DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. SO WE COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
[00:00:03]
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK. FIVE MINUTES.NO YIELDING OF TIME. NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC? SO MOVED.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK.
ANYTHING ON THE PHONE? NO EMAILS. HEARING NONE.
SEEING NONE AS A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
MOTION. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.
AS WE LET OUR GUESTS COME IN, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR REGULAR MEETING.
[PROCLAMATIONS]
DAY. THANK YOU. HOUSING FIRST.SO FIRST WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR SOMERSET COUNTY HOUSING MONTH.
SO WHEREAS THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FINDS THAT SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND HABITABLE HOUSING IS A GOAL OF SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS AND IS THE BASIS OF STABILITY AND SECURITY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY.
AND APRIL 26TH, APRIL 2026 MARKS THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968, WHICH PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION IN THE SALE, RENTAL AND FINANCING OF HOUSING BASED ON RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEX, FAMILIAL STATUS, OR DISABILITY.
TO COMMEMORATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT, THE CONCEPT OF HOUSING MONTH HAS FOCUSED ON THE TALENTS AND VIGOROUS LOCAL EFFORTS OF THE GRASSROOTS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, HOUSING SERVICE PROVIDERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, AND OTHERS TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE FAIR HOUSING, WHICH HELPS TO CREATE AND PRESERVE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY. THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026.
TO BE FAIR TO BE. HOUSING MONTH IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE] EXCELLENT. I JUST REALLY.
MY NAME IS SUSIE SUTER. I'M THE PROGRAM MANAGER AT CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING.
SO REALLY THANK YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH. IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. YES.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND CONGRATULATIONS. NOW WE HAVE NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH.
KATE AND COMPANY. YES. YEAH. THIS IS A CREW.
YEAH. YES. HELLO THERE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.
I'M GOOD. HOW ARE YOU? EXCELLENT. I KNOW, I KNOW.
COME ON. KIM. YEAH. HOW ARE YOU? I'M GOOD. IT'S LIKE AN ALL STAR CAST UP HERE.
SO IT'S NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH, THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS ESTABLISHED NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH IN 1973 TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT HEALTHY EATING AND, DUE TO GROWING PUBLIC INTEREST, EXPANDED THE OBSERVANCE TO NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH IN 1980.
THE 2026 NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH THEME IS THE POWER OF NUTRITION, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT NUTRITIOUS FOODS PLAY IN SUPPORTING HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. AND ACCORDING TO THE 2024 MAP, THE MEAL GAP STUDY BY FEEDING AMERICA, NEARLY 1.1 MILLION PEOPLE APPROXIMATELY 1 IN 9 RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY ARE FOOD INSECURE, INCLUDING MORE THAN 270,000 CHILDREN, OR 1 IN 7 CHILDREN, REPRESENTING A 9.5% INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR.
SOMERSET COUNTY HAS EMBEDDED HUMAN SERVICE NAVIGATORS WITHIN LOCAL FOOD BANKS TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS RECEIVING FREE FOOD ASSISTANCE ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO APPLICATION SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL BENEFITS, SUCH AS SNAP AND WIC, STRENGTHENING PATHWAYS TO LONG TERM FOOD SECURITY AND THE VOLUNTEERS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS SERVING IN OUR FOOD BANKS, FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS DEMONSTRATE EXTRAORDINARY COMPASSION,
[00:05:04]
COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO RESIDENTS FACING FOOD INSECURITY.SO, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HEREBY RECOGNIZES MARCH 2026 AS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH AND AFFIRMS THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPANDING FOOD ACCESS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND HONORS THE CHAMPIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO SERVE RESIDENTS THROUGH FOOD BANKS, FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS, TO ENSURING THAT NO NEIGHBOR GOES HUNGRY.
THANK YOU. WHO WANTS TO SPEAK FIRST? I JUST WANT TO REALLY GIVE A LOT OF KUDOS TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO IS UP HERE. SO THEY ARE REPRESENTING FOOD PANTRIES, FOOD BANKS, FARMERS AND SOCIAL SERVICES HERE IN HILLSBORO.
KIM, WHO IS HERE IN BELLBROOK AND OUR NAVIGATORS, JUST VERY GRATEFUL TO WORK ALONGSIDE ALL OF YOU IN THIS JOURNEY, AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO TO OUR COMMUNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? ALL RIGHT.
CAN I SAY SOMETHING. DEREK? COME ON. YOU KNOW ME.
WHILE THE NUMBERS ARE RIDICULOUS IN NEW JERSEY, ONE OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS IS FOOD INSECURE, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ONE OUT OF FOUR BLACK AND BROWN HOUSEHOLDS ARE FOOD INSECURE.
SO THE DISPARITY IS REAL FOR BLACK AND LATINO FAMILIES HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AND CERTAINLY FOR URBAN AND RURAL FAMILIES AS WELL.
SO FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND OTHERS, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE TO HELP US.
WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
STAY RIGHT THERE. ALL RIGHT. I TURNED IT OFF.
SO WE HAVE THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY AND I HAVE A PROCLAMATION WHICH READS, WHEREAS AMERICAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS HELP FEED THE WORLD, FUEL THE ECONOMY AND PROVIDE A SAFE DOMESTIC FOOD SUPPLY, THEREBY REPRESENTING THE DETERMINED AND SELF-RELIANT CHARACTER OF SOMERSET COUNTY AND OUR NATION.
AND WHEREAS, THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS ESTABLISHED THE SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN 1983 AND CHARGED IT WITH PRESERVING FARMLAND, MEDIATING RIGHT TO FARM MATTERS AND RETAINING, SUSTAINING AND ADVANCING THE INDUSTRY OF AGRICULTURE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS, THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD CELEBRATES 43 YEARS OF PRESERVED FARMLAND IN THE COUNTY AND WHEREAS, THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE SCADB RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS BUSINESS CONTRIBUTES SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE COUNTY'S ECONOMY, PROMOTES HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES THROUGH LOCALLY GROWN FOODS, AND PROVIDES SOCIETAL BENEFITS THROUGH AGRITOURISM AND LAND PRESERVATION.
AND WHEREAS, THROUGH ITS EFFORTS IN PLANNING, PRESERVATION, EDUCATION AND MARKETING, THE ADB HAS ADVANCED THESE IDEALS AND FEELS IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AGRICULTURE, FOOD PRODUCTION AND THE AVAILABILITY AND AGRICULTURAL CAREER OPTIONS.
AND WHEREAS THE FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM WILL BRING THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY CELEBRATION IN SOMERSET COUNTY TO HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, WHERE STUDENTS WILL LEARN ABOUT SAFE FARMS, SAFE ROADS AND HEALTHY SOIL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP FARMERS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT BEING PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE MARCH 27TH, 2026, AS NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO GO OUT AND THANK A FARMER.
I ADDED THAT. I ADDED THAT [LAUGHS]. WE HAVE, WE HAVE, WE HAVE WITH US OUR COUNTY CHAIRMAN OF THE
[00:10:08]
BOARD, ALSO OUR DEPUTY CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND KATE KATZER, WHO IS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING NOT ONLY WORK THROUGH THE MANY DETAILS WITH OUR STAFF, BUT REALLY IS TREMENDOUS WORKING WITH OUR FARMERS THROUGHOUT SOMERSET COUNTY AND HIGHLY REGARDED.AND CERTAINLY, KATE, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR EFFORTS HERE, YOU KNOW, TO REALLY ADVANCE AGRICULTURE AS AN INDUSTRY AND HELP WORKING WITH OUR FARMERS EVERY DAY. I'M GOING TO SAY INSTEAD OF ADVANCING, I'M GOING TO SAY SUSTAINING.
OKAY. SO SORRY. THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.
WE'RE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN RECOGNIZING THE, THE VAST RESOURCES THAT FARMERS NEED AND AND UTILIZE EVERY DAY AND HOW WE PROTECT THE LAND.
YOU KNOW, THE COMMISSIONER SORRY, I KEEP GOING BACK TO FREEHOLDERS. I'M OLD, BUT IT'S COMMISSIONERS THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT THAT THEY'VE ALWAYS GIVEN THE SCADB SINCE 1983, WHEN THIS WAS FIRST STARTED BY OUR FOUNDING CHAIRMAN AT THAT TIME WAS TOM EVERETT, A LONGTIME FARMER IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY. SECOND, I'D LIKE TO THANK KATE KATZER AND THE STAFF DOWN IN THE PLANNING BOARD FOR ALL THE LOGISTICS AND THE HELP THAT THEY GIVE US FOR THE PROGRAMS THAT KATE COMES UP WITH.
SHE'S WONDERFUL. WHAT A MIND. I'LL TELL YOU, WHAT A MIND [LAUGHS] AND HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
OKAY. THIRD, OUR COMMITTEE, THE CADB COMMITTEE IS SUCH A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ON HERE WITH SEVEN MEMBERS, THEY ALL KNOW AGRICULTURE. THEY'RE ALL WILLING TO STEP IN TO PICK UP THE PACE.
AND IT'S REALLY GRATEFUL. AND MY VICE CHAIR, DEBBIE NORRIS.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. QUICK STORY, QUICK LITTLE THING I LIKE TO DO ONCE IN A WHILE.
JEREMIAH JOHNSON, HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW THAT MOVIE? RAISE YOUR HANDS. JEREMIAH JOHNSON, ROBERT REDFORD? NO? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. IT'S ABOUT A GUY THAT GOES TRAPPING IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
OKAY. HE COMES UP WITH A MENTOR, WILL GRIER. MAKES HIM SO HE CAN SURVIVE.
HE'S CHASED BY INDIANS SO FAR DOWN THE LINE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE MOVIE, HE'S WAY UP IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
THERE IN COLORADO. HIS MENTOR COMES UP TO HIM.
HE'S COOKING SOME FOOD. THEY HAVE A DISCUSSION AND THE DISCUSSION COMES OUT TO WINTER IS, YOU KNOW, WINTER IS LONG TIME GONE NOW, WHICH WE HAD A GOOD WINTER THIS YEAR.
SO HERE I'M THINKING ABOUT THIS WINTER IS A LONG TIME GONE. CONVERSATION GOES TO DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW WHAT MONTH IT IS? MARCH, MAYBE APRIL. THE COMMENTS COME BACK. MARCH, I THINK DEFINITELY NOT APRIL.
HIS MENTOR TURNS AROUND AND SAYS MARCH IS A MUDDY MONTH.
SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT DOWN BELOW, MOSTLY FARMERS.
AND THAT'S US. SO THERE YOU GO. SO THANK YOU AGAIN VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE IT.
KATE. JUST A QUICK PLUG. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
OUR STORY MAP WILL GO LIVE AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S TOPIC.
BIG THANK YOU TO OUR GIS DEPARTMENT. THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB PUTTING THE STORY MAP TOGETHER.
OUR BOARD GOT A LITTLE SNEAK PEEK AND ALSO THANKS TO OUR GRAPHICS DEPARTMENT, THEY PUT TOGETHER AMAZING COLORING BOOKS AND TRADING CARDS THAT WILL BE LIVE AT ALL OF THE COUNTY LIBRARIES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET A COPY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. CAN I MAKE ONE MORE PLUG? SURE. OKAY, SO AS FAR AS NUTRITION, IF ANYBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY WHO IS A SNAP RECIPIENT, I HAVE A PROGRAM AT THE FARM THAT MATCHES FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UP TO $30. SO IF THEY SPEND 30 OF THEIR SNAP, THEY CAN GET FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, $30 FOR EACH TRANSACTION THEY DO. SO THAT'S GREAT [APPLAUSE] OH, I'M GOOD, WE'RE GOOD.
[00:15:31]
WE HAVE SOME APPOINTMENTS TO MAKE ON THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD.[APPOINTMENTS]
JASON SCHOFIELD. ON THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.JOHN TOMPKINS FROM BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, ANDREW MCNALLY, BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, RON CHEESMAN, BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, THOMAS GENOVA, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, JOAN GEIGER, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.
ROBERT LOUIS FAR HILLS BORO, RICK NUNN, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, MIKE MARTIN, MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, VINCE LOMEDICO, SOMERVILLE BOROUGH, KEVIN SLUKA, SOMERVILLE BOROUGH, DOUG BUROH FROM WARREN TOWNSHIP.
I WAS HOPING HE'D BE FROM A BOROUGH [LAUGHS] ON THE CULTURAL AND HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
WE'VE GOT SEAN BLINN FROM BEDMINSTER, ALDO ADRIAZOLA FROM BRANCHBURG, GREGORY GILLETTE FROM HILLSBORO, MELISSA BLODGETT FROM MONTGOMERY, NICK CUZZO FROM WARREN TOWNSHIP, AND YOU WANT ME TO WRAP IT UP WITH THE PLANNING BOARD DIRECTOR? WE'LL DO THE PLANNING BOARD. I GOT THAT ONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE ON THE PLANNING BOARD OUR 26-645.
BENJAMIN BARRETT FROM SOMERVILLE AND WILHELMINA KAMARA FROM FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 26-642 THROUGH 26-645? MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.
YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. CONGRATULATIONS. AND I SEE ONE OF THE APPOINTEES IS HERE, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU SAW HER NAME ON THE AGENDA. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR MARCH 10TH, 2026.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ABOVE LISTED MINUTES? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. WE HAVE ORDINANCE 26-699. ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMIT ALONG MARSHAL ROAD, SOUTH BRANCH ROAD,
[ORDINANCE]
RIVER ROAD. LYMAN STREET, COUNTY ROUTE 625 AND HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR APRIL 14TH AT 6 P.M..IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING? MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.
YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-600 THROUGH 26-605?
[CONSENT AGENDA]
MOTION. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-606 THROUGH 26-615?
[AWARD OF CONTRACTS]
SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-616 THROUGH 26-641?
[FINANCE]
MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES, BUT ABSTAINING FROM, RECUSE MYSELF FROM 26-636.
ABSTENTION FROM 26 636 NOTED. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE YES, BUT RECUSED FOR ABSTAIN FROM 26-648.
ABSTENTION FROM 26-648 NOTED. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 26-646 THROUGH
[ITEMS ADDED FROM THE MARCH 24, 2026 WORK SESSION TO BE ADOPTED TONIGHT]
26-656? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER.YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. I'M ABSTAINING FROM THE SAME ONE. ABSTENTION FROM 26-648 NOTED.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN UP TO THE PUBLIC? MOTION? IS THERE A SECOND? ANYONE FROM. OH, ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME. COMING UP A SECOND TIME, WE DO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE TELEPHONE AND EMAIL.
[00:20:05]
HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. NO EXECUTIVE SESSION TONIGHT.IT'S STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE, SO I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
MOTION. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYES HAVE IT. GOOD NIGHT.
BE WELL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.