July 24, 2026
Six Months Later: More of the bad. More taxes, debt and overdevelopment.
THIS IS THE SPEECH DELIVERED BY FORMER COUNCILMAN FILIPE PEDROSO AT THE JULY 24, 2026 COUNCIL MEETING.
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After 6 years under Mayor Moench—who earned the title of "Tax King" by raising municipal taxes nearly 30% and sewer bills by 33%—residents had simply had enough. Voters demanded an end to endless tax hikes, out-of-control borrowing, and poor governance.
During my time on the Council, I proudly cast the lone "NO" votes against those reckless budgets. And even though that wave of voter frustration cost me my seat, I agreed with the voters’ sentiment. Bridgewater desperately needed real change.
Like so many of my fellow residents, I waited to see that change. But over six months in, the bitter reality is that things haven't gotten better—they’ve gotten worse.
Instead of relief, this new Democratic Council majority has delivered big disappointments:
1. Board Appointments: Instead of choosing members based on individual merit and qualifications, appointments are now driven by identity politics and divisive social considerations. That isn't progress.
2. Skyrocketing Debt: Before the election, Councilman Bucco stood at this microphone preaching fiscal restraint. Today? Total silence. Just halfway through this year, this Council has already approved over $15 MILLION in new debt bonds for Tax King Mayor Moench. To put that in perspective, that’s half the total amount raised by taxation for the entire year.
3. Overdevelopment: Residents begged for protection against overbuilding. Yet when presented with the Mayor’s high-density housing plan, this Council rubber-stamped over 600 new high-density and apartment units that will crowd our roads and strain our schools resulting in increased costs and taxes.
4. Public Participation: Before taking office, Council President Geiger often complained about the strict 3 minute time limits on public comment. Now that she holds the gavel, she has tightened the grip even further, strictly enforcing the clock and shutting down public dialogue—especially when she doesn’t like what she’s hearing.
5. Your Tax Bills: Instead of fighting for struggling families, this Council approved Mayor Moench’s 10% tax increase budget this year without a peep. That brings Tax King Mayor Moench’s total municipal tax increase to an astonishing 42% since he took office.
Bridgewater voters asked for change. But instead, we got more debt, higher taxes, overdevelopment, a prejudicial government, and less of a voice.
The new Democratic majority had every chance to stand up for our town, but they chose to rubber-stamp the same failed policies of Tax King Mayor Moench. Bridgewater deserves better.
Thank you, and have a good evening.
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Watch the speech as delivered at the Council Meeting and notice how none of the council members dispute anything said. The Council President allows any council member to respond to the public speaker and then provides one minute for the speaker to reply back. No council member rebutted the facts. The mayor's absence is common at Council meetings.
