Become An Emergency Services Volunteer

There is a long tradition of volunteering in Bridgewater and we are asking you to help your friends and neighbors by considering the time and commitment of being an Emergency Services Volunteer in Bridgewater Township.

Who are the volunteers? They are people just like you, men and women of all ages, from all walks and positions in life. They share the common desire to give something that money alone cannot buy … themselves, their time and effort, their care and concern.

In addition to personal rewards, the following Township benefits are available to active volunteers for Bridgewater rescue squads and fire companies:

1. Tuition reimbursement up to $600 per year ($2400 maximum lifetime benefit) to volunteers, and their spouse and dependent children,  making a four-year commitment to voluntary services in either rescue or fire per N.J.S.A. 18A:71-78.

2. Waiver of fees for Planning Board applications for a volunteer’s personal residence.

3. Waiver of fees for Board of Adjustment application fees for a volunteer’s personal residence.

4. Waiver of fees for active members and their family members (including husband, wife, children, father, mother, grandparents, grandchildren, and any stepchild or legally adopted child living in the same household) for recreation programs, and municipal construction permits for a volunteer’s personal residence.

In addition, many rescue squads and fire companies participate in the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) that provides retirement benefits for their volunteer members.

It takes a special person to volunteer as a firefighter or rescue squad member. Someone with the desire to do something important for his or her community. Someone with courage and dedication who isn’t afraid of hard work and is willing to accept the challenge of a difficult job.

If you are this kind of person, you are needed as a volunteer. The hardest part to answering this call is taking the first step. Make a phone call or visit your local squad building or firehouse at the telephone numbers and addresses listed below. All training and equipment are provided by Bridgewater Township and the rescue squads and fire companies.

Click here for Fire District Maps

The Bridgewater Fire Marshal is responsible for reviewing fire safety elements of development site plans and new construction plans and Annual, semi-annual, and quarterly fire prevention inspections are performed on commercial properties as required by the State New Jersey Uniform Fire Code. In addition, smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm, and fire extinguisher compliance inspections are performed prior to change of occupancy by sale, lease or rent. If it is a rental the property owner is required by state law to register with the township clerk with contact information.

The mission of the Bridgewater Fire Marshal Office is to help prevent the occurrence of fire, protect lives and to preserve property through:

• Enforcement
• Education
• Permitting and inspection
• Plan review

This office also conducts fire investigations, and conducts fire safety training for civic organizations, industries and businesses. This office now has a Mobile Fire Safety House which can also be used for teaching fire prevention. We act as a liaison between the Township administration and volunteer fire services in Bridgewater, and review and inspect special events such as the 4H Fair and local fireworks displays. All local businesses that are not required to register as a State Required Life Hazard Use is required by Chapter 99 of BWT Ordinance to register with this office.

For all Smoke Detectors, Carbon Monoxide alarms, and Fire Extinguisher inspection, you will either need to come in to the Fire Marshal office, or you can mail the check in with your application or you can apply online with a credit card at the link below. Once paid for and processed, our office will call you to schedule the appointment.

Fee for inspection cost

THE APPROPRIATE FEE IS FOR EACH DWELLING UNIT

1. Requests received more than 10 business days prior to the change of occupant is $60.00

2. Requests received four to 10 business days prior to the change of occupant is $90.00

3. Requests received fewer than four business days prior to the change of occupant is $170.00

4. For each subsequent Re-inspection due to a failed inspection: an additional fee of $25 per inspection.

5. Requests for waiver of CSDMACFE for house demolition/extensive construction permits shall be accompanied with application, affidavits from seller & buyer attorney’s offices and a $20.00 administrative fee.

                                            Fire Safety Permits

The fees for fire safety permits established by the N.J. Uniform Fire Code; N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7, shall be as follows: 

TYPE 1      $60.00 

TYPE 2      $215.00 

TYPE 3      $430.00

                    TYPE 4      $645.00                    

 Copy of Fire Investigation report  – $25.00  Thumb drive of digital photographs pertaining to fire investigation report  (cost of thumb drive)                   

The Chief/Fire Marshal, Thomas Scalera, can be reached FOR ANY QUESTIONS at (908) 725-6300 ext. 5555 or by email at tscalera@bridgewaternj.gov

Click here to login to SDL Portal

ONLINE APPLICATION FOR INSPECTION OF SMOKE/ CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS & AND PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPLIANCE INSPECTION (SDL/PORTAL) – PLEASE CLICK TO BE REDIRECTED TO SDL PORTAL FOR ALL ONLINE APPLICATION AND CREDIT PAYMENTS

APPLICATION FOR INSPECTION OF SMOKE/ CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS & AND PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPLIANCE INSPECTION & REQUIREMENTS

APPLICATION FOR FIRE PERMIT

BRIDGEWATER FIRE SAFETY PERMIT FEE LIST

APPLICATION FOR MOBILE FOOD TRUCK FIRE PERMIT

HOT ROOF WORK –REQUIREMENTS-FIRE SAFETY

FIRE SAFETY BUSINESS REGISTRATION APPLICATION

BUSINESS FIRE REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE

FIRE WATCH GUIDELINES

EXIT EMERGENCY LIGHTS TEST LOG

FIRE SAFETY FALSE ALARM BROCHURE

COMMON FIRE SAFETY VIOLATIONS

TIME EXTENSION FORM

Bridgewater Affordable Housing

Bridgewater Township has maintained a successful affordable housing program for many years, supporting the development of over 1,400 affordable units across a variety of housing types, including single family homes, multi-family rentals, and special needs units. There are two primary components of this program – affordable housing units for sale or rent, and a housing rehabilitation program. Township funding for affordable housing units come from development fees collected by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

RENTING OR BUYING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT IN BRIDGEWATER

There are numerous affordable for-sale and rental properties within the municipality.  Click here to apply to rent an affordable housing unit in Bridgewater, or click here to apply to buy an affordable housing unit in Bridgewater. 

Bridgewater Township Housing Rehabilitation Program Application

What is it all about?

The Township of Bridgewater Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to assist eligible residents with funding for major and minor housing rehabilitation to their principal place of residence.

This brochure provides a brief description of eligibility criteria, the application process and procedures.

So How Does the Program Help?

The program is designed to provide assistance based on the Program Building Inspector’s determination of what eligible items are needed and does not guarantee the maximum assistance.

If eligible, a 100% property rehabilitation Deferred Loan will be made available on a First Come, First Served basis.  A lien will be placed on your home and recorded with your property deed. This Loan (not to exceed $24,000) shall be forgiven ten (10) years from the date it is recorded at the County.  During the ten (10) years, if you should transfer title or rent to someone for any reason, you, your heirs, executors or representative, must notify the Township and repayment must be made within thirty (30) days.

Who is Eligible?

• The applicant must be a resident of Bridgewater Township.
• The applicant must be the owner of the property and the property must be the principal place of residence.
• The Building cannot contain more than one (1) rental units and the principal unit must be owner occupied. All rent received must be declared as income by the applicant.
• The annual GROSS income (amount prior to taxes) of all persons residing in the applicant’s household must not exceed the maximum income level established by State Guidelines. These limits are subject to change annually.
• Property taxes must be current.
• The building must not be utilized for any purpose other than residential use.

Find the number of persons residing in the household to obtain the maximum income allowed. Subject to change without notice. For Households over 8 call Rehabco at 732-477-7750.

ELIGIBLE Rehabilitation and Improvements are:

Major Repairs or Replacements:

• Roof
• Heating System (includes hot water heater)
• Plumbing (includes wells, sewer, and water connections)
• Electrical
• Sanitary Plumbing (including septic systems)
• Weatherization to reduce energy consumption
• Load Bearing structural damage
• Handicap facilities (documentation required)
• Stove (ONLY when a safety hazard exists)

Minor Repairs or Replacements:

• Minor painting
• Masonry
• Gutters and leaders
• Drywall and flooring
• Fixtures
• Minor Carpentry
• Repair Driveways and sidewalks

INELIGIBLE Rehabilitation and Improvements are:

• Custom Painting
• Cosmetic Luxury Fixtures
• Purchase of appliances not required by local code
• Acquisition of land
• Landscaping
• Custom tile
• Retention walls

Next Steps:

If after reading this site, you believe you are eligible for assistance, the first step is to completely fill out and return the Application along with all the documentation requested.  Incomplete applications and/or missing documents will result in delaying your eligibility.

Applications are logged in order of the date a complete application is reviewed and approved and will be served on a First Come, First Served basis.

If your application has been on file for more than six (6) months when it reaches the top of the Application Logbook, your eligibility must be re-verified based on the requirements at the present time.  If determined eligible, an appointment will be scheduled for an electrical inspection and a property inspection.  You, or an adult representative, MUST be present for both inspections.  A Work Write-Up for rehabilitation work will be prepared based upon the results of these inspections.  A copy of the Work Write-Up will be forwarded to you for your review and comments.

The Program Building Inspector and the Homeowner will monitor the construction work in order to determine compliance with the Rehabilitation Contract.  All work must be approved by the applicable Borough Inspectors as well as the Program Inspector prior to the contractor receiving payment.

Have any Questions?

If you require assistance in completing the related forms or need answers to any questions, please contact the Program Staff at:

44 East Water Street, Toms River NJ 08753

Phone:  732-477-7750

Fax:  732-920-9649

Email: rehabco@aol.com

Website:  rehabconj.com

AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES

• MIDPOINT REVIEW & 2020 Annual Unit, Trust Fund, and VLI Monitoring 
• HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN 
• Affordable Housing Ordinance
• JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE AND REPOSE 
• SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH FAIR SHARE HOUSING 
• FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER AND GENERAL HISTORY OF MT. LAUREL LITIGATION

Bridgewater Commons
Commons Way
Bridgewater
908-218-0001
www.bridgewatercommons.com

Bridgewater Commons features a robust department store lineup that includes Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. The center boasts an impressive collection of over 150 brands including AMC Theatre, Apple, lululemon, Pottery Barn, Sephora, Swarovski and Williams-Sonoma and popular dining options such as California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Redstone American Grill, Seasons 52, Shake Shack and Uncle Julio’s Mexican From Scratch. Also, Best Buy and TJMaxx and more are right across from the mall on Commons Way.

TD Bank Ballpark
Somerset Patriots Professional Baseball
1 Patriots Park
Bridgewater
Phone: 908-252-0700
www.somersetpatriots.com

Home of the Somerset Patriots, a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Six-time Atlantic League Champions!

The Somerset Patriots play Professional Baseball played in beautiful award-winning TD Bank Ballpark, providing affordable, family entertainment to the community, with ~70 games played in April-September of each year! It is Home to the Somerset Patriots, a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Six-time Atlantic League Champions.

Middlebrook Trail
 

The Middlebrook trail, located mostly in Bridgewater, NJ. The site is home to many fantastic plants and animals, but the biggest contributions which have made the trail increase in popularity are the many projects done by Eagle Scouts and other contributors. Without the help of eagle scouts and volunteers, including building bridges, boardwalks, and stairs on steep hills, the trail would not be what it is today