The Warren County Board of County Commissioners recognized Planning Director David K. Dech on June 25 as he retired after almost 37 years of county service, and appointed Ryan Conklin as the new director effective June 26. The board presented a proclamation honoring Dech and recorded unanimous approval of the appointment of Conklin to the classified position of Director of the Warren County Planning Department at an annual salary of $116,000 pending promotional examination. Dech, who served as the county’s liaison to planning and engineering and represented the county as an alternate on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, thanked the board and staff and noted accomplishments including open-space and farmland programs and parks and trails groundwork. Dech also noted a personal achievement — bicycling all of Warren County’s roads and alleys — and said he plans to run a half-marathon. In his remarks introducing the proclamation, Director Jason Sarnoski praised Dech’s even temperament and availability to return calls; “He has the second best beard in Warren County,” Sarnoski said during lighter remarks. Deputy Director Lori Ciesla credited Dech with fighting to keep the county’s character for 36 years and with being a resource to municipalities. Commissioner James Kern, a former mayor, said Dech always made himself accessible to local officials and helped them understand state processes such as Highlands Council and Master Plans. Conklin’s appointment (Resolution 354-25) was approved on motion of Commissioner James Kern III and seconded by Deputy Director Ciesla; the resolution sets Conklin’s start date at June 26, 2025, and establishes the position at Grade 17, 40 hours per week, at a salary of $116,000. Conklin offered an initial report at the meeting: he said the Comprehensive Complete Streets public hearing had been postponed because of a power outage on June 23 and that it is tentatively rescheduled for July 28, with official public notice to follow. County Planner Dech reported that the draft FY2026 Transportation Improvement Program project for the Route 57 and 519 intersection remains delayed to 2030 and that NJDOT will respond to comments on that capital program. County officials said they expect staff to complete the administrative steps needed to onboard Conklin and to move forward on planning items Dech managed as the department transitions.