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[00:00:19]

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 12TH, 2023.

ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

ADDITIONALLY, THIS MEETING IS BEING DIGITALLY RECORDED AND LIVE STREAMED ON THE SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE.

FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO.

COUNTY BOARD MEETING AT COSOMERSET.NJ.US.

THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING (908) 231-7075.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THANK YOU.

PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR REFLECTIONS.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

MAY WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

WITHIN OUR MISSION STATEMENT.

THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE, PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF ALL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU. WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR FINAL MEETING OF 2023, DECEMBER 19TH.

THIS CLOSED OUT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

AND THE REGULAR AND CLOSED OUT MEETING.

AND THE ITEMS ON IT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AT OUR PRIOR WORK SESSION OR WILL BE INTRODUCED PRIOR TO ANY ACTION BEING TAKEN.

ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

COMMISSIONER DRAKE. HERE.

COMMISSIONER MARANO.

COMMISSIONER SOOY.

HERE. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY.

HERE. DIRECTOR. ROBINSON.

HERE. BRIEF REMARKS AS WE FROM ME.

ANYWAY, AS WE COME TO THE END OF 2023, IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING BUT EXCELLENT YEAR FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET.

AND THAT GOES TO KUDOS TO ALL THE STAFF HERE WHO WORK AND DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

SO, THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

UH, ALSO, WE'RE COMING UP TO OUR REORG MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 5TH, 2024, 3 P.M.

AT THE HISTORICAL COURTHOUSE.

WE'RE ASKING ANY ATTENDEES TO TRY AND ARRIVE IN ADVANCE OF THE 3:00 START TIME.

SPACE IS LIMITED, AND MANY PEOPLE FIND IT MORE CONVENIENT TO WATCH THE LIVE STREAM FROM OUR SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE.

WE'LL ALSO MAKE IT EASY FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND BY SETTING UP A LIVE STREAM ON BOTH TVS IN THIS VERY MEETING OR CONFERENCE ROOM.

I'M ALSO HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT AT OUR MEETING LAST WEEK, THE SOMERSET PATRIOTS AND THE CALIPER FAMILY WERE HELPING US RAISE MONEY FOR OUR LOCAL FOOD BANKS AND FOOD PANTRIES WITH AN INCREDIBLY GENEROUS CHALLENGE GRANT OF $25,000 THAT THEY WOULD MATCH UP TO.

THAT TIME HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 30TH.

AND TODAY, PLEASED TO REPORT THAT APPROXIMATELY $18,000 HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE FOUR BENEFICIARY ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE FEEDING HANDS FRANKLIN FOOD BANK, SOMERSET COUNTY FOOD BANK, AND MY NEIGHBORS MINISTRY.

ADDING THE MATCH FROM THE PATRIOTS.

THAT BRINGS US TO 36,000 RAISED TO ADDRESS A RECORD FOOD SHORTAGE.

AND I SAW THAT OUR VERY OWN COMMISSIONER MARANO SOCIAL MEDIA, SHE MADE HER DONATION, AND I WILL BE MAKING MY DONATION TONIGHT.

I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TIME TO PULL UP THE WEBSITE AND DO IT LIVE WHILE WE'RE HERE, BUT I WILL MAKE MY DONATION BEFORE THE END OF THIS MEETING.

UM, BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD BANKS.

AGAIN, THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE FOR THE MATCHING GRANT WAS SCHEDULED FOR YESTERDAY.

OR EXCUSE ME, SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW, BUT THRILLED TO REPORT THAT THEY HAVE AGREED TO EXTEND THE GRANT THROUGH DECEMBER 30TH, SO PLEASE HELP US ADDRESS THIS.

UM, FOOD DESERT ISSUE, CRITICAL FOOD SHORTAGE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO ONE OF OUR FOUR MAJOR FOOD BANKS VIA THE SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE.

UH, AGAIN, YOU CAN LOOK ON OUR HOME PAGE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY AT THE PATRIOT STADIUM, KICKING OFF THIS GREAT CHALLENGE WITH SPARKY, LYLE, AND SPARKY THE MASCOT.

AND CLICK TO GET TO THE DONATION PAGE.

SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I WISH YOU A HAPPY, SAFE, AND BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. LET'S SEE.

TODAY THE HEALTHIER SOMERSET COALITION HELD THEIR ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY.

IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED AT THE BRIDGEWATER MANOR.

[00:05:03]

THERE WERE THREE AWARDS I WANTED TO MENTION.

UH, LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY RECEIVED THE DRIVING CHANGE AWARD.

THIS WAS THIS WAS FOR A GRANT THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDED THROUGH THE WORKFORCE UH, DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO PROVIDE LITERACY FOR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND SEVERAL TOWNS THROUGHOUT SOMERSET COUNTY.

I THINK SO FAR, THEY'VE HAD ABOUT 70 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM.

SO, I WAS GLAD TO SEE THEM GET RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

ALSO, THE GREATER SOMERSET YMCA RECEIVED THE EMBRACING INNOVATION AWARD FOR CAMP SAWYER.

THIS IS A CAMP LOCATED IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP TO SERVE UNDERSERVED CHILDREN.

THAT AGAIN HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY AS WELL.

AND THEN ALSO THE SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM RECEIVED THE ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD, AND I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE LIBRARY SYSTEM HONORED BECAUSE THEY'RE INVOLVED IN SO MANY DIFFERENT INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HELPING PEOPLE GET CONNECTED TO SOCIAL SERVICES, LITERACY EDUCATION. AND THEY RARELY GET THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE BECAUSE THEY'RE USUALLY THE JUNIOR PARTNER IN THESE INITIATIVES, BUT THEY'RE INVOLVED IN SO MANY THINGS.

I WAS GLAD TO SEE THEM GET RECOGNIZED AS WELL.

SO, I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE AWARD RECIPIENTS, AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT CHRISTMAS.

HAPPY HOLIDAY. ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY, BECAUSE I WAS PART OF MY REPORT AS WELL.

AND FROM THIS MORNING'S BREAKFAST WITH THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AND OUR PARTNERS THERE.

UM, COMMISSIONER MARANO AND I HAD A CALL EARLIER TODAY, UM, WITH THE DIRECTOR AND ADVOCATE OF ACCESS NEW JERSEY. TO SEE IF WE CAN HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM TO BE ABLE TO HAVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR DISABLED POPULATION.

UM, BEING THE LIAISON FOR THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, ONE OF OUR GREATEST QUESTIONS IS, CAN YOU HELP US FIND PEOPLE TO WORK? AND, YOU KNOW, X, Y, AND Z ROLES AND AS PEOPLE MORE COMMONLY HAVE HEARD ON THE NEWS DURING AFTER COVID AND EVERYTHING, IT WAS THE GREAT RESIGNATION AND PEOPLE WERE HAVING A VERY HARD TIME TRYING TO FIND PEOPLE WITHIN OUR WORKFORCE THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE THESE JOBS.

UM, AND WE ARE EXPLORING TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR SOMERSET COUNTY.

SO, COMMISSIONER MARANO AND I WERE ABLE TO HAVE A GREAT DISCUSSION, AND WE ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION INTO NEXT YEAR I JUST WANT TO CONCLUDE. WELL, WE ALSO HAD A TOY DRIVE WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

THEY HAD A GREAT AMOUNT OF DONATIONS.

SO, THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO DONATED, BECAUSE ALTHOUGH SOME OF US AND MANY OF US ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T, WE ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE THAT OUR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO OPEN UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE, OR CELEBRATE HANUKKAH OR ANY OF THE OTHER HOLIDAYS.

SO, THANK YOU FOR HELPING BRING JOY TO A LOT OF THE FAMILIES IN NEED.

AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR STAFF THAT HELPED MADE THIS YEAR MAKE THIS YEAR SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS.

WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND, YOU KNOW, BRINGING US INTO A VERY STRONG 2024.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

UM, HAD A GOOD WEEK.

ATTENDED THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP LANDMARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, UH, CELEBRATING LIZ, PAULIUS AND JESSE HAVENS, TWO OF OUR UNOFFICIAL HISTORIANS HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

AND IT WAS DELIGHTFULLY JESSE HAVENS.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POLITE TO SAY SOMEONE'S AGE, BUT IF WE WERE SINGING THAT CHRISTMAS CAROL, SHE'S NO LONGER A KID FROM KIDS FROM 1 TO 92.

JESSE'S OFFICIALLY AN ADULT BASED ON THAT CHRISTMAS CAROL.

SO, WE CONGRATULATE HER AND ALL THAT SHE'S DONE FOR SOMERSET COUNTY, BECAUSE SHE REALLY IS QUITE THE DYNAMO OF A WOMAN.

BOTH OF THEM ARE.

AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL THAT THEY CALL SOMERSET COUNTY HOME AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING OUR PAST.

SO, WE THANK THEM.

OUR LGBT MEETING WAS HELD.

I WANT TO SAY A PUBLIC THANK YOU AGAIN TO ROBERTA WALTERS.

SHE CONCLUDED HER TERMS ON THAT BOARD.

SHE WAS ONE OF OUR INAUGURAL MEMBERS WHO MADE THAT BOARD COME ALIVE.

SO, I THANK ROBERTA WALTERS FOR HER SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.

UH, AND AGAIN, ECHOING WHAT MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS HAVE SAID OUR JOB IS SO MUCH EASIER BECAUSE OF THE HEART AND SOUL THAT OUR EMPLOYEES PUT INTO THEIR JOBS AT THIS COUNTY.

I HAVE WITNESSED SO MANY ACTS OF COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO OUR RESIDENTS.

YOU KNOW, AS THE PUBLIC WORKS LIAISON, I SEE IT FIRSTHAND WITH MY TEAM THAT GOES OUT, WHETHER IT'S THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING OUT WHEN EVERYONE ELSE STAYS IN, WHETHER IT'S

[00:10:08]

RAINING OR FREEZING OR HOT OR WHATEVER, THEY'RE THERE TO TAKE CARE OF US.

SO, ON BEHALF OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREW AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR TEAMS HERE, THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY, OUR VISITORS AND OUR BUSINESSES.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

HAVE A VERY BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. YEAH.

IT'S EASY TO SAY THAT THE STAFF IN SOMERSET COUNTY ARE TOP NOTCH.

AND WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

CERTAINLY, IT'S EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR WITH A LOT OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

UM, CERTAINLY WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR PARKS, WORK ON OUR OPEN SPACE, WORK ON OUR FARMLAND, BUT JUST IMPORTANTLY, WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY ALL KINDS OF FOLKS THAT THAT REALLY BENEFIT FROM THE GREAT WORK THAT SOMERSET COUNTY PROVIDES THE ASSISTANCE.

AND SO, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT IN THE NEW YEAR.

SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ARE MAKING MY DONATION.

WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR OUR NOVEMBER 28TH MINUTES MEETING AND OUR DECEMBER 12TH MINUTES MEETING.

[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ABOVE LISTED MINUTES? MOTION? SECOND.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.

ABSTAINING FROM NOVEMBER 28TH EXTENSION FROM THE NOVEMBER 28TH MINUTES NOTED.

YEP. WE MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 20 3-2400 THROUGH 23.

DASH 2407.

SO MOVED. SECOND, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.

BEAR WITH US.

DON'T MISS ANYTHING? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-22408 THROUGH 23-22450?

[AWARD OF CONTRACTS]

SO MOVED.

SO, ANY QUESTIONS? I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO PULL FOR 2412.

AND LAST WEEK'S MEETING, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE LIST, THE VOTERS LIST.

AND WE DO HAVE OUR CLERK, STEVE PETER, HERE, UH, TO MAKE A PRESENTATION REGARDING THAT ONE BEFORE WE ACTUALLY MOVE ON TO THE VOTE.

SO YES, THIS THERE WAS A QUESTION THAT CAME UP REGARDING THE PRINTING OF THE VOTER LIST.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S PURSUANT TO STATUTE SPECIFICALLY TITLE 19, SECTION 31-18.1.

SO, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING LITERALLY SINCE 1947.

THE LISTS GET SENT TO A VENDOR AND THEY'RE PRINTED, LITERALLY JUST PRINTED.

UM, NOWADAYS, OF COURSE, WE PRINT FEWER COPIES BECAUSE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE UTILIZING ELECTRONIC LISTS.

BUT QUITE A FEW OF OUR MUNICIPAL CLERKS STILL LIKE TO GET THE PRINTED LIST, AND THEY DISTRIBUTE IT TO THEIR MAYORS AND COUNCIL, AND THAT'S ALL THAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

SO. WELCOME TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

ANYONE. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, CLERK. THANK YOU.

AND NO.

SO, WE HAVE THE MOTION AND A SECOND.

AND THEN THE EXPLANATION GIVEN.

ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

MOVE ON. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-2451 THROUGH 23-2470.

[FINANCE]

SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-2471 THROUGH 20?

[NEW ITEMS ADDED TO TODAY’S MEETING]

ROBINSON. DID I HAVE TO INTRODUCE THEM FIRST? THESE ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING.

[00:15:01]

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

SO, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO TODAY'S MEETING.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. WELCOME.

SO, 23-2471 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX FOR THE PROVISION OF DETAINEE FACILITIES.

23 2472 IS APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY COUNTY COUNCILS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2024.

23-2473. IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO FAIRVIEW INSURANCE COMPANY TO FIRST YEAR OF A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION WITH ONE OPTIONAL ONE-YEAR EXTENSION REMAINING.

232474 IS AUTHORIZED AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS FOR THIRD YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.

23-2475, IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A SECOND YEAR OF THE CONTRACT TO ECLIPSE SCREEN TECHNOLOGIES TO PROVIDE THE ANNUAL EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAILS. VISION MAIL SCANNER OR MAIL SCREENER.

TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 12,900.

23-2476, IS AUTHORIZING A SURGE OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR PERSONAL DATA SYSTEM.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,960.

AND 23, 2477, IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR GOLF COURSE AND PARK MAINTENANCE MATERIALS UNDER THE COOPERATIVE PRICING BID TO THE FOLLOWING 18 VENDORS WHICH ARE LISTED.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO READ THEM.

A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS IS NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.

23-2478 FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTION OF THE EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM.

MOU ADDENDUM.

23-2479 FOR RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, REJECTING A BID FROM WISE WAYS SOLUTIONS LLC FOR INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY AND CLAIM MANAGEMENT.

WEB BASED APPLICATION FOR RICHARD HALL FOR EXCEEDING THE BUDGETED AMOUNT.

AFTERNOON RESOLUTION 23-2480, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO FARRELL TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED OUT OF LAKE MARY, FLORIDA, FOR A NEW FOCUS PREMIUM THREE-DIMENSIONAL LASER SCANNER USING SOMERSET COUNTY CONTRACT NUMBER JCC 9017-23.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $82,077.42.

RESOLUTION 23-2481.

APPROVAL OF PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO BERLIN CORPORATION OUT OF ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, FOR SOFTWARE SUPPORT.

IS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $6500.

23-2482. APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING ACADEMY, TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, FOR DETECTIVE TRAINING COURSES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $200.

23-2483 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO POLICE ASSISTED ADDICTION AND RECOVERY OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS FOR TENANTS BY TWO DETECTIVES AT A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $250.

23-2484. APPROVAL OF PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO T-MOBILE USA.

THIS IS RENDERED DURING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $25.

THANK YOU. SO, IT'S AN INCREDIBLE DEVICE.

WE USE IT AT OUR CRIME SCENES WHERE WE SET IT UP IN A ROOM, AND IT ACTUALLY JUST DRAWS A SCHEMATIC OF EVERYTHING IN THE ROOM WITH THE EXACT MEASUREMENTS YOU CAN THE SOFTWARE YOU CAN TAKE LIKE A DRESSER OUT TO SEE THE WALL WE USE IT AT.

YES, WE USE IT AT ACCIDENT SCENES TO DOCUMENT SERIOUS ACCIDENT SCENES, FATALITIES TO DOCUMENT VEHICLE POSITIONS RELATIVE TO EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE SURROUNDINGS.

SO, IT'S QUITE A PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY.

THANK YOU. 23-2485 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF TWO TANDEM AXLE FREIGHTLINER HOOKLIFT VEHICLES WITH PLOWS AND SPREADERS FROM MULTIPLE VENDORS, A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $615,122.36.

IT WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR OR YEAR AND A HALF TO GET THESE TRUCKS.

[00:20:04]

23-2486 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY CONTRACTORS.

THIS IS TO GET OUR HIGH-DEFINITION SECURITY CAMERAS INSTALLED AT OUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $6,440.18.

THANK YOU.

NOW, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-2471 THROUGH 23-2486.

SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

NOW WE MOVE TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF OUR MEETING WHERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC IS WISHING TO COME UP AND SPEAK YOUR NAME.

[PUBLIC]

YOUR ADDRESS. FIVE MINUTES.

NO YIELDING OF TIME, NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.

AND WE ALSO TAKE QUESTIONS FROM TELEPHONE AND VIA EMAIL.

SO, AT THIS TIME, IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? SO MOVED. SECOND.

THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK PLEASE COME UP.

EVENING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

MY NAME IS BILL AMES.

I'M A CO-FOUNDER OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED WORKING TOGETHER FOR NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COALITIONS WITH NEW ROAD IN PARSIPPANY IS OUR ADDRESS.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COALITIONS, ONE OF WHICH WORKS IN THE ISSUE OF ELECTION INTEGRITY.

AND WE WORK IN ALL 21 COUNTIES.

BASICALLY, I WANT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, BUT ALSO GIVE YOU A QUICK REPORT.

UM, OUR RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS HAS PRODUCED MULTIPLE THANK YOUS AND COMMENDATIONS FROM VARIOUS ELECTION SUPERVISORS, ADMINISTRATORS, BOARDS OF ELECTIONS AND CLERKS. AND WE USE SCORECARDS TO HELP EACH COUNTY TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THEY STAND IN COMPARISON TO THE OTHER 21 COUNTIES.

WE ALSO WORK WITH THE STATE SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTIONS DIVISION AND THEIR FOLKS, AND THEY ALSO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR ANALYSIS AND REVIEW.

THAT'S ALL DONE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

AND THE PURPOSE IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ELECTIONS ARE CLEAN AND SMOOTH AND TRANSPARENT AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY EVERYBODY.

THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS BUT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS OF WORKING WITH THE VARIOUS ELECTIONS DEPARTMENTS, WE HAVE CLEANED UP NEW JERSEY'S ELECTION ROLLS MUCH BETTER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER STATES, AND TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S RECEIVED COMMENDATIONS ON A NATIONAL BASIS.

MOST OF OUR COUNTY PEOPLE, ELECTIONS FOLKS, ARE WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY AND VERY HARD UNDER COMPLEX CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE THE STATE KEEPS CHANGING THE RULES. AND FOLLOWING THAT MAKES IT EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT.

THEY'RE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT THE RETAIL COMMUNITY IS.

AND HIRING WORKERS, GETTING THEM TRAINED, WORKING WITH CONSTANTLY NEW EQUIPMENT.

SO, I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF THAT, THAT IN GENERAL, THE COUNTY ELECTIONS FOLKS ARE COPING WELL, AND THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB WITH THAT. BUT IN THE INSTANCE OF SOMERSET COUNTY, THERE'S, IT'S NOT ALL CLEAN.

AND SO, I WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT.

WE'RE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE MANY OUTSTANDING REQUESTS UNDER THE OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT THAT GET DENIED FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS.

THE DENIALS STAND OUT BECAUSE THE OTHER COUNTIES ARE NOT DENYING THE VERY SAME.

OPRAH'S USING THE SAME KINDS OF EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES.

SO, WE'RE TROUBLED BY THAT.

AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THROUGH ON EACH OF THOSE OPRAH REQUESTS SPECIFICALLY.

THAT WOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD ANSWER.

COUNTY COUNCIL, POSSIBLY.

BUT AGAIN, WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC [INAUDIBLE], I WOULDN'T EVEN PUT THAT QUESTION.

BUT IT'S A PATTERN AND IT'S GONE ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

AND THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

THESE ARE OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS THAT ARE REQUESTED ROUTINELY.

AND AS I SAY, OTHER COUNTIES COMPLY REGULARLY.

SO, WE WOULD JUST ASK YOUR ATTENTION TO THAT, AND WE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON EACH OF THOSE IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.

BUT WE DO WANT TO SAY THAT, THAT THE COUNTIES ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OVERALL.

ALSO, WITH REGARD TO THE VOTER LIST THAT I JUST HEARD ANNOUNCED, THERE ARE SOURCES AND MATERIALS AVAILABLE TO PRODUCE VOTER LISTS FROM YOUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT OR FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE YOU SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS ON AN ONGOING BASIS.

YOU DON'T NEED A LOT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY TO DO THAT.

THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP WITH THAT.

UH, OURS IS ONE OF THEM.

WE DON'T CHARGE.

BUT I JUST WANT TO AGAIN WISH YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ASK THAT YOU MIGHT, YOU KNOW, JUST SEE WHY THE [INAUDIBLE] TEND NOT TO BE ANSWERED.

[00:25:06]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR.

WITH REGARDS TO THE [INAUDIBLE], IF YOU CAN EMAIL THE CLERK OF THE BOARD, THE LIST OR WHATEVER [INAUDIBLE] AND THEN HER AND I CAN WORK TOWARDS RESPONDING TO THAT.

BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

THAT WOULD BE.

HOW IS THERE A ACTUALLY SEND THEM RIGHT TO.

THAT'D BE GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OH, NOT A PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

OH, YOU KNOW ME.

JOAN SCHILLER, THISTLE LANE.

WARREN, TWO COMMENTS AND ONE QUESTION.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. PETERS, FOR ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE I HAD LAST MONTH.

I WOULD SUGGEST, AND THIS IS MY COMMENT WITH REGARD TO THE VOTER LIST I SEE ON THE AGENDA.

AS WE SPEND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ON VARIOUS SOFTWARE, PERHAPS WE CAN GET SOME SOFTWARE IN COUNTY TO DO THAT.

I JUST PUT THAT OUT THERE.

MY OTHER COMMENT IS I HAVE SERVED ON A SCHOOL BOARD FOR TWO TERMS, AND WE DID ALWAYS TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTARY BEFORE VOTING.

SO, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER POSSIBLY CHANGING THE AGENDA TO IN THAT ORDER.

AND THEN MY QUESTION IS.

MR. DEMARCO, YOU SAID THAT AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF BEING INACTIVE, THEY WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE VOTER ROLLS.

I AM STILL GETTING SAMPLE BALLOTS FROM A NEPHEW WHO I DON'T THINK VOTED SINCE 2008.

SO, WHERE DO I AND I IT SAYS TO PLEASE TAKE THE BALLOTS, SEND THEM TO THE POST OFFICE.

I HAVE DONE THAT. I HAVE TAKEN THESE BALLOTS TO THE POST OFFICE AND I STILL LAST YEAR, YEAR BEFORE, AND I STILL GET THEM.

SO, WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE VOTER ROLLS? THANK YOU AND I DO WISH YOU ALL MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, FIRST OFF, THE WHAT? THE VOTER LIST THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, ALL I'M DOING IS PRINTING THEM.

SO, THERE'S NO SOFTWARE INVOLVED THAT I'M SENDING THEM OUT FOR.

THEY'RE JUST LITERALLY BEING PRINTED FROM THE STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

SO, IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR MORE SOFTWARE, IT'S JUST LITERALLY PRINTING THE LIST SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEM TO USE.

IN TERMS OF BEING REMOVED FROM THE VOTER ROLLS, AS YOU'RE AWARE, IN NEW JERSEY, VOTER RESPONSIBILITIES ARE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND A BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS THE BODY THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE VOTER ROLL.

SO, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO SEND OUT CONFIRMATION LETTERS AND WOULD BE INVOLVED IN ACTUALLY REMOVING SOMEBODY FROM THE ROLL.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN PERSONALLY DO.

THE THING IS, SENDING THEM BACK TO THE POST OFFICE IS ONE THING.

YOU CAN TAKE THEM INTO THE OFFICE AND, YOU KNOW, BRING IT TO THEIR ATTENTION THAT, LOOK, THIS PERSON NO LONGER LIVES THERE BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH YOU RETURN IT TO THE POST OFFICE, THE CHANCES THAT IT ACTUALLY MAKES IT ALL THE WAY BACK HERE PROPERLY IS NOT GUARANTEED.

ALL RIGHT.

YEAH, I'M SURE IT HAS TO BE RETURNED TO US IN SOME MANNER, SO.

WELL, IT GOES TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? MAYOR. GOOD EVENING. COMMISSIONERS.

MAYOR RICHARD [INAUDIBLE].

325 NORTH MAIN STREET IN THE BOROUGH OF MANVILLE.

HAD A ROUGH DAY YESTERDAY AND I DIDN'T SLEEP MUCH LAST NIGHT.

MY TOWN WAS ALMOST IN THE STATE OF EMERGENCY FROM 3.9IN OF RAIN.

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY LIFE.

I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 63 YEARS.

IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME, BUT NEVER DID I THINK 3.9IN OF RAIN WOULD CAUSE THE FLOODING THAT I'VE SEEN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.

[00:30:01]

IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.

AND IT'S NOT CLIMATE CHANGE.

I KNOW IT'S NOT CLIMATE CHANGE.

3.9IN OF RAIN.

IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, YOU KNOW, IT WAS OVERNIGHT.

WHATEVER SHOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED THE AMOUNT OF RUNOFF THAT WE'VE SEEN.

206 WAS UNDER WATER LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

OVER BY SARA JANE'S HEADING TOWARD THE CIRCLE.

THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

SO, I HAVE AN ISSUE IN MY TOWN AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT.

BECAUSE OUR UNDERPASS GOES UNDERWATER.

AND IT DIDN'T. IT WENT UNDERWATER AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED.

AND IT CUTS OFF THE TOWN.

WE WERE GRIDLOCKED FROM DUKES PARKWAY BEING SHUT DOWN.

THANKFULLY, THE VAN VECHTEN BRIDGE WAS STILL OPEN, BUT THE UNDERPASS IS CRITICAL IN MY TOWN TO REMAIN OPEN IF THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

THE TRAFFIC WAS BEYOND UNBELIEVABLE, OKAY? IT WAS JUST STOPPED.

YOU COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

AND WE I WOULD LIKE TO MEET AFTER THE NEW YEAR WITH COUNTY ENGINEERING AND MY ENGINEER FROM VAN CLEEF TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO TO SOMEHOW EITHER GET A BACKFLOW PREVENTER, YOU KNOW, TO SHUT DOWN THAT UNDERPASS THE FLOW INTO IT FROM THE RIVER BACK AND MAYBE PUT IN SOME TYPE OF PUMPING SYSTEM SO THAT, LIKE ONCE THE RAIN STOPS, THE RIVER IS STILL HIGH.

WE CAN PUMP THAT UNDERPASS DRY WITH A SHUT OFF.

THAT WOULD BE HUGE FOR THE TOWN.

OKAY. THE ROYCE BROOK, ON THE OTHER HAND.

IT OVERFLOWED OUR MAIN STREETS BUSINESS DISTRICT AGAIN WITH 3.9IN OF RAIN.

I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

YOU KNOW, THE ARMY CORPS WON'T COME IN HERE TO DREDGE THAT BROOK, BUT THAT BROOK SHOULD BE DREDGED.

IT WILL DEFINITELY HELP US, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WANTS TO HELP MANVILLE.

THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME.

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT'S UNFAIR TO SAY THAT NOBODY IS WILLING TO HELP MANVILLE.

THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN WITH MANVILLE, WITH YOUR COORDINATION WITH YOUR OEM, YOUR LOCAL OEM, AND THE COUNTY LOCAL THAT GOES UP TO THE STATE THAT GOES UP TO THE FEDERAL.

MAYBE I'M FRUSTRATED BECAUSE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I JUST BANGED UP HOMES IN MY NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN BUYOUT OFFERS.

I STILL HAVE PEOPLE LIVING IN HOTELS FROM IDA.

IT'S JUST DISASTER RECOVERY IS TAKING TOO LONG.

WHERE'S GOVERNOR MURPHY? I CAN'T SPEAK FOR HIM, BUT HE DEFINITELY HAS BEEN IN TOUCH.

HE HAS BEEN IN TOUCH.

HE HAS BEEN TALKING AND ASKING QUESTIONS.

SOMEONE FROM HIS OFFICE, OUR OEM HAS BEEN VERY ENGAGED.

WE CAN TALK MORE AFTER THIS, AS YOU SUGGESTED.

AND WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN WELCOMING TO MEETING WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF.

SO, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO STOP NOW.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

THE STORMS ARE GETTING WORSE.

WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IS COMING FASTER THAN WE HUMANLY CAN KEEP UP WITH.

NO EXCUSE, NO REASON.

FACTS OF THE FACTS BUT I WOULD DARE SAY DON'T PUT IT OUT THERE THAT NOBODY IS WILLING TO HELP.

I THINK UNDERSTANDING YOUR FRUSTRATION, I REALLY DO.

AND WE HEAR YOU. I DO HAVE HELP, BUT IT'S NOT PERFECT.

HELP. UNDERSTOOD? UNDERSTOOD. IT'S FRUSTRATING WHEN IT TAKES SO LONG TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF HARM'S WAY, AND TO HAVE AN ELEVATION PROGRAM PULLED OUT FROM UNDER US WASN'T FAIR TO THE RESIDENTS OF MANVILLE, AND I'M STILL FIGHTING FOR THAT TOO.

OKAY, WE'LL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONS.

I'M ALSO HERE REALLY QUICK.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES, BUT I'M ALSO HERE.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, THIS PAVING PROJECT HAS REALLY TAKEN A FINANCIAL TOLL ON MY SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE PAVING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT NIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT GOT MISSED, BUT THERE WERE THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THERE WAS NO CUSTOMERS IN SOME OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, AND THEY TOOK IT ON THE CHIN.

SO, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THEM.

THEY'RE SAYING, WILL THE COUNTY DO ANYTHING FOR US FINANCIALLY? AND I SAID, I'LL FIND OUT.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT AGAIN, IS TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S ANY KIND OF AID TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE FREE ADVERTISING WAS GREAT.

I NOTICED THAT WAS DONE THROUGH THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.

UM, I WAS THEY WERE THANKFUL FOR THAT.

BUT THERE WERE DAYS WHERE IT WAS REALLY BAD.

THEY WERE CLOSING DOWN ROADS AND THESE BUSINESSES TOOK IT ON THE CHIN.

I CAN'T GIVE YOU AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THERE IS NO PROCESS, YOU KNOW, FOR THAT.

I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE PAVING JOBS AND INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS DO CAUSE DISRUPTION.

[00:35:01]

WE DO TRY TO MINIMIZE THEM.

YOU WERE INVOLVED IN A LOT OF MEETINGS THROUGH MANY YEARS ON THIS PROJECT.

YOUR TOWN WAS YOUR ENGINEER, WAS YOUR POLICE, YOUR, YOU KNOW, YOUR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR.

IT WAS A JOINT PROJECT FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, BETWEEN THE STATE, THE FEDERAL, THE COUNTY AND MANVILLE.

WE'RE GOING FORWARD FOR THE COUNTY.

I THINK THEY SHOULD. YOU SHOULD MANDATE THAT THE PAVING BE DONE AT NIGHT.

THE TRAFFIC ON THAT ROAD IS JUST IT'S JUST UNBEARABLE DURING THE RUSH HOURS TO HAVE PROJECTS LIKE THAT THAT COULD BE DONE AT NIGHT.

THERE WAS NO REASON WHY IT COULDN'T BE DONE AT NIGHT.

RIGHT? THAT YOU WERE AT THE MEETING WITH ME WHEN THAT WAS DISCUSSED, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED TO YOU WHY IT WASN'T BEING DONE AT NIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW WHAT THE REASONS WERE AT THAT POINT IN TIME TO GET IT DONE BEFORE THE YEAR WAS OUT, TO GET IT DONE, COMPLETED WITH THE WEATHER.

THERE WAS A REQUEST FROM MANVILLE TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND THE CONTRACTOR COULD ONLY ACCOMMODATE US, AND THAT DAY PERIOD STEPS WERE TAKEN TO MINIMIZE IT.

IT WAS A TOTAL OF FOUR DAYS, TWO DAYS IN EACH DIRECTION, WHERE THE ROAD WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED FOR A SIX-MONTH LONG PROJECT.

TO SAY THAT THERE WERE TWO DAYS THAT THE ROAD WAS CLOSED IN ORDER TO PAVE IT.

IT'S REALLY NOT THAT BAD OF A PROJECT.

I BEG TO DIFFER WITH YOU.

I'LL BRING SOME OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS IN AT THE NEXT MEETING.

SO, I'M NOT GOING TO ARGUE. MAYOR, I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH YOU.

BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THAT IT WAS IT TOOK THE WHOLE PROJECT TOOK A TOLL PERIOD.

AND WITH THAT. I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

A NEW YEAR. I'LL SEE YOU AT THE REORG.

AND. KEEP THE RAIN AWAY.

OKAY, SO YOURS IS A FIFTH, RIGHT? I'LL BE AT YOURS. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? NO, JUST MY OWN COMMENT.

I MADE A MISTAKE.

I FORGOT TO POINT OUT THAT COMMISSIONER MARANO NEEDED TO RECUSE HERSELF FROM.

SHE HAD ADVISED ME PRIOR TO THE MEETING WITH REGARDS TO THE SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

SO, CAN WE JUST NOTE THAT FOR THE RECORD, MISS MAJOR? AND THERE ARE NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE.

SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? SO MOVED. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[Executive Session]

COUNTY COUNSEL. THAT IS CORRECT.

WE NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THERE ARE TWO TOPICS CONCERNING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH REGARDS TO FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP AND WOODFORD SCULPTURE STUDIO. WE WILL ADJOURN DIRECTLY FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

NO PUBLIC ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON EITHER OF THOSE ITEMS OR ANY OTHER ITEMS. SO MOVED.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

GOOD NIGHT. BE WELL.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.