Hunterdon County Commissioners applaud agreement with NJWSA for permanent reopening of County Route 629
Agreement Follows Meeting with Lanza and Rich
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) Executive Director Marc Brooks has announced that County Route 629 will be reopened to the public on November 15 on a permanent basis, Hunterdon County Commissioner Director John Lanza said at a recent board meeting.
Director Lanza’s public update followed a meeting that he and Deputy Director Rich held with Executive Director Marc Brooks and other officials from the NJWSA on Friday, October 28.
The face-to-face meeting followed written communication from the Hunterdon County Commissioner Board to the NJWSA regarding the long-term future of County Road 629.
In Director Lanza’s previous written correspondence to the NJWSA, he said, “I would like to reiterate that the Commissioner Board continues to implore the New Jersey Water Supply Authority to examine alternative approaches to enhancing security around the Round Valley Reservoir instead of closure. Without careful analysis of alternative security enhancements, the Commissioner Board will be skeptical of any request the New Jersey Water Supply Authority advances.”
Director Lanza said while addressing numerous individuals in attendance at the meeting and concerned about the ongoing closure of 629, “I know that this will come as great news to area residents that shared their concerns about public safety as a result of the ongoing closure.”
Deputy Director Zach Rich said, “County officials will continue to work cooperatively with officials from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority to address security concerns in a targeted approach. I am happy that officials from the NJWSA were receptive to the numerous public concerns that were raised especially around delayed emergency response times resulting from the ongoing road closure.”
“I would like to thank Mr. Brooks and members of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority for listening to the public concerns and for understanding that this Board was resolute in ensuring that our residents voices were heard,” Lanza said.
