--------- Mics are live. >> Good. >> All right. >> This is a commissioner meeting of October 22nd, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Sussex County Administrative Center. Commissioner meeting room, 1 Spring Street, Newton, New Jersey. Roll call, please.
>> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> here. >> Director Carney, >> here. >> Deputy Director Space here. >> Commissioner Degroup, >> here. Number three is a moment of silence and salute the flag. >> I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Number four is public statement pursuant to the open public meetings act chapter 231 PL1975 adequate
notice as defined by se section 3D of chapter 231 PL/1975 has been made by regular mail in email such notice being submitted on January 7th 2025 from the administrative center of the county of Sussex Sussex located at one spring street Newton New Jersey to the
following the New Jersey Herald Star Ledger and Strauss News and is also posted on a bulletin board maintained in the administrative center for public announcements and has been submitted to the Sussex County Clerk in compliance with said act this time. Please mute all electronics. Commissioners, please remove your phones.
Number five is approval agenda. We have one amendment to tonight's meeting. That's item 1515mm and that will be being tabled at this time. >> I get a motion to approve agenda as amended. >> So moved. >> Commissioner Hendris have a second. >> Second.
>> Deputy director space. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. >> Oppos? Abstain. carries. Number six, proclamation of certificates and presentations. They will be presented at another time. Number seven is executive session. Christina, please read that
>> resolution providing for an executive close session not open to the public in accordance with the provisions of NJSA 104-12 set. Whereas the matters uh subject matters about to be discussed may be excluded from the public portion of the meeting by resolution of the board of county commissioners as an exception to
the open public meetings act pursuant to NJSA 104-12B and whereas it appears necessary for the board of county commissioners to discuss such matters in executive session. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of county commissioners of the county of Sussex, in accordance with the
provisions of NJSA104-12B and NJSA104-13, that the board at this time enter into an executive session from which the public shall be excluded. And be it further resolved that the general nature of the subjects to be discussed relate to the following items authorized by
NJSA 10:4-12B as designated below. Item number seven, matters relating to litigation negotiations and the attorney client privilege Sussex County a board versus SHA. Number eight, matters relating to the employment relationship personnel. Be it further resolved that the
deliberations conducted in close session may be disclosed to the public upon the determination of the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners or provided by law that the public interest will no longer be served by such confidentiality. And be it further resolved that upon completion of the business for which the board has entered into the executive session, the board
shall reconvene and resume its meeting open to the public. And be it further resolved that the board expects to take formal action after returning from executive session. >> Thank you. Motion to adopt the executive session resolution and enter into executive session. >> So move second.
>> Director Space moves uh Commissioner Degru seconds. Any discussion? >> Yes. I'm again going to request we push this to the end of our meeting. So it's not rushed in an executive session or rushed here. We've got a pretty late audience. I'd like to see us go with the
public session first. >> Is there a second? >> All right. Seeing no second. >> All in favor say I. >> I oppose. >> Opposed. >> Abstain. Motion carries. Part: 2
All right. Can I get a motion to adjourn from an executive session and return to regular business? >> So moved. >> Commissioner Henderson. Second. Commissioner Drew. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> Oppose. Abstain. >> Carries. Um so we have we were in executive
session and we discussed a couple things. First being um us authorizing the acceptance of notice of retirement and execution of a re release by and between the county of Sussex and Ron Tapen, our county administrator.
That's our first one. Our second will be I guess we'll do >> go one at a time. >> Okay. All right. So, can I get a motion to authorize the acceptance of the notice of retirement and exe execution of release by and between the county of Sussex and Ron Tapen, county
administrator? >> So moved. >> Mr. Henderson, have a second. >> Second. >> Mr. Drew, any discussion? >> Yes. I just want to thank Ron for his numerous years of service to Sussex County. He started out um that I know of. I don't know where he actually started out in Sussex County, but he was
central and shared services and then we had the opportunity to hire him three years ago and I want to thank him for all he's done and I'm going to miss him and I wish him well in his retirement. >> Yes. >> Anybody else? >> Uh Ron was a wealth of information uh
for me coming onto the board. Uh I wish him all the best in whatever he pursues and happy retirement. >> Yeah. Good. Uh, yeah, I would like to. I've known Ron for three years now and he did a good job here. So, good luck to him. His retirement. I know his wife just
retired, so I'm sure they can do a little traveling and I hope to see him soon. Uh, so motion's on the table. We have a second uh roll call for that. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Degroup, >> yes. >> All right. With that being said, I have another resolution. This is for the appointment of Christina Marx as interim county administrator for the county of Sussex. Whereas there presently exist a vacancy in the office of Sussex County
Administrator. And whereas there's a need to appoint a qualified person as interim administrator of the county of Sussex pursuant to NJSA 489-42 in article 3.2 of the Sussex County Administrative Code 1989 last revised
September 2019. And now therefore it be resolved that the board of the county commissioners of Sussex County does hereby appoint Christina Marx interim county admin in accordance with the emergent provisions of NJSA 346B-231A and until a successor administrator is
appointed be it further resolved that from and after October 23rd 25 is authorized and directed to fulfill all the duties and responsibilities of the position of interim county administrator Pursuant to NJSA4A
9-42 in article 3 of the Sussex County Administrative Code. You guys got all that? All right. Well, can I get a motion to appoint Christina Marks as interim county administrator of Sussex Deputy Director Space? I have a second. >> Second.
>> Commissioner Henderson. Any discussion? >> Okay. Roll call. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Degrew, >> yes. >> Okay.
Uh, number eight is a public hearing. Um, this is our final adoption of ordinance 25-06. At a regular meeting held on October 8th, 2025, we introduced for first reading the following ordinance which was advertised in a New Jersey Herald and a
Star Ledger issue of October 14th, 2025. together with a notice of public hearing stating it would be held at this meeting at 6 PM. This is an ordinance establishing local park hours and procedures for unattended property. Motion that the public hearing be opened. >> So moved. Second.
>> Deputy director space. Commissioner Droo seconds. Any discussion? >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. Oppos. Abstain. Carries. Anyone present to be heard regarding this ordinance. >> Okay. Seeing no one. Motion that the public hearing be closed. >> So moved. >> Mr. Anderson moves. Commissioner
Degrroot seconds. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Abstain. All right. Carries. Motion that the ordinance be finally adopted. >> So moved. >> Commissioner Groove. Second. Deputy director space. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Oppos. Stain. Carries. All right. Okay. Can I get a motion that the resolution be finally adopted and authorize the clerk to advertise this resolution as finally adopted and also post same on the bulletin board in the lobby of the county administrative center? >> So moved. >> Uh Commissioner Henderson.
>> Deputy Director Space seconds. Any any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Degroup, >> yes. >> Okay. Number nine is public session from the floor. This public session is for those wishing to make a comment of three
minutes or less regarding agenda item. Please line up over the microphone. State your name, municipality, and agenda topic for the record. Motion to open the floor for public comment. >> So moved. >> Space. Commissioner Groot seconds. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Abstain.
Carries. >> Public comments open on agenda topics. >> Kathy Bren Hampton. Um my question is about um number 14 appointments the resolution um appointing James
County. Um I just had some questions about that. The um the process seemed to me to seem very vague. The request didn't come out till September 22nd and someone has already been approved and there was nothing even
in there about uh the time period for um applying or anything which I thought seemed rather unusual. And so I guess my question would be um how much due diligence was done with this? And I hope
it was I hope there was some because I know in the past you people there have been some problems with the um board at the Votech and so it just seems to me that it was very um done very quickly.
Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> So moved. >> Second. All say I comments start. >> Okay. Mine are pretty brief tonight. On October 10th, I along with deputy administrator Lorraine Hence attended an
ENJAC meeting in Mars County where administrators, commissioners, and others shared their concerns. I found it very ironic that no matter what size county or population, we all share the same concerns. Funding cuts, health insurance, and volunteers to cover fire and medical calls. On October 15th, I
attended the SUMMA meeting, uh, better known as the county landfill and wastewater management meeting. Also, on the 15th, I attended Sussex County Community College fundraiser. It's a very successful event. Over 200 tickets were sold for the event, and I will say it's probably one of the best events
I've been to. On September 8th, I along with de Deputy Director Space attended the 12th annual flag retirement ceremony at the Veteran Cemetery in Sparta. It's a very moving event. After this ceremony, you're giving bags of ashes from the previous year's flags to
scatter on the graves of the vets. Commissioner Space scattered hers on the grave of 911 Supervisor Shannon This and I on the grave of my former colleague, Hardistan Police Chief Brad Alam. On Sunday the 19th, I attended Vernon Township unveiling of their newly
installed town clock. If you're going on 5:15 in Vernon, please take note of their clock. It's absolutely gorgeous. I'd like to say to Mayor Rossi uh and all those involved, well done. It was strictly funded by donation and a lot of dedicated hard work by individuals from
their community. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Good evening everyone. Uh first, I attended the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority NJTBA subcommittee meeting for both the planning and economic development committee and the project prioritization committee. We
received an update on the complete streets technical assistance program which is now accepting applications for round five through November 7th. I'd suggest municipalities across Sussex County take a look into it. We also reviewed the timeline for the upcoming fiscal year unified planning work
program. Also, there's been a lot in the news recently about the Hudson Tunnel project, but during the meeting, NJTPA's executive director clarified that no official updates or funding announcements have yet been received from the US Department of Transportation. That said, the NJTPA
remains optimistic and ready to assist however needed. On a positive note, despite the ongoing situation at the federal level, uh, NJTPA operations remain fully funded and no US DOT grants in our region have been cancelled. So, that's great. Second, I attended the
monthly meeting for our beloved Sussex County Agricultural Development Board. The most exciting news was the memorialization of the official adoption of a resolution increasing the per acre compensation rate for two farms entering farmland preservation program. This marks another success for the new
appraisal formula, which continues to prove effective in ensuring fair and competitive competitive valuations. Now is a truly great time for farmers and land owners to explore preservation opportunities as they're seeing greater returns than in recent past. Uh the board also reviewed a right to farm
matter during the meeting. Moving on to our Sussex County Library System. Take a glimpse into Sussex County's past with the Sussex County Library System digital collections. The Sussex County Library System has expanded its digital image collection with new sets of historic photos celebrating the county's people,
art, and landmarks. Additions include the Louiswis Len 1965 exhibit photos, gingerbread castle collection, and Fred Katerman's photograph collection. These collections showcase local art, one of Sussex County's most iconic attractions, and scenes of rural life from the 1970s.
According to librarian Tara, we're excited to keep expanding our digital offerings to preserve and share Sussex County's rich history. To explore the collections or learn more, visit sussex county library.org/local-history- genealology to check it out. Next, from
the division of senior services. I'd like to just highlight two upcoming programs. Caregivers support group. This division will host its next virtual meeting on Thursday, October 16th, 2025 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom. The group is designed to reduce caregiver stress, promote well-being, and provide helpful
information about available programs and referrals. To register, please call 973-5790555 extension 1288, Center of Lifelong Learning at SECCC, Sussex County Community College. In partnership with the Division of Senior Services, the center is offering two
free lectures this fall. financially fit at any age will which will be on Thursday, October 30th at 3 PM at the SECCC performing arts atrium. Professors will share practical advice on budgeting, investing, and marketing uh making smart financial choices. Second
class, how to spot a scammer, which will be held on no Thursday, November 13th at 3 p.m. Also in the performing arts atrium, join students in SECCC's law and public safety program for an interactive session on recognizing scams and protecting your devices. Uh, finally,
had a pleasure of attending a few community events over the past few weeks. I was honored to serve as the keynote speaker at a joint agricultural forum between Warren County Community College and Sussex County Community College last Friday. Hey, it was an excellent forum around the conversation of keeping New Jersey the garden state. Uh thank you to everyone who
participated and those who coordinated the effort. Also attended Funding Their Future, an event supporting Sussex County Community Colleges uh last week and I attended Father John's Animal Shelters Pets Giving Fest held at Pope John High School. A great community gathering for a wonderful cause. Thank
you. That's it. >> Okay, we have uh the general election coming up. We have early voting location and times at the Cochran House, which is like a few doors down. Uh 83 Spring Street, Newton, New Jersey. Louise Child's Library, 21 Stanh Hope Sparta
Road, Stanh Hope, New Jersey. And the Wanage Library, 69 County Road, 639 in Wanage, New Jersey. And the times are starting this Saturday from 10 to 8, Sunday 10 to 6, and then Monday through
Saturday 10 to 8, and Sunday, November 2nd, 10 to 6. And election day is November 4th, and the polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visit the Board of Elections for more information. I have an update on um where we stand with the homeless situation. The Department
of Health and Human Services, the Town of Newton spearheaded a series of meetings beginning at the end of August with municipal, county, and state partners to address a recent increase in homelessness specifically in Newton. Sussex County officials have been partners in the initiative along with the town, Newton Police Department,
state officials from the Department of Community Affairs and Housing, um, medical and social service providers. A task force has been developed and members are working quickly to attempt to house all identified individuals as well as connect them to services. As of now, there are individuals successfully
being housed. Daily and weekly meetings are taking place, including planning for a cold blue shelter response for the upcoming winter season. So, we are working hard with Newton and the Newton PD to take care of that. Uh, Division of Senior Services, the 25th annual Salute
to Military Veterans. Senior Services will host the 25th annual Salute to Military Veterans event in the Richards building at the Sussex County Fairgrounds located at 37 Plains Road in Augusta on Sunday, November 2nd at 1 p.m. Highlights of the day will include
a parade, a prisoner of war and missing in action ceremony and a 21 gun salute in addition to the reading of essays written by local students. The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners will present all veterans in attendance with a commemorative pin in recognition of their service. For additional
information about this event, please call Division of Senior Services at 973-579055 extension 1382. And I have to give Lorraine a lot of credit for that because it is fantastic. Lorraine and her team are wonderful. Division of Senior Services presentations. The
Division of Senior Services is hosting a free presentation at the following two locations in November. The Franklin Library at 103 Main Street in Franklin on Thursday, November 13th at 2 p.m. And the Darthy Henry Library 66 Route 94 North in Vernon Thursday, November 20th,
2025 at 2 p.m. Join Senior Services staff to learn about the programs and services available to Sussex County seniors. Please contact the Division of Senior Services at 973-579-0555 extension 1135 to register or obtain additional information. A woman's health
screening clinic will be held on Thursday, November 13th from 4:30 to 7:30 at the Office of Public Health Nursing, 2011 Watsworth Road in Hamburg. This clinic offers a variety of health screenings and education. This service is free to uninsured and underinsured county residents to who qualify for the
New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program. To make an appointment, call the Office of Public Health Nursing at 973-5790570 extension 1275 and 59 mosquito control 59 pools have been submitted for mosquito-born disease testing during the
month of October with zero positive pools found. On warmer days, residents should continue to take steps to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitoes by using EPA registered in insect repellents when outdoors, wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants and mosquito proofing yards by emptying
standing water after a rainfall event, which we really haven't had much. Cooler temperatures will not prevent mosquitoes from flying. Residents should continue preventative safety measures for mosquitoes for October. For more information, contact mosquito control at
sussex.nj. us backmito. Uh and somewhere um I attended the annual Sussex County Memorial Service hosted by the Sussex County Firemen's Association where they
honor all the firemen who passed away the last year in Sussex County. And then Alan already touched on Skuma's flag burning ceremony. Um and I have an update on the food pantry and I wish that Commissioner Hayden was here but he's not. Um the angel donor is not
going to be donating at all next year. So we have to take that into consideration as we start our budget meetings um this week. On Friday we our director Carney and I will be here all day and on Monday. We do need to take that into consideration because we have to feed our residents.
>> What was the loss? >> Uh 550,000 a year in food that Sussex County Food Pantry will not receive. And we can thank them for all the years. I don't know the exact amount of years, but that's a huge donation in food, not
money. So, wish he was here so I could thank him that he has done one thing as he exits and it's to take away food from those that need. That's all I have. >> Thank you. department
Mudtown Road in Wage. Work is advancing on replacement of Sussex County Bridge X48 located Muttown Road and Wanage. Construction of the foundation system is nearing completion. The pre-cast frame structure is scheduled for delivery late this week and or early next week. The Division of Engineering anticipates the
frame will be installed by the end of next week. Once the frame is installed, the project is considered around 35% complete. The project remains on schedule with an anticipated return to service by mid to late December of this year. Uh Sussex County uh capital guide rail
program work is scheduled to resume shortly on the county's ongoing capital guide rail replacement program. This $2.4 million contract will upgrade guide rail along 21 miles of county road. The remaining work will take place starting on County Route 519, Ridge Road in West
End Avenue in Green, Frerieden, and Newton followed by guide rail upgrades on Deckertown, Turnpike, and Wanage in Monu Townships. Work will uh work will proceed under single lane flagger controlled work zones as weather permitted. Division of Planning is
working with the Sussex County A development board to update Sussex County for season of agricultural interactive mapping application. The updated mapping application will support local agricultural businesses and agurism efforts within the county. The application will provide users a
one-stop source for information on farm products offered by local farmers, information on local farm markets and schedules for agricultural events around the county. The division anticipates the application will be live uh in early 2026. Work will continue over the next
few months developing the application and populate the interactive data and information. Local farmers and agriculture producers are encouraged to contact the division of planning if they like their farming operations, farm stands or events to be included in the mapping application. The division can be
reached at 9735790500. You like that, didn't you? Uh the DPW division of public works crews are preparing to begin site work for construction of public new public health pole in Frankfurt. weather permitting, Division of Public Works anticipates site work will begin by
early November and continue into December. The Sussex County uh division of facilities management is providing construction inspection and construction management for the period which saves money to the taxpayer because it's staying in house. So, he's a positive. Uh Department of Engineering Planning
has been working with the Division of Public Works, Office of Britain Traffic Safety, and the Division of Engineering to expand the in-house construction capabilities of the county. Efforts have focused on road and bridge construction projects with select assistance on county building site work. The department has expanded current
operations and reassign existing staff towards the operation of road construction crew, bridge construction crew, traffic safety crew, tree crew, guide rail construction crew, and storm water construction crew. So far this year, the crews have been assigned 30 construction projects, completed 25
guide rail installations, and the tree crew has focused on removing distressed and hazard trees. the capabilities expected to expand over the next few years as projects designs and are completed and crew capabilities refined. So again, this is something I've been
working on for as long as I've been here for five years. Doing things in house saves the taxpayer thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Give you an idea, a covert bridge, which is a concrete structure, runs anywhere from about 800,000 to 1.25 million
approximately. Uh we do that for about 150 to 250 in house. The years ago they used to do about three bridges a year. My understanding now we're down to about one and basically what I just read is we're going to grow that. Hire a couple more people in the long term save the
money. Save the money to the taxpayer in the county. That's the goal. Um and they're doing a good job doing that. That is all I have for now. Um number 11, approval of consent agenda. There is none. Number 12 is the approval of
minutes. This is regular meeting September 24, 2025 and regular meeting October 8th, 2025. Make a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings. >> So moved. >> Director Space second. Commissioner Drew seconds. Any discussion? All >> in favor say I.
>> I oppose. Abstain carries. 13's ordinance. There is no ordinance. Number 14's appointments andor resignations. Uh resolution A is appointment of James Baldini to the board of education of the Sussex County Technical School for a term of four years set term to begin
November 1st, 2025 and expire on October 31st, 2029. Motion to adopt resolution A. >> So moved. >> Deputy Director Space have a second. >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Degrew, any discussion? I had a little discussion. So just back
to a question that Mrs. Brennan asked before. Um, we had a a resignation that just we didn't expect. Uh, once we got that resignation, we put it out. It's been out for about two months, right? We
got minimal um applicants. It's not easy. Keep in mind, this was for a Republican, right? There's two Republicans and two Democrats. >> We can't have more than two members of one particular party per statute, >> right? So, this particular uh candidate had to be a Republican to be applicable.
So, we had a few um we had two. Um Mr. Baldini was uh who we chose to bring up to the board for a vote. So, just so we all understand that. That's where we're at. Um next time I think it'll be a Democrat,
right? Unless somebody leaves, I guess. So, >> it all depends on the vape. >> Yes. Anyway, anybody else any discussion on that after before I call roll call? >> Good. Okay. Roll call. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> abstain. >> Director Carney,
>> yes. >> Uh, Deputy Director Space, >> yes. >> And, uh, Commissioner Degroup, >> yes. >> Okay. 15's resolutions. >> I get a motion to adopt resolutions 8 through L. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Director Space moves. Commissioner Droo seconds. Any discussion? >> Yes. Uh, just comment on resolution F. Right. So, uh, when I first joined the board on, uh, January 1st, 2024, I made it a priority to visit municipalities across the county as part of the
farmland preservation tour. Um, during those visits, one occurring theme I heard from our municipalities was the need for a stronger uh, support for the open space stewardship. Uh, particularly particularly that the existing trail grant program did not sufficiently uh,
did not have sufficient funding to make it worth applying for. Uh, taking those suggestions to heart, I'm proud with the work I've done alongside the open space committee as liaison in 2024 to help foster the discussions that led to these proposed adjustments in resolution F. Uh, I fully support the recommendations
and I'm especially pleased to see the updated award levels uh to 25,000 for individual municipalities, 50,000 for joint projects, and a new collaborative uh category for large regional initiatives. uh a major improvement from
what was previously available while also supporting shared services which I know um is near and dear to a lot of people on this board. Uh these changes reflect the feedback I received from from municipalities and demonstrate a thoughtful effort to grow the program
responsibly encouraging more impactful collaborative projects while reducing administrative burden. Uh I believe this is a positive step forward in supporting both local and regional trail development throughout Sussex County. Um, so just really excited to see this. Uh, I'm in support of it and yeah, just
want to make that comment. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? >> No. All right. Uh, roll call. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Degroup, >> yes.
>> All right. 16's awards of contracts, change orders, and bids. The board of county commissioners of the county of Sussex has reviewed the award of contract change orders bids consisting of various proposed resolutions and determine adoption of said resolutions is and will further the public's interest. Motion to adopt resolutions A
through C. >> So moved. >> Commissioner Henderson. I have a second. >> Second. >> Deputy Director Space. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Degru, >> yes. >> All right. Number 17's financial. We
have two bills list. This is uh the payment of bills list A from October 22nd, 2025. Motion to pay bills list A. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Director Space. Uh Commissioner Groot seconds. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson.
>> Yes. >> Director Carney. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Space. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Degroup. >> Yes. >> All right. Resolution B. Payments of bills list B from October 22nd, 2025. Motion to pay bills list B. >> So moved. >> Second. Commissioner Henderson moves.
Deputy Director Space seconds. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Degroup, >> abstain. >> Number 18 is personnel. Uh, this resolution
a personnel agenda of October 22nd, 2025. Motion to adopt the personnel agenda. >> So moved. Second. >> Anderson moves. Commissioner Degrude seconds. Any discussion? >> Roll call. Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Director Carney, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Space, yes. Commissioner
Degroup, >> yes. >> 19, administrative report. Lorraine, you are up. >> I just want to say it's really nice to see everybody staying in such close contact with all of the areas because as you guys are reporting on everything within each of the departments or
divisions, I'm crossing things off my list. So, it just shows the active involvement of our commissioners directly with the administration. So, I just want to say thank you for that because it makes my life a lot easier going through this. Um, I want to remind everybody by April or sorry, April,
October 31st that property tax relief applications, the PAS1s or the anchor programs are all due. So, really check online if you haven't filed yours to see if you'd qualify. I don't want anybody to miss the opportunity for any type of
property relief. Um the other area is we are now in open enrollment as of uh October 15th through December 7th. Everybody who is on Medicare should be reviewing their plans to see if they are
in the uh most cost-effective plan for them. Um I am a counselor within our office. The division of senior services office offers assistance and advice to help you go through and check those plans. So, please contact our office at 973-5790555.
We can help you go through it. Um, I was sitting with people that came into our office yesterday and training one of our trainees and was able to save the couple $2,000 between the two of them just by reviewing the current plan they have and which plan would be best for them that
is in medicare.gov. You can also go on yourself and look at it if you feel comfortable in doing that, but we offer that advice and I highly recommend everybody do that every year. Um, you were talking about capital projects and how we're doing more in
house that we are really have a lot of capital projects going on. Some of them in the process of being implemented, others we're going back and forth with DP to ensure um we're in compliance with environmental protection. So those
workings are going very quickly and there's open communication. So we do have a lot of projects that are coming up um that we see moving forward. Um we have our caregivers expo tomorrow at the Farmstead restaurant um golf course and
restaurant to learn about services that are available for caregivers. That's from 3 to 6. Um, we talked about the parade that's happening on November 2nd at 1:00 at the fairgrounds. And tonight, uh, senior services is
hoping, uh, holding a veterans gathering. We're doing a poker night for veterans. So, we had about 20 people show out and show up and Karen and Ryan from our office for sending me pictures because we had to move it from here to over at the firehouse at Mil Street. So, I just want to thank the new and fire
department and we're trying to do our outreach to our veterans to show them we're here to support them, provide services, talk about our um support group and other services that we have available. So, that is what I have on my agenda. Thank you guys. >> Very nice.
>> Thank you, county council. >> No. >> All right. Uh 21 unfinished business. Anyone? >> No. All right. I do have something. Uh this is a this is the opioid settlement participation resolution with Purdue Pharma. This is just a motion acknowledging the county of Sussex
participation in a nationwide settlement agreement with Purdue Pharma LP and affiliated debtors to resolve claims involving the roles in a countries opioid crisis. Me too. No yay or nay on that. It's a cleanup resolution.
>> It Yeah, it's a I mean it's a roll call resolution. >> Roll call. Okay. Roll call, please. >> Do I make a motion? I'll make a motion. >> Motion by Deputy Director Space. Second by Commissioner Degroup. >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Hayden is absent. Commissioner Henderson.
>> Yes. >> Director Carney. >> Yes. >> Uh Deputy Director Space. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Degroup. >> Yes. >> Okay. Number 22 is new business. Anybody in New business? >> All right. Number 23, public session from the floor. Public session is for
those wishing to make general comments of three minutes or less on non-aggenda topics. Please line up at the microphone, state your name and municipality for the record. Motion to open the floor for public comment. >> Commissioner group. >> Uh that be director space. Seconds. Any
discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I post carries. Floor is open. Good evening. I'm Sam Seaman, Stillwater Township, and I'm here because of two
articles in the newspaper. Uh, one, the sale of the county jail, and the other because of unhoused Sussex County citizens. So, I have a proposal for housing to those unhoused Sussex County citizens.
uh for the sale of the jail, one half of the sale of the jail to be set aside for the development of lowcost housing. That none of that be used for consultants. That each township or municipality
obligate themselves to have an additional $2 per tax quarter strictly for building lowcost housing. that the county advertised competitive
um bids for technical schools and colleges such as NJIT to divi to design and build and a reproducible prototype of either a temporary
um uh lowcost house or something along the lines of Granny Pods or models such as developed in Germany could be considered. Also, there are available um
sleeping bags that are battery operated and um and or um solar operated that could if used properly could protect the unhoused population from being out in
the cold. that land be set aside in municipalities for developed structures near support such as grocery stores, medical offices, and others. There are things that I've not addressed in this including
development of training programs, support service, and those things. Um, there's an old saying, if you keep on doing what you're doing, you keep on getting what you got. And Sussex County for a long period of time has just
continued to do what they've been doing as far as the unhoused residents go. And that includes >> one minute >> removing the benches from the park so that nobody has to see the unhoused sitting there. And there was a I think there was a
proposal that benches with divided seats be put in. And so far there's none put in there. So I would encourage you, you're the commissioners of all the citizens of Sussex County, not just those who are housed, not just those who
are have a working income or a retirement income. And I would encourage you to do the right thing as far as the unhoused citizens go and follow this or
some other um proposal for getting people off the street and in a safe Good evening. Uh, Nina Freel, Montigue, New Jersey. Tonight, I'm diving into what Mike Benz, a former State Department official and cyber policy
expert, calls a color revolution. A term you've likely heard amid today's political chaos. Bench describes color revolutions as orchestrated campaigns disguised as grassroots uprisings to topple governments often backed by US
agencies like the CIA, USAD and NOS's such as the National Endowment for Democracy. They're not military coups, but ground bottomup operations using protests, media, and funding to de destabilize leaders labeled autocratic.
Ben's outlines a clear playbook. First, operate operatives justify intervention by branding a government as a threat to democracy. Think of Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution or the 2014 Euro Maiden Revolution where 65 million in US
funds trained activists. Second, they funded astroturfed group sources open society poured 8 million into US protests and 100 million into Ukraine's youth movements. Third, mass mobilization floods streets with
symbolic colors or songs like Serbia's 2000 Serbia's 2000 bulldozer revolution, creating chaos that looks organic. Fourth, media and tech platforms amplify narratives while cons censoring
opposition. Ben's points to Telegram's role in Barus in 2020. Well, finally, this chaos triggers legal challenges and international pressure, forcing leaders out, often leaving economic ruin like
Ukraine's 15% GDP drop post 2014. Hey, but what's really chilling is Ben's warning that this playbook is now domestic. >> One minute. He claims the 2020 transition integrity project, which planned to contest a Trump win and
2025's No Kings protest, backed by millions from USA ID to groups like Indivisible, show a color revolution, American style. Ben calls it an inversion of democracy where elites weaponize democracy to control
narrative, censor speech, and so division. Sound familiar with today's shutdown and violence and refusal to enforce the law? Ben's evidence, declassified funding documents and n
manuals. He urges us to watch films like bringing down a dictator to see the script. Whether you agree or not, his framework challenges us to question who's pulling the strings behind protests and power shifts here and
abroad. Thank you. I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to serve. I appreciate the uh Jeff Hall, Beaverville. My wife and myself attended no kings rally in Warwick. I listen to Mike Johnson warning of
these rallies, quote unquote. I encourage you to watch who shows up at these rallies. I bet you see pro- Hamas. I bet you see Antifa. I bet you see Marcus in full play. Full display. The people who do do
not want to defend the foundational truths of democracy. Senator John Thun also warned against lawless lawlessness chaos and crime. At the rally, I was immediately confronted by a female senior citizen
who stated, "Welcome to the rally. If you need anything, please find someone with a yellow vest on. Following her was a Vietnam vet handing out American flags and thanking people for attending. My suspicions began to rise. These are
probably uh sneaky Marcus waiting to pounce on us. Mike had warned us. Soon we were surrounded by inflatable laughing and dancing unicorns, rabbits, and chipmunks. The concern for our safety skyrocketed
as they de delightfully danced away. Then I took notice of two subversive looking women with children children in strollers laughing with a man who had a child on his shoulders. Probably suicide bombers.
John warned us of the chaos. The crowd was joyful singing along with female folk singer probably hate inspired as Mike had warned. I was a bit relieved when a member of the clergy marched by with a poster, "Save us." Then an ugly vision appeared
of him performing last rights over our mangled bodies and as the inflatables laughed at the chaos and lawlessness. Later at home, I watched as our government responded responded in an online video of historical significance.
I see our president, our president wearing a crown and heroically piloting an F-14 jet named King Trump, dumping feces on those hatefilled American protesters. Props to Mike and John.
Church, the clergy was right. Save us. Just briefly when I was in Newton, >> can you just state your name and municipality, please? >> Uh Ray Dotto, Frankfurt Township. Uh I observed about a half hour of that rally. No kings
and there was a lot of good people, what I call useful idiots really. But uh I would like to know how many outsiders were in that rally. The last one I went uh three weeks ago, there were like 12
police officers there and there was only about 50 people, but I just went around and thank the police for not that there was any violence, but we have a thing in this country against law enforcement. It's unbelievable. Look
at New York City. That is our our country's city. New York City got a socialist running there. Actually, a communist. The Democratic Socialist Party. There is no more Democratic party because you would have to I would go against the
Republican party. That's why I'm independent. I'm a constitutionalist. You would have to go against your own party for what they're doing to this country. You could not be a Democrat right now. You'd have to get independent. When we started this
country, our constitution, we were with a constitution that was based on God, divine providence of God. That is our country and it's our constitution. You don't need to be Christian. You can be
Christian, Muslim, or anything you want. But we have a constitution. The laws and that's what we have to follow. You don't need to follow your spiritual beliefs of any religion. Everybody is welcome here. But we need to follow our laws. Without our laws, we have no country. And we can
see what's going on in all these cities. Out of 30 cities, 27 of them, the 30 worst cities, 27 of them are democratic. That says something right there. We need to talk to our fellow citizens.
>> Charlie Kirk, he was assassinated for telling the truth. But we all need to get out there and have a a non not get emotional. be calm and have a discussion about these things about our constitution. It's hard in New Jersey because the
governor of New Jersey has so much powers. The Supreme Court almost everything he can appoint people and fire people. It It's amazing. But we've let it go for a long time. But that's one of the reasons that uh New Jersey is
a Democratic state. But this might change in the next election. And it was close last time because people are finding out the truth for law and order. I have to say for now Kathy Brennan Hampton Township. Um I was
hoping that Commissioner Hayden would be here tonight, but this is typical. Um, I suppose whether he's here or not, I suppose at this point it doesn't really matter. I just wanted to give a thanks for the memory
speech and go over some of his illustrious career. Thanks for wasting taxpayer money by offering nothing basically to the county. Thanks for missing many too many meetings. Thanks for showing up for
meetings and basically saying nothing that you've done for the county. Thanks for wasting time in the reputation of the food pantry and as you just stated tonight, losing our connection totally with the uh donor.
And uh thanks for falsely claiming military service, causing embarrassment to not only the county, the state, and the nation. And thanks for not stepping down and letting someone else take over and actually doing some work for the
county. Thanks for showing no remorse. Thanks for being the only commissioner indicted for tax fraud related to your stolen valor. Thanks for using your position to go after your fellow commissioners, accusing them of stealing money. Thanks for threatening to sue
them all at the taxpayers's expense. All in all, you've had he's he's had a quite a illustrious career as the worst commissioner ever. and I hope he's enjoying that title while he's having to do with his legal issues due to his de
deeds that he has committed. Thank you. >> John Snider Sanderson Try not to use any sarcasm tonight. Gonna mention some cities. Memphis, Tennessee, St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, Oakland,
Little Rock, Arkansas, New Orleans, Cleveland, Houston, and Kansas City, Missouri. Those are the top 10 crime cities in the country based on crime rates. What do they all have in common?
Stated earlier, they're controlled by the Democrats. Democrat party, which once was the champion of women's rights, the workplace, sports, the WNBA is an example, I guess, in
collegial women's sports. Now, we have a woman, Katangi Brown Jackson, which I guess we're all familiar with, sitting on the Supreme Court. when she was questioned for her confirmation hearing about could she define what a woman was and she pretty
much said that you know that was not her area of expertise. I think most of us in this room could define what a woman is. They talk about women's health. Those are the words they use. What what
are they really talking about though? Talking about abortion. Not going to say I'm a perfect person and follow what I've done in my life, but for anybody to say that abortion is my primary objective in life.
Whoopy Goldberg, she commented on this a couple years ago. She couldn't remember. I've had six or seven. She said, "Come on, that's an accomplishment in your life. In New York and New Jersey, if a woman
wants an abortion, >> one minute, >> can have one up to the day of birth. Isn't that something to be proud of as a Democrat? Dem Democrat controlled makes me sick. Really,
the current Democrat party, anti-Semitic, anti- law and order, anti-Israel, obviously anti-Donald Trump. If you pay attention to the news in the
last few weeks, leaders from countries all around the world are praising and thanking Donald Trump his peace seeeking missions, what he's been doing and trying to do. Democratic Socialist of America.
Quickly, for those of you who remember the Soviet Union, USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the ultimate socialists. Thank you.
>> Well, excuse me, Leon, New Jersey. Um, I'm a Democrat, probably the only one in this room, and I would just like to say that it's been a privilege to watch our committee come to our commissioners come together to solve problems regardless of the party, regardless of the agenda,
whatever. So at some point, stop the name calling. Stop the blaming. Look at the issues, identify them, put your personal agendas aside, come together, work together to solve the problems for the people that you were elected to serve. So I thank you for your service.
I thank you for your open-mindedness. And I would hope that when push comes to shove, we can look beyond the gender, the sexism, the name calling, the party banning, whatever. work together because if we start here on the ground level to
solve our problems, it will escalate further up the line. I congratulate you on your movements to uh work with the homeless. I know this was a very sensitive and a very humanitarian issue. You didn't care what the color of the people were if they were homeless, their gender, their republic, and their democratic affiliation, but you solved a
problem. And that's what I hope you will continue to do. So, thank you for that. [Applause] Yeah. Well, that's why we're here because we we lost, but uh Stillwater mayor uh Lisa has won. So, congratulations to her.
We missed the vote on >> Can you just for the record, I'm sorry. >> Mayor Anthony, Vernon Township. I apologize. uh water uh quality management plan for Vernon. Very vital to to our economical growth in Vernon
town around for probably a decade. So >> sure, James, I noticed James Baldini is uh is being appointed and I I think that's an an incredible appointment. I think he'll he'll do Um, also the we just finished our
revitalization of town center where we had to utilized our the county engineers um and electricians. So, thank you really to those guys. They sometimes when people talk about government, how things, you know, are are a nightmare to
work with. They were easier than the vendors. I mean, they were so good. Johnny on the spot with with with being there to assist us and they got the job done. So again, kudos to those guys. So >> we'll pass that along, Mayor. Thank you. >> So second,
please check the 25. So move. >> Thanks for all coming out everybody. 806 >> 806