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 …
Monday, November 19, 2012
Mayor has proposed shared service with Somerville in anticipation of 9 percent savings.
Bridgewater Township is preparing a possible shared service with Somerville Borough for court services, with the expectation that the joint venture will save township residents 9 percent in costs. Mayor Dan Hayes presented the proposal to the Bridgewater Township Council Monday, with the expectation that they will have the opportunity to vote on a resolution at an upcoming meeting. "This service is driven by the Bridgewater administration's goals and principles," he said. "The vision is to continue the quality of life in Bridgewater to which other communities aspire. This program is based completely on being resourceful and forward thinking." The expectation of the shared service, Hayes said, is that there would be $73,000 in savings to …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
How do you think the township is doing?
- NEWS
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
It's been about two weeks since Hurricane Sandy came ashore to wreak havoc on Bridgewater Township and the tri-state area as a whole. Now, the town continues to dig out of the debris to clear trees from homes and roads, and restore power to residents. But how do you think the township has done so far? Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes said the administration has been working diligently to ensure residents' safety, and to implore the utility companies to restore power as quickly as possible. Has it worked? Take our poll, and tell us in the comments if you think the township has been doing a good job in its emergency response.
Monday, October 29, 2012
We've got your updates on what's closed in Bridgewater during the storm.
- NEWS
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Monday, October 29, 2012
With Hurricane Sandy preparing to bare its teeth in Bridgewater, and much of the eastern seaboard, lots of places are releasing closures in advance of the expected storm Monday and Tuesday. We have your list right here of all the closures in Bridgewater and the surrounding towns in Somerset County. Keep checking here throughout the length of the storm for a continually updated list.
And information is being provided on the website about power outages.
Exactly one year after a freak October snowstorm hit the area, the township is moving forward by reflecting on the past and preparing for the future. New Jersey was hit with a snowstorm just before Halloween in 2011, with massive snowfall, trees falling from the weight and other unforeseen issues. “The township has taken steps to improve emergency communication both during and after an event of magnitude,” Mayor Dan Hayes said. Among the steps taken, Hayes said, is that the police department will increase information to residents through reverse 911 phone calls, increased web notices and emails. “And I have met with representatives of the local power utilities and created a link on the homepage of the township website, which indicates the …
Monday, August 20, 2012
The township made several emergency appropriations in 2011.
Despite not wanting to over-budget, but still having to be ready in the case of storms, the township is on track with its emergency funds after making several appropriations in 2011 to account for three devastating storms. According to township administrator James Naples, the township first had to account for Hurricane Irene, followed by Hurricane Kate that hit the week after in September (but was not quite as heavy) and the freak snowstorm in October. “It’s really a catch-22,” he said. “You don’t want to go over budget, but you can’t anticipate these kinds of levels of damage from these storms.” For Bridgewater, and much of the East Coast, it was an extraordinary year, Naples said. “I can’t remember the last time we had that type of heavy…
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tell us where you would like to see repairs made.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, June 21, 2012
Road projects are taking place all over town, with major changes on Route 22 near Chimney Rock Road, and smaller work being done on neighborhood roads like Primrose Lane. But is the road you travel most being treated? We want to know what roads in town you think are most in need of repairs, repaving or overlay work. Are they county or state roads? Or local roads as you travel through the neighborhood? Make your voice heard, Bridgewater, and tell us in the comments what roads you think are most in need of repairs and why.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
And the council approves a contract for legal services.
What follows is an account of actions taken on June 18 by the Bridgewater Township Council, which, while not breaking news, are still of note. Land purchase approved for affordable housing The council unanimously approved an ordinance to acquire land on East Main Street to be used for affordable housing. The property is a little more than nine acres, and will be used for affordable housing in the future, although no building is planned at this moment. Councilman Matthew Moench said that at a recent governing officials meeting, representatives from other townships said they are scrounging to find money for affordable housing, unlike Bridgewater. “Bridgewater seems to be in the best position now,” he said. Council starts process to sell land…
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Those for council, mayor to remain the same, others see 2 percent increase.
The township council unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance Monday that sets salaries for department heads and others—and for the most part, there isn't much of a change in costs. Township administrator James Naples said the compenations for mayor, council president, council, director of administration and municipal judge are all flat. "There is a zero increase from the past," he said. The rest of the salaries, Naples said, will see a 2 percent increase, with the exception of the police chief, who sees a 2.75 percent increase, all consistent with contracts and other determinations. Naples said these salaries are all consistent with what was passed and accounted for in the 2012 budget. Public hearing for the ordinance will be…
Monday, June 11, 2012
The council debates a resolution concerning township motor vehicle use.
The council tabled a resolution Thursday that would implement a policy concerning the use of township vehicles after members questioned whether it is appropriate to allow employees to continue driving them with 10 points on their licenses. According to the potential new policy, an employee must sign a form certifying that he or she is qualified to operate a vehicle. That form includes attesting to not having more than 10 points on his or her driver's license. But councilmen Matthew Moench and Filipe Pedroso said they believe that number is simply too high. "That's a high point allotment," Moench said. "I think if you already have that many, you should not be given a car." "If you get a ticket in municipal court, you usually pay first and …
stewart resmer
8:15 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
uhm? Because guys like 'The Party Of Stupid' candidates like Mitt the twit, and Lyin Paul Ryan, Cantor and Norquist, Boehner and McConnell aka Thelma and Louise, party of no, have declared economic war on the middle class blocking jobs bills, while at the same time giving unprecedented tax breaks during war time to the uber wealthy ? more ›