The Warren County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 13, 2025 authorized a memorandum of understanding with Lopatcong Township to assign Warren County Sheriff’s Office officers to a temporary special traffic enforcement detail aimed at enforcing weight restrictions and reducing truck traffic on County Route 519. The motion was made by Commissioner James Kern III and seconded by Commissioner Lori Ciesla; the vote was recorded as yes by all three commissioners.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) authorizes temporary assignment of sheriff’s officers to a special traffic enforcement detail within the Township of Lopatcong, with reimbursement of actual costs by the township and a term that the resolution describes as temporary and expiring at year-end. The resolution text says day-to-day assignments and operational decisions remain at the discretion of the Township police chief and the Sheriff’s command staff.

The MOU, adopted as Resolution 388-25, was presented and approved without amendment. Commissioners discussed enforcement priorities and funding before the vote. Commissioner James Kern III said he was pleased to partner with Lopatcong and that, “despite being a long process, he is happy to partner with Lopatcong Township to prevent trucks from entering County Route 519 by ensuring the weight restriction is lawfully enforced.” Commissioner Lori Ciesla said she agreed and added that “once the word of the weight restriction being enforced gets out, truckers will stop using the county road as a shortcut.” Commissioner Director Jason Sarnoski clarified funding and the Sheriff’s role: the minutes state he noted the resolution “is funded by the Township of Lopatcong and not by Warren County taxpayers” and reminded the public that the county sheriff’s primary responsibility is courthouse security, adding that “so long as that is done safely, he fully supports this resolution.”

Discussion documented in the minutes emphasized the policy goal—reducing overweight truck traffic on county roads—and procedural safeguards: access to day-to-day assignments will remain with local and county law-enforcement command staff, and the township will reimburse the county for the actual cost of the detail. The resolution text also states the MOU provides flexibility of service and management and conditions the county’s participation on inclusion of required exhibits and form approval by County Counsel.

Formal action: On motion by James Kern III, seconded by Lori Ciesla, the Board approved Resolution 388-25 to enter the MOU and authorize execution by the Commissioner Director and County Administrator; the Warren County Sheriff’s Office was authorized to execute and effectuate the MOU as presented. Recorded vote: James Kern III, Lori Ciesla, Jason Sarnoski: yes.

What remains: the MOU text describes temporary assignments and reimbursement but does not set specific schedules, officer counts, or a detailed cost estimate in the public minutes. The resolution delegates discretion on operational details to law-enforcement leadership; any change to funding or term would require further public action or an amended agreement.

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