title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TRANQUILITY RIDGE REFORESTATION PROJECT IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST MILFORD AND BOROUGH OF RINGWOOD, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(2).
body
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, on October 28, 2025, the Board passed Resolution No. R-25-1029, authorizing the County to apply for grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) under the Natural Climate Solutions Grant program, for the purpose of reforesting Tranquility Ridge in the Township of West Milford and Borough of Ringwood; and
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2026, the Board passed Resolution No. R-26-0499, authorizing the acceptance of a Natural Climate Solutions Grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in the amount of one million four hundred seventy-eight thousand five hundred ninety-six dollars and five cents ($1,478,596.05), to be used for the above-described reforestation project; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(2), any contract the amount of which exceeds the bid threshold, may be negotiated and awarded by the governing body without public advertising for bids and bidding therefore and shall be awarded by resolution of the governing body if it is made or entered into with the United States of America, the State of New Jersey, county, or municipality, or any board, body, officer, agency, or authority thereof, or any other state or subdivision thereof.; and
WHEREAS, the County Administrator’s Office is recommending that the Board authorize a contract with Montclair State University, a public university of the State of New Jersey, under which Montclair State University's Clean Energy and Sustainability Analytics Center will manage the above-described reforestation project, including developing a forest inventory and site planting plan, tagging planted trees, monitoring forest health after planting, tracking environmental outcomes and assisting the County in submitting data and reports back to the NJDEP, for a total amount not to exceed four hundred forty-three thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars ($443,767.00); and
WHEREAS, funds are available in Account No. G-01-41-793-026-233, or any other account that may be deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer or his designee, and the availability of funds has been contingently certified by the Chief Financial Officer subject to sufficient funds being appropriated by the Board in the 2026 and/or subsequent years’ County budget(s), which is attached to and made part of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the June 10, 2026, meeting of the Law and Public Safety Committee and is being recommended to the Board for approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(2) that the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic authorizes a contract with Montclair State University for the management of the Tranquility Ridge reforestation project in the Township of West Milford and Borough of Ringwood, including developing a forest inventory and site planting plan, tagging planted trees, monitoring forest health after planting, tracking environmental outcomes and assisting the County in submitting data and reports back to the NJDEP, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Natural Climate Solutions Grant from the NJDEP, for a total amount not to exceed four hundred forty-three thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars ($443,767.00).
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Board, Passaic County Sheriff and/or his designee, County Counsel, and the Director of the Board are authorized to take any other steps necessary to carry out the purpose of this resolution.
NB June 23, 2026