What's New in Warren County | |
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Commissioners' Corner
Let me wish everyone a Happy 2024. This year, Warren County government will have many important priorities to address. I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders across all areas to address them.
First is improving the communications for our first responders. Warren County is responsible for 911 communications for all local agencies. We need to commit to providing a long-term solution that allows our police, fire and emergency medical service agencies to communicate seamlessly. While I understand our terrain and topography can make communications difficult, we must do all we can to insure the safety of our first responders. This investment will empower our many county agencies with the tools they need to respond swiftly, safely and effectively, enhancing public safety for both the responders and the public at large.
Preserving farmland will continue to be a priority of this board. Our farming community stands as a testament to our agrarian roots and a commitment to sustaining local agriculture. We must continue to target farms for preservation and advocate for fair compensation. By preserving these vital parcels, we not only preserve our heritage but also foster economic resilience within our farming community. We recently announced our Warren County Grains and Grapes Trail, a new tourism initiative that promotes some of our strongest businesses in the county by partnering with our local vineyards and breweries.
Furthermore, in acknowledgment of our environmental responsibilities, this year we have announced the Commissioners Conservation Challenge. In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, Warren County will seek to be the first county in New Jersey certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat. We will be working with each of our 22 municipalities to create wildlife habitats for bees, birds, and amphibians—both locally and along migratory corridors. This voluntary initiative aligns with our commitment to ecological sustainability and ensuring that our natural spaces thrive for future generations.
These priorities along with continuing providing essential services while also showing fiscal restraint will be our mission in 2024. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this great county and look forward to a successful year!
Commissioner Director James R. Kern III
Commissioner Director James R. Kern III
Commissioner Deputy Director Jason J. Sarnoski
Commissioner Lori Ciesla
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2024 Warren County Reorganization | | |
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Warren County Commissioner Lori Ciesla was sworn in to a second term while Commissioner James R. Kern III was named Director for 2024 at the annual reorganization meeting of the Board of County Commissioners at the Courthouse in Belvidere on January 1.
Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski is Deputy Director for the year as the three commissioners took actions setting their meeting schedule, assigning liaison responsibilities and more, while also delivering remarks outlining their priorities for the coming year.
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Warren County Seeks to be a “Wildlife Friendly Community” as Commissioners Conservation Challenge is Introduced
The Warren County Board of County Commissioners is issuing a challenge to its residents to help Warren County become the first county to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.
Commissioner Director James R. Kern III announced the County’s partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and participation in the Community Wildlife Habitat program at the January 24 meeting of the Commissioners, saying, “The goal of this partnership is to help Warren County become a healthier and more wildlife-friendly community by encouraging our residents to voluntarily create wildlife habitats at sites like yards, schools, businesses, places of worship, community gardens, and parks.”
Kern also introduced the launch of the Commissioners Conservation Challenge. “The challenge is to make Warren County the first county-wide Community Wildlife Habitat certified by the National Wildlife Federation in New Jersey,” he said.
FIND OUT MORE HERE
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Commissioner James Kern joined Selena Donaldson and Colleen Grzywacz, two incredible Warren County teachers, to discuss the great work going into Warren County education with WRNJ host Joyce Estey.
Listen here to the complete interview
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The Board of County Commissioners held the first budget session of 2024 on Saturday, January 6, and wrapped up drafting the spending plan on January 27 after five work sessions. Producing a spending plan that is efficient and effective is no easy task, but the Commissioners and the county government department heads are dedicated to delivering a smart and responsible budget for Warren County. The Budget will be introduced at the Board's February 28 meeting. | |
January Proclaimed Human Trafficking Prevention Month | |
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January was proclaimed “Human Trafficking Prevention Month” by the Board of County Commissioners, highlighting the horrors that rob millions of their freedom, enrich transnational criminals, and threaten public safety and security everywhere. Residents are urged to help raise awareness as the County renews its dedication to eliminating such abhorrent acts, stands by victims and survivors, and works to ensure that traffickers are held responsible for their crimes. Accepting the proclamation was Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer.
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Vehicle Weight Limit of 13 Tons Planned on Warren County Roads | |
A vehicle weight limit of 13 tons for through traffic on certain Warren County roads won approval from the Board of County Commissioners in December. The resolution restricts truck traffic on sections of Route 519 in Hope, White, Harmony and Lopatcong townships, and Route 521 in Blairstown and Hope, only allowing vehicles heavier than 13 tons if they are engaged in local deliveries or transporting for local businesses. FIND THE DETAILS | |
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Commissioners Attend Ag Board's Annual Dinner Meeting
Commissioner Director James R. Kern III and Commissioner Lori Ciesla joined local farmers at the Warren County Board of Agriculture's annual dinner meeting at Angry Dad Draught House on Saturday, January 13.
Pictured (l-r): Lori Ciesla, NJ State Dairy Princess Kimberly Kolibas, James R. Kern III, Warren County Board of Agriculture President James Bischoff.
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NextRequest Records Portal is Live | |
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NextRequest, a web-based portal for records requests, went online January 2. Meanwhile, commonly requested records such as the county Health Department’s septic and well records, are now available online and can be searched without filing a records request.
A link to Public Information's Request for Records page can be found HERE
LEARN MORE
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Warren County Fire Academy Graduates
90th Class of Firefighters
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Congratulations to Warren County's 90th Class of Firefighter One candidates, who graduated with commencement exercises held January 18 at Belvidere Manor at Good Will Fire Company #1 in Belvidere. Commissioner Director James R. Kern III and Deputy Director Jason J. Sarnoski were on hand to meet and congratulate the academy graduates.
"Warren County is deeply thankful to all of you for nobly taking on this new role," Director Kern remarked. "Fires don't work nine-to-five and neither do you. Whenever disaster hits and the call comes, you will be there to answer it, and for that we are eternally grateful," he added.
The 90th Graduating Class of Firefighter One: John Burrell, Phillipsburg Fire Dept.; Kevin Cantaldi, Franklin Twp. Fire Dept.; Mara Farber, Good Will Fire Company; Thomas J. Gibbs, Hackettstown Fire Dept.; Nathaniel Guile, Lebanon Borough Fire Dept.; Thomas Heaton, Frelinghuysen Twp. Fire Dept.; Kyle Kathenes, Harmony Twp. Fire Dept.; Jhonny Lopez Sosa, Frelinghuysen Twp. Fire Dept.; Mason Lynch, Oxford Twp. Fire Dept.; Zachary Machynko, Knowlton Twp. Fire Dept.; Dante Matos, Phillipsburg Fire Dept.; Benny Perez, Frelinghuysen Twp. Fire Dept.; Esly Peters, Frelinghuysen Twp. Fire Dept.; Samuel Sheaffer, Oxford Twp. Fire Dept.; Ryan Simmons, Harmony Twp. Fire Dept.; Austin Strausser, Phillipsburg Fire Dept.; Blaise Strausser, Alpha Fire Dept.; Christian Ventura, Frelinghuysen Twp. Fire Dept.; and Jonathan Wolfinger, Good Will Fire Company.
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On the County Calendar:
Board of County Commissioners Meetings: Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.
County Government offices are closed Monday, Feb. 12 for Lincoln's Birthday and Monday, Feb. 19 for Washington's Birthday holidays.
VIEW FULL CALENDAR
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Employment Opportunities
Looking for a new career? Consider working for Warren County government! The following jobs are now available, with entry level openings and positions requiring more experience.
See www.warrencountynj.gov/government/employment to learn how to apply, to access the employment application, and to check for job openings in the future.
Current Openings:
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Senior Planner, Planning Dept., 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Senior Engineer, Planning Dept., 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Principal Engineer, Bridges, Engineer's Office, 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Principal Engineer, Engineer's Office, 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Seasonal Principal Engineer, Civil, Engineer's Office, 1 P/T Seasonal Vacancy
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Principal Engineering Aide, Engineer's Office, 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Assistant Health Officer, Health Department, 1 F/T Unclassified Vacancy
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Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee, Public Safety Dept., Permanent vacancies available
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County Correctional Police Officer, Corrections Dept., F/T Provisional Vacancies
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Truck Driver, Public Works, Roads Division, F/T Permanent Vacancies
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Human Services Aide, Human Services Dept., Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services, 3 F/T Permanent Vacancies
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Human Services Specialist 2, Human Services Dept., Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services, F/T Provisional Vacancies
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Human Services Specialist 2, Bilingual in Spanish and English, Human Services Dept., Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services, 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Keyboarding Clerk 1, Human Services Dept., 3 F/T Permanent Vacancies
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Human Services Specialist 1, Human Services Dept., Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services, 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Keyboarding Clerk 1, County Clerk's Office,1 F/T Permanent Vacancy
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Employee, Board of Elections, 1 F/T Unclassified Vacancy
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Senior Program Development Specialist, Community Service, Human Services Dept., 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
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Library Assistant, Warren County Library, 1 F/T & 1 P/T Permanent Vacancy
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Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Public Heath, Health Dept., 1 F/T Provisional Vacancy
Visit the Employment Page
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Municipal Minute:
Blairstown
The area that would become Blairstown Township was first settled by John Hyndshaw around 1729, and by 1760 the village on the banks of the Paulins Kill, known as Smith's Mill, had a couple of homes, a grist mill and a sawmill. Jacob Butts built a bridge across the river in the early 19th century and the community became known as Butt's Bridge, but was called Gravel Hill in 1825. John Insley Blair had moved to the small hamlet around 1820 in his late teens. Blair entered into a partnership as a storekeeper, taking ownership two years later, a business he would foster for 40 years. At 23, Blair became the postmaster of the local post office and, at 26, married Anne Locke with whom he established a homestead at Gravel Hill.
Blair operated four flour mills at one time, bought real estate, and began to follow other entrepreneurial pursuits that would ensure him a fabled legacy as railroad mogul and land developer. So great was the impact of his success on the town that it was being called Blair's Town and officially changed to Blairstown in 1839. Blair’s life reflected the country’s development over a hundred years from a segmented rural society, to a cohesive industrial nation designed in no small part by the railroad and financial networks that he facilitated. Despite his accomplishment as one of the world’s wealthiest men, (his fortune was equivalent to $43 billion in today’s economy) Blair sustained a simple lifestyle in his beloved village.
The Blairstown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Highlighted by the stone grist mill, built in 1825, almost half of the primary buildings within the district were built during John I. Blair’s lifetime, and the boom period following the construction of the Blairstown Railway in 1877. The distinctive historical character of the village results from the survival of these buildings, largely because the railroad was the last major transportation improvement that the town has seen. State Route 94 has since bypassed Main Street as the main thoroughfare for travelers, and buildings “in town” have suffered few contemporary updates.
The Township of Blairstown, incorporated Feb. 20, 1845, also includes the areas known as Cedar Lake, Cooks Pond, Jacksonburg, Mount Vernon, Paulina, Vail and Walnut Valley. Blairstown is governed by a five-member Township Committee that elects one member to serve as Mayor for the year. The Committee typically meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month. Covering 30.90 square miles, the township showed 5,704 residents in the 2020 census.
Connect with Blairstown here.
"Municipal Minute" is a continuing series focusing on our 22 municipalities. Next up: Franklin
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Commissioners Help Launch Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail
Wineries and breweries located throughout Warren County have formed the Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail and announced the Grains & Grapes Passport, a promotional program where visitors can earn a custom hoodie by visiting all the trail locations. The trail and passport offer “a new exciting way to explore Warren County,” Commissioner Director James R. Kern III said at the Jan. 4 launch.
Learn More
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Centenary Stage Company
Feb. 1 - 11
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Looking for more things to do?
Check out the Explore Warren events calendar.
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