Bridgewater Council Primary Candidate: Filipe Pedroso

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater's preliminary election on June 8 has six candidates running for three open seats on the Township Council. Filipe Pedroso, 50, is one of three Republican candidates running.

Pedroso is the Founder & CEO of Giftapart Inc., innovating social ecommerce, gifting, social media, and event planning from 2017 to present. He previously managed his law practices from 1997-2017 with offices in Newark and Somerville.

He also co-hosted biweekly call-in law show from 2013-2016. Served on Board of Directors of the Portuguese-Continental Federal Credit Union from 2000-2002. Filed and is patent-pending in international technology patents. Licensed, FAA Private Pilot.

Pedroso is currently a Bridgewater Councilmember since 2012 and also serves on the Board of Adjustments, Vice-Chairman, 2003-2012 and Open Space Committee, 2006-2008.

Pedroso is married to Liana Pedroso and father of four beautiful children: Sophia, 17, senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School; Julia, 15, freshman at Bridgewater-Raritan High School; Alina, 4; and Nikolas, 2.

His education consists of J.D., Law Degree, Seton Hall University School of Law (1996); Certified, Medicolegal Death Investigator, Saint Louis University Medical School (1993); and B.S., Biochemistry, Rutgers University–New Brunswick (1992); H.S. diploma, Bridgewater-Raritan High School East (1988); Middle School, Hillside Middle School, Bridgewater, NJ (1984); Elementary School, Valley School, Bridgewater, NJ (1981).

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Filipe Pedroso

Why are you seeking to run for township council?

My love for Bridgewater and my sense of duty for community service have driven me to serve on the Council. I moved to Bridgewater when I was 7 years old and have lived here since. I’ve had the privilege of living in 8 different Bridgewater addresses and in all parts of town. Not soon after turning 18, I joined the Finderne First Aid & Rescue Squad, and served for 6 years on numerous leadership capacities including Trustee of the Board and First Lieutenant. When the opportunity arose, I joined Bridgewater’s Board of Adjustments and served for 10 years. My understanding of the diversity of our community – diversity in both people and zoning – helped me decide matters with the knowledge of the specific areas that were impacted and I had the understanding of how to protect the character of the neighborhoods. Since 2008, I also served as Vice Chairman of the board of Directors of Centerbridge II Senior Housing, a housing complex with 113 affordable housing units for seniors. I love Bridgewater, and was fortunate to grow up in this beautiful town. I have been lucky to call Bridgewater home for over 43 years. My love for the town and the love for my children keep me focused on doing everything I can to protect our quality of life here so that my children, and all future generations, will look forward to calling Bridgewater home too.

How would you address the overdevelopment in Bridgewater?

During my 10 years on the zoning board and nearly 10 years on the Council I have been a vocal voice in support of our quality of life and opposed unnecessary overdevelopment. A key example was the Center of Excellence, or as I called it, the "monstrosity" overdevelopment project. When my own then-party leaders were supporting this overdevelopment project, and tried to put on the pressure for me to support it too, I stood up and started a movement to raise awareness and opposition against the Center of Excellence. I started a Facebook page "Preserve Bridgewater," reached out to community groups, and recruited individuals – irrespective of party affiliation. I could not stand by as an organized effort was taking place to keep the project from the public’s eye and bulldoze the approvals through. The movement grew into hundreds of people, packed rooms, and packed Planning Board meetings, and even brought change to the Republican Party leadership itself. I will always protect the quality of life of Bridgewater, and will always stand up for what is right for Bridgewater. I have a proven track record of consistently voting in favor of protecting the character of our Township, against overdevelopment, and zoning that protects our residential neighborhoods.

Roads are a major issue in town, how do you plan to tackle this?

The Council approves spending, and the Mayor selects the roads to repair. Although I had approved increased road repair expenditures in the budget – while still maintaining zero percent tax increases – the prior mayor failed to produce a road improvement plan. Now, with Mayor Moench working with the Council, we finally have a solid road plan. The Council just approved a record-setting $8 million budget for road repairs this year. With a Mayor who shares in my priorities, and a 5-year road plan, there will be marked road improvements everywhere throughout the town. Road repairs fall within the broader scope of budget management, and I have the experience and knowledge to deal with these complex issues. I have served on the town’s Budget-Finance Committee for almost every year, and have successfully been able to add funding to roads while getting the town to the lowest municipal tax rate in the county.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in town?

The main issues on the Council are public safety, protecting our quality of life, road and infrastructure improvements, and municipal taxes. These are the bedrock issues of municipal government. I have consistently supported Bridgewater’s police department and am proud of their professionalism and heroism. Over the years, I have voted to increase the number of police officers both on the road and in our schools. We all live here because we fell in love with what Bridgewater was and is, and it's important to protect our quality of life through proper zoning, opposing overdevelopment, and protecting the character of our residential neighborhoods. Road and infrastructure repairs are a constant expense. With the 5-year road repair plan, and increased road budget, many more roads will be getting much-needed improvements. And all these topics touch upon the budget and municipal taxes. I take on the responsibility of spending the taxpayers’ money very seriously. I prefer to keep as much money in their bank account. On the Budget-Finance Committee, I have scrutinized the budget line-by-line, and won’t support one extra penny that isn't necessary. Working on the budget with a mindset of fiscal conservatism is hard work, and I'm proud that I've been an instrumental part in keeping our municipal tax mostly flat while finding the financial means to increase our police budget, increase the road repair budget, increase our recreation budget, purchase hundreds of acres of open space, and provide all the essential services.

What sets you apart from the challenging Democrats?

I don't know much about the Democrat candidates and a couple of them are fairly new in town. I believe that my fellow residents will be able to differentiate the candidates themselves. So I'd like to emphasize some of my strengths: Dedication to Bridgewater, solid experience, fiscal responsibility, and duty to service. First, I have lived here since I was 7 years old, and absolutely love Bridgewater. I have proven to be a fighter for my town’s quality of life and against overdevelopment. My fiscal oversight of the township’s budget pushed Bridgewater to the lowest municipal tax in Somerset County during my tenure, and I’ve kept it there consistently since 2017. Meanwhile, using my management and accounting experience, I have been able to produce budgets with increased expenditures for road improvements, public safety, recreation, and services, while maintaining a flat municipal tax. During my tenure, not only has the taxpayers' municipal tax obligation remained practically flat, but we’ve hired more police officers, fixed more roads, purchased hundreds of acres of open space, increased recreational spending, and provided all of the town’s necessary essential services. My road to the Council only came after many years of public service and a lifelong sense of duty to serve, through volunteering on the rescue squad and various committees, boards, and organizations. Bridgewater has changed in many ways since I moved here in early 1978 both in land and people. We are now beautifully diverse with people from all races, colors and creeds. To celebrate this diversity, I was the first Council President to have four of the major religious groups be represented at our Council Reorganization meeting this year. It was wonderful, and we should always remember how lucky we are to live in a community that’s both beautiful in geography and its people – and that is what makes Bridgewater the best place to live.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

Serving on the Bridgewater Council and representing all my township-wide neighbors has been one of the highest honors of my life. I take that role very seriously. I am often humbled when I sit on the township daises at the trust the public has placed in me. I take my responsibility to the public very seriously. Whenever we consider a budget, I never forget that it's the residents' money, and I try very hard to keep as much of it in their bank account and out of the town's. I live here. I understand the importance of public safety. I am raising my family here. I understand the importance of protecting our quality of life and family values. Every day that I continue to serve, I will place Bridgewater first, fight for our quality of life, support fiscally responsible budgets, and do everything I can to keep Bridgewater the absolute best place to live. Any resident who wishes to discuss anything with me, please reach out at fpedroso@bridgewaternj.gov. Thank you for giving me the honor of serving you.

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