Bridgewater Approves Shared Services Agreement with Raritan Borough

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Bridgewater Township Council approved a new Shared Services Agreement for municipal court services at its July 18 meeting. The new municipal court services agreement would see Bridgewater Township assume responsibilities for the Municipal Court for Raritan Borough, a spokesperson said. The agreement will go into effect on October 1 and will remain in effect through August 31, 2027.

Before the joint court can be finally established, the Raritan Borough Board must give its approval.

Bridgewater will serve as the lead agent and host for the shared services, a spokesman said. The agreement allows New Jersey municipalities to work together to provide services within their jurisdictions and is authorized under N.J.S.A. 40A:65-1 et seq. Under that law, two or more municipalities can jointly provide resources such as courtrooms, chambers, equipment, supplies and employees for their municipal courts while maintaining the individual identity of the court.

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The agreement sets out all obligations relating to the joint use of the municipal court’s resources, with detailed terms and conditions.

The shared municipal court service would complement Bridgewater’s current shared service with Somerville. The goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of court operations in all participating municipalities, a spokesperson said.

“This partnership with Raritan is an important step forward in our efforts to provide our residents with high-quality, efficient municipal services,” said Bridgewater Township Mayor Matthew C. Moench. “We look forward to the benefits this shared services agreement will bring to both communities.”