KELLY, ARE YOU READY? KELLY IS READY. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT
[Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting on January 27, 2026.]
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OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 13TH, 2026.ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTY BOARD MEETING AT PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
SO GOOD EVENING. YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THAT I'M NOW GOING TO BE CHAIRING THE MEETING TONIGHT.
I WAS ASKED IF I WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY GRATEFULLY, BECAUSE OUR COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR WOULD PREFER NOT TO HAVE TO SPEAK A LOT TODAY, PUT IT MILDLY. OKAY, SO WE'RE BUT I'M GOING TO SAY I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THIS JANUARY 27TH, 2026 WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 2026. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING, UNLESS THE MEASURES OF ITS ADOPTION ARE NEEDED IN A MANNER NECESSARY TO CONTINUE COUNTY BUSINESS. CLERK, ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.
HERE. COMMISSIONER MARANO. HERE. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
HERE. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. HERE. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
HERE. OKAY, SO FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS TODAY IS OUR EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS.
I'D LIKE TO CALL IT. [INAUDIBLE] MY BAD. SEE THAT? GOOD. IT WAS JUST CHECKING. I WAS JUST CHECKING.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON, IF YOU PREFER NOT TO SPEAK, I PREFER.
I WILL. I WILL COVER YOUR REPORT AS WELL AS MINE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NO SINGING TODAY, BUT TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY [APPLAUSE].
I WAS ACTUALLY, I WAS, I'VE BEEN HERE ON MY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, TOO, BUT I FIGURED THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M HEARING MY BIRTHDAY, BUT THAT'S OKAY. SO. GOOD EVENING. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE A BRIEF UPDATE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS SOMERSET COUNTY, ACROSS OUR DEPARTMENTS. WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON DELIVERING RELIABLE SERVICES, STRENGTHENING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS.
CERTAINLY OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES TEAM REMAINED FOCUSED ON ACCESS CONNECTING RESIDENTS TO VITAL SERVICES, SUPPORTING FAMILIES, SENIORS AND VETERANS, AND THOSE EXPERIENCING FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY.
AS FAR AS MY REPORT, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP COUNCILMAN EDWARD POTOSNAK FOR HIS NOMINATION BY GOVERNOR CHERYL AS A COMMISSIONER OF NEW JERSEY DEP. I SPENT 11 YEARS AT THE DEP, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S A DEMANDING JOB, BUT I KNOW ED IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE. HE'S WELL SUITED FOR THE POSITION.
I'M SURE HE'LL BE GREAT, DO A GREAT JOB FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT.
SO HATS OFF TO COMMISSIONER, ACTING COMMISSIONER ED POTOSNAK.
THE ENERGY COUNCIL HAS MET SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.
SINCE THE ADOPTION OF OUR CORRESPONDING POLICIES HAVE NOT CHANGED.
WE CONTINUE TO LOOK TO THE ENERGY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE US WITH INFORMATION, AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING HOW THE COUNTY CAN CONTINUE TO SAVE ENERGY AND ULTIMATELY SAVE TAX DOLLARS. THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TOMORROW IS HOSTING A ZOOM CALL TOMORROW NIGHT FROM 6 TO 7:30 REGARDING THE COUNTY EV PLAN. IT'S REALLY A FUNDED IT'S A PLAN BEING FUNDED BY THE NJTPA, AND IT LOOKS AT THE PRACTICALITY OF COUNTY PROPERTIES TO HOST EV CHARGING STATIONS FOR NOT ONLY PUBLIC USE, BUT ALSO FOR OUR COUNTY FLEET NEEDS.
YOU CAN REGISTER ON THE COUNTY, SOMERSET COUNTY PLANNING BOARD WEBSITE.
AND SO COME OUT AND AND JOIN THAT CALL. ALSO IN CONCLUSION, THE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION WON TWO STATEWIDE AWARDS FOR THEIR BASEBALL FIELDS AT TWO OF OUR COUNTY PARK COMPLEXES. IT'S REALLY A GREAT AWARD.
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THEY RECEIVED THE AWARD FOR PRESTIGIOUS 2025 FIELD OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE SPORTS FIELD MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.THE AWARDS RECOGNIZED NOT ONLY THE QUALITY OF THE FIELDS, BUT ALSO THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF THE PARK COMMISSION STAFF TO IMPROVING THE SAFETY, PLAYABILITY AND APPEARANCE OF THE FIELDS.
WE WANT TO COMMEND RICK DE LEON, THE FOREMAN AT MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK, AND HIS TEAM, CHRIS BENKO, BRIAN KELLY AND DUSTIN HOLLIDAY, WHO WON THE 2025 FIELD OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THE YOUTH BASEBALL FIELD NUMBER FOUR IN HILLSBOROUGH.
AND THEN ALSO DAVE KRASINSKI, SENIOR ATHLETIC FIELD SPECIALIST, AND HIS TEAM, BOB AND LOU LAUTENBERG AT THE TORPEY ATHLETIC COMPLEX IN BRIDGEWATER, WHO ARE ALSO RECOGNIZED FOR, FOR MAINTAINING A FIELD OF DISTINCTION BY THE ORGANIZATION.
SO HATS OFF TO THEM AS WELL. AND THAT'S MY REPORT.
THANK YOU. SIR. SO THIS MORNING, I ATTENDED THE GATEWAY COMMISSION MEETING OVER AT THE PORT AUTHORITY.
AND I HAVE A FEW UPDATES ON THAT FRONT. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT BEEN KEEPING UP WITH THE NEWS, THE PRESIDENT HAS SHUT DOWN ALL FUNDING GOING FORWARD AND HAS NOT BEEN AUTHORIZING ANY PAYMENTS FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR REIMBURSEMENTS FOR ANY ALREADY APPROVED WORK. WHICH IS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF OUR AGREEMENTS.
THE FUNDING IS ALREADY APPROVED AND COMMITTED.
CONGRESS HAS ALLOCATED FUNDS, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNED LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENTS.
CONTINUING TO FUND THIS PROJECT DOES NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM ANY OTHER PRIORITY.
IT'S NOT FOR ANYTHING THAT IS ACTUALLY PROPELLING ECONOMIC GROWTH OR HELPING INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE AGREE WITH. I DID SPEAK AND ADVOCATED FOR OUR RARITAN VALLEY RAIL COALITION, AND I GUESS A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW TO RESTORE THIS.
IT'S THE NATION'S MOST URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.
THE 116 YEAR OLD NORTH RIVER TUNNEL WAS INEVITABLY NEEDED FOR IT TO BE CLOSED FOR REPAIRS.
WITHOUT A NEW TUNNEL, RAIL SERVICE UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST WOULD BE SEVERELY DISRUPTED, COSTING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY BILLIONS. THE ECONOMIC STAKES ARE ENORMOUS.
THE PROJECT CURRENTLY SUPPORTS 11,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND MORE THAN 20,000 TOTAL JOBS, AND WILL ULTIMATELY GENERATE 95,000 JOBS AND $19.6 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY NATIONWIDE. GATEWAY WILL DELIVER RELIABLE COMMUTERS.
THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT WILL ELIMINATE CHRONIC DELAYS, PROTECT DAILY SERVICE FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RIDERS, AND ENSURE RELIABLE RAIL TRAVEL FOR COMMUTERS ACROSS NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND THE ENTIRE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR.
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY AND DELIVERING RESULTS.
MORE THAN $1 BILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN INVESTED.
FIVE MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE ACTIVE, AND THE GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IS MEETING MILESTONES ON TIME AND ON BUDGET, THANKS TO OUR UNION LABOR. WITH TUNNEL BORING READY TO BEGIN.
NOW, THE PICTURES THAT THEY PRESENTED SHOW A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK AND SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE PROUD, PROUD OF. NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY HAVE COME TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE THE PROJECT.
HOWEVER, THE GATEWAY COMMISSION HAS TAKEN OUT A LINE OF CREDIT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP PAYING THOSE, AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED. SO NOW THEY'RE INCURRING DEBT ON THIS.
EVERYONE IS SPEAKING UP. AND THE ONE THING ABOUT NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG, WE SPEAK UP AND WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT BACK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS OUR NUMBER ONE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.
AND IT'S THERE'S NOT ONE MOMENT THAT I COULD THINK OF A BETTER TIME FOR THIS TO BE COMPLETED.
AS WE LOOK AT OUR 250TH CELEBRATION, OUR WORLD CUP, ON TOP OF JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE HOLD OUR ECONOMY YOU KNOW, WITH GREAT STRUCTURE. AND I'LL LEAVE SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS.
COMMISSIONER MARANO FROM THE RARITAN VALLEY RAIL COALITION.
A FEW UPDATES ON THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP SIDE.
IT WAS RECOGNIZED IN NJBIZ AS THE LARGEST SINGLE COUNTY CHAMBER IN NEW JERSEY WITH OVER 900 MEMBERS REPRESENTING 60,000 PLUS EMPLOYEES. WE HAD OVER 62 6200 ATTENDEES AT OUR EVENT LAST YEAR.
BUSINESS HUB. THE BUSINESS HUB IS USED FOR THREE HOURS ON AVERAGE EACH WEEK, AND WE WE OFFER OVER TEN HOURS PER MONTH OF FREE BUSINESSES, FREE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PER MONTH. SO THANK YOU TO THE SUPPORT OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP,
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WORKING IN CONNECTION WITH OUR BOARD AND OUR COUNTY.WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT ALL LEVELS.
I WAS GOING TO GO THERE MYSELF. I WAS AWAY ALL LAST WEEK AND MY SCHEDULING JUST DIDN'T ALLOW.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE HAD A PHYSICAL REPRESENTATION THERE TO REPRESENT SOMERSET COUNTY, BECAUSE OUR VOICES DO NEED TO BE HEARD. AND I AGREE WITH YOU.
WE'RE FROM NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY. WE ARE EXPERTS AT COMPLAINING AND VOICING OUR OPINIONS, SO IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAD YOU PHYSICALLY THERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH ON THAT. I AM BEYOND WORDS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SUSPENDED FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT. BEYOND WORDS. WE HAVE A CENTURIES PLUS OLD TUNNEL THAT IS LITERALLY CRUMBLING APART.
THAT TUNNEL CONNECTS US TO NOT JUST NEW JERSEY, NOT JUST NEW YORK, NOT JUST THE EAST COAST, THE WORLD'S LARGEST BUSINESS EPICENTER. IF WE CAN'T GET THERE, THAT IMPACTS THE WORLD. THIS ISN'T A JOKE. THIS ISN'T A LITTLE SHUTTLE BUS TAKING PEOPLE TO THE ACME.
THIS IS SERIOUS. IT'S RIDICULOUS. IN THE IMMEDIATE, WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A PAYCHECK COMING IN, BREADWINNERS THAT HAVE TO GO HOME AND TELL THEIR FAMILY THAT BECAUSE OF A POLITICAL SQUABBLE, MOM OR DAD'S NOT BRINGING HOME A CHECK THIS WEEK, AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE SOMEBODY IN WASHINGTON DECIDED THAT THIS WAS A POLITICAL BRINKSMANSHIP AS OPPOSED TO GOOD OLD FASHIONED USA INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON A GRAND SCALE.
IT IS DISGRACEFUL. AND AS YOU CAN HEAR FROM MY TONE, I'M PRETTY UPSET ABOUT IT.
SO THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE TO VOICE THIS ON OUR BEHALF.
THIS IS NOT POLITICAL. THIS IS INFRASTRUCTURE.
YOU GUYS DID GREAT LEADERSHIP ON GETTING EVERYTHING PLOWED. EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD.
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TEAM MET AND GREAT NEWS.
OUR 250. WE'RE IN THE 250TH. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW FOR SIX YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY HERE THIS YEAR. WE'RE IN THE 250TH.
I'M HOPING THAT CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CAN COME AND GIVE YOU GUYS A LITTLE RECAP ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT WE DO HAVE A LIVE WEBSITE. IT IS IT'S THROUGH OUR BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP. WE'VE GOT A SHARED CALENDAR THERE OF ALL THE EVENTS THAT THE TOWNS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH.
IT'S REALLY AWESOME. AND THE 250TH THEME IS ALL OVER THE PLACE NOW.
OUR TOURISM DESTINATION MARKETING GUIDE IS 250TH THEME, OUR SIP AND SEE CAMPAIGN, AND OUR PRIZES FOR THAT 250TH, PATRIOTS GAMES ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF REV WAR THINGS THERE, AND OUR GIS TEAM IS PREPPING MAPPING FOR VISITORS THAT'S NOT YET LIVE, BUT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT. SO 250TH IS HERE AND WE'LL HAVE LOTS TO TO UPDATE AS TIME GOES ON.
I THINK I MENTIONED AT THE LAST MEETING I WAS APPOINTED TO THE STATE HIGHLANDS COUNCIL.
WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING, AND IT WAS FORTUITOUS BECAUSE ONE OF OUR OWN TOWNS, PEAPACK-GLADSTONE, WAS THERE TO BE A CONFORMING COMMUNITY. SO THE WAY THIS WORKS IS THAT THERE ARE 88 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE HIGHLANDS REGION.
THEY ARE NOT MANDATED TO PARTICIPATE IN. WELL, THEY'RE MANDATED ON SOME THINGS, BUT THEY ARE NOT MANDATED TO BE A PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE TO VOLUNTARILY JOIN UP. SO PEAPACK-GLADSTONE JUST JOINED UP NOW.
OUR FIRE HILLS, BEDMINSTER AND BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE SOME, ANOTHER TOWN SIGN UP SOON, WE HOPE. THIS REGION, JUST SO YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY 863 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE, NOT JUST IN THE REGION. IT'S GOING TO NEWARK, JERSEY CITY, HUDSON COUNTY, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
WE'RE GETTING OUR WATER FROM HERE THROUGH THIS REGION.
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SO IT'S VITAL THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT THIS REGION.SHE DID A GREAT JOB. AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER ON MORE PRESERVATION.
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, OUR SENIOR AND DISABLED TRANSPORTATION TEAM MET.
WE HAD OUR QUARTERLY MEETING. WE'RE GETTING ANOTHER EV DOWN THE LINE.
IT SHOULD BE COMING IN ANY DAY NOW. FINGERS CROSSED.
SO THAT'S THAT'S WELCOME NEWS TO HELP US OUT.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR LIBRARY COMMISSION MET.
WE HAD A MEETING THERE AND WE DID THE GRAND OPENING OF OUR GLADSTONE BRANCH THAT IS NEWLY RENOVATED.
IT WAS A IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SPACE, SO BRIGHT. AND THE KIDS AREA IS REALLY A DELIGHT.
SO THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MARANO.
THIS HAS EVOLVED FROM FIELDING 150 INQUIRIES IN 2023, WHICH WAS ITS FIRST FULL YEAR OF OPERATION TO MORE THAN 350 INQUIRIES IN 2024, WHICH WAS ITS PEAK USAGE YEAR. AND THEN WE HAD A STABILIZATION OF NUMBERS LAST YEAR, WHICH ALSO MARKED A DECREASE IN INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS BY MORE THAN 80%, WHICH REFLECTS A SHIFT TOWARD PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION AND THE HARD WORK BY OUR HEALTH, OUR SYSTEM NAVIGATORS AND EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED.
BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR'S STIGMA FREE HUMAN SERVICES CONFERENCE, THE OFFICE OF OPERATIONS AND PLANNING IS PREPARING TO HOST AN IN-PERSON SUMMIT ON JUNE 4TH AT RVCC TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY STIGMA FREE INITIATIVE.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY.
THE NEXT PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 2ND.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL LIZETTE TURNER AT JANUARY IS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH. IT'S AN ANNUAL, MONTH LONG INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO RECOGNIZING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER SERVICE, DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP IN GUIDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SO I WOULD WISH TO OFFER MY WELL WISHES TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL, COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD, THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ARE HOSTING AN INCLUSIVE JOB FAIR FROM TEN TO NOON ON THURSDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF, IN CONFERENCE ROOM ONE OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING, LOCATED OVER ON 27 WARREN STREET HERE IN SOMERVILLE.
13 EMPLOYERS FROM 100 SOMERSET COUNTIES HAVE ABOUT 100 POSITIONS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO FILL.
THE EVENT HAS MORE THAN 240 REGISTRANTS, BUT WALK INS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
VISIT THE HOME PAGE OF THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD AT THANK YOU, MADAM DIRECTOR AND MR. DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
THAT IS MY REPORT FOR TONIGHT. JUST A POINT OF ORDER.
AGAIN, THAT WAS VERY FORTUITOUS BECAUSE WE WERE PLANNING TO PUT THIS ON.
KATE RUSSO, IF YOU WANT TO READ FIRST. NO, I JUST GO DOWN THERE.
OKAY. YEAH. THAT'S GOOD. COME ON. KATE.[APPLAUSE] YAY! CONGRATULATIONS, KATE. THIS IS WONDERFUL. SO, KATE RUSSO SPEARHEADED THE EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN NOVEMBER, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND FOR THE COUNTY.
KATE. ALSO, THIS MASSIVE ENDEAVOR WAS PLANNED ALL WITHIN TWO WEEKS WITH KATE'S LEADERSHIP.
RECENTLY, A RESIDENT WROTE KATE A LETTER OF GRATITUDE IN WHICH THE RESIDENTS STATED, MISS RUSSO, I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT YOUR ACTIONS HAD ON ME.
FOR MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE SINCE THE AGE OF 16, I HAVE BEEN A DEDICATED AND RELIABLE EMPLOYEE,
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OFTEN FIRST TO STEP IN WHEN OTHERS WERE UNAVAILABLE.UNFORTUNATELY, A FALL ACCIDENT TOOK A SEVERE TOLL ON MY HEALTH.
THE DAY I MET YOU, I WAS IN IMMENSE PAIN. DESPITE MY SUFFERING, SOMETHING COMPELLED ME TO SEEK FOOD, AND THROUGH YOU REVEALED A PATH TO SOLACE AND HEALING.
YOUR ACTIONS TRANSCENDED THE SCOPE OF YOUR DUTIES.
MY GOD. YOU HAVE TISSUE? THE THE. THANK YOU. THE COMMITTEE CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE COMMISSIONERS MEETING TODAY. WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED.
ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE HERE. I DON'T NEED TO READ THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. OKAY, SO THIS IS THE SOMERSET COUNTY EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION COMMITTEE PRESENTS THIS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH TO YOU. YOU'RE WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]YAY! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? FAMILY'S COMING. ALL RIGHT. THIS IS. BECAUSE YOU SAW ME, I WAS READY.
COME ON IN. IT'S ALL GOOD. OKAY. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
NICE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS BEFORE EVERYBODY SITS DOWN.
YOU GUYS CAN STAY UP HERE. COME ON IN. SO, KATE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
KATE SETS THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT SHOULD MEAN TO WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
SHE WAS LEAD ON JUST A FEW PROJECTS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF.
OUR FOOD BANK NAVIGATOR PROGRAM, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO REPORT CONVERSATIONS WITH CLIENTS.
CLIENTS WERE 1515 RESIDENTS SPOKE TO IN OUR PILOT PROGRAM AND OUR OUR EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION LAST NOVEMBER, SERVING OVER 1000 RESIDENTS, OVER 1000 FAMILY MEMBERS, WHICH WAS PLANNED IN JUST TWO WEEKS, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE FEAT. KATE SHOWS JUST COMPASSION AND KINDNESS, AND SHE MEETS RESIDENTS WHERE THEY'RE AT AND AND TRULY IS THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT SHOULD MEAN TO WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER 2026 AND THE NEXT FEW YEARS ARE GOING TO JUST SHOW US A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.
WE NEED AMBITIOUS, INNOVATIVE, RESULTS DRIVEN, EMPATHETIC, COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE ON OUR TEAM.
AND WE HAVE THAT IN KATE. SO THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU KATIE. [APPLAUSE] . SO I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE KATE.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE PRESENCE YOU ARE IN OUR OFFICE.
THE TONE THAT YOU SET, THE WAY THAT YOU INTERACT WITH COLLEAGUES, THE WAY THAT YOU SUPPORT THE STAFF WHO REPORT TO YOU, AND, FRANKLY, THE QUALITY OF THE WORK THAT THEY DELIVER IN MANY WAYS IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR GUIDANCE, YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR YOUR YOU HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS.
AND THEY DELIVER. AND I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE.
I WON'T REPEAT ALL OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT LISA HAS SHARED, BUT I FEEL EXTRAORDINARILY FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH YOU TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING NEXT WITH OUR WORK IN FOOD SECURITY AND ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
IT'S JUST A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU. WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU IN THE DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] I WILL SAY THAT ENVIRONMENT IS EVERYTHING, AND THE CULTURE HERE AT THE COUNTY IS NOTHING LESS THAN JUST AMAZING. HAVING LISA AND MOLLY AS LEADERS, BUT EVERYTHING, EVERY ONE OF YOU, HAS CREATED AN AMAZING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF US TO THRIVE. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR GIVING ME A HOME.
APPRECIATE IT.[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. OH YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. THAT WAS GREAT. THANK YOU KATE.
SO OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS COMMUNICATIONS.
WE RECEIVED TWO COMMUNICATIONS, ONE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
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SHUTTLE PROJECT. THAT'S TERRIFIC. AND THEN ALSO, WE RECEIVED WORD FROM THE SOMERSET COUNTY MUNICIPAL MANAGERS ASSOCIATION REQUESTING SOMERSET COUNTY STUDY AND EVALUATE EMERGENCY SHELTERING NEEDS FOR A COUNTYWIDE PLAN.AND THEN WE'LL GO TO NEW BUSINESS. RESOLUTION 26-300, AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO THE BOROUGH OF SOMERVILLE.
RESOLUTION 26-301 APPROVING PLANS AUTHORIZING RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE INSTALLATIONS SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, CONTRACT 26003. THIS IS A PROJECT WHERE WE'RE INSTALLING HISTORIC SIGNS AT NINE HISTORIC BUILDING LOCATIONS, AND WE HOPE TO GO OUT TO BID SHORTLY FOR THIS PROJECT.
RESOLUTION 26-302 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE D, 1003 BURNT MILLS ROAD OVER MILL RACEWAY, TOWNSHIP OF BRANCHBURG, SOMERSET COUNTY.
CONTRACT 25022. RESOLUTION 26-303 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF SOMERSET COUNTY BRIDGE E0507. RAIDER BOULEVARD OVER ROYCE BROOK IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY.
CONTRACT 26001. GOOD AFTERNOON. RESOLUTION 26-304 AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION OF NEW AND USED DIVE RESCUE EQUIPMENT WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $2,362 FOR MRS KB. A PRIVATE CITIZEN TO BE USED BY THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE DIVE RESCUE TEAM.
THANK YOU. 26-305 AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY 911 COMMUNICATIONS TO ACCEPT THE AWARD OF A NEXT GEN 911 GRANT FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $226,410 AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN RESOLUTION R25-1910. NO COST SHARING OR MATCH FUNDS ARE REQUIRED.
26-306 AUTHORIZING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF JOSEPH SHERIDAN TO BE DEPUTY COORDINATOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH NJSA 9-42 AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW JERSEY OEM DIRECTIVE SIX OF SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR A TWO YEAR TERM ENDING FEBRUARY 10TH, 2028. 26-307 AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO APPLY FOR THE F, THE FISCAL YEAR 26 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AGENCY ASSISTANCE AS A SUB GRANTEE.
26-308 AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE 2026 NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER GRANT PROGRAM FOR UP TO $2,500. FUNDING WILL BE USED FOR HIGH STRENGTH LEAK PATCHES, NO MATCH REQUIRED.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! [LAUGHS] 26-309 AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND THE TOWNSHIP OF WARREN FOR 2026 TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. 26-310 AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND THE BOROUGH OF NORTH PLAINFIELD FOR 2026 TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. 26-311, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET TO APPLY CAPITAL AND OPERATING ASSISTANCE FOR SECTION 5310 FISCAL YEAR 2025 GRANT AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED 50% IN-KIND MATCH REQUIRED.
26-312. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ELECTION SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE FOR ELECTION GOODS AND SERVICES TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR THE 2026 FIRE ELECTION. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $9,000. 26-313.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $12,100 FOR THE FIRST YEAR.
RESOLUTION 26-314. AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO BOSWELL, INC.
OF SOUTH HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE J1402 WASHINGTON CORNER ROAD OVER TRIBUTARY TO INDIAN GROVE BROOK IN BURNSVILLE BOROUGH. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $397,493.
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RESOLUTION 26-315. AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO FRENCH AND PARRELLO OUT OF WALL NEW JERSEY FOR AS NEEDED SUBSURFACE BORINGS AND INSPECTIONS FOR 2026. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $25,000.RESOLUTION 26-316 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO KS ENGINEERS, P.C.
AT NEWARK, NEW JERSEY FOR DESIGN FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE B0506 LONG HILL ROAD OVER TRIBUTARY TO NESHANIC RIVER IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $394,979.66. RESOLUTION 26-317 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO PRESTIGE ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
RESOLUTION 26-0318. AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO VAN CLEEF ENGINEERING, HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY, FOR AS NEEDED SURVEY SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2026.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. RESOLUTION 26-319 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO VAN CLEEF ENGINEERING, HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY, FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE G1306 MINE MOUNTAIN ROAD OVER MINE BROOK AND BURNSVILLE BOROUGH.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $308,802. RESOLUTION 26-320 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO VERDANTIX, LLC, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY FOR AS NEEDED ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR YEAR 2026 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000.
RESOLUTION 26-321 CONSULTANT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION NUMBER ONE TO T&M ASSOCIATES, MIDDLETOWN, NEW JERSEY FOR ROADWAY LIGHTING DESIGN AT SOMERSET COUNTY BRIDGE B0507 HAMMEL ROAD OVER NESHANIC RIVER IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $59,775.36 FOR A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $107,704.63. RESOLUTION 26-322 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE REPLACEMENT GENERATOR 2301 SOUTH BRANCH ROAD IN NESHANIC STATION, NEW JERSEY. CONTRACT NUMBER 22007R. IT'S AN INCREASE OF $142,488.84 FROM THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,099,000, FOR A NEW CONTRACT.
AMOUNT OF $1,241,488.84. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $142,488.84. WHAT IS THIS? WHAT? THIS IS FOR CHANGES THAT, WE DID THIS PROJECT A WHILE AGO, AND THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH THE LOCATION OF THE GENERATOR, SO WE HAD THE GENERATOR. WHAT IS THE GENERATOR? IT'S A BACKUP GENERATOR FOR THE WHOLE NESHANIC VALLEY CLUBHOUSE FACILITY.
SO THEY HAVE EVENTS THERE. AND THIS IS THE BACKUP FOR THAT FACILITY.
SO WE'RE GOING TO SPEND 1.2 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS FOR A BACKUP GENERATOR.
YES. YES. IT NOT ONLY DOES IT POWER THE CLUBHOUSE, BUT IT ALSO POWERS THE PUMPS FOR THE FIRE CONTROL THE CLUBHOUSE. OKAY. YES.
AND WHAT IS THE INCREASE? WHAT'S DRIVING THE INCREASE? BECAUSE THIS WAS AWARDED.
RIGHT. AND SO WHAT'S THE INCREASE BEING DRIVEN BY? THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE LOCATION OF THE GENERATOR BEING TOO CLOSE TO UNDERGROUND PROPANE TANKS.
RESOLUTION 26-323. SHE'S THERE. OH, OKAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL.
RESOLUTION 26-323 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE 2026 PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR CIVIL COMMITS OR REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE COUNTY ADJUSTER'S OFFICE FOR J.
DANIELA FARMER, ESQUIRE, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $35,000.
26-324 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE 2026 PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES, ALSO FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO MURPHY ORLANDO FOR THE HANDLING OF EXPUNGEMENT AND OR SPECIAL LITIGATION MATTERS,
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TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $12,000. 26-325 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE 2026 PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE COUNTY OF JUSTICE OFFICE TO SCHOLL AND WHITTLESEY, LLC FOR CLIENT REPRESENTATION AND OUR OTHER SPECIAL LITIGATION MATTERS.RESOLUTION 26-326 AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS SUBCONTRACTS WITH MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE COMMITTEES IN SOMERSET COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2026.
RESOLUTION 26-327. AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO SPECIALIZED WIRELESS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN FOR COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $29,720.72.
THANK YOU. 26-328 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MILLENNIUM MECHANICAL, LLC UTILIZING CONTRACT CC-0027-24 TO REPLACE THE LEAKY SECTION OF A CONDENSER WATER PIPING AT 20 NORTH BRIDGE STREET. NOT TO EXCEED $47,194.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $30,176.78.
RESOLUTION 26-330. APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO FLATBUSH MOVING AND ELECTION SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THE NOVEMBER 4TH, 2025 GENERAL ELECTION.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $210. RESOLUTION 26-331 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO EVERGREEN ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC, WAYNE, NEW JERSEY. EXCUSE ME, WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR A RIPARIAN ZONE MITIGATION CREDIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MITIGATION BANK CARE OF EVERGREEN ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC FOR REPLACEMENT WIDENING OF BRIDGE D1003 BURNT MILLS ROAD, BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP.
THE COST OF THE 0.052 ACRES OF RIPARIAN ZONE CREDITS IS $42,68, $42,068 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $42,068. RESOLUTION 26-332 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO GSP PROPERTIES, LLC, MENDHAM, NEW JERSEY, FOR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR REPAIR OF VARIOUS PARK COMMISSION STRUCTURES CONTRACT 25012.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $42,473.60. 26-333 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO FRENCH AND PARRELLO ASSOCIATES FOR FINAL INVOICE ON HUNT PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THROUGH OCTOBER 10TH, 2025. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,665.
26-334 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO NW FINANCIAL GROUP, BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,000.
26-335 IS AUTHORIZING REFUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF APPEALS FEES AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATION FEES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $850. AND 26-336 IS PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE SAME.
RESOLUTION. 26-337 APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER FOR DAVID CROSS FERRY TO NEW JERSEY FOR LINE DANCING CLASSES FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2025, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $125. RESOLUTION 26 338 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO WATSON'S FOR PURCHASE OF CONGREGATE AND HOME DELIVERED MEALS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $29,916.73, AND
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RESOLUTION 26-339 IS AN APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO THE FLEMINGTON DEPARTMENT STORE FOR SECURITY UNIFORMS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,802.13. RESOLUTION 26-340 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO IDEMIA IDENTITY AND SECURITY IN MANHATTAN TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $6,651.40.THANK YOU. 26-341 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO KFT FIRE TRAINER LLC CONTRACT CC9056-23 FOR KFT T-2000 AND 0-100 BURN TRAINING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE CONTRACT.
FOURTH YEAR OF A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $26,990.
26-342 AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATE OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO DAVE BITTRICH, INC. CC-0113-24 FOR SPEEDY DRY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $500.
26-343 AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO SHP MEDICAL DIRECTION, LLC. CY-COM-0098-24 FOR MEDICAL PROGRAM SERVICES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.
26-344 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO AGL WELDING SUPPLY COMPANY FOR ADDITIONAL GAS REFILLS NEEDED FOR 2025 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $263.14. 26-345 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO AIRGAS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR REPAIR TO AN AIR COMPRESSOR TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,408.52.
26-346 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ID CARE CY-COM-0014-21 FOR TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL SERVICES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $131,570.85.
26-347. AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER.
CONTRACT CY-COM-0019-23 FOR CHILD HEALTH CLINICS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $13,412.
26-348 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER, INC.. CY-COM- 0018-23 FOR REPRODUCTIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, CANCER SCREENING AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $14,073.
26-349 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO ASIS INTERNATIONAL FOR 2026 MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR ME, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $245. OKAY 26-350. AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ABC SERVICES, INC. FOR ADDITIONAL JANITORIAL CLEANING SERVICES AND HERC RENTALS FOR EQUIPMENT RENTALS NOT TO EXCEED $7500.
26-351 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO JULIUS ROSE COMPANY, BESAFE, LLC AND HAGUE SERVICE CORPORATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $25,205.63. 26-352, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO MESA RECYCLING SERVICES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $34,404.19. 26-353.
APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RITCHIES TIRE SERVICES OF MIDDLESEX NOT TO EXCEED $1,450.
26-354. APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO REPUBLIC SERVICES.
THIS IS FOR COMMODITIES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,079.03.
26-355 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO PUMPING SERVICES, INC.. THESE ARE FOR PUMP SERVICE STATION NOT TO EXCEED 13,300.
NOT TO EXCEED 900,000. I HOPE NOT TO USE ANY OF IT, BUT I'M A LITTLE WORRIED WHAT'S COMING THIS WEEKEND? I'M SORRY. I'LL MOVE ON. OKAY. 26- 357 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO MASTER COLA OF PLAINFIELD SNOW REMOVAL FOR COUNTY ROADS IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP SOUTHBOUND BROOK, BRANCHBURG, BRIDGEWATER BEDMINSTER NOT TO EXCEED 50,000. 26-358 AMENDING THE CERTIFICATION, AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY
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AWARDED CONTRACTS TO ATLANTIC SALT FOR $546,197.96. 26-359 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO JOEL ELECTRIC FOR ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES, LAWSON PRODUCTS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND PARTS, AND ATLANTIC SALT NOT TO EXCEED 134,000.04.26-361 AMENDING AND CERTIFYING, AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS IN BRIDGEWATER NOT TO EXCEED 50,000. 26-362 APPROVE TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO VARIOUS VENDORS.
THERE'S A LIST BELOW. CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 26-300 THROUGH 26-362 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FEBRUARY 10TH MEETING.
SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.
YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. ABSTAIN FROM 26-354.
ABSTENTION FROM 26-354 NOTED. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
RESOLUTION 26-262. THIS IS THE RESOLUTION WHICH I WILL READ INTO THE RECORD, WHICH WILL THEN BE SENT TO OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION AS WELL AS THE STATE. THIS RESOLUTION SUPPORTED THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT FUNDING IN 2024 MANY SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENT EXPERIENCED THE SUMMER OF HELL WITH SEVERE TRAIN DELAYS AND CANCELLATION ON THE RARITAN VALLEY LINE DUE TO AGING INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS AND EQUIPMENT.
WHEREAS THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT WILL ELIMINATE THE CHRONIC DELAYS, PROTECT THE DAILY SERVICE FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RIDERS, AND ENSURE RELIABLE RAIL SERVICE FOR COMMUTERS ACROSS NOT JUST NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, BUT THE ENTIRE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR AND WHEREAS THE 116 YEAR OLD NORTH RIVER TUNNEL WILL INEVITABLY NEED TO CLOSE FOR REPAIRS WITHOUT A NEW TUNNEL, RAIL SERVICE UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST WILL BE DISRUPTED, COSTING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY BILLIONS. WHEREAS MORE THAN THE PROJECT CURRENTLY SUPPORTS 11,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND MORE THAN 20,000 TOTAL JOBS, AND WILL ULTIMATELY GENERATE 95,000 JOBS AND 19.6 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY NATIONWIDE. AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 1 BILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN INVESTED, FIVE MAJOR CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE ACTIVE AND THE GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IS MEETING MILESTONES ON TIME AND ON BUDGET, WITH TUNNEL BORINGS READY TO BEGIN.
CONGRESS HAS ALLOCATED THE FUNDS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNED LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENTS, CONTINUING TO FUND THE PROJECT DOES NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM ANY OTHER PRIORITY.
WHEREAS PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT TO PROTECT AMERICA'S MOST CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, CREATE GOOD PAYING JOBS, GROW THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, AND DEMONSTRATE THAT THE UNITED STATES CAN STILL BUILD BIG, COMPLEX PROJECTS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY CALL FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT IN ORDER TO FUND NECESSARY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK THAT MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS DEPEND UPON.
THAT THAT'S AWESOME. IS THERE A REASON WE'RE NOT COPYING THE OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE? WE CAN. YEAH, WE CAN. WE CAN ADD THAT. AND I THINK WE SHOULD WE CAN SEND IT TO AND JACK AND WE CAN SEND IT TO ALL 21 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LIKE THEY NORMALLY SEND US, LIKE THEY SEND TO US.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO INCLUDE OUR STATE DELEGATION ON THAT TOO.
SURE, WE CAN TOTALLY DO THAT. THANK YOU. DULY NOTED.
THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO DO A ROLL CALL ON THAT OR? YEAH WE CAN DO A ROLL CALL. OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU.
NEXT. MOVING ON. 26-263 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CHASON LAMPARELLO MALLON AND CAPPUZZO FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR 2026, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 75,000.
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2026, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. 26-265 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO RAINONE COUGHLIN MINCHELLO FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS.TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 75000. 26-266 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SCARINCI AND HOLLENBECK FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 135,000.
26-267 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHAW WITTESLEY FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR 2026 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. 268 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AS FISCAL AGENT, THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT UP TO $489,991 IN SUMMER YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS FROM THE NJDOL FOR THE SUMMER 2026. LAST YEAR WE HIT, WE HAD FUNDING FOR 91 PARTICIPANTS.
THIS YEAR WE'RE ASKING FOR 125. THAT'S GREAT.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $91,520.95. 26-270. AWARD OF CONTRACTS CY-COM-9009-26 TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR A PUBLIC, I'M SORRY, FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONSULTING SERVICES ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH AN OPTION OF 2 1 YEAR EXTENSIONS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $154,000.
CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTIONS 26-262 THROUGH 26-270 TO THE AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY 27TH, 2026 MEETING? SO MOVED. SECONDED. DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
OH, I WAS, I HAVE A QUESTION. PROBABLY THE SAME THING ON 268.
THE NUMBERS IN OUR PACKET VERSUS THE NUMBERS THAT WAS PRESENTED OFF LIKE $600.
268 WHAT NUMBER DO YOU SEE? I SEE 482331. THAT'S I KNOW THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO IT.
CAN YOU JUST VERIFY WHICH ONE IS CORRECT. SO THE 2899 SO $489,991 IS THE CORRECT NUMBER. THANK YOU. CORRECT THE RESOLUTION. YEAH.
I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION. CAN WE PULL THE RESOLUTION FOR THE RAIL TUNNEL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND HAVE IT A ROLL CALL VOTE AT NEXT MEETING? YES, YES. WHEN WE GET TO THE CONSENT, IF YOU BEFORE WE START THE CONSENT, YOU CAN MAKE A MOTION TO PULL THAT ONE I'M GOING TO PULL THAT ONE WITH A SEPARATE VOTE.
OKAY. VERY GOOD. THAT'S APPRECIATED. CAN WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THIS? THESE ITEMS FOR ADOPTION. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.
YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. THIS IS THE, THIS IS THE POINT OF OUR MEETING, WE OPEN THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC.
CAN I GET A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? MOTION.
SECOND. ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD? SEEING NONE. I'D LIKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC MEETING.
MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OTHER PORTION IS CLOSED.
NOW, I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR AN ADJOURNMENT OF THIS MEETING.
NO. WE GO. WE CONTINUE. WE CONTINUE WITH OUR MEETING.
SORRY. THANK YOU. ALL FUN.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.