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Sussex County commissioners adopt project-labor policy, approve Newton Green use agreement and multiple contract resolutions
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted March 25 to adopt a slate of resolutions including a new policy enabling project labor agreements, approved an amended Newton Green use agreement, and recorded several contract awards and bill payments; one resolution drew an abstention and several votes were unanimous.
The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners on March 25 adopted a series of resolutions covering contracting policy, park use and infrastructure awards.
Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the county to use project labor agreements (PLAs) on a project-by-project basis following a change in state law signed Jan. 20, 2026. County counsel briefed the board, citing NJSA 52:38-1 and explaining the statute’s criteria and how the recent revision removed a prior $5 million floor, permitting PLAs where they provide efficient, safe, quality and timely completion while potentially lowering costs and reducing the risk of labor stoppages. The motion to adopt the PLA resolution (item P) passed on roll call with affirmatives recorded from Deputy Director DeGroat, Commissioner Henderson, Commissioner Silverthorne, Commissioner Carney and Director Space.
The board also approved an amended use agreement for the Newton Green (resolution R) after the agreement was revised by staff to reflect tested models from other jurisdictions; the measure passed on roll call. Commissioners moved to adopt a number of consent slate items (resolutions A–O) and several contract award resolutions (A and B) governing bid awards and change orders that the board said would further the public interest.
On a separately discussed resurfacing project tied to resolution G, the board voted to adopt the PLA for that project; that roll call recorded Commissioner Carney as abstaining while other members voted yes.
The Division of Engineering presented a recommendation to award an approximate $1.8 million construction contract to Gray Construction of Paterson for the replacement of Sussex County Bridge X43 on Unionville Road (County Route 651); the board discussed funding from NJDOT Local Bridge Transportation Trust Fund grants and noted work will require a full closure and detour anticipated to start late summer.
Financial motions included approval to pay bills lists A and B for March 25, 2026; Deputy Director DeGroat abstained on bills list B. Additional administrative updates in the meeting noted planned bids and awards related to an ongoing feasibility study and Dennis Library rebidding plans after earlier bids exceeded cost estimates.
The board’s office said departments will receive guidance to refer potential PLA-appropriate projects back to the commissioners for approval; the attorney advised adoption of the county resolution aligns the county’s practice with state law changes. No formal legal challenge or litigation was raised during the meeting.
The meeting record shows the board handled multiple routine business items in one session while reserving discretion for project-level PLA decisions and scheduling further awards and contract approvals in follow-up meetings.
