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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 27, 2025.]
2025. ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTYBOARDMEETING@CO.SOMERSET.NJ.US.
THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING (908) 231-7075.
WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR MAY 27TH, 2025 WORK SESSION OF SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED JUNE 11TH, 2025. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING UNLESS THE MEASURE AND ITS ADOPTION ARE NEEDED IN A MANNER NECESSARY TO CONTINUE COUNTY BUSINESS.
. WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR REPORTS. I WILL BE VERY BRIEF.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WALK TODAY WITH THE CANVASSERS WHO ARE OUT AND ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT SERVICES SOMERSET COUNTY OFFERS. WE STARTED THIS BACK IN A MONTH AGO, AND THE CANVASSERS STARTED IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, AND IT PRETTY MUCH JUST SAYS, DO YOU KNOW, SOMERSET COUNTY HAS RESOURCES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND DO YOU NEED SERVICES NOW? TALKING WITH THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OUT AND ABOUT, THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED GREAT RESPONSES.
THEY WERE APPRECIATIVE THAT WE HAD THESE SERVICES BEING OFFERED AND BEING MADE AWARE.
THEY ARE ALSO HANDING OUT NARCAN. SO THAT HAS BEEN GOING VERY SUCCESSFULLY.
AND AGAIN, THOSE THAT ARE RECEPTIVE AT THE DOOR ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE ARE BEING MADE AWARE OF THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE, WHETHER IT'S MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING ENERGY AND THE LIKE.
BUT CERTAINLY, THE PLETHORA OF SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
WE'RE OUT THERE AND WE'RE HAVING PEOPLE TELLING OUR STORY AND WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR, FOR OUR COUNTIES. WE ALSO HAD THE RVC COLLEGE GRADUATION ON LAST WEEKEND.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT TO SEE AS MANY HONORS GRADS IN AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE.
I THINK HALF OF THE STUDENTS WERE HONOR GRADS AND SOME CUM LAUDE, BUT IT WAS JUST GREAT.
IN THEIR EFFORTS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES, THEIR STUDENT SPEAKER ACTUALLY GRADUATED WITH HER ASSOCIATES FROM RVC BEFORE ACTUALLY GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SO THAT JUST TELLS YOU THE SERVICES THAT THAT WE INVEST IN IN RVC ALONG WITH HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
THE STUDENTS AT RVC TAKE THEIR EDUCATION SERIOUSLY AND WE BELIEVE IN THEM.
AND IT WAS A GREAT SIGHT TO SEE AS ALWAYS. I KNOW PROM SEASON IS COMING UP.
PEOPLE ARE GETTING READY FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS, MOVING ON TO THEIR NEXT.
WHETHER IT'S A CAREER PATH, WHETHER IT'S GOING ON CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION, AND THEN THOSE WHO GRADUATED FROM COLLEGES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKENDS OUR HATS GO OFF TO YOU. GREAT, GREAT, GREAT TALENT RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
THEY ARE DOING A GREAT THING. AND WE ALSO HAD THE NJAC CONFERENCE ABOUT EARLIER IN THE MONTH.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BRING THEM IN AND RECOGNIZE THEM.
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THEY TOOK AWAY AN AWARD FOR THEIR DISPLAY, I BELIEVE IT WAS, OR THEIR PRESENTATION.THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT. EVERY YEAR THE STUDENTS CREATE A MENU.
THEY DO THE COOKING. THEY HAVE SOME OF THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS DO THE DISPLAYS.
AND MORE TO COME ON THAT. IT IS JUST HOT OFF THE PRESSES.
SO, I WILL AT OUR NEXT MEETING, I WILL PROVIDE A MORE THOROUGH UPDATE.
BUT THERE'S ALSO THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW. THERE'S LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN PASSED WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TEACH AND PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WHAT THEY CALL THE CLEAR PROGRAM. IT'S A FIVE STEP PROVISION PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM TO MAKE HUMAN TRAFFICKING CLEAR TO STUDENTS AND CLEAR STANDS FOR COMPREHENSION, LIVED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, ACTION AND RESPONSE.
AND THIS IS DONE BY THE NEW JERSEY COALITION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
AND AGAIN, IT IS PART OF THE CURRICULUM FOR THE HEALTH.
AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EDUCATORS ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A REQUIREMENT IN THEIR HEALTH CLASS, BEGINNING IN THE SIXTH GRADE. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR MY REPORT AT THIS TIME.
SO, IT'S GREAT FOR THE COUNTY. IT'S GREAT FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
I WAS AT THE BERNARDS CHARTER DAY. HAPPY 265TH BIRTHDAY TO BERNARDS TOWNSHIP.
VERY WELL RECEIVED. ALWAYS A GREAT DAY. THEY DO A BEAUTIFUL JOB IN WELCOMING THE COMMUNITY THERE.
I JUST LOVE BEING THERE. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION AND COMMEMORATION TO THOSE THAT HAVE FALLEN.
VERY BUSY. SOMERVILLE, DOWNTOWN, SOMERVILLE, ALLIANCE ALL DID AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB.
BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE. SOME GREAT NEWS FROM OUR OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD.
WHILE IT'S STILL NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE CLOSED ON THE HILLSBOROUGH GOLF COURSE.
IT IS NOW SAFELY IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY'S HANDS 400 PLUS ACRES OF PRESERVED, WELL PRESERVED LAND.
THAT WILL BE GOING INTO OUR PARKS DIVISION SOON, SO STAY TUNED AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THIS IS A VERY LARGE LAND ACQUISITION FOR US, SO WE WILL BE TAKING OUR TIME TO MAKE PLANS TO PLAN THAT PARK OUT TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC. SO, STAY TUNED FOR WHAT THE PLANS ARE GOING FORWARD.
WE ACQUIRED THE LAND. SO SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
ALSO EXCITED ABOUT SOME NEW GRANT PROGRAMS. WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT AT THIS POINT.
YEARS AGO, WE TALKED ABOUT A WALK, BIKE HIKE STUDY THAT THE COUNTY HAD DONE, EXCELLENT STUDY, TRYING TO MOTIVATE FOR MORE TRAILS, MORE BIKING, PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY, ET CETERA.
HOW DO WE GET OUR COMMUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED WITH THAT? HOW DO WE GET OUR COMMUNITIES TO BUY INTO THIS PLAN TO MAKE THE COUNTY MORE ACCESSIBLE BY FOOT AND BY BIKE.
OUR OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD, WE HAVE BEEN DOING REC GRANTS FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WHICH HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL, AND WE ARE NOW GOING TO PIVOT AND WORK WITH WALK BIKE HIKE PLANS.
SO OUR WALK BIKE TRAILS PROGRAM, A A A GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH OUR OPEN SPACE FUNDING WILL BE GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES, I THINK THIS WEEK, THIS WEEK.
SO MORE TO COME ON THAT AND APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE COMING DOWN THE PIPE.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO AND I TOO ATTENDED CHARTER DAY OVER IN BERNARDS TOWNSHIP.
THAT WAS MY HIGH SCHOOL RIVAL. AND WHEN THE TOWN CHARTERS ENDED UP SPLITTING.
IN TERMS OF THE HISTORY BETWEEN BERNARDSVILLE AND BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, BERNARDSVILLE, WE KEPT THE COLOR, AND IT USED TO BE THE RED DEVILS FOR THEIR MASCOT AND WITH EVERYTHING SPLITTING UP, NOW THEY'RE THE GREEN DEVILS AND WE'RE THE RED MOUNTAINEERS.
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SO FOR ANY ANYONE WHO ATTENDS ANY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS, IF YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE REASON WHY WE STILL HAVE SOME OF THOSE RIVALRIES TODAY, BUT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR IT.WE ALWAYS KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY RAIN.
I ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE FOR BERNARDSVILLE MY HOMETOWN THERE VERY WELL ATTENDED.
AND WE ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE THE COMMUNITY COMING OUT.
SO, WE APPRECIATE ALL THE LIVES THAT WERE SACRIFICED IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY THE WAY IT IS TODAY. AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. I ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE OF MAYORS WHERE WE HAD OUR VERY.
OWN COLLEEN MAHR ACTUALLY SPEAK AS A PHENOMENAL ADMINISTRATOR IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND HOW PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY WORK BETTER WITH THEIR ADMINISTRATORS, WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE SURE IT'S AS STREAMLINED AS POSSIBLE.
AND WE COULD SEE SOME OF THOSE BENEFITS TODAY ON THIS BEAUTIFUL CHART BEHIND ME.
SOMERSET COUNTY IS THE NUMBER ONE COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.
SO MORE TO COME. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
I ALSO ATTENDED A FEW PARADES. CERTAINLY, AS WE ALL COMMEMORATE MEMORIAL DAY WAS A DAY OF REFLECTION AND I THINK REAL POSITIVE OUTCOME OF FOLKS BEAUTIFUL WEATHER. JUST TO REFLECT ON WHO WE'VE LOST OVER THE MANY, MANY YEARS.
BOTH IN SOMERVILLE. I WAS AT THE BIKE RACES. THAT ALSO WAS A JUST A STELLAR EVENT.
THE 80TH MEMORIAL OR THE 80TH RUNNING OF THE SOMERVILLE BIKE RACE.
GREAT AMOUNT OF FOLKS IN SOMERVILLE WALKING AROUND, ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS, ENJOYING THE BIKE RACES.
SO THAT WAS A REAL TREAT, TOO. I WANT TO WELCOME MOLLY GREEN, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES.
NOW SHE'S IN OUR AUDIENCE. WELCOME, MOLLY. CERTAINLY WAS ON HER FIRST WEEK OF EMPLOYMENT HERE AT THE COUNTY WAS THE HEAD AND HELPING TO FACILITATE WITH ALL THE STAFF AT THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A GREAT CONFERENCE HELD AT RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE THROUGH THE STIGMA FREE COMMITTEE AND THE HUMAN SERVICES COLLABORATION, IT WAS REALLY A BRINGING TOGETHER OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STIGMA FREE COMMITTEE AND RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICE.
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY OF DISCUSSION, OF DEBATE, OF REALLY OUTREACH.
AND NOT ONLY THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED SETTING UP THEIR TABLES AND REALLY TALK ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING OFFERED, BUT ALSO THE ABILITY TO HAVE REAL DISCUSSION.
THE IN-PERSON CONFERENCE FEATURED THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, AND SHE WAS FABULOUS.
SHE'S THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND SUMMERS COUNTY EDUCATOR, STEPHANIE LOCHNER.
AND SHE, YOU KNOW, HER PRESENTATION, HER STYLE, HER DELIVERY WAS JUST, YOU KNOW, REALLY TOP NOTCH.
I THINK THERE WAS AT LEAST 200 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING FROM ALL OVER THE, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY JUST SOMERSET COUNTY, BUT REALLY FROM ALL OVER AND SHOWS HOW WE CAN REALLY DO THESE POWERFUL MESSAGES AND BRING IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
AND I THINK THAT THAT REALLY SHOWED. I JUST HAVE A FEW MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO SORT OF SWITCH TOPICS, GO OVER TO THE ROSE DAY FESTIVAL AT COLONIAL PARK.
AND THAT DAY IS FULL OF ACTIVITIES. NOT ONLY THE PUBLIC COMES OUT TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL ROSES AND THE DISPLAYS, BUT ALSO A COUPLE BANDS PLAYING. THERE'LL BE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN.
THERE'LL BE, YOU KNOW, FOOD TRUCKS AND THE LIKE.
SO IT'S A GREAT DAY AT THE PARK. AND I THINK THE FINAL THING I WANT TO MENTION, GOING BACK TO HUMAN SERVICES, A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC WITH THE COUNTY IS THE PUBLIC FORUM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HOSTING TO UPDATE THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THE OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS. THE SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICE OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES AND ITS ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL HOST A PUBLIC HEARING.
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I MENTIONED THIS THE LAST MEETING, BUT I WANT TO REEMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS HEARING.REGARDING THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR ADULTS 60 PLUS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.
THAT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4TH AT 10:30 A.M.
AT THE SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER IN BRIDGEWATER AT 876 EAST MAIN STREET IN BRIDGEWATER.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING IS TO OFFER COUNTY RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE NEEDS OF THOSE, OR 60 PLUS, AND THEIR CAREGIVERS AND PERSONS LIVING WITH A DISABILITY.
THE 2025 2027 AREA PLAN CONTRACT UPDATES INCLUDE SERVICES FUNDED UNDER TITLE THREE OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ACT, AND ALSO THE STATE SAFE HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL FUNDS.
SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT IS THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO FOLKS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND HOW THEY'RE FUNDED, AND THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM ALL OF US WHAT PROGRAMS WE KNOW ARE SO ARE SO CRITICAL.
AND TO EMPHASIZE THAT. SO PLEASE COME OUT TO THIS PUBLIC HEARING AND REALLY PUT IT ON THE RECORD THAT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE CRITICAL THINGS WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
SO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. AND THAT'S THE END OF MY REPORT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK OR SO.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE RVC GRADUATION WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO COLLEEN MAHR, WHOSE SON WAS AMONG THE GRADUATES.
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE OTHER COLLEGE GRADUATES.
LAST WEEK I ATTENDED THE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN DAY.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON WAS THERE AS WELL, I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER SOOY ALSO WAS THERE THIS IS AN EVENT THAT IS HOSTED BY ED GRAF, WHO TEACHES AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY VO-TECH SCHOOL.
IT'S ALWAYS HELD THE THURSDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY, WHERE THEY HONOR FALLEN SOLDIERS.
THEY HAVE IT THERE EVERY YEAR. THEY'VE GOT A PLAQUE THAT HONORS VETERANS FROM WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, KOREA AND VIETNAM. IT WAS VERY NICE EVENT, NICELY ATTENDED.
AND LET'S SEE, I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK WHICH IS GOING TO RECEIVE A NATIONAL AWARD. THIS IS THE HUNGER LEADERSHIP AWARD THAT IS PRESENTED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL HUNGER CENTER.
THIS IS A NONPROFIT LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC.
AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY, IT'S A BIPARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS FOUNDED BY CONGRESS.
AND I BELIEVE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION RECEIVING THIS AWARD.
SO , CONGRATULATIONS TO FRANKLIN FOOD BANK. AND THAT'S MY REPORT.
SO, THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE TO OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COUNTY RESOURCES.
AND AS COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE] POINTED OUT, OUR REPORT CARD, IT IS ALL A'S, A'S AND A PLUSES.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NIGHTLIFE, GOOD FOR FAMILIES, DIVERSITY, HEALTH AND FITNESS.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. WE ARE NUMBER ONE OF 21 FOR THE BEST COUNTY FOR FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY, AND TO BEST COUNTY TO LIVE IN OUT OF ALL 21 COUNTIES FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
SO THANK YOU. WE HAVE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION, AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE NOTE.
THERE IS A COUPLE OF CHANGES ON THIS 5:00 AGENDA.
WE WILL ALSO HAVE THE AAMPH HERITAGE AND THE ALS AWARENESS MONTH.
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MOVE TAKE A POINT OF PRIVILEGE AND HAVE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE ITEM 25-0153 TO, TO FURTHER UP IN THE AGENDA UNDER NEW BUSINESS.MOTION A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.
ALL RIGHT. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
COME ON, ALL OF YOU, GOT TO. COME ON, COME ON.
THEY NOMINATED YOU, SO THERE YOU GO. THANKS. YES, ABSOLUTELY.
NO. IT'S ALWAYS. IS THIS THING ON? IT'S ON. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? REALLY? REALLY. OKAY. OKAY. OH, OKAY. SO, WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE OUR SOMERSET COUNTY RECOGNITION COMMITTEE PRESENTS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH TO JULIE LARSON.
OH, YEAH. OH, YEAH. OH, YEAH, I GOT THAT CORRECT.
YOU'RE NOMINATED FROM REALLY AN ASSORTMENT OF FOLKS; ALL YOUR PEOPLE ARE WORKING WITH YOU.
BOTH NOMINATED FROM LISA. KATE SAID, SALLY AND MELISSA.
AND THEY REFER TO, THEY SAY JULIE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL AND INDISPENSABLE MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WHOSE DEDICATION, EXPERTISE AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE HAS CONSISTENTLY GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SUPPORT HER COLLEAGUES, IMPROVE OUR WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND ENSURE THAT OPERATIONS RUN SMOOTHLY.
THAT'S IMPORTANT. JULIE'S ROLE EXTENDS FAR BEYOND HER JOB DESCRIPTION.
SHE IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR OPERATIONS, SEAMLESSLY COORDINATING WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, THE 4H ASSOCIATION, RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO ENSURE THE FLAWLESS EXECUTION OF EVENTS AND DAILY FUNCTIONS.
WHETHER SHE'S MANAGING LOGISTICS, OVERSEEING FACILITY NEEDS, OR HANDLING EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT AND REPAIRS, JULIE'S PROACTIVE APPROACH AND METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL PREVENT ISSUES BEFORE THEY ARISE, ALLOWING PROGRAMS TO FUNCTION WITHOUT DISRUPTION.
THIS IS REALLY GOOD STUFF. YOU KNOW, BUT SO BUT I'M GOING TO READ FROM THE RECOGNITION IT'S RECOGNITION OF YOUR SINCERE APPRECIATION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS IN FURTHERING THE CAUSE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT.
WE BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE AN EXCEPTIONAL AND INDISPENSABLE MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WHOSE DEDICATION, EXPERTISE, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE HAS CONSISTENTLY GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SUPPORT OUR COLLEAGUES, IMPROVE OUR WORK ENVIRONMENT, ENSURE THAT OPERATIONS RUN SMOOTHLY.
ONCE AGAIN, SHE IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR OPERATION, SEAMLESSLY COORDINATING WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF 4H RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO ENSURE THE FLAWLESS EXECUTION OF EVENTS AND DAILY FUNCTIONS.
AND IT'S SIGNED BY OUR DIRECTOR. SO, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED THIS MONTH AS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
AND IT'S SUPER YOU KNOW, IT'S MY HONOR TO BE ABLE TO HAND YOU THIS WONDERFUL PLAQUE.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT, I THINK, MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO ACKNOWLEDGE, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO HEAR WHAT SOME OF YOUR FOLKS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT YOU.
OH, GOD, I THINK THEY SAID ENOUGH. WE DIDN'T SAY ENOUGH.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS ON. I DON'T THINK THIS IS ON, ACTUALLY.
BUT I DON'T NEED IT. REALLY. EVIDENTLY, I HAVE A LOUD VOICE.
BUT, JULIE, REALLY? SO, THERE'S THREE DEPARTMENTS THAT JULIE IS COORDINATING.
ALL OF OUR ACTIVITIES. WE REACH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, BOTH ADULTS AND YOUTH, AND MANY FOLKS IN MANY DEPARTMENTS IN OUR COUNTY WORK WITH US, AND JULIE REALLY HELPS COORDINATE ALL THAT. WE'RE OUT THERE RUNNING PROGRAMS, BUT JULIE, IS THAT BEHIND THE SCENES, MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY ALL THE TIME.
CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT HER. SO, ANYBODY ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? TESTING. ANYWAY, I'M ONE OF THE ADMINS UP FRONT.
MY NAME IS AMANDA HESS, AND WE LOVINGLY CALL JULIE OUR OFFICE MOM BECAUSE WHENEVER WE NEED HER FOR NOT ONLY PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, BUT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SOMETIMES SHE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US WITH A SMILE AND A HUG.
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CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.THOSE WHO ARE HERE FOR THE AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION.
THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I KNOW YOU'RE NOT SHY. SO, THIS PROCLAMATION IS IN RECOGNITION FOR THE ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH.
WHEREAS MAY OF 2025 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND WHEREAS, MAY HAS BEEN SELECTED TO HONOR ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AANHPI, AND THIS YEAR WE RECOGNIZE A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE.
WHEREAS AANHPI, WHO HAVE NEWLY ARRIVED AND THOSE WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE CALLED AMERICA HOME FOR GENERATIONS, ARE A VALUED PART OF THE HISTORY OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND A DEFINING FORCE IN THE SOUL OF OUR NATION.
WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES CENSUS, SOMERSET COUNTY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 70,000 RESIDENTS OF AANHPI ANCESTRY, AND WHEREAS RESIDENTS OF AANHPI ANCESTRY LIVE IN ALL SOMERSET COUNTY COMMUNITIES AND MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN ARTS AND CULTURE, BUSINESS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, FAITH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND MENTORSHIPS, AND VOLUNTEERING.
AND WHEREAS, RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUCCESSES OF RESIDENTS OF ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER ANCESTRY ENCOURAGES THEIR ONGOING PARTICIPATION AND CONTINUED ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE MAY 2020 AS ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO BE MADE AWARE OF AND APPLAUD THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUCCESSES OF THOSE SHARING AANHPI ANCESTRY, AND IS SIGNED ON THIS DAY BY YOUR SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
AND AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO PRESENT TO OFFICER MARK.
IS IT? COSTANTINO? CONSTANTINO. CONSTANTINO. THAT LOOKED LIKE AN M.
OKAY. CONSTANTINO FROM NORTH PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT, SO THANK YOU.
LADIES FIRST. YOU KNOW. YOU KNOW YOU. ALL RIGHT.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR ROBINSON, AS WELL AS SHERIFF RUSSO AND ENTIRE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR INVITING ME HERE TODAY. IT'S QUITE AN HONOR AND FOR PRESENTING ME WITH THIS PROCLAMATION AS WELL.
LIKE I SAID, I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY. I'M PROUD OF MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
BUT MOSTLY I'M PROUD OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE HARD WORK THAT MY PARENTS ANAMARIE UNFORTUNATELY, COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, HAVE WORKED THROUGH TO GET ME WHERE I AM TODAY AND TO WHERE OUR FAMILY IS TODAY AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU.
IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, PLEASE CHECK OUT THE PRESENTATION IN THE LOBBY.
MADE BY THE PEOPLE OF COLOR NETWORK, ONE OF THE ERGS THAT SUPPORTS THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
IT PROVIDES THE BACKGROUND ON AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH AND A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION.
REGARDING ONE OF THE ERGS, THE OTHER BEING YOUR MIND MATTERS ERG WHICH BOTH YOU COULD CHECK OUT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SHERIFF RUSSO. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY?
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YOU? NOTHING. OKAY, TAKE A PICTURE.AND WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ALS AS ALS AWARENESS MONTH.
I WILL JUST READ IT IN PART. WHEREAS ALS USUALLY STRIKES INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE 50 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, SHORTENING LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH ALS TO 3 TO 5 YEARS FROM THE TIME OF DIAGNOSIS.
WHEREAS PEOPLE WITH A HISTORY OF MILITARY SERVICE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP ALS THAN THOSE WITHOUT.
WHEREAS THERE IS NO KNOWN CAUSE OR CURE FOR ALS.
AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT OF THE SYMPTOMS CAN EXTEND THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH THE DISEASE.
RECENT ADVANCES IN ALS RESEARCH HAVE PRODUCED PROMISING LEADS, MANY RELATED TO SHARED DISEASE PROCESSES THAT APPEAR TO OPERATE IN MANY NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES, AND IT IS SIGNED BY THE FIVE SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN RECOGNITION OF ALS AWARENESS MONTH.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK.
JESSICA PAOLINI. YES. AS JESSICA MAKES HER WAY UP.
I WANT TO THANK JESSICA FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE PRESENTATION AND FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE STARTED THE OFFICE HERE, WE'VE USED THIS WEEK, THIS NATIONAL WEEK, TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMISSIONERS AN UPDATE ON SORT OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST YEAR.
SO THIS WILL BE A GREAT LOOK BACK OVER WHAT THE THE MIGHTY BUT SMALL STAFF HAS BEEN DOING.
THANK YOU, COLLEEN, AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR HAVING ME.
AS COLLEEN MENTIONED, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR THREE YEARS NOW.
AND SO THIS PRESENTATION COVERS JUNE 24TH THROUGH MAY OF 25.
SO BEFORE I START MY PRESENTATION, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE BROUGHT ON A NEW STAFF MEMBER, JABRIL HASKELL, WHO'S HERE. SO. HE'S A PART TIME IN OUR OFFICE AND A BUSINESS ANALYTICS MAJOR AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY. SO I AM GOING TO START OFF WITH A TOPIC THAT I HAVEN'T COVERED BEFORE.
AND THIS IS HOW WE INTERACT WITH THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.
AND I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE DO RUN INTO SOME MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT WHO DOES WHAT.
SO, BOTH OF US SUPPORT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
BUT WE HAVE DIFFERENT ASK AREAS OF STRENGTH AND SCOPES OF RESPONSIBILITY.
BUT THOSE SERVICES MAY NOT OFFER THE SAME ROI TO LARGER COMPANIES.
SOME OF THE COMPANIES THAT YOU SEE HERE ON THE SLIDE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE BROAD SCOPE OF SERVICES THAT OUR OFFICE PROVIDES, WE'RE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THESE COMPANIES IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND ENSURE THAT THEY'RE STILL ENGAGED LOCALLY.
SO AS AN EXAMPLE, COLLEEN AND I MET RECENTLY WITH SHI, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE LEVERAGING THE WHY SOMERSET TOOL TO RETAIN THEIR WORKFORCE LOCALLY. WE ALSO WORKED WITH ABBVIE TO IDENTIFY RELEVANT CONFERENCES AND MESSAGING POINTS FOR THE PERSONAL CARE SECTOR, HELPING TO ELEVATE THE INDUSTRY. SO HAVING BOTH OF US AS DISTINCT ENTITIES IN THE COUNTY DOING THIS WORK IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE CAN COVER THAT BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES THAT COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR.
[00:35:05]
BUT WE ARE SEEING INCREASES IN PROJECTS WITH PERSONAL CARE AS WELL AS NON-PROFITS.FOR MOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICES, ONE OF THE LARGEST BUDGET ITEMS IS LEAD GENERATION.
OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO LEVERAGE OUR EXPERIENCE, OUR DATA TOOLS, AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE AGENCIES TO GENERATE OUR OWN PROJECTS AND CONTACTS. SO YOU'LL SEE IN THIS CHART THAT MOST OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THROUGH PROACTIVE OUTREACH OF OUR STAFF REACHING OUT TO COMPANIES. ANOTHER SOURCE OF PROJECTS HAS BEEN ATTENDING CONFERENCES AND REFERRALS FROM STATE AGENCIES LIKE THE NJEDA AND NJ BUSINESS ACTION CENTER. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SO MANY COMPANIES AND FIND THESE PROJECTS THROUGH USING SOURCES LIKE COSTAR, WHERE WE'RE KEEPING TRACK OF UPCOMING LEASE EXPIRATIONS THAT COMPANIES HAVE IN THE COUNTY.
STAYING ON TOP OF LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS AND THEN AGAIN ATTENDING THE CONFERENCES.
SO I DO WANT TO JUST STAY ON THE POINT OF CONFERENCES FOR A MOMENT.
THESE ARE JUST THREE OF THE CONFERENCES THAT WE'VE ATTENDED THIS YEAR, AND ONE OF THE MAIN OUTCOMES THAT WE GET FROM ATTENDING CONFERENCES IS CONNECTING WITH SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESSES WHO ARE IN THESE ROOMS. SO YOU'LL SEE THE LOGOS UP HERE. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE COMPANIES THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MEET WITH THIS YEAR THROUGH ATTENDING CONFERENCES.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE MARKETING THE STATE.
A LOT OF THE POINTS THAT ARE UP THERE ON YOUR POSTER WERE WE'RE EMPHASIZING WHEN WE'RE OUT AT THESE CONFERENCES, WORKING TO CONVINCE COMPANIES TO INCREASE THEIR INVESTMENT HERE IN THE COUNTY.
SOME OF THE OTHER OUTCOMES IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT WITH THE FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH OUR WORK WITH IADC, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ENSURE THAT SOME OF THE IMPACTS WE'RE FEELING HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ESPECIALLY WITH CUTS TO NJMP AND OTHER PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE, ARE NOW BEING INCLUDED IN LARGER LOBBYING EFFORTS THAT IADC IS DOING TO PROTECT THE FEDERAL, USEDA AND OTHER SOURCES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT AND FUNDING.
THE CONFERENCE THAT WE'RE MOST FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE IT'S COMING UP IN A FEW WEEKS, IS BIO INTERNATIONAL. THIS IS THE LARGEST GATHERING OF LIFE SCIENCE EXECUTIVES IN THE WORLD.
AND WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER A BRIEFING BOOK TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE SPENDING OUR TIME MOST WISELY, HAS A DETAILED SCHEDULE OF ALL THE MEETINGS THAT WE'LL HAVE TALKING POINTS, UPDATED MARKETING MATERIALS, AND COMPANY DESCRIPTIONS SO THAT WHEN WE'RE THERE, WE'RE FULLY PREPARED AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE INTERACTIONS THAT WE'LL HAVE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT MOST OFTEN WHEN WE'RE AT CONFERENCES IS OUR TALENT POOL.
IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON AND INVEST IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR BUSINESSES.
SO COMMISSIONERS ROBINSON AND SOOY, THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE LAUNCH OF NJ BIO FUTURES THIS YEAR.
THIS IS A PROJECT THAT I'VE WORKED ON ALMOST SINCE DAY ONE BEING AT THE COUNTY.
WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT THE COUNTY'S GRANT WRITING FIRM, MILLENNIUM STRATEGIES, TO RVC, AND WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH RVC TO WRITE THE GRANT. THAT RESULTED IN JOHNSON AND JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING THE FOUNDING SPONSORSHIP FOR THAT PROGRAM.
WE'VE ALSO EXPANDED OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS THIS YEAR TO INCLUDE MANUFACTURING.
SO, WE PROACTIVELY IDENTIFIED AN EDUCATION PARTNER IN HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN REACHED OUT TOGETHER TO NJMP TO CONVINCE THEM TO HOST ONE OF THEIR FIRST MAKERS AND CREATORS TOURS IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
COMMISSIONER DRAKE CAME TO THAT EVENT. WE HAD OVER 300 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID TO ENSURE THAT THE EVENT WAS SUCCESSFUL WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE FIRST TIME, MARKETING MATERIAL THAT SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT A CAREER IN MANUFACTURING IS LIKE.
SO IT FEATURED COMMON JOB TITLES, AVERAGE SALARIES, LOCAL EMPLOYERS, WEBSITES THAT YOU COULD GO TO TO FIND INFORMATION ON LOCAL JOBS, AND THEN STUDENTS COULD TAKE THAT HOME TO THEIR PARENTS, SHARE IT WITH THEM SO THAT THEY COULD BUILD UPON THE INTEREST THAT WAS GENERATED FROM
[00:40:09]
ATTENDING THIS EVENT. SO WHILE A LOT OF OUR FOCUS, OUR FOCUS IS EXTERNAL, WE PROVIDE SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP INTERNALLY AS WELL. SO WITH OUR 21 TOWNS LAST WEEK, WE ACTUALLY SUPPORTED THE VISION OF MAYOR SINGH IN MAKING MONTGOMERY A HUB FOR INNOVATION. WE HAD OVER 100 ENTREPRENEURS AND STARTUPS ATTEND THE INAUGURAL INNOVATION SUMMIT, WHICH REALLY HIGHLIGHTED OPPORTUNITIES TO LEASE SPACE IN MONTGOMERY, INCLUDING AT THE MONTGOMERY INNOVATION HUB, WHICH IS A FORMER J&J OFFICE BUILDING. WE ALSO BUILT UPON THE BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS WORKSHOP THAT WE HELD IN BERNARDS TOWNSHIP LAST YEAR. WE GATHERED INFORMATION FROM THE STATE ON ALL OF THE BUSINESSES IN SOMERSET COUNTY THAT ARE CERTIFIED BUSINESSES, ORGANIZE THAT DATA BY MUNICIPALITY AND SHARED IT OUT WITH OUR MAYORS AND VAS WITH THE GOAL TO DRIVE LOCAL PROCUREMENT.WE REALIZED THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND UPON IT IN ADVANCE OF FIFA AND THE TWO 50TH.
SO WE SENT OUT A SURVEY TO ALL OF OUR TOWNS WHICH CREATED THE SURVEY FOR US.
AND THE TOWNS, PROVIDED INFORMATION ON RESTAURANTS THAT CAN HANDLE LARGE GROUPS THAT OFFER ETHNIC CUISINE, COMPILED ALL OF THAT DATA, SHARED IT WITH TOURISM, AND THEY'VE ACTUALLY ADDED ENTIRELY NEW CATEGORIES TO THE RESTAURANT GUIDE, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CUISINE. AND THEN THERE'LL BE VERY TARGETED WITH THE GAMES COMING UP, EVEN THE SUMMER, YOU KNOW, WHERE IF THERE'S A TEAM PLAYING FROM A SPECIFIC COUNTRY, THEN THEY'LL SEND OUT MARKETING INFORMATION WHILE YOU'RE WATCHING THE GAME, YOU MAY WANT TO TRY THIS RESTAURANT THAT SERVES THIS TYPE OF GAME.
SO WE'RE HOPING TO SEE INCREASED VISITATION TO THE RESTAURANTS AS A RESULT OF THIS GUIDE.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING WE'RE DOING FOR THE RESTAURANTS WHO DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE A WEBSITE, WE'RE ABLE TO CONNECT THEM TO AN NJEDA PROGRAM THAT WILL ACTUALLY HELP COVER THE COST FOR THEM TO DEVELOP A WEBSITE AND E-COMMERCE.
JUST A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS. WE'RE ROLLING OUT A NEW A DATA TOOL CALLED CITY DATA, WHICH WILL BE USED BY PARKS, PLANNING, TOURISM AND OTHERS IN PART TO PLAN FOR AND THEN TRACK VISITOR ATTENDANCE TO EVENTS.
WE ARE ALSO COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT OUR NON-PROFITS.
SOME OF THAT BEING DRIVEN BY CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
WE'RE LEVERAGING THE CONTACTS THAT WE HAVE AND THE INTEREST FROM THE ESG WORKSHOP THAT WE ORGANIZED IN 2023, WHERE WE HAVE ALL THESE CORPORATE PARTNERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE CAN TAKE THAT INTEREST AND THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECT THEM WITH NONPROFITS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF HELP.
SO, ALL OF THIS WORK IS CULMINATING IN NEW INVESTMENTS.
SO, ALL OF THE COMPANIES ON THIS SLIDE HAVE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THAT THEY ARE EITHER EXPANDING A FACILITY OR THEY'RE OPENING A NEW FACILITY.
SO THEY'RE INVESTING MONEY IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
YOU'LL SEE INFINITY FRAGRANCES IS PERSONAL CARE.
PERSONAL CARE WONDERS A FOOD COMPANY. THERE'S A NUMBER OF LIFE SCIENCES COMPANIES ON HERE.
SO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THIS WORK IS GENERATING FOR THE COUNTY AND OUR RESIDENTS.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE. SORRY. WE ALSO HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF FILM PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY ON SITE.
WE'VE HAD EIGHT MAJOR FILM PROJECTS INCLUDING HAPPY GILMORE WITH ADAM SANDLER.
I'M SURE YOU SAW THE NEWS ON THAT. AND SO. THE OTHER ONE.
I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE NOTES THAT BEN GAVE ME.
ANOTHER ONE THAT WE CAN SHARE IS WHISPER MAN.
AND THESE INVESTMENTS FROM FILM AND FROM OUR COMPANIES ARE BEING PICKED UP IN THE LOCAL MEDIA.
[00:45:06]
SO WE'RE REGULARLY SEEING SOMERSET COUNTY IN THE BUSINESS NEWS, AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT ALL OF THIS IS GENERATING AND WHAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU NEXT YEAR. WHILE YOU'RE LAUGHING AT YOUR PHOTO, YOU LOOK GREAT.SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND COLLEEN'S SUPPORT, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
GOOD JOB. QUESTION IN THE VERY QUICK THREE YEARS THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE AND WORKING WITH, YOU KNOW, A VERY SMALL TEAM, AS YOU CAN SEE THERE, THE AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC BENEFIT THAT THIS HAS BROUGHT TO SOMERSET COUNTY IS TREMENDOUS.
AND BUILDING THIS FROM GROUND UP. SO THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
AND WE'RE EXCITED FOR WHAT'S NEXT TO COME. THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. WE MOVE ON TO COMMUNICATIONS.
THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP, AS WELL AS AVAILABLE SECTION 108 LOAN GUARANTEE BORROWING AUTHORITY.
THE BOROUGH OF MANVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR AMENDMENT OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, GREEN ACRES RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE INVENTORY, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ROSS AND MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL. AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO COUNTY COUNCIL FOR 25-1053.
OKAY. SO, COMMISSIONERS WITH YOUR CONSENT, WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE 25-1053 UP TO THE FRONT. IT IS A RESOLUTION REQUIRING PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS TO BE MADE PART OF PUBLIC CONTRACTS WHERE ENTERING THE SAME WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE ARE SOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS.
IF YOU CAN INDULGE THEM THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME? OKAY. YEAH. I'M SORRY. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY YOU'VE GIVEN ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
PROUDLY REPRESENTING UNION CARPENTERS WHO LIVE AND WORK RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
PLAS ARE NOT JUST LABOR TOOLS. THEY'RE SMART PUBLIC POLICY.
THEY PROVIDE STRUCTURE, STABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT ON PUBLICLY FUNDED JOBS OR PROJECTS WHERE EVERY DOLLAR TRULY COUNTS.
IMPORTANTLY, PLEASE RAISE THE BAR FOR WORKFORCE STANDARDS TO GUARANTEE FAIR WAGES.
STRONG SAFETY PROTECTIONS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS MEANS SAFER JOB SITES. FAMILY SUSTAINING CAREERS PIPELINE OF OPPORTUNITY THROUGH APPRENTICE PROGRAMS, MANY OF WHICH ARE JOINTLY FUNDED AND OPERATED BY UNIONS LIKE MINE.
SOMERSET COUNTY USES PLAS. WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR OWN WORKFORCE.
WE STRENGTHEN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY BY KEEPING JOBS AND WAGES IN THE COMMUNITY.
PLAS ALSO OPENED THE DOORS FOR VETERANS, WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED WORKERS.
PEOPLE ARE OFTEN EXCLUDED FROM THE TRADES, SO WE SUPPORT HIGH ROAD CONTRACTORS WHO PRIORITIZE SKILL, SAFETY AND FAIR PAY, NOT THOSE WHO CUT CORNERS.
THIS APPROACH SENDS A CLEAR AND POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT PUBLIC PROJECTS SHOULD SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD, AND SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION MEANS SUPPORTING LOCAL WORKERS, RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTORS AND THE LONG TERM, LONG TERM STRENGTH OF SOMERSET COUNTY. SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK.
MY NAME IS JOE CARLUCCI. I'M A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE IRONWORKERS LOCAL 11.
[00:50:02]
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS.PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS ARE BENEFICIAL FOR SOMERSET COUNTY BECAUSE THEY ENSURE HIGH QUALITY CONSTRUCTION, PROMOTE FAIR WAGES, AND PRIORITIZE LOCAL HIRING, WHICH STRENGTHENS OUR ECONOMY.
A KEY ADVANTAGE OF PLAS IS THE SUPPORT OF FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS LIKE HELMETS TO HARDHATS, WHICH CONNECTS MILITARY VETERANS WITH CAREERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE BY INCORPORATING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.
PLA PROVIDES SOMERSET COUNTY WITH SKILLED, RELIABLE WORKFORCE WHILE ALSO HELPING VETERANS TRANSITION TO STABLE, WELL-PAYING CIVILIAN JOBS. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS ESTEBAN ARIAS, AND I RESIDE IN BASKING RIDGE. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY, ADOPTING A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT FOR UPCOMING PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
THAT IS NOT JUST A LABOR ISSUE. IT IS A SMART POLICY DECISION THAT PROTECTS TAXPAYERS, SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL WORKFORCE AND ENSURES THE HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS ON THE JOBS WE FUND. THE PLA IS SIMPLY A PRE-HIRE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT SETS TERMS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WORKFORCE ON A PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. IT ENSURES THAT EVERYONE CONTRACTORS, WORKERS AND THE COUNTY STARTS ON THE SAME PAGE.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PLAS ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO UNION CONTRACTORS.
THEY ARE OPEN TO ANY CONTRACTOR, UNION OR NONUNION WHO AGREES TO THE TERMS. THAT'S FAIR COMPETITION WITH FAIR STANDARDS, ENSURING WE DON'T REWARD LOW, LOW ROAD BIDDERS WHO CUT CORNERS AND EXPLOIT WORKERS TO WIN CONTRACTS. MOREOVER, PLAS PROMOTE EQUITY AND INCLUSION WITH MANY AGREEMENTS INCLUDING GOALS FOR WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, VETERANS AND OFTEN AND OTHERS TOO OFTEN LEFT BEHIND BY TRADITIONAL CONTRACTING PROCESSES.
LASTLY, PLAS AFFECT THE COUNTY'S INVESTMENT. WHEN WE COMMIT TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION, WE SHOULD EXPECT THE JOB DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY COMMISSION FOR GIVING ME THIS TIME THIS EVENING.
I'M A TEN YEAR RESIDENT OF NORTH PLAINFIELD, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LABORERS LOCAL THREE.
STILL TO THIS CURRENT DAY. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR PROTECTING THE WORKER.
THOSE ARE STABILIZING CAREERS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T AS STABLE AS OTHERS.
SO JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE SUPPORT FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY AND BUILDING AND EXPANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY, THE RESIDENTS, AND THEN ALSO THE HUMAN RACE.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS NICK COSTELLO, AND I'M A BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE FOR IBEW LOCAL UNION 102.
MY LOCAL UNION REPRESENTS 2800 ELECTRICIANS. 111 OF THEM ARE SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS.
YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD THIS EVENING THAT OF THE POSITIVE POINTS OF PLA, SO I WON'T BELABOR THAT.
SHOULD THE COMMISSIONERS DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD AND ADOPT A COUNTYWIDE PLA LANGUAGE, I WOULD BE HONORED TO STAND BEFORE ALL MY MEMBERSHIP AND INFORM THEM THAT SOMERSET COUNTY HAS JOINED THE RANKS OF NUMEROUS COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY THAT HAVE ALREADY HAVE PLANS IN PLACE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
[00:55:06]
GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MATTHEW EISLER.I KNOW SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. I LOVE THIS COUNTY.
I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF THIS COUNTY. I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF THIS TOWN.
I'M A PROUD UNION MEMBER OF LOCAL 254 CARPENTERS, AND I CAME INTO THE HELMETS TO HARDHATS PROGRAM.
I'M A PROUD DISABLED COMBAT VETERAN. I SERVED IN THE ARMY AS AN 11 BRAVO INFANTRYMAN FOR SIX YEARS.
I APPRECIATE THE SERVICE OF EVERYBODY HERE, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT CHANGED MY LIFE WHEN I CAME HOME STRUGGLING FROM A COMBAT DEPLOYMENT IN 2019 WAS THE SKILLED TRADES AND THE UNION TRADES. I'M A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND WHAT A PLA WILL DO IS ALL THE THINGS THAT THESE GENTLEMAN SAID, BUT WHAT IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO DO. PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF, AND PEOPLE THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, VETERANS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, WHATEVER YOU ARE, BECAUSE OUR SKILLED TRADE TAKES THEM IN AND GIVES THEM A FOUR YEAR PROGRAM WHERE THEY PAY NOTHING. WHAT THEY RECEIVE IS A FAIR WAGE AND A COLLEGE EDUCATION TO TURN AROUND AND GO OUT AND LEARN TANGIBLE THINGS AND BUILD THE ACTUAL WORLD WE LIVE IN.
WHAT HELPS PROCURE THAT IS PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS.
SO, I'VE SAID ENOUGH, AND WHAT I'LL SAY IS THAT THEY CHANGED MY LIFE.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO AT THIS TIME, IF THERE'S NO ONE ELSE COMING FORWARD ON THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION, I'M GOING TO GLADLY ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO MOVE THIS TO OUR AGENDA FOR OUR 6:00 MEETING.
AND THAT IS THIS RESOLUTION 25-1053. IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION? ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO VOTE? MAY I MAKE A COMMENT? YES. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING THE CARPENTERS TRAINING CENTER IN RARITAN CENTER.
IT'S EXTRAORDINARY WHAT THEY DO FOR PEOPLE THE TRAINING, THE OPPORTUNITY.
IT SETS A STELLAR EXAMPLE FOR EVERY INDUSTRY TO HELP JANE AND JOHN Q PUBLIC THRIVE AND GROW.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT BUILDING.
THIS IS ABOUT GIVING SOMEONE DIGNITY OF WORK A FAIR WAGE, A GOOD EDUCATION, AND A GOOD JOB TO WORK FOR AND TO RETIRE FROM. SO I APPLAUD WHAT THESE FOLKS ARE DOING TO HELP THEIR MEMBERSHIP HAVE THAT DIGNITY, SENSE OF WORK, AND KEEPING OUR ECONOMY LOCAL.
SO THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, DAN, FOR YOU AND YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
EVERYONE THAT CAME UP AND SPOKE THIS AFTERNOON.
I'M ELATED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION.
AND THEN AT OUR 6:00, BE ABLE TO ADOPT. IT IS A LONG TIME COMING.
THAT'S THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, WE DID NOT HESITATE.
BUT ALSO, THE OPPORTUNITY, AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID, TO PROVIDE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE IN LABORS TO KEEP EVERYTHING LOCAL, TO BE ABLE TO GIVE A TRADE, TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT SOME MAY NOT HAVE OTHERWISE HAD.
THAT'S WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS ALL ABOUT. THIS IS WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT.
IT IS MY WHY? NOT FOR FAME, NOT FOR FORTUNE. IT IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN AMERICA HAS THE SAME OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE? SO IF NOTHING ELSE, ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
YOU. WE WILL BE VOTING AT THE 6:00, BUT IT IS MOVING FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
COUNTY COUNCIL. OH, I'M SORRY. I GOT NO I GOT TO GO BACK TO REGULAR SCHEDULE PROGRAM.
[01:00:03]
I'M SORRY. ENGINEERING AND PLANNING. I STAYED ON THAT PAGE.RESOLUTION 25-1100. APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR GREENBROOK ROAD WEST, RIDGEFIELD ROAD, ROCK AVENUE AND GREENBROOK ROAD EAST, AND ROCK AVENUE, GREENBROOK TOWNSHIP AND NORTH PLAINFIELD BOROUGH.
CONTRACT 24015. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WILL GO TO BID THIS JULY, AND THE COST ESTIMATE IS $850,000.
RESOLUTION 25 1101, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY PLANNING DIVISION TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE FY 2026 SUBREGIONAL TRANSPORTATION WORKS PROGRAM. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $143,682.50. THIS GRANT DOES NOT REQUIRE A MATCH.
GOOD EVENING. 25 1102 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ATM SPACE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN PAYMENT LINE INTERNATIONAL AND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET. AND THIS IS FOR THE ATM MACHINE THAT'S IN OUR LOBBY.
AND THE NEXT ONE. 25-1104 IS AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A UNIFORM SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SOMERVILLE BOROUGH RESCUE SQUAD.
AND THIS IS THE THEY RESPOND TO OUR EMERGENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY.
SO THESE TWO AGREEMENTS GO FOR THAT.
GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 25-1105 AUTHORIZING THE DECREASE OF GRANT FUNDS FOR RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES FOR SUPPORT TEAMS FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY.
THE STAR PROGRAM FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025.
THE AMOUNT OF THE DECREASE IS $700. THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS NOT TO EXCEED $417,286.
THIS IS A SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $24,000.
1107 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM.
1108 IS AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED EMPLOYERS FOR THE APPLICATION TO REQUEST YOUTH PARTICIPANTS FOR 2025 GREAT AMERICAN WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM. YOU MAY ASK DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE LAST TIME.
WE HAD OVER 200 YOUTH WHO HAVE APPLIED. WE HAVE 91 POSITIONS AS OF THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE WILL BE SOME DISAPPOINTED PEOPLE. YEAH, WE ONLY HAVE FUNDING FOR 91, RIGHT? UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE HAD FUNDING FROM SOMERSET COUNTY.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT FUNDING THIS YEAR. WE ARE FUNDING.
SO, WE ACTUALLY GOT MORE MONEY THIS YEAR. WE HAD WE GOT AN ADDITIONAL 20 SLOTS FUNDED FROM THE STATE, BUT WE, JUST VERY POPULAR PROGRAMING. WE'VE GROWN IT.
YEAH. 25-1109. AWARD OF CONTRACT JCC 001924 TO ENTER BOROUGH PACKAGING CORP., MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK.
SPRUCE INDUSTRIES, RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY. TERM ENTERPRISE INCORPORATED TO ALLEN PAPER AND SUPPLY,
[01:05:04]
DOVER, NEW JERSEY. UNITED SALES CORP., BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.WIND INNOVATIONS, GREENWOOD, CALIFORNIA. AMERICAN PROTECTIVE PRODUCTS, LLC, NORTH BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT. EXCUSE ME, PLASTIC EXPRESS, UNION, NEW JERSEY, FOR OPEN END COOPERATIVE PRICING, BID FOR JANITORIAL SUPPLIES FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL AND ALL DIVISIONS.
SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT. NO CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS NEEDED AT THIS TIME.
RESOLUTION 2511 TEN. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO RS.
RESOLUTION 25 1111 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MICHAEL PAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
OUT OF ROSELAND, NEW JERSEY FOR THE MORRIS COUNTY COOPERATIVE PRICING COUNCIL FOR ROAD RESURFACING.
CATEGORY C CRACK SEALANT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $250,000.
RESOLUTION 25-1112 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO JOHNSON MEMORIAL AND THOMPSON FROM TRENTON, NEW JERSEY FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES FOR BRIDGE D, 1302 HYATTSVILLE ROAD OVER THE PPI PARK IN THE BOROUGH OF PEAPACK-GLADSTONE.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $150,000. RESOLUTION 25 1113 AWARD OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO STYRES ASSOCIATES, PA AT THE SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY FOR A GREEN ACRES SURVEY.
BLOCK 171, LOTS 99 AND 100IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $8,500. RESOLUTION 25-1114 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER THREE AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR SPAR WITH CONTRACTING, INC. IN LAFAYETTE, NEW JERSEY.
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF RIVER ROAD FROM ELM STREET TO 1000FT NORTH TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBORO.
CONTRACT 20022. THE CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $2,686,251.
FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $3,144,068.79 AND INCLUDES CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE.
THE AMOUNT OF $196,583.14 IN CHANGE ORDER NUMBER TWO, AND THE AMOUNT OF $167,452.80. THIS CHANGE ORDER NUMBER THREE IS AN INCREASE OF $93,781.85. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $93,781.89.
RESOLUTION 25-1113 AUTHORIZING MODIFICATION NUMBER ONE OF FEDERAL AID COST REIMBURSEMENT, AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NJDOT AND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET FOR REHABILITATION OF COUNTY BRIDGE 607 ON NEW BRUNSWICK ROAD OVER OWL'S BROOK, FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
THE AGREEMENT INCREASE WILL BE $222,939.50 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,755,661.50. THIS IS A PROJECT WHICH WE WILL BE CONSTRUCTING WITH THIS AUGUST.
RESOLUTION 25-1116 IS AWARDED A CONTRACT TO VARIOUS VENDORS OR UNIFORMS FOR VARIOUS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND THE PARK COMMISSION, AND ALSO A COOPERATIVE PRICING BID CONTRACT CC 0004-24 A SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.
RESOLUTION 25-1117 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHI INTERNATIONAL FOR CHECKPOINT, FIREWALL, SUBSCRIPTION AND MAINTENANCE UTILIZING NEW JERSEY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ALLIANCE CONTRACT COVERAGE TERM FROM JUNE 26TH, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 25TH, 2026.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $119,763.93.
25-1118 IS. AWARD OF CONTRACT CC 016925 FOR FIRE AND SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES.
THIS IS FOR OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER TESTING, REFILLING, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.
FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $10,150.
20 5-1119 IS. AWARD OF CONTRACT CC 009325 TO REPUBLIC SERVICES.
THIS IS FOR REFUSE DISPOSAL. FIRST YEAR A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 25,000. 25-1120 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CC 0053-24 R2. THE FASTENAL COMPANY FOR BALING WIRE FOR RECYCLING PROGRAM.
[01:10:05]
SIX MONTH CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $40,000.25-1121 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT CC 011625. THIS IS THE ORCHARD HOLDINGS AND SIGNAL CONTROL PRODUCTS.
FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR ELECTRICAL UNDERGROUND.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 50,000. 25-1122 IS. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR RECAPPING TIRES AND SOLID TIRE REPLACEMENT. FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $25,000. 25-1123 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED BUS PARTS. IT'S AN OPEN END COOPERATIVE PRICING BID, AND IT'S A SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.
25-1124 IS AUTHORIZED IN CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR TRAINING PERFORMED FOR THE GROUP OPPORTUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT MANUFACTURING PROGRAM TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $60,000.
I AM EXCITED TO SAY THAT FOR THIS ONE, THIS WAS A NEW GRANT FOR US.
WE START OUR FIRST COHORT OF TEN PEOPLE TOMORROW TRAINING.
1124 APPROVAL TO CONFIRM THE ORDER FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF ONE PERSON AT 120 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AWARDS BREAKFAST EARLIER THIS MONTH TOLD THEM NOT TO EXCEED $50.
TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $34,700.
THE NEXT ONES ARE. INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEMS OF REVENUE INTO THE BUDGET.
25 1128 IS FOR THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES, RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
NATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 49,000 $916.27 1130 AS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT AND THE AMOUNT OF $25,000.
1131 IS FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
2025 ARRIVED TOGETHER. CRITICAL INCIDENT MODEL GRANT PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $100,000.
$100,800. 1132 IS THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY FY 21 FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF 4,200,000 $278,832. 1133 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
BROWN AVENUE, ROUTE 206 TRUCK BYPASS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.5 MILLION.
1134 IS FOR THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF FAMILY DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS SSA GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $287,712, 1135 IS FOR THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES DISASTER RESPONSE CRISIS COUNSELOR GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,400, 1136 IS THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SMI GRANT.
AND 25 1138 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE SAME.
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AT THE BRIDGEWATER SENIOR CENTER FOR APRIL 2025.TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $100. 1140 IS TO AMEND AND CANCEL THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR THE ARC OF SOMERSET COUNTY HEADQUARTERS DRIVE URBAN RENEWAL, RARITAN VALLEY, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND CONCORD STREET URBAN RENEWAL.
TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $402,364.84.
RESOLUTION 25-1949 TO PAY OF CONFIRMING THE GENERAL TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES TOLD THEM NOT TO EXCEED 60. RESOLUTION 25-1142 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO INTRADO LIFE AND SAFETY INCORPORATED FOR RECURRING SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE OF INTRADO SYSTEM UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $53,800. 1143 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS IN MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR PURCHASE OF MOTOROLA CYBER SECURITY 24/7 365 DAYS A YEAR.
MANAGED DETECTION AND RESPONSE SERVICES UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $91,195.34.
1144 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR PURCHASE OF A COMPLETE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR THE COUNTY TELECOMMUNICATIONS RADIO TRUNKING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $298,561.70.
1145 APPROVAL OF PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO AT&T MOBILITY LLC FOR PHONE LINE.
APRIL 2025 PAYMENT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $120.96.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $13,412. 1147 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, CANCER SCREENING, AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
THIS IS FOR FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND THE FIRST IS FOR CLEANING.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 403,627.52. 25-1149 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO JOHNSON CONTROLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND KEYPORT ARMY NAVY FOR REPAIRS AND UNIFORMS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $4,920.35. 25 1150 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS THAT MASA RECYCLING SERVICES FOR COMMODITIES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $23,073.02. 25-1151 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS.
THE RADIAC RESEARCH CORP. FOR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $36,131.50.
25-1152 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RICHIE TIRE SERVICE.
THE TIRE DISPOSAL TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,900.
25 1153 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDER TO SOMERSET PATRIOTS BASEBALL CLUB.
THIS IS FOR A BILLBOARD ADVERTISEMENT FOR 2025.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $11,500. AND THAT DOES COME AT A GRANT.
FUNDING 25 1154 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO RWJ BARNABAS.
THIS IS FOR CDL PHYSICALS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $4,030.
25 1155 IS AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS WITH VARIOUS VENDORS.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $57,500. 25-1156 IS AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO VARIOUS VENDORS, TOTALING UP TO $445,560.48. 25 1157 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS TO ABEL FORD AND AIR BRAKE AND EQUIPMENT FOR PARTS AND REPAIRS.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,567.70. 25 1158 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR FUEL TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $101,485.54.
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25-1159 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS TO VARIOUS PARTS AND REPAIRS VENDORS FOR TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $58,401.85. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS? 25-1100 THROUGH 25-1159 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR JUNE 11TH.MYSELF OF 25-1111 ABSTENTION FROM 25-1119, NOTED DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. AND COUNCIL. SO, 25-1054 IS AUTHORIZED AND RECEIPT OF FUNDS FROM NJDOT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BROWN AVENUE AND PAYMENT TO HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP OF SAME 25-1055 AUTHORIZING IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
PBA LOCAL 177 FOR THE YEARS JANUARY 1ST, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2027.
1056 IS ADOPTION OF A STANDARDIZED SOMERSET COUNTY OVER FORM 1057 AS AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PORZIO, BROMBERG AND NEWMAN FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR THE YEAR 2025.
THE TOTAL ON THAT ONE IS NOT TO EXCEED $7,500.
EXCUSE ME. 158 IS AMENDING OUR 25-953 FOR APPROVAL TO CONFIRMING ORDER.
PURVEYORS, INDIVIDUALS, ATTENDANCE AT THE PENNSYLVANIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE FROM APRIL 30TH TO MAY 2ND, 2025. 25-1059 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUS, PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO COUNTY OF MORRIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR CONTRACTED HOUSING COSTS.
SOMERSET COUNTY INMATES IN THE MORRIS COUNTY JAIL, PER OUR 24-107 3RD APRIL 2025 THROUGH MAY OF 2025 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $58,000. 25-1060 IS AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO PRESTIGE ENVIRONMENTAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE FORMER GSA SUMMERVILLE DEPOT, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 47,720. 1061 IS A COMPANION ONE TO THAT.
IT'S A CONTRACT TO MARK TINDER APPRAISALS FOR APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR THE FORMER GSA SOMERVILLE DEPOT, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000.
RESOLUTION 25-1063 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED WHITSON'S CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE OF HOME DELIVERED MEALS, THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $328,000.
RESOLUTION 25-1064 IS AUTHORIZING THE RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT RENEWAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR HIV, STD, AND TB SERVICES FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE NEW JERSEY HARM REDUCTION.
THE PERIOD OF FUNDING IS FROM JULY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2026.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $300,000. NO FUNDING MATCH IS REQUIRED.
25-1065 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FINES FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO BAXTER.
RESOLUTION 25-1066 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO SPIE.
MEDICAL DIRECTION FOR MEDICAL PROGRAM SERVICE.
25-1067 IS AWARDED A CONTRACT TO M FOR PUBLIC SECTOR.
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TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $32,400, AND 25-1069 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO HAVE AN EXCHANGE. THIS IS FOR ENERGY TRACKING AND PAYMENT SERVICES.TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTIONS 25-1054 THROUGH 25-1069 TO THE REGULAR MEETING FOR TODAY, MAY 27TH. I'LL SECOND.
CALL]. NOW WE COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING WHERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK. FIVE MINUTES, NO YIELDING OF TIME, NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.
WE ALSO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS VIA EMAIL AS WELL AS THE TELEPHONE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO PUBLIC MOTION? ALL IN FAVOR? I. ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WISHING TO SPEAK? TELEPHONE, HARRY.
YEAH. YOU'RE ON. OKAY. HI, EVERYBODY. HARRY ROSEWATER, 1243 CANAL ROAD, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY. WELL, GRIGGSTOWN I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I'VE, I WAS COMING TO THE MEETINGS UP HERE IN SOMERVILLE FOR 20 SOME YEARS, AND I REMEMBER THE BUDGET WAS ABOUT $100 MILLION.
AND WELL, TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THINK ABOUT IT.
100 MILLION. AND NOW IT'S ALMOST 300 MILLION.
THE POINT IS THIS THAT YOU KNOW, INFLATION IS A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY, A REAL PROBLEM.
AND THE MONEY SYSTEM IS, IS REALLY UNSUSTAINABLE.
AND WELL, ANYWAY, WE HAVE TO GET GOVERNMENT UNDER CONTROL BECAUSE THIS, THIS WHOLE SYSTEM WILL SOMEDAY, VERY SHORTLY, PROBABLY COLLAPSE. I MEAN YOU KNOW, THERE WERE $37 $7 TRILLION.
THAT'S $100 BILLION. WELL, EVERY DOLLAR, YOU KNOW.
YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A COUNTRY. A FRIEND OF MINE, HE'S WITH THE COALITION FOR MONETARY REFORM, AND DREW REPORTED TO ME ONE TIME THAT HE OVER IN VENICE, OVER THERE, THERE WAS A COUNTRY OVER THERE THAT THEY DID OVER FOR 100, OVER A HUNDRED YEARS. THERE WAS NO INFLATION.
AND THE REASON WAS BECAUSE IT WAS AN HONEST MONEY SYSTEM.
WHEN YOU DEAL WITH A DISHONEST MONEY SYSTEM AND YOU CAN'T, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T CONTROL SPENDING IT JUST IT RUNS AWAY FROM ITSELF AFTER A WHILE. AND YOU KNOW, I EXPECT ALL TREASURY BONDS TO GO BROKE BECAUSE WELL, ANYWAY, I WAS TALKING TO SOME FRIENDS OF MINE, AND I SAID, WELL, PEOPLE THINK THEY GOT TREASURY BONDS AND THEY'RE SAFE.
THEY'RE GOING TO FIND OUT THAT THEY'RE WORTHLESS PIECES OF PAPER.
AND SPENDING IS A REAL PROBLEM. AND NEW JERSEY, ESPECIALLY NEW JERSEY.
I MEAN IT'S I WORKED WITH HANDS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.
WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO FIGHT THEM AND WELL, ANYWAY, TO NO AVAIL.
THE GOVERNMENT JUST KEPT SPENDING, SPENDING, SPENDING, SPENDING.
BUT YEAH, WELL, I'M GOING TO TALK LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, SO. WELL, ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. MAYBE YOU CAN GET SPENDING UNDER CONTROL SOONER OR LATER.
SO. ALL RIGHT, HAVE A NICE EVENING. THANK YOU, HARRY.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THERE ARE NO OTHER EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS.
ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE AND SEEING NONE IS A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.