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Somerset County commissioners approve capital and bond ordinances, set funding for RVCC projects
Summary
The board approved Ordinances 26‑890, 26‑891 and 26‑892 — funding Raritan Valley Community College projects, IT and park allocations, and a $35.7 million bond package for engineering and public‑works projects — and approved a $410,000 open‑space planning grant for a pedestrian bridge in Peapack‑Gladstone.
The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners approved three capital and bond ordinances at its April meeting that will fund college facilities, county information technology upgrades, parks projects and a large package of engineering and highway work.
Ordinance 26‑890 authorizes an appropriation of $6,335,000 for Raritan Valley Community College projects including mechanical system and infrastructure upgrades, roadway and walkway repairs, roof replacements, elevator rehabilitation, classroom renovations, bathroom upgrades and phase‑one of a physical‑education building expansion. The clerk read a note that Chapter 12 debt service is shared 50% by the state and 50% by Hunterdon and Somerset counties.
Ordinance 26‑891 is a county capital cash ordinance allocating funds for cybersecurity, network infrastructure, device replacement (finance and IT), $350,000 for Raritan Valley Community College minor capital and $300,000 for the park commission. Ordinance 26‑892 is a bond ordinance totaling about $35,708,379 that designates engineering funds for highway reconstruction, resurfacing, traffic safety improvements, bridge design and ADA curb ramps and allocates funds for public works fleet replacement and equipment including snowplow vehicles and recycling trucks.
The board opened public hearings on each ordinance specifically and heard no public comment before taking roll‑call votes. The clerk called commissioners for their votes and recorded affirmative responses for the items that were moved and seconded; the ordinances were approved by roll call. "Is there a motion to open to the public?" the chair asked before noting no speakers and moving to close the hearings.
Separately, the board approved Resolution 26‑800, authorizing a Somerset County Open Space Trust grant to the Borough of Peapack‑Gladstone not to exceed $410,000 for planning of a pedestrian bridge over Peapack Brook; borough officials, including Mayor Mark Corleano, thanked the board and said the bridge had been part of local plans for about 15 years.
The meeting record shows the clerk calling a series of consent‑agenda roll calls approving multiple resolutions in batches and noting a recusal on one consent item (26‑851). The board then opened the general public portion, received no speakers, and later announced it would move to executive session on land acquisition and litigation matters.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 26‑890 (RVCC appropriation, $6,335,000): approved by roll call (affirmative responses recorded). - Ordinance 26‑891 (capital cash allocations, various IT, RVCC and parks items): approved by roll call (affirmative responses recorded). - Ordinance 26‑892 (bond ordinance, approx. $35,708,379 for engineering and public works): approved by roll call (affirmative responses recorded). - Resolution 26‑800 (Open Space Trust grant to Peapack‑Gladstone, not to exceed $410,000): approved by roll call.
The board scheduled an executive session for purchase/lease/acquisition of land and discussion of pending litigation and contract negotiations; no decisions were announced upon adjournment to executive session.
