Bridgewater Bulletin May 2024

THE BRIDGEWATER BULLETIN

Stay informed, stay engaged.

FromtheMayor:

What a month! Earthquake. Eclipse. Earth Day. Together we saw the unpredictable beautyandpowerofourworld,andmarveledtogetherwithwonderandcuriosity.

Afewdayslatertheskiesdarkenedwiththe90%totalityduringthesolareclipse,andwe wereremindedthatsometimesgoingoutsideandlookingupisareminderofthepower ofasharedexperience.Andspeakingofsharedexperiences,twoweeksafterthesolar eclipse,wegatheredtogetherforourEarthDaycelebrationatChimneyRockPark.The daywasfilledwithpainting,crafts,naturewalks,skateboarding,icecream,fun,andall thefreshairwecouldhandle.

Maywillbeincrediblybusy,soIhopeyoutakealookatsomeoftheeventscomingup WehaveourSpringCarnivalrightaroundthecorner,ourRaritanHeadwatersWell Watertestingevent,ourMasterPlanPublicInputWorkshop,andallourregularly scheduledmeetings Ifyouhaven’talready,checkoutallthesummerprogramsoffered byourRecreationDepartment,andbesuretosubscribetoourYouTubechannel.

IhopeyouhaveawonderfulMayenjoyingtheweatherand allthatBridgewaterhastooffer.

OnApril5thweexperienceda 4.8 magnitude earthquake, a moment that emphasized the importance of preparedness and appreciation for our emergency teams. Thankfully, Bridgewaterdidnotexperience any major damage from the earthquake,andIamthankful for our emergency professionals in all the ways that they provided our residentswithrelevantupdates Thankfulforallofyou,

May 2024 1

CONTENTS May 2024

MayorMatthewC Moench FromtheMayor MayTownshipCalendar WellWaterTestingEvent NewMasterPlanWorkshopDay CompostingatHome SpringCarnival KidStreetFaceliftUpdate PinwheelsforPrevention MaySeniorCenterUpdate DepartmentUpdates Clerk’sCorner TownshipDirectory 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6-7 8 8

Township Calendar

May 2024 2 Bridgewater Township Bulletin

From Trash to Treasure: Composting at Home

Compostingisnature’swayofrecycling.Itisoneoftheeasiestandyetmostpowerfulactionswecantake toreduceourtrashandbuildhealthysoil.

Youcanmakeyourowncompostwiththreesimplethings: Alargeplasticcontainerwithholesinthelid

Greens(materialsthatarerichinnitrogenorprotein,like veggie/fruit scraps, grass clippings, eggshells, coffee grounds,orplanttrimmings)

Browns (dry or woody plant materials like fall leaves, twigs,straw,paper,orcorrugatedcardboard)

Generally,shootforaratioof3partsbrownto1partgreen.

Thisratiowillkeepyourcomposthealthyandnutrient-rich.

Mixyourcompostonceaweektohelpdecomposition,andsprinkleyourcompostinyourgardenbedsand yardtoincreaseyoursoil’shealth.Wantmoreinformation?www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

May 2024 3 Bridgewater Township Bulletin

THIS

Wearesopleasedtosharethesebefore and after pictures of KidStreet Playground. Our team has worked incredibly hard to give this beloved space the facelift it deserves, and we hope that our families and friends will continuetoenjoyitforyearstocome.

KidStreetreceivednumerousfixestoits facilities and fencing, and then the entire park received a power washing, restaining,andnewmulch.

AhugethankyoutoourDepartmentof Public Works and our Engineering Departmentwhofacilitatedthisproject.

TheBridgewaterTownCouncilhonoredboththeBridgewaterWomen'sClubandtheimportantworkofCASA SHaW(CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocatesofSomerset,Hunterdon,andWarrenCounties)astheyseekto providewell-trained,trauma-informedvolunteerstoserveasadvocatesincourtforchildrenlivinginfostercare.

May 2024 4 Bridgewater Township Bulletin

Senior Center

Senior Center Calendar

TheSeniorCenterhasitsowncalendarfullof eventsandclasses.Clickonthecalendaricon toseewhat’scomingupthismonth!

May 2024 5 Bridgewater Township Bulletin

ACornerstoneofCareandCommunityConnection

Summerisjustaroundthecorner!Haveyoucheckedoutour:

FlagRugby[6/11-July]

MurdockMadness[throughthesummer]

TennisMiniCamps[7/15-8/5]

Multi-SportMornings[weeksof6/24and7/22]

SoccerSkillsClinics[weeksof7/15,7/29,and8/5]

HighSchoolSoccerClinic[weekof8/5]

PantherBaseballCamp[weekof6/24andweekof7/8]

LadyPantherSoftballCamp[weekof7/15andweekof7/22]

PantherKickballCamp[weekof6/24]

FlagFootballCamp[weekof7/8]

CricketCamp[weekof7/15]

SpiritAcademyCheerCamp[weekof8/12andweekof8/19]

ExemptionClaim SeniorCitizenPropertyTax DeductionExemptionClaim

PropertyTaxRebatePrograms

May 2024 6 2024TaxCollectionDueDates: February1 May1 August1 November1 Bridgewater Township Bulletin

2024SewerTaxDueDates:

March1(seebelow) September1 TaxReductionPrograms: PropertyTaxRelief VeteransPropertyTax DeductionClaim DisabledVeteranPropertyTax

TheMarchSewerbillshaveNOT beenissuedyetduetoadelayinthe establishmentoftheSewerRate. OncetheSewerRatehasbeen established,billswillbemailedto residentswithanextendedduedate andgraceperiod.

Areyouplanningtovisitapublicpoolthisswimming season? Did you know that all public recreational bathing facilities in the Middle-Brook Regional Health Commission are licensed and inspected by a health inspectortoensurecompliancewiththeN.J.A.C.8:26 PublicRecreationalBathingCode.

You

be sure that any public Bridgewater pool you visit this summer practices safe and hygienic pool maintenanceandsafetymeasures.