WE'LL MOVE RIGHT INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING.

[00:00:07]

[INAUDIBLE]. OKAY.

DO WE WANT TO TAKE A BIO BREAK? LET'S GIVE HIM OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN.

[INAUDIBLE].

RIGHT. ARE WE MISSING ANYONE? NO. ALRIGHT.

ARE WE GOOD TO GO? MADAM CLERK.

[PROCLAMATIONS]

ALL RIGHT.

[INAUDIBLE] THIS IS A GREAT GROUP.

ALL RIGHT, SO WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK AND THAT RUNS FROM APRIL 21ST THROUGH THE 27TH OF THIS MONTH AND IT REALLY HELPS TO SUPPORT RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND IT RECOGNIZES THEM AS WELL.

WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION.

IT READS, WHEREAS RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SOMERSET COUNTY, A UNIT OF NEW JERSEY'S AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND A DIVISION WITHIN THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE COUNTY, PROVIDES RESEARCH BASED EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN AGRICULTURE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND WHEREAS VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF RUTGERS SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMING, LEARNING NEW OUTREACH TECHNOLOGY AND SPENDING THEIR TIME, TALENTS AND EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO MENTOR OUR YOUTH, IDENTIFY INVASIVE PESTS AND WEEDS, ADVISE ON PROTECTING LAND AND WATER RESOURCES AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS.

AND WHEREAS 372 VOLUNTEERS ARE FULL AND PART TIME WORKERS RETIRES, RETIREES, YOUNG ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS PROVIDED 1000 114,000 418,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN 2023, VALUED AT AN ESTIMATED OF OVER $3,760,000 AND WHEREAS THE 226 VOLUNTEERS MET THE NEEDS OF YOUTH IN PERSON, HYBRID OR VIRTUALLY FOR CLUB MEETINGS, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, SHORT TERM PROGRAMS, CAMPS AND FUN ACTIVITIES TO CONTINUE TO CREATE THE SENSE OF BELONGING OUR YOUTH NEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN THE PRESENT CLIMATE FOR WHICH VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS CLUB LEADERS FOR EACH ASSOCIATION MEMBERS FOR EACH FAIR MANAGERS, JUDGES, MENTORS, TRAINERS, EDUCATORS, AND MORE AND WHEREAS THE 146 RUTGERS MASTER GARDENER AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE THEIR SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM, INCLUDING ONLINE AND IN-PERSON OUTREACH TO DELIVER ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS WITH RESPONSE ON HOME, LAWN, GARDEN, INSECT AND LANDSCAPE QUESTIONS VIA THE GARDEN HELP LINE, AND UTILIZED E-NEWSLETTERS AND MONTHLY WEBINARS TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH THE PUBLIC, ONE ANOTHER AND THE OVERALL PROGRAM AND WHEREAS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCE SERVICE VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED AT COMMUNITY CLASSES AND EVENTS AND SERVE ON THE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND FOOD PREPARATION.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE IMPORTANTLY, THAT APRIL 21ST THROUGH THE 27TH, 2024 IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK AND THANKS ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO SUPPORT THE WORK OF RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO THEIR WEBSITE AT SOMERSETNJAES.RUTGERS.EDU AND THAT'S A GREAT PROCLAMATION, I MUST SAY.

[00:05:08]

YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF ANYBODY? COME ON. ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO.

LET'S GO. I'M NOT EVEN A VOLUNTEER.

BUT, KATE, WHY DON'T YOU COME UP WITH ME JUST SO WE CAN INTRODUCE YOU? HI, EVERYONE. I'M LISA ROTHENBERGER.

I AM ONE OF THE COUNTY 4H AGENTS, AND WITH ME IS KATE BROWN.

I'M THE NEW COUNTY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCE AGENT, AND WE ARE VERY, VERY THANKFUL.

WE HAVE MOUTHFULS OF NAMES LIKE, YOU KNOW, BUT BEHIND US ARE SOME OF OUR WONDERFUL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION VOLUNTEERS AND WE ARE REALLY FORTUNATE THAT THEY DO GIVE THEIR TIME AND TALENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO SOMERSET COUNTY AND WE WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR HONORING US.

NO, IT'S GREAT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? COME ON.

[INAUDIBLE]. OH, OKAY.

THANK YOU.

WELL, I'VE ONLY BEEN IN THIS POSITION SINCE MARCH 1ST, BUT I'VE BEEN WITH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THAT CERTAINLY OUR MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM IS CRITICAL TO THE REACH THAT WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY WORK WITH OUR COMMERCIAL FARMERS, BUT WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE WHO HAS A GARDEN IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WORK WE DO AS WELL.

AND IT'S JUST A REALLY DEDICATED GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WHO'S CURRENTLY ALL OUT IN THEIR GARDENS, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW DEDICATED THEY ARE TO THAT.

THAT'S GREAT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PHOTO NOW.

[INAUDIBLE].

IS THERE ANYONE HERE FOR NATIONAL YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK? [INAUDIBLE] PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU.

SO WE'RE HERE FOR NATIONAL YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK.

WHEREAS APPRENTICESHIP OFFERS EXCITING, ENGAGING AND LUCRATIVE WORKPLACE TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AGES 16 TO 30 SEEKING A REWARDING CAREER.

AND WHEREAS OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE YOUTH APPRENTICES GREW BY 118% AND THE UNITED STATES FROM ABOUT 120,000 TO MORE THAN 262,000.

WHEREAS EMPLOYERS, EDUCATORS, LABOR UNIONS, WORKFORCE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ARE LAUNCHING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS DECLARED THE WEEK OF MAY 5TH TO THE 11TH TO BE THE FIRST EVER YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK, ALSO KNOWN AS YAW, AS WE LOVE ACRONYMS IN GOVERNMENT.

WHEREAS SOMERSET COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY AND SUPPORTS BOTH OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE WITH TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS THROUGH AGENCIES SUCH AS THE GREATER MERIDEN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

SHOUT OUT TO PAUL GRZELLA, THE SOMERSET COUNTY VO-TECH SCHOOL, AND RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHEREAS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS ARE A VITAL AND PROVEN PATHWAY TO SUPPORT SOMERSET COUNTY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIES, WHEREAS THE GRWDB IS HOSTING THE FIRST YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK CAREER EVENT ON MAY 6TH AT RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHEREAS EMPLOYERS FROM INDUSTRIES INCLUDING ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, CLEAN ENERGY, HEALTHCARE, HOSPITALITY, PHARMACEUTICALS, PUBLIC SERVICE, UTILITIES, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MORE WILL BE ATTENDING THE YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK CAREER EVENT.

LOOKING FORWARD FOR INTELLIGENT, TALENTED AND COMMITTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE WEEK OF MAY 5TH TO THE 11TH, 2024, AS NATIONAL YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK AND URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO ATTEND THE MAY 6TH YOUR EVENT AND JOIN IN SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING THE EXPANSION OF SUCCESSFUL APPRENTICESHIP

[00:10:05]

THANK YOU SARA. I'LL BE REAL BRIEF, BUT THIS IS A REAL IMPORTANT INITIATIVE FOR US.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN EXPAND AND USE OUR CURRENT GRANT DOLLARS TO SUPPORT MORE, MORE APPRENTICESHIP INITIATIVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE WORKING WITH SHOPRITE AND HUNTERDON.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY NEED APPRENTICESHIPS FOR MEAT CUTTERS? AND THOSE APPRENTICESHIPS TAKE ALMOST TWO YEARS.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN, INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT WE CAN USE OUR DOLLARS AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN CAREER PATHWAYS THAT WE KNOW WILL PROMOTE ECONOMIC STABILITY, KEEP PEOPLE IN HUNTERDON AND HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES AND PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SO I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUPPORTING US, THE COMMISSIONERS, AND FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, AND THANKS FOR HOLDING.

ALRIGHT. IS THERE ANYONE FROM SAFE? OH, THERE YOU ARE. [INAUDIBLE].

I'M LITERALLY BEING HELD TOGETHER BY TAPE.

SO GET FROM ABOVE THE KNEES OF MY BEAUTIFUL BLUE TAPE.

SO THIS PROCLAMATION IS RECOGNIZING SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.

WHEREAS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED IN APRIL OF 2001 BY THE NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER, AND WHEREAS THIS MONTH CALLS ATTENTION TO THE FIRST WEEK, EXCUSE ME, TO THE FACT THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS WIDESPREAD AMONG ALL GENDERS AND SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, IMPACTING EVERY PERSON IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

OVER 50% OF WOMEN, NEARLY 50% OF TRANSGENDER FOLKS, AND NEARLY A THIRD OF MEN EXPERIENCED SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIMES.

AND WHEREAS SEXUAL VIOLENCE MAY INCLUDE HARASSMENT, ASSAULT, RAPE OR ATTEMPTED RAPE, PRESSURE, FORCE OR GUILT, NON-CONSENSUAL TAKING OR SHARING OF SEXUAL IMAGES, SEXUAL ABUSE FROM AN INTIMATE PARTNER OR SPOUSE, CHILD SEX ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, REPRODUCTIVE CONTROL, COMMENTS OR ACTIONS TARGETING SOMEONE'S GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND MORE.

WHEREAS, AND I'M NOT READING THIS IN ENTIRETY, BUT WHEREAS SAFE AND SOUND SOMERSET IS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE WITH FREE, CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS WHO EXPERIENCE OR WITNESS DATING, DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

IN 2023, SAFE AND SOUND SOMERSET ASSISTED 465 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN SOMERSET COUNTY WITH SURVIVOR CENTERED COUNSELING ASSISTED 638 SURVIVORS WITH LEGAL EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.

PROVIDED 7650 BED NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER, A 295% INCREASE SINCE 2019.

THEY RESPONDED TO 3708 CALLS AND TEXTS TO THE HELPLINE AT (866) 685-1122, A 112% INCREASE SINCE 2019, AND PROVIDED 207 OUTREACH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO 6400 STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ASK AVA PODCAST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE VIOLENCE THAT OCCURS EVERY DAY IN THE HOPE OF REACHING A TIME WHEN NO PERSON KNOWS THE PAIN CAUSED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

SO THANK YOU TO SAFE AND SOUND, SOMERSET, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND ALL THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO.

SO HERE YOU GO.

SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS IMPORTANT RECOGNITION.

SAFE AND SOUND, SOMERSET THIS YEAR IS RECOGNIZING SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH BY SPREADING THE MESSAGE THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY EXPANDED OUR SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE CLINICAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGES OF 12 WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL VIOLENCE SO EARLY.

YOU CAN SHARE YOUR SUPPORT TO ALL SURVIVORS ACTUALLY TOMORROW BY WEARING DENIM AND TEAL.

TOMORROW IS DENIM DAY, WHICH IS A WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION OF SUPPORTING SURVIVORS.

IT'S BASED AFTER A JUDGE OVERTURNED A RAPE CONVICTION BECAUSE THE VICTIM WAS WEARING TIGHT JEANS, WHICH HE SAID IMPLIED CONSENT.

[00:15:04]

THANK YOU. I'M JUST GOING TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT AND OPEN SINCE I'M PRESENTING THIS.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE OR ASSAULT LOOKS LIKE.

I AM A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR.

I WEAR A SMILE.

I'VE SURVIVED, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS THAT DID NOT MAKE IT.

MALE, FEMALE, TEENS AND CHILDREN.

SO JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE IT, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHO IS GOING THROUGH WHAT.

AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AND ONE ANOTHER AND LOVE WILL DRIVE OUT HATE.

SO THANK YOU TO SAFE AND SOUND FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO AND CONGRATULATIONS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU AND ON THIS AWARENESS AND BEYOND. SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

NEXT WE HAVE NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH AND I'M GOING TO INVITE UP MIKE FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES GROUP AND SHELLY FROM OUR ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.

SUPPOSED TO BE EXCITED. EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT. SO NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH IS APRIL.

WHEREAS THE NATION'S 3069 COUNTIES SERVING MORE THAN 330 MILLION AMERICANS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO CREATE HEALTHY, SAFE AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES AND WHEREAS COUNTIES FULFILL A VAST RANGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVER SERVICES THAT TOUCH NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF RESIDENTS LIVES.

WHEREAS SOMERSET COUNTY TAKES PRIDE IN ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF ITS RESIDENTS AND EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE WAYS. WHEREAS DURING THE 2024 COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, THE COUNTY IS HIGHLIGHTING THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT IT HAS ON RESIDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND WHEREAS, IN RESPONSE TO THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THAT IS PLAGUING OUR NATION, SOMERSET COUNTY HAS PRIORITIZED THE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECOVERY AND WHEREAS, BY INCREASING SERVICES AT THE RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, EXPANDING AND PROVIDING FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, EMPLOYING A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE NAVIGATOR, LAUNCHING A MOBILE OUTREACH VAN AND INCREASING GRANTS TO LOCAL NONPROFITS.

IT HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF COUNTY RESIDENTS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZES APRIL 2024 AS NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH AND ENCOURAGE ALL COUNTY OFFICIALS, EMPLOYEES, SCHOOLS AND RESIDENTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POSITIVE IMPACT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS ON ITS COMMUNITIES.

SO, AND THIS DOESN'T EVEN DO IT JUSTICE FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO AND WE SMILE AND GO TO EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND, YOU KNOW, AS THE RESIDENTS, WE CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH WE THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU PUT IN EVERY DAY HERE.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.

I AM REALLY GRATIFIED THAT THIS BOARD, UNLIKE MANY, HAS CHOSEN TO HIGHLIGHT HUMAN SERVICES FOR THEIR COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH.

I STAYED IN THIS COUNTY AS LONG AS I DID BECAUSE OF THE GENUINE SUPPORT FOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS AND THE FOLKS STANDING UP HERE ARE REALLY THE FOLKS WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

LISA FEDERICO IS OUR ADDICTION SERVICES DIRECTOR, AND A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAT.

ZACH, OUR PLANNING ADMINISTRATOR AND THE NEW HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR TO BE.

DAMIEN STACKHOUSE, OUR SUPERVISOR OF OUR COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE PROGRAM.

[00:20:01]

SALLY, DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? NO, YOU JUST HANG IN THERE.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOOD.

ALL RIGHT AND SHELLY MAKES US ALL HAPPEN, TOO, WITH ALL THE TENTACLES WE HAVE AS PART OF.

YOU KNOW WHAT MAKES SOMERSET COUNTY? SHE KEEPS EVERYTHING FLOWING, SO THANK YOU.

INDEED. ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANKS.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT WE HAVE A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK BY 911, FOLKS.

THIS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY'S 911 CENTER DOES, WHICH PROVIDES VITAL 911 SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

ARE YOU GOOD? HOW ARE YOU? HI. HELLO.

ALL RIGHT, WHEREAS EMERGENCIES REQUIRING QUICK AND KNOWLEDGEABLE RESPONSES FROM POLICE, FIRE, EMERGENCY, MEDICAL AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS ARE THE FIRST AND MOST CRITICAL CONTACT CITIZENS HAVE, AS EMERGENCIES UNFOLD 24 HOURS A DAY AND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS ARE CALM, SOOTHING VOICES FOR RESIDENTS AND OFTEN TERRIFYING SITUATIONS, AND ARE VITAL TO COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS WHILE ENSURING RESIDENTS IN NEED CAN TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR LOVED ONES.

AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS ARE THE SINGLE VITAL LINK FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL MONITORING AND SUPPORTING THEIR ACTIVITIES BY RADIO.

PROVIDING LIFE SAVING INFORMATION, INFORMATION TO ASSIST IN RESPONSE AND PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

AND WHEREAS, SOMERSET COUNTY'S 911 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER STAFF ARE AMONG THE MOST PROFESSIONAL, DEDICATED AND COMMITTED PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS ANYWHERE AND WHEREAS SOMERSET COUNTY'S 911 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER'S DEDICATION IS SHOWN DAILY BUT NEVER MORE THAN DURING HURRICANE IDA, WHEN THEY REPORTED TO WORK BY BOAT THROUGH FLOODED STREETS, RISKING THEIR OWN SAFETY TO PROTECT FIRST RESPONDERS AND RESIDENTS IN DANGER.

AND WHEREAS SOMERSET COUNTY IS PROUD TO HONOR THE WORK OF ALL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS AND IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GREAT WORK OF OUR OWN 911 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER STAFF. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE SECOND WEEK OF APRIL 2024 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN IN APPLAUDING AND THANKING THESE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, FIRST, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND THESE ARE JUST TWO FACES OF THE MANY TELECOMMUNICATORS THAT ANSWER THE 911 CALLS TO THE RESIDENTS AND THOSE BEYOND IN A 911 EMERGENCY.

AND THAT'S BARB AND MIKE. SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME ON OVER HERE.

AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, THIS IS THE GLUE FOR THE COORDINATION OF ALL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN AN EMERGENCY.

AND THE CITIZENS ARE VERY, VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A FINE DIVISION HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

AND I THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO.

AND WE'LL LET YOU DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

NOW WE MOVE ON TO APPOINTMENTS.

WE HAVE, LGBTQ PLUS ADVISORY BOARD RESOLUTION 24-861 EATON ROSE TORRES BOROUGH BOUND BROOK

[APPOINTMENT]

SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

[2024 COUNTY BUDGET]

[00:25:07]

SO GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THE 2024 SOMERSET COUNTY BUDGET.

I AM PLEASED TO DO THIS TONIGHT, BUT I ACTUALLY FIRST NEED TO PUBLICLY THANK THE 1200 COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO WORK EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE RESIDENTS OF OUR 21 MUNICIPALITIES EXPERIENCE OUR EXCEPTIONAL COUNTY SERVICES.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THE DIVISION HEADS, WHO STARTED TO ACTUALLY MEET IN DECEMBER OF 2023 WITH OUR FINANCE TEAM TO CRAFT A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE BUDGET THAT DID NOT CUT ANY SERVICES, BUT IN FACT EXPANDED MANY THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT TONIGHT WHILE KEEPING US IN AN EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION THAT MAXIMIZES EFFICIENCIES.

AND PERSONALLY, I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK OUR FABULOUS CFO, YVONNE CHILDRESS, WHO WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT WITH US, ALONG WITH MELISSA KOSINSKI, WHO'S THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, AND SAM ZABAWA, THE DIRECTOR OF FISCAL OPERATIONS, FOR THEIR MONTHS OF FOCUSED HARD WORK TO GET US HERE TONIGHT AT A BUDGET THAT I AM ACTUALLY PROUD TO INTRODUCE TO YOU AND THE RESIDENTS.

SO HERE WE GO.

AGAIN, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS WORTH NOTING EVERY YEAR THAT WE HAVE A MISSION STATEMENT, AND THAT MISSION STATEMENT IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE, PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, AND RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP AND BEFORE WE GET INTO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BUDGET, IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE JUST CAME OFF OF THE HEELS OF THE 2023 BUDGET TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT FUNDED.

AND AS WE HEAD INTO 2024, A LOT OF THESE HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN EXPANDED WHILE ALSO KEEPING US WELL UNDER THE 2% CAP.

SO IN HUMAN SERVICES, WE ARE SO PROUD OF THE FOCUS THAT THIS BOARD HAS PUT ON ACTUALLY MEETING OUR RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE HELPS MOBILE OUTREACH VAN, THE EXPANSION OF THE COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN ACTUAL THE GROUNDBREAKING MODEL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR COMMUNITY AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ALL BEING COMBINED EXPANDING.

RICHARD HALL, AS YOU REMEMBER, TO INCLUDE THE DENTAL AND THE MEDICAL CARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH [INAUDIBLE] FALLS.

THIS EXPANDED CONNECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ONE'S PHYSICAL HEALTH ACTUALLY CREATES STRONGER, STABLE RESIDENTS FOR US AND AGAIN, WE HAVE TO ALWAYS REMEMBER A VERY SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM THAT WORKS IN OUR VETERAN SERVICES.

THAT BROUGHT IN OVER $4 MILLION OF VA BENEFITS TO OUR RESIDENTS AS WE THANK YOU.

AS WE MOVED ON AGAIN AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, WE WERE THE FIRST COUNTY TO DEPLOY ELECTRIC COMMUNITY TRANSIT ANNUALLY, REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS BY OVER 30 METRIC TONS AND FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS BY 20,000.

BASED ON THE FIRST THREE VEHICLES, WE REPLACED 1100 FLUORESCENT BULBS WITH LEDS TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY POLICY, WHICH REDUCES OUR ENERGY USAGE, AND WITH OUR VEHICLES, WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER 94,388 MEALS DELIVERED TO OUR SENIORS.

THAT'S IN ADDITION TO CLOSE TO 60,000 THAT WE PULL IN OUT OF OUR WELLNESS CENTERS.

ENGINEERING, AND WE FINISHED THE YEAR WE CARRIED OVER INTO THIS YEAR.

WE COMPLETED THE MANVILLE STREET MAIN STREET, WHICH RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTY PROJECTS IN YEARS.

OUR TEAM RECONSTRUCTED EIGHT BRIDGES AND SUBSTANTIALLY REPAIRED 28 AND WE PAVED 20 MILES OF ROADS.

OPEN SPACE FUNDING.

AS YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET ALWAYS INCLUDES A SMALL PIECE OF THE OPEN SPACE FUNDING, AND THE COMMUNITY SHOULD NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT I THINK THE GOOD STEWARDS HERE SIT AT THE COUNTY. SO WE ENDED THE YEAR PRESERVING FIVE TRACKS AND 39 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE, WHICH INCLUDED WASHINGTON'S LOOKOUT, 20 AND 22 ACRES ALONG THE SOUTH BRANCH RIVER.

WE PRESERVED A 62 ACRE FARM IN BEDMINSTER.

WE MADE PROGRESS MOVING THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL RECREATION PROJECTS THAT WE HAD STARTED AND CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION.

YOU KNOW, WE SPENT OVER $1 MILLION OF GIVING GRANTS OUT TO THOSE WHO REALLY PROMOTE OUR CULTURE, OUR DIVERSITY, AND ALL OF THE GREAT HISTORY THAT WE HAVE HERE.

AND JUST ROUNDING OUT A COUPLE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS UNDER OUR SAFETY AND OEM.

REALLY PROUD THAT WE RELAUNCHED AFTER COVID AND UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP, THE EMERGENCY TRAINING COURSES OF OUR FIRE EMT AND OUR CITIZENS DEPLOYED

[00:30:08]

SO I THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT, AGAIN, TO JUST TAKE A SECOND TO REALIZE WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND NOW WHERE WE'RE GOING INTO 2024, BECAUSE WHERE WE'RE GOING IN 24 SHOWCASES THE ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PLAYS IN OUR RESIDENTS.

SO AS WE KICK OFF 2024, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE COUNTY IS VITALLY IMPORTANT AND HOW THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL HEALTH GOES AND THERE'S WHAT WE CAN DO HERE AT THE COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND IN INDUSTRY SECTORS THAT WE KNOW ARE STRONG HERE, OUR BIO FARM, OUR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, OUR AGRICULTURAL, AND WE WILL BE ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE OUR ASSETS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE HERE AND EXPAND HERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH RVC AND THE VO-TECH AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO EXPAND WORKFORCE TRAINING, WHICH WE ACTUALLY CELEBRATED A LITTLE EARLIER.

WE WILL BE RELAUNCHING OUR Y SOMERSET CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL BE A DEDICATED WEBSITE FOR CORPORATE RETENTION AND WORKFORCE ATTRACTION, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP ON WHAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING AND CALLING THEIR BUSINESS HUB, WHICH WILL BE ACTUALLY LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN SOMERVILLE, WITH A REAL EYE ON OFFERING SERVICES TO OUR MOM AND POP MAIN STREET BUSINESSES, WHICH IS SOMETHING REALLY NEW AND SOMETHING THAT WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO, AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE COLLABORATION POTENTIAL WITH OUR NEIGHBORING CENTRAL JERSEY, JERSEY COUNTIES, AND WE WILL BE INVESTING, AS WE'VE HAD FOR THE LAST YEAR, IN HOW WE'RE GOING TO PREPARE TO MARKET AND TO CAPTURE THE TOURISM DOLLARS AROUND THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY.

AS WE MOVE ON FOR 2024 ENGINEERING AND PLANNING, $87 MILLION IN STATE AND FEDERAL PROJECTS ARE IN THE PIPELINE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO OUR LOCAL WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS, WHICH ARE FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, GET EXECUTED.

WE WILL BE INTRODUCING A NEW CIRCULATION PLAN FOR THE COUNTY.

THE LAST ONE WAS 2011 AND THAT PLAN WILL FOCUS ON IMPROVING OUR MOBILITY AND THE WAY WE TRAVEL AROUND THIS COUNTY.

AND THEN WE WILL BE STUDYING.

STUDY WILL BE FUNDED BY NJTPA TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO TRANSITION THE COUNTY'S FLEET TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE COUNTY PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND THE RECENT RIBBON CUTTING THAT WAS JUST HAD TO INTRODUCE THE EXPANSION OF OUR TRAILS.

WE WILL BE WE'RE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW HORSE BARN AT LORD STERLING STABLE.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED THAT THIS SUMMER, WARREN BROOK WILL HAVE A BRAND NEW POOL, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT OUR GOLF COURSES.

UNDERSTANDING HOW INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT KEEPING THOSE COURSES UP IN PRISTINE SHAPE ARE.

AND AGAIN, WE JUST CAME OFF OF UNDERSTANDING THAT WE NEED TO EXPAND WHAT WE DO FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND THE FIRST NEW BUILDING IN 17 YEARS AT THE VO-TECH.

OPEN SPACE AND PRESERVATION.

WE KNEW WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR AND WE ACTUALLY ARE KEEPING OUR FOOT ON THE GAS.

AND EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE TALKED ABOUT ACQUIRING THE LARGEST OPEN SPACE TRACK IN TWO DECADES.

400 ACRES IN HILLSBOROUGH TO EXPAND THE SOURLAND MOUNTAIN PRESERVE.

THAT'S A GAME CHANGER FOR THE COUNTY AND IT'S A HATS OFF TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR REALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT, AND THEN WE ARE EXCITED TO BE CLOSING ON THE PURCHASE OF THE TWO ACRE BATTLE OF BOUND BROOK SITE, WHICH INCLUDES THE OLDEST STONE ARCH BRIDGE IN NEW JERSEY. AND WE'RE DOING THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE TALKING A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFICALLY ON WITH COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY IS A FOOD INSECURITY OR TRYING TO ACTUALLY SAY THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE FOOD SECURE.

SO IN THAT VEIN, WE HAVE COMPLETELY REVAMPED OUR CURBING HUNGER PROGRAM TO ACTUALLY BE A YEAR ROUND PROGRAM THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE FOOD COLLECTION TOTES THAT WILL BE IN VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE COUNTY.

WE'RE FINALIZING THE MAP AS WE SPEAK AND WHERE THE FOOD WILL BE GOING, AND WE REALLY ARE GOING TO BE COMMITTED TO WORK WITH OUR FARMERS AND OUR FOOD BANKS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FRESH, LOCAL FOOD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.

WE THINK THAT IS SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE NEED TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT CONVERSATION.

[00:35:03]

WE UNDERSTAND THE STRESSES OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, LOCAL PD'S WITH BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT, I MEAN, ATTRACT OFFICERS AND SO WE WILL CONTINUE WITH ANOTHER ROUND THIS YEAR OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO ADDITIONAL TO ADD TO THE ACADEMY AND WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL PD'S.

THAT'S A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE RECENT RECRUITS IN BEING PUT ON THE FORCE.

OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT WILL BE JOINING THE NEW JERSEY HOMELAND SECURITY CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVE, AND WE WILL BE DOING A COMPLETE REDESIGN OF THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE TO BE MORE VISUAL, MORE MODERN, AND MORE FOCUSED ON A RESIDENT ORIENTED EXPERIENCE.

AND THEN WE HAVE THREE GREAT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTE AS WELL.

SO OUR COUNTY CLERK, THE FIRST PICTURE SHOWS THE BRAND NEW AUTOMATED MACHINERY THAT WE BOUGHT.

WE ARE THE FIRST COUNTY IN NEW JERSEY TO FULLY AUTOMATE THE VOTE BY MAIL PROCESS, WHICH SAVES COSTS WHILE INCREASING RELIABILITY, TO THE POINT WHERE THE POSTMASTER GENERAL FOR NEW JERSEY CAME AND PAID US A VISIT, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE A PICTURE UP ON TOP.

OUR COUNTY SURROGATE WILL OFFER CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS AS AN OPTION FOR THOUSANDS OF TRANSACTIONS STARTING IN JULY, AND OUR COUNTY SHERIFF WILL BE DOING A ROLLOUT OF THE VITAL ID PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY AND PROTECT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, OUR CHILDREN AND OTHERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND WILL BE EXPANDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST DRUGS AND VIOLENCE LEAD PROGRAM IN MORE SCHOOLS TO HELP CHILDREN MAKE POSITIVE CHOICES.

SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF REALLY GOOD STUFF TO DO.

AND THIS BUDGET THAT WE ARE NOW GOING TO GET INTO SUPPORTS ALL OF THAT.

SO WE KNOW THAT WE START THE YEAR OFF WITH THINGS THAT WE KNOW ARE FUNDAMENTALS, AND THAT IS TO MAINTAIN OUR TRIPLE-A BOND RATING, WHICH WE DID. SO THAT RIGHT, THERE IS A CLEAR INDICATION TO OUR RESIDENTS THAT WE HAVE A STRONG FISCAL HOUSE, THAT WE FUND ALL EXISTING PROGRAMS. SO THERE WERE NO REDUCTIONS, THERE WERE NO CUTS.

IN FACT, THERE WERE EXPANSIONS.

AND THAT WE MAINTAIN WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE A HEALTHY FUND BALANCE, WHICH WE WILL SEE IN A FEW MINUTES, GREW BY 5 MILLION THAT WE NEED TO FUND ALL OUR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS, WHICH ARE UP THERE.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRESENT A VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT BUDGET, FUNDED BY A SENSIBLE TAX RATE, WITH NO SURPRISES FOR THE TAXPAYER. ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE TAX DOLLAR GOES AND WHERE THE COUNTY SEAT ACTUALLY SITS IN THE HOLE.

SO AS YOU SEE THIS HERE, THE THE MAJORITY OF THE TAX DOLLARS THAT GOES TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THAT AS $1.62 OF A DOLLAR GOES TO FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE'RE UP ON THE RIGHT HAND CORNER BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE OPEN SPACE FOR ROUGHLY $0.17, 17% AND THEN YOU HAVE THE COUNTY LIBRARY, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE MUNICIPAL PORTION, WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE MUNICIPAL OPEN SPACES.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE BY WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE OPEN SPACE.

WE'VE BEEN VERY GOOD STEWARDS OF HOW WE SPEND THAT OPEN SPACE MONEY.

ALSO VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE WE GET INTO THE NUMBERS, TO SORT OF UNDERSTAND WHAT WE CONTROL AND WHAT WE ARE OBLIGATED BY AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT OUR OBLIGATED COSTS, WHICH ARE OUR INSURANCES, WHETHER THEY BE HEALTH AND LIABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL, ARE DEFERRED CHARGES, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY, OUR PENSION, OUR DEBT SERVICE, OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS MAKE UP 68% OF THE BUDGET.

AND THE STUFF THAT WE CAN CONTROL, WHICH IS THE SALARIES, SOCIAL SECURITY, CAPITAL AND THE OPERATIONS OF OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS ARE ROUGHLY 32%. AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DRIVES A BUDGET AND SO THIS IS A VERY HIGH LEVEL ABOUT THE TOP FOUR THINGS THAT WE SAW YEAR OVER YEAR THAT WE WANTED TO BRING HERE TONIGHT.

FIRST IS THE INSURANCE THAT WENT UP TO ABOUT 7.5% AND THAT THAT'S A 15% OF THE WHOLE OUR DEBT SERVICE WENT UP.

ABOUT 10%, 10% OF THE WHOLE WENT UP 4%.

THE DEBT SERVICE WILL DROP OFF AS IT'S UNSCHEDULED.

SO IN PROBABLY.

2027 WILL SEE A DROP OFF OF THAT DEBT SERVICE.

OUR PENSION OBLIGATIONS, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WENT UP AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL SERVICES WENT UP AND WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS BECAUSE THIS COMES OUT EVERY FOUR

[00:40:10]

SO THE REVENUE, THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE COMING IN AGAIN, THIS WILL SHOW YOU AGAIN A BALANCED BUDGET BETWEEN THE REVENUE AND THE APPROPRIATIONS AND ON THE REVENUE SIDE, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK ARE WORTH NOTING.

OUR LOCAL REVENUES CHANGED ABOUT 9%, AND THAT WAS AS A RESULT OF SOME OF THE LOWER ACTIVITY COMING OUT OF THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

IF WE THIS WE HAVE THE ASSUMPTION OF STATE COSTS, WHICH AGAIN, IS THE STATES THAT PASS ON DIRECT EXPENSES TO US.

SECTION E WHEN WE SAY OTHER SPECIAL ITEMS, IN 2022, WE ACTUALLY CANCELED OUTSTANDING BOND ORDINANCES THAT WENT BACK INTO THE CAPITAL SURPLUS.

SO THINK OF IT AS A BUMP UP IN CASH BY $1.2 MILLION THAT SHOWED UP IN 2023.

SO WE DID NOT CANCEL ANY ADDITIONAL ONES.

SO WHICH IS WHY IT WENT UP ONE YEAR, BECAUSE WE KIND OF SWEPT IN CASH.

BUT WE DID NOT DO THAT AGAIN BECAUSE WE DID IT THE YEAR BEFORE.

YOU WILL SEE HERE THAT THE INTEREST INCOME WENT UP 183% AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE.

WE COLLECTED AN ADDITIONAL 3.7 MILLION IN 2023.

SO THAT RAISED WHAT WE COULD ANTICIPATE COMING IN THIS YEAR UP TO 3.4 MILLION.

SO WE'VE ALREADY COLLECTED OVER $1 MILLION IN OUR INTEREST INCOME FROM WHERE WE KEEP OUR ACCOUNTS.

AND SO WE SEE THIS REALLY AS SUCH A STRONG INDICATOR THAT ONE, WE HAVE OUR MONEY, WE'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACES.

OUR SHARED SERVICES HAVE REMAINED RELATIVELY FLAT.

IT WENT UP A LITTLE BECAUSE WITH THE ADDITION OF OUR COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE COORDINATOR CONTRACTS WITH BOUND BROOK AND BRIDGEWATER, WE ARE NOW SEEING SOME MONEY COMING IN FOR THAT SHARED SERVICE.

SO FEMA, THIS IS SORT OF THE LAST REMAINING RECEIPTS FROM IDA.

A FEW MAY TRICKLE IN FOR 2024, BUT WE REALLY DON'T REALLY ANTICIPATE SEEING ANY MORE.

WE TALKED ABOUT OUR PENSION.

THIS IS THE PENSION REIMBURSEMENT.

THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE, EXCUSE ME, THE LIBRARY AS WE MAKE THE PAYMENT FOR THE LIBRARY, AND THEN WE INVOICE THEM AND PERS WHICH THEY BELONG TO, ACTUALLY DROPPED SLIGHTLY THIS YEAR AND THEN THE FUND BALANCE AGAIN.

THAT'S OUR RESERVES.

THAT'S OUR SURPLUS AND AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE INCREASED OUR FUND BALANCE CONTRIBUTION BY 200,000 AND WE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS AFTER REGENERATING OVER $5 MILLION OF LAST YEAR.

SO THEN WE SEE AN INCREASE IN THE TAX LEVY OF 3%.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THAT INCREASE IN THE TAX LEVY WAS 4.4.

SO AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, WE HAVE A MUCH SMALLER INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR AND THEN WHERE DO WE SPEND OUR MONEY? SO THE FIRST LINE I REALLY WANT TO AGAIN THANK THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS FOR REALLY UNDERSTANDING OUR CHARGE THIS YEAR WAS TO JUST REALLY THINK REALLY LONG AND HARD ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO PUT ON A PIECE OF PAPER FOR US TO PUT FORTH IN OUR BUDGET.

YOU WILL SEE THAT THE CHANGE FOR OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS YEAR OVER YEAR ONLY BASICALLY ONLY CHANGED REALLY LESS THAN 1%.

SO 0.71 AND THAT IS 45, ALMOST 46% OF THE WHOLE.

SO IF YOU GO BACK TO WHAT WE CAN CONTROL OF THE PIE, WE CAN WE WERE ABLE TO REALLY HOLD THE LINE WITHOUT CUTTING SERVICES, REDUCING SERVICES AND IN FACT EXPANDING AND THAT'S A TIP OF THE HAT TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK HERE AND RUN THESE DEPARTMENTS.

OUR AFFILIATED AGENCIES, WHICH INCLUDE THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS, THE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES, THE VO-TECH RVCC AND THE PARK COMMISSION, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE CHANGE THERE IS UNDER 2%.

THE INSURANCES, AS WE HAD SPOKEN ABOUT, INCLUDES BOTH THE GIF AND THE GIF PROPERTY AND HEALTH.

YOU CAN SEE THAT WENT UP.

THE STATE PROGRAM COSTS.

THAT'S THE MAINTENANCE OF THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE PATIENTS AND STATE FACILITIES AND SUPPLEMENTAL SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME AND CAPITAL DECREASED FROM LAST YEAR.

DEBT SERVICE HERE.

WE TALKED ABOUT LITTLE WENT UP THIS YEAR AND OUR DEFERRED CHARGES FROM 2021.

YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT $2 MILLION WAS DEFERRED EACH YEAR DUE TO THE EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION OF $10 MILLION THAT WE HAD TO RAISE FOR IDA

[00:45:07]

SO SOCIAL SECURITY WENT UP BY SIX.

POINT OF THE WHOLE IS 6.3 MILLION.

CONTINGENCY COSTS ARE 42,000 AND MATCHING FUNDS WHERE THIS IS WHERE WE PUT OUR FUNDS WHEN WE WANT TO DO A GRANT THAT REQUIRES A MATCHING FUND THAT'S ABOUT 120,000.

SO THAT WILL SHOW YOU THAT OVERALL WE ARE AT 1.87 CHANGE IN THE EXPENDITURES.

HERE WE ARE TALKING AGAIN ABOUT THE SURPLUS AND WHY DO WE NEED A HEALTHY SURPLUS? BECAUSE WHILE THINGS ARE ALWAYS IN GOOD TIMES, WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A DOWNWARD TURN THAT COULD HAPPEN AND WE NEED TO ALWAYS BE WELL POSITIONED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND WE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY WELL POSITIONED.

AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE FUND BALANCE, WE REGENERATED ALMOST $29 MILLION LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS JUST OVER 5 MILLION MORE THAN UTILIZED.

SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO FOCUS TO BUILD A HEALTHY BALANCE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO BE UTILIZED TO SUPPLEMENT THE BUDGET AND OPERATIONS AS NEEDED IN FUTURE YEARS, AND PROVIDE US WITH THAT CRITICAL BUFFER AGAINST UNFORESEEN ISSUES AND THIS IS SORT OF WHAT ALL OF THIS GETS WRAPPED UP INTO WITH, WHICH IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE WANT TO SEE.

HERE, YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES UP OR HOW WE GET TO STRIKING THE TAX RATE AND HOW WE GET TO STRIKING EXACTLY WHAT WILL BE PASSED ON TO OUR RESIDENTS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT 2023 AND WHERE WE ARE IN 2024.

SO THE ONE THING THAT JUMPS OFF THE PAGE HERE FOR US IS THAT THE HEALTH, THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE COUNTY, WHICH IS THE TOTAL NET VALUATION THAT IS ASSESSED, WENT UP OVER 7%.

SO 73,255,229,039 WAS IN 2023 AND AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, AND THAT NUMBER WAS JUST CERTIFIED LIKE LAST WEEK, TUESDAY.

WE ARE NOW IN 2024 AT 78,464,516,316.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGE AND THAT'S A REALLY, REALLY GOOD INDICATION OF WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET OF EVERYTHING THAT I JUST WALKED THROUGH, THE CHANGE FROM YEAR OVER YEAR IS 1.87%, WHICH IS A LITTLE SHY THAN $5 MILLION CONSIDERING ALL OF THE PRESSURES THAT WE'VE HAD ON US.

AND WE LOOK AT, AGAIN THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE.

SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE SEE THAT LIVING IN SOMERSET COUNTY IS A REALLY A GREAT THING.

THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE LAST YEAR WAS AT $510,695 AND AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, THAT AVERAGE HOME WENT UP CLOSE TO $40,000 AND NOW IS WORTH $549,852.

SO THAT'S A 7.67% INCREASE.

SO WE TAKE THOSE NUMBERS AND THEN WE MULTIPLY THAT TO GET INTO SUPPORTING THE THE LEVY.

WHAT THE LEVY WILL BE TO UNDERWRITE THE COST OF THE BUDGET.

SO WE LOOK AT THE HOME VALUES, WE LOOK AT THE TAX RATE AND WE LOOK AT THE AVERAGE HOME COUNTY TAX WHICH WILL INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR OF $54.10. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST PROBABLY A NICE PLACE TO LEAVE. THIS IS IS THAT WE THINK THAT LIVING IN SOMERSET IS A REALLY GREAT INVESTMENT AND AS YOU SEE, YEAR OVER YEAR, THOSE WHO CALL SOMERSET COUNTY HOME OR CHOOSE TO INVEST IN PROPERTY OR OWN A BUSINESS HERE, WE CAN SEE THAT IT'S BEEN ON THE UPTICK AND SO WE SERVED THIS AS THE INTRODUCTION.

WE WILL NOW HAVE SOME READING OF SOME ORDINANCES THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED AND THE SECOND READING OF THIS, WHICH WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE PUBLIC HEARING, WILL BE MAY 14TH, 2024 AT 6:00 IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS.

REALLY MORE OF A COMMENT.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST, I GUESS, REAL LIFE VERSION OF PRESENTING A BUDGET.

MOST PEOPLE, WE JUST SEE THE NUMBERS AND WE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERYTHING GOES.

SO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ALL THAT EFFORT IN, BECAUSE IT IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE SERVICES AND, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT FACILITIES THAT WE DO HAVE AND OFFER IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

THAT PUT US IN A FAR BETTER POSITION AND US BUILDING UP ON THESE RESERVES, THAT IS GOING TO HELP US WHEN WE KNOW THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF ON THE REAL IN THE

[00:50:03]

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE THIS IS QUITE THE TASK.

SO IT'S APPRECIATED.

WELL I AM JUST A REPRESENTATIVE OF A VERY STRONG FOUNDATION THAT'S HERE AT THE COUNTY AND AGAIN, I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THESE TWO OFF TO MY RIGHT, WHO REALLY HAVE WORKED SO EXCEPTIONALLY HARD.

YOU'RE DOING AS WELL FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND DOUG SINGLETERRY AND DOUG AND COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK FOR GETTING US TO THIS POINT. AS WE CONTINUE TO BE AND I'D LIKE TO SAY PEACOCK PROUD OF THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WORK FOR THE COUNTY AND THE CONTINUED WORK THAT YOU DO AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID THE TRIPLE A BOND RATING.

KEEPING OUR TAXES.

LOW. BUT THE PROPERTY VALUES GOING UP.

THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY AND VISIT AND IT'S EVIDENT IN THE WORK THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE COUNTY DO.

WE'RE JUST THE FACE OF THE GOVERNING BODY.

BUT THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. SO THE RESOLUTIONS THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED TONIGHT WITH THE BUDGET INTRODUCTION IS RESOLUTION 24 880 AUTHORIZATION TO EXCEED THE COUNTY BUDGET APPROPRIATION CAP LIMITS.

TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK AND TO SET THE PUBLIC HEARING, AS COLLEEN MENTIONED, FOR TUESDAY, MAY 24TH MAY 14TH, 2024 AT 6 P.M..

2481, IS AUTHORIZING THE READING OF THE 2024 BUDGET BY TITLE ONLY.

24-882 IS THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION CERTIFICATION.

24-883 IS AUTHORIZATION FOR SOMERSET COUNTY TO EXCEED THE COUNTY ENTITY.

BUDGET REQUEST CAP FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS AND 2484 IS AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY TO EXCEED THE COUNTY ENTITY BUDGET REQUEST CAP FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

IT HAS BEEN READ FOR OUR HEARING.

24-880 THROUGH 24-884.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT? SO MOVED. SECOND IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED AND SECOND.

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. THIS IS JUST THE INTRODUCTION.

24- 885 IS INTRODUCING THE 2024 SOMERSET COUNTY BUDGET.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR 24-885? IS THE. SECOND.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

HARRY RAISED HIS HAND.

HARRY, THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET IS FOR MAY 14TH AT 6P.M AT THE SECOND PUBLIC.

JUST HOLD ON A SECOND.

COMMENTS ABOUT VALUATIONS ON MONEY AND ALL.

I SAW YOU RAISE YOUR HAND.

I'M JUST MAKING SURE YOU UNDERSTOOD.

I LOST A LOT OF MONEY IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

REALLY. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO BE NICE ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE ORDINANCE.

ORDINANCE 24-799, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARIES AND RIGHTS OF WAY OF BONNIE BYRNE ROAD FROM US 22

[ORDINANCE]

IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED SECOND.

ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

ONLY. PLEASE GIVE US YOUR NAME.

ADDRESS? FIVE MINUTES.

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

IT IS ONLY FOR THIS ORDINANCE ONLY.

HEARING NONE. OH, YES.

[INAUDIBLE].

YES, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[00:55:05]

I'M AN ATTORNEY.

I'M AT THE LAW FIRM OF BUTLER AND BUTLER OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

I REPRESENT WELDON MATERIALS, INC., WHO FOR MANY YEARS HAS OWNED AND OPERATED A QUARRY IN WATCHORN ON BONNIE BURN ROAD, WHICH IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF TONIGHT'S RESOLUTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THIS ROAD AN ANCIENT ROAD AND THEREFORE GIVE IT A RIGHT OF WAY OF 66FT, WHICH WE WHICH WE OPPOSE TREMENDOUSLY THE PART OF [INAUDIBLE] ROAD THAT YOU'RE AT THIS RESOLUTION.

RESOLUTION 24-799.

DEALS WITH COVERS ALL OF OUR PROPERTY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BONNIE BURN ROAD, WHICH IS ABOUT 8/10 OF A MILE AND THE FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST POINT OUT IN THE RESOLUTION. AN ERROR.

THE 4TH RESOLUTION.

WHICH IS PART OF THIS ORDINANCE.

STATES, WHEREAS ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2023, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY, BY RESOLUTION EXCEPT THE CONTROL AND JURISDICTION OF BONNIE BURN ROAD AND DESIGNATED THE ROAD AS COUNTY ROAD 695.

THAT'S WRONG. THAT'S DEFINITELY WRONG.

THIS APPLICANT ACROSS THE STREET, THAT'S BUILDING A MOUNTAIN LAUREL HOUSING, AND WE'RE NOT OBJECTING TO MOUNT LAUREL HOUSING.

WE ARE OBJECTING TO MAKING THE ROAD UNSAFE.

HE APPLIED TO THE DOT FOR A LIGHT.

HE APPLIED IT THROUGH THE WRONG COUNTY, APPLIED IT THROUGH UNION COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND DENYING THE LIGHT.

AND FINDING THAT THE LIGHT WOULD BE DANGEROUS.

MADE SOME FINDINGS IN HER 32 PAGE OPINION, THE DOT OPINION THE COMMISSIONER AND ON PAGE 25 AND THEN I'M GOING TO GO TO THE LAW REGARDING AN ANCIENT ROAD.

BUT HERE'S WHAT SHE SAYS IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR THE LIGHT.

SOMERSET COUNTY IS THE JURISDICTIONAL OWNER OF BONNIE BURN ROAD AND THERE'S NO DISPUTE AND BONNIE BURN ROAD HAS ALWAYS OWNED IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OWNED BY SOMERSET COUNTY.

AND NATURALLY, THE ROADS IN SOMERSET COUNTY, IT GOES BACK TO 1927.

WHEN [INAUDIBLE] HOSPITALS WITH TB HOSPITAL PEOPLE WERE BUYING A TB AT THAT TIME, LIKE PEOPLE WERE DYING OF CANCER NOW AND APPARENTLY UNION COUNTY WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE HOW BONNIE BURN ROAD WAS BEING MAINTAINED.

SO THEY AGREED TO MAINTAIN.

BUT SOMERSET COUNTY NEVER GAVE UP OWNERSHIP AND JURISDICTION OVER THE ROAD.

SO I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT PLAIN AND CLEAR AND IT ALSO APPEARS ON THE BOTTOM OF 25 OF HER OPINION AND PAGE 26. NOW LET ME TALK ABOUT BONNIE BURN ROAD.

BONNIE BERNE ROAD HAS AN EXISTING RIGHT OF WAY OF 40FT.

IT'S TWO LANES.

EACH LANE IS 12FT, AND THEN THERE'S A SHOULDER OF EIGHT FEET.

IF YOU ADD THE 12 AND 12 AND THE 18 AND THE 18, YOU GET 40 AND THAT'S THE EXTENT OF THE RIGHT OF WAY ON BONNIE BURN ROAD AND BEFORE THE WATCHORN PLANNING BOARD, AND ATTACHED TO THE LETTER THAT MR. LOTT AND I PUT TOGETHER DATED DECEMBER 7TH.

EXCUSE ME, APRIL 17TH, 2024, WE ATTACHED THE REPORT OF OUR SURVEYOR, WHO'S A LICENSED ENGINEER AND A LICENSED SURVEYOR, AND HE STATES, AND I'M JUST GOING TO READ QUICKLY ONLY PART OF HIS REPORT, IF I MAY.

HERE'S WHAT HE SAYS. HIS NAME IS ALBERT STEWART AND HE'S FROM STEWART SURVEYING AND ENGINEERING, LLC.

HE SAYS, I HAVE ALSO REVIEWED DEEDS FOR THE PROPERTIES ALONG BOTH SIDES OF BONNIE BURN ROAD, AND FOUND NO REFERENCE TO A SOURCE DOCUMENT OF A RIGHT OF WAY, WITH A DESIGNATION OF A WIDTH OF A RIGHT OF WAY AND MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION AS A LAND SURVEYOR, GIVEN THE ABSENCE OF ANY

[01:00:10]

SOMERSET COUNTIES, JURISDICTION IS LIMITED TO THE TRAVELED WAY OR THE EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT.

NOW THE DEVELOPER ACROSS THE STREET.

IN HIS PRESENT PLAN, WHICH HE CALLS AN AMENDMENT TO HIS SITE PLAN.

THE LIGHT IS OUT.

HE COMES UP WITH A NEW PLAN.

HE GIVES WELDON ON THE WELDON SIDE 1.4FT, AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE 1.4FT.

ALRIGHT. NOW, SIR, I'M GOING TO SEE THIS UP AND DEFER TO OUR COUNTY COUNSEL AT YOUR TIME.

YOUR FIVE MINUTES IS UP, BUT I'M GOING TO DEFER TO OUR COUNTY COUNSEL.

WIND IT DOWN, PLEASE.

WIND IT DOWN.

YOU HIT YOUR FIVE MINUTE LIMIT.

SO CLOSE.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

OKAY. I THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO DO ANYTHING IN FIVE MINUTES I AND THAT'S PROBABLY A FAULT THAT I HAVE BUT IN ORDER TO FIND A ROAD, WHAT YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS BY THIS ORDINANCE IS DECLARE THAT THIS BONNIE BURN ROAD IS AN ANCIENT ROAD AND THERE'S NO PROOF.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON THIS BOARD, ON THESE COMMISSIONERS, ON THIS COUNTY TO DETERMINE THAT IT IS A ANCIENT ROAD AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE THAT.

THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING AND I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY READ IF I MAY PARTS OF PARSIPPANY VERSUS BOWMAN.

THIS IS A SUPREME COURT CASE.

THERE AREN'T A LOT OF CASES ON ANCIENT ROADS.

THIS CASE IS FOUND.

AT THREE, NEW JERSEY AT 197 AND I'M GOING TO READ BRIEFLY FROM PAGE 102 AND 103.

BRIEFLY. OKAY.

IT SAYS IN REFERENCE FROM THE PLAINTIFF'S ADVANTAGE THAT BERWICK ROAD WAS IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO THE PASSAGE OF THE 1760 ACT OF THE COLONIAL LEGISLATURE.

WHILE ENTIRELY PERMISSIBLE, IS NOT CONCLUSIVE.

SO EVEN EVEN IF YOU HAD A BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

A STATUTE THAT SAYS THAT THIS WAS A COLONIAL ROAD, WHICH WE HAVEN'T SEEN, AND MAYBE MRS. DEMARCO IS GOING TO PRODUCE IT TONIGHT, OR HE'S GOING TO PRODUCE IT SOMETIME.

BECAUSE HE HASN'T PRODUCED IT YET.

IT'S NOT CONCLUSIVE.

THE EVIDENCE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CLARITY TO WARRANT THE TRIAL COURT TO FORECLOSE THE JURY FROM PASSING UPON AND DETERMINE THE FACTUAL QUESTIONS.

AND THEN HE GOES ON, AND I'M NOT GOING TO READ IT BECAUSE MY TIME IS LIMITED AND I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY.

AND I'VE BEEN LISTENING, AND I'M SORT OF PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THAT ALL THE WORK THAT GOES ON IN HERE AND I HAVE TO COME IN WITH SOMETHING THAT'S CONTROVERSIAL, BUT I'M A LAWYER, AND THAT'S WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING.

BUT ANYTHING ELSE, MR. BUTLER? YEAH.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS, I'D LIKE TO MARK INTO EVIDENCE.

OH, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO BE MARKED IN.

IF IT IS A COPY OF A LETTER, YOU CAN HAND IT TO THE CLERK AND SHE INCORPORATES IT INTO THE MINUTES.

IT'S NOT A TRIAL.

IT'S NOT A Q&A.

IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE.

IS IT PART OF THE RECORD? YOU CAN SUBMIT IT TO THE CLERK WHO WILL ACKNOWLEDGE IT IN THE MINUTES.

IT'S NOT AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A TRIAL.

IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE.

WELL, THERE COULD BE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS THAT THAT'S THE BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET WITH THE PRETTY LITTLE STATUE ON TOP OF LADY JUSTICE.

I'M SURE I WILL SEE YOU THERE.

LOVELY COURTHOUSE. I'M SURE I WILL SEE YOU THERE NEXT MONTH, SIR.

OH, I THINK YOU'LL SEE ME THERE MORE THAN JUST SO YOU CAN HAND IT IN.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME TO DO? I'M TELLING YOU TO HAND IT TO MS. [INAUDIBLE]. SHE HAS A COPY.

I'VE SENT HER A COPY. THEN YOU DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING.

I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO HER.

OKAY, AND WE WILL STATE ON THE RECORD FOR YOUR BENEFIT THAT YOU HANDED A COPY.

NOW LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

THIS IS NOT A Q AND A, SIR.

WHEN WHEN WHEN IS THE BOARD GOING TO ADOPT OR NOT ADOPT THE RESOLUTION? IT'S AN ORDINANCE AND THAT'S ON FOR PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT IT WAS INTRODUCED.

AND EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT REQUIRE I WAS NOT REQUIRED, I SENT A COPY OF THAT ORDINANCE TO EVERY PROPERTY OWNER BY CERTIFIED

[01:05:01]

I ALSO SENT YOU AN EMAIL DIRECTLY BECAUSE I KNEW YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN IT.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

NOT A PROBLEM. APPRECIATE YOUR NOTICE.

NOT A PROBLEM, SIR.

YOU'RE IT'S ON FOR.

WELDON. IT'S ON FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH IS WHAT YOU HAVE JUST DONE AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.

THIS BOARD WILL VOTE ON IT NOW, TONIGHT.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

THANK YOU, MR. BUTLER AND I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

IT'S WHAT WE DO. YEAH. NO INTERRUPTION.

OKAY. HOLD ON.

JUST. ARE THERE? IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY? COME FORWARD. NAME AND ADDRESS.

FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME.

MATTHEW MARANO, 69 BONNIE BURN ROAD.

I WANT TO THANK THIS GUY FOR ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

I DON'T HAVE TO ASK NOW.

I DON'T REALLY HAVE A COMMENT, BUT AS A HOMEOWNER ON THIS ROAD, HOW CAN I GET INFORMATION ABOUT HOW IT CAN IMPACT MY PROPERTY? THAT'S MY FIRST QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO GO ABOUT THAT.

I JUST GOT THE NOTICE. THANK YOU FOR SENDING IT.

NO, NOT A PROBLEM. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I DID IT.

I DIDN'T WANT TO ANYONE THINK WE WERE DOING IT IN SECRET.

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BOARD DOES? IF THEY ADOPT IT, YOU WOULD GET A SECOND LETTER FROM US, WHICH WOULD HAVE THE SCHEDULE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND ESSENTIALLY THE ROAD IS 40FT WIDE. 12 AND 18.

GOT IT CORRECT. WHAT WE ARE CERTAIN IS THAT THE COUNTY HAS A RIGHT TO A 66 FOOT WIDE ROAD.

THAT'S JUST A RIGHT OF WAY.

WE ARE NOT WIDENING THE ROAD.

THERE IS NO PLAN TO WIDEN THE ROAD.

IT'S FOR SEWERS AND IT ESTABLISHES OUR ABILITY TO GO IN AND PUT DRAINAGE TRIM TREES IF THEY'RE OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IT ESTABLISHES A BUFFER RIGHT OF WAY THAT TRADITIONALLY EXISTS ON EVERY COUNTY ROAD.

GOTCHA. THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF IT.

SO THIS RESOLUTION IS SIMPLY TO CHANGE THE BUT HE'S SAYING IT'S ALWAYS BEEN SOMERSET COUNTY, BUT THE MAINTENANCE IS GOING FROM UNION TO SOMERSET OR WE DON'T.

THAT'S DEBATABLE, BUT NOT A PROBLEM.

SO FOR YEARS, BOTH COUNTIES OPERATED UNDER THE BELIEF THAT SOMERSET COUNTY, THE ROAD WAS IN OUR JURISDICTION RIGHT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

BUT THE TOTAL CONTROL OF THAT ROAD WAS LIES WITH UNION COUNTY.

AND IN THE PAST THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER ISSUES RAISED AND UNION COUNTY ONLY DEALT WITH IT.

IN THIS INSTANCE, THAT BELIEF BY SOMERSET AND UNION COUNTY WAS CHALLENGED.

IT THEN. WELDON.

YEAH, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO CHALLENGES IT, RIGHT? IT WENT AND GOT CHALLENGED AND THE DEPARTMENT AND J.

DOT COMMISSIONER CAME BACK AND SAID NO.

THERE'S A MAINTENANCE JURISDICTION WHICH WAS UNION COUNTY PLOW AND PAVING REPAIRING, AND THERE'S AN ACTUAL CONTROL JURISDICTION.

AND UNTIL THAT POINT IN TIME, THE COUNTY'S OPERATED DIFFERENTLY.

SO LAST YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER RULED A DIFFERENT WAY.

ADVISED US THAT THE WE HAD ULTIMATE CONTROL.

UNION COUNTY THEN SAID WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A HOSPITAL THERE ANYMORE.

WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE ROAD BACK.

WE SAID, HOLD ON.

WE TALKED. WANT TO MAKE SURE THE ROAD WAS IN THE RIGHT CONDITION.

WE ACCEPTED THE ROAD BACK IN OCTOBER, RENAMED IT BECAUSE IT USED TO BE A UNION COUNTY ROAD AND WE RENAMED IT SOMERSET COUNTY 695.

WE THEN, BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE, WANTED TO ESTABLISH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ROAD.

WE DID SOME RESEARCH THROUGH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND WE DETERMINED THE STANDARD RIGHT OF WAY IS ON THE ENGINEERING, THAT THIS ROAD HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR A VERY LONG TIME, I.E.

PRE-COLONIAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

UNDER THAT DOCTRINE, IT'S CONSIDERED AN ANCIENT ROAD, AND UNDER AN ANCIENT ROAD DOCTRINE, IT IS PRESUMED TO HAVE A 66 FOOT RIGHT OF WAY.

SO WE BY ORDINANCE ARE SAYING WE BELIEVE IT'S AN ANCIENT ROAD.

YEAH. IF YOU DISAGREE.

COURTHOUSE NEXT DOOR.

RIGHT. MISS WELDON WILL BE THERE.

YOU'LL GET AN INVITE IF YOU WANT.

AND THAT'S WHERE THAT ISSUE WILL BE.

BUT WE BELIEVE BASED UPON THE STUDIES AND THE REPORTS DONE BY OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, AND WE DIDN'T DO THAT, WE NEVER UNDERTOOK THAT STUDY UNTIL WE ESTABLISHED AND CALLED IT A COUNTY ROAD.

IN MAKE SENSE, THIS RESOLUTION IS SIMPLY TO CHANGE IT TO SOMERSET, OFFICIALLY CHANGE IT TO SOMERSET, AND ESTABLISH ITS BOUNDARIES BASED UPON A DOCTRINE.

THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.

SO ANY COMMENTS I WOULD HAVE WOULD BE TO CONSIDER THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

OKAY, THAT'S A VERY DISCONNECTED PART OF THE TOWN OF WATCHUNG AND OF THE COUNTY, AND IT'S VERY CLOSE TO SCOTCH PLAINS, SO THERE COULD BE A CONNECTION

[01:10:08]

SO IF THERE WERE EVER TO BE AN EXPANSION, AN EXPANSION THAT INCLUDES PEDESTRIAN RIGHT OF WAY WOULD BE WELL CONSIDERED, BECAUSE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ROAD IS SUCH THAT THE AREAS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT PRISTINE FRONT LAWNS.

THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, THE ROAD IS ONE SIDE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER LOWER RIGHT.

SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THERE.

IT'S REALLY AGAIN, TO ESTABLISH THE BOUNDARIES SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT'S WHAT.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE AND THEN AS A HOMEOWNER, HOW CAN I LIKE KEEP MYSELF ABREAST OF EVERYTHING AND WHICH IS THE REASON WHY I SENT YOU THE NOTICE? OKAY. ALRIGHT AND THEN WHEN, IF AND WHEN THIS GETS ADOPTED TONIGHT, YOU'LL GET AN OFFICIAL COPY STAMPED OF THAT TO TAKE HALF OF MY LAWN TO MAKE A ROAD, YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW. WELL, THERE'S A WHOLE RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS.

WE DO ALREADY DID THAT TO MY PROPERTY ONCE, BUT IT WAS BEFORE I OWNED IT.

YEAH, WE DO THAT. WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

IF WE HAVE TO ENTER IT, OR THERE'S A WHOLE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH, WE DON'T JUST SHOW UP ONE DAY AND YEAH, PUT THINGS THERE.

SO THAT'S IT. APPRECIATE IT.

NOT A PROBLEM SIR. I'M GLAD YOU GOT THE NOTICE.

YEAH. THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] MOVE. [INAUDIBLE] A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 24-799.

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

AWARENESS. THE MOTION TO ADOPT PASSED.

IT WAS FOUR ZERO.

THE ORDINANCE HAS NOW BEEN IN EFFECT.

IT WILL THEN GET PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW AND WILL TAKE EFFECT UNDER THAT PROVISION.

SORRY. THANK YOU.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-800 THROUGH 24-814.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

[AWARD OF CONTRACTS]

SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 24-831 THROUGH 24-860.

[FINANCE]

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

WAS 861 SKIPS BECAUSE THE [INAUDIBLE] JUMPS TO 862.

I JUST WANT TO FOR THE RECORD, 861 WAS YOUR APPOINTMENT RESOLUTION? THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 24-862 THROUGH 24-868.

[ITEMS ADDED FROM THE APRIL 23, 2024 WORK SESSION TO BE ADOPTED TONIGHT]

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME.

NO, COMING UP A SECOND TIME.

IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC? SO MOVED. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? COME FORWARD. NAME AND ADDRESS AND THAT'S ON ANY TOPIC.

ANYTHING THROUGH EMAIL OR TELEPHONE.

NONE. ALL RIGHT.

HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE.

IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

NO EXECUTIVE SESSION TONIGHT.

SO IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. GOOD NIGHT.

AND BE WELL.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.