Passaic County honors Commissioner John Bartlett as board clears routine business

Commissioner John Bartlett was celebrated by colleagues, local officials and community leaders at the Passaic County Administration Building on June 23, 2026, as he departs the county board after 14 years of service and prepares to take a role tied to the Gate way rail project. After tributes and a ceremonial presentation of a congressional record, the commissioners completed routine board business and adjourned.

The recognition program included an invocation, personal tributes and remarks from a range of speakers. Michael Murphy, a longtime law partner, praised Bartlett’s intersection of law and politics and his selection for a federal transportation role, saying Bartlett had “the skill and...commands the intersection between politics and law.” David Bren of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority said Bartlett had been “a great advocate for the county” who helped bring federal transportation dollars to local projects and repeatedly pushed the importance of the Gateway Tunnel and Hudson River tunnel projects for the region.

County Administrator Matthew Jordan credited Bartlett with helping to create and grow the Friends of Passaic County Parks. Jordan said the group “helped secure $4 million in grant funding, [and] raised $2 million in private funding,” calling the combined $6 million infusion integral to park improvements and programming.

In his farewell address, Commissioner Bartlett reflected on crises and accomplishments across 14 years and closed with a theme he returned to several times: “Hope is what keeps democracy alive.” He told the room he was not leaving public service and said the Gateway Tunnel project would benefit Passaic County residents “directly or indirectly.”

Following the program, the board moved through routine agenda items. The meeting recorded unanimous approval votes on the minutes, proclamations and the consent agenda (items L1–L58), the personnel agenda and the bills. The public comment period was opened and, having received no speakers, was closed by unanimous recorded vote.

The final motion, to adjourn the meeting, carried despite Commissioner Bartlett voting no. As he cast his vote Bartlett said, “I love this place, so I vote no,” while the remaining commissioners recorded yes votes. After the vote the board invited attendees to a reception in the atrium.

The program also included presentations from elected and civic leaders: Abigail Rojos presented a congressional record on behalf of Congresswoman Nelly Poe; Senator Benji Wimberly read a proclamation signed by legislative leaders; and representatives from local government, the judiciary and the sheriff’s office offered tributes. The board noted the reception and photo opportunity would follow the meeting.

The meeting’s procedural actions were limited to routine approvals; no new policy items or contested legislative matters were debated on the record during the public session.