Board extends emergency contract for county transfer station after fire damage

The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners on June 17 authorized a six‑month emergency extension to continue operations at the county's solid waste transfer and recycling center after a recent fire damaged the facility.

Administrator Meyer told the board that the facility suffered significant damage and that county staff and the vendor are cataloguing injuries to equipment and inventory while working with insurance carriers. “We pretty much have a full inventory of the damages working with insurance carriers,” Meyer said, and added that repairs are required and “there's nothing to bid on at the moment given that the transfer station requires significant repair from the fire damage.”

The extension maintains continuity of service while the county completes damage assessments and insurance coordination. The board approved the six‑month extension by roll call vote; the motion carried.

County officials said the extension is intended to preserve ongoing operations and provide the county and vendors time to plan repairs, file insurance claims and, if necessary, prepare for a formal procurement once the facility is restored. The board did not provide a firm timeline for repairs, and insurance and detailed repair estimates were described as in progress on the record.

The board directed staff to continue coordinating with current operators and insurance carriers and to report back with timelines and cost estimates once assessments are complete.