[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6199165,"mediaKeyId","3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f","parentId",3839836,"title","County moves to expand hospital fee program eligibility; approves several insurance renewals for county hospitals","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",1786000,"endMs",1977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f&start=1786&end=1977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f/thumbnail_1786000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199165/Essex-County/New-Jersey/County-moves-to-expand-hospital-fee-program-eligibility-approves-several-insurance-renewals-for-county-hospitals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199165-d0eda7d2decd02a5c3eb69f2ff1bc92c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775607262&Signature=Ao5dWOpD1esgyYTDe-RYPDlYg~TpfqwIq4W4n5yNhStIV7ngiFlhlJ5ZWEwKuFY5MZMph4UQbCKhcKpJvl9zI~sOR8AyNnwFJHnxhBNYcM4n7Dvawck2bePc7MeZm-t4eh1yzKVV-d0CVu8ml5Fn87~yCVCcb7a2ytMu7IPjdQCego5uB-JCgfSbPFsvLLu0u-k7mlhpdgjWq6gOJ-fZOO2LKGhIzCm4yAgW1vfeisYWqL8-e55MknzPctnmK2GuFmC1~3ZqeQMNC6LA~pOWPPQVmjG53gXYEM0TJUIXJa3KF1LEq6PXTVIaFVIMpCD-6Dj6lAXPC3rQ8IbVtsBp4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Essex County, NJ","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","Essex County commissioners introduced an ordinance to amend the 2021 hospital fee program to extend eligibility beyond the pilot to all county hospitals and approved a set of insurance renewals and related hospital agreements.

Frank Delgaudio, director of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation, told the board the amendment would broaden the hospital fee program passed in 2021 and allow the state to assess a maximum fee of 5% of net hospital revenues while increasing the program’s funding. \"This ordinance is requesting an amendment to the original ordinance that was passed back in 2021 regarding the hospital fee program,\" Delgaudio said. The amendment would roll the pilot out so every hospital in the state becomes eligible under the program and would permit the state assessment at up to 5% of net hospital revenues.

The board also took grouped action on insurance renewals affecting county operations and the Essex County Hospital Center. Risk manager Frank Delgario explained several renewals and increases: the county’s excess general liability, automobile liability and law enforcement liability coverage was renewed with total coverage up to $10,000,000 in excess of the county’s $1,000,000 retention; the excess workers’ compensation renewal showed an increase of $31,318 due to pandemic-era claims; the active-assailant policy renewal increased by about $2,500; professional liability (medical malpractice for the hospital center) had a small increase of about $5,000; and the county’s commercial property insurance rose by about $93,000 reflecting addition of properties and an overall increase in insured values (staff said the Winona Lippman Family Courts building and park improvements added roughly $180,000,000–$200,000,000 in values to the county’s portfolio).

County staff also presented a nursing-affiliation agreement with Felician College intended to resume psychiatric rotations at the Essex County Hospital Center after a COVID-era hiatus; the board approved that affiliation as part of the health department matters.

Commissioners approved the ordinance for introduction (first reading) and approved the set of insurance renewals and the affiliation agreement by roll call in grouped votes. Staff said the ordinance and renewals will be read into the record at a later meeting for final readings where required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Essex County Board of Commissioners Meeting June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board introduced an ordinance amending a 2021 hospital fee pilot to expand eligibility to all county hospitals and approved insurance renewals and other contracts affecting the Essex County Hospital Center.","taxTitle","Essex County, New Jersey","taxId",2728,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199170,"County moves to codify park speed limits; commissioners hear residents' park and street-safety concerns",3286,1646000,4932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f&start=1646&end=4932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f/thumbnail_1646000.jpg","/articles/6199170/Essex-County/New-Jersey/County-moves-to-codify-park-speed-limits-commissioners-hear-residents-park-and-street-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199170-3d48a33c11927b0041e84d6f74e9f39e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775607262&Signature=NczUi3lwrWJjLhKcl-FiqDthpdT63zyEMN8BIockUaSGbITaDeItSkP4gIfwnlYFXzdVcqqKCG3xxCnAmFMNhQuvhAunK8T2HxLz9rkhpkx1Q5b~6zMdcoL1EaWVE5NcpO6jeuvund5LYJo00~dIykcoNNdgojH0r6wkSfWF-I2HxB1Q3tjRjaZIjmbqvaI1Dj6IXmE~16CIwXXZGl1yfWopguwoVk5pwYYnnTYNawTAioE3dQbaQ-hEHqd4f7NaCdXOZBIvZNf~eeLI1xzP440QuWvZ08epRUL1~M7RkSZSo5D7JeCRaIqYy-MSrMEbHGwkn~Cbjq9Mz27lgpenNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Essex County commissioners introduced an ordinance to codify and post speed limits in county parks and to enable sheriff's department enforcement, and they discussed related signage needs for parks and playgrounds.

Director Jackson said the ordinance would establish speed limits within the county park system so the sheriff can enforce them. Commissioner Vice President Cooper asked that the county also post no-smoking signs near playgrounds and to confirm the ordinance covers vaping devices; Commissioner Burchison and others asked for signage limiting bikes and dogs on walking tracks.

During public comment, several residents raised parks and street-safety concerns. Dana Dennis, a resident and transportation advocate, described long-standing deterioration at Montclair’s Monte Irvin Park playground: \"The swing's been broken since 2022... the merry-go-round has holes and dents,\" she said, and asked about the status of safe-routes-to-school and street-safety plans for county roads such as Central Avenue and Main Street. County staff later told the board that the parks department has plans for a total rebuild of the Monte Irvin Park playground and that the county executive had instructed parks staff to explore adding a long-jump pit at Weekway Park following advocacy from local sports groups.

Representatives from the Weekway Park Sports Authority and local residents described a petition and urged the county to add a long-jump pit to support track-and-field development and youth athletics. Parks staff and the county executive indicated the long-jump request will be evaluated, but commissioners cautioned that planning and construction require time and coordination.

Another resident raised safety concerns on Lake Street in Newark, reporting a crash that totaled a family vehicle and asking for county assistance. County officials explained Lake Street is a city roadway and said they would forward the resident’s safety concerns and request for traffic-calming analysis to engineering staff and to Newark officials for follow-up.

The speed-limits-in-parks ordinance was moved and seconded for introduction and first reading; commissioners also moved to include signage requests in park-posting plans. The ordinance will be read into the record at a later time for formal introduction and hearing.","Essex County introduced an ordinance to set and enable enforcement of speed limits in county parks, and commissioners heard public comments asking for playground repairs, a long-jump pit at Weekway Park and traffic safety review for Lake Street in Newark.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199174,"County awards design and construction contracts for Walnut Street/West Hobart Gap roundabout in Livingston",201,2365000,2566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f&start=2365&end=2566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f/thumbnail_2365000.jpg","/articles/6199174/Essex-County/New-Jersey/County-awards-design-and-construction-contracts-for-Walnut-StreetWest-Hobart-Gap-roundabout-in-Livingston","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199174-e4ab19f4b09dd4978c9d7670f3fdf0ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775607262&Signature=A0ugyTFTiUy9q1hmWFP3mdeTlIAX1CICFiAHpCkq-xdJFqpKbuutb7QU5Z91YAFT-Y2WN7bsbGxEeT4EvVbYIIj~OAe6PT-fzpHR4h4xhvnioUIJd6yUVNfq555qH~PhFy1eRacTQYVdTeX~Piw-GkvHe9FdhvRFidqJxFhdjKXpxAcvq8IZ9of7DFmE0mSdt324AGf06BJhaHOiPgMnlXekIe0Rlu4RxOHN4QY7c8Y-Dg7bnDzxfwoGYGnVcIxvptQ~irYpmIr5r6Paj-A-h9xRGDRaqlcp~ecy6~WKMu5ru8GcELJgYEySwar17P8r~HmVdRDn24womGV9vBFV8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Essex County commissioners approved awards for engineering and construction to build a roundabout at Walnut Street and West Hobart Gap Road in Livingston.

The board accepted OmSum Engineering’s proposal for construction engineering and construction support services in an amount that should exceed $254,991; Public Works Director David Antonio told the board the cost will be fully funded with a federal grant. OmSum project manager Dejan (Degan) Patel described the firm as a Piscataway-based minority-owned firm with roughly 60 employees and said the firm will oversee construction engineering tasks.

The board also awarded the construction contract to J.A. Alexander for an amount that should exceed $1,147,967. Frank Massaro of J.A. Alexander described his company as a heavy-construction, union road-work firm based in Bloomfield (the contractor indicated approximately 35% of employees are Essex County residents). Commissioners asked about schedule and impacts: Massaro said a pre-construction meeting would likely occur in about four weeks and estimated construction duration of about six months.

Commissioners and the contractor discussed right-of-way impacts and tree removals. Massaro said the work would use existing county right-of-way and that no private property acquisitions were expected: \"No. We're not taking any property,\" he said when asked if the project would require taking private land. County staff acknowledged some utility relocations and the removal of some trees on one side of the roadway.

The board approved the items as part of the Public Works resolutions; the awards were included in the group motion for agenda items 5–10 and 63 and carried by roll call. County staff said the project is intended to modernize a difficult intersection and to improve safety and traffic flow in an area where residents have sought a permanent fix.

The board received contractor commitments to hire locally where possible and noted the project is being coordinated with Livingston and other parties on traffic management during construction.","Essex County awarded engineering and construction contracts to OmSum Engineering and JA Alexander to build a roundabout at Walnut Street and West Hobart Gap Road in Livingston; the engineering contract is federally funded and the construction award was the lowest responsive bid.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199179,"Essex County proclaims June 'Adopt a Cat Month,' highlights TNR and spay/neuter work",831,616000,1447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f&start=616&end=1447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6199179/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Essex-County-proclaims-June-Adopt-a-Cat-Month-highlights-TNR-and-spayneuter-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199179-366c1ee9d867f7440fbbab678c88ab38/orig.mp4?Expires=1775607262&Signature=SFaE08mebqQCCRGP5KqfCi167Tt9y7o8GQoak5V0KGLUS-L6t857EcCh-XOpDhrynCgRrwj0wTrfVhzt~UKo20JF3qcN-aBIXsvk3dOAz267v7OvSLduky-s231TeIcre3e3tfGIz0r8m~35qc0REsMP~4bdOeS6SdIUvLRPEE-quJj99XtOOsh2UqhN7qleoIdwDv1eDr0M~iyOR5jZ38GySpemGfFwSiEeU14rnQ27UN8opJzpRJuVU-wZsmZJL8yotJ8ypqgMn3Og3O-jSWOGPTpdw9K~Nqd5k-Q08MAHULTnHcSJBbzf7G7gwA4cCAOYMw48ddVVj3B8ZQYfiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Essex County Board of County Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing June as \"Adopt a Cat Month\" and used the occasion to highlight trap-neuter-return (TNR), spay/neuter and vaccination efforts for community cats.

Commissioner Tasha Cooper introduced the proclamation and thanked the county administration and community partners for funding and supporting TNR activities. \"We've had a tremendous impact with our community cat population,\" Brian Hackett, director of government and community relations for Associated Humane Societies, told the board. He also said the work helps get adoptable cats into homes and noted that \"95% of the animals euthanized in our state are cats,\" underscoring the group's work to reduce euthanasia through community programs.

Commissioner Cooper named several volunteers, groups and individuals who contributed to county TNR and community-cat efforts and invited them to the dais for certificates. The board voted to adopt the proclamation by roll call; Commissioners Gill, Luciano, Marie Thomas, Richardson, Seibold, Vice President Cooper and President Palmeiras recorded yes votes; Commissioners Mercado and Sermons were absent.

The proclamation is symbolic recognition of county support for TNR and related programs; it does not create a programmatic funding obligation. County staff confirmed the county has supported TNR and spay/neuter initiatives and credited local volunteer organizations and Associated Humane Societies for implementation and public outreach.

After the vote, residents in the meeting—identified by one speaker as \"Mama Meow\" and others—addressed the board to thank commissioners for recognizing local rescuers, feeders and volunteers. The board also invited honorees to a photograph at the dais.","The county adopted a resolution recognizing June as Adopt a Cat Month, commending local groups for trap-neuter-return (TNR), spay/neuter and vaccination efforts and acknowledging Associated Humane Societies' role.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199184,"Essex County commissioners back resolution urging restoration of Wynonna’s House state funding cut",434,420000,854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f&start=420&end=854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3839836-8639bcd4f59f9b595bbdbf1984496f0f/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6199184/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Essex-County-commissioners-back-resolution-urging-restoration-of-Wynonnas-House-state-funding-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199184-d669849d4cde66c0edffa92adbc47f0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775607262&Signature=EAW1vq0rqZ1TdODFQkygLNd983hj5XncyJE15Rn763JW0QOhn3lHQ40ikaqwkeRwzmmRoSCP71BEo~kBMg1Jq481PIYqeg2dTpUAr4arix-mWmcALsAUJdxKKmMAJyICIQW1jz6Ma2XVAnRaZ~Oi-7BqE8eJOAxxjeagECj5Pg8LD30I~7Yp1MisUFvgyeaWNQCJKc2Z~9gOXwSJaVw0s8woFhwfnwN~YsChh8kljosDxrMZ1EabR-~c~M1P6JQUMMl~zBUkOzOiiNeH~s-tnBirOrrFW7K093s7kgruyVvMMrRxg84EbOZiOJidAboTnxRDQAZjtQn5uEXG3iKVMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Essex County Board of County Commissioners on a voice vote approved a resolution urging restoration of state funding for Wynonna’s House, a Newark-based child advocacy center facing an approximate $575,000 cut in the FY26 New Jersey state budget.

Wynonna’s House leaders and county commissioners said the center provides wraparound services for child victims of abuse across Essex County and asked state lawmakers and the governor to restore the grant. \"We are facing a dire situation of nearly $575,000 in funding being cut from the state budget,\" Danielle Torok, vice president of the Winona's House board of trustees, told commissioners during public comment.

The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Christopher Gill and seconded by Commissioner Seibold, was moved by acclamation. In presenting the item, Gill noted the center serves \"over 950 cases annually providing wraparound services to child victims of abuse across the 22 municipalities of Essex County and offers prevention services reaching over 3,000 community members each year.\" The roll call on the motion recorded yes votes from Commissioners Gill, Luciano, Marie Thomas, Richardson, Seibold, Vice President Cooper and President Palmeiras; Commissioners Mercado and Sermons were absent.

Kristan Bautista, director of prevention services at Wynonna’s House, described the center’s casework and offered an example of a family the center served, saying the organization connected a homeless family to housing and job resources: \"This family today is living in their own apartment. Mom has been connected with job resources. She's working. The family is sustaining themselves,\" Bautista said. Commissioners said they would use the resolution to signal to the county’s state delegation and the governor the local urgency of restoring funding.

The resolution expresses the board’s support for restoring the appropriation in the state budget; it does not appropriate county funds. Commissioners said they aim to send a message to state officials before the budget is finalized. No county appropriation or direct funding commitment was adopted at the meeting.

The board took a photograph with Wynonna’s House representatives after the vote and deferred extended comments until the public-comment portion of the meeting.","The Essex County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution urging state leaders to restore nearly $575,000 cut from Wynonna’s House child advocacy funding in the FY26 New Jersey budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County moves to expand hospital fee program eligibility; approves several insurance renewals for county hospitals

County moves to codify park speed limits; commissioners hear residents' park and street-safety concerns

County awards design and construction contracts for Walnut Street/West Hobart Gap roundabout in Livingston

Essex County proclaims June 'Adopt a Cat Month,' highlights TNR and spay/neuter work

Essex County commissioners back resolution urging restoration of Wynonna’s House state funding cut