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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF PASSAIC AND PUZZLE FARMS, TO OPERATE A COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS IN THE BOROUGH OF RINGWOOD, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-15
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (“County”) is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (“Board”) is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-15, the County is authorized to lease real property that it owns for any county or municipal public purpose, including, but not limited to, the cultivation of vacant lots for gardening or recreational purposes; and
WHEREAS, the County is the owner of certain property located at 1101 Greenwood Lake Turnpike in the Borough of Ringwood, designated at Block 310 Lot 2 on the Official Tax Map of the Borough of Ringwood (hereafter “Property”); and
WHEREAS, Puzzle Farms is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to serve the needs of adults with disabilities in the state of New Jersey, and has operated a community garden at 1101 Greenwood Lake Turnpike in the Borough of Ringwood since before the County owned the Property; and
WHEREAS, the County and Puzzle Farms desire to enter into a lease agreement for Puzzle Farms for the continued operation of the community garden at the Property, with no rent being assessed, for a term commencing January 1, 2026 and expiring December 31, 2026 in accordance with the lease, attached hereto and made part hereof; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the December 10, 2025 meeting of the Public Works Committee, and is being recommended to the Board for approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-15, the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic hereby authorizes a lease agreement by and between the County of Passaic and Puzzle Farms for the continued operation of the community garden at the Property, with no rent being assessed, for a term commencing January 1, 2026 and expiring December 31, 2026, under the same terms and conditions set forth in the attached Lease Agreement.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board, County Counsel, and Director of the Board are authorized to take any action necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution.
KJB December 29, 2025