Salem County reorganization: commissioners sworn in, reorganization resolutions adopted; broadband, regional jail and road projects highlighted

The Salem County Board of County Commissioners convened for its 2025 reorganizational meeting, swore in elected officials and adopted the board's reorganization and appointment resolutions in two roll-call votes while commissioners outlined priorities including a middle-mile broadband project, continued work on a regional jail proposal and an expanded road-repaving effort.

Commissioner Benjamin H. Lawrie, sworn in as commissioner director, opened the meeting by thanking county staff and reading the certification of winners from the 2024 general election before turning to county priorities. "We're very excited about the broadband project, the middle mile broadband project to expand, Internet services, web connectivity to all our underserved and unserved residents," Lawrie said, and noted the county has received a USDA award ("3.75," he said) and is seeking additional state support. Lawrie also said the county was "still continuing work on a regional jail project," adding, "if we can make this work in a way that Salem County is protected from any negative fiscal or social social downfall, and that will…