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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES, DIVISION OF WEATHERIZATION AND HOME ENERGY, TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE NEW JERSEY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, FOR THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND 2027 GRANT, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:20-1.
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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, the County, through its Division of Weatherization and Home Energy (hereafter “Division”) of the Department of Senior Services (hereafter “Department”), administers various programs to reduce energy costs for low- income residents in Passaic County by improving energy efficiency; and
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (hereafter “NJBPU”), through the Societal Benefits Charge, makes funding available to help make energy bills more affordable for low-income customers in the County by reducing the economic burden for natural gas and electricity; and
WHEREAS, the NJBPU, through the State of New Jersey, Division of Community Affairs, has informed the Division that it is eligible for a grant award for the Universal Service Fund (hereafter “USF”) 2027 Grant in the amount of four hundred twenty-six thousand eight and 00/100 ($426,008.00) dollars; and
WHEREAS, this award will provide funding to assist low-income households from Passaic County with financial assistance to meet their home energy expenses; and
WHEREAS, the grant period is from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, there is no dollar match required to accept this award; and
WHEREAS, the Division presently administers this program and this grant is funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, through the Societal Benefits Charge; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the July 29, 2026 meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee and is being recommended to the Board for approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) hereby authorizes the application for such a grant and recognizes and accepts that the Department may offer a lesser or greater amount and, therefore, upon receipt of the grant agreement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, does further authorize the execution of any such grant agreement and also, upon receipt of the fully executed agreement from the Department, does further authorize the expenditure of funds pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the County of Passaic and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the persons whose name and title appear below are authorized to sign all necessary documents on behalf of the County of Passaic, and authorizes the Director of the Board and Clerk of the Board and any other County Official to execute the necessary agreements accordingly, and that they or their successors in said title are authorized to sign the agreement and any other documents necessary in connection with.
Kevin Batacchi, Director Cassandra “Sandi” Lazzara
Weatherization & Home Energy Board of County Commissioners
County of Passaic County of Passaic
JDP August 11, 2026