In a moment of respect, the Union County Board of Commissioners asked for a moment of silence for Plainfield firefighter Maris Hudson, who tragically passed away at 32 while battling a fire. The board extended condolences to his family, friends, and the Plainfield Fire Department.

During the meeting, the Department of Human Services highlighted two significant initiatives. The first is a new pilot program in partnership with United Way, aimed at providing tax preparation assistance to low-income families, potentially boosting their access to tax credits and resources.

Additionally, the Department of Human Services is responding to the diverse language needs of Union County residents by expanding interpretation services. Director Debbie-Ann Anderson mentioned the increased budget to accommodate the growing Creole, Arabic, and Russian-speaking communities seeking social services. The department now handles thousands of calls monthly.

Other departments presented various resolutions and projects, including the Department of Parks and Recreation’s agreement with PSE&G for equipment storage during a utility project, and the Department of Public Works and Facilities Management’s report on a paving project with decreased costs due to adjustments in fuel and asphalt prices.