Bridgewater Approves Shared Services Agreement for Municipal Court Services with Raritan Borough

Bridgewater, July 22, 2024 – The Bridgewater Township Council, at their meeting on July 18^th, approved a new Shared Services Agreement for municipal court services. This agreement, which is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, will be in place through August 31, 2027, and would see Bridgewater Township take on the Municipal Court for responsibilities for Raritan Borough. This shared Municipal Court Service would be in addition to Bridgewater current shared service with Somerville with a goal of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of court operations in all participating municipalities.

The agreement, authorized under N.J.S.A. 40A:65-1 et seq., allows municipalities in New Jersey to collaborate in providing services within their jurisdictions. Specifically, under the law, two or more municipalities can jointly provide courtrooms, chambers, equipment, supplies, and employees for their municipal courts, while retaining individual court identities.

Under the new agreement, both municipalities will:

• Share Municipal Court Structure: Bridgewater will serve as the lead agent and host for the shared court services. Both courts will continue to operate as separate entities, maintaining their individual identities while benefiting from shared resources.
• Enhance Efficiency and Resource Management: This collaboration will enable the municipalities to optimize the use of court facilities and staff, ensuring more efficient operations and potentially reducing costs.
• Commit to Quality and Service: Both Bridgewater and Raritan are committed to maintaining the highest standards of service for their residents. The shared services model will support this commitment by providing access to better facilities and streamlined processes.

The agreement outlines all obligations related to the shared use of municipal court facilities and staff, with detailed terms and conditions. Copies of the agreement will be available for the public at the office of the Township Clerk.

Mayor Matthew C. Moench expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating, “This collaboration with Raritan represents a significant step forward in our efforts to provide high-quality, efficient municipal services to our residents. We look forward to the benefits this shared services agreement will bring to both communities.”

The Governing Body of Raritan Borough will need to approve the agreement before the shared Court can be finalized.