Bridgewater Leases Space In Municipal Building For District 23 Office

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater Township announced it is once again leasing out space in its Municipal Building. However, this decision to lease out space is not favored by all.

"Simply stated our business is to provide municipal services to our constituents. In my view leasing municipal office space is a slippery slope," Councilman Howard Norglais told Patch.

Last week, the township jointly announced with New Jersey Senator Douglas Steinhardt, Assemblyman John DiMaio, and Assemblyman Erik Peterson that office space at the Township Municipal Building will be rented out for a New Jersey Legislative District 23 Office.

"This partnership will create a local presence and provide residents with greater access to their State elected officials, staff, and resources," according to a joint release from Bridgewater and the District 23 officials.

The District 23 office will be located on the second floor of the Bridgewater Municipal Building at 100 Commons Way and will be open on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Congressman Tom Kean Jr. had also previously rented a small conference room and an office with a total square footage of 130 to 140 inside the Municipal Building for $500 a month to cover utilities and garbage. Read More: Congressman Kean Jr. Opens Temporary District Office In Bridgewater

This arrangement of leasing out a portion of the municipal building was made possible after the Township Council approved a resolution allowing it during the March 2 meeting. All of the councilmen except for Howard Norgalis voted in favor of the resolution.

"If the administration indicates we have available space and the Council supports that contention then we need to think thru the logistics of giving non employees after hours unimpeded access to our building and potentially our records," said Norglais. "I believe we should stick to our municipal service mandate."

During the March 2 meeting, Township Administrator Michael Pappas noted the agreement for the lease is only for a "finite period of time" and the township has the authority to stop it if needed.

He also added that the District Office is only for official offices and official activities.

"It prohibits any political activity," said Pappas.

Councilman Filipe Pedroso commended Pappas and Mayor Matthew Moench for "finding outside-the-box ways to increase revenue which is, I think, is a great benefit to our taxpayers."

Council President Michael Kirsh also said that he was proud to have the District 23 Office in the Municipal Building and thought of it as a "net positive."

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