Passaic County commissioners met for a reorganization/regular session that included recognition of student winners of the county 'I Voted' sticker contest, a breast-cancer awareness event recap with fundraising totals, a detailed presentation on winter/snow operations and mutual aid arrangements, a public commenter alleging long-running contamination at 219 Lafayette, and routine votes on the consent, personnel and bills agendas.

Discussion Points

•Allegation that 219 Lafayette operations have been contaminating storm drains and Passaic County River for eight years.
•Assets & capacity: ~67 county plow/dump trucks, contractor capacity up to 38 trucks, workforce up to ~100 employees during large storms.
•Encouragement for residents to get mammograms and referrals available through the health department.
•Event logistics and funding totals ($10,045) and participant count (141).
•No contested or failed motions recorded in the available transcript excerpt.
•Operational changes: integrate contractors into county routes, AI phone system to capture service requests, expanded shared-service agreements.
•Overview of contest mechanics, nearly 400 submissions, winners chosen by voters at county fair.
•Resident reported prior attempts to resolve the issue with county staff and described legal costs; he said he obtained a judge's permission to sue the city of Paterson and operators at the site.
•Routine motions and roll-call votes for minutes, proclamations, consent agenda, personnel, bills list, and adjournment were approved.
•Scope of county responsibility: 16 municipalities, 533 lane miles (~246 road miles), 77 bridge sidewalks.

Decisions

•All listed motions were approved by the recorded roll call.
•Certificates presented to winners, no further board action recorded.
•No formal board action or investigation assignment recorded on the public record during the meeting.
•Plan to hold the event again in 2027 (Sunday, Oct. 10 noted as target).

Directions

•Administrator asked the commenter to provide an email and documentation for the county to review.
•Continue DPW coordination; host DPW luncheon with municipal representatives.

Oct

October 13, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners 2026-10-13

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a meeting and Italian American Heritage Month celebration on 2026-10-13; the board presented proclamations to multiple honorees, heard several public commenters pressing for labor contracts at the Board of Social Services, amended a consent-item dollar amount, added a late resolution accepting the 2025 audit, approved the consent agenda and adjourned.

Discussion Points

•Board voted to amend L21 and add L90 to the consent agenda; the consent agenda was then approved.
•Commissioner Romaglia introduced and read multiple proclamations honoring local individuals and families for Italian American Heritage Month.
•Personnel agenda and bills list were moved, seconded, and approved by roll call.
•Speakers cited a lack of a contract for nearly two years and entering a third year in Jan. 2027.
•Staff notified the board of a numeric error on L21 and asked to add a late audit acceptance resolution (L90).
•Unions and staff urged immediate bargaining and warned of escalation (chants and 'shut it down').
•Victor Wu thanked parks staff and extended an invitation to commissioners to attend the championships at Garrett Mountain on Oct. 22.

Decisions

•L21 amended to correct dollar amount; L90 added and accepted as part of the consent agenda.
•No formal action or vote on contract demands recorded at the meeting.
•No formal county action recorded; comment entered for the record.
•Personnel agenda and bills list approved; meeting adjourned.
•Proclamations were approved earlier by motion and by roll call as part of opening procedural business.

Sep

September 22, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners 2026-09-22

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a Sept. 22, 2026 meeting that combined a Hispanic Heritage Month recognition program honoring six community leaders with the board's regular business: roll call, proclamations, votes on the consent agenda (with two items voted separately), a personnel motion that included swearing in a new deputy clerk, and an announcement that the county intends to expand its Move transportation program to Paterson.

Discussion Points

•Announcement of an agenda item to expand the Move program to Paterson and a planned media event.
•Consent agenda moved and approved; item L21 and L31 were voted on separately when requested.
•Emcee introduced honorees and described theme and county contributions.
•Motion to move personnel; recorded abstention by Deputy Director Cruz.

Decisions

•Board to vote on program expansion (item flagged on agenda).
•Consent agenda and separately considered items passed as recorded.
•Proclamations presented to six honorees; no formal policy action taken.
•Promotion of Jasmine Amador approved and oath administered

Directions

•County to schedule a press event and issue a media release with access details.
•Proceed with oath and personnel actions

Sep

September 8, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners 2026-09-08

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners opened a reorganization meeting with a tribute to the late Commissioner Bruce James, several proclamations and presentations, multiple public comments focused on the Allwood/Orwood Road project in Clifton, a union protest about contracts at the Board of Social Services, and routine consent-agenda votes.

Discussion Points

•Director Lazaro announced Commissioner Bruce James had died and described his career and service.
•Director Lazaro said contracts are negotiated by the Board of Social Services administration and offered to follow up with the executive director.
•Proclamation cited national/state incidence and mortality estimates and lack of reliable early-screening tests for ovarian cancer.
•Proclamation described Mesa's actions and service record.
•Proclamation supports the 1st Responders and Veterans Lung Cancer Screening Access Act and commends student organizers.
•Residents requested a local meeting in Clifton to review final plans for Orwood/Allwood Road.
•Speakers raised concerns about tree removal, signal timing, lane configuration, snow removal, project funding and phasing.
•Union representative accused commissioners of failing to assist Board of Social Services employees in contract negotiations.

Decisions

•Consent agenda and routine personnel and bills were approved by roll call

Directions

•Director Lazaro agreed to resend plans to the Clifton city manager and traffic committee.
•Director Lazaro to speak with the Board of Social Services executive director and brief commissioners on status.
•No new vote to hold a Clifton meeting was recorded during the session.

Jul

July 14, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County convened a July 14, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting that combined a ceremonial swearing-in for newly appointed Commissioner Nick Galicki with several public hearings and routine business. The board adopted a redevelopment financing ordinance for the former county jail site, heard public testimony backing a Van Houten House preservation grant, approved the consent agenda (N1–N67) and added two late resolutions to the docket.

Discussion Points

•Administrator described project scope and agencies to be housed (Board of Social Services, election offices, probation, sheriff hub).
•Administrator reported a $6,000,000 bond sale; county counsel requested late starters and an amendment; board approved consent, personnel and bills.
•Board had no public speakers on this item during the hearing and proceeded to adopt the ordinance.
•Galicki expressed gratitude to mentors and family; highlighted county services he plans to support (parks, community college, veteran services).
•Hearing opened for public comment on a Project Labor Agreement policy covering projects valued $3,000,000+; the board may authorize PLA use for smaller projects at its discretion.
•Proclamation reaffirmed county commitment to ADA implementation; speaker called for reducing societal barriers.
•Public commenters requested county matching funds for a New Jersey Historic Trust grant to stabilize and rehabilitate the Van Houten House.
•Raphael outlined historic context (Revolutionary logistics, Hamilton-era industrial development, labor movements) and detailed preservation investments and grant wins since 2017.
•Speakers emphasized the house's historical significance and risk of demolition without intervention.

Decisions

•Consent agenda N1–N67 approved; ordinance 2026-05 adopted; late resolutions added and N19 amended.
•No public comments; hearing closed by motion.
•Ordinance 2026-05 adopted by roll-call vote
•Public hearing closed; board recorded roll-call votes in favor of advancing recommendations for awards over $100,000.

Directions

•Staff to execute lease and finalize financing steps

Jun

June 23, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County commissioners held a June 23, 2026 meeting that doubled as a formal retirement/recognition for Commissioner John Bartlett; board members and invited guests gave tributes, staff summarized park fundraising results, and the commission approved routine consent, personnel and billing items before adjourning (Bartlett voted no on adjournment).

Discussion Points

•Administrator reported grants/private funding totals for the Friends of Passaic County Parks.
•Multiple speakers delivered tributes recognizing Commissioner Bartlett’s 14 years of service, his role in parks and transportation advocacy, and his civic engagement work (including the 2020 census effort).
•No policy debates or contested ordinance votes occurred in public session.

Decisions

•Adjournment motion approved; Bartlett cast the only no vote.
•Approval of minutes, proclamations, consent agenda (L1–L58), personnel agenda and bills by recorded vote.

Directions

•No new direction or staff assignments recorded beyond routine consent items.
•Reception and group photo scheduled as part of recognition event.

Jun

June 10, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a reorganization meeting that included ceremonial items and proclamations, a presentation from Moms Demand Action about gun-safety outreach and permit trends, public comment from construction-trades representatives supporting lower project-labor thresholds, and the board’s first-reading adoption of bond ordinance 2026-05 to begin financing the 11 Marshall Street redevelopment project.

Discussion Points

•Administrator summarized project scope and background: demolition of old county jail, shared services with Bergen and Hudson counties for inmate housing, consolidation of elections and social services offices.
•Building trades expressed support for project labor agreements and lowering PLA threshold; board acknowledged partnership.
•Commissioners requested comparative data on incidents by permit status; administrator said staff would locate those numbers.
•Murphy presented permit counts and recommended secure‑storage outreach and use of AG 'sensitive places' decals.
•Petar’s remarks emphasized inclusivity and encouraging students to see themselves as engineers.
•Proclamation text emphasized Petar’s degrees, program-building and student-focused work.

Decisions

•No formal action taken on recommendations during this meeting.
•Ordinance 2026-05 advanced on first reading (approved by roll call).
•Proclamation adopted and presented; no further board action required.

Directions

•Administrator to schedule public hearing/second reading per statute.
•Staff to search for and email comparative incident data about permit-holders vs unlicensed firearms to commissioners.

May

May 12, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners met May 12, 2026; the board adopted the county's 2026 budget and heard public comment urging a cautious approach to barberry removal and conservation at Garrett Mountain. The meeting included an update from the interim president of Passaic County College and routine consent and personnel votes.

Discussion Points

•Board of trustees contracted a search committee for the next president.
•Planned course offerings (anatomy & physiology, lower-level chemistry, general ed) and community programming at the new center.
•Procedural question on suspending the order of business to take up the budget.
•Residents requested memorial tablets and programming at the new environmental center.
•Residents voiced ecological concerns about removing barberry and the need for replacement plantings.

Decisions

•2026 budget adopted by roll call.
•No implementation details were presented; staff will follow up with commenters.
•Search committee in place; further process reports to come.

Directions

•Administrator offered to share the county\u0019s stewardship plan and meet with residents.
•Resume regular order of business after budget vote.

Apr

April 28, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners met April 28, 2026. Commissioners adopted a cap-bank resolution under NJSA 40:45-15 but the county’s full 2026 budget adoption was tabled because state approval had not yet arrived; the meeting also featured a proclamation honoring Carol Cuadrado and announcements about a new homelessness ‘Under 1 Roof’ Housing Hub pilot.

Discussion Points

•Administrator reported state approval for the 2026 budget is pending, requiring tabling of budget adoption.
•Board opened public hearing on cap resolution; no public speakers.
•Board presented a formal proclamation and a congressional record was presented on behalf of Congresswoman Nellie Poe.
•Program announced as a pilot and partnership with Eve's Village; services include case navigation, ID assistance, medical care and GED support.

Decisions

•Cap resolution adopted
•Formal adoption of 2026 budget tabled pending state approval
•Launch of pilot announced; implementation details to follow.
•Proclamation presented and accepted.

Directions

•County staff to finalize site and operational details; coordinate outreach with county departments.
•Staff to seek/confirm state approval and return the budget for final adoption at the next meeting.

Apr

April 14, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of Commissioners meeting on 2026-04-14 included a presentation by Health Officer Araceli Patel on the county's 2025 public-health activity, routine consent- and personnel-agenda votes, and an announcement of a new Highlands Regional Service Center in West Milford.

Discussion Points

•Added LEAP grant resolutions to consent agenda and approved consent items
•Annual public-health report covering mosquito control, CIHA site visits, consumer-protection inspections, communicable-disease screenings and outbreak responses
•Distribution of 21,960 COVID-19 test kits in 2025 and reduced state allocations compared with the prior year
•New Highlands Regional Service Center planned at 11 Edgar Drive, West Milford
•Public-comment period opened and closed with no speakers
•Requests from commissioners for a town-by-town breakdown of CIHA site visits and clarification of staffing and grant stability

Decisions

•Approve minutes of March 24, proclamations, consent agenda items l1–l62 (including LEAP resolutions l61/l62), personnel agenda, bills, and adjourn the meeting
•Consent agenda and related procedural motions approved

Directions

•Administration to continue monitoring grant funding and report on contingency measures if further federal/state grant reductions occur
•Health Officer Patel to provide a town-by-town (non-address) breakdown of 725 CIHA site visits by email to commissioners

Mar

March 24, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held its March 24, 2026 meeting, opening with a Women’s History Month ceremony honoring four local women and then receiving a detailed presentation of the proposed 2026 county budget; commissioners introduced the budget on first reading, approved two bond ordinances, and passed the consent agenda by unanimous roll call.

Discussion Points

•County faces rising health and prescription costs; lost federal funding and SNAP disruptions were cited.
•County tax rate has decreased over the past decade; strong property values credited.
•Honorees’ career milestones and community service were summarized in the proclamations.
•Reserves are being used to absorb extraordinary costs (snow removal, insurance, pandemic responses).

Decisions

•Adopt bond ordinances 2026-03 and 2026-04 by unanimous roll call.
•Approve consent agenda P1–P48 including late addition P48.
•Introduce FY 2026 budget on first reading (public hearing date set).
•Proclamations approved and presented.

Directions

•Public hearing scheduled for April 28, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for the FY 2026 budget.
•Record and publish adopted bond ordinances; follow up on grant and provider negotiations to contain health costs.

Mar

March 10, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a meeting that included proclamations honoring Irish American honorees, a transportation funding update, and the passage on first reading of two bond ordinances to fund Passaic County Community College capital needs.

Discussion Points

•Bartlett summarized NJTPA funding and project history.
•Presentations highlighted labor history, community service and the historical founding of Saint Joseph's Hospital by the Sisters of Charity.
•Staff described the ordinances as standard capital improvements and equipment purchases funded primarily through Chapter 12 bond authority for Passaic County Community College.

Decisions

•Both bond ordinances advanced on first reading

Directions

•Proceed with ordinance procedure (first reading approved); no final adoption recorded.

Feb

February 24, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 24, 2026. The board honored Buildings & Grounds Superintendent Steve Orsini with a retirement proclamation, adopted two bond ordinances totaling $26.5 million after public hearings with no speakers, and discussed an administrative order clarifying county policy around federal civil immigration enforcement and employee trainings.

Discussion Points

•Board opened public hearings on two bond ordinances; no members of the public spoke during either hearing.
•Chair/director provided public explanation of Administrative Order 2026-01, issued Feb. 13, to protect access to county services amid federal immigration enforcement uncertainty.
•Colleagues and the mayor offered tributes and noted storm response work.
•Consent agenda items were handled with certain items removed for separate votes; Deputy Director Cruz recused from item 27.
•Proclamation text credited Orsini with infrastructure/upgrades and pandemic response; the text contains two time-related claims ("more than 2 decades" and "began his service in 2015").

Decisions

•Adopted Bond Ordinance 2026-01 ($22,000,000)
•Adopted Bond Ordinance 2026-02 ($4,500,000)
•Approved consent agenda items listed and personnel agenda, moved bills and adjourned.
•Approved revised Resolution 27 (Deputy Director Cruz recused)
•Proclamation adopted and presented; ceremonial presentation completed.

Directions

•Staff to implement training schedule for "Know Your Rights" sessions beginning the next day and weekly starting March 12; finance/capital staff to proceed with bond issuance preparations and grant coordination.

Feb

February 10, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 10, 2026, honoring four community leaders and conducting routine county business including introduction and roll-call votes on a consent agenda and two bond ordinances.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners and honorees highlighted long-term community service and the centennial of Black History Month.
•County engineer will be asked to review a Paterson City Council proposal to prevent left turns from Ward Street onto Hamilton Avenue because of potential impacts to county properties (courthouse, Board of Social Services).

Decisions

•Bond ordinances 2026-01 and 2026-02 were moved/advanced by roll call. Consent agenda, personnel agenda and bills were approved by roll call.

Directions

•Staff to consult county engineer about potential access impacts from Paterson council proposal.

Jan

January 27, 2026 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners met Jan. 27, 2026; commissioners approved an emergency temporary budget resolution to bridge funding until the 2026 budget is adopted, approved the consent agenda (with two items pulled and voted separately), heard an expression of thanks from a food‑security partner for the county's SNAP shutdown response, and recognized county snow‑response efforts.

Discussion Points

•Community partner praised county for logistical and personnel support during SNAP shutdown; directors credited county staff for snow response.
•Staff explained the emergency temporary appropriations bridge until the 2026 budget is introduced and adopted.

Decisions

•Emergency temporary budget resolution adopted; consent agenda approved; M19 and M20 approved with one abstention; personnel motion and bills approved.
•No formal board action recorded on these acknowledgements; items were part of administrator/commissioner reports.

Jan

189th Re-Organizational Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners, January 7, 2026

Passaic County held its 189th reorganization and swearing-in on 2026-01-07, certifying election results, swearing in Michael Remaglia and Christina Schratz, electing a director and deputy director, adopting committee assignments and approving routine consent items.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners sworn in and leadership elections conducted by roll-call.
•Court year caseload statistics (trial courts and municipal courts).
•Director highlighted Lambert Castle reopening and the 'Liberty' housing project in Pompton Lakes.
•Election certification and vote totals presented by county clerk.
•Operational impacts from judicial vacancies and cyberattacks.
•Planned and completed facility and security upgrades, and interagency coordination.

Decisions

•Cassandra Lazara elected director; Orlando Cruz elected deputy director.
•Consent agenda items approved; Brian Jackson appointed to the Passaic County Improvement Authority.
•Election results certified and transmitted to the New Jersey secretary of state.
•Formation and continued operation of a county cyber security response team that includes municipal and county partners.

Directions

•Continue collaboration between courts and county administration for facility upgrades and security planning; pursue confirmations for nominated judges.
•Oaths to be administered for those elected to leadership and appointed authorities; staff to implement consent agenda items as directed.

Dec

December 29, 2025 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of Commissioners held its Dec. 29, 2025 regular meeting, opening with roll call and ceremonial remarks, hearing a parks presentation honoring staff for a Field of Distinction award, receiving an administrator's report on county accomplishments (housing, SNAP response, transit pilot, parks and senior services), taking several routine motions (budget transfers, consent agenda, personnel, bills) and adjourning with a clap-out for Director Pat Lapore.

Discussion Points

•All recorded votes in transcript were unanimous and procedural.
•County created a field maintenance division and invested in equipment and outreach.
•County maintained strong finances and Moody's rating.
•County ran large food distributions during the federal shutdown; numbers in transcript include both ~88,000 residents affected and 81,000 served, which requires verification.
•Dundee Island field is undersized and in a floodplain but high-use, prompting a science-based maintenance approach.
•Liberty of Pompton Lakes: 64 units for seniors/veterans; waiting list to open April 2026.
•No contested legislative items or recorded 'No' votes during this meeting.

Decisions

•Accept awards and recognize staff; no formal policy change recorded.
•Authorize CFO budget transfers; approve consent agenda, personnel, bills; close public portion; adjourn meeting.
•No new formal policy decisions recorded during the administrator's report.

Directions

•Pursue grant opportunities to expand the transit pilot in 2026.

Dec

December 9, 2025 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting Dec. 9, 2025 that combined a ceremonial program honoring two retiring commissioners with routine business: approval of minutes, a consent agenda (L1–L87), personnel actions, reappointment of the county CFO, bills and adjournment. Several speakers warned of coming federal health‑care funding changes.

Discussion Points

•Commissioner Bartlett warned federal changes to ACA tax credits and Medicaid staffing funding could raise premiums and strain county social services.
•Commissioner Cruz urged support for CFO reappointment and participation in the governor‑elect transition team.
•Multiple speakers credited the commissioners with stabilizing county finances and improving infrastructure; several officials thanked them for service.

Decisions

•Minutes, consent agenda, personnel items, CFO reappointment and bills were approved by roll call.
•Proclamations and Hall of Fame induction were presented; both commissioners to retire at end of year.

Directions

•Board to support transition team engagements and reappointment actions as recorded.

Nov

November 17, 2025 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Regular meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners with ceremonial proclamations, presentations (domestic violence services contract), recognition of a retiring assemblywoman, accreditation recognition for the Sheriff's Office, youth leadership awards, multiple routine motions and votes, and announcements about emergency SNAP response.

Discussion Points

•Accreditation described as rigorous (about 118 standards).
•Commissioners praised the return of services to municipalities affected by prior provider disruptions.
•County response to a SNAP suspension was described with staff credited for emergency food distribution.
•Diane Williams outlined service components and introduced staff.
•Multiple ceremonial recognitions (Vancheri, Sumter, Duffy) and program presentations (JBWS, youth retreat, accreditation).
•Sheriff Adamo credited for prioritizing accreditation since taking office.

Decisions

•Adoption of minutes, L1 resolution, consent agenda, personnel and bills motions, and adjournment as recorded by roll call.
•Board accepted recognition; no legislative or budgetary action recorded here.
•No formal contract vote recorded in the provided transcript; presentation introduced provider and services.

Directions

•No substantive directives to staff recorded in the provided excerpt beyond recognition and presentation items.

Nov

November 17, 2025 Meeting of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners

Passaic County Board of County Commissioners held a reorganization/recognition meeting on Nov. 17 that included proclamations honoring veterans and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, a presentation on a new domestic-violence services contract for the county, recognition of youth leadership retreat participants, a sheriff's-office accreditation certificate presentation, and routine consent-vote business adopted unanimously.

Discussion Points

•Commissioner Cruz and others noted local concerns about previous provider instability and welcomed the new contract award.
•Commissioner Duffy was presented with a NJAC Hall of Fame plaque recognizing long service.
•Deputy Director Lazaro and Commissioner DeVore read proclamations honoring Vancheri and Sumter respectively, detailing service and accomplishments.
•Diane Williams outlined JBWS services to be provided under the DCF contract (24/7 helpline, sheltering, housing navigation, courthouse legal advocates, child-protection liaisons, crisis-response volunteers).
•Director Jovan Fernandez described program growth (91 applications, 16 selected) and program goals.
•Harry Delgado described accreditation standards and the on-site assessment process.
•Multiple routine items (minutes, L1, consent agenda, personnel, bills) were moved and adopted by unanimous roll call.
•No separate discussion of individual consent items was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
•Student testimony highlighted personal growth, teamwork and faith as program outcomes.
•Under-sheriff representatives accepted the recognition on behalf of Sheriff Adamo.

Decisions

•All motions recorded in actions[] were approved unanimously.

Loading meetings…