Township Council — July 9, 2026
The Council adopted three bond ordinances, each 5-0: #26-10, $4,205,000 for the emergency radio system; #26-11, $1,900,000 for road improvements; and #26-12, $2,500,000 for drainage. It awarded $133,505.50 for the Philip and David Miller Park basketball courts. The Mayor reported the 2025 audit complete with one recommendation. Residents raised a possible data center at the Greymark property and the Melick farm stand.
- Infrastructure
- Taxes
- Data centers
- Environment
Meeting recording
Recording plays on the township archive
This meeting does not play on this page. The township's recording is complete and plays in full on the township's own channel.
What happened
What was decided
All five members were present: Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring and Council President Geiger, with Mayor Moench. Every vote below was 5-0 (ayes Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring, Geiger).
Bond ordinances adopted
- #26-10, $4,205,000 for the emergency radio communications system, with $3,994,750 in bonds or notes. The Mayor said it is required by changes to the existing system, is a joint purchase with the fire districts, and that the township is seeking federal and other funding; Kirsh said the township advances the funds and expects grant reimbursement later. Hearing speakers Allen Kurdyla and Robert Albano supported it; Albano said the Martinsville Rescue Squad has answered more than 21,000 calls since 2004.
- #26-11, $1,900,000 for road improvements (Country Club Road, Ardsley Lane, Goldfinch Drive, Van Veghten Drive, South Avenue, Garretson Road preliminary engineering and overlays), with $1,805,000 in bonds or notes. Albano asked that the last section of Papen Road be paved; the Mayor said more road work would be proposed this year.
- #26-12, $2,500,000 for drainage (Spring Run, 1024 Brown Road, Brown Road/Carteret Road and other work), with $2,375,000 in bonds or notes. Albano described increased flow from the Brown Road/Carteret Road area and 35-year-old gabions behind his property; the Mayor said engineering reviews will evaluate downstream effects. Kirsh, who voted no at introduction on June 25, voted yes.
Kirsh said Bridgewater has a AA bond rating, about $85 million in outstanding debt and remaining bonding capacity.
Resolutions
- #26-07-09-165, a $6,890 sewer overpayment refund for 754 Route 202 (a 2025 billing error).
- #26-07-09-166, Kirsten Forsythe to the Bridgewater-Raritan Youth Services Commission.
- #26-07-09-167, moving the Somerset County Park Commission fireworks to July 17.
- #26-07-09-168, Pave-Rite, Inc. (Bridgewater), Philip and David Miller Park basketball improvements, up to $133,505.50; the Mayor said the work also covers parking, lighting and drainage and that grant funding is available. See parks and open space.
- The June 25 minutes were approved by voice vote.
Mayor’s report
The 2025 audit was completed with one recommendation, on unanticipated Public Works overtime for late-December snow removal, which the 2026 budget addresses. Volunteer fire chiefs asked for help clearing snow around hydrants, and the attorney is reviewing a possible ordinance. Tree planting began in Bradley Gardens (about 20 trees). A storm brought down trees and caused temporary closures but no widespread flooding.
Public comment
- Joseph Charelle of Branchburg spoke on possible redevelopment of the Greymark property, valuing its current medical offices, and asked the Council to weigh the energy demand, cooling-water use and noise of an AI data center. Ring said no application is before the boards and the property is in litigation; Geiger described a new state law making large data-center developers bear electrical infrastructure costs. See data centers.
- Mona Mikhail of Bogarts Drive and Stuart Yusem of Purcell Road described speeding, cut-through trucks and failures to stop in the Walters Brook area; the Mayor said Engineering and Traffic Safety will review.
- Eric Murdock of North Bridge Street thanked the township for the Philip and David Miller Park improvements in Hobbstown.
- Tinamarie Diehl of Somerville, chair of the Somerville Environmental Commission, supported the re-established Bridgewater Environmental Commission and spoke for keeping the Melick farm stand property; the attorney said the matter is before the Zoning Board, so the Council cannot comment. See self-storage at Routes 22 and 28.
- Carolyn Gioia of Palley Court asked for advance posting of Environmental Commission meeting changes and whether a speed study, not just crash data, was done for Bogart Drive and Purcell Road.
- Ring said a resident petition on a Foothill Road property expected before a land use board cannot be taken as evidence, and residents should speak at the board’s hearing.
Records
- Minutes (township document page)
- Agenda (posted on the township site; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed it)
- Video on the township’s YouTube channel (3:45:01). This page follows the Clerk’s minutes.