The highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Ralph Contini for his imminent swearing-in as UNICO National President at the 100th annual convention of the Italian-American organization. Commended for his 40 years of service to UNICO and his role in promoting Italian-American heritage within Bergen County, Contini accepted a proclamation acknowledging his dedication to fostering ties between Italian-American communities.

The County Executive highlighted Contini’s upcoming role as UNICO National President, expressing pride in his work to enhance diversity within Bergen County. Contini shared his excitement about representing Hackensack and Bergen County at the national level, revealing his plans for the 100th-anniversary convention of UNICO National in Florida.

The commissioners then turned their attention to public concerns. Andrew Mian, a public participant, expressed his apprehension about the transparency of council operations and suggested creating a central cultural center to celebrate various ethnic cultures, likening the concept to the recent regionalization of the police force.

As part of a more expansive discussion, the commissioners focused on potential projects for refurbishing old buildings, ethics complaints, and the idea of a resource center proposed by Mr. Farish. The resource center, inspired by a similar one in Morris County, would assist residents with their legal issues through access to expert help, equipment, and legal research databases. The parks director also pledged a commitment to enhancing bikeway infrastructure, in response to population density issues.

The primary discussion centered around the 2023 budget, termed by Commissioner Amoroso as one of the board’s most vital responsibilities. The budget included provisions for new initiatives, such as a new vocational technical magnet high school, mental health initiatives, replacement of voting machines, and a new county ambulance corps.

Commissioner Zur reported on the achievements of the Bergen County Food Security Task Force, noting its transformation into the Office of Food Security within county government. The task force was praised for its work in combating hunger and enhancing food security in Bergen County, with a new grant set to be issued in September.

Additionally, the board passed key resolutions and ordinances, including Ordinance 2313, authorizing interior renovations and improvements to various county offices, and Ordinance 23-14, establishing weight limitations for certain streets and roads.