A notable focus of the meeting was the presentation of scholarships from the ENJAC Foundation to two distinguished students from Paterson. Commissioner John Bartlett announced the awards, expressing regret that the foundation’s executive director was absent. The first scholarship went to Bethl Aore, a student from Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI), recognized for maintaining a 3.0 GPA while participating in extracurricular activities. Aore expressed gratitude for the scholarship.

The second recipient, Wafiwa Hadi, also a PCTI graduate, plans to attend Rutgers University to study electrical engineering. As the first in her family to pursue higher education in the United States, Hadi conveyed appreciation for the scholarship, emphasizing her ambition to innovate in her field.

Another highlight of the meeting was the acknowledgment of the Passaic Valley Junior Hornets 12U baseball team, who recently triumphed in the first annual Passaic County 12U baseball tournament. Commissioner Orlando Cruz and the Director of Parks and Recreation, Daryl Sparta, praised the team and discussed the event’s success and future improvements. The Director mentioned potential updates to facilities and the introduction of an electronic scoreboard. During the ceremony, each player, including Michael Cruz, Oscar Vez, Max Dean, and others, received individual recognition, with the event culminating in a group photograph featuring the team and their trophy.

Attention was also drawn to the ongoing water pressure issues affecting parts of Passaic County, specifically in North Paterson, Prospect Park, and Haledon. The Director asked attendees to keep the affected communities in their thoughts and prayers.

Public commentary included inquiries about the Highlands Rail Trail project, with Christopher Herd raising concerns about the timeline for phase two and safety at the planned crossing at Ringwood Avenue. The Director assured that the project was set to commence next year and that no route changes had been made. He acknowledged the need for collaboration with the North Jersey Water Commission to address pedestrian safety and committed to further communication with affected property owners.

The meeting also featured an acknowledgment of Jen Powell, a West Milford native who recently made history as the first woman to umpire a League Baseball game. Plans to honor her at a future meeting were mentioned, reflecting pride in her accomplishment.

As the meeting continued, officials reminded attendees of the upcoming Passaic County Fair, starting Thursday.

In personnel matters, the board congratulated Nordan Murphy on his appointment as the Passaic County Engineer and recognized Michelle Bubala as the first female assistant county engineer in the county’s history. The session concluded with a motion to adjourn, encouraging attendees to enjoy the forthcoming fair.