Somerset County commissioners pick leadership, approve hires and send letters opposing two FERC license transfers

The Somerset County Board of Commissioners held its organizational meeting where members selected officers, confirmed board and committee appointments, approved hires at the county jail and other routine business, and voted to submit opposition letters to two Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license-transfer filings.

Robert Caesar was nominated and confirmed as chair. Commissioners also confirmed Scott Seakins as vice chair. During new business, the board debated who should serve on the county’s 2026 union negotiation teams and, after an initial failed motion, approved a nomination that passed 3–2 to appoint two commissioners to continue negotiation duties for the coming year.

Commissioners voted to add a new agenda item to submit letters opposing the transfer of two FERC project licenses (Shawmut and Weston project numbers). Staff noted the electronic submission deadline was the following day; the board authorized staff to send the letters and expected to submit them the next morning. The board discussed concerns that a transfer could impede local paper-making capacity and affect riverfront property owners; county staff…