County introduces bond and capital ordinances, plus health-fee updates including mobile vendor permit

The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 5 introduced multiple ordinances and set public hearings for Dec. 2 (5:30 p.m.).

County staff presented bond ordinance 2025-19 to provide supplemental funding for completion of the county’s emergency services training center. The ordinance totals $4,900,000, authorizes issuance of $4,666,666 of debt if necessary, and anticipates a grant reimbursement of $3,921,000 when the project is completed. The board voted to introduce the ordinance and scheduled the public hearing for Dec. 2.

The board also introduced capital ordinance 2025-20, a $900,000 appropriation to acquire Lot 14, Block 43 in Raritan Township (commonly known in the meeting as 41 Bonetown Road in Flemington). That ordinance, also funded from the capital improvement fund, was introduced and the public hearing similarly set for Dec. 2.

Karen DeMarco, director of the Hunterdon County Department of Health, introduced amended ordinance 2025-03 to codify county procedures for recovering responsible‑party costs for hazardous materials emergency responses consistent with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection model. DeMarco said updates focus on revised definitions and administrative cost recovery to improve collection on smaller claims.

DeMarco also introduced ordinance 2025-21 to replace the county’s 2002 environmental health fee schedule. The update removes outdated fees, maintains existing charges for inspections and plan reviews, and adds a new annual mobile food vendor permit set at $100 per food truck to create a countywide permit option and streamline local licensing.

Each ordinance was moved, seconded and introduced by roll call; public hearings will occur on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m.