December 3, 2025
Leaving the Council but Not the Fight: Gratitude, Hard Truths, and a Needed Course Correction
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Table of Contents:Part I: Gratitude & Acknowledgments
Part II: Service, Legacy and Accomplishments
Part III: Where Bridgewater Went Wrong: Mayor Moench’s Failed Policies
Part II: Service, Legacy and Accomplishments
Part III: Where Bridgewater Went Wrong: Mayor Moench’s Failed Policies
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I’d like to begin tonight by congratulating Andrew Bucko, Ridwana Isla, and Joan Geiger on their election night victory. Having served the residents of Bridgewater for 14 years on the Township Council—and another 10 years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment—I know firsthand the tremendous commitment it takes to serve this community. So I sincerely thank Andrew, Ridwana, and Joan for stepping forward, dedicating themselves to this responsibility, and choosing to serve the people of Bridgewater.
Part I: Gratitude & Acknowledgments
There are several people I want to acknowledge—individuals who truly deserve recognition.
First, my wife, Liana. None of these 14 years on the Council would have been possible without her. Her support, her patience, and her strength allowed me to devote the time required to serve this town. I also want to thank my four children—Sophia, Julia, Alina, and Nikolas. They’ve helped on countless campaigns, and more importantly, they sacrificed time with their father when government responsibilities pulled me away. Their love and support have been my foundation. I am blessed beyond measure.
Second, I want to thank Allen Kurdyla and Howard Norgalis for their decades of extraordinary service. Their dedication—from the fire department to countless boards and committees, as well as serving practically decades on this governing body—has shaped this township in profound ways. Their commitment to Bridgewater is a legacy to be admired.
Third, throughout my years on the Council, I worked under two remarkable Township Clerks: Linda Doyle and Grace Njuguna. Both have led the Clerk’s Office with exceptional professionalism, pride, and integrity. They and their teams embody service at its best, and Bridgewater has been fortunate to have them.
Fourth, to the members of the local media who show up, meeting after meeting, to shine light on township government—thank you. It’s not glamorous work, but it is essential. A special recognition goes to Roman Uschak of The BReeze, who has attended more Council meetings than just about anyone not elected to sit at this dais. And to Audrey Blumberg—who once covered these meetings herself before becoming the big-shot owner of The BReeze—thank you for your continued commitment to informing our residents. I also thank Mike Deak of MyCentralJersey and Alexis Tarrazi of The Patch. Their work ensures Bridgewater never has to wonder what happens in these chambers.
Fifth, to the voters of Bridgewater: thank you! Thank you for placing your trust in me in four elections. Thank you for allowing me to serve the town I love and have called home since 1977. Every vote I cast, every decision I made, was rooted in one simple principle: what is best for Bridgewater. The greatest rewards of serving on this Council have been protecting what makes this town special—and meeting countless incredible, compassionate, and caring people along the way.
And finally, and most importantly, I thank God. For wisdom. For courage. For guidance. And for the strength to serve this community faithfully for all these years.
Part II: Service, Legacy and Accomplishments
Over the past 14 years, there are many accomplishments that I feel proud to have played a role in—too many to list tonight. But I want to highlight a few moments that truly shaped Bridgewater’s future.
In 2015, Bridgewater faced one of the largest overdevelopment proposals in its history—the Center of Excellence. It was being pushed forward rapidly, with little transparency and minimal public involvement. With only Councilman Howard Norgalis and myself opposing it, I knew we had to bring the public into the process. That’s when I launched “Preserve Bridgewater.”
One woman—Lauren Whalen—came to meeting after meeting, and I didn’t know whether she was a Republican or Democrat. What mattered was that she cared about Bridgewater. I reached out and I was happy she accepted to help manage the Preserve Bridgewater movement. Together, and with the help of countless community members, we stopped a project that would have flooded Bridgewater with 400 apartments and an ill-conceived retail center that would have forever changed the character of our town. Nothing has threatened Bridgewater’s quality of life more than that proposal—and we stopped it. I am proud of that. And Bridgewater is better for it.
In 2020, when the Defund the Police movement swept across the country, I was the first elected official in Bridgewater to publicly defend and support our police department. Throughout all my years in office, I have always prioritized public safety and always supported our law enforcement officers. Bridgewater residents should be proud of their police department—because Bridgewater’s officers truly are Bridgewater’s finest.
Also in 2020, after years of pushing for it, we finally adopted the Historic Preservation Ordinance. This created a town historian and historic committee—something I championed for years—to preserve Bridgewater’s artifacts, protect its history, and ensure future generations can learn from it.
In 2021, during the height of COVID, I served as Council President and made the decision to bring Council meetings back in person—while preserving public access by continuing live streaming that started with COVID virtual meetings. Transparency in government has always been one of my priorities. I argued for live streaming early in my tenure, and in 2021 I am proud to have made it permanent.
That year, in 2021, I also joined the Board of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. After years of near financial collapse, I helped restructure and stabilize the shelter—ultimately serving as Chairman and leaving the shelter financially strong, debt-free, the budget balanced, and with hundreds of thousands in savings in the bank. It went from near insolvency to a thriving, humane, and responsible community resource.
In 2023, I stood up for juvenile girls who were being sexually harassed at the Bridgewater Commons Mall and advocated for measures to protect them—standing alone on the Council in doing so. And in 2025, I again stood alone as the only governing body official in supporting women’s rights when speaking out regarding Policy 5756 at the Board of Education meeting. Board of Education Policy 5756 permits biological males who identify as female to use female bathrooms and locker-rooms in our schools, and that violates women’s rights. I will never regret standing up for women and girls in this community.
I also have always believed that Bridgewater should be welcoming to everyone. In 2016, as Council President, I became the first to invite all four major religious groups to participate in the reorganization meeting. It was historic. Five years later, when I was again Council President, all four participated — again a first in Bridgewater’s history. Bridgewater is beautifully diverse, and our government needs to be inclusive.
For ten years on the Zoning Board and fourteen years on this Council, I have consistently opposed high-density development and apartment complexes. We’ve all seen how such projects can dramatically alter the character of neighboring towns, and I have always fought to protect Bridgewater’s suburban identity. When faced with town-changing high-density housing mandates— referred to as “Affordable Housing” by Democrats —I proposed an out-of-the-box solution: Bridgewater self-building its affordable units. That idea, however, was completely ignored by the Administration. During my tenure, Bridgewater’s population remained stable—proof that we successfully resisted the push toward mass development.
From 2013 to 2020, I served as one of two council members on the Budget and Finance Committee. During that time, Bridgewater saw its longest stretch of tax stability—an average increase of just over half of one percent per year—and Bridgewater reached the lowest municipal tax rate in Somerset County.
These are only some of the accomplishments I am proud of.
Part III: Where Bridgewater Went Wrong: Mayor Moench’s Failed Policies
This past November, an election was held, and the voters spoke. Some may call it a “Blue Wave,” but the truth is more pointed: it reflects the public’s loss of confidence in this government.
For years, I have warned this Council and the Administration that it was heading in the wrong direction:
• Nearly 30% tax increases in six years.
• A 33% increase in sewer fees from 2022 to 2025 — just 3 years!
• Bonding without a budget.
• Budgets delivered late year after year.
• Late audits.
• A declining bond rating.
I voted NO to these policies—NO to the tax hikes, NO to the sewer increases, NO to the irresponsible bonding. But my opposition was not enough to prevent what have become some of the highest tax increases in Bridgewater’s history.
After years of steady, stable taxes from 2013 to 2020, this Mayor has driven costs in the opposite direction. Everything is up—taxes, sewer bills, recreation fees, permits… you name it, it’s up!
It’s important to understand the structure of our government. Bridgewater operates under what is typically referred to as a “strong-mayor, weak-council” form of municipal government. In this system, the mayor runs the show—holding tremendous power and serving as the primary driver of the town’s direction, finances, and policies. The Council has a role, mainly in adopting the budget, but the mayor largely sets the course. Because of this, the policies of this Administration are directly responsible for the results of this November’s election. The public expressed its frustration clearly—and I hear you.
I hope this governing body heard you too. It’s time for a course correction. Bring back sound fiscal responsibility: stop raising taxes, reduce unnecessary bonding, and lower the sewer bill.
I voted NO to these policies—NO to the tax hikes, NO to the sewer increases, NO to the irresponsible bonding. But my opposition was not enough to prevent what have become some of the highest tax increases in Bridgewater’s history.
After years of steady, stable taxes from 2013 to 2020, this Mayor has driven costs in the opposite direction. Everything is up—taxes, sewer bills, recreation fees, permits… you name it, it’s up!
It’s important to understand the structure of our government. Bridgewater operates under what is typically referred to as a “strong-mayor, weak-council” form of municipal government. In this system, the mayor runs the show—holding tremendous power and serving as the primary driver of the town’s direction, finances, and policies. The Council has a role, mainly in adopting the budget, but the mayor largely sets the course. Because of this, the policies of this Administration are directly responsible for the results of this November’s election. The public expressed its frustration clearly—and I hear you.
I hope this governing body heard you too. It’s time for a course correction. Bring back sound fiscal responsibility: stop raising taxes, reduce unnecessary bonding, and lower the sewer bill.
Some may argue that speaking out now helps the Democrats in the next election—but the truth is, I’m not saying anything they haven’t already been saying. And frankly, enough is enough. Without a serious course correction, you will continue to hand the Democrats the tools to win.
As I conclude my service on this Council, one thing will not change: I will continue to fight for Bridgewater. I will continue to speak out for responsible financial policy, for quality of life, and for the safety and character of this community—regardless of party politics.
I’m not going anywhere.
And I will be back to continue fighting for the town I love.
As I conclude my service on this Council, one thing will not change: I will continue to fight for Bridgewater. I will continue to speak out for responsible financial policy, for quality of life, and for the safety and character of this community—regardless of party politics.
I’m not going anywhere.
And I will be back to continue fighting for the town I love.
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