Hunterdon County Commissioners join with area officials to celebrate ‘Topping Off Ceremony’ at new career and technical facility
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Jeff Kuhl Friday joined with Commissioners John E. Lanza and Zach Rich, Assemblyman Erik Peterson, Hunterdon County Polytech Superintendent Dr. Todd Bonsall, Polytech Board of Education President Elizabeth Martin, Board of Education Member Anthony Maglio, Jr., Chamber of Commerce President Chris Phelan, and several officials from North Hunterdon High School for a “Topping Off Ceremony” at the new Hunterdon County Vocational School which will be located on the North Hunterdon High School campus.
A Topping Off Ceremony is a construction tradition that has been occurring in some manner for centuries as a celebration of a project milestone. Traditionally, this ceremony occurs when the final structural beam is raised into place, completing the building’s frame.
Attendees at the event each signed a steel beam that was raised by a crane and secured into place by construction workers at the site.
“This is an exciting day not only for me as a commissioner but also for the future of Hunterdon County as we move closer toward the completion of the County’s first, full-time career and technical high school that will offer our students skills in high-demand and good-paying careers,” Kuhl said.
Hunterdon County’s new 36,000-square-foot career and technical school building will expand offerings for students in technology, trades, and mechanical education. T
he new facility, on property located next to the North Hunterdon Regional High School, will boast 6 programs of study and will offer expanded career and technical training in high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers, including Culinary Arts & Hospitality; Welding Technology; Advanced Manufacturing & Aeronautical Sciences; Electrical Technology; HVAC/Plumbing Technology, and Diesel Technology.
Commissioner Zach Rich, who serves as liaison to Hunterdon County Polytech said, “The new facility will enable the Polytech Board to save the cost of the lease agreement for the facility presently in use at Bartles Corner Road. It will also provide full-time education instructional opportunities for Career and Technical students, ending the practice of time-consuming, mid-day bus rides between various school buildings. The $25 million cost of constructing the new career and technical facility will be offset with 75% funding from the State of New Jersey and the County’s 25% match is fully funded with no debt issued.”
