Bridgewater Council Primary Candidate: Howard Norgalis

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

Norgalis is currently retired from AT&T as District Manager - Finance. He has served as Councilman since 2004, Bridgewater Fire District #3 Commissioner for 15 years and Chairman for 9 of those years.

Norgalis is widowed after 43 years, a father of two, and a grandfather of five. He has a Masters Degree with additional advanced study at the University of Pennslyvania. and University of Virginia.

Howard Norgalis

Why are you seeking to run for the township council?

To continue to serve the town that I love and have lived in since 1975.

How would you address the overdevelopment in Bridgewater?

I have very publically spoken out for the need to manage development in order to preserve our quality of life. In 2015 I voted against the Center of Excellence overdevelopment plan on Route 202/206. In 2019, as the Council representative on the Planning Board, I again voted NO on that plan which was endorsed by the previous administration.

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

I just voted YES on an $8M road improvement bond issue for 2021 and will continue to support spending at that level for the next four years in order to greatly improve the quality of our roads. The township now has a roadmap for improvement, which I fully support, which can be found on our website at BW Roads. While this is an expensive undertaking it is vital that we improve our road infrastructure.

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

We face some critical issues in the future as companies with large campuses seek to downsize their facilities as the reality of "work from home" continues to impact and reduce their need for centralized office space. Brick and mortar businesses continue to be stressed by internet sales and traditional hosts such as motels and hotels feel the effect of curtailed travel. Our Council job as part of the team to include mayor and administrator is to think "outside the box" in working with effected businesses to aid them in reinventing themselves so they can continue to play vibrant roles in the Bridgewater fabric.

What sets you apart from the incumbent Democrats?

I am not only a very experienced councilman but before joining the Council I was a Bridgewater Zoning Board member for six years as well as Chairman of the Planning Board. I have been actively involved as part of the Council Team dealing with our very successful settlement of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) statewide lawsuit. We were one of the first towns to gain Superior Court acceptance of our housing plan.

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

• Volunteer Fire Fighter for 37 years.
• Honorable Discharge from the US Army as a Staff Sergeant.
• Member of the Board of Directors for Centerbridge Housing
• Former Member of Bridgewater Somerville Rotary Club.
• Former Trustee for the Somerset County 200 Club supporting police, fire and rescue squad members in their time of need.
• Member of Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps as well as a former member of the Somerset County Search and Rescue Team.
• Former Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly.
• Habitat for Humanity Home Builder.
• Ordained Church Elder.
• Member of the Somerset County Federation of Republican Woman
• Three Gallon donor at the RWJ /Somerset Blood Bank not including 2 gallons donated at other blood banks.

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