A significant portion of the meeting centered around a proposal presented by Ken Musgrove, the director of recovery support for Community and Crisis, to allocate $220,000 from opioid litigation settlement funds to establish a part-time Community Recovery Champion position. Musgrove emphasized the need for community-based support, stating, “the importance of having community support and recognizing that it’s not only just staying abstinent; it’s a matter of having the other social determinants of health taken care of including employment, education, [and] healthcare.” He also noted that “for every dollar spent on recovery support services, the community saves $7 in other services,” underscoring the financial efficiency of investing in recovery initiatives. The council expressed keen interest in Musgrove’s proposal, recognizing the broader context of the opioid settlement funds, which aim to address the damages caused by opioid marketing to communities.

Following Musgrove’s presentation, the council opened the floor to public comments, where various residents shared concerns and suggestions. Linda Bar, a member of the Middlebrook Symposium planning committee, urged the council to consider utilizing Camp Cromwell for archaeological studies and potentially developing it into a Middlebrook Museum as part of the upcoming 250th-anniversary celebrations. Bar suggested that this initiative could foster greater appreciation for the township’s history and attract grant funding for exhibit design.

Michael D. Loretto, representing residents of Bradley Gardens, highlighted the need for neighborhood improvements, presenting a detailed handout with photographs illustrating issues such as abandoned homes, lack of sidewalks, and the state of local parks. He emphasized safety concerns related to the absence of sidewalks, stating, “a lot of us like to walk our children to school,” and noted that the current conditions could pose hazards, particularly for young children. Loretto advocated for consistent road widths and curbs to enhance safety and suggested exploring funding options, including grants available through the bipartisan infrastructure law, to address these concerns.

Another resident, Jen Lockran, voiced her support for improvements in Alfred Brown Park and briefly discussed a police response to a party during Labor Day weekend. She described the professionalism of the officers involved, noting that despite initial discomfort, community members expressed positive feedback about their interactions. Lockran stated, “the next day, I talked to my friend… her response was, ‘Oh, he was so sweet,’” indicating that the police handled the situation with care and respect, contributing to a constructive atmosphere.

Joan G. Gyer commended the public works department for their prompt response in clearing a clogged drain on Hillside Avenue, which had caused flooding during recent storms. She then shifted the discussion to gun control, noting the anxiety children in Bridgewater face due to potential school violence. Gyer proposed proactive measures such as reminders about gun storage during school events and through town newsletters, advocating for community support of gun control initiatives.

Dan Zolinski raised concerns about the town’s financial situation, expressing alarm over an 11.6% increase in the tax levy and criticizing the council’s lack of communication regarding budgetary challenges. He pointed out the delay in the budget introduction and criticized unsatisfactory audit reports from the previous two years. Zolinski questioned the council about the decision-making process behind the tax increase and the lack of transparency regarding budget priorities.

During the discussion of ordinances and resolutions, ordinance 11a concerning salary specifications drew attention. A council member expressed concern over listing salaries by position rather than by individual names, advocating for greater specificity to avoid confusion during personnel changes.

Ordinance 12a involved amending the township’s stormwater control regulations to align with new New Jersey stormwater management rules adopted in July 2023. Council members recognized this amendment as a legal requirement and emphasized ongoing efforts to address stormwater issues. A letter had been drafted to the New Jersey Council on Local Mandates regarding concerns about unfunded mandates related to these regulations.

Resolution 13a authorized an additional $20,000 for an affordable housing planner, addressing new COA mandates. Resolution 13b sought to amend an award of contract for determining available township-owned properties for affordable housing, reallocating funds without increasing expenses. Resolution 13c awarded a contract for janitorial services, totaling $65,900 for a year. Resolution 13d authorized professional services for the 2024 Division 6 roadway improvement project, and Resolution 13e renewed the agreement for school resource officers with the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education.