Mayor, Councilmen Sworn In To Second Term In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ ? The New Year kicked off with some familiar faces.

Congressman Tom Kean Jr. swore in Republican Mayor Matthew Moench for his second four-year term as mayor at the Township Reorganization meeting on Thursday night.

Councilmen Michael Kirsh and Timothy Ring were also sworn into a second term on the Council.

Moench emerged victorious over Democrat Dan Hayes for Mayor while Kirsh and Ring won over Saad Toor and Marguerite Baranowski for Council in the November election.

"We work as a team to deliver for our residents. We are individually elected, we all have our own ideas, we all have our own vision on what we want to do, but we ultimately share in the goals for our residents and that allows us to really work together well," said Moench during his State of the Town Address.

"As we promised four years ago we will be fearless in this fight. We will be fearless in the fight for our Bridgewater families. We will be fearless in the fight to protect our taxpayers' dollars and we will be fearless in protecting this town for our kids, for future generations. We are not afraid to fail, we are afraid of not trying. And we will continue for the next four years to deliver the services our residents deserve with the best interests of our community always in front of our minds," said Moench.

Kirsh also thanked residents for his re-election.

"To our residents, you showed faith by electing me to council in 2019 based on what was delivered over the last four years you have extended that faith in 2023 for another four years," said Kirsh. "To show my continued appreciation for this opportunity my approach will be unchanged. Working hard each and every day, always placing the interests of Bridgewater first and remaining accessible through email or widely accessible home phone number to discuss any township matters."

During the meeting, Timothy Ring was unanimously chosen as the new Council President for 2024 and Howard Norgalis was unanimously appointed as the new Council Vice President.

"Four years ago this week I sat a few seats down from the dais as a newly sworn in Councilmember and gave some brief remarks which included a quote from my late father. 'A job worth doing is worth doing right'," said Ring. "Over the last four years, I have worked hard to make sure that my efforts embody the thoughts of my late father. And tonight those efforts in many ways have been rewarded - being sworn in for a second term on the council, receiving a resounding election this fall, as well as my colleagues choosing me tonight to lead the council over the next year as council president. For that, I say thank you."

Additionally at the meeting, Grace Njugna was sworn in as the new Township Clerk. Njugna takes the place for Linda Doyle who recently retired after serving for 25 years.

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