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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF PASSAIC AND GEORGE KUEHM & SON, LLC, FOR FARMLAND LOCATED AT 945 BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WAYNE, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A: 12-14.1
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter “County”) is a government body incorporated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1, et seq. and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1 the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) are vested with decision making powers on behalf of the County; and
WHEREAS, on March 28, 2006, the Board authorized the purchase of 14.9 acres of farmland property located at 945 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 from George Kuehm & Son, LLC (hereafter “Kuehm Farm”) from the Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14.1, whenever a county or municipality acquires real property that, immediately prior to acquisition, was leased from a prior owner by a private person for agricultural or horticultural use, and the county and municipality determines that, until such time as the real property is needed for public use, the temporary continuance of the private agricultural or horticultural use would not compromise that public use, it may lease the real property to the prior lessee for agricultural or horticultural use for such period, consideration, and other terms and conditions as shall be mutually agreed; and
WHEREAS, the Board now desires to execute a new Agricultural Tenancy Agreement with George Kuehm & Son, LLC, effective retroactive to January 1, 2025 and expiring December 31, 2029, with a five (5) year option to renew thereafter, and preserve Kuehm Farm, one of the last working farms in Passaic County; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the August 27, 2025 meeting of the Public Works Committee, and is being recommended to the Board for approval;
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IS BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14.1, the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners hereby authorize the execution of a Lease Agreement with George Kuehm & Son, LLC, for the County property located at 945 Black Oak Ridge Road in the Township of Wayne, effective retroactive to January 1, 2025 and expiring December 31, 2029, with a five (5) year option to renew thereafter, pursuant to the terms and conditions therein; and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, the Director of the Board, Clerk to the Board, and County Counsel are authorized to execute the Agricultural Tenancy Agreement and take any other action necessary to carry out the purposes of this resolution.
KJB September 9, 2025