Hunterdon County Commissioners Reorganize, Plan To Focus On Local Law Enforcement

Commissioner Director John Lanza speaking. Credit: Hunterdon County government

Commissioner John Lanza was appointed director of the Hunterdon County Commissioners for 2025 during the board’s reorganization meeting this week in Flemington Borough.

Lanza, a Republican from Raritan Township, was sworn in at the Historic Courthouse by Jack Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman and GOP gubernatorial candidate.

This marks Lanza’s third term as director since he first joined the board in 2014.

At the same meeting, Commissioner Shaun Van Doren, of Tewksbury, was appointed deputy director and took the oath of office from Hunterdon County Clerk Mary Melfi.

Commissioners Jeff Kuhl, of Raritan Township, and Susan Soloway, of Franklin Township, were sworn in to new three-year terms by State Sen. Doug Steinhardt, a Republican.

Lanza praised outgoing director Kuhl for pioneering a new era of cooperation with local municipalities, a theme Lanza committed to continue.

The new director announced plans to enhance the county’s municipal grant programs, with a focus on local law enforcement to boost crime prevention and police and community engagement.

“Today, more than ever, crime prevention, police community engagement, and ensuring the protection of our neighborhoods are significant priorities for our residents, our local governments, and police departments. Now is the time, relying on the County’s strong financial foundation, to provide assistance,” Lanza said.

He pointed to the county’s strong financial foundation as a vital component in continuing the grant programs.

Additionally, Lanza highlighted the county’s financial achievements, including a triple-A bond rating from Moody’s and clean audits of fiscal practices for nine consecutive years.

The commissioners also announced plans for 2025, including the final phase of construction on the Emergency Services Training Center, which is supported by a $3 million federal grant secured by Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican, and Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker.

Other initiatives mentioned for the upcoming year include addressing open space and farmland preservation, boosting economic development and tourism, and improving the Hutnerdon County Arboretum.

“Our board will continue to be dedicated to keeping Hunterdon, Hunterdon, the safest, healthiest, and best county, not only in New Jersey, but in the nation,” Lanza stated.

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