Bridgewater, Somerville Courts Merger Plan Approved

It took a year to win the Bridgewater Township Council's approval, but a plan to merge municipal court services with Somerville is moving forward.

The council approved the merger, aimed at reducing costs by combining the court hearings, at Thursday's meeting without comment.

Mayor Daniel Hayes Jr. trumpeted the approval as a "collective success for residents and taxpayers" of both towns.

"Mayor (Brian Gallagher, of Somerville) and I are committed to delivering value to our residents," Mayor Hayes said. "I am delighted we were able to create a partnership that enhances services, maintains our individuality and delivers savings to our residents."

The municipalities will continue to operate separate court administrations, but will save by having one judge, one court reporter and combining others courtroom-related costs by using the Bridgewater courtroom for cases for both towns. A press release issued Friday morning on the merger said the move follows a state model for combined courts—such mergers have already been undertaken in other municipalities. Hillsborough and Montgomery merged courts in 2012 at an expected savings of $80,000.

Mayor Hayes first proposed a merger of courts with Somerville in November of last year, but a split council rejected the move, citing concerns over safety and added security that would be needed. Mayor Hayes told the council the merger could save about $73,000 annually, but councilmen Howard Norgalis and Filipe Pedroso—who were both absent at last night's meeting— and Matthew Moench voted against the merger. 

"The council worked hard with Mayor Hayes over the past year to find additional savings and efficiencies from the original proposal," Moench said Friday. "This is a win for the Bridgewater residents and an example of governments working together to find solutions for their taxpayers."
 
The agreement needs to be approved by the Somerville Borough Council.