Open space trust fund on Nov. 4 ballot

The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing a public question about the open space trust fund on the Nov. 4 ballot at its meeting July 9.

Voters will be asked whether to continue the trust fund to support farmland preservation, recreation and open space programs.

They are required to approve the fund, which is provided by taxpayers, every 10 years.

Commissioner Jack DeGroot said he is pleased with the wording of the public question, which closely mirrors the one approved in 2015, “maintaining consistency and clarity for voters.”

Board members also approved a one-year contract not to exceed $100,000 with Ronetco Supermarkets for the supply and delivery of groceries for the county’s food pantry.

Future of jail

A resolution, proposed by Commissioner Alan Henderson, to hold a public vote at the next commissioners meeting on whether to sell the county jail failed on a 2-0-2 vote.

Jill Space, deputy director of the board, and DeGroot abstained. Chris Carney, director of the board, was absent from the meeting.

Space said she did not want to vote without Carney present.

Henderson pointed out that the jail has not been used to house inmates for six years; the county has a long-term contract to house them in the Morris County Jail.

He said more than $300,000 has been spent on repairs, including mold remediation, at the jail in the past four years.

Earlier, Henderson said he plans to visit the former Essex County jail, which has been renovated into the Leroy Smith Public Safety Building in Newark. It houses county offices and storage.

“This building was scheduled to be demolished and sold in a very similar situation to our current jail.”

On Newton Green

During public comments, several residents criticized the commissioners for requiring insurance coverage for groups holding events on the Newton Green.

Kenneth Collins of Andover Township called it “an absolute travesty” that the Declaration of Independence was not read aloud on the Green on July 4 as it has been for many years.

The annual event, organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was moved because of the cost of automobile insurance, he said, pointing out that auto insurance only would be required if a vehicle is driven onto the property. That is not necessary because there is parking on all sides of the Green, he added.

Kathy Brennan of Hampton Township said, “I feel this is just the first of many events that will be forced to either move or be canceled.”

The board approved resolutions:

• authorizing a one-year contract not to exceed $250,000 with NJSB Construction for carpentry work.

• authorizing $153,251 for electrical work by Horn Electrical Contracting at the Sussex County Main Library.

• authorizing $109,126 for the purchase of a 2025 hook loader from Tony Sanchez Ltd.

• authorizing $80,632 for the supply and installation of carpet tile by RFS Commercial at the E. Louise Childs Library in Stanhope.