County Commissioners

A township-based cultural organization was awarded more than $26,000 in two grants from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. The Ukrainian History and Education Center was awarded a $20,175 Local Arts Program grant to provide in-person and virtual programming on Ukrainian folk arts and traditions for Somerset County residents. The organization was also awarded a $6,000 grant through the …

PORTION OF ROAD TO CLOSE – New Brunswick Road between Cedar Grove and Wells lanes will close around August 18 for the reconstruction of the Al’s Brook bridge. A 46-year-old bridge deemed to be “structurally deficient” will be replaced later this month, resulting in part of the road being closed into September. The bridge, known as K0607, carries New Brunswick …

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Debbie Hartman, a consulting engineer for Somerset County, explains the proposed plan for the Griggstown Causeway that is hoped will improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. Somerset County officials on July 1 unveiled a $2 million project that is hoped will alleviate traffic congestion problems at the Griggstown Causeway. If approved, the plan would not come …

PROJECT EXPLAINED – Bruce Klein of T&M Associates, speaks about the proposed improvements to a 1.7-mile stretch of Hamilton Street on March 12. Reducing the number of lanes on part of Hamilton Street from four to three, and making Home Street a one-lane street to ease turns onto Hamilton, were two of the many safety improvements to part of Hamilton …

The Colonial Park park ranger station on Mettlers Road is among the many locations where residents can drop off donations for the 2024 Toys for Tots campaign. This year, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Somerset County Park Commission to collect donations. The deadline for donating at all Somerset County Park locations is December 7. “The Somerset …

COUNTY ASSUMES COST – Somerset County will not seek reimbursement from the Marconi Foundation for the $89,000 it cost to clean up Marconi Park after the Foundation’s unauthorized work was stopped last year. Somerset County earlier this year assumed the $89,266 it cost to clean up unauthorized work at Marconi Park, and will not seek reimbursement from the Marconi Foundation, …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – The Somerset County Office on Aging is looking for centenarians to celebrate. Submitted by the Somerset County Office on Aging. The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disabilities Services is seeking nominations for residents who are 100 years and older in recognition of National Centenarian’s Day. Centenarians will be honored at a special luncheon on September 23 …

COUNTY TAKES OVER – Somerset County will renovate Guglielmo Marconi Memorial Park after officials stopped unauthorized work being done by the Franklin Township Marconi Foundation. Plans by a private organization to refurbish the Guglielmo Marconi Memorial Park at Easton Avenue and JFK Boulevard have been scuttled by Somerset County officials, about two months after the Township ordered that work on …

THE MAYOR SPEAKS – Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks during the Somerset County Democratic Committee’s Black Caucus’ celebration of Black History Month on February 3. Speaking to a cheering audience in the Township Senior/Community Center, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on February 3 delivered a fiery speech honoring “champions of justice” in the African-American community and extolling those in attendance to …

CONTEST WINNERS – Winners of the “Inspirational Women” essay contest were recently honored at a Somerset County Board of Commissioners meeting. Shown left to right are: Somerset County Commissioner Sara Sooy; Somerset County Commission on Status of Women, Chair Karen Thomas, granddaughter Samora Williams and Vice Chair Liz Graner; Essay contest winners Molly Hunziker, 7th Grade, Bernardsville Middle School; Aditya …