A major highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Dr. Charlene Williams Gungal, who is retiring after years of service as Passaic County’s Health Officer. A proclamation was read, detailing Dr. Gungal’s academic and professional accomplishments. The proclamation acknowledged her commitment to public health, wishing her a healthy and fulfilling retirement.

In a notable moment, the director of the board expressed deep personal appreciation for Dr. Gungal’s service, stating, “I love you, I’m going to miss you,” indicating the strong bond formed during the pandemic. Several commissioners voiced their gratitude, emphasizing the significant impact of Dr. Gungal’s work. One commissioner described Dr. Gungal as a “rock” during the pandemic, while another reflected on how working with her was the most meaningful part of their service. The acknowledgments underscored the collective recognition of Dr. Gungal’s contributions and the challenges faced during the pandemic.

Dr. Gungal addressed the assembly with gratitude, recognizing the trust placed in her and the collaborative efforts of her colleagues and the board. She reflected on her tenure, noting the political pressures health professionals faced during the pandemic but expressing appreciation for the support she received, which enabled her to serve effectively.

The meeting also featured a passionate address from a health department representative who praised the county’s crisis response and teamwork. They acknowledged new and long-serving staff members, highlighting the intrinsic rewards of public service and the personal sacrifices made by their family.

In addition to honoring Dr. Gungal, the commissioners discussed an outreach initiative aimed at supporting unhoused veterans. Scheduled for later in the week, the program involves collaboration with Catholic Charities and New Jersey SOS veterans. This initiative seeks to locate homeless veterans and provide them with temporary housing and essential services. The importance of this outreach was emphasized, especially with the onset of colder weather.

During the meeting, the commissioners exchanged holiday greetings and recognized the efforts of the Youth Services Commission, which hosted its largest annual conference. The event saw participation from over 200 attendees and 33 vendors.

The meeting moved to a public portion where a resident, Barry Houston, expressed concerns over the challenges faced by a local roller hockey program. He discussed his ongoing efforts to acquire county land for a new rink, highlighting the difficulties stemming from disagreements between the Board of Education and local government over the use of existing facilities.

The commissioners proceeded with formal motions, unanimously voting on the consent agenda, which included resolutions for a community development block grant and qualifying bidders for a courthouse restoration project. Personnel matters and bill approvals were addressed, and Arisi Pentel was congratulated on their approval as the new health officer following Dr. Gungal’s retirement.