Bridgewater Township Governance – Hayes, Moench, and Henderson-Rose for Stability, Transparency and Robust Leadership

Updated, November 5, 2015, 2:36 PM

On Tuesday, November 3^rd, you get to vote in the Bridgewater Township Mayoral and Council elections.  For those of us who make Bridgewater our home, this may turn out to be the most influential among the other three contests on the ballot; namely, those of the schools, county, and state elections.

This is one of the few times in Bridgewater history that there has been a well-organized, concentrated push on behalf of new faces to oust all three incumbents.  This one is not a sleeper.

Competition in elections is good but, onto itself, an opposing field of candidates does not necessarily provide a compelling basis to replace an ongoing, effective leadership such as that which exists in Bridgewater.

The candidates striving to push out incumbents Mayor Dan Hayes and Council Members Matthew Moench and Christine Henderson-Rose simply have not come up with the beef, despite a bevy of claims, most of which don’t hold water.

RECOMMENDATION:  Although change is at times desirable, this is not the moment for it in Bridgewater.  It will not improve conditions here, will not change your real estate taxes for the better, and will disrupt a well-managed team running this township, one that is doing much better than most Bridgewaterites may suspect.

What to do? What to write?

Mr. Beatty prepares to address the BR-Board of Education..

This has been a tough week to select a topic for a blog entry – much to write about, not enough time for it all.

On the local scene, Bridgewater Township held its annual reorganization meeting on Monday evening at the Municipal Complex, followed on Tuesday by a similar ceremony for the Bridgewater-Raritan School District at the Wade Building in Martinsville.

It was at Monday’s meeting that Bridgewater Mayor Dan Hayes gave his positive State of the Township Address.

Both events, although technical in nature, were on the light-hearted and celebratory side. I came away with the sense that Washington politicians might learn something from some of our locals.

Bridgewater’s Top Security Officer Moves On

Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden
is shown here at a Township Council Meeting on
July 1, 2013, at which one of the topics was the
allocation of an additional School Resource Officer
for the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, with the
school budget picking up the cost.  Accompanying
him in the background are some of the Township
Police Force.

Effective today, Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden has retired from his post as this community’s top law enforcement officer.

In a brief conversation this afternoon, Bridgewater Township Administrator Mr. James Naples confirmed that yesterday was the Chief’s last day on the job, and that he was now busy going in and out of the Bridgewater Municipal Complex, already in the process of moving on.

Mr. Naples was highly complimentary of Chief Borden, adding that he served for 32 years in law enforcement, and that he was appointed to the position of Bridgewater’s Police Chief in 2006.   

Naples underscored that, under Chief Borden’s guidance, the Police Department was awarded a distinguished accreditation on February 14, 2013, by “the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and CALEA (The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies).

Township to Vote on Resolution for School Resource Officer

Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes
addresses the audience at the January 7,
2013 township re-organization meeting
at the Municipal Complex.
 

At its regular meeting on Monday, July 1, the Bridgewater Township Council will consider a resolution which will have the effect of adding a second specially trained police officer as a full-time security presence on the campus-like facility of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Garretson Road.

The cost of the current on-site school resource officer (SRO) is being borne entirely by the Township.  At issue is the cost for a second SRO.

The township administration and the school board have tentatively agreed on a number for the cost of a second SRO to be paid for by the school district.

However, the township council has placed on the table consideration of a higher figure, as well as the expectation of a contractual time commitment from the school district.

Flying the Flag as a Mark of Respect for Victims of the Second Boston Massacre

This TV image shows the American colors flying
near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, shortly
after the terrorist attack.
(TV ScreenShot/Dick Bergeron)

On Tuesday, April 16^th, one day after the detonation of two improvised explosive devices in Boston, the flag of the United States flew at half-staff over the White House. 

President Barack Obama issued a proclamation to that effect, and the colors of America will remain in that position over the White House until the sun sets on Saturday, April 20^th, five full days later.

Yet, as of yesterday, when I drove by the Bridgewater Township Municipal Complex, the U.S. flag was still catching the wind in a fully raised position.  I thought that odd.  Today it is flying at half-staff.

A Touch of Faith

Monday night, in the courtroom of the Bridgewater Township Municipal Complex, the annual re-organization of the Township Council; the selection of the new Council President; the swearing-in of a Councilman; and the appointments of personnel to various boards, commissions, councils, and committees were the order of business.

The evening culminated with delivery of the 2013 State of the Township Address by Mayor Dan Hayes.

But, in this brief blog post, I would like to put a different twist and emphasis on another aspect

Is it Merely “NIMBY,” or is there Legitimate Worry about Water Encroachment and Other Environmental Concerns?

Sunday afternoon, I decided to take a drive along Twin Oaks Road, the narrow, northerly passage which hangs on the shoulder of the First Watchung Mountain in Bridgewater:

A short stretch of drainage ditch along

 the north side of Twin Oaks Road. (Bergeron Image.)

This short stretch of macadam runs from Morningside Drive to the West and Steele Gap Road to the East.  It roughly defines the northern boundary of a 36 acre tract of land proposed for development.  Opposition to this plan, popularly known as “Stop 18 Homes,” has grown more organized and vocal.

The proposal is currently before the Bridgewater Township Planning Board.  Another meeting is planned for this evening at 7:00 pm in the Municipal Courtroom.  The applicant, Mr. Lang, current owner of this property, is represented by counsel and has also retained an environmental expert who will present his findings and, presumably, his conclusions to the Planning Board this evening.

Smoother Roads and Better Traffic Control Reduce the Stress of Driving.

There is still a long way to go, and a lot of bumpy pavements to fix in Bridgewater Township.  Yet, despite the fiscal constraints under which the Township is operating, the Administration has moved ahead by repaving some of the more badly damaged sections of Bridgewater’s roads. 

New traffic lights are being installed at the intersection

 of Foothill Road and Mine Road in Bridgewater.

 (Bergeron Image.)

It has also focused its attention upon remedying what was progressively becoming a very hazardous intersection.

Mine Road, as its winds its way in a serpentine fashion down the shoulder of the First Watchung Mountain to its terminus where it meets Foothill Road, forming a perpendicular intersection with the latter, has long presented a blind spot to all drivers at that location. 

Example:  A vehicle making a turn from the bottom of Mine Road may proceed to the left or the right.   Negotiating a left turn has become especially perilous.

Goodbye, Potholes!

Although last winter was a somewhat milder one than those of the immediately preceding three or so, the result is that many streets in Bridgewater have taken a brutal beating, testing to the upper limit the capacity of the Township’s budget to keep up with road damage throughout the Township.

Artist at work:  Could you accomplish this task as well

 as this person? No way could I. !! (Bergeron Image.)

It’s no secret to anyone that municipal budgets are tight everywhere and that in some cases, townships throughout New Jersey are playing a catch-up game with road repairs.

On a regular basis, Priscille and I use Brown Road as a shortcut to get from Washington Valley Road (WVR) to Route 202/206 south:  We have found it increasingly bumpy.

In particular, the northbound side of Brown Road from Papen to WVR has gradually deteriorated over the last five years or so, to the point that fixing potholes just meant patching the same ones over and over again, resulting in a crazy quilt riding pattern of thuds and thumps for drivers.

That is why I was so gratified early this week when, while driving northbound on Brown Road, up the side of the ridge, I spotted a crew working at the intersection of Papen and Brown roads and, further uphill, at the intersection of WVR and Brown – a very busy intersection.

Downey Road Gets a Facelift

Ten-wheelers prepare to cart away the old road surface of Downey
Road which has since been completely stripped and resurfaced.
(Image/Dick Bergeron)

One of the results of budget tightening in Bridgewater since the financial and real estate debacles of 2007/2008 is that this Township, as well as other municipalities throughout New Jersey, has had to carefully watch expenses and the outflow of cash.

 
The poor condition of some of the roadways in this Township seems to have been an unintended casualty of the need to address fiscal austerity.
 
For example, Downey Road is a short, very busy little connector that runs from Route 202/206 near the Green Knoll Grille.  It links up with Woodlawn Avenue and Garretson Road, at the point where these two streets meet at the overpass that spans 202/206.

Bridgewater Turns out for Monument’s Dedication

Yesterday afternoon, at 4:00 PM, in front of Bridgewater’s new Municipal Complex, citizens, dignitaries, contributors, Girl Scouts, and others all showed up to honor the Township’s march through history at the dedication of the Bridgewater Historic Monument.  

An orange ribbon falls to the ground after its ceremonial cutting by Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery and Veronica Finlay, volunteer project co-ordinator, at the Bridgewater Historic Monument's dedication.. They are joined by Girl Scouts and some of the Monument's many contributors.

It is a very attractive and well-designed addition to the Township complex.  The Monument’s placement physically breaks up the distance between the road entrance and the spacious, open courtyard leading to the main buildings, thus adding an esthetically pleasing aspect to the overall surroundings.

Celebrate Bridgewater Township!

On Thursday, September 22, Bridgewater Township will commemorate its history when the new outdoor Bridgewater Historical Monument will be officially presented to the citizens of our township. 

The descriptive plaques (seven in all) below the new Bridgewater Historical Monument are temporarily supported by boards as their adhesive dries, a mere three days before the official dedication. (Photo/Dick Bergeron)

Its cost was originally included in the design of the Bridgewater Municipal Complex.  However, funding plans were since changed, and the monument has been entirely paid for through private and corporate sources, a not insignificant accomplishment given the times we live in. 

This memorial is in the form of a curved wall which depicts the continuum of Bridgewater’s history from the time that European explorers first made contact with this area’s original Native Americans, the Lenni Lenape Indians.  Subsequent, seamless sections of this integrated mural display Bridgewater’s steady march to the present time.

Mayor Flannery Graces the Men’s Club

Once a month, the Men’s Club of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Bridgewater hosts an early morning breakfast – (7:30 am!).  For the most part, it’s a guy’s thing which gets some of the parishioners together for coffee, camaraderie, and eats. 

Mayor Flannery discusses her tenure in Bridgewater Township

At least several times a year, though, there are regularly scheduled, informal events which become graced with the presence of our better halves – the women of our parish, and other ladies from the general community. 

This misty morning, while most of the township was still nested securely under the bed covers, Mayor Patricia Flannery, accompanied by her husband Jim, gave an informal talk about her time in office, with emphasis on her tenure as Bridgewater’s mayor.

As most of you may already know, Mayor Flannery has decided not to seek another term in office, wishing, instead, to recapture some of the personal time which the demands of that office have required of her. 

This woman is not a complainer, though, and it became evident as she spoke, that she has brought to her office a high degree of personal enthusiasm for her responsibilities and a genuine desire to do what is right for the township.

Photos Capture Emergency Services Crew Clearing Bridgewater Street

Bridgewater Crew Finishes Clearing Tree Blocking Peach Tree Road

Bridgewater Township wasn’t spared the damage caused by severe winds on Saturday afternoon.  These were gusting as high as 46 miles per hour, enough to uproot any of the township’s evergreen trees, some of which are shallowly rooted, and make a perfect target for angry winds.

Shortly after lunch on Saturday, one of those trees on Peach Tree Road in the Sunset Lake area of Bridgewater fell victim to those high winds and toppled straight across the street, blocking it completely.

Within minutes from the time that neighbors in the vicinity placed a call to Bridgewater Police, road crews showed up and immediately got to work cutting down the double-trunked tree and cleaning up the street.

Bridgewater Mayor to Leave at End of Term

Mayor Flannery speaks at the dedication of new Municipal Complex

In an e-mail message sent to all Bridgewater residents who have subscribed to the Township’s Internet mailing list, Mayor Patricia Flannery announced today that she will not seek re-election eleven months from now, when her term of office is up.

Below is the complete text of her communiqué to the citizens of Bridgewater.

I have edited my original submission to provide a “read more” break after the first paragraph of the Mayor’s letter on account of space considerations.

The entire letter is well worth your reading time. If you did not sign up for Bridgewater’s e-mail distribution list, yet would like to read a full account of Mayor Flannery’s achievements in her own words, just click on the “read more” link below:

Dear Bridgewater Residents, Board and Committee members, and Staff:

I write today to tell you that I have decided not to seek reelection.  I will retire as mayor at the completion of my term at the end of this year.  Serving as Mayor has been an honor, a challenge, and an enriching and time consuming experience.  I have truly enjoyed working with each of you, and most importantly, I am proud of our accomplishments over the last seven years.

Surprise Township Move

Jim Naples addresses attendees at the Township open house.

As I powered up my PC late this afternoon, thinking of which subject I might address in this, the first New Year’s post of The View from Bridgewater, I had planned to write about a visit which Priscille and I recently enjoyed in the Washington, D.C. area over the holiday.

However, as I checked the home page of MyCentralJersey.com, Kara Richardson’s well-written article about the resignation of Bridgewater Township Administrator, Jim Naples, caught my attention. 

The wheels of memory began to crank, and they delivered a mental view of some photos I remember taking of Jim in the fall of 2010, at the formal open house for Bridgewater Township’s new facilities on Commons Way.

The announcement of Jim’s career move took me by surprise.  Not that it should have.  People are always changing jobs for an infinite variety of reasons, some of which are so intensely personal, that they make sense only to the job mover.

In public life, when those reasons are legitimate, it is, frankly, none of our business.  Nevertheless, such a move, simply because of the public nature of politics, can’t escape the spotlight of the public forum. 

Because of that, people will always tend to speculate on the reasons for a public employee’s departure.  The reality is that Jim’s reasons for leaving may be as simple and as true as what is related in Kara Richardson’s article.  But, if there is another motivation, the chances are that no one will ever really know, except, that is, the insiders within the Township.

It appeared – at least to this observer – that Jim Naples always had a very good working relationship with Bridgewater Mayor, Patricia Flannery.  Indeed, she had commended Jim Naples publicly from the lectern at the Township’s Open House on October 13, 2010, citing his efforts as a principal reason for the successful outcome of that project.

Maybe that’s why the announcement of his departure caught me off guard.

Strings from the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Orchestra Entertain at Bridgewater’s Open House

On Wednesday, October 13, Bridgewater Township officials hosted an open house at the new Municipal Complex. In attendance were dignitaries from the local to the state level. There was a festive mood to this occasion, and the weather could not have been more propitiously cooperative.

Bridgewater citizens and other guests are entertained by the strings of
a Bridgewater-Raritan High School ensemble in Bridgewater's
new Municipal Complex last Wednesday evening.

Beginning at 4 pm and ending after dark at 8 pm, the open house included individually guided tours of the buildings, conviviality among friends and acquaintances which included hors d’oeuvres and dessert served free of charge by local businesses.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the outside patio, bathed in the bright sunlight of a low lying western sun.

There were plenty of people in attendance, much to see, to eat and to do – and an abundance of photo ops. In this blog post, though, I wish to highlight one aspect of the occasion:

During the latter half of the evening, a group of six string musicians from the Bridgewater-Raritan High School orchestra entertained people coming and going from the main meeting room as they lingered and chatted, sating their appetites with gustatory freebies.

Assembled by Joe Lalumia, music teacher and B-R High School Orchestral Director, the string sextet performed commendably. In speaking with Mr. Lalumia that evening, I found out that these students had come together on rather quickly to perform for the occasion.

Below is a group of photos showing close-ups of the string ensemble performing at the open house.




Concentrating on the Performance



Emphasizing the low notes.

The harp lends its contribution to the B-R High School's
six musician string ensemble.

Violinists await their cue.

Bringing the score to life.

Enjoying hors d'oeuvres to the accompaniment
of the musicians.

Should We Laugh, or Should We Cry?

As of Tuesday evening, a Courier News article about a man relieving himself outside the northwest corner of the Bridgewater Township Municipal complex had garnered 35 interwoven, energetic comments, one of which was “removed for violating the terms of service” of the CN.

Egad!! The things that a respectable journalist has to report on!!

I’m certainly no prude, yet was amazed at the number of comments that such a narrative attracted compared to other local stories. Even more incredible, though, is the naïveté of the man who allegedly was caught in the act on a monitoring device. That’s what astonishes me the most.

The new Bridgewater Township Municipal complex is saturated from one end to the other, inside and out, with security features. There is no way that a person can walk about the outside perimeter of that facility without being observed.

Remember, the new police headquarters is on the opposite side of the administration building and is loaded with high-tech security gear.

In Kara Richardson’s newspaper account, “Council President Matt Moench said he has to think about the (proposed ‘no-peeing-in-public’) ordinance.” I’m certain that all the Council members will do that as well, although perhaps with a tongue-in-cheek light-hearted approach.

It turns out that behind the Municipal Complex, just outside the fence enclosing the Kids Street playground, there are public restroom facilities. A check with a person in the Bridgewater Recreation Department confirmed that these restrooms are “open from dawn to dusk” and, obviously, are available to anyone who will take the time to find them and to park in one of spaces in front of the playground.

Photos:  In the first photo, the parking lot for the Kids Street playground is shown immediately behind the new Bridgewater Township Municipal Building.  The second photo shows the public rest rooms situated just outside the fenced-in area for the Kids Street playground.

Bridgewater Occupies the New, Tears Down the Old

The Township has released the current electronic copy of Bridgewater News, a four-page quarterly release with a “Message from the Mayor” column, as well as other general information concerning the Township.

In it, you will find the date for the formal open house and grand opening of the new municipal complex (October); a couple of short articles on health; and – ugh! – a brief update on reassessment inspections for 2010.

As you may remember, the Township once mailed paper copies of the Bridgewater News to every Bridgewater household, but has since curtailed that practice to save printing and mailing costs. Given budgetary constraints, this makes sense. Some paper copies may still be available in certain public locations such as the Bridgewater Library for those of you who do not get electronic mail.

If you don’t yet receive this publication and would like to subscribe via e-mail, just go to the Bridgewater website and click on the Newsletter icon on the home page.

Photos:  The newly rebuilt Bridgewater Township Administration Building and the demolition of the other older Township buildings (by Dick Bergeron)

Police & Township Employees Set the Example for 2010

If you haven’t already read it, check out Kara Richardson’s report in Tuesday’s Courier News about the agreement reached with the Bridgewater Police. They’ve accepted a four-year agreement which specifies a wage freeze in 2010. Other township employees have already agreed to that concession.

This is in stark contrast with the three unions representing teachers and support staff, principals and supervisors of the Bridgewater-Raritan School District. About midway in the budget process, a written request to re-open contract negotiations was made by Board President Jeffrey Brookner and was turned down..

After the school budget was rejected by voters, Matthew Moench, Bridgewater Township Council President was rebuffed by the unions when he publicly expressed a strong preference for the three school bargaining units to accept a one-year wage freeze.

In contrast to the Bridgewater Police Department’s wage freeze, the BREA will enjoy a contracted pay raise of 4.35% for the new school year beginning July 1, 2010. The principals and supervisors will get similar increases.

As I have consistently discussed in this blog previously, school employees continue to enjoy pay increases significantly above the inflation rate. On May 20th, the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. inflation is at a “44-year low,” hovering under 1%.

And this doesn’t even begin to take into account the perilous financial condition of The State of New Jersey and its resulting inability to support excessive wage packages through increased school aid, thereby leaving the hapless local homeowner to pick up the tab.

Photo Note:  Entrance to the Bridgewater Police Department — click once on photo for a better view (by Dick Bergeron)