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Essex County commissioners approve wide slate of contracts, grants and emergency appropriations
Summary
The board approved multiple contract awards for parks, public works and services; renewed community‑action grants; authorized steps to acquire a Verona property; and approved emergency appropriations totaling several hundred thousand dollars. One commissioner voted no on the Weekway Park field contract citing local‑hire concerns.
Essex County commissioners approved a broad package of contracts, grants and temporary appropriations at a public meeting that covered parks, public works, human services and emergency spending.
Major contract awards included a $1,376,441 contract to AB Contracting to renovate the Tulip Springs picnic area at South Mountain Reservation and a $643,885 award to Foggia/Trinity Electric for new traffic signals and roadway improvements in Bloomfield. The board also approved an award to American Athletic Track & Turf for Weekway Park turf and track improvements, not to exceed $1,577,400.
David Antonio, director of public works, said the Weekway Park project will replace synthetic turf, install a new all‑weather track, perform drainage work and address fencing and landscaping. Commissioners asked about local hiring and subcontractor origins; Commissioner Richardson said he would vote no on the Weekway Park contract in part because the vendor did not show Essex County resident employment figures. The roll call for that package recorded Richardson’s lone negative vote on item 01/21; the rest of the board approved the package.
The board also renewed multiple community‑action contracts: Code Blue sheltering renewals and subcontract awards under the Community Service Block Grant, including awards to Irvington Neighborhood ($93,000), Montclair Neighborhood Development ($67,500), Joyce Angel ($87,500) and Seed Time Outreach ($60,000). Terrence McCoy, Division of Community Action, told the board that one subcontractor had unspent 2024 funds ($15,000) that the county will reallocate rather than return to the state.
Purchasing presented two non‑fair‑and‑open awards to Hudson Community Enterprise for restroom and litter patrol services at county facilities (annual amounts presented as $19,220 and $13,112). Commissioners pressed staff for more detail on employee compensation and how often staff visit county sites; staff said Hudson is a sheltered workshop and agreed to provide follow‑up information.
Other approved items included a two‑year extension with Aegis Security ($413,472) to provide facility security at county properties, a $700,000 two‑year aggregate as‑needed automotive repair contract, and emergency appropriations for home‑health aid rate increases ($220,000), respite care ($26,516.19), care coordination ($25,322), senior transportation program income ($123,200) and a $55,000 sheriff emergency appropriation for preparedness programs.
Property authorization: County counsel presented an item asking the board to authorize the county to pursue negotiated acquisition or condemnation of property at 39 Commerce Court in Verona to repurpose the site for county vehicle storage. Counsel described the site as industrial and vacant; the board approved authorization to proceed with negotiations and, if necessary, condemnation.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the large package of contracts and appropriations by roll call. The Weekway Park turf award (01/21) passed with one no vote recorded from Commissioner Richardson; two commissioners were absent for portions of the meeting. Several items were moved as blocks (resolutions 1–25; resolutions 44–69; ceremonial resolutions 83–119).
What happens next: Staff will finalize contracts and return executed agreements to the clerk’s office. Commissioners asked for follow‑up memos on vendor local‑hire plans and Hudson Community Enterprise’s staffing and compensation for sheltered‑workshop employees.
