November 6, 2023

To the Editor:

Many people may know me - I’m not running for office - but try to remain educated as to what’s happening in our town.

My husband and I have spent the past 35+ years in Bridgewater - we were not born and raised here, we did not attend the public schools - however my husband and I chose Bridgewater as the place we wanted to not only open a business but also to raise a family. We were here before the mall, our children attended our public schools, and I have had the opportunity to meet with all of our mayors under whose leadership this town has been governed (Dowden, Flannery, Hayes and Moench) during our lives here.

I rarely agree 100% with anyone (ask my husband) and have never been shy about sharing my point of view - I have always attempted to do my research before coming to conclusions.   

That research may be gathering information from speaking with township’s elected individuals or employees, the township records and state PERC databases, attending meetings, reading NJELEC reports, studying the minutes and proposed resolutions and ordinances. It also comes from how people are observed to be treated by our elected officials, and what “promises made/promises kept” really means!

For anyone who follows social media or even reads the local papers, you likely realize my views are mine, and mine alone. I am a regular at town council, zoning. and planning board meetings.

I want “transparency” and “accessibility” in my governing bodies.

Why during COVID could our town council figure out a way to invite participation in council meetings but NOW is unwilling to provide this - why does our council and local administration limit comments to two minutes when both the county and BOE offer “each public commenter” five minutes?

Why did the council introduce an ordinance disguised as a “digital monument” (aka a billboard)?

Why has the current elected body allowed changes to our hiring standards for positions such as the director of municipal services, the director of human services (and human resources) and the chief of police?

Why are finance reports, audit for 2022 not yet available and reports due to the state from our municipal body not sent or sent after the deadlines given?

Why did the current administration cut so deeply the parks budget and create a top heavy administration, which has gone from $168,000 to $528,000 in four years?   

I have attempted to “force” more transparency by our township administrators and elected representatives through my Wakeup Bridgewater Township NJ FB page - I think in some respects I have succeeded - but much is still lacking.

Where is our audit for 2022?

Why is it that the township cannot meet deadlines for filing reports for the state?

Why are we paying SOOO MUCH in legal fees?

Yes, a “road improvement plan” has been adopted at great debt to the future generations of this township to payoff major businesses that not only paid taxes but supported our township with “supporting donations” for events and groups are leaving.

We are attracting warehouses/manufacturing plants, self storage rental units and electronic billboards but NOT jobs or jobs that can afford our homes.

Please vote as an educated consumer of how your tax dollar is being spent and who envisions the Bridgewater you chose to move to. Please vote what’s Best for Bridgewater!

Sincerely

Cathy Haller-Franco

Bridgewater

Resident Asks People to be an Educated Consumer When Going to Polls | Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ News TAPinto 

November 6, 2023

Twice a week or so for the last several weeks or so I found a large cardboard campaign piece in my mailbox. It features a picture of Dan Hayes, my preferred candidate for mayor, and a reference to his efforts to improve Bridgewater while he was mayor through development of previously unused property. Oddly, it was sent by Dan’s opponent in the mayoral race, Matt Moench, and interestingly, does not touch on any of Matt’s development efforts. I’d like to help complete the picture for you.

Having served as a member of the planning board while Dan was mayor, I’m very familiar with his record of achievement and now share some highlights, pictures included. Under Dan, the Life Time fitness center was built. It’s a top-notch facility that is enjoyed by MANY in our community. The Chimney Rock Shopping Center was also constructed. There you’ll find a number of Bridgewater’s favorite places to shop, including the Whole Foods Market and Nordstrom Rack. The AC Hotel by Marriott, our area’s premier hotel and the outstanding restaurant on premises, was also erected. These projects are all state-of-the-art facilities that have brought many benefits to our community and are representative of Dan’s vision for our town.

On the flip side, Matt’s been mayor for several years and I’m unaware of any projects built during his tenure. As far as Matt’s vision for our town can be gleaned from his administration’s development efforts today, all we have are plans to build hundreds of thousands of square feet of warehouse space and an enormous neon billboard on our most dangerous roadway.

It seems clear to me that Dan’s record of achievement on the development front is a big win for our town. More importantly, however, is his vision reflected in this achievement is much more in line with what I hope Bridgewater becomes (home to world class conveniences and high-paying jobs) than Matt’s (a place to attract minimum wage jobs, LOTS of really large trucks, and dangerous eyesores).

Evan Lerner
Bridgewater, NJ

Bridgewater Neighbor Posts | Bridgewater, NJ Patch 

November 4, 2023

To the Editor:

To the Editor,

Once again, Mayor Moench fails to meet the fiscal and transparency requirements of his office.

This time, he failed to file the annual independent financial audit of the township on time as required by state law. By law, the audit should have been filed with the state (and made public) by the extended deadline of Sept. 29.

On Oct. 20, I emailed the mayor and township administrator. In addition to asking for the
2022 Annual Audit, I also asked for access to the township’s Annual Financial Statement and the township Annual Debt Statement, none which were posted as required by law. I never received a reply to my email, however the Financial Statement and Debt Statement miraculously appeared on the website.

The whereabouts and contents of our 2022 Annual Audit remains a mystery. But then again it is an election year so I am sure if the audit was good news we would have seen it already. The audit was always on time during the Hayes Administration. Rather, based on their fiscal record of soaring taxes, record debt and to quote the State Comptroller, the administration’s “failure to live up to their fiduciary responsibility,” I believe the audit does not contain good news.

Bridgewater residents deserve an open and transparent municipal government when it involves financial documents. Unfortunately, despite the mayor and council’s claim of fiscal responsibility and transparency, we see neither. The missed State Audit deadline and withholding of the Audit’s findings is just the latest in a long list of failures which include:

• Soaring taxes and record debt along with attempts to misdirect taxpayers by discussing tax rate rather than the cost of government.
• A downgrade by Standard & Poor (S&P) of the township’s outlook based on the last three budgets.
• Out of control cronyism and unqualified political hires.
• The mayor’s failure to file his election campaign finance reports for two years as required by law, hiding from the state and residents his donors and spending records.
• The mayor’s failure to release the Mall Incident Report in defiance of the State Attorney General.
• The mayor’s failure to comply with the State Comptroller’s request for an independent audit and document check regarding employee payout.
• The mayor’s rush to pass a billboard on municipal property to benefit political pals and donors.
• Submitting an unchanged (identical and incorrect) Budgeted Personnel Cost page in the submitted User Friendly Budget three years in a row! And, even still, the 2023 link takes you to the 2022 document!

This is outrageous. It’s just a hot mess. We taxpayers deserve transparency from our elected officials through accessible, accurate and timely information on all financial documents.

It underscores how badly the Moench administration damaged Bridgewater's fiscal health by reckless administrative and financial mismanagement. They ran through our reserves. They ballooned the township debt another $40 Million over the last four years. And, they gave us record high tax increases.

Don’t let this continue. It boggles my mind that anyone, from any political party, would give the reins to Mr. Moench for another term as the steward of the taxpayer’s hard-earned money.

Getting our fiscal health back on track for the future of Bridgewater is one of many reasons to vote for Dan Hayes for mayor and Saad Toor & Marguerite Baranowski for council.

Sincerely,

Jill Gladstone

Resident Comments on Mismanagement by Current Administration | Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ News TAPinto 

October 27, 2023

To the Editor:

As Police Chiefs in Bridgewater Township, we have worked with numerous elected officials in our role as leaders responsible for maintaining public safety and a strong community. We can without question say that in all that time, there has been no mayor more supportive of our mission than Mayor Dan Hayes. Being a police chief in a diverse township such as Bridgewater poses many public safety challenges.

Despite the challenges, Mayor Hayes has always been willing to listen to our concerns, and work with us to solve problems for the benefit of Bridgewater residents.

In matters of public safety, Mayor Hayes viewed our relationship as a partnership. He allowed us to exercise our skill and experience while supporting us in every way possible. Whether it was a hurricane, snowstorm, township-wide public safety crisis or addressing crime in a specific neighborhood, Mayor Hayes demonstrated exemplary dedication to his office and residents. He was always a full participant, working to ensure the police had what we needed to protect and serve township residents, whether that was through updating equipment or authorizing and funding necessary training exercises, and always available to address concerns and have open dialogue. 

As Police Chiefs in Bridgewater Township, we have worked with numerous elected officials in our role as leaders responsible for maintaining public safety and a strong community. We can without question say that in all that time, there has been no mayor more supportive of our mission than Mayor Dan Hayes. Being a police chief in a diverse township such as Bridgewater poses many public safety challenges.

Despite the challenges, Mayor Hayes has always been willing to listen to our concerns, and work with us to solve problems for the benefit of Bridgewater residents.

In matters of public safety, Mayor Hayes viewed our relationship as a partnership. He allowed us to exercise our skill and experience while supporting us in every way possible. Whether it was a hurricane, snowstorm, township-wide public safety crisis or addressing crime in a specific neighborhood, Mayor Hayes demonstrated exemplary dedication to his office and residents. He was always a full participant, working to ensure the police had what we needed to protect and serve township residents, whether that was through updating equipment or authorizing and funding necessary training exercises, and always available to address concerns and have open dialogue.

Please join us in supporting Dan Hayes for Mayor with your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7. 

Respectfully, 

Manny Caravela, Former Chief

Al Nicaretta, Former Chief

Paul Payne, Former Chief

Police Chiefs Support Mayor Dan Hayes | Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ News TAPinto 

October 17, 2023 

To the Editor:

I grew up with a unique and educational view of politics. Part of me sees my generation and wants to empower others with political knowledge, and a small part of me wants to not talk about it at all, but mostly I feel a sense of responsibility and obligation to speak up to effect change.

When you know someone running for a political position who’s really out there for what they believe in and want for their community, it makes you respect politicians a bit more, you understand that there are good people in it and in some ways you learn to respect even politicians that disagree with you regardless of political parties. 

There are admirable people who do care about the people they are running for office for and there is something to admire about them for speaking up and for fighting for what they believe in. Dan Hayes is one of those people. Dan has eight years experience as the mayor in previous years and has a passion for politics. In those years he served, he was committed and dedicated to advocating for the residents of Bridgewater with his proven record of which our community continues to need. We need a leader who can help with sustainable businesses, work with our school districts, stop the rise of taxes, continue with expanded services. 

After observing and evaluating the perspectives and agendas of the various candidates in Bridgewater’s upcoming elections, I am writing today to express my support for Dan Hayes for mayor. His honest, pragmatic and hopeful insight into our community's problems and needs, and willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public's questions and concerns, shows his true concern for our town and residents.  

Please help spread the word to others of the value of his policies and abilities on Nov. 7.

Sincerely,

Megan Dowden

Bridgewater

Resident Writes in Support of Dan Hayes for Mayor | Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ News TAPinto