[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-8-2001 by Ord. No. 01-03]
This article may be cited as the "Tort Claim Notice Ordinance of the Township of Bridgewater."
The Mayor and Council of the Township of Bridgewater find that there exists a need to further organize the administration of tort claims, and to more closely follow the provisions of N.J.S.A. 59:2-1 et seq., commonly known as the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act." Further, the implementation of a claim procedure will assist in gathering information from claimants; such information would be necessary and helpful in defending the Township from a lawsuit if filed by the claimant.
[Amended 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-29]
There is hereby established within the Office of the Township Clerk a system for the control and management of tort claims filed against the Township of Bridgewater.
[Amended 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-29; 3-7-2024 by Ord. No. 24-02]
A. 
The tort claim form on file in the office of the Township Clerk is hereby adopted as the official notice of tort claim for the Township of Bridgewater. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 59:8-4 and N.J.S.A. 59:8-6, any individual asserting a claim under N.J.S.A. 59:2-1 et seq. against the Township of Bridgewater shall complete the attached Notice of Tort Claim Form ("form"), which is incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended by the Township Council from time to time by resolution.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said form is on file in the Township offices.
B. 
The claimant's rights to pursue a Tort Claim with the Township of Bridgewater are provided by the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:2-1 et seq.
C. 
The claimant shall return the completed form to the Township Clerk, Township of Bridgewater, 100 Commons Way Bridgewater, NJ 08807 via regular mail or certified mail. Failure to follow this procedure shall constitute an incomplete filing and may jeopardize the claimant's rights.
D. 
If the claim form is incomplete, then the Township Clerk shall immediately return the incomplete form to the claimant, their servants or agents via regular mail or certified mail.