Thursday, May 9, 2013
One resident has asked the township to look into how many are out around Bridgewater.
A number of streetlights throughout the township are constantly out, leaving certain areas in the dark, according to resident George Jones. At a recent township council meeting, Jones said he has noticed that about 10 percent of the street lights throughout the township are out most of the time. “I urge you to check one street at a time and see what you think,” he said. Township administrator James Naples said residents can report any street lights that are out directly to the power company, PSE&G. Or, Naples said, they can report it to the township, who will pass on the information. So let’s get a list together, Bridgewater. Are there street lights near your house that are constantly out?
Friday, March 29, 2013
But a new ordinance could change that.
The council has introduced an ordinance that would limit the amount of sick time township employees can accrue and be paid for after their retirement. “The council had asked us to prepare the ordinance for non union members covered through our policy with a cap on sick time accrual and amount that can be spent for days and rate,” township administrator James Naples said. Naples said the policy would be in effect for both retirements and resignations. Union members are already seeing these limits in accruals in their contracts, but there was previously nothing to account for non-union members. According to the current policy, employees who retire from the township see returns of one day’s pay for every three accumulated unused sick leave …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Councilman Matthew Moench is encouraging the township to look into energy aggregation.
Councilman Matthew Moench encouraged the township to look into the possibility of getting Bridgewater involved in a Municipal Energy Aggregation program to save residents costs on their energy. “Instead of having power come from PSE&G or JCP&L, it comes from a third party provider at a discounted rate,” he said. Basically, PSE&G and JCP&L would continue to deliver the power and the winning bidder at an energy auction would supply the power. Moench said residents could still opt out of the program and have their power supplied by the regular energy companies. “We select a broker who is paid for out of money from the energy company,” he said. “It would be a better rate possibly, and residents could opt out if they wanted.” Moench said moving…
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
It would be in line with current county regulations.
With the county already prohibiting smoking in its own parks, Bridgewater Township is also planning to look into the possibility of making its parks non-smoking. “I understand the county has made in-roads with our health department to discuss this,” said councilman Howard Norgalis. “And I wonder about the possibility of having the township enact an ordinance toward prohibiting smoking in public parks.” Norgalis said he would absolutely support the change for all township parks as well, particularly on the turf fields, which can be destroyed by discarded cigarettes or cigars. “I strongly encourage this, and hope the township would support the health of the parks and people,” he said. Township administrator James Naples said the Bridgewater …
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Councilman Matthew Moench is the lone vote against the township paying.
Although the council approved the payment, discussion continued about whether the township or the school district should be paying for hazardous busing in the future. The township and school district have an agreement wherein the township pays for hazardous busing. Hazardous busing stems off of courtesy busing provided for students who live within a certain distance from an elementary, middle or high school. The state requires that every child who lives more than a mile-and-half from an elementary school, or two miles from a high school, be bused. Hazardous busing is provided for those students who would not normally be bused, but who deal with some kind of hazard on the way to school, such as crossing a highway or walking across gaps in …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The council approves a contract with the Bridgewater Public Works Association.
The township council approved a contract Thursday with the Bridgewater Public Works Association that will include 2 percent raises and create a bank of sick time. The contract as approved will last for 2012 and 2013. "It was a very successful negotiation between the parties," said township administrator James Naples. As for changes to the contract from previous years, the newest creates a 2 percent raise increase for the two-year life of the contract. "It is a 2 percent increase from the 2011 rates, and is 2 percent each year," Naples said. Naples said the contract also creates a bank of sick time and establishes a set dollar limit to be paid to workers upon their retirement. Anything past that established accrual, Naples said, will not be…
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
And the township accepts grants.
What follows is an account of actions taken on Feb. 4 by the Bridgewater Township Council, which, while not breaking news, are still of note. Township approves change order for road improvement project The council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize a change order decreasing the cost of the Roadway Improvement Project Oak Street, Sycamore Street to Perry Drive Project. The project was done by S. Brothers Inc. Because of a decrease in materials needed, the cost of the project has been lowered from $348,377.90 to $345,311.65. Council accepts grant for remedial action The council unanimously approved a resolution to accept a grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Department of Environmental Protection in the …
Monday, February 4, 2013
Bloomingdale's is giving up some of its ability to expand.
With plans formulating to build a new restaurant at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, representatives with the mall are requesting a change in the deal with the township that would allow them to transfer land promised to the department stores. Mall attorney Kevin Coakley spoke before the township council Thursday to request a change in the redevelopment agreement between the two entities concerning space reserved for expanding by the three department stores at the mall, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s. According to Coakley, provisions were made in the agreement to allow these department stores to add on to their buildings, 40,000 square feet for two of the stores and 50,000 for one. “And there is 3,500 square feet allowed for …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Mayor Dan Hayes delivered his State of the Township Address Monday.
With thanks to township volunteers, administrators and the council itself, Mayor Dan Hayes delivered his State of the Township Address at Monday's reorganization meeting, citing that his goals for the future will continue to be maintaining a low tax rate, being vigilant in land use matters and paying attention to infrastructure. Click here for more details on Monday's reorganization meeting. Hayes spoke during his address first about the impacts of Superstorm Sandy on the township, and thanked emergency management officials for their quick action in working for the residents. "Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on our town and state," he said. "While damage to property and our electrical grid was extensive, we were fortunate that we suffered no…
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Uniform Crime Report was released for 2011.
There were about 30 fewer incidents of non-violent crimes in Bridgewater in 2011, as opposed to 2010, according to state statistics released Friday. Attorney General Paula Dow released the 2011 Uniform Crime Report Friday with information about crime rates throughout the state, broken down into individual municipalities, and comparing those with numbers determined in 2010. According to the report, Bridgewater saw 17 violent crimes and 658 non-violent crimes in 2011, as opposed to 15 violent and 689 non-violent crimes in 2010. As for the breakdown of violent crimes, Bridgewater saw one murder, two rapes, five robberies and nine aggravated assaults in 2011. In February 2011, Bridgewater dealt with the murder of Roy T. Jewelers jewelry store …
Mike Umbris
2:00 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
I think George Jones and his Green Knoll Fire Company buddies lights are all a bit dim.. more ›