Bridgewater Mayor-elect Matthew Moench announced his selection of former U.S. Rep. Mike Pappas of High Bridge to serve as his township administrator. Pappas will also serve along with Council President Howard Norgalis as co-chairman of Moench’s transition team and assist in preparing the transfer of responsibilities between the administrations to take place on Jan. 1st.

“Bridgewater Twonship has nearly 45,000 residents and spans over 30 square miles,” said Moench. “Our town is at the crossroads of Central Jersey and faces a broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities. Our towwnship adminstrator must have a wealth of experience managing government organizations, be a proven problem-solver, and be able to provide our residents with a responsive user-friendly overnment.

“In Mike Pappas, we have checked every one of those boxes and found an individual who will be ready to start delivering for Bridgewater residents on his very first day,” added the mayor-elect.

“I am excited to take on the challenge of helping to govern this great community,” said Pappas. “I represented Bridgewater on the Freeholder Board and am well-aware of this town’s rich history.”

Pappas said he shares Moench’s vision for the town.

A former mayor of Franklin Township, Pappas served on the Somerset County Freeholder Board from 1984 to 1996. Elected to Congress in 1996, he lost his seat in 1998 to Rush Holt.