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IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 12TH,
[Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting on May 13, 2025.]
2025 ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.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 FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR REELECTION.
MAY WE CONTINUE TO BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER. BE KIND TO OUR NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU. WELCOME EVERYONE, TO OUR MAY 13TH WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING. THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 27TH. 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.
COMMISSIONE SINGLETERRY. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON HERE. WE WILL HAVE OUR COMMISSION REPORTS.
YEP. FOR THE RECORD, THANK YOU. WE KNOW THAT TRAFFIC, THAT TRAFFIC.
BUT WE KNEW YOU WERE IN ROUTE, SO. AT THIS TIME MY REMARKS WILL BE BRIEF, AND I WILL DO FURTHER REMARKS AT OUR NEXT MEETING ON MAY 27TH.
WE DO HAVE ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT WHERE WE ARE ADOPTING OUR BUDGET.
SO KUDOS TO THE WORK OF THOSE THE STAFF THAT WERE INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE THAT WE GOT TO THIS POINT.
THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER SOOY AND COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY PART OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS DONE AND GET IT DONE IN A MANNER THAT DIDN'T DELAY.
AND EVEN WITH UNCERTAINTY, WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION ON TODAY.
AND AS YOU WILL SEE, AS IT IS BROUGHT FORWARD.
AND THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE FOR MY REPORT. OKAY.
TODAY I HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO VISIT THE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK.
AND ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT WAS FRESH PRODUCE. SO 18 PEOPLE, HALF OF THEM ARE PART TIMERS.
I TOLD DEREK THAT I THINK HE'S LIKE THE JESUS STORY WITH THE LOAVES AND FISHES.
IT'S JUST 18 PEOPLE ARE FEEDING THOUSANDS. AND IT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE.
SO GREAT THINGS HAPPENING DOWN IN FRANKLIN OVER THERE.
SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE PLANS FOR DINNER TONIGHT, GO OVER THERE AND EAT WITH A CAUSE THERE.
I ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING GREENBERG'S HOLI FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.
ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING WITH COMMISSIONER SOOY THE OPENING.
WELL, IT DOESN'T HAVE WATER IN IT YET, BUT THEIR FINAL PHASE OF THE BOUND BROOK POOL.
AND IF YOU RECALL, THE COUNTY'S OPEN SPACE REC GRANT PROGRAM FINANCED $455,000 OF THAT PROJECT.
IT'S LOOKING FANTASTIC. I'M EXCITED. THEY HAVE A GIGANTIC SLIDE.
IT LOOKS REALLY FUN. I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME THERE.
I ALSO WENT DOWN TO THE NJAC CONFERENCE. CONGRATULATIONS.
PRESIDENT ROBINSON THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES BOARD, SHE DID A WONDERFUL JOB HOSTING AND EMCEEING SEVERAL EVENTS, INCLUDING THE MEET THE GOVERNORS EVENT, WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED, AND SOME OTHER SEMINARS THAT I WENT TO FOR THE COUNTY.
AND ALSO COMMISSIONER SOOY WE WERE BUSY TOGETHER A LOT THESE PAST FEW WEEKS.
WE WENT TO THE SENIOR PROM IN BERNARDSVILLE, SO THAT WAS EXCITING.
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COMMISSIONER SOOY IS A CELEBRITY UP THERE BECAUSE THAT'S YOUR HOME HIGH SCHOOL, RIGHT? SO SHE WAS THE CELEBRITY AND I WAS THE TAG ALONG THERE.WE HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME. AND THEN ALSO ATTENDED WITH COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY, THE RBCC BOARD OF ESTIMATE WHICH WAS A VOTE UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THEIR BUDGET. OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM HAD 647 CARS AT THE FIRST SATURDAY.
AND OUR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION MET.
HAPPY PRESERVATION MONTH. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION ON THAT, SO I'LL SAVE SOME OF THAT FOR LATER.
TEEN ARTS FESTIVAL IS TAKING PLACE MAY 21ST. AND AT THE EVENT, WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OVER 1200 PARTICIPANTS IN THAT PROGRAM. SO IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY BUSY DAY FOR THE SMALL CHP STAFF THAT DOES MIRACLES THEY'RE THE FISH AND LOAVES JESUS STORY FOR EVENTS.
THAT THREE PEOPLE, THREE AND A HALF PEOPLE WHAT DO YOU HAVE NOW? WELL, TWO AND A HALF, BECAUSE WE GOT ONE ON LEAVE.
SO. YEAH. SO THEY'RE MAKING A LOT OF THINGS HAPPEN THERE.
SO THAT'S REALLY AWESOME. AND THEY ARE ACCEPTING IF YOU HAVE ANY ART SUPPLIES THAT ARE OPENED UP THAT YOU DON'T NEED ANYMORE, PLEASE DONATE THEM. THE ARTIST WILL TAKE OPEN BOXES OF PAPER OR CRAYONS OR PENCILS OR BRUSHES OR PAINT, ETC.. AND IF YOU CAN'T GET OVER TO THE TEEN ARTS FESTIVAL TO CONTRIBUTE THEM, YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP THEM OFF AT SEVERAL DONATION POINTS.
AND THIS FLYER WILL BE IN THE COMMISSIONERS OFFICE IF ANYBODY NEEDS IT.
AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS DO JOIN AS WELL.
IT IS A FANTASTIC CELEBRATION FOR THE GOLDEN PROM.
WE ACTUALLY HAD 74 VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO JUST HAVE A PHENOMENAL EVENING WITH THE SENIOR CITIZENS, AND THEY GET OUT ON THE DANCE FLOOR. YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE BAND AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS OUT.
AND IT'S IT'S A WONDERFUL EVENT. SO PLEASE COME NEXT YEAR.
AND THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THAT UNITY BANK.
SPEAKING OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, WE HAD DIRECTOR ROBINSON SPEAK ON A PANEL WITH SOME OF OUR ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES, AND WE HAD A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS FORUM OVER AT THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.
IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY, WHICH WE LOVE TO SEE.
AND WHAT'S NICE ABOUT THIS NEW THE HUB THAT WE HAVE HERE, WE'RE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN MORE CONVERSATION AS OPPOSED TO PREVIOUS, YOU KNOW, VENUES IN THE PAST AND OUR MEMBERSHIP IS GROWING, SO WE LOVE TO SEE THAT.
IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. AND FOR THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE WE HAD A PACKED FEW DAYS OF FORUMS, OUR COUNTERPARTS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS, WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T WORK, HOW WE CAN DO THINGS BETTER.
AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND DO THAT.
SO THANK YOU TO THE PRESIDENT OF [INAUDIBLE] RIGHT HERE.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON FOR GUIDING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN.
OVER AT THE NJTPA OR THE NORTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY WE JUST HAD A MEETING AND TRANSIT DID GIVE A REPORT, PLEASE PREPARE FOR STRIKES ON FRIDAY. SO WITH THAT BEING A VERY DIRECT MESSAGE FROM OUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THAT BOARD WE DO WANT TO PREPARE AND OBVIOUSLY TRY TO WORK WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS TO BEST REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITIES.
I LIVE RIGHT IN A, YOU KNOW, TRANSIT LITTLE VILLAGE HERE IN SOMERVILLE.
AND THAT IS THE RELAYED MESSAGE FROM TRANSIT.
BUT WE HOPE TO COME TO A RESOLUTION. ALSO FROM THAT MEETING, WE'RE ABLE TO GET BACK OUR 206 PROJECT, WHICH IS A MAJOR FUNDING TO COMPLETE THAT PROJECT.
AND IT'S A HUGE CORRIDOR THAT CONNECTS US TO SOUTH JERSEY.
SO THAT IS BACK, AND WE'RE ADVOCATING TO SEE IF WE CAN ACCELERATE THAT TIMING OF THAT PROJECT.
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR BUDGET HOPEFULLY APPROVED.
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AND I NEVER LIKE TO BE PRESUMPTUOUS, TOO PRESUMPTIVE.YVONNE YOU HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB WITH THE TEAM, MELISSA, SAM.
WE SAID PLEASE CUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BUT WITHOUT CUTTING SERVICES.
AND FOR THEM, THEY CAME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THEY GOT THEIR SCALPEL OUT BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP IT AS LEAN WITH STILL KEEPING OPERATIONS AFLOAT IN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
SO THAT $0.15 HAS BEEN RELATIVE YEAR OVER YEAR.
SO WE ARE VERY PROUD TO KEEP THAT SAME PERCENTAGE, SAME YOU KNOW, CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.
AND WE WE WILL GET THE DETAILS OF THAT LATER TODAY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. I JUST FLEW IN FROM NEWARK AND BOY, MY ARMS TIRED.
SO SORRY I'M LATE, BUT SO A FEW IMPORTANT MESSAGES ON THE HUMAN SERVICES SIDE.
SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND COOPERATION, COLLABORATION WITH THE STIGMA FREE COMMITTEE AND RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES IS HOSTING THE 2025 HUMAN SERVICES CONFERENCE ENTITLED SYNERGY FOR CHANGE TRANSFORMING AWARENESS INTO COLLECTIVE COLLECTIVE ACTION.
AND IT WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 19TH, FROM 9 A.M.
TO 3 P.M. AT THE RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, LOCATED AT 118 LAMINGTON ROAD IN BRIDGEWATER.
IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT EVENT. EVERY YEAR, 1 IN 5 INDIVIDUALS FACE A MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE.
THIS CONFERENCE WILL ADDRESS THE PRESENCE OF STIGMA AND EXPLORE MEANINGFUL WAYS TO REDUCE IT.
MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS US ALL IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP CARE FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALSO, WE'RE EXCITED TO HEAR THAT THE IN-PERSON CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FROM THE 20 2020 24-25 NEW JERSEY STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND SOMERSET COUNTY EDUCATOR STEPHANIE LACHENAUER, AND SHE AIMS TO UNITE PROFESSIONALS ACROSS VARIOUS SECTORS TO ADDRESS AND REDUCE STIGMA. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE AN EXCITING CONFERENCE COMING UP ON MONDAY.
AND THEN ALSO ALONG THE LINES OF PUBLIC OUTREACH AND FORUMS. SOMERSET COUNTY IS HOSTING THE AREA CONTRACT UPDATE FOR OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS.
SO THIS SOMERVILLE COUNTY OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES, AND THE ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR ADULTS 60 PLUS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4TH AT 10:30 AT THE SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER IN BRIDGEWATER AT 876 EAST MAIN STREET IN BRIDGEWATER. AND REALLY, THE PURPOSE OF THESE HEARINGS, THIS HEARING IS TO OFFER COUNTY RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE NEEDS OF THOSE 60 PLUS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS AND PERSONS LIVING WITH A DISABILITY.
THE 2025 -2027 AREA PLAN CONTRACT UPDATE INCLUDES SERVICES FUNDED UNDER TITLE THREE OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT, SUPPLEMENTAL AGING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AND THE SAFE STATE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL FUNDS. SO THIS IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE THE DOLLARS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO RUN THE CRITICAL PROGRAMS FROM THE COUNTY.
THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF PROVIDE THAT INPUT SO THAT THAT CAN GO INTO THE PLAN, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, RECOGNIZING ALL THE IMPORTANT WORK, GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO.
SO IT IDENTIFIES TRENDS AND CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE AGING POPULATION.
THIS WAS A GREAT, GREAT GRADUATION EVENT. APPROXIMATELY 45 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND THEY ATTENDED LIVE SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR OVER THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS.
AND THEY VISITED THE 911 CENTER, RWJ AT SOMERSET HOSPITAL.
THEY HELD MOCK TRIALS WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND WITH LOCAL ATTORNEYS.
THEY RAN A COUNCIL MEETING WITH MAYOR [INAUDIBLE], AND THEY DID A TEAM BUILDING EXERCISE WITH ALL THE INTENT ON BUILDING THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND REALLY PROVIDED AMAZING GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR OUR STUDENTS.
EACH YEAR, THE COUNTY RECEIVES OVER 100 APPLICATIONS FOR AROUND 45 SLOTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, AND WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. BUT DUE TO SOME LOGISTICAL SCHEDULING, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON EVALUATING THE SCOPE OF THE NEXT CLASS TO START POTENTIALLY IN THE
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FALL, SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT. LIKE COMMISSIONER MARANO SAID ALSO SOOY SAID I ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE IN ATLANTIC CITY AND ALSO A SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE THIS PAST WEEK.AND THE SEMINARS THAT I ATTENDED WERE, I THINK, VERY IMPORTANT.
SO I'M SURE I'LL BE TALKING TO HER AS WELL AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
IT WAS INTERESTING. IT WAS DISCUSSED HOW THESE ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS ARE NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CUT WITHOUT GREAT IMPACTS ON THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PRIMARILY ON OUR ELDERLY RESIDENTS. BUT THEY ALSO ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDING AND SUBJECT TO ONGOING DEBATES IN WASHINGTON.
SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT NOT ONLY SOMERSET COUNTY, BUT COUNTIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY .
WE HEARD FROM THE SEMINAR, THEY'RE ALL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE VITAL PROGRAMS AND HOW THEY PROVIDE SERVICES TO THEIR RESIDENTS AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE THAT THE FUNDING FOR THESE PROGRAMS CONTINUE. SO THAT'S MY REPORT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO I RECENTLY SPOKE AT THE COUNTY'S 10TH ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S EDUCATOR AWARD CEREMONY HONORING ALL OUR GREAT TEACHERS IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPHANIE LACHENAUER, WHO WAS NAMED.
SHE TEACHES. I GUESS YOU DID. YES. SHE TEACHES IN MONTGOMERY, AND SHE HAS BEEN NAMED NOT JUST THE COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR, BUT THE NEW JERSEY STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPHANIE. LET'S SEE. MELONIE AND I RECENTLY ATTENDED THE WARREN HISTORY DAY AT THE KIRCH-FORD TERRILL HOUSE. THIS IS A HOME THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED, I THINK, IN THE BETWEEN THE 1760S AND 1770S.
THE STUDENT DOCENTS DID A GREAT JOB GIVING US A TOUR AND TALKING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE HOME.
GOT A COUPLE OF JOB FAIRS COMING UP. WE'LL SEE THE GREATER RARITAN JOB FAIR IS ON MAY 29TH AT THE HINDU TEMPLE IN BRIDGEWATER, IT'S FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND RVCCS NEXT SEPTIC CLEANING CERTIFICATION CLASS BEGINS ON MAY 19TH, SO IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP FOR THAT.
AND THAT'S MY REPORT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION ON OUR WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER. EARLIER WAS IT THIS YEAR THAT WE LAST YEAR THAT WE THAT IT WAS PRESENTED ON AND WE PURCHASED A PIECE OF PROPERTY, AND NOW WE'RE AT THE PHASE AS TO WHAT'S NEXT FOR THIS INTERPRETIVE CENTER.
AND SO WE WILL TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO MATT LOPER.
GOOD EVENING. SO AS WE CAN SEE ON THIS PICTURE, WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER. NAME THE FINAL NAME, TBD.
RIGHT. BUT UP TO THIS POINT, THIS IS WHAT THIS PROJECT'S BEEN CALLED.
AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENING IS TO TALK ABOUT THIS CONCEPT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
KATIE HEMMINGS FROM OUR CULTURE AND HERITAGE COMMISSION VERY INTEGRAL PART OF OUR FIVE POINT PLAN.
[INAUDIBLE] INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF THIS, A LOT OF THIS WORK [INAUDIBLE] OF COURSE WHO WORKED DILIGENTLY ON THE ACQUISITION OF THIS PROPERTY TO MAKE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE.
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AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MICHAEL SCHNERING IS HERE SITTING IN THE BACK ROW.HE'S OUR HE'S OUR ARCHITECT FROM MILTON SCHNERING.
AND HE'S PRETTY PICTURES AND THE WORK THAT HE DID.
WE'LL DISCUSS THAT IN A BIT, BUT REALLY JUST WE'RE JUMPING TO THE PUNCHLINE HERE.
THIS IS THIS IS WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING FOR THIS PROJECT.
I'LL GO THROUGH A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR FIVE POINT PLAN.
THIS IS ONE COMPONENT OF IT. AND THEN WE'LL DIVE RIGHT INTO THE ACTUAL CONTENT ITSELF.
IT'S A PRESENTATION HERE. IT'S ABOUT A PROJECT WITH ITS HISTORY.
IT'S ABOUT VISION. IT'S ABOUT PLANNING. IT'S ABOUT AMBITION AND IT'S ABOUT CREATIVITY.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. AND ALL OF THAT HAS TO HAPPEN TO GET US TO THIS POINT.
SO WE'LL DO A QUICK OVERVIEW OF OF THE FIVE POINT PLAN.
AND THEN WE'LL DO AN IN-DEPTH PRESENTATION ON THIS INTERPRETIVE CENTER.
AND AS I SAID, JOSEPHINE'S GOING TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY OF THE MIDDLEBROOK ENCAMPMENT. AND THEN KATIE WILL TALK ABOUT THE ACTUAL PURPOSE THAT WE COULD USE THIS PROPERTY FOR. THIS IS A QUICK OVERVIEW. THE COUNTY ADOPTED THIS FIVE POINT PLAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR COUNTRY'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR. IT OUTLINES THESE FIVE MISSION POINTS OUR OUR DOCENT TRAINING PROGRAM.
I LIKE TO CALL IT OUR FUTURE AWARD WINNING DAYS TO GO SOME TRAINING PROGRAM.
IT WILL BE AWARDED AT SOME POINT. I'M SURE IT'S BEEN HAD A GRADUATION IN APRIL.
FIRST YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THE FIRST COMPONENT IS THE DOCENT TRAINING PROGRAM AS I JUST SAID, WE HAD OUR GRADUATION ON APRIL 5TH. THE DOCENTS, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE AT THE GRADUATION A LOT OF SMILES.
WE HAD OVER 100 VOLUNTEERS THAT SUBMITTED TO BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM.
NEXT IS THE ARCHEOLOGY AT LORD STIRLING MANOR.
THIS IS THE ACTUAL MANOR HOUSE, BUT THE SITE ITSELF IS IS IS IN RUINS.
AND WE'RE WE JUST EXECUTED A CONTRACT WITH RICHARD HUNTER AND ASSOCIATES TO DO ARCHEOLOGY.
LOOK AT ALL THE OLD WORK THAT WE'VE DONE. AND THEN ACTUALLY BRING UP A FIELD SCHOOL FOR ARCHEOLOGY.
SO THAT'S THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS. WE'RE WE'RE UP AND RUNNING WITH IT.
NEXT IS OUR 2 50TH INTERPRETIVE PLAN. WE WE ARE IN THE CONSTANT DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLAN.
WE'RE RIGHT AT THE PRECIPICE OF BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT WITH THIS.
AND ACTUALLY, MICHAEL HAS A TEAM AS WELL AS WORKING ON THIS THIS PROJECT, IT WILL HIGHLIGHT THESE FIVE SITES WHICH ARE OWNED BY THE COUNTY LORD STIRLING MANOR, THE SOUTHERN CROSS. SOUTHERN. SOUTHERN CROSS, SOUTHERN CROSS FARMSTEAD, THE WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK, THE OLD STONE ARCH BRIDGE AND MILLSTONE BOROUGH.
THE NEXT IS THE ACTUAL IMPROVEMENTS TO WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK, WHICH WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT.
THIS IS THE SITE OF THE MIDDLEBROOK ENCAMPMENTS FROM 17 IN 1777, 78 AND 79.
WE DID THAT IN 2023. WE DEMOLISHED THE BUILDING IN 2024.
WE STARTED WORKING ON NEW DRIVEWAY, WHICH WE'RE ABOUT TO GO TO BID.
IT'S SHOWN IN I DON'T KNOW WHAT COLOR IT IS. GRAY, MAYBE ON THE SOUTHERN END OF THAT, THAT THAT'S AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MAKING THIS PROPERTY MORE VALUABLE AND MORE OF A TOURISM DESTINATION.
AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT THAT NORTHERN ROUTE IS SHARED WITH A PRIVATE THOSE PRIVATE HOMES.
THIS PULLS THE THE THE TRAFFIC AWAY FROM THAT AND MAKES THIS A MORE VIABLE LOCATION.
THE LAST COMPONENT IS THE OLD STONE ARCH BRIDGE IN BOUND BROOK .
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WE'RE STILL DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL.WE'RE HOPING IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WE CAN START TAKING SOME ACTION ON IT.
THIS, IN A LOT OF WAYS, IS NOT A PROPERTY THAT WE EMBRACE HISTORY, BUT IT EXISTS FOR SURE.
BUT WE'RE NOT WE HAVE ALMOST NOTHING ON THE PROPERTY THAT REALLY TALKS ABOUT THAT.
GOOD EVENING. WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK IS THE SITE OF THE FIRST MIDDLEBROOK ENCAMPMENT OF 1777, AND THE SECOND MIDDLEBROOK ENCAMPMENT, ALSO REFERRED TO AS MIDDLEBROOK CANTONMENT OF 1777 AND 79.
THE PROPERTY, COLLOQUIALLY KNOWN AS THE EAGLE'S NEST, HOLDS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THIS VIEW.
ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION AND RESEARCH IN THE LATE 90S AND EARLY 2000 CONFIRMED THAT THE SITE HOLDS GREAT REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORY, AS WELL AS THE REMAINS OF AN 18TH CENTURY HOMESTEAD AND TAVERN, AND IT IS ALSO SAID TO BE THE SITE OF ONE ONE OF LORD STIRLING'S BEACONS.
THIS PROPERTY IS LISTED AS AN ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE ON THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY REGISTER.
SO THAT'S IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. THIS IS THE PROPERTY THAT'S THAT'S LARGE AND UNTAPPED.
AND NEXT MICHAEL IS GOING TO COME UP AND GO OVER THE ACTUAL CONCEPT ITSELF.
THANK YOU. HEY, EVERYONE. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT IN PARTICULAR.
IT IS RUNNING IN PARALLEL TO THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN, BUT IS OBVIOUSLY THE LARGEST PIECE OF THAT PLAN, AT LEAST IN A BUILT STRUCTURE. SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT INTERPRETIVE CENTER THE SITE, I THINK YOU ALL KNOW THE SITE BY NOW.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY IMPORTANT SITE. THE EMPTY PROPERTY IS A PRIME LOCATION FOR THIS INTERPRETIVE CENTER BECAUSE OF ITS, OUTLOOK OVER THE SOUTH TOWARDS AN OVER BOUND BROOK , TOWARDS PRINCETON, TOWARDS NEW BRUNSWICK AND WASHINGTON, WHO'S USING THIS SITE AS A PLACE TO WATCH THE BRITISH AND THE HESSIANS MOVE BACK AND FORTH THEY'RE TRYING TO FORM OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS, AND HE DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND. SO THE PROPERTY ON THE SOUTH END OF THIS PLAN WHERE YOU SEE LOT 41 AND SOME WORDS THAT IS THE PRIOR IMAGE THAT YOU SAW WITH THE CANNON.
THAT'S SORT OF A BLUFF THAT OVERLOOKS THE SOUTH AREA.
AND IN FRONT OF THAT, THERE'S THIS REALLY WONDERFUL MEADOW THAT IS A GRACEFUL SLOPE DOWN AND WE'RE TARGETING THAT AS THE LOCATION FOR THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER. SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRIKES US WHEN WE GO THERE IS THIS WONDERFUL CANOPY OF TREES.
SO WE'RE IN THAT CANOPY IN THIS MEADOW. AND THEN BEING DOWN IN THE MEADOW IS EQUALLY WONDERFUL.
AND YOU'RE SEEING THE VIEW OUT OVER, AS I MENTIONED, DOWN TO THE SOUTH.
THE THING THAT'S BEING DOWN IN THE MEADOW, YOU'RE NOT GETTING AS GREAT A VIEW UP AT THE BLUFF.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER. BUT WE WE INTEND TO CONQUER THAT CHALLENGE WITH THE BUILDING.
BUT WHEN WE DO A PROJECT LIKE THIS, ANY PROJECT THAT WE DO, THAT'S A NEW BUILDING.
WE TRY TO LOOK AT SOME DESIGN INSPIRATION. NOT TO COPY DESIGNS, BUT BUT TO GET SOME IDEA OF MATERIALITY HOW BUILDINGS RELATE TO THEIR SITE, HOW PEOPLE USE THESE BUILDINGS AND THE INSIDE TO OUTSIDE CONNECTIONS THAT ARE CREATED BY THE ARCHITECTURE.
AND SO THE THING THAT'S REALLY WONDERFUL ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS IS THE MATERIAL QUALITY AND AGAIN, THEIR CONNECTION TO THE CITY. AND SO TO JUMP RIGHT INTO OUR CONCEPT THIS IS A MODEST BUILDING. IT'S FAIRLY SMALL. IT'S INTENDED TO INVITE VISITORS IN FOR SMALL EVENTS, BUT ALSO ON A DAILY USE TO PROVIDE THE INTERPRETIVE DESIGN THAT IS NECESSARY TO BOTH LAUNCH FROM THIS SITE, KNOW WHAT THIS SITE IS ABOUT, BUT ALSO ALL THE OTHER SITES THAT ARE PART OF THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN.
SO WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS THE PETULA PROPERTY.
OUR PLAN SORT OF IN THE TAUPE COLOR, CONNECTING TO A NEW PARKING AREA AT THE TOP OF THE RISE.
SO THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE PLAN INTENDED TO BE 360, 360 DEGREE VIEW AROUND TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE VIEWS IN THE CENTER OF THE PLAN, A MEETING ROOM AND EXHIBIT SPACE A TOILET ROOM, SOME STORAGE ROOMS. AGAIN, VERY MODEST IN PROGRAM. THE BIGGEST AMENITY OF THIS IS REALLY THE DECK THAT GOES COMPLETELY AROUND THE BUILDING.
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AT THE TOP OF THE PLAN, YOU'RE SEEING A BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS FROM THE PARKING AREA OUT TO THE BUILDING.AND SO WHEN YOU APPROACH THIS BUILDING, THE INTENTION IS TO TO SEE AROUND YOU AND SEE NOT JUST THE BUILDING BUT THE, THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE. SO TO MAYBE, PERHAPS RECREATE SOME OF THE LANDSCAPE IN THE AREA, REMOVE SOME OF THE, THE GRAVEL AND HAVE A NICER WALK TOWARDS THIS INTERPRETIVE CENTER.
THIS IS INTENDED TO BE, AGAIN, AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE AND TAKE IN THE VIEWS.
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THIS WALKWAY, THIS BRIDGE TO PROVIDE INTERPRETIVE PLAN ELEMENTS.
SO YOU MAY HAVE A TIMELINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE SIDE, YOU'LL SEE THAT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE.
SO POTENTIAL VIEW FROM THE INSIDE. RIGHT NOW THIS IS A CONCEPT DESIGN.
PENSION IS TO HAVE THIS SIT VERY LIGHTLY IN THE LANDSCAPE.
SO ONLY TOUCHING IN A FEW LOCATIONS FOR THE FOUNDATION.
AND AGAIN, YOU'RE SORT OF OUT OVER THAT MEADOW, EXPERIENCING THE LANDSCAPE.
YES. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU MICHAEL.
JUST A FANTASTIC JOB GETTING TO THIS POINT. AND KATIE IS GOING TO COME UP AND JUST TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAMING USE AND WHAT WE KIND OF ENVISIONED FOR THIS SPACE IN ADDITION TO JUST THE PUBLIC ACTUALLY GOING THERE TO TAKE A LOOK.
THERE'S THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE A SPACE FOR FUTURE USE.
THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER AT WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK CAN SERVE AS A HUB FOR EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT AND CONNECTION TO SOMERSET COUNTY'S HISTORIC ASSETS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRAM AND USE THIS SPACE TO ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC.
THE CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION ACTUALLY WORKS CLOSELY WITH SEVERAL LOCAL ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY FOCUSED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFTEN DO EXPRESS TO US THEIR NEED TO LOCATE AN ADA ACCESSIBLE SPACE WITHIN SOMERSET COUNTY THAT CAN SERVE MULTIPLE PURPOSES.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER WOULD OFFER A COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE AND MEETING SPACE THAT COULD BE USED BY HISTORICAL SOCIETIES, COMMUNITY GROUPS, LOCAL CLUBS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
IT CAN PROVIDE EXHIBITION SPACE FOR ARTIFACTS OR ARTWORK, AS WELL AS SPACE TO HOST EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, CLASSES OR LECTURES, AND COULD POTENTIALLY EVEN SERVE AS A SMALL SIZED PERFORMANCE SPACE FOR OUR LOCAL MUSIC ORGANIZATIONS.
OVERALL, THERE ARE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRAM THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND UTILIZE THE SPACE IN CREATIVE, ENGAGING WAYS THAT WOULD CATER TO NOT ONLY OUR RESIDENTS, BUT VISITORS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, ALL IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WOULD HIGHLIGHT THE COUNTY'S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AS WELL AS OUR BEAUTIFUL PARK LAND. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF JOSEPHINE, TOM, KATIE, SAMANTHA ADAM, OUR ARCHITECT FROM THOSE RESTORING.
WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN A REALLY GOOD PLACE. WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD DESIGN.
AND ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.
THE GREENERY, THE MATERIALS THAT ARE THAT ARE BEING USED FOR THE SPACE JUST CAPTURING THE NATURAL AMBIANCE AND NATURE FEEL TO THE SPACE IN THAT, ON THAT PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR CAPTURING THAT FOR US.
I THINK WE ALL COULD AGREE, AS WE SET OUT TO APPROVE, TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY AND BRINGING IT TO FRUITION AND AND BEING ABLE TO TIE THE DIFFERENT SITES TOGETHER FOR OUR 250TH, MAKING AGAIN A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT SOMERSET COUNTY.
[00:35:01]
THROUGH THE DIFFERENT SITES. THANK YOU JUST A COUPLE QUESTIONS, SO I ASSUME IT'LL BE ARCHEOLOGY DONE THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY WHEN THEY'RE WORKING ON IT. I THINK WE WE MIGHT ALREADY HAVE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT.SO THE REST OF THE PROPERTY IS JUST GOING TO BE CLEARED, OBVIOUSLY THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY.
CAN YOU JUST GO BACK A COUPLE SLIDES MAYBE TO SOMETHING LIKE AN AERIAL THAT SHOWS.
THE THE REST OF THE PROPERTY IS REALLY. BUT THIS ISN'T THIS IS JUST A WAY.
IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT SOUTH OF JUST THE PROPERTY.
RIGHT. YEAH. YOU CAN SEE THE OR MAYBE 1 OR 2.
YEAH YEAH YEAH, YEAH. SO THAT'S THE BUILDING SITE WITH THE PROPERTY IS THE AREA THAT'S SHOWN LIKE A TRAPEZOID EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE ON. RIGHT. YEAH. SO SO BUT ANYTHING THERE WE'LL TAKE DOWN.
YES. AND THEN JUST THE BUILDINGS DOWN ALREADY ON THAT PROPERTY.
WE DID A BUNCH OF WORK FOR THE DRIVEWAY ITSELF.
RIGHT. AND ADAM CAN CORRECT ME. WE DID A BUNCH OF ARCHEOLOGY AND IT CAME UP CLEAN.
WE HAD THE SITE ALL THE WAY TO THE EAST, WHICH JOSEPHINE I REFER TO.
IT'S IT'S AN OLD TAVERN FROM THE 1700S THAT THERE IS SOME EXISTENCE THERE.
THAT'S ALL THE WAY TOWARDS VOSSLER OKAY. OKAY. RIGHT.
WOULD BE OPPORTUNITY FOR BIRDING HERE, TOO. IS THAT SOMETHING? I MEAN, WE HAVE THE THE HAWK WATCH JUST AROUND THE CORNER OR AROUND THE AROUND THE BEND, IF YOU WILL.
THE THE HAWK WATCH. THEY DO A LOT OF BIRD COUNTS OUT THERE, AND FOR A WHILE, THE PARK BISHOP WAS DOING SOME PROGRAMING OUT THERE, AND I THINK THIS MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TO RESTART SOME OF THAT PROGRAMING.
YOU KNOW, THEY CAN DO THEIR COUNTS. THEY CAN DO, YOU KNOW, GET ALL THEIR INFORMATION.
THEY CAN USE THE BUILDING EITHER FOR MEETINGS FOR, YOU KNOW, KIND OF DETERMINING.
RIGHT. SO I MEAN, IT MIGHT BE A GREAT BIRDING SPOT JUST THE SAME.
I'M JUST WONDERING, YEAH, THE LOCATION ITSELF WOULD BE A GREAT BIRDING SPOT BECAUSE IT ENHANCES IT.
YEAH. THE HAWK WATCH IS GREAT BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF GOT THIS 360 VIEW OF THE SKY.
I MEAN, YOU LOOK UP THERE, THEY'RE COUNTING [INAUDIBLE].
SO I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT VANTAGE POINT FOR THAT.
SO AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, THERE WILL BE SOME ARCHEOLOGICAL OVERSIGHT AS WELL.
SO THAT'S GREAT. LET ME MAKE SURE THAT WE COVER EVERYTHING.
SO. I DON'T THINK SO. I HOPE NOT. NO. YES. IT WAS IN HOMAGE TO HER [INAUDIBLE] NICKNAME FOR HIS PROPERTY. SO IT LOOKS LIKE AN EAGLE'S NEST TOO, WHICH IS VERY NICE.
COMMISSIONER DRAKE, ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR QUESTION? PARKING.
HOW MANY PARKING SPACES ARE WE LOOKING AT? SO THE OTHER CONCERNS. I HAVE LOTS OF WINDOWS IN A PLACE THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO A LOT OF BIRDING AND BIRDING BIRDS CAN'T SEE THROUGH WINDOWS. SO HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR AVIAN FRIENDS FROM NOT SLAMMING INTO ALL THESE WINDOWS?
[00:40:04]
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT. THERE MIGHT BE SOME.WAYS TO TREAT THE GLASS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SPECIFIC TREATMENT WOULD BE HERE DEPENDING ON ITS LOCATION, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER. WE HAVE TO CONSIDER, NOT CONSIDER.
WE HAVE TO DO. WELL. WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND THEN IMPLEMENT IT.
OKAY. I MEAN, BECAUSE IF WE CAN'T GET THAT DONE, I DON'T THINK IT'S AN APPROPRIATE DESIGN.
ABSOLUTELY. THE OTHER THING IS, YOU DO REALIZE WE HAVE BUILDING STANDARDS.
YES. ARE WE INCORPORATING OUR GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS INTO THIS, WHETHER IT BE HEAT PUMPS, WHERE WILL THERE BE SOLAR? HOW ARE WE FUELING THE SMALL BUILDING? WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT YET, BUT THE INTENTION IS TO COMPLY WITH THE COUNTY'S SUSTAINABLE BUILDING POLICIES.
OKAY, THAT'S ALL GOOD. BATHROOM FACILITY. OKAY.
I LIKE IT JUST ONE ONE BATHROOM FACILITY FOR EVERYBODY.
THAT'S GREAT. I WOULD IMAGINE WHEN YOU DO THE DESIGN, THERE'LL BE A BABY CHANGING STATION IN THERE.
THERE CERTAINLY WILL BE. OKAY. WHAT ABOUT OUR FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS? CAN WE HAVE SOME KIND OF WATER ACCESS ON THE OUTSIDE SO THAT OUR FOUR LEGGED VISITORS CAN GET WATER? BUT THIS IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT. AND SOMETIMES ONCE IT'S ON THE LAUNCH, IT'S WE LOSE THE ABILITY TO GET THESE THINGS. ALSO, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STORYBOARDS ON HERE.
SO THERE'S THAT WHOLE ROUND VIEWPOINT, RIGHT? WILL THERE BE STORYBOARDS ON THOSE SLANTED PARTS AROUND, OR ARE THE STORYBOARDS GOING TO BE WALKING FROM THE PARKING LOT? WHERE ARE THE STORYBOARDS GOING TO BE? SO OUR NEXT STEP IS TO INTEGRATE THIS DESIGN WITH THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN.
SO WE NEED TO NOW MESH THE TWO PROJECTS TOGETHER.
THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS LIKE THESE. OKAY. OKAY.
AND THEN THE OTHER LAST QUESTION, WILL THE BUILD, WILL THE WINDOWS OPEN AT ALL OR ARE THESE JUST GOING TO BE SHUT? AGAIN, THAT'S ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT.
MIC] I'M EXCITED AND I'M VERY EXCITED THAT WE CAN GET THIS DONE. IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY TIGHT TURNAROUND HERE BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON 2026, SO WE'VE GOT A REALLY TIGHT TURNAROUND TO GET THIS DONE AND IN PLACE AND OPEN BY 26.
IF WE CAN GET IT DONE FOR 26 THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.
I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT.
I THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE'RE. WE HAVEN'T YET.
YOU HAVE ALL THE ELEMENTS TO YOUR FAVOR. I DON'T SEE A LEED.
YOU KNOW, LEED, LEED SILVER, LEED GOLD WOULD BE A BIG LIFT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU START LOOKING AT YOUR ENERGY PROFILE, WHICH SHOULD BE PRETTY LOW. RIGHT. THANK YOU.
IT'S A NICE CONCEPT. THANK YOU.
[00:45:35]
YEAH. YEAH. GREAT JOB EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS THE NJ DOT INVITING ENTITIES TO APPLY FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR 2026, STATE AID PROGRAMS JCP AND L NOTICED THE PUBLIC HEARING OF A PETITION REGARDING THE PY THREE INITIAL PERIOD RIDER LRAM FILING FOOD BANK NETWORK OF SOMERSET COUNTY, THANKING US FOR SELECTING THEM AS ONE OF THE WINNERS FOR THE ANNUAL TD BANK BALLPARK DRAWING. COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER NOTICED\ THE FEES COLLECTED FOR APRIL 2025, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,332,251.94 AND THE BOROUGH OF SOMERVILLE PLANNING BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR FOURTH ROUND OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FAIR SHARE HOUSING PLAN.NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION RESOLUTION 25 1001 FOR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE.
THIS DONATION WILL SUPPORT OUR SOMERSET COUNTY ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION.
RESOLUTION 25 - IS AUTHORIZING A CHANGE IN THE MONETARY AMOUNT FOR RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER'S CHANGE FUND.
RESOLUTION 25 -1004 OFFICE OF OPERATIONS AND PLANNING AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF R25-706 TO CORRECT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS ALLOCATED TO MUNICIPAL ALLIANCES AND COUNTY WIDE TRAINING FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2026. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $156,000.
[00:50:56]
25-10 10 IS AWARDED CONTRACT CC 0001-24 TO W.B.MASON, B2B SUPPLIES OFFICE CONCEPTS FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT, PRINTER, INK, CARTRIDGE AND TONER JUST IN TIME DELIVERY.
IT'S THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT. RESOLUTION 25-1011 OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES AWARD OF CONTRACT CY-COM-0009-24S TO PRACTICE HOME CARE SERVICES OF BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY FOR CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AIDE UNDER AGING 2025-27 AREA PLAN CONTRACT FIRST YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $75,582.
25-1012 OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES AMENDING RESOLUTION R24-2476 TO INCREASE AWARD CONTRACT CY-COM-00924 FOR LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHWEST JERSEY IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,000, FOR A NEW TOTAL OF $153,000. JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF SOMERSET, HUNTERDON AND WARREN COUNTIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,551, FOR A NEW TOTAL OF $42,551 PER FRIENDLY VISITOR AND $1,941, FOR A NEW TOTAL OF $83,146 FOR SENIOR SHOPPER FOR A PERIOD OF JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER 2025.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $55,492. 25 -1013 OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITIES AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUATION OF A CONTRACT WITH THE OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROGRAM FOR THE AMOUNT OF $64,350. CONTRACT NUMBER 26 AQTC FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2025 TO JUNE 30TH, 2026. RESOLUTION 25-1014 RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY SERVICES.
CONTRACT CC-10154-25R DUE TO THE NEED TO SUBSTANTIALLY REVISE THE SPECIFICATIONS.
25-1015 RICHARD HALL, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER AWARD OF CONTRACT CC-9091-25 TO TWR SPECIALTY VEHICLES FOR THE UPLIFT OF A 2024 FORD TRANSIT VAN FOR THE RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER FOR A MOBILE HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $66,545.
RESOLUTION 25-1016. WE'RE GOING TO VOID THAT.
RESOLUTION 25-1017 RICHARD HALL, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER APPROVAL TO AMEND AN INCREASE RESOLUTION 25-821 BY $5,697.04 TO CORRECT THE AMOUNT OF A CONTRACT AND PAYMENT TO PRINCETON INSURANCE COMPANY, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY , FOR RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER STAFF FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 1ST, 2025 TO JUNE 1ST, 2026. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $32,392.88.
[00:55:16]
RESOLUTION 25 1019 AWARD OF CONTRACT ENTITLED LIFE AND SAFETY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF HARDWARE REPLACEMENT UTILIZING A STATE CONTRACT SC83916 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $21,243.63.DON'T KNOW. I CAN FIND OUT. OKAY, THANKS. RESOLUTION 25-1023 APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO GALL'S PARENT HOLDINGS LLC, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, FOR $1,196. EXCUSE ME. $0.24. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,196.24.
RESOLUTION 25-1024 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY SHERIFF TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,211.20. THAT'S A RED BANK VETERINARIAN HOSPITAL HILLSBORO FOR $1,347.77 UPS GROUND FREIGHT OUT OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, FOR $18.18. AND TOSHIBA OUT OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FOR $845.25.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $40. RESOLUTION 25-1026 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO HAHR CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY F OR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR REPAIRS OF VARIOUS PARK COMMISSION STRUCTURES.
RESOLUTION 25-1028 IS AUTHORIZING RETURN OF FUNDS TO NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR COVID 19 PANDEMIC DISASTER ASSISTANCE OVERPAYMENT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $7,128.61. 25-1029 IS AUTHORIZING REFUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF APPEALS FEES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $200. 25-1030 IS AN APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO ANNE M.
DREPS FROM POMPTON PLAINS, NEW JERSEY , TOLD NOT TO EXCEED $49.92.
AND 25-1031 IS PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE SAME.
RESOLUTION 25-1032 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO WINDSTREAM FOR INTERNET AND VOICE OVER IP SERVICES THROUGH JANUARY THROUGH MARCH 2025. INVOICES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $33,126.24.
[01:00:01]
RESOLUTION 25-1033 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO WHITSON'S ISLANDIA NEW YORK FOR MEALS.TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $112,147.55.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $265.25. 25-1035 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RETRIEVER MEDICAL DENTAL PAYMENT DBA RECTANGLE HEALTH, VALHALLA, NEW YORK FOR BRIDGE COMPLIANCE FOR HIPAA.
25-1051 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO BRT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC AND CAMERA DATA FOR SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF TAXATION AND 21 MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR OFFICES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH OF 2025.
[01:05:03]
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $47,484.51. 25-1052 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO BRT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC FOR PROPERTY RECORD SEARCH DATA FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF TAXATION AND THE 21 MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR OFFICES FOR THE YEAR 2025 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,000. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 25-1000 THROUGH 25-1052 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR MAY 27TH. MOTION. OKAY. ROLL CALL PLEASE.IT'S 25-951 IS AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR SHP MEDICAL DIRECTION, FORMERLY SCOTT [INAUDIBLE] AND D.
BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND AFCME LOCAL 3487 REPRESENTING PUBLIC WORKS, ROADS AND BRIDGES, WORKERS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATORS. RESOLUTION 25-955 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION LOCAL 225 RATIFICATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2027 BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION LOCAL 225.
RESOLUTION 25-956 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO THE COUNTY OF MORRIS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY , FOR THE PAYMENT OF OUTSIDE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR SOMERSET COUNTY INMATES HOUSED IN THE MORRIS COUNTY JAIL FOR 2024.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $102,339.66.
GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 25-957 IS ADOPTING THE 2025 SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY BUDGET.
THE LIBRARY'S OPERATING BUDGET IS COMING IN AT $21,115,636, AND IT SETS THE LIBRARY TAX LEVY AT $19,664,347.
AND 25-958 IS ADOPTING THE 2025 SOMERSET COUNTY OPEN SPACE RECREATION, FARMLAND AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION TRUST FUND LEVY THAT IS LEVIED AT $0.03 PER 100, AND IT IS ESTIMATED TO BE $ 25,503,586 BASED OFF OF THIS YEAR'S PROJECT.
25-959 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION AND APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES, AND THE RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT OF SERVICES ON A FEE FOR SERVICE BASIS FOR UNINSURED SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER INITIATIVE CLIENTS WHEN TREATMENT IS PERFORMED FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1ST, 2025 TO JUNE 30TH, 2027.
[01:10:11]
OH, SORRY. IS IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTIONS 25-9 51 THROUGH 25-959 TO THE AGENDA FOR MAY 13TH, 2025 MEETING. IS THERE A SECOND ? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.YES. YES. YES. YES. NOW WE COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK FIVE MINUTES.
NO YIELDING OF TIME. NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.
PLEASE COME UP STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. SO ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK.
OH, IS THERE A MOTION? IT WILL. MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC.
ALL IN FAVOR? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.
HARIBO L AGER 1243 CANAL ROAD, GRIGGSTOWN, NEW JERSEY .
YEAH, I NOTICED THIS BUDGET IS I KNEW I WAS COMING HERE 20 YEARS AGO OR SO WITH HANDS ACROSS NEW JERSEY , AND I BELIEVE THE BUDGET WAS JUST UNDER $100 MILLION NOW IT'S $298 MILLION.
AND AND SO MANY THOUSANDS THAT WELL, I DON'T KNOW, I PERSONALLY, I LOOK AT GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL AND IT'S JUST SO MUCH SPENDING. I MEAN, I HEARD A GUY TODAY SAY WHAT DO YOU SAY? WE GOTTA THINK CAPITALISM. WE CAN'T THINK COMMUNISM.
SO THAT'S MY WORD TODAY THAT WE GOTTA LOOK AT WHAT THEY WERE SPENDING.
I THINK THE SPENDING IS SO OUT OF CONTROL IN NEW JERSEY .
I WROTE A LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, SO I EXPECT A RESPONSE.
AND I TALKED TO THE WHITE HOUSE A FEW TIMES. SO I SAID NEW JERSEY IS BECAUSE I WORKED WITH HANDS ACROSS NEW JERSEY , AND WE BELIEVED IN HONEST AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, AND WE FOUGHT THEM IN TRENTON, TO NO AVAIL.
AND WE HAD A MILLION SIGNATURES ON PETITION FOR SMALLER GOVERNMENT THAT HAD $11 BILLION BUDGET THEN NOW THEY GOT A $56 BILLION BUDGET LAST YEAR. SO YOU KNOW, WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
AND A FRIEND OF MINE WHOSE FATHER WAS A BANKER IN PRINCETON, DREW FOSTER.
AND I'M GLAD I KNOW PRESIDENT TRUMP UNDERSTANDS THAT.
AND YES, I WAS WATCHING CHARLES PAYNE TODAY ON FINANCIAL BUSINESS, AND HE HAD A GUY ON THERE AND SAID, WE'RE LUCKY WE HAVEN'T DOVE INTO A DEPRESSION IN THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE WE'VE LOST SO MUCH INDUSTRY IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE LOST, LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, 6 MILLION JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY IN RECENT TIMES.
AND WELL, ANYWAY, HOPEFULLY THESE TARIFFS, IF WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH, IF WE'RE LUCKY, THEY CAN HELP SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM TOTAL DESTRUCTION BECAUSE. AND ANOTHER GUY LISTENED TO THIS RAY DALIO AND HE'S A BILLIONAIRE.
HE, HE LIVED IN AN APARTMENT WHEN HE WAS A KID OVER IN NEW YORK.
AND HE'S ON THE MY COMPUTER WITH GREG MANNARINO.
AND HE TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE SUPER CYCLE AND THE FOURTH TURNING, AND WE'RE ALREADY IN THE FOURTH TURNING, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS COUNTRY WILL EVEN HOLD TOGETHER THE WAY WE'RE GOING.
AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE THE BUDGET LIKE HERE SHOULD BE CUT LIKE IN HALF.
AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CUT THE HAIR, I'LL CHALLENGE YOU.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CUT THE BUDGET IN HALF, PAY THE $37 TRILLION WORTH OF DEBT TO THIS COUNTRY OWES BECAUSE THE DEBT IS GROWING AT $2 TRILLION A YEAR. AND NOBODY ADDRESSES THIS KIND OF STUFF.
I MEAN, HOW FAR CAN YOU GO OUT? I MEAN, THAT'S $100 BILLION FOR EVERY TRILLION.
SO I DON'T KNOW. TO ME, THE WHOLE THING IS MADNESS, I DON'T KNOW.
IT'S LIKE LIVING IN WE GOT HYPERINFLATION AND YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING'S THAT WAY.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY REALLY IS ACCOUNTABLE OR DOES ANYTHING TO REALLY RECTIFY ANYTHING.
I MEAN, I MEAN, I'M A VIETNAM VETERAN. I MEAN, THIS THIS COUNTRY KILLED 58,200 MEN.
THEY THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO WIN THE WAR. WE WENT TO WAR TO LOSE.
IMAGINE PUTTING A MAN IN UNIFORM AND SAY, GO FIGHT A WAR TO LOSE.
I WENT THERE TO WIN. I DIDN'T GO THERE TO LOSE.
[01:15:03]
BUT THAT'S THE KIND OF COUNTRY THIS IS. AND NOW ALL THE MEN ARE DEAD FOR WHAT? FIGHT FIGHT COMMUNISM. WE CAN FIGHT COMMUNISM RIGHT HERE.THE DEBT MONEY SYSTEM IS A FRAUD. THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S A FRAUD.
IT'S JUST DISGUSTING. WELL, I APOLOGIZE FOR SERVING THIS COUNTRY IN UNIFORM BECAUSE IT WASN'T WORTH FIGHTING FOR AND I THINK IT'S A HATE CRIME AGAINST VETERANS THE WAY WE'RE TREATED IN THIS COUNTRY BY THIS ILLEGAL MONEY SYSTEM, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF USING A DEBT MONEY SYSTEM, BECAUSE THAT'S LIKE ROBBING PEOPLE. I MEAN, IF I COULD PRINT MONEY UP AT WILL, YOU KNOW, WHERE DO YOU.
WHERE DO YOU STOP? YOU KNOW HOW MANY TRILLIONS YOU NEED? YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? WELL, ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY.
HAVE A GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? YES.
DOORS, BECAUSE IT'S HORRIBLE. WE SOMETIMES WE CAN'T HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON AS AN AUDIENCE.
SO I THINK A LITTLE ENGINEERING WORK WOULD HELP.
THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? NO ONE ON MY END. NO ONE ON YOUR END. HEARING NONE.
SEEING NONE. WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. WE WILL PAUSE A COUPLE OF SECONDS AS WE LET OUR GUESTS FROM THE LOBBY IN.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.