[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6466376,"mediaKeyId","5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e","parentId",5824359,"title","Union County adopts bond ordinance repurposing $14.1 million in capital funds","audioSeconds",484,"startMs",187000,"endMs",671000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e&start=187&end=671","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e/thumbnail_187000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466376/Union-County/New-Jersey/Union-County-adopts-bond-ordinance-repurposing-141-million-in-capital-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466376-6fa3825775f17d24ee155b95a6a481de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670882&Signature=coxV488ccyC7tPe7NeXHK93z0D9Ptvb3SgaN-YHgG3vNnvX9jpmkeVl27~VpoCyMMjRuo4zFRLXloalA6dexwcck4-OB4V~6lpMtnoLPwS9H~-qyyLY9k2YQefujFlWvRGl9Nf9dPEYvpOsMfrgrFaCrrRJSRnLFJCZg1ZdkQ~YgaNROvO3FhPdwW6UVg2633ffp9iI8ujOCsLDFAnm3z1EDylR42~~zArilyOEwWsTgp-rwtF~K8qznJIdjjVPPzfOkyrEylKUT5478f-CdNmoQ56c3S402HD15xbxi4y7yT74xpdAAP-Xc-wCUKvLWQc6IY11uvmcX8~v8bL6UDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County","date","2025-09-24T16:47:49.197Z","article","The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Union adopted Ordinance number 860-2025 on final reading to reallocate previously authorized capital funds totaling $14,116,985.

County Manager Oatman told the board the ordinance “does not add anything to the county debt,” and that the ordinance repurposes capital funds from projects deemed complete or from projects that now have lower priority. He cited examples of projects affected, including the Oak Ridge Sports Complex and a stable manure area, and said the repurposed funds will be used for park improvements, technology, equipment and drainage work.

During the public hearing Bruce Patterson of Garwood questioned the reduction in public comment time from five minutes to three and asked for clarity on how the ordinance aggregates unspent balances from 11 prior bond ordinances, including a reference to bond ordinance 845-2023. Patterson asked what becomes of previously authorized amounts, including an example figure he said was $46,000,000 tied to a prior ordinance. The county manager responded with the $14,116,985 repurposing figure and said the ordinance is a cleanup and repurposing of capital authorizations dating back as far as February 2012.

The ordinance was moved for final reading by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Baker. The clerk called the roll and recorded seven votes in the affirmative. The meeting record shows the motion carried with seven ayes.

The ordinance text read into the record lists the prior ordinances being amended, including multiple bond ordinance numbers adopted between 2012 and 2024. The county did not state in the hearing that the ordinance changes the county's total bonded indebtedness; rather, the county manager characterized the action as repurposing existing capital authorizations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UCBOCC 091825 R","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 860-2025 to reallocate $14,116,985 in previously authorized capital funds from completed or lower-priority projects; the county manager said the measure does not increase the county's debt.","taxTitle","Union County, New Jersey","taxId",2731,"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},6466361,"Public demands accountability over social-media post and county contracts; counsel says county must defend juvenile-abuse suits",720,1851000,2571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e&start=1851&end=2571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","/articles/6466361/Union-County/New-Jersey/Public-demands-accountability-over-social-media-post-and-county-contracts-counsel-says-county-must-defend-juvenile-abuse-suits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466361-3709de02a84e16a1d19ef135c5babe36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670882&Signature=ol878p5ClQzR9j-OoX7jqGq~qhE0As9mS--VuV931NAAZxGuxfvVxvOzMwZaa3RreKaxfVaGMRKIMd7dy5J9CrMoiGc3e-KuOeHyyByF9EEcCMiXqikRqm55usO9avGk9vS4yXKnoV1ci-pPPTcxfYyBSh-cWWMBfJjgyo~jeCsz0f0kNA3PZ-u6Lfsj1Q8G-oficWLIf0N~NNfF~A8vXNiQsD0V1ZTMHyqOQ26xmjTzehKytiComZpgMLLyNs9Lb9ZvpEyP7GpvVAJv8ybDZSerWOmCJmU~ekWEMn6nqh6JFu3anJKTtDDeIaGufaaOn0KVlWJq19xO~RXH8niPpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple members of the public urged the Board of County Commissioners to respond to a social-media post attributed to Commissioner Rebecca Williams, with several speakers calling for clarification and some asking that she step down. Commissioner Williams responded in the meeting, saying the meme in question did not name an individual and defending the right to expression on personal social media.

Carlos Santos told the board he was \"disturbed\" by a post he said read, in part, \"death of a racist POS by gun violence\" and asked the board to confirm whether Commissioner Williams had authored the material and to publicly disavow remarks that demean a murder victim. Brian Lopez, who identified himself as a former police detective, and Mark Nieves, a Republican candidate for county commissioner, also criticized the post and called for accountability.

Commissioner Williams said memes circulate and that the image in question did not name an individual; she emphasized First Amendment protections and said she would continue to speak her mind. Several commissioners — including Kowalski, Mirabella, Granados, Bodek, and Baker — publicly expressed support for Commissioner Williams during their remarks, saying they know her record and work as a public servant.

The public also raised county-contract and legal-cost concerns during the same comment period. Bruce Patterson questioned reported legal spending and large contract increases, including a cited jump in an engineering contract (CME) from $4 million to $7.2 million and a separate contract item that public commenters described as increasing to $760,000.

On legal defense matters, County Counsel Burkin told the board that the firm (Cleary Jacoby) was being retained by the county to defend two lawsuits from former juveniles alleging abuse at the county's juvenile detention center, which has been closed for years. Burkin said the suits were permitted by a recent state law extending the statute of limitations and that some claims reach back decades. \"They are an experienced law firm. They will properly represent the county, and, we're defendants, so we have no choice but to defend,\" Burkin said.

The board did not take disciplinary action against any commissioner during the meeting; members who spoke publicly backed Williams and emphasized her record of service.","Several speakers asked the board to censure or remove Commissioner Williams over a social-media post; county counsel and other commissioners defended her. County counsel said the firm Cleary Jacoby was retained to defend two lawsuits alleging abuse at the county juvenile detention center because a state law extended the statute of limitations.",{"_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},6466366,"Cycling advocates press county for signage and updated bike/trail plans; county engineer says plans are underway",1163,1309000,2472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e&start=1309&end=2472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e/thumbnail_1309000.jpg","/articles/6466366/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cycling-advocates-press-county-for-signage-and-updated-biketrail-plans-county-engineer-says-plans-are-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466366-de6a1d97ba20307986426698e496e91b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670882&Signature=hdDy00jOhKszc6m3~5t2Pw3-icpSvZjQUdH735G2ft1QilPR4B06w870Izl0mGDjoiwmdtrv-ZjvmWHVVIyFKuLGlmhwVnfWvp7GKU1gcVaCkUBSwZheHXbKAPdrPUewRT95lvr-GvgfEOma1VsABJeIq9cR6i1fhEHqZ1VdSVF4I3GU3lak5SBKPJUdYYQe~yy5s33Ftl20CgaTEaXToJnmDcI4QQQxnsvlUctzSFUE6iXqyG6IGCJWsL8-QJD~oxIK24uJuc2jUVL7MjBfmfiLHZGlicGgsC63wW7s3kNGccVSOBMv~H3sRlAI~XY1v3mbhsSN9Xt0AU42r6AYaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cycling advocates and trail groups told the Board of County Commissioners the county needs to do more to protect cyclists and pedestrians, including installing approved signage and updating planning documents, and county leaders said work is in progress.

John Pisco, president of All On Cycling Club of New Jersey, told commissioners the club runs about 30 group rides a week in Union County and has more than 500 paid members. He urged the county to install MUTCD-approved signs to make drivers aware of New Jersey's safe passing law (passed in February 2022) and the state's four-foot safe-passing guidance for drivers approaching vulnerable road users. \"By installing these official road signs throughout our community, we'll significantly increase driver awareness, save lives,\" Pisco said.

Representatives from Union County Connects — Secretary Ellen Margarita and founder Michael Dory — praised the county's recent rail-trail conversions and the East Coast Greenway realignment work and pressed for a published update to the 2020 parks and recreation master plan and an updated bicycle master plan (the county's bicycle plan had not been updated since 2007, the speakers said). Dory asked when the county would release the updated parks master plan and requested a named project manager and quarterly public progress reports. He also asked about a $100,000 feasibility study for the Central Rail (CNJ) from July 22, 2021 and whether that report is complete and available.

County Engineer Rick Mateus told the board the Safe Streets and Roads for All project is roughly 70% complete and that the county anticipates a final plan around December or January. He said the bicycle master plan update is underway via the East Coast Greenway consultant; the county has received a first draft for construction plans and will provide first-round comments, which must also go through NJDOT review. Mateus said the Rahway Valley Rail Trail TAP grant work has seen recent progress: a consultant proposal has been accepted by NJDOT and the contract will flow through the county to continue work.

Mateus also said requests for specific bike-lane projects (for example, a Westfield county-road bike lane) will be revisited after the master plans are complete so the county can set policy and standards consistently. Advocates said better signage and an up-to-date bike plan are cost-effective ways to reduce fatalities and near misses among cyclists in the county.","Cycling groups and Union County Connects urged the county to install MUTCD-approved safe passing signage, update the county bicycle master plan and release the parks master plan; County Engineer Rick Mateus said the Safe Streets and Roads for All plan is about 70% complete and the bicycle master plan update is underway with consultant review.",{"_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},6466371,"Engineer: Clark Reservoir dredging to last about 60 days; debris to be stockpiled and removed by contractor",92,2240000,2332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e&start=2240&end=2332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824359-03cc441148cb99666b5e2062a38ec89e/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","/articles/6466371/Union-County/New-Jersey/Engineer-Clark-Reservoir-dredging-to-last-about-60-days-debris-to-be-stockpiled-and-removed-by-contractor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466371-bea85713e335c2491af4d7faf25886ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670882&Signature=UB8PhSPCU3AdqnyWS9Jg5KWBUow34X-tbkCPGG41ITMnkHAMRmF8s~3jGTVR1VwEqPMDUOwr73Pm4UXpiBoP4NxIJV3mrlYnSymkn6wXFNGEGzLo8RLWV20yTQLMWYZVUaptaGuqhm2CWzY2KfySH6ZrmYFh8U6Uj0Q5Z-yODNnl8qIYWLr-tdn9tH5GDcVZHuPRF126TzHQ-0VaLiPsgsSPslWuzuO~mXQOA7~SrY5B5T5ddJFEtCIy3NUEIe-zJuG-qJqq8DFjHqdZyVB90GiMgcz6-cocMeGmDELoUYu2Sa2EXZKEeY4EaaF0JWl3g57tgLWP5LCUa-y~6QAzJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Engineer Rick Mateus answered public questions about the Clark Reservoir dredging project at a Board of County Commissioners meeting, saying the work will operate under the Township of Clark's municipal code for noise (generally starting at 7 a.m.), debris dredged from the reservoir will be stockpiled within the reservoir, drained and trucked off-site by the contractor, and the current project schedule anticipates roughly a 60-day construction period.

A resident who addressed the board asked about hours of operation, where dredging debris would be stored and for how long, and why a previously planned fishing pier no longer appears in the concept plans. Mateus said hours are governed by the municipal noise ordinance (Township of Clark) but may be adjusted in coordination with the contractor and local police, that stockpiled material will be handled by the contractor and removed, and that the fishing pier is not included in the current plans because of issues obtaining DP approval (an approval process still being worked through).

Mateus said survey stakes are sometimes offset from actual work zones to avoid damage and that he would verify that the 50-foot buffer along Genesee Drive remains as proposed. He said exact parking counts are shown on the concept plan posted on the county website but that overflow parking is a management issue the township and county will monitor.

Mateus also summarized county bicycle- and trail-related work when answering questions from cyclists and trail advocates: the county's Safe Streets and Roads for All work is about 70% complete with a final plan expected around December or January; the bicycle master plan update is under way in coordination with an East Coast Greenway consultant; and work on the Rahway Valley Rail Trail (a TAP grant) is progressing, with a consultant proposal recently accepted by NJDOT and next steps moving through county contracting.","County engineer said reservoir work and dredging in Clark will follow municipal noise hours (7 a.m.), debris will be stockpiled then trucked off-site, and a previously proposed fishing pier is not in the current plan due to permitting issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Union County adopts bond ordinance repurposing $14.1 million in capital funds

Public demands accountability over social-media post and county contracts; counsel says county must defend juvenile-abuse suits

Cycling advocates press county for signage and updated bike/trail plans; county engineer says plans are underway

Engineer: Clark Reservoir dredging to last about 60 days; debris to be stockpiled and removed by contractor