Bridgewater Bulletin June 2026

June 2026

THE BRIDGEWATER

BULLETIN

From Mayor Moench:

CONTENTS From the Mayor

1

June Calendar

2

Special June Events

2

JCC Carnival Success

3

Chick-Fil-A Grand Opening

3

Taiwan Visits the Mayor

4

Memorial Day 2026

4

Shop Bridgewater

5

Thank You EMS!

5

BWT Women’s Club 50th

5

Department Updates

Stay informed, stay engaged.

6-7

Clerk’s Corner

8

Township Directory

8

Summer is just around the corner, and I am thrilled to share with you all of the things that have been going on around our amazing town. This past month has been full of occasions to celebrate the people, organizations, businesses, and volunteers who make Bridgewater such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.

This past month, we were honored to welcome Ambassador Tom Lee and representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York. Their visit provided an opportunity to strengthen international relationships and recognize the many contributions of the Taiwanese community here in Bridgewater.

Building connections across cultures and communities enriches us all and helps reinforce Bridgewater's reputation as a welcoming and vibrant place to call home.

Economic development continues to thrive as well. We recently celebrated the opening of Chick-fil-A at Bridgewater Towne Center, another example of investment and growth that expands opportunities for residents while strengthening our local economy. It is always rewarding to see projects move from the planning stage to a successful grand opening.

Community spirit was on full display at events throughout the Township. The JCC's Spring Carnival brought families together for a day of fun and fellowship, while the Bridgewater Women's Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary, marking five decades of service, friendship, and charitable work that have positively impacted countless residents.

Our Nation’s 250th birthday is just around the corner, and I hope that you will take some time to reflect on what it means to be American, what it means to be a resident of Bridgewater, and what it means to celebrate our freedoms.

Mayor Matthew C. Moench

June 2026

1

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Township Calendar

Please join us for a special raising of the Hopkinson Flag.

2

June 2026

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Families Enjoy Annual JCC Spring Carnival Thousands of residents and visitors gathered at Bridgewater Commons on May 31 for the annual Bridgewater Spring Carnival and Touch-a-Truck, presented by the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center (JCC) in partnership with Bridgewater Township and Bridgewater Commons. The family-friendly event featured carnival rides, inflatables, games, food vendors, arts and crafts, and an opportunity for children to explore a variety of trucks and specialty vehicles.

Mayor Matthew Moench and Councilman Michael Kirsh attended the event, joining community members in celebrating one of Bridgewater's most popular annual traditions.

The Spring Carnival continues to bring together families from across the region while showcasing the strong partnerships between local organizations, businesses, and the Township. Bridgewater Township thanks the JCC, Bridgewater Commons, sponsors, volunteers, and all those who helped make this year's event a success.

Chick-fil-A Opens at Bridgewater Towne Center Bridgewater Township residents have a new dining destination as Chick-fil-A officially opened its doors at Bridgewater Towne Center.

Mayor Matthew Moench joined Council President Joan Geiger, Council Vice President Andrew Bucko, and Councilman Michael Kirsh in welcoming Owner/Operator Paul Daniels and his team during the restaurant's grand opening celebration.

The addition of Chick-fil-A expands the dining options available to residents and visitors while contributing to the Township's continued economic growth. The restaurant joins the many businesses that have chosen to invest in Bridgewater, further strengthening the community's reputation as a premier destination to live, work, and do business.

Bridgewater Township congratulates Paul Daniels and the entire Chick-fil-A team on their opening and wishes them continued success in serving the community.

June 2026

3

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Mayor Welcomes Taiwanese Delegation to Bridgewater Bridgewater Township recently welcomed Ambassador James K.J. Lee of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, along with members of his staff, for a visit with Mayor Matthew Moench at the Municipal Complex.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the vibrant Taiwanese community that calls Bridgewater home, as well as the importance of fostering cultural understanding, economic partnerships, and international relationships at the local level. Ambassador Lee and Mayor Moench exchanged ideas on strengthening connections between communities and highlighting the contributions of Taiwanese residents and businesses to the Township.

Mayor Moench expressed his appreciation for the visit and noted the value of building relationships that promote cooperation, mutual understanding, and opportunities for future engagement. The visit served as a reminder of Bridgewater’s role as a welcoming community with connections that extend well beyond its borders.

Bridgewater Township is proud to be home to a diverse community whose residents contribute to the Township's cultural, civic, and economic vitality.

Visits such as this help strengthen connections, encourage dialogue, and celebrate the relationships that make Bridgewater a welcoming place to live, work, and do business.

Memorial Day Parade 2026

Thank you to Council President Joan Geiger, Councilman Michael Kirsh, American Legion Post 327, Bridgewater’s EMS teams, BRRHS Marching Band, and all the friends, neighbors, community groups, supporters, and residents who came out to honor our fallen heroes.

4

June 2026

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Thank You, EMS!

Mayor Matthew Moench and members of the Township Council recently joined volunteers from the Martinsville Rescue Squad in recognition of EMS Week, an annual observance celebrating the dedicated emergency medical professionals and volunteers who serve our communities. The Martinsville Rescue Squad, along with Bridgewater's other volunteer EMS organizations, provides critical lifesaving care and emergency response services to residents and visitors alike. Bridgewater Township extends its sincere gratitude to the squad's members for their commitment, professionalism, and countless hours of service in support of public safety.

Bridgewater Women’s Club Celebrates 50 Years Members of the Bridgewater Woman's Club recently gathered to celebrate the organization's 50th Anniversary, marking five decades of service, friendship, and community involvement throughout Bridgewater Township.

The milestone luncheon brought together current and former members to reflect on the club's long history of supporting charitable causes, promoting civic engagement, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Since its founding in 1976, the Bridgewater Woman's Club has played an active role in the community through volunteerism, educational initiatives, fundraising efforts, and support for local organizations.

Representing Mayor Matthew Moench and the Township Council, Deputy Township Administrator Rob Field attended the celebration and presented the club with a proclamation recognizing its many contributions and years of dedicated service to the community.

The Township extends its congratulations to the Bridgewater Woman's Club on this significant milestone and thanks its members—past and present—for their commitment to making Bridgewater a stronger and more vibrant community.

June 2026

5

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Department Updates We are ready for Summer, are you? You can check out the programs below at https://brd.leagueapps.com/camps. Spots are limited and registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Volleyball Camp with Coach Romanak Flag Rugby Youth Football Camp with Coach Catalano Tennis Mini Camp Panther Baseball Camp with Coach Newell Multi Sport Mornings Cricket Camp Soccer Skills Clinics Murdock Basketball Clinics Lady Panther Softball Camp Panther Kickball & Gametime Flag Football Camp

Recreation

Thank you to everyone who attended our Bridgewater United Soccer Club (BUSC) Travel tryouts! We are looking forward to kicking off the Fall2026/Spring 2027 season.

Tax Reduction Programs: Property Tax Relief

Taxes

Veterans Property Tax Deduction Claim Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Claim Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction Exemption Claim

2026 Tax Collection Due Dates: February 1 May 1 August 1 November 1

2026 Sewer Due Dates: March 1 September 1

Property Tax Rebate Programs

Email Scams Please be advised that all official communications from Bridgewater Township are sent from email addresses ending in @bridgewaternj.gov. If you receive a message claiming to be from the Township that originates from a different domain, it should be treated with caution and may be a scam. We encourage residents to verify the sender’s address before responding, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and report questionable emails to the Township if needed. Your vigilance helps protect both your personal information and our community.

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June 2026

Police

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Department Updates

Health Historical Alliance Friends of Bridgewater History Heritage Trail Association Somerset County Historical Society Washington Campground Association

DPW June 2026

7

Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Here to serve you: The Office of Constituent Relations Bridgewater Municipal Complex 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-725-6300 extension 5888 OCR@bridgewaternj.gov

Mayor and Council Mayor Matthew C. Moench

Department Head Directory Township Administrator Michael Pappas twpadmin@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5000

Police Chief John Mitzak jmitzak@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x4034 Township Clerk Grace Njuguna gnjuguna@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5025

mayor@bridgewaternj.gov Public Works and Sewer Utility Superintendent Richard Shimp publicworks@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x6000 Director of Health & Human Services Christine Madrid cmadrid@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5045

Council President Joan Geiger

jgeiger@bridgewaternj.gov Council Vice President Andrew Bucko

abucko@bridgewaternj.gov Councilwoman Ridwana Isla

risla@bridgewaternj.gov

Recreation Superintendent Rachel Barrett recreation@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5300

Tax Collector Blanca Lyons taxcollector@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5143

Senior Services Coordinator Jennifer Osterberg seniors@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.8020

mkirsh@bridgewaternj.gov

Director of Municipal Services Thomas Genova tgenova@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5515

Court Administrator Jenni Peterson jpeterson@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5404

tring@bridgewaternj.gov

Construction Official John Tillotson bwtcode@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5565

Deputy Administrator Rob Field rfield@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5001

Clerk’s Corner

Tax Assessor Anthony DiRado taxassessor@bridgewaternj.gov 908.725.6300 x5125

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June 2026

Councilman Michael Kirsh Councilman Tim Ring

@BridgewaterTwp

@BridgewaterNewJersey

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