Hundreds Of Trees Chopped Down At Washington Valley Park, Bridgewater Says

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Hundreds of trees, with some estimating close to 500, were chopped down at Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater, upsetting Township officials. (Video below)

"Recently, Somerset County initiated a construction project in the vicinity of Vosseller Avenue. Unfortunately, it has become obvious that a dramatically greater number of trees have been removed from the site than was specified in the construction plans provided to the Township," said Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench in a statement on Tuesday night.

"We are deeply concerned by this development - the preservation of Bridgewater's environment and ecosystems is of paramount concern to us on behalf of our residents," said Moench.

Bridgewater Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman and a former Open Space Committeeman Jeffrey Foose expressed his deep concerns to the Somerset County Commissioners on Tuesday night.

"I'm very rarely at a loss for words, but today it drove me to a place that I just can’t believe," said Foose at the Commissioner meeting.

A work order was reportedly issued for $946,000 to create a new access road to the Hawk Watch or White Rock area of the park to avoid using the narrow Miller Lane.

Foose said the contract only called for the removal of 34 trees.

He said he went to the construction site off Vosseller Avenue to see, and estimated about 350 to 500 trees were removed instead.

"When I tell you I went up there today, there were piles of woodchips that literally were the size of my house. It wasn’t one pile; it was a quarter mile of woodchips. I tell you, you can’t not have served on open space and go and see this and it doesn’t move you," said Foose to the Commissioners.

A concerned resident shared the video below with Patch of the trees cut down:

Moench said the Township is actively in contact with Somerset County officials to "determine how and why this excessive tree removal occurred, and to pursue a fair and satisfactory resolution to the situation for our residents."

Somerset County did not respond to Patch's request for comment on the tree removal. The Commissioners also did not issue a response to Foose's comments at the Tuesday night meeting.

As of Wednesday, around 11:30 a.m., "Somerset County has not yet provided a response to the Township regarding the excessive tree removal or how it occurred. However, we continue to seek a clear and detailed explanation, as well as appropriate remedies, said Bridgewater's Public Information Officer Suzanne Maeder to Patch.

"Somebody owes about 350 to 500 trees back to the contractor. It is unbelievable," said Foose. "The amount of trees we are taking out, I truly hope somebody looks at it."

Councilman Timothy Ring told Patch, "the plans that were shared with the Township was for the removal of 34 trees, which is consistent with the bid specs that are on the county website."

"That contract was for 34 trees. I am telling you there are over 300 trees that are woodchipped," said Foose.

Ring and Foose also shared concerns about the potential flooding impacts that could be caused due to the amount of trees removed.

"It cost the taxpayers $1.1 million to rebuild the embankment along the side of Vosseller after Ida a couple of years ago," said Ring.

• See Related: Vosseller Avenue Reopens In Bridgewater After 2 Month Closure Due To Ida Damage

Foose also referred to the Vosseller Avenue and Route 22 intersection, which is already impacted by flooding.

"A UPS man had to rescue someone on Route 22 West from the flooding," said Foose. "That's the top of this crest to the bottom of Route 22. Those trees are all that is preventing us from flooding."

Foose was referring to Nick Dirla, 22, of Bridgewater, who rescued 8 people in the floods from Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Read More: Heroic 22-Year-Old UPS Driver Saves 8 Lives From Flooded Route 22 In Bridgewater: Videos

Just west of the Vosseller Avenue and Route 22 intersection, another tragedy happened during Ida. Malathi Kanche of Raritan Borough was found dead after being last seen in the rising water in the area of Route 22, east of the Bridgewater Chevrolet car dealership on Sept. 1, 2021. Read More: 5 Dead In Somerset County Following Ida's Historic Storm

"The Township is deeply concerned about the flooding implications of this action. Every tree removed in that area diminishes the natural ability of the environment to absorb rainfall — especially troubling in a section of Bridgewater that has experienced flooding in the past," said Maeder. "The Township is committed to pursuing accountability and ensuring that corrective measures are taken to protect residents and the surrounding ecosystem."

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