[Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting] [00:00:05] >> IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 12, 2024, 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 CO.SOMERSET.NJ.US. THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING 908-231-7075. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> PLEASE RISE AND RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TOGETHER AND REMAIN STANDING FOR REFLECTIONS. >> >> AS WE CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF SOMERSET COUNTY, BEING COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE, PROMOTING THE WELL BEING OF ALL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, AND RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP, MAY WE LIFT UP THOSE WHO CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES? THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE ADVOCATES FOR THE VOICELESS, THE HOMELESS, THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED, AND THOSE WHO HAVE COME TO THIS COUNTRY FOR HELP AND IN NEED THAT ARE IN THEIR OWN HOMELANDS, WHO DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURIES THAT WE HAVE AND WE TAKE FOR GRANTED EVERY DAY. MAY WE CONTINUE TO LIFT UP THOSE FROM THE UKRAINE AS WE JUST CELEBRATED ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR TURMOIL. MAY WE LIFT UP THOSE WHO ARE IN GAZA AND ISRAEL AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR TURMOIL. MAY WE CONTINUE TO LIFT UP THIS COUNTRY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK YOU. >> WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE FEBRUARY 27TH WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING OF MARCH 12. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING UNLESS THE MEASURE AND ITS ADOPTION ARE NEEDED IN A MANNER NECESSARY TO CONTINUE COUNTY BUSINESS. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE. >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER MORANO. >> HERE. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUE. >> HERE. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> HERE. I WILL BE LEAVING THIS MEETING EARLY TO ATTEND A COUNTY FUNCTION. WE'RE DOING THE SCREENING OF THE PRICE OF SILENCE SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR LEAVING EARLY AND YOU WILL BE IN THE CAPABLE HANDS OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING. BUT THE PRICE OF SILENCE IS A PBS DOCUMENTARY RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, BEING DONE BY BEVERLY MILLS AND ELAINE BUCK. BUT OUR OWN COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THIS TOGETHER, PEOPLE OF COLOUR NETWORK, AS WELL AS EMPLOYEE RENA JOHNSON, THEY'VE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB. THIS SCREENING, AGAIN, IT WILL BE HELD THIS AFTERNOON. IT WILL BEGIN AT 5:30. IT'S 5:03, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT I MAKE IT THERE IN TIME FOR THE PANEL DISCUSSION. BUT IT TALKS ABOUT THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY. OFTEN PEOPLE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SLAVERY BUT IT IS A PART OF THE AMERICAN HISTORY AND NO ONE SHOULD BE ASHAMED, BECAUSE THAT WAS THEN. THIS IS NOW. WE'RE ALL A PART OF MAKING THINGS BETTER BECAUSE WE'RE ALL HUMAN BEINGS. A PRICE OF SILENCE IS JUST A DOCUMENTARY TO TALK ABOUT, AGAIN, THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY. WE SHOULDN'T SHY AWAY FROM THE CONVERSATION, BUT BE HONEST WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WHAT WE HAVE ENDURED AS A COUNTRY. BUT OTHER PEOPLE, NOT JUST PEOPLE OF COLOR, HAVE BEEN ENSLAVED OR BEEN IN TENEMENTS, AND WE'VE OVERCOME THOSE THINGS. TIME IS NOW IS TO CONTINUE THOSE HONEST CONVERSATIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T REPEAT THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR HISTORY. ALSO THIS AFTERNOON OR EARLIER TODAY, ELECTION OFFICIALS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE, INCLUDING OUR OWN BOARD OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR JERRY MIDGETT AND CLERK STEVE PETER, PARTICIPATED IN A TABLETOP EXERCISE FACILITATED BY THE STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, STATE POLICE, AND SECRETARY OF STATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TAISHA WAY. THE TABLETOP EXERCISE WENT THROUGH MORE THAN A DOZEN POSSIBLE DISRUPTIONS TO THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, COVERING EVERYTHING FROM TERRORISM TO CYBER ATTACKS TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT, [00:05:03] TO DISINFORMATION TO VIOLENCE AT POLLING PLACES. THE GOAL WAS TO PREPARE OUR NEW JERSEY'S LOCAL COUNTY AND STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS FOR ANY EVENTUALITY AND ENSURE A FREE, FAIR AND OPEN ELECTION THIS FALL. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THAT EXERCISE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A FAIR AND SECURE ELECTION. THEN FINALLY, FROM MY REMARKS LAST EVENING, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HOSTED THEIR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OEM OFFICIALS COVERING ALL 21 MUNICIPALITIES FOR AN INFORMATIONAL SESSION ON FREIGHT RAIL SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE. REPRESENTATIVES FROM CSX, NORTH FOLK, SOUTHERN CONRAIL, AND CONRAIL PRESENTED THEIR SAFETY PLANS AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE ASSEMBLED RESPONDERS. LOCAL OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER PRESENTED TO ENSURE THAT THE FREIGHT COMPANIES UNDERSTOOD AND UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY'S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND POPULATION CENTERS. THIS MEETING WAS PART OF, AGAIN, THE SOMERSET COUNTY OEMS PREPAREDNESS WORK THAT OFTEN HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES AND THEY DO A HERCULEAN OF A JOB AND CONTINUE TO KEEP US SAFE. BUT THIS ALSO ENSURES ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ARE PREPARED TO RESPOND IN A COMPREHENSIVE AND COOPERATIVE MANNER SO REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OR SCALE OF ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT, AND NO ONE CAN EVER PREDICT WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER TO BE SURE WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN THAT WE ARE AT THE READY. THANK YOU TO OEM FOR ALWAYS BEING PREPARED. YOU ARE SOME OF OUR UNSUNG HEROES BECAUSE THE WORK THAT YOU DO IS ALWAYS BEHIND THE SCENES UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THEN WE'RE DEPENDING ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU, FIRST RESPONDERS. THANK YOU TO OEM FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> SO WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST HERE TONIGHT. CHRIS SAID WORDS, OF COURSE, I'M GOING TO CALL YOU OUT FIRST. [LAUGHTER] HE WILL BE MAKING MY REMARKS FOR THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP A BIT BRIEFER TODAY. BUT THAT FANCY CONTRAPTION YOU SEE IN THE FRONT OF THE ROOM HERE TONIGHT, THAT IS ONE OF OUR TOURISM KIOSKS. IT IS A TOUCH SCREEN AND CHRIS WILL BE KIND ENOUGH TO BE OUR TOUR GUIDE THROUGHOUT SOMERSET COUNTY AND SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE AS PART OF OUR CAMPAIGN. ON FEBRUARY 14TH, ALSO KNOWN AS VALENTINE'S DAY, WE HAD THE STATE OF THE COUNTY BREAKFAST AND IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE MORNING WITH HEART SHAPED PANCAKES AND A BRIEF UPDATE FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THE COUNTY. WE COVERED EVERYTHING FROM OUR LARGEST ACQUISITION FOR OUR COUNTY PARK SYSTEM IN 20 YEARS. COMMISSIONER MARANO, I HOPE I SAID THAT WITH ENOUGH ENTHUSIASM. [LAUGHTER]. >> [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]. >> FROM THE CROWD. [LAUGHTER] BUT ON OTHER NOTES AS WELL, WE ACTUALLY ADDRESSED THAT FOOD INSECURITY IS ACTUALLY AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT, IT'S NOT FRONT AND CENTER IN SOMERSET COUNTY, AS WE DO HAVE GREAT AREAS OF AFFLUENCE. BUT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT WE DO HAVE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD AND THANKS TO OUR TEAM HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND NONPROFITS AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS WHO HAVE HELPED CONTRIBUTE IN EVERY SINGLE AREA. WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND IT WAS A FULL HOUSE, SO WE HAVE TO FIND A BIGGER VENUE FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT THAT'S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE. ON WEDNESDAY OF LAST WEEK, WE ACTUALLY HAD THE PARK COMMISSION VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION OVER AT NESHANIC. IT WAS ANOTHER FULL HOUSE WITH VOLUNTEERS AND COUNTY STAFF AND THEY DO AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK, REALLY BEING NIMBLE IN TERMS OF HOW THEY ADJUSTED DURING COVID FOR A LOT OF THE OUTDOORS EVENTS, AND HOW DO YOU STILL KEEP THAT CONNECTING FACTOR? BECAUSE WHAT THEY DO ON THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT SIDE, IT'S REALLY A KEY COMPONENT TO MANY KIDS WITH SUMMER CAMPS AND DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT THEY HAVE. WE CONTINUE TO THANK THEM AND SUPPORT OUR PARK COMMISSION. THIS PAST WEEK, WE HAD THE RITES OF PASSAGE, AFRICAN DRUMMING AND POETRY ON MONDAY OVER NORTH PLAINFIELD. IT WAS A GREAT ROOM OVER IN THE LIBRARY THAT WAS FILLED AND EVERYONE GOT THEIR OWN DRUMS, AND IT WAS REALLY JUST A WHOLE STORY STARTING OVER AND HOW PEOPLE IN AFRICA FIRST STARTED TO USE MUSIC AND INCORPORATE THAT AS THEIR RITE OF PASSAGE AND HOW THIS REALLY CAME OVER TO THE US. IT WAS A GREAT DYNAMIC WAY, PEOPLE OF ALL AGES STARTING WITH LITTLE TODDLERS IN THE ROOM ALL THE [00:10:03] WAY UP TO ADULTS JUST BEING PART OF THAT. IT WAS A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE TO BE INTERACTIVE AND HAVE A FUN WAY TO LEARN AND APPRECIATE ALL PARTS OF OUR CULTURE FOR WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE TODAY, SO WE REALLY THANK OUR PARTNERS THERE. LAST NIGHT WE ACTUALLY HAD A TIME OF PRAYER OVER AT THE UKRAINIAN CHURCH. IT WAS THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF RUSSIA INVADING UKRAINE. THE STORY THAT STUCK TO ME MOST WAS THE CLERGY THAT WAS ACTUALLY THERE THAT CAME HERE FROM UKRAINE. THEY WERE HUDDLED AROUND A TELEVISION AND WHEN THEY SAW THE FIRST STRIKE AT 8:03 PM, IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS SILENCE. THE SILENCE IN THE ROOM, IT WAS PACKED, THE CHURCH'S COMMUNITY CENTER, IT RESONATED WITH THE DARKNESS THAT CAME FROM THAT TIME. THE WAY THAT THE CLERGY DESCRIBED EACH OTHER'S REACTION, THE PEOPLE THAT STILL HAD FAMILY IN THAT SIDE OF UKRAINE, THEY IMMEDIATELY WENT ON THEIR PHONES TO SEE ARE THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ANY OF THEIR RELATIONS THAT THEY HAVE THERE ALIVE. THE PICTURES THROUGHOUT THE ROOM, THERE WERE CITIES THAT LOOKED LIKE OURS, COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE THAT HAD LIVED, LAUGHED AND LOVED OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO SEE THE DEVASTATION THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE THERE. NEVER AGAIN WAS A WORD THAT WE SAID DURING 911 AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A TIME OF THE PAST, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE STILL SEE TODAY AND WE HOPE THAT WE COULD SAY NEVER AGAIN AND WE CONTINUE TO PRAY AND STAND WITH UKRAINE. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR. I AGREE, THE EVENT YESTERDAY AT THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE UKRAINIAN CULTURAL CENTER WAS EXTREMELY MOVING. THE TALKS THAT EACH OF THE PRESENTERS GAVE AS WELL AS THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT WERE THERE DEPICTING OF THE HORRORS THERE AND THE HORRORS THAT THE UKRAINE AS A COUNTRY HAVE ENDURED FOR OVER 100 YEARS NOW THROUGH THE RUSSIANS. IT'S A VERY MOVING EVENT AND OUR HEARTS GO TO THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE IN THEIR EFFORTS AT RESISTANCE. ALSO GOT TO SPEND TIME WITH THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT RVCC LAST WEEKEND AND AS WE CELEBRATED TWO EVENTS, THE CHINESE CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS FROM SEVERAL NORTH COUNTY TOWNS COLLABORATED TOGETHER FOR AN EVENT FOR CELEBRATING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH WAS VERY WELL DONE. THEN AFTER THAT, WE POPPED OVER TO THE PLANETARIUM, BECAUSE THE PLANETARIUM HAD STUDENTS THAT WERE CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH. USING THE PLANETARIUM TO TEACH PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HOW THE STARS GUIDED THOSE THAT WERE ESCAPING SLAVERY. IT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING THING, I HATE TO ADMIT IT, BUT I LEARNED THAT THE BIG DIPPER IS ALWAYS IN THE NORTH. FOLLOW THE BIG DIPPER AND YOU GOT NORTH. IT WAS SOMETHING I TOOK AWAY FROM THERE. I ALSO HAD A CHANCE LAST WEEKEND TO GO ON THE FIVE GENERALS TOUR. THANK YOU TO THE HERITAGE TRAIL ASSOCIATION. THEY DID A MAGNIFICENT JOB, AS ALWAYS, VISITING THOSE FIVE PARTICULAR HOUSES THROUGHOUT SOMERSET COUNTY LEARNING AGAIN, MORE TITBITS ABOUT OUR COUNTY AND OUR HISTORY EVERY DAY. ALSO, LET'S SEE, UPCOMING AT THE STAATS HOUSE ON THURSDAY, THEY'LL BE HAVING A WITNESS STONE PROJECT. THAT'S THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT THE STAATS HOUSE IN SOUTH BOUND BROOK, I PLAN TO ATTEND. THEY'RE ALSO HAVING A CELEBRATION AT THE SCHOOL, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE PUT TOGETHER. OUR OPEN SPACE ADVISORY GROUP MET, WE DISCUSSED FINAL DETAILS ON THAT PURCHASE OF THE 400 PLUS ACRES OF THE FORMER GOLF COURSE IN HILLSBOROUGH. WE DID NOT CLOSE YET. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S CLEAR ON THAT. THAT'S NOT YET DONE, BUT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SELLER TO PROCEED, BUT PUBLIC CAN'T GO ON THAT PROPERTY YET. WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE PROJECT. THAT'S THE COLLABORATION WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY AT THE BOUND BROOK, SOUTH BOUND BROOK BORDER THERE. THAT HAS NOT CLOSED YET. OUR SELLER IS IN AGREEMENT TO SELL TO US AND IT WILL CLOSE, BUT WE'RE ALLOWING THE SELLER A LITTLE EXTRA TIME BECAUSE THEY NEED SOME EXTRA TIME TO MOVE THEIR BUSINESS. WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH THE SELLER BEST WE CAN, BUT THOSE TWO ARE STILL COMING DOWN THE PIKE QUICKLY, AND WE SHOULD HAVE SOME MORE OPEN SPACE IN OUR INVENTORY, [00:15:02] WHICH IS ALWAYS EXCITING. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I INVITE EVERYBODY TO A FREE WATCH PARTY. IT'S THE TRAVELS WITH DARLEY, THE 2024 SEASON. THIS IS A PBS SPECIAL. IT'S A NEW EPISODE FEATURING SOMERSET COUNTY. THERE'S A NICE PICTURE OVER HERE OF COMMISSIONERS DRAKE AND SINGLETERRY OVER THERE. YOU MAY BE ON THE SHOW, YOU BETTER TUNE IN TO SEE IF YOU'RE THERE. IT'S TUESDAY, MARCH 19, SO YOU GOT PLENTY OF TIME TO MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR. 5:00-6:30 PM, THE PUBLIC IS INVITED, SO I HOPE WE SEE YOU OUT THERE. >> AT FLOUNDER BREWING. >> AT FLOUNDER BREWING. THANK YOU. I FORGOT THAT. TO CLERICAL LANE IN HILLSBOROUGH. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. [BACKGROUND] >> [INAUDIBLE] [00:20:02] >> THANK YOU. PAUL, WE CAN TALK ABOUT SWITCHING THE ORDER A FEW TIMES. [LAUGHTER] LET'S SEE. LAST NIGHT, I ATTENDED THE VOTECH BOARD MEETING AND I LEARNED THAT SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER ED GRAF HAS BEEN NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR BY THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DEPARTMENT OF NEW JERSEY. ED, HE'S THE ONE WHO ORGANIZES THE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN DAY EVERY YEAR AT THE VOTECH SCHOOL. IT'S USUALLY A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY. IT HONORS THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE IN OUR ARMED FORCES. EVERY YEAR, IT SEEMS TO BE BIGGER AND BIGGER, SO I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ED FOR THAT. ALSO, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S HONORS COLLEGE ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INFORMATION SESSION ON MARCH 20TH AT 6:00 PM. ONE THING I JUST LEARNED RECENTLY ALSO IS ABOUT 40% OF STUDENTS AT RVCC DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANY TUITION. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO'S THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE BUT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST, THANKS TO PELL GRANTS AND VARIOUS STUDENT AID PACKAGES, I'D ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT RARITAN VALLEY. ALSO, THE COLLEGE'S PRESIDENT, MICHAEL MCDONOUGH, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL OF THE ALL IN CAMPUS DEMOCRACY CHALLENGE IN 2024. HE'LL BE WORKING WITH 13 OTHER COLLEGE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO FULL STUDENT VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION. CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. MCDONOUGH. THAT'S MY REPORT. THANK YOU. >> I FAILED TO MENTION THAT THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ARE HOSTING A SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH THAT WILL BENEFIT THE WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. IT IS BEING HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 10:00 AM AT THE ELKS LODGE IN BRIDGEWATER, AND OUR VERY OWN COLLEEN MAHR IS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER. AGAIN, DONATIONS ARE $65. YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER AT WWW.RVCCFOUNDATION.ORG. AGAIN, THIS BENEFITS THE WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT RVCC. THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH, BUT PLEASE GO ON TO WWW.RVCCFOUNDATION.ORG TO REGISTER. THANK YOU. MR. MAYOR, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? MOVING RIGHT ALONG WITH OUR PROGRAM, WE HAVE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. IS HALEY HERE? [LAUGHTER] WELL, MAYBE SHE'LL BE HERE AT THE SIX O'CLOCK, BUT I'M GOING TO HAND THIS OFF TO YOU. SHE IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, SO JUST IN CASE SHE'S COMING AT SIX O'CLOCK. THERE YOU GO. >> SHE'S TAKING OVER TIME. >> [LAUGHTER] MOVING RIGHT ALONG, WE HAVE COMMUNICATIONS NOTICE OF FILING IN PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PSE&G COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTRIC ADJUSTMENTS PURSUANT TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM, NOTICE OF FILE IN PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PSE&G COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTRIC RATE ADJUSTMENTS PURSUANT TO THE ENERGY STRONG II PROGRAM, AND NOTICE OF FILING IN PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL OF ITS CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM ON A REGULATED BASIS. NEW BUSINESS. ENGINEERING? >> TWENTY-FOUR-500 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND AUTHORIZING RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR HYDRO-RAKING AT VARIOUS PARK-COMMISSIONED PROPERTIES. PHASE 1, HYDRO-RAKING IS A PROCESS LIKE DREDGING, JUST THE VEGETATION IS REMOVED. THIS WILL BE BID SHORTLY AND CONSTRUCTED THIS SUMMER AND FALL, AND THE ESTIMATE IS A MILLION DOLLARS. THIS IS THE THREE PONDS AT THE EEC AND THE 17-18 HOLE POND AT WARRENBROOK. [BACKGROUND] I DON'T KNOW, 501 IS APPROVING PLANS AND RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR THE EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO THE VAN HORNE HOUSE PHASE III IN BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. THIS IS THE FINAL PHASE OF OUR EXTERIOR RENOVATIONS. IT'S THE WEST WING OF THE PROJECT, INCLUDES THE ROOF AND NEW CLAPBOARDS, AND A NEW HANDICAP RAMP ON THE BACK. [00:25:05] 502 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE BOROUGH OF BARNARDSVILLE FOR A RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON SYSTEM ON MOUNT AIRY ROAD AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH PROSPECT STREET. PROSPECT IS JUST SOUTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS ON MOUNT AIRY ROAD. THE AGREEMENT IS FOR US TO PAY FOR AND INSTALL THAT AS PART OF OUR PAVING PROJECT, AND BARNARDSVILLE WILL AGREE TO MAINTAIN IT. RESOLUTION 24-503, SUPPORTING THE STATE HOUSE COMMISSION PRE-APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR THE RELOCATION OF A SEWER MAIN UNDER THE RARITAN RIVER LOCATED IN DUKE ISLAND PARK IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER AND HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY. THIS IS RELATED TO THE HEADGATES DAM REMOVAL PROJECT. >> EVENING. RESOLUTION 24-504 IS AUTHORIZED AND RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE BOND 800052244 TO ELITE PROPERTIES AT BEDMINSTER, LLC. THIS IS WORK COMPLETED IN THE COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY AND COUNTY ROUTE 523 IN THE AMOUNT OF $97,415. THE NEXT IS A RESOLUTION 24-505. THIS IS ALSO AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE BOND EACX1 600072 TO BRANCHBURG CENTER ASSOCIATES, LLC, TOWNSHIP OF BRANCHBURG WORK IN THE COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY ON EASTERN TURNPIKE IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,878. >> RESOLUTION 24-506 FOR THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES AUTHORIZES THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS SHIP, ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION OF AGING FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 2024 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2025, NOT TO EXCEED $41,000. >> RESOLUTION 24-507 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND THE BOROUGH OF CHESTER FOR SHARING DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL. THIS IS FOR CDL TRAINING. 24-508 IS AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE TOWNSHIP OF BERNARDS. THIS IS FOR MULTIPLE ROADS IN BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT LICENSE PLATE READERS. THESE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ON OUR SIGNALS AS THEY USUALLY ARE. THESE ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. 24-509 IS AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE TOWNSHIP OF BEDMINSTER. THIS IS FOR TWO ROADS IN BEDMINSTER ALSO TO INSTALL LICENSE PLATE READERS IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, NOT ON OUR TRAFFIC SIGNALS. 24-510 IS AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN. THIS IS FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. [NOISE] >> 24-511 IS AMENDING R24-309 TO INCLUDE THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $157,058.55 FOR CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE GREATER RARITAN WDB AND THREE VENDORS FOR OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDED LITERACY INITIATIVE. >> 24-512 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO JERSEY PRINTING ASSOCIATES OF ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS FOR PRINTING AND MAIL IN TWO EDITIONS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIRECT MAIL UTILIZING A OPTIONAL ONE YEAR EXTENSION. >> 24-513 IS APPROVING QUALIFIED VENDORS FOR VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET FOR YEAR 2024. WE HAD 14 FIRMS THAT WERE QUALIFIED IN 17 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. 24-514 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO HELECON, BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE NORTH BRANCH GREENWAY PICKLEBALL COURTS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $200,953. THIS PROJECT, THE ESTIMATE WAS $319,000, SO IT WAS 37% BELOW THE ESTIMATE. [00:30:01] IT'S EXPECTED TO BE BID SHORTLY AND CONSTRUCTED BY JULY. 24-515 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO GSP PROPERTIES, LLC, MENDHAM, NEW JERSEY FOR YEAR 1 OF A TWO-YEAR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR REPAIRS TO VARIOUS BUILDING STRUCTURES LOCATED IN SOMERSET COUNTY, CONTRACT NUMBER 23019. AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $750,000. THIS IS OUR ANNUAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE CONTRACT. 24-516, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT 23014 TO RAY PALMER ASSOCIATES, DOVER, NEW JERSEY FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF WARRENBROOK POOL, 500 WARRENVILLE ROAD, WARREN TOWNSHIP, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,450,200. THE ESTIMATE ON THIS PROJECT WAS 1.4 MILLION, SO IT CAME IN RIGHT AT ESTIMATE. THIS IS A COMPLETE RENOVATION OF THE WARRENBROOK POOL. THE WORK WILL START SHORTLY. THERE'S AN INCENTIVE IN THE CONTRACT TO TRY AND GET IT DONE BY JULY 4TH. [LAUGHTER] 24-517, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO STIRES ASSOCIATES, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY FOR SURVEY OF MONUMENT RESETTING, BLOCK 168, LOT 10, WERTZVILLE ROAD. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $650. 24-518, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO STIRES ASSOCIATES, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY, FOR AN OPEN SPACE SURVEY OF THE HANDLE WITH CARE PROPERTY, BLOCK 2, LOTS 5 AND 5.02 BOROUGH OF BOUND BROOK AND BLOCK 357, LOTS 1 AND 2 BOROUGH OF MIDDLESEX. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,200. 24-519, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO VERDANTAS, LLC, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICE, FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE TRAINING ACADEMY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $52,000. >> 24-520 IS AUTHORIZING THE REJECTION OF A BID RESPONSE FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF WATER-COOLED AND AIR-COOLED CHILLERS. 24-521 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD A CONTRACT TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR COUNTYWIDE TREE REMOVAL AND TRIMMING, SECOND YEAR OF A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WE'RE NOT CERTIFYING ANY FUNDS AT THIS TIME. 24-522 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO RICHIES TIRE SERVICE. THIS IS FOR OUR CAR AND TRUCK TIRE RECYCLING FROM JANUARY 1ST TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. IT'S THE THIRD YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $16,200. 24-523 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO RADIAC RESEARCH CORP. THIS IS FOR OUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS. IT'S THE SECOND YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $210,627. 24-524 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD A CONTRACT FOR PARTS AND REPAIRS OF COMMERCIAL LAWN, PARK, AND GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT. IT'S TO TWO VENDORS. IT'S THE FIRST YEAR OF A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,000. >> [NOISE] 24-525 IS APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO CLEARY GIACOBBE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $137,632.23. 526 IS APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY EMPLOYEE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR ATTENDANCE AT THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES CONFERENCE ON NOVEMBER 14. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $128.32. >> 24-527 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR POLARIS PHARMACY SERVICES. TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. >> 24-528. APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO RED BANK VETERINARIAN HOSPITAL, JOHN STAMLER POLICE ACADEMY, BARNABAS HEALTH CARE, AS LISTED, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $9,306.07. [00:35:10] >> RESOLUTION 24-529 FOR THE OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES AUTHORIZES CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED WHITSON CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MEALS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $506,669. 24-530 IS FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AUTHORIZES THE DECREASE OF PURCHASE ORDERS FOR NORTH PLAINFIELD COMMUNITY HOPE, MIDLAND SCHOOL, MIDLAND ADULT SERVICES, AND THE MLK YOUTH CENTER. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $170,003.06. RESOLUTION 24-531 FOR RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO ASL INTERPRETER REFERRAL SERVICE FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES FOR CLIENTS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $285. [NOISE] >> GOOD EVENING. [NOISE] 24-532 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFYING OF THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS. >> RESOLUTION 24-533, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO STOPIT SOLUTIONS, HOLMDEL, NEW JERSEY FOR A LICENSE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,000 THANK YOU. >> 24-535 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO AME FOR ADDITIONAL PIPING REPAIR COSTS AT 40 NORTH BRIDGE AND HAIG SERVICE FOR MARCH 2023 ALARM MONITORING TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $6,421.27. 24-536 IS AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS. WE WILL CANCEL OUT $17,201.02. 24-537 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO AVIDXCHANGE. IT'S FOR OUR UTILITY BILLING TRACKING TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,535.25. 24-538 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER FOR TIME KEEPING SUPPLIES TO NATIONAL TIME SYSTEMS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,978.83. 24-539 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO CONTINENTAL TRADING & HARDWARE THAT WAS FOR BONDING MATERIAL AND ATLANTIC SALT FOR SALT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $141,342.41. 24-540 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO ATLANTIC SALT FOR ROCK SALT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $152,000. 24-541 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $30,108.47. 24-542 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO CME. IT WAS FOR FUEL TANK INSPECTIONS AND NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR GASOLINE AND DIESEL TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $66,286.81. >> RESOLUTION 24-543 FROM THE TAX BOARD APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO BRT TECHNOLOGIES FOR MODIV AND CAMA DATA FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF TAXATION AND THE 21 MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR OFFICES FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2024, NOT TO EXCEED 31,036. RESOLUTION 24-544, ANOTHER ONE FROM THE TAX BOARD APPROVAL TO PAY THE CONFIRMING ORDERS TO BRT TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROPERTY SEARCH DATA AND PUBLIC ACCESS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF TAXATION, AND THE 21 MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR OFFICES FOR 2024 NOT TO EXCEED 4,000. >> THANK YOU. IS IT A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTION, 24-500 THROUGH 24-544 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR OUR MARCH 12 MEETING? >> MOVE. >> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YES. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YES. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YES. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YES. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YES. >> THERE ARE CERTAIN ITEMS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO ADD TO THE REGULAR MEETING TO BE INTRODUCED TONIGHT AND THEN WE STOP LATER ON TODAY. THE FIRST ONE IS 24-497, IS AUTHORIZED INNOVATION AGREEMENT FOR ROYALTY NJ ENTERPRISE IN BUSINESS ADAM, [00:40:04] FORMERLY IMAGE LLC, 498 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWNSHIP HILLSBOROUGH. HOLD ON THERE, SAY THIS WITH A LOT MORE ENERGY FOR COMMISSIONER MARANO. AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF OUR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH FOR THE PURCHASE OF BLOCKS 165, LOTS, 1,2,3,13 AND BLOCK 169, LOT 3 IN THE GREAT TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTRY CLUB. WHERE IN HILLSBOROUGH HAS AGREED TO PARTICIPATE BY USING $1,450,000 OF THEIR OPEN SPACE FUNDS TO HELP SUPPORT THIS PURCHASE. THERE YOU GO. 499, AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PERSONAL A ASSOCIATES FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY UNDER NJSA 19, 24 A 2024 >> 24-499A IS AUTHORIZING TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE NEW JERSEY COUNTY RANTRY COORDINATORS PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024. FUNDING IS NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 WITH NO COUNTY MATCH REQUIRED. 24-499B IS AUTHORIZING CONFIRMING ORDERS FOR VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED TO SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL. TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,447.82 >> 20-4499C IS AUTHORIZING UTILIZATION OF THE STATE CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A 2023 DODGE DURANGO. THIS IS FOR THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND BEING PAID FOR BY A GRANT. IT'S FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCACY DIVISION. >> 24-499D IS AUTHORIZING THE SOMERSET COUNTY PLANNING BOARD TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR A COMMUNITY ENERGY FELLOWS PROGRAM AWARD. THIS WOULD EMBED A PROFESSIONAL EITHER WITH A FOUR YEAR DEGREE OR A MASTER'S DEGREE OR PHD IN SUSTAINABILITY. AND HELP US ADVANCE A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR THE COUNTY. BE LIKE A SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR. IT'S COMPLETELY FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR ONE YEAR. IT'S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, SO DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP, BUT WE HOPE WE CAN MAKE A GOOD CASE WITH ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY, STATE AND SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES TO HELP IMPLEMENT THAT AT THE COUNTY AS MUCH AS THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL. >> AND YOU SAID IT'S ONE YEAR? >> ONE YEAR. >> ONE YEAR GRANT. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTION 24-497 THROUGH 24-499D TO THE AGENDA? [LAUGHTER] FOR FEBRUARY 27, 2024 MEETING. >> I PICK A MOTION. >> THAT'S ENOUGH. WITH MUCH ENTHUSIASM. IT'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MARANO? >> YES. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUE? >> YES. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON? >> YES. WE'RE NOW AT THE PUBLIC PORTION OF OUR MEETING WHERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC MAY COME UP AND SPEAK. 5 MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME, NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> AYES HAVE IT. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK, PLEASE COME UP. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. >> GOOD EVENING. GOOD. JOSEPH MALONEY, 27 STONEWICK DRIVE, HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY. REQUEST PERMISSION TO APPROACH? I HAVE DOCUMENTS THAT I'D LIKE TO GIVE TO THE ESTEEMED MEMBERS. JUST GIVE IT TO THE CLERK AT THE END OF SESSION. CERTAINLY. THANK YOU. >> EASY. >> I SHARE IN THE ENTHUSIASM THAT I'VE SEEN TONIGHT AMONGST THE COMMISSIONERS, AND I WISH TO OFFER YOU MY SINCERE THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE TENTATIVE PURCHASE OF 402 ACRES UP IN GOD'S COUNTRY IN HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY. MY GOAL HERE TONIGHT IS TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 0.413 ACRES TO YOUR PURCHASE. THIS PROPERTY CONTAINS A UNKNOWN CEMETERY, WHICH I WISH THE COUNTY TO PRESERVE. WITH THE PURCHASE OF YOUR 402 ACRES, ALONG WITH, I BELIEVE IT'S LOT 10, [00:45:03] YOU COMPLETELY SURROUND THE CEMETERY. THIS CEMETERY HAS HEADSTONES THAT DATE BACK TO 1828. WAS PART OF I BELIEVE THE YOUNG ALLEN TRACT THAT WAS UP THERE BASED ON AN 1860 MAP THAT I'VE RESEARCHED. I CAN SPEAK MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES ON THE PROPERTY. I'VE BEEN IN PURSUIT OF PRESERVING THIS CEMETERY FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I REALIZE IT'S EARLY PREMATURE, SO TO SPEAK, FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. HOWEVER, I WANT THE COUNTY TO BE WELL AWARE THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY POSSESS THIS PROPERTY IF YOU PERFORM AN ADVERSE CLAIM, TO POSSESS THIS PROPERTY SINCE NOW, THE COUNTY WILL COMPLETELY ENVELOP THE CEMETERY. THERE ARE SEVERAL STAKEHOLDERS THAT I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH, MANY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN MENTIONED HERE TONIGHT, THE STOUTSBURG SOURLAND, AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM, AS WELL AS THE BUCKS AND MISS TRUE. THERE ARE RUMORS THAT THERE ARE SLAVES BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY. AND AGAIN, UNCONFIRMED, I'VE ALSO DONE RESEARCH ON THE TITLE OF THE PROPERTY. IT IS UNKNOWN WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY. I SUSPECT THAT AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, WHEN THE INITIAL ESTATES UP THERE IN THE HILLS WERE DIVIDED, THAT SIMPLY NO ONE WANTED IT AND THERE ARE MEMBERS OF YOUR OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE THAT AT LEAST ONE MEMBER IS AWARE OF THE CEMETERY AND KNEW IT EXISTED. I ENCOURAGE THE COMMISSIONERS HERE TO TAKE ACTION AND ACTUALLY POSSESS THE CEMETERY. THIS DOVETAILS VERY NICELY WITH COMMISSIONER MORANO'S PLANS FOR 2026, SO TO SPEAK, HISTORIC TOUR. THE ENTIRE AREA THERE OFF OF WORTHSVILLE ROAD SHOULD BE DECLARED A HISTORIC AREA. I'D ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT THERE ARE MANY STAKEHOLDERS AND NO ADVERSARIES, NO ONE WILL COMPLAIN IF THE COUNTY TAKES OVER THIS PROPERTY. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I HOPE YOU CONSIDER THIS PROPOSAL AND ONCE THE PUBLIC IS ABLE TO COMMENT, CERTAINLY, I UNDERSTAND YOU HIRED A CONSULTING COMPANY OR IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A CONSULTANT COMPANY FOR THIS ACQUISITION. THERE ARE MANY HORSE TRAILS, THERE'S STREAMS, BROOKS, AND THERE ARE ACTUALLY ADDITIONAL RUMORS OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER CEMETERIES, ONE OF WHICH IS DOCUMENTED RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTRY CLUB. THIS ONE IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT, ALTHOUGH BOTH HAVE THE NAME OF YOUNG ATTACHED TO THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> MR. MALONEY, IS THIS ALL THE RECORD YOU HAVE ON THIS OR DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL. >> OH, JOE. [LAUGHTER] >> I KNEW WHAT I WAS ASKING. I HAVE LITERALLY 500 OR SO PICTURES. I AM WILLING TO SHARE. >> THAT'S MY POINT, IF YOU CAN CREATE LIKE A DROPBOX OR PUT IT ALL ON A FLASH DRIVE. >> YOU'RE TALKING TO A BOOMER, BUT WE'LL GET IT DONE. [LAUGHTER] >> THEN JUST EITHER EMAIL IT OR DROP IT OFF HERE. >> WELL, I ATTEMPTED TO EMAIL SEVERAL THINGS OVER FOR WHATEVER REASON. I'D RATHER JUST PRINT AND HAND OVER. > YEAH. OR ON A FLASH DRIVE WE CAN WALK YOU THROUGH IT. >> VERY GOOD. >> NOT A PROBLEM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. TOM HAS GOT A COPY OF THIS READY? >> THANK YOU, MR. MALONEY. >> BENJAMIN GUY, 35 PATTON DRIVE, SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY OR FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT TWO THINGS. ONE IS, I KNOW IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO THE COUNTY ACTUALLY SUPPORTED VOLTEC EXPANSION WITH TON VALLEY ALTOGETHER. I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHETHER NOT MR. SINGLETON OR ANYBODY ELSE CAN JUST GIVE AN UPDATE OR IN THE FUTURE, GIVE AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH THE VOLTEC EXPANSION. I THINK WE GAVE ALLOCATION OF MAYBE 15.2 MILLION DOLLAR TO DO A VOLTEC EXPANSION WITH TON VALLEY DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME FRAME. I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET AWARE OF WHERE THAT UPDATE WAS WITH THE EXPANSION AT ALL. [00:50:01] THE REASON WHY I'M SPECIFICALLY ASKING THAT QUESTION IS BECAUSE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEMANDS THAT ARE GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY, IT IS VERY CRITICAL THAT WE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE CERTIFICATION FIELDS TO ACTUALLY DO THIS EXPANSION. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE ALLOCATIONS TO DO IT, WE NEED TO LOOK AT ACTUALLY PARTNERSHIP WITH TRADE SCHOOLS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITY PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT HOW WE TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION ON THIS PROCESS. THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING THAT SPECIFICALLY IS BECAUSE THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY COMING UP DIRECTLY WITH ALLOCATIONS, WITH US EXPANDING VERY QUICKLY NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN INTERNATIONALLY IN 2026 'CAUSE A FIFA IS GOING TO BE HERE IN THIS REGION BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK, AND EVERYBODY ELSE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE STAYING IN NEW JERSEY AND THE ROADWAYS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE A MESS. AGAIN, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ALLOCATE THE PROPER CHANNELS BETWEEN HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO BE A WELCOME STATE FOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME FOR IN THE 2026. THAT IS THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION FOR THAT FIELD ALTOGETHER. ADDITIONALLY, I'M ASKING SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ALARMING REPORT THAT CAME OUT OVER THE LAST I THINK I FORWARDED THIS TO TWO CORRESPONDENTS NOT JUST IN THE COUNTY BUT ALSO IN CITIES THAT I LIVE IN DIRECTLY ABOUT NEW JERSEY DISPARITY STUDY THAT ACTUALLY WAS RELEASED. I ASKED THAT ALL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTUALLY REVIEW THIS REPORT. IT'S ALARMING, IT'S DISTURBING AND AGAIN, WE NEED TO TAKE IT REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. THE REASON WHY I TAKE THIS PERSONALLY IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE DEALING AS A CONTRACTOR OR YOU'RE DEALING AS A VENDOR HERE, IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE YOU INTERACT WITH, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THE SUPPORT THEY GET ON THE COMMISSIONER LEVEL TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERACTING WITH THESE VENDORS ON A REGULAR BASIS ARE BEING HANDLED PROPERLY AND THEY'RE GET THE OPPORTUNITIES. THE REASON WHY WE HAVE A BIG WEALTH DISPARITY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY IS BECAUSE OF THIS REPORT. SPECIFICALLY, YOU CAN TELL IN THE REPORT THAT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HONOR AND SPREAD THE EQUITY AROUND THE STATE. I JUST ASKED YOU TO REVIEW. IT'S ABOUT 217 PAGE REPORT THAT IS ACTUALLY OUT THERE. YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF SUBGROUPS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MAKING A BIG NOISE ABOUT THIS. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET YOU AHEAD OF IT RATHER THAN BEHIND IT. THAT IS A CONVERSATION YOU NEED TO JUST LOOK AT ALTOGETHER. ADDITIONALLY, FOR THIS PORTION THAT I WANT TO DO, AND THIS WILL BE ONE OF MY LAST COMMENTS HERE, IS THAT WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY, INFLATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE, I JUST ASKED THERE BE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT DONE FOR WHAT'S GOING ON AT HOUSING, NOT JUST ABOUT THE HOUSING QUANTITIES THAT WE'RE PRODUCING ABOUT THE VARIANCE ON THE HOUSING PROGRAM ITSELF. THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE THE BANKING CRITERIA OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING FOR CRITERIA OF DEPOSITORIES AND THE ACTUAL FIXED INCOME THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE BANKING ALGORITHM TO ACTUALLY DO IT FOR DOWN PAYMENTS DOESN'T MATCH, HASN'T MATCH UP WITH THE COST OF INFLATION. IF YOU DON'T HAVE CERTAIN PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SUPPORT THESE PEOPLE OFF OF, IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE TO ACQUIRE AND BECOME HOMEOWNERS OR BECOME RESIDENTS THAT WANT TO BE VOTING MEMBERS IN THIS SOCIETY. THAT IS REAL CRITICAL AND WITH US ACTUALLY LOOKING AT IMMIGRATION REFORM AND IMMIGRATION POPULATION, THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT EVERYBODY AS A SOCIETY. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SECTORS, THAT HAVE BEEN ALREADY OPPRESSED DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME FRAME, IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE FUTURE GENERATIONS, WHAT'S GOING ON. THAT IS ONE OF MY OTHER LAST POINTS. THEN THE LAST PORTION, JUST FROM A NEEDS ASSESSMENT, I KNOW THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY BE DONE PROBABLY TWO YEARS OUT. BUT JUST FORWARD THINKING ALWAYS IS THAT BECAUSE WE'RE IN, I THINK THE MIDPOINT OF THE CENSUS, I THINK AROUND 2025, YOU'RE POS TO COME UP WITH MAYBE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE AT WITH THE CENSUS TRACKS AND ACTUALLY DOCUMENT WHAT'S GOING ON. BECAUSE WE'RE GOING INTO A NATIONAL ELECTION CYCLE THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON NOW, WE JUST NEED TO LOOK AT THE FORWARD THINKING OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR A NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT. NOT JUST HOW SOMERSET COUNTY LOOKS NOW, BUT ALSO A LITTLE FUTURE GENERATION OF WHAT'S GOING ON. BECAUSE WITH US ACTUALLY ALLOCATING ABOUT 1.3 BILLION DOLLAR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REFORM, WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR SOMERSET COUNTY AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT ARE THERE. THAT IS MY TIME. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THOSE POINTS. >> GO AHEAD. IT'S ACTUALLY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. I THINK IT'LL BE FORWARDED TO YOU GUYS OR IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD IT. BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO TAKE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT. NO, IT WAS A PRIVATE REPORT, YES. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. >> ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IN TERMS OF [INAUDIBLE] CONSTRUCTION IS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER AND THE GOAL IS TO HAVE IT READY BY THE FALL OF 2025. >> THE REASON WHY I'M SAYING TO GET AHEAD OF IT IS BECAUSE WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE VOLTEC SCHOOL, AND I APOLOGIZE, I'M TAKING UP SOMEBODY ELSE'S TIME, SO I KNOW YOU WANT TO COME SO. THE REASON WHY I'M SAYING ABOUT THE VOLTEC EXPANSION IS BECAUSE WHAT IT IS IS THAT GETTING TO THE VOLTEC IS ALREADY A DIFFICULT PROBLEM, FOR MOST PEOPLE THAT IS THERE. [00:55:01] I KNOW WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S THERE, BUT THE VOLUME OF THE BEDS AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE PROBABLY TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE TO COME, IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO LOOK AT FROM A TRANSPORTATION PLANNING OF HOW THE PEOPLE IS THERE. BECAUSE I THINK THE EXPANSION IS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANOTHER 147 POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME OFF THE VOLTEC ALTOGETHER. WITH THAT BEING DONE, THAT VOLUME OF TRAFFIC THAT GOES OVER THERE IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED AND THE ELEMENTS OF WHO YOU'RE GOING TO BE ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S PEOPLE IN BOUND BROOK, NORTH PLAINFIELD, OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT WANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT WITH SOMERSET COUNTY AT ALL. THAT'S WHY I'M JUST SAYING PLANNING WISE, NOT JUST THE EPISODE OF BUILDING, IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE UTILIZATION OF THE FACILITY ALSO. >> THANK YOU. DISPARITY STUDY, VOLTEC. THAT WAS IT. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? MAYOR DECCA. >> MAYOR RICHARD ONDERKO, 325 NORTH MAIN STREET IN MANVILLE. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK. I KNOW YOU ALL LIKE SEEING ME, SO I KNOW IT'S GOOD TO BE SEEN. I SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION OF THAT CEMETERY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO COULD BE BURIED THERE. THERE COULD BE REVOLUTIONARY WAR HEROES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO IF THE COUNTY CAN ACQUIRE IT AND HELP MAINTAIN IT, THAT'D BE GREAT FOR EVERYONE. WHO'S IN CHARGE OF RECYCLING? YOU HAVE THE LADIES ON. I GET IN A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM MY RESIDENTS ABOUT WHEN THE TOWN WILL HAVE ALL THE LARGE BUCKETS. HALF THE TOWN SEEMS TO HAVE THE LARGE CONTAINERS ON WHEELS AND THE OTHER HALF DOESN'T, AND I'M ONE OF THEM WHO DOESN'T AND I WOULD LIKE A BIGGER CONTAINER, SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE MAYOR DOESN'T HAVE A BIGGER RECYCLING CONTAINER. [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND]. >> WE DO HAVE TRUCKS ON ORDER THAT WE JUST GOT THE ASSEMBLY LINE TICKETS FOR MAY. THEY'LL START TO BUILD THEM. WE'LL GET THREE NEW TRUCKS FOR THE AUTOMATED SIDE LOADERS AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO EXPAND. WON'T BE A GREAT EXPANSION, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO. >> WHEN DO YOU THINK THAT WILL BE? >> IT'S GOING TO TAKE PROBABLY SIX MONTHS FOR THEM TO GET BUILT, SO NOVEMBER, AND THEN WE GET THEM DELIVERED IN DECEMBER, SO HOPEFULLY BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. >> FOR HISTORY PURPOSES, THERE WAS A DELAY DUE TO MANUFACTURING SHUTDOWN SO OUR TRUCKS THAT WE HAD ORDERED HAVE ABOUT TWO YEARS DELAYED AND WE HAD A CHANGE IN VENDOR. THAT'S WHAT THE HICCUP WAS ORIGINALLY. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. NOW I CAN TELL MY RESIDENTS PROBABLY GOING TO BE AT LEAST A YEAR BEFORE. ON ANOTHER NOTE, REALLY QUICK, I HAVE A CONCERN IN MY BOROUGH AND IT HAS TO DO WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. LAST NIGHT, I HAD THE HONOR, A DISTINCT HONOR, OF READING A PROCLAMATION TO HONOR A FIREFIGHTER WHO SERVED OUR COMMUNITY FOR 50 YEARS. LAST YEAR I HAD ANOTHER ONE, 57 YEARS, AND I'M HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING VOLUNTEERS, MAINLY BECAUSE THE STATE HAS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER. IT TAKES A LOT OF TRAINING, A LOT OF HOURS, AND IT'S A NON PAID POSITION. WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS, IS THE COUNTY LOOKING FORWARD HERE AS TO MAYBE FORMING A COUNTY FIRE SERVICE LIKE SAY ONE FOR THE NORTH AND ONE FOR THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY FOR DAYTIME COVERAGE. I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE A LITTLE TOWN LIKE MANVILLE CANNOT AFFORD PAID FIRE. WE JUST CAN'T, AND I'M SURE THERE'S OTHER TOWNS OUT THERE THAT CAN'T EITHER. I DON'T KNOW, WE'RE STUCK. ON THE SAME PART IS THE RESCUE SQUAD. MY SQUAD IS ONLY IN SERVICE THREE DAYS A WEEK BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS AND THEY'RE IN A SHARED SERVICE WITH OTHER TOWNS IN THE COUNTY. BUT I NOTICED THAT A COUNTY DOWN SOUTH HAS STARTED A COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD TO SUPPLEMENT THE NEED. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WOULD ALSO LOOK AT THAT. I THINK IT WOULD BE A BIG HELP FOR OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING RESCUE SQUADS COMING INTO MANVILLE FROM SURROUNDING TOWNS, AND SOMETIMES, THE RESPONSE TIMES AREN'T GREAT. I'M CONCERNED OVER THAT. BUT I'M MAINLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FIRE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DAYTIME COVERAGE BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING VOLUNTEERS, AND THEY DON'T MAKE HIM LIKE THIS GUY. HIS NAME WAS EDDIE BRIDGER, HE LIVES BY ME, AND I'M ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE THE IMAGE OF HIM. HE LIVES ON THE CORNER. [01:00:04] I'M CADDY CORNER HIM RUNNING TO MY FIREHOUSE TO MAN THE ENGINE, AND NOW HE'S RETIRING, GOING DOWN SOUTH, AND THESE GUYS ARE REALLY HARD TO REPLACE. I KNOW THEY'RE PAID FIRE THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COST OF THAT IS, THOUGH. I KNOW HILLSBORO IS PAID FIRE DURING THE DAY, WITH SOME FIRE MARSHALS OR WHATEVER, DO YOU KNOW? [OVERLAPPING] [BACKGROUND] LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE MANVILLE ARTS COUNCIL. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A ART EXPO AT OUR LIBRARY AND I'LL MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ONE OF YOU UP HERE GETS A INVITE, BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY COOL WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING HERE IN MANVILLE WITH THE ARTS. IT'S AT OUR LIBRARY, AND I HAVE THE BEST LIBRARIAN IN SOMERSET COUNTY IN NANETTE PETERSON, AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND I'LL BE BACK. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> WELL HI, MS. COX. >> YES. >> HOLD ON ONE SECOND. CAREFUL. NO, YOU CAN. YOU ARE LIVE, MA'AM. CAN YOU JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE? >> YES, MY NAME IS COLLY HUDSON FROM MANVILLE. I'M ON A FOOD AND WATER WATCH VOLUNTEER. I'M HERE TO UPDATE YOU THAT COMPETITIVE POWER VENTURES, CPV, CANCELED THEIR PLANS FOR A GAS FIRED POWER PLANT IN WOODBRIDGE. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU ALL A BIG THANK YOU FOR PASSING THE RESOLUTION AGAINST THE POWER PLANT, WORKING COLLECTIVELY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF YOUR RESIDENTS WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY POLLUTION, AND FOR TAKING ACTION TO HELP ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHARLIE CRATTIVILLE, CENTRAL JERSEY'S FOOD AND WATER WATCH ORGANIZER, SENT A LETTER VIA EMAIL TO YOUR COUNTY CLERK EARLIER TODAY OFFICIALLY THANKING YOU. I'D ALSO LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF OTHER LEGISLATION OR PROJECTS PROCEEDING IN NEW JERSEY THAT WILL THREATEN THE HEALTH OF YOUR RESIDENTS. RIGHT NOW, THE NJ LEGISLATURE IS CONSIDERING ''CLEAN ENERGY STANDARDS" AND FOOD AND WATER WATCH IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE DEFINITION DOES NOT INCLUDE FAULT SOLUTIONS SUCH AS BURNING TRASH OR ''RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS.'' THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS. IT'S A GAS INDUSTRY SCHEME TO PROMOTE THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS AND THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND TELL THEM YOU SUPPORT 100% CLEAN ENERGY STANDARDS AND OPPOSE THIS "RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS." SECONDLY, AND LASTLY, THE NJ TURNPIKE AUTHORITY IS UNBELIEVABLY MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS TO WIDEN THE TURNPIKE BY FOUR ADDITIONAL LANES, WHICH WILL STILL BOTTLENECK INTO THE SAME HOLLAND TUNNEL AT A COST OF OVER 10 BILLION. SINCE THIS JUST MEANS THAT MORE LANES WILL BE FUNNELING INTO THE HOLLAND TUNNEL, THIS WILL NOT SOLVE ANY TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. INSTEAD, IT WILL LEAD TO "INDUCED DEMAND," HARM ALREADY OVERBURDENED COMMUNITIES, AND AFFECT ALL OF US BECAUSE TRANSPORTATION IS THE NUMBER 1 EMITTER OF POLLUTION IN NEW JERSEY. FURTHER, IT WILL ADD TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, TAKING US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION AT A TIME WHEN WE JUST HAD THE HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD, THE HOTTEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD, WHEN WE CAN ALL SEE THE TERRIFYING EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS. REMEMBER THE UNBREATHABLE ORANGE, PARTICULAR MATTER AIR FROM THE CANADIAN WILDFIRES JUST LAST SUMMER AND AT A TIME WHEN EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND DANGEROUS. ONCE AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND A BIG THANK YOU FOR TAKING BOLD ACTION TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND FUTURE OF YOUR RESIDENTS BY ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION AGAINST THE PROPOSED WOODBRIDGE POWER PLANT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. YOU TOO. >> THAT'S IT? >> FALL AND CALL 54 ROBIN PLACE, PARKLAND, NEW JERSEY. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I MADE AN ERROR IN ONE OF MY RESOLUTIONS 24-509 IN BEDMINSTER. THAT IS FOR WELCOME TO BEDMINSTER SIGNS, NOT LICENSE PLATE READERS. THAT'S AT [OVERLAPPING] ANOTHER MEETING, SO I JUST WANT TO CORRECT THAT. EDDIE BRIDGER WAS A LONG TIME COUNTY EMPLOYEE, SO I'M GLAD HE'S LIVING HIS DREAM AND MOVING SOUTH LIKE WANTED TO DO. [LAUGHTER]. >> THEN WE DID RECEIVE ONE EMAIL REGARDING ON BEHALF OF THE FRIENDS OF THE KENNEDY MARTIN STELL FARMSTEAD. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR LETTERS OF SUPPORT AS THEY LOOK TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL GRANT MONEY THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DIVISION. YOU WILL HANDLE THAT AND PREPARE LETTERS OF SUPPORT IF SO DESIRED. THERE ARE NO OTHER EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, OR ANYTHING ELSE. >> NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK, MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING. >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> [OVERLAPPING] AYE. >> AYES HAVE IT. WE WILL MOVE ON INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING AND I WILL PASS THE BATON OVER TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR. THANK YOU. [01:05:02] >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, AND I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO DO GREAT TONIGHT. [BACKGROUND]. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.