[PROCLAMATIONS ] [00:00:03] ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A FULL HOUSE TONIGHT. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR PROCLAMATIONS FOR OUR REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING. ALL RIGHT. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BE UP HERE WITH MR. GRZELLA. AND I AM PRESENTING HIM A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK. WHEREAS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK ANNUALLY RAISES AWARENESS ON THE VITAL ROLE REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS PROVIDE IN MEETING CRITICAL INDUSTRY WORKFORCE DEMANDS. REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS ARE INDUSTRY DRIVEN, HIGH QUALITY CAREER PATHWAYS THAT ENABLE EMPLOYERS TO DEVELOP AND TRAIN THEIR FUTURE WORKFORCE, AND INDIVIDUALS CAN OBTAIN PAID WORK EXPERIENCE WITH A MENTOR, RECEIVE PROGRESSIVE WAGE INCREASES, CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, AND A PORTABLE, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL. AND WHEREAS, THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD YOUTH COMMITTEE WILL PRESENT PATHWAYS TO THE FUTURE, A CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL APPRENTICE WEEK ON THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH, 2026 AT RVCC, GIVING ATTENDEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND LEARN ABOUT REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS. PROGRAMS ARE UNIQUELY ABLE TO MEET THE CHANGING DEMANDS OF OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. BUSINESSES, UNION ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT AS EXHIBITORS. BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY DECLARE APRIL 20TH 6TH TO MAY 2ND, 2026 AS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK IN SOMERSET COUNTY. WE APPLAUD YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. [APPLAUSE]. SINCE I HAVE SUCH A BIG CROWD, WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT EVERYONE'S INVITED TO THIS. WE HAVE ABOUT 80 PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED. SOME ARE YOUTH, SOME ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SOME ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS. SOME ARE JUST PEOPLE SEEKING JOBS, AND THEY'LL MEET ORGANIZATIONS THERE. YES, THERE'S GOING TO BE THE ASSOCIATION OF CARPENTERS, CONTRACT BUILDERS AND SOME OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU MAY THINK, YES, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DO APPRENTICESHIP, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A HOSPITALITY VENDOR WHO HAS CREATED A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP APPROVED BY THE FEDS FOR HOSPITALITY AND FLOWER DESIGN, AND SHE MAKES A LOT OF MONEY. AND WE HAVE A FINANCE PERSON THERE. WE HAVE A TEACHER. THERE'S A NEW MOVEMENT FOR TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING THAT AS A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR SOMERSET 100 COUNTIES, WE NEED TO SUPPORT AND HELP DEVELOP. AND I THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR SUPPORTING US, AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL SPEND A COUPLE HOURS WITH US. WE EVEN HAVE FOOD. THANK YOU, LIZ. APPRECIATE IT. [APPLAUSE]. WE HAVE THE RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION VOLUNTEER WEEK. [APPLAUSE].WE CAN ALWAYS TELL BY THE LOVELY SHIRTS. ALL RIGHT. NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK. WHEREAS RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, RCE, OF SOMERSET COUNTY PROVIDES RESEARCH BASED EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT IMPROVES THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREAS OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH VOLUNTEERISM AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. AND WHEREAS VOLUNTEERS ARE AT THE CORNERSTONE OF RCE'S SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMING, GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTING THEIR TIME, TALENTS AND EXPERTISE TO MENTOR YOUTH, ADDRESS HOME HORTICULTURAL CONCERNS, PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS. AND WHEREAS IN 2025, 367 REGISTERED RCE VOLUNTEERS, ALONG WITH AN ADDITIONAL 600 VOLUNTEERS WHO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FORAGE FAIR CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF 99,239.65 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER [00:05:02] SERVICES. [APPLAUSE]. REPRESENTING AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $3,668,889.80 TO SOMERSET COUNTY. AND WHEREAS 240 DEDICATED FOR EACH VOLUNTEER SERVED MORE THAN 3000 YOUTH THROUGH IN-PERSON, HYBRID AND VIRTUAL CLUB MEETINGS, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, SHORT TERM PROGRAMS, CAMPS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHILE SERVING AS CLUB LEADERS, ASSOCIATION MEMBERS, FAIR MANAGERS, JUDGES, MENTORS, TRAINERS AND EDUCATORS. YOU GUYS DO A LOT. WHEREAS, 99 MASTER GARDENERS VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED RESIDENTS WITH HOME LAWN, GARDEN, INSECTS AND LANDSCAPE CONCERNS THROUGH THE GARDEN HELP LINE, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, ONLINE RESOURCES, SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH AND PARTICIPATION AT COMMUNITY EVENTS. WHEREAS, 9 RESIDENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE RUTGERS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM, EQUIPPING THEM TO IDENTIFY, UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS, 19 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED CONTRIBUTED 609 HOURS OF SERVICE BY ASSISTING COMMUNITY CLASSES, EVENTS, AUTHORIZING EDUCATIONAL NEWSLETTERS AND ARTICLES, AND PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING AND SAFE FOOD PREPARATION PRACTICES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT APRIL 19TH THROUGH THE 25TH OF 2026 AS THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO SUPPORT AND ADVANCE THE MISSION OF RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THEIR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. I'M LISA ROTHENBERGER, ONE OF THE COUNTY 4H AGENTS. AND UP HERE IS ALSO KATE BROWN, OUR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCE AGENT. AND WE HAVE QUITE A NUMBER OF OUR RCE VOLUNTEERS. AND WE WANT TO THANK THEM AND HONOR THEM FOR, AS YOU HEARD, ALMOST 1,000,000 HOURS THAT ARE PUT IN OVER THE YEAR. THAT'S ONLY IN ONE YEAR. WITH ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT WE DO. AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED AND JOIN US AS A VOLUNTEER. OR AT THE VERY LEAST, YOU'RE GOING TO BE AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY 4H FAIR. AND I DO HAVE TO PUT IN A PLUG THAT SOMERSET COUNTY HAS THE LARGEST COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IN NEW JERSEY. SO THERE IS A COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IN EVERY STATE, IN EVERY COUNTY. [APPLAUSE]. AND WE ARE COOPERATIVE BECAUSE WE WORK WITH RUTGERS AND THE COUNTY. AND THE REASON WE'RE THE LARGEST IS BECAUSE SOMERSET HAS THE BEST SUPPORT. SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HONORING WHAT WE DO. WE APPRECIATE IT. [APPLAUSE]. THE NEXT RESOLUTION WE HAVE IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH. SO EVERYONE 60 OR ABOVE, COME UP FORWARD. COME ON. HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO SEE YOU. HOW ARE YOU THIS YEAR? GOOD TO SEE YOU. HOW ARE YOU? SO HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? ALL RIGHT. SO WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE MAY OF OLDER AMERICANS MONTH. AND WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION THAT READS. WHEREAS, MAY HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH BY THE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING WITH THE THEME CHAMPION YOUR HEALTH, FOCUSING ON WELLNESS PREVENTION AND ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN PERSONAL HEALTH. AND WHEREAS, SOMERSET COUNTY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 82,000 RESIDENTS AGED 60 AND OLDER, WHICH INCLUDES ME. AND WHEREAS OLDER ADULTS ARE VALUED ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVOLVED IN BUSINESSES, VOLUNTEERING, LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MENTORSHIPS, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. I JUST ADDED THAT. AND WHEREAS, SOMERSET COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OLDER ADULTS HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT VALUES AND PROMOTES THEIR INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, WELL-BEING AND CHOICE. THESE INCLUDE THE SIX COUNTY OPERATED SENIOR WELLNESS CENTERS. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES. COMMUNITY EDUCATION. [00:10:03] VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. PROJECT LIFESAVER. PARATRANSIT SERVICES AND MORE. AND WHEREAS, RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SUCCESS OF OLDER ADULTS ENCOURAGES THEIR ONGOING PARTICIPATION IN CONTINUED ACCOMPLISHMENTS. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE MAY 2026 AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO BE TO APPLAUD THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUCCESS OF ALL OUR OLDER RESIDENTS. AND THAT'S SIGNED BY THE FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DRAKE. MY NAME IS RENEE BOROWSKI AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES. AND I HAVE MY MANAGEMENT TEAM HERE. CAITLIN WITTKE, ELLEN RUSSO, AND SHEETAL BHATIA. THIS POPULATION IS THE FASTEST GROWING POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY. BY 2040, NEARLY ONE QUARTER OF THE UNITED STATES POPULATION WILL BE OVER THE AGE OF 65. AND IN NEW JERSEY BETWEEN 2010 AND 2024, THE 65 PLUS POPULATION INCREASED BY 43%. AND SOMERSET COUNTY IS RIGHT THERE WITH THOSE STATISTICS TOO, THE POPULATION IS INCREASING. AND AS YOU HEARD IN THE PROCLAMATION, THERE IS A FULL ARRAY OF SERVICES THAT THESE FOLKS MAKE HAPPEN IN SOMERSET COUNTY FOR RESIDENTS OVER THE AGE OF 65. SO I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SUPPORTING THE WORK THAT WE DO AND CONTINUING TO GENEROUSLY SUPPORT THE WORK THAT WE DO, ALONG WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. WE GET FUNDING FROM THERE AS WELL, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. NOW IT'S TIME TO GIVE OUR CHECKS, CHECKS, CHECKS, CHECKS. MONEY. [ PRESENTATION] LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY. ALRIGHTY. HI, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CAITLIN BUNDY. I'M MANAGER OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION. JOINING ME TODAY IS OUR ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR, ROBERT MEYER, AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR KATIE HEMMINGS. KATIE ROBERTS HIDING IN THE BACK TODAY. THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION IS AWARDED FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, OTHER NONPROFITS AND MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN SOMERSET COUNTY THAT PROVIDE ARTS PROGRAMING, SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT. TONIGHT, WE PRESENT THE 2026 LOCAL ARTS PROGRAM GRANT RECIPIENTS. RECEIVING $4,000 IN GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IS THE RARITAN VALLEY CHORAL SOCIETY, BASED IN HILLSBOROUGH. COME ON DOWN. [APPLAUSE]. OH, SORRY. OUR PRESIDENT WAS SUPPOSED TO JOIN ME TONIGHT, BUT SHE'S BEEN HELD UP IN TRAFFIC ON AMWELL ROAD. THERE ARE SOME DOWNED POWER LINES, AND SO IT'S JUST ME TONIGHT. BUT I DO WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY. AND IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A FREE SUNDAY ON THE 17TH OF MAY, OUR CHORAL SOCIETY WILL BE OFFERING A CONCERT IN MILLSTONE AT THE SAINT JOSEPH'S CHURCH, AND IT WILL BE CALLED MADE IN AMERICA OF THEE WE SING. SO IF YOU HAVE A FREE MOMENT, IT'S AT 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. WE WOULD INVITE YOU ALL TO COME. BUT WE THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFUL AWARD BECAUSE WITH IT WE CAN DO SO MANY OTHER THINGS. KEEP OUR PRICES LOW. MAKE A MORE OF AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS WHAT OUR GOAL IS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. NEXT, RECEIVING $2,750 IN SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT IS THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BOUND BROOK, [00:15:04] BASED IN BOUND BROOK. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR ADMINISTERING THIS AMAZING GRANT PROGRAM AND FOR INCLUDING US FOR THE FIRST TIME AMONG THIS AMAZING GROUP OF ESTEEMED ARTS COLLEAGUES. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT BOUND BROOK RECEIVED THIS GRANT FOR A VERY QUIRKY AND UNUSUAL AND FUN MUSICAL WEEK, WHICH HAPPENS EVERY YEAR IN FEBRUARY. AND WE HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU'LL CONSIDER COMING AND BANGING SOME DRUMS WITH US ONE YEAR. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU AS COLLEAGUES IN THIS VENTURE. [APPLAUSE]. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. IT'S SO INCREDIBLY GRACIOUS. I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS AMAZING GIFT. MUSIC IN THE SOMERSET HILLS, OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 15 YEARS, HAS REACHED AS MANY AS 15,000 PEOPLE. AND TRYING TO ADD TO THE COMMUNITY BY HAVING MUSICAL EVENTS. AND IT'S GRANTS LIKE THIS. IF YOU RUN A MUSIC SOCIETY, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE AN EXTRA DESIGNATION OF EXTRA NONPROFIT. I THINK YOU UNDERSTAND LIKE WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP THESE THINGS AFLOAT. LAST SATURDAY, WE ACTUALLY HAD AN EVENT WHERE WE HAD 650 PEOPLE COME TO BACH'S MASS IN B MINOR. WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE 160 SINGERS AND A 60 PIECE ORCHESTRA. AND THE REASON WE COULD CHARGE NO MONEY FOR STUDENTS, $25 FOR SENIORS AND $45 FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION IS BECAUSE OF GRANTS LIKE THIS. THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT TO THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY, AND WE'RE SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO ACCEPT THIS CHECK TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE LESLIE, WHO'S OUR GENERAL MANAGER, AND MYSELF, ERIC COLWELL, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF MUSIC IN THE SOMERSET HILLS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYBODY, AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. RECEIVING $30,000 IN GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IS THE FRIENDS OF THE KENNEDY MARTINSVILLE FARMSTEAD, BASED IN BERNARDS. [APPLAUSE]. ARE WE ALL UP HERE? SO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE FRIENDS, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS MONEY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE KENNEDY MARTIN FARMSTEAD. WE OPERATE AS FARMSTEAD ARTS. WE HAVE A DOUBLE MISSION. WE DO HISTORIC PRESERVATION ON THE SITE, AND THEN WE RUN AN ART CENTER AT THE SITE, AND WE BRING ART TO THE COMMUNITY. SO THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO US TO OFFSET OUR OPERATING EXPENSES. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL. WE GET MONEY AS WELL FROM THE HISTORY SIDE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS, BUT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE ART CENTER WITHOUT ALL THE HELP. SO I'M UP HERE WITH ALMOST HALF OF MY BOARD. MY NAME IS LESLIE WORKMAN. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, AND I'M GOING TO PUT SHAWNA ON FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE WE HAVE A FUNDRAISER COMING UP. SO SHE WILL BE HAPPY TO BE PUT ON THE SPOT. ABSOLUTELY. SO MAY THE 9TH. WE'VE GOT FARMSTEAD TRASH OR. [00:20:01] I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT WE'VE GOT. TREASURE OR TRASH. SO COME OUT IF YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU THINK MIGHT BE RUBBISH OR YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE VALUABLE, COME OUT ANYWAY. SO MAY 9TH, 10 TO 4 IN THE BARN. VERY GOOD. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING US. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. RECEIVING $5,000 IN GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IS THE SIEMINSKI THEATER BASED IN BERNARDS. [APPLAUSE]. MY NAME IS SCOTT HART. I AM THE MANAGER AND PROGRAMING MANAGER AT THE SIEMINSKI THEATER. THIS IS PATTY YANOTTA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE SIEMINSKI THEATER. WE ARE LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF FELLOWSHIP VILLAGE. WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 250 SEAT THEATER, STATE OF THE ART. WE PRESENT EVERYTHING FROM BROADWAY MUSICALS AND PLAYS TO TRIBUTE SHOWS, CONCERTS, CLASSICAL CONCERTS, DANCE AND A WHOLE BROAD SCHEME OF THINGS. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THIS WONDERFUL. THIS IS OUR FIRST GRANT. SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS, AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS WONDERFUL GROUP HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. [APPLAUSE]. YEAH. SO AS THE MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE SOMERSET SYMPHONY, WE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO THE COMMISSION FOR THE GRANT THIS YEAR. AND JUST TO ADD TO THE NUMBER OF EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING, AS YOU CAN TELL, MAY IS A BUSY MONTH FOR LOTS OF ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. THIS SUNDAY AT 3:00, RIGHT OVER AT UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ON MAIN STREET, WE'LL BE GIVING OUR LAST CONCERT OF THE SEASON. AND IT'S IN LARGE PART THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THE COMMISSION THAT ALL OF OUR CONCERTS ARE FREE ADMISSION. AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THAT AND MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME. SO THAT MEANS YOU ALL HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO SHOW UP. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU ONCE MORE AND RECOGNIZE, ALONG WITH OUR BOARD MEMBERS, DAVE HOLMGREN AND BRUCE JENSEN, AND WE'LL SEE YOU ALL ON SUNDAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. RECEIVING $7,000 IN GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IS THE RARITAN VALLEY SYMPHONIC BAND, BASED IN HILLSBOROUGH. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY THAT HAS NOT BEEN SAID OR WILL BE SAID? WE ARE VERY GRACIOUS, VERY APPRECIATIVE. MY NAME IS JOHN WOOD. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE RARITAN VALLEY SYMPHONIC BAND. I'M HERE WITH MARINA, OUR VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE. THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS, THE CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION. WE ALSO PRIDE OURSELVES ON OFFERING AT LEAST FIVE FREE CONCERTS EVERY YEAR. WE WILL BE PERFORMING AN ADDITIONAL USA 250TH PERFORMANCE AT THE EAST JERSEY OLD TOWN ON SATURDAY, MAY 16TH. WE ALSO HAVE A CONCERT ON FLAG DAY, JUNE 14TH AT BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT US, BUT ALSO YOUR OTHER PERFORMING ENSEMBLES AND ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO, YOU KNOW, SHOW UP AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. SO WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [00:25:15] [APPLAUSE]. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU. HELLO, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS NATALIA HONCHARENKO. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE UHEC, UKRAINIAN HISTORY AND EDUCATION CENTER. I WANT TO THANK SOMERSET COUNTY, ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE MARVELOUS TEAM OF CULTURAL AND HERITAGE. KAITLIN, KATIE, ROBERT, SAMANTHA, YOU GUYS ARE WONDERFUL. AND THE UKRAINIAN HISTORY AND EDUCATION CENTER IS A MUSEUM ARCHIVE AND LIBRARY. THIS SUPPORTS US AND HELPS US DO WHAT WE DO. AND THAT IS TELL THE STORY OF UKRAINIANS AND THE UKRAINIAN IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES. AND WE DO THAT THROUGH FOLK ART PROGRAMING. WE HAVE EXHIBITS IN OUR SMALL GALLERY SPACE. WE'RE CURRENTLY BUILDING A MUSEUM. SO THAT'S TOUGH AND EXCITING AND COMPLICATED. IT EXHIBITS WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS TO SHARE OUR CULTURE. WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THAT WITH ALL THE NEWS THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW? ART IS SO IMPORTANT. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ADULTS. RIGHT? WE'RE ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY HERE IN THIS WONDERFUL SPACE DOWN ON THE FIRST FLOOR. I THINK WE'VE EXHIBITED THREE TIMES AND WE'RE COMING BACK. SO EVERY TIME I COME HERE, YOU STOP AND LOOK AT THE ART ON THE WALLS, AND YOU'D BE PRESENT FOR TWO MINUTES AND LOSE YOURSELF IN THAT PICTURE. OR LOOK AT A PIECE OF QUILTING, YOU KNOW, AND SAY, HOW DID SHE DO THAT? OR HOW DID THEY DO THAT? OR STOP AND LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC AND JUST BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. SO ART IS SO IMPORTANT. WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS. AND THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY, I'M SORRY, YOU PUT A MICROPHONE IN MY HAND AND I TALK. IS, YOU KNOW, ON THAT GRANT APPLICATION AT THE FINAL REPORT, THEY SAY, DID YOU ENGAGE WITH YOUR LOCAL LEGISLATORS AND STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING? WELL, PLEASE WRITE THOSE LETTERS. PLEASE ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF ARTS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES OR STATE REPRESENTATIVES CONTINUE TO FUND ARTS BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT. AND TELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO DO THE SAME. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OH, I HAVE TO DO A PICTURE? CONGRATS. RECEIVING $9,145 FOR SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT IN THE UBUNTU CULTURAL PAVILION BASED IN SOMERVILLE. [APPLAUSE]. HELLO. NICE TO SEE YOU. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KENDALL HALL AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF UBUNTU CULTURAL PAVILION. AND THIS IS MY BOARD MEMBER, RHONDA STEWART. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS GENEROUS SUPPORT, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE LAST WEEK. THIS FUNDING HELPS TO SUPPORT THE PAUL ROBESON ARTS FESTIVAL. WE ARE A COMMUNITY MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS BASED HERE IN SOMERVILLE, AND PART OF OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT WE UPLIFT THE STORIES OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND TO ENSURE THAT PAUL ROBESON, WHO WAS A 1915 GRADUATE OF SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, THAT SOMERVILLE IS CEMENTED INSIDE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HIM. AND SO THIS SUPPORT ALLOWS US TO DO OUR ARTS FESTIVAL. AND LAST WEEK WE HAD A THEATER PRODUCTION AT UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CALLED YOUNG PAUL ROBESON SINGS. AND SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE IN THIS SPACE. AND THIS SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH TO US. AND WE EVEN MET SOME NEW FRIENDS RUNNING UP TO GET A GRANT APPLICATION. AND SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO EXPAND OUR TERRITORIES WITH OUR NEIGHBORS. SO THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. THEY GAVE US MONEY. SORRY. [00:30:06] RECEIVING $5,700 FOR SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT IS THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND CREATIVE EXCHANGE BASED IN BRIDGEWATER. [APPLAUSE]. HI. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. OKAY. HELLO. MY NAME IS LI-CHING JUNG. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND CREATIVE EXCHANGE. THIS IS MY VICE PRESIDENT, KAI LIU. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THIS CHECK BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP US TO DO. WE ARE PROMOTING THE ASIAN CULTURE TO THE COMMUNITY. SO LIKE WE DO A LOT OF EVENTS, LIKE IN THE BRIDGEWATER MALL OR SOMERSET, LIKE A LOT OF AREA LIKE A LIBRARY OR THE SENIOR CENTER, WE GO. WE HAVE A TEENAGER. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN WHO WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER, PLEASE SEND THEM TO US. WE DO GIVE THEM A COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS. IF THEY ARE GOOD, THEY ARE WITH US MORE THAN FOUR YEARS, WE EVEN GIVE THEM A SCHOLARSHIP. SO CONTACT US. AND WE HAVE AN UPCOMING EVENT, LANTERN FESTIVAL, WHICH WE STARTED MAKING LANTERN. WE CAN TEACH THEM HOW TO MAKE LANTERNS AND THIS CHECK WILL PAY FOR THE MATERIAL SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. CLASSES ARE FREE. MATERIAL IS FREE. AND AFTER THEY FINISH MAKING, WE CAN DISPLAY IT IN THE COMMENTS MORE FOR TWO WEEKS SO THEY CAN BE PROUD OF THEMSELVES. SAY THIS IS MY ARTWORK. OKAY? AND THEN BEFORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ON OCTOBER 30TH, WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER FAIR IN OUTSIDE THE COMMONS MALL, WHICH WE INTRODUCED FOOD, MUSIC AND GAME AND FUN. AND YOU CAN ALL COME JOIN US. AND THEN NEXT YEAR, ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN COMMONS MALL. SO ALL COME AND JOIN US FOR THE DANCING AND THE ART AND EVERYTHING. OKAY? THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. RECEIVING $8,000 FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS SUPPORT IS THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC STUDY BASED IN FRANKLIN. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY NAME IS REBECCA PENNINGTON AND I SERVE AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC STUDY. THIS GRANT SUPPORTS OUR SILENT FILM CELEBRATION, WHICH IS A CELEBRATION OF FILM AND MUSIC WHERE PIANO STUDENTS OF ALL AGES, ALL LEVELS, ACCOMPANY SILENT FILMS. AND IT'S A REALLY WONDERFUL CELEBRATION THAT COMBINES SEVERAL ART FORMS. AND WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF MUSIC AND ART. WE BELIEVE THAT MUSIC ENRICHES THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS. AND IT CONNECTS US ALL AND IT MAKES US BETTER CITIZENS. AND WE FEEL VERY GRATEFUL TO BE IN A PLACE THAT OUR MUNICIPALITIES SUPPORT THAT. AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. NEXT, RECEIVING $6,000 IN SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT IS THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL. [APPLAUSE]. YOU'RE NOT GONNA HEAR ME. YOU SEE ME. THANK YOU. I AM TANYA HASLON BURTON, AND I'M PART OF THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL. I'M ONE OF THE CHAIRS THERE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO WITH THE CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL IS BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH DIVERSE PROGRAMING, YOU KNOW, FROM OUR BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT, FROM POETRY EVENTS. THIS CHECK SPECIFICALLY IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS OUR SUMMER CONCERT SERIES. IT'S GOING TO BE THREE DIFFERENT CONCERTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DURING THE SUMMERTIME STARTING IN JUNE. I SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THAT, BUT I HEARD SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE HERE. I'M GOING TO BE CONNECTING WITH ALL OF Y'ALL. [00:35:02] BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES, WE REALLY SHOULD COME TOGETHER. ONE OF THE STORIES I LIKE TO SHARE IS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MAN WHO WENT INTO TOWN AND HE HAD THAT STONE SOUP, AND THEN HE WAS LIKE, OH, IF ONLY I HAD AN ORANGE OR AN ONION OR A TOMATO OR CHICKEN, AND EVERYBODY FROM THE DIFFERENT AREAS STARTED BRINGING THEIR ITEMS AND THEY WAS ABLE TO MAKE CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. I THINK WE ARE THOSE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. IF WE EACH BRING OUR OWN TALENTS, WE CAN FILL SOMERSET COUNTY WITH SO MANY GREAT ART PROGRAMS. SO THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY BECAUSE I WAS SITTING THERE THINKING, I GET SO EXCITED. AND AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M A MINISTER SO I CAN BRING IT ALL TOGETHER. SO THANK YOU FOR THE CHECK. [APPLAUSE]. ON BEHALF OF FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL, WE'RE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF GETTING THIS CHECK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. RECEIVING $3,500 IN SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT IS THE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK. [APPLAUSE]. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. I AM HERE TODAY WITH KELLY, OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR, AND ALI, OUR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, ADMINISTRATOR. FRANKLIN FOOD BANK. WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 50 YEARS PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE NEEDS OF FOLKS IN THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP AND BEYOND. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY BELIEVE IN IS MAKING SURE THAT WE LEVERAGE THE POWER OF THE COMMUNITY, LIKE THE SISTER JUST MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO, THERE ARE SO MANY BRILLIANT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO MANY RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DECIDED TO DO WAS FIND A WAY TO ENGAGE THE YOUTH IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP AROUND FOOD SECURITY. SO WE HAVE TWO STAFF MEETINGS A MONTH AT THE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK. BEAR WITH ME HERE, ALL RIGHT? ONE OF THE MEETINGS IS FOCUSED ON ALL THE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE TO MEASURE OUR PERFORMANCE. RIGHT? ALL THAT COOL STUFF. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A LUNCH AND LEARN. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT A LUNCH AND LEARN IS? LET ME SEE A SHOW OF HANDS. RIGHT? SO WE DO OUR LUNCH AND LEARN. THIS MONTH IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING AN IDEA. SO I SAID, I WONDER IF WE CAN FOCUS ON POETRY FOR A LUNCH AND LEARN. SO I INVITED STAFF MEMBERS TO EITHER WRITE A POEM, BRING IN A POEM, HAVE THEIR KIDS WRITE A POEM, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. LONG STORY SHORT, IT WAS A TEAR FEST. GROWN FOLK SITTING AROUND A CONFERENCE TABLE, CRYING. NOT ME, BECAUSE I AM? TOO GANGSTA. TOO GANGSTA. WAY TOO GANGSTA. JUST KIDDING, I WAS BAWLING. ALL RIGHT? BUT AS A FORMER EDUCATOR IN NEW YORK CITY, I LOOKED AT IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PROPOSE AN IDEA. SO I WENT TO THE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND I SAID, WHAT IF WE CREATED A POETRY COMPETITION? WE INFUSED IT IN THE CURRICULUM, THE LITERACY CURRICULUM IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THEN INCENTIVIZE STUDENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR POEMS? SO LAST YEAR, AS PART OF THE POETRY CURRICULUM, THE STUDENTS WROTE POEMS IN ELEMENTARY, IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND SUBMITTED THEIR POEMS FOR A COMPETITION THAT TOOK PLACE LAST JUNE. 1500 STUDENTS SUBMITTED THEIR POEMS, CULMINATING IN A COMPETITION AT VILLAGERS THEATER IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. IF ANY OF Y'ALL KNOW THAT THEATER, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL OLD THEATER. WE HAD FIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FINALISTS, FIVE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND FIVE HIGH SCHOOL. AND THERE'S ALSO AN ANTHOLOGY THAT WE CREATED FOR THAT COMPETITION. AND ALL THE STUDENTS THAT SUBMITTED. SOME PEOPLE UP ON THIS PANEL HERE HAVE THAT ANTHOLOGY. THE POETRY COMPETITION WAS A MASH UP BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY AND WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WANTED TO FOCUS ON, WHICH WAS CLIMATE CHANGE. AND US GRAY BEARDS WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO CALL IT. IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAD A POET BACCALAUREATE WHO WE SAID, HEY, WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A REALLY COOL NAME FOR THIS PARTICULAR POETRY COMPETITION. REMEMBER, MASH UP BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE. SHE CAME UP WITH THE RISING TIDES OF HUNGER. BRILLIANT. THIS POETRY COMPETITION HAS HELPED YOUNGSTERS IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP BY INCREASING THEIR AWARENESS OF FOOD INSECURITY IN AND AROUND FRANKLIN [00:40:08] TOWNSHIP. IT DEVELOPED LITERACY SKILLS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND ORATORY SKILLS. AND IT'S YET AGAIN ANOTHER WAY THAT THE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK IS FINDING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AT ALL AGES, ALL BACKGROUNDS. BECAUSE THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW FRANKLIN, SECOND TO JERSEY CITY, THAT'S WHAT BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN SAID, AS THE MOST DIVERSE TOWN IN THE STATE. SO WE ARE EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AT THE FRANKLIN FOOD BANK TO LITERALLY SERVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THE RISING TIDES OF HUNGER. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, COUNTY, FOR SUPPORTING THE WORK THAT WE DO. WE REALLY GOT THE HOOK. SO I KNOW IT'S TIME. THANK YOU Y'ALL. APPRECIATE YOU. [APPLAUSE]. RECEIVING $17,500 IN SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT IS MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. [APPLAUSE]. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF MONTGOMERY. THANK YOU. I'M THE TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR IN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, LORI SAVRON. I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS ON BEHALF OF MAYOR SINGH AND ALL THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO ATTEND TONIGHT. BUT WE ARE FIRST TIME RECEIVERS OF THIS, AND WE ARE VERY, VERY HAPPY TO GET THIS MONEY BECAUSE WE ARE DOING TWO COMMUNITY MURALS, RECOGNITION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY 250TH ANNIVERSARY, BUT WE WILL BE ENGAGING 1200 OF OUR RESIDENTS IN DECORATING, PAINTING 1200 INDIVIDUAL TILES, 4X4, AND THEY GO INTO TWO DIFFERENT MURALS, A LIBERTY TREE AND A UNITY TREE. ONE WILL BE PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE LOBBY OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, AND ANOTHER ONE IN ONE OF OUR PARKS ON THE SIDE OF A BARN. AND WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE SCHOOLS. WE'RE GOING TO BE ALL OUT FROM JUNE TILL AUGUST UNTIL WE FINALLY ARE ABLE TO ASSEMBLE THESE MURALS. WE'RE VERY EXCITED. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU. AND WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THIS WAS IT BROUGHT SO MANY COMMUNITY GROUPS TOGETHER. THE STOUTSBURG SOURLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IS INVOLVED WITH US, THE VAN HARLINGEN HISTORIC SOCIETY, ART TEACHERS, LOCAL ARTISTS. IT'S REALLY GATHERED SO MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I'VE HEARD SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY AND BRINGING THE ARTS. WE ARE CERTAINLY VERY EXCITED TO DISPLAY THIS. AND COMMISSIONERS, YOU'RE ALL INVITED TO HAVE A TILE AND COME OUT AND PAINT, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL MAKE IT NICE AND EASY FOR EVERYONE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. DID ANYONE SNEAK IN THAT MY STAFF DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT? NO? OKAY. ALL RIGHT THEN. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]. TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY 2026 LOCAL ARTS PROGRAM GRANTEES. SO THIS IS YOUR TIME IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE. THANKS, EVERYONE. [APPOINTMENT ] APPOINTMENT TO THE CULTURAL AND HERITAGE ADVISORY BOARD. THE LADY WHO JUST WALKED OUT FROM FARMSTEAD ARTS. LESLIE WORKMAN FROM BERNARDS TOWNSHIP. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-857? SO MOVED. SECOND. MOVED AND SECONDED. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, CLERK. [00:45:05] COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. NOW WE MOVE ON TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM OUR APRIL 14TH MEETING. [APPROVAL OF MINUTES ] IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. WE HAVE ORDINANCE 26-890, PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION. [BOND ORDINANCES ] ORDINANCE 890 IS FOR THE 2026 RVCC CHAPTER 12. THE TOTAL AMOUNT INCLUDED IS $6,335,000 AND THEIR PROJECT LIST INCLUDES MECHANICAL, SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES, MAJOR ROADWAY AND WALKWAY REPAIRS, ROOF REPLACEMENTS, ELEVATOR REHABILITATION, CLASSROOM RENOVATIONS, BATHROOM UPGRADES, AND THE PHYS ED BUILDING EXPANSION PHASE ONE. JUST A NOTE THAT CHAPTER 12 IS, THE DEBT SERVICE IS PAID 50% BY THE STATE, AND THE OTHER 50% IS PAID BETWEEN 100 AND SOMERSET COUNTY. ALL RIGHT. WE NOW COME TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY. SO ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK. THIS IS FOR THIS ORDINANCE ONLY. THIS IS NOT OUR REGULAR PUBLIC PORTION OF THE MEETING. SO IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE? EMAILS? TELEPHONE CALLS? HEARING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. NOW WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-890. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. ORDINANCE 26-891. ORDINANCE 26891 IS THE COUNTY CAPITAL CASH ORDINANCE. PROJECTS INCLUDE FINANCE AND I.T. IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000. AND THIS WILL BE UTILIZED FOR CYBER SECURITY, NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVICE REPLACEMENTS FOR THE MASTER PLAN. $350,000 WILL BE FOR ROBERTSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE MINOR CAPITAL AND $300,000 GOING TO THE PARK COMMISSION. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ORDINANCE AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE? TELEPHONE CALLS? EMAILS? HEARING NONE. SEEING AS A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. WE MOVE ON TO ACCEPT A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE 26-891. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 26-892. ORDINANCE 26-892. THE TOTAL OF WHICH IS $35,708,379. STARTING OUT WITH THE ENGINEERING PROJECTS. ENGINEERING IS BEING ALLOCATED $27,035,500 FOR HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION, HIGHWAY RESURFACING, TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, DESIGN AND REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS COUNTY BRIDGES, ADA CURB RAMPS, VARIOUS COUNTY BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND SIDEWALKS ON COUNTY ROADS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE 35 MILLION FOR THIS BOND ORDINANCE IS PUBLIC WORKS AND THEY ARE BEING ALLOCATED $5,725,244. FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED TO REPLACE VARIOUS AGING FLEET USED BY FACILITIES AND SERVICES. [00:50:04] ROADS AND BRIDGES BASED OFF NECESSITY. ALSO, THEY WILL BE UTILIZING THE FUNDS FOR SNOW PLOWING VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT, THERMAL LINE SPRAY FOR ROADS, BUSSES FOR TRANSPORTATION AND RECYCLING VEHICLES. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY? MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE? EMAILS? PHONE CALLS? HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. WE MOVE ON TO ACCEPTING A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-892. MOTION. IS THERE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. WE HAVE A PRESENTATION OF A CHECK FOR PLANNING. YOU HAVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION FIRST. OH, WE DIDN'T APPROVE IT. NO, I CHECKED IT OFF. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-892? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. I CHECKED IT OFF TOO SOON. NOW WE HAVE A PRESENTATION OF CHECKS FOR PLANNING. [OPEN SPACE TRAILS GRANT ] THE MONEY DAY. OKAY, SO THIS IS FOR PLANNING OF 26 RESOLUTION 26-800. AUTHORIZING A GRANT TO THE BOROUGH OF PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FROM SOMERSET COUNTY OPEN SPACE TRUST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER PEAPACK BROOK. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $410,000. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION? MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. CONGRATULATIONS. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO? SO MY NAME IS MARK GALLIANO. I'M THE MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH OF PEAPACK-GLADSTONE. I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING MY BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT, JAMIE MURPHY, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, JOHN KAPPLER, AND THE VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, ISABELLE CORBIN. WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO BOTH THE ADVISORY BOARD, THE. OF THE TRUST FUND OF THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND AND TO YOU, ALL OF THE BOARD FOR THIS OF THIS GRANT. IT MEANS A LOT TO US. THIS BRIDGE HAS BEEN IN OUR PLANS FOR, WHAT, 15 YEARS NOW? NEARLY, AND WE HAVE WHITTLED AWAY AT IT WITH ENGINEERING SURVEYS AND PERMITS, WONDERING IF IT WOULD REALLY EVER HAPPEN. AND TONIGHT IT IS HAPPENING. YOU BUILD BRIDGES, WE BUILD BRIDGES, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A PHYSICAL BRIDGE. THANKS TO YOU ALL. I CAN'T EXPRESS AGAIN ON ENOUGH OUR THANKS TO YOU. WHEN THIS BRIDGE IS BUILT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR RESIDENTS USING THIS BRIDGE AND THE TRAILS THAT WILL CONNECT TO IT. BUT WE ALSO HOPE THAT ALL THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY WILL COME TO PEAPACK-GLADSTONE AND USE THIS BRIDGE AS WELL, AS WELL AS THE TRAILS THAT CONNECT TO IT AND THROUGH THE PARKS, BOTH COUNTY AND WITHIN THE TOWN THAT WILL CONNECT TO IT. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS. IT WILL EVERY DOLLAR OF THIS WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE TO CREATE A GREAT PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER PEAPACK BROOK, WHICH IS PART OF THE NORTH BRANCH OF THE RARITAN RIVER. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. ALL VERY MUCH. BEFORE WE DO BEFORE WE DO A PHOTO, WE HAVE A VERY SMALL THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. NOW, I KNOW WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO GIVE GIFTS TO EACH OTHER, BUT THESE ARE THESE ARE LITTLE, LITTLE, LITTLE TOKENS THAT BARELY EXCEED THE DOLLAR LIMIT WE ALL HAVE FOR YOUR DESK TO REMIND YOU, TO REMIND YOU OF PEAPACK-GLADSTONE. OKAY. AND SO YOU THINK OF US AND WE'LL THINK OF YOU AND WE JUST. THANK YOU. OKAY. YEAH, THERE'S. IS THERE ONE EXTRA? YES. WOULD YOU GIVE THIS TO JOE DEMARCO DEMARCO IF YOU WOULD LIKE. OKAY. VERY GOOD. OKAY. WELL, YOU HAVE ONE FOR YOU, TOO. OKAY. OKAY. SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. [00:55:10] THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INITIATIVE. AND YOU GUYS CAN COME AND WALK. I'M WAITING FOR. I GOTTA DO THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE. YEAH, I KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. YES. HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANKS. SO WE MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. IF YOU'VE GIVEN OUT [CONSENT AGENDA ] SOME GRANTS THIS EVENING. SO IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-0-801 THROUGH 26-810. 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 RESOLUTIONS? [AWARD OF CONTRACTS ] 26-811 THROUGH 26-826. 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 RESOLUTIONS 26-827 THROUGH 26-856. [FINANCE ] IS THERE ROLL CALL, PLEASE? COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES, BUT RECUSING FROM 26851. FROM 26851. NOTED. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. ABSTAINING FROM 832. EXTENSION FROM 26832. NOTED. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 26-858 THROUGH 26-865. [ITEMS ADDED FROM THE APRIL 24, 2026 WORK SESSION TO BE ADOPTED TONIGHT ] SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. NOW WE MOVE ON 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. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC? ALL IN FAVOR? I HAVE IT. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO. [EXECUTIVE ] COUNCIL. EXECUTIVE IN, PLEASE? WE RESOLVED FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET THAT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT, CHAPTER 231PL197975. THE BOARD WILL GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AT THIS MEETING FOR THE PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING MATTERS WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF C 10;4-12 SPECIFICALLY FOR PURCHASE, LEASE AND ACQUISITION OF LAND, DNR GREENLAND LAND TRUST HILLSBORO TRAILS GRANT, AS WELL AS POTENTIAL PENDING LITIGATION AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS RELATED TO THE DE LA CRUZ LITIGATION MATTER. SO IS THERE. AND WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY DECISIONS WHEN WE COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION? WE'RE NOT. ADJOURN FROM THERE? OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.