMonth.Representativesfromthe Bridgewater-RaritanBoardofEducationwerepresenttoreceivethe proclamation,asCouncilmembersthankedthemfortheirvolunteer serviceandongoingcommitmenttothecommunity’sstudents
Servingnearly8,000students,theBridgewater-RaritanRegionalSchool Districtreliesontheleadershipofboardmemberswhohelpguidethe directionofpubliceducation,provideaccountability,andwork collaborativelywitheducators,families,andresidents Officials encouragedthecommunitytojoininrecognizingtheimportant contributionsofschoolboardmembersandtheirroleinsupporting stronglocalschools
Nirvana Recovery Center Ribbon Cutting
OnJanuary29,NirvanaRecoveryCentercelebrateditsgrandopeningat2121Route22,UnitB1,inBridgewater. BridgewaterCouncilPresidentJoanGeiger,CouncilwomanRidwanaIsla,andCouncilmanMichaelKirshattendedthe ribbon-cuttingceremony,highlightingthecommunity'scommitmenttoexpandinglocalmentalhealthresources.
NirvanaRecoveryCenterofferstrauma-informed,patient-centeredcare,includingdetoxplacement,partialcare,and intensiveandoutpatientprograms Thecenterintegratesmedicaltreatment,psychotherapy,andwellnesspracticesto supportindividualsfacingsubstanceuse,mentalhealthchallenges,PTSD,ortrauma.
Community-basedmentalhealthserviceslikeNirvanaRecoveryCenterplayavitalroleinpromotingwell-beingand reducingstigma.Byprovidingaccessiblecarewithinthecommunity,suchcentersempowerindividualstoseekhelpand supportrecoveryineverydayenvironments.
Formoreinformation,visitnirvanarecoverycenters.com
Martinsville Volunteer Service in 2026
MayorAdministersOathofOfficetoMartinsvilleFireDepartmentandRescueSquadLeaders
Mayor Matthew Moench recently had the honor of swearing in the 2026 officers of the Martinsville Fire DepartmentandMartinsvilleRescueSquad,recognizingthededicatedvolunteerswhoserveonthefrontlinesto protecttheBridgewatercommunity.
Installed as Fire Department officers were Chief Kyle Fernandes; Deputy Chief Nick Bradley; Captain 1 Jack Bradley;Captain2RichKronengold;Lieutenant1AlbertSantelliIII;Lieutenant2MichaelPinchiaroli;Engineers JonMachadoandDeannaWeidele;PresidentJimHope;VicePresidentAlbertSantelliIII;TreasurerDougWright; AssistantTreasurerAnthonyWagar;SecretaryPeterMone;andAssistantSecretaryMichaelPinchiaroli.
MembersoftheMartinsvilleRescueSquadsworninforthecomingyearincludeChiefGeorgeNowakowski;PresidentJoAnneBixler;VicePresidentAlice Hadley;SecretaryJordanEdwards;CorrespondingSecretaryTheresaMaye;TreasurerAmyNocera;ComplianceOfficerAlexandradeAsia;1stLieutenant JimRoss;2ndLieutenantLouDiGiovanni;TrainingOfficerSaraRall;TrusteeBobAlbano;andDianeMihalow BridgewaterTownshipextendsitssinceregratitudetothesevolunteers andtoallmembersofouremergencyservices forthecountlesshoursthey devotetotraining,respondingtoemergencies,andsafeguardingtheirneighbors Theirprofessionalism,courage,andcommitmentreflecttheverybestof ourcommunity,andwethankthemfortheircontinuedservice
Stormwater Runoff
When rain falls or snow melts, the resulting stormwater doesn’t simply disappear into the ground Instead, it flows across roofs, driveways, lawns, and streets, collecting pollutants along the way before entering local storm drains and waterways often without treatment.
Common sources of stormwater runoff include water flowing from rooftops and gutters, as well as runoff from roadways and paved surfaces. As it travels, this water can pick up pet waste, fertilizers, motor oil, detergents, chemicals, and litter.
These pollutants are then carried directly into nearby streams and rivers, impacting water quality, wildlife habitats, and the overall health of our environment.
Residents can play an important role in protecting Bridgewater’s waterways by taking a few simple steps: properly disposing of pet waste, limiting the use of lawn chemicals, keeping trash secure, maintaining vehicles to prevent leaks, and ensuring that only rain goes down storm drains.
Protecting our water is a shared responsibility. By making mindful choices at home, each of us helps reduce pollution, safeguard natural resources, and preserve the beauty of our community for future generations
Sewer Utility News
A major portion of Bridgewater’s sewer costs comes from wastewater treatment provided by the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority (SRVSA). This treatment cost makes up about 50% of the Township’s Sewer Utility budget
For 2026, SRVSA increased its treatment charges to Bridgewater by 4%, which directly impacts overall sewer costs
Total Increase: $221,926
This increase reflects the cost of operating and maintaining the regional wastewater treatment system that serves Bridgewater residents and businesses.
Department Updates
BRRRingonSpringandSummer!
RegistrationformostofBridgewaterRecreation’sSpringandSummerprograms willbeginduringthefirstweekofFebruaryWatchyouremailsforupdates!
PlayLikeaChamp…
OurNewJerseyStateChampionHighSchoolBoysRugbyteamwillhavetheir annualinformationalmeetingonThursday,February12thThemeetingwillbegin at6:30p.m.andwillbeheldinroom102A/BoftheBridgewaterMunicipal Complex,100CommonsWayAllinterestedplayersand/orparentsarewelcome!
ShowBRHSSomeLoveonFebruary14th ❤
PleasejoinusforaspecialspiritdayonSaturday,February14thaswesupportour LadyPanthers!TheBRHSGirlsVarsityBasketballteamwillbetakingonWest Windsor-PlainsboroSouthat11:30a.m.Admissionisfreeandtherewillbesome fungiveawaysIfyouparticipateinoneofourbasketballprogramspleasebesureto wearyourRecreationshirtorjersey!
Taxes
Scam Alert!
Ascamiscurrentlycirculatinginwhichcallersfalsely claimtobeBridgewaterPoliceofficers.Ifyoureceive suchacall,obtainthecaller’sname,hangup immediately,andthencontacttheBridgewaterPolice Departmentdirectlyat908-722-4111.
Neverprovidecreditordebitcardinformationover thephoneunlessyouinitiatedthecallorarecertainof thecaller’sidentity.Donotpurchasegiftcardsfor anyoneclaimingtobelawenforcement.
Fire Safety Department Updates
SnowReminder: Don’tParkOnTheStreet!
Tosupportsafeandefficientsnowremoval,the DepartmentofPublicWorksurgesresidentstoparktheir vehiclesentirelyoffthestreetwheneversnowisinthe forecast.Carsleftonroadwayscansignificantlyhinder plowingoperations,slowresponsetimes,andprevent crewsfromfullyclearingstreetscurb-to-curb Keeping roadsclearofparkedvehicleshelpsDPWcrewswork moreeffectivelyandensuressafertravelforeveryone duringandafterwinterstorms.
Here to serve you: Mayor Matthew C Moench
Bridgewater Municipal Complex
100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-725-6300 extension 5888
OCR@bridgewaternj.gov
Department Head Directory
TownshipAdministratorMichaelPappas twpadmin@bridgewaternj.gov908.725.6300x5000
PoliceChiefJohnMitzak jmitzak@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x4034
TownshipClerkGraceNjuguna gnjuguna@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5025
TaxAssessorAnthonyDiRado taxassessor@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5125
TaxCollectorBlancaLyons taxcollector@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5143
DirectorofMunicipalServicesThomasGenova tgenova@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5515
ConstructionOfficialJohnTillotson bwtcode@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5565
Dog&CatLicenses
PublicWorksandSewerUtilitySuperintendent RichardShimp publicworks@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x6000
DirectorofHealth&HumanServices
ChristineMadrid cmadrid@bridgewaternj.gov908.725.6300x5045
RecreationSuperintendentRachelBarrett recreation@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5300
SeniorServicesCoordinatorJenniferOsterberg seniors@bridgewaternjgov9087258020
CourtAdministratorJenniPeterson jpeterson@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5404
PublicInformationOfficerSuzanneMaeder smaeder@bridgewaternjgov9087256300x5007
mayor@bridgewaternj.gov
Council Vice President Andrew Bucko abucko@bridgewaternj.gov
Councilwoman Ridwana Isla
risla@bridgewaternj.gov
Councilman Michael Kirsh
mkirsh@bridgewaternj.gov
Councilman Tim Ring
tring@bridgewaternj.gov
StateLawrequirestheownersofalldogsandcatsseven(7)monthsofageORwith permanentteethtoapplyforalicenseannually.WhileLicensingisconducted throughouttheyear,DogLicensesaregenerallyissuedinthemonthofJanuaryandCat LicensesaregenerallyissuedinthemonthofJune.
CostforDogs:$1500Alteredor$1800ifNOTAltered
CostforCats:$500,Nolatefees
Note:LateFees(forDogs)areanadditional$300afterFebruary1stand$1000after June1stperlicense
IFPAYINGBYCASH,EXACTCHANGEISREQUIRED
RABIESVACCINATIONMUSTbegoodforthelicensingperiodwhichmeansit
mustbegoodthroughNovember1ST(Dogs)&May1ST(Cats)ofthelicensingyear Proofofcurrentrabiesvaccinationmustbeprovidedifnewtooursystem,near expiration,orexpired Proofofspaying/neuteringisrequiredunlesspreviously provided
Ifadog/catisalreadyinoursystem,anapplicationisnotrequired
