REVISIONS TO THE OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (OPRA)
On May 13th both houses passed and sent to the Governor S-2930/A-4065 (Danielsen D- 17/Flynn R-13)(Sarlo D-36/Bucco R-35), which would make various changes to the process for access to government records. NJAC supports this legislation as it would streamline and modernize the open public records process by encouraging public entities to digitize documents and make searchable online, records such as contracts, resolutions, meeting minutes, agendas, and more. This process would save valuable time and resources and is long overdue. NJAC also appreciates the fact that this legislation would provide local governments with relief from excessive attorney fees that regularly exceed $565.00 per hour by providing the judiciary with the discretion to award such fees when warranted. This fair and reasonable shift would save valuable taxpayer dollars and is consistent with how judges award attorney fees throughout the law. Although NJAC advocated for a cap on attorney fees and for greater restrictions on public record requests made for commercial purposes, NJAC thanks the sponsors and committee chairs for their commitment to updating the two-decade old law and looks forward to working with the Legislature on future reforms along with Governor Murphy signing the measure into law. The super long summary below provides a general overview of the legislation.
DEFINITIONS: SECTION 1
The bill would define “commercial purpose” to mean the direct or indirect use of any part of a government record for the sale, resale, solicitation, rent, or lease of a service, or any use by which the user expects a profit either through commission, salary, or fee. However, commercial purpose would not include the use of a government record for any purpose by: the news media and related organizations; any person authorized to act on behalf of a candidate committee; any labor organization; any contractor signatory to a collective bargaining agreement under certain circumstances; any non-profit entity when the entity does not sell, resell, solicit, rent, or lease a government record to an unaffiliated third party in a way in which the entity expects a fee. The legislation would also define “personal identifying information” to include the following data elements: name, social security number, credit card number, debit card number, bank account information, month and day of birth, any personal email address required by a public agency for government applications, services, or programs, personal telephone number, the street address portion of any person’s primary or secondary home address, or driver license number of any person.
PUBLIC ACCESS: SECTION 2
The legislation would permit government records to be made available to the public on a publicly available website to the extent feasible. A public agency may enter into a shared services agreement for providing certain government records electronically. If the government record is readily available on a public agency’s website, the custodian may require the requestor to obtain the record from the website, which must contain a search bar feature on its home page. The custodian must provide the requestor with directions to assist in finding the record on the website, which includes the URL address along with the location on the website of a search bar, menu button, tab, link, and landing page of which contains the requested record.
If the requestor does not respond to the custodian within seven business days of the custodian providing information about a record on the public agency’s website, the request would be deemed fulfilled unless the version of the government record on the public agency’s website fails to contain non-protected information contained in the original record, in which case the custodian must produce the original version of the record subject to any redactions required by law. If, after the custodian has provided instructions on how to find a record on a public agency’s website, the requestor is unable to find the record upon making a good faith effort to locate the record on the website, the requestor must notify the custodian within seven business days of the custodian providing the information. Upon receiving such a request for assistance from a requestor, the custodian must make a reasonable attempt to assist the requestor in finding the record on the website within seven business days of the requestor notifying the custodian.
If the requestor is still unable to locate the record and requests a physical copy, the custodian must provide the requestor with a physical copy of the record, for a fee not exceeding two times the cost of the production of the document. The custodian must provide the requestor with a physical copy of the record within seven business days of the request for a physical copy. No fee would be charged if the request is completed by directing the requestor to the requested government record that is available on the public agency’s website or the website of another public agency. The bill would establish a rebuttable presumption that the fees or charges presented by the custodian are reasonable. If the requestor objects to the fees or charges, the burden of proof would be on the requestor to demonstrate that the fees or charges are unreasonable.
The measure would further provide that a custodian must permit access to a government record and provide a copy in the medium or format requested if the public agency maintains the record in that medium or format. If the public agency does not maintain the record in the medium or format requested, the custodian must convert the record to the medium or format requested. If the medium or format is available to the public agency and does not require a substantial amount of manipulation or programming of information technology, or the services of a third-party vendor. If the public agency converts the record to the medium or format requested, the agency may charge, in addition to the actual cost of duplication, a special service fee that shall be reasonable and shall be based on the cost for any extensive use of information technology, or for the labor cost of personnel providing the service, that is actually incurred by the agency or attributable to the agency for the programming, clerical, and supervisory assistance required, or both.2 If the public agency does not maintain the record in the electronic medium or format requested, 2and the medium or format is not available to the public agency without a substantial amount of manipulation or programming of information technology,2 the custodian shall be under no obligation to convert the record to the electronic medium or format requested but shall, at a minimum, provide a copy in the 2electronic2 format maintained by the public agency.
The bill would require the custodian of a public agency to adopt the form established by the Government Records Council for the use of any person who requests access to a government record held or controlled by the public agency. The form must provide space for the name, address, email address and telephone number of the requestor and a brief description of the government record sought. A request must be submitted by a requestor in the form adopted by the custodian and the custodian may deny a request that is incomplete, except that a requestor indicating the request is being submitted anonymously shall not be grounds for denial. A completed form adopted by the custodian, a letter, or an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request. If the letter or email from a requestor includes substantially more information than required on the adopted form and requires more than reasonable effort to clarify the information, the custodian may deny the request. If a letter or an email from a requestor does not include all of the information required on the adopted form, the custodian may deny the record request. A request may be submitted anonymously provided, however, that anonymous requestors shall not be permitted to institute proceedings. A request that is submitted anonymously shall not be considered incomplete. The form also shall include space for a requestor to certify whether the government record will be used by that requestor or another person for a commercial purpose, and the requestor shall be required to provide this information for the request to be fulfilled.
Custodians who have adopted electronic government record request forms must provide directions on how to submit requests for government records, including any required forms, on the public agency’s website. Custodians shall be permitted to provide an electronic response to any electronic records request if government records are available electronically. A request for access to a government record shall be in writing and hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted electronically, or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate custodian. A public agency may make available to the public on its website an online form, portal, or software for transmitting requests electronically. The form established by the Government Records Council may be submitted electronically or by fax. Each submission of a government record request form or an email record request shall be made to the custodian of not more than one public agency. Submission of repeated requests to multiple custodians in the same public agency for the same record, while an identical or substantially similar request is pending in the agency, shall permit the custodian to deny the request.
A party to a legal proceeding may not request a government record if the record sought is the subject of a court order including a pending discovery request, and a custodian shall not be required to complete such a request. The requestor would be required to certify whether the government record is being sought in connection with a legal proceeding and identify the proceeding for the request to be fulfilled. For the purposes of this provision, a party to a legal proceeding shall include a party subject to a court order, any attorney representing that party, and any person acting as an agent for or on behalf of that party. However, nothing in this paragraph shall bar a request for a government record filed by a labor organization or by a contractor signatory to a collective bargaining agreement seeking information material to the enforcement of State or federal statutes or regulations regarding but not limited to wage and hour protections, workplace safety, or public procurement and public bidding, including, but not limited to, requests for certified payrolls or information about all bids submitted in response to a public procurement process subsequent to the deadline for the submission of all bids for that solicitation, when the request by the labor organization or contractor signatory is not sought in connection with or in furtherance of discovery requests in a court proceeding.
A custodian would not be required to complete a request including for, but not limited to, mail, email, text messages, correspondence, or social media postings and messages, if the request does not identify a specific job title or accounts to be searched, a specific subject matter, and is not confined to a discrete and limited reasonable time period , or if the custodian determines that the request would require research and the collection of information from the contents of government records and the creation of new government records setting forth that research and information. It shall be sufficient for a requestor to identify specific individuals by the individual’s job title and position.
Unless a shorter time period is otherwise provided by statute, regulation, or executive order, a custodian of a government record shall grant access to a government record or deny a request for access to a government record as soon as possible, but not later than seven business days after receiving the request, or 14 business days if the request is for a commercial purpose or if the records have to be reviewed by the public agency for the purpose of the agency’s compliance, but the custodian shall notify the requestor of the additional response time within seven business days, provided that the record is currently available and not in storage or archived. The response time periods of seven or 14 business days, as established in this subsection, shall be an additional seven business days longer if the public agency is a fire district which employs one or fewer full-time employees who serve as custodians. If a commercial requestor would like to receive the record within seven business days, as established in this subsection, the custodian shall provide the requestor with a copy of the record and may charge a special service fee not exceeding two times the cost of the production of the record.
In the event a records custodian is unable to fulfill a record’s request due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances that otherwise reasonably necessitate additional time to fulfill the records request, the custodian shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of any response deadline and shall notify the requestor of the time extension within seven business days after receiving the request. If the government record is in storage or archived, the requestor shall be advised within seven or 14 business days, as appropriate, after the custodian receives the request. The requestor shall be advised by the custodian when the record can be made available, which shall be no more than 21 business days from the date the requestor is so advised. If the record is not made available by that time, access shall be deemed denied.
A public agency shall not be considered to be in possession of a public record that is created, maintained, or received by another public agency and made available to the public agency either by remote access to a computer network or by distribution as a courtesy copy, unless the agency that created, maintained, or received the record resides within the judicial branch of the State Government. A records custodian of a public agency that receives a request for a record created, maintained, or received by another public agency, shall not be obligated to provide the record to the requestor. In the event the custodian does not provide the record, the custodian2 shall direct the requestor within seven business days to the public agency that, to the best of their knowledge, created, maintains, or received the requested record, at which time the request shall be considered completed. The custodian shall not be required to complete an identical request for access to a government record from the same requestor if the information has not changed. Nothing in this section shall prevent a requestor from filing periodic requests regarding regularly updated public records, including, but not limited to, certified payrolls, permits, and licensing applications. A requestor shall have 14 business days to retrieve the government records following notice from the custodian that the request has been completed and the records are available.
ATTORNEY FEES: SECTION 3
Any person who is denied access to a government record by the custodian, may, within 45 days of the date of denial: institute a proceeding to challenge the custodian’s decision by filing an action in Superior Court of which would be heard in the vicinage where it is filed by a Superior Court Judge who has been designated to hear such cases because of that judge’s knowledge and expertise in matters relating to access to government records; or in lieu of filing an action in Superior Court, file a complaint with the Government Records Council.
The right to institute any proceeding under this section is solely that of the requestor. Any such proceeding must proceed in a summary or expedited manner. The public agency retains the burden of proving that the denial of access is authorized by law. If it is determined that access has been improperly denied, the court or Government Records Council shall order that access be allowed. The bill would require that a requestor who prevails in any proceeding may be entitled to a reasonable attorney’s fee. While the court or Government Records Council may award a reasonable attorney’s fee to a prevailing party in any proceeding, if the public agency has been determined to have unreasonably denied access, acted in bad faith, or knowingly and willfully violated the law, then the court or Government Records Council, would be required to a reasonable attorney’s fee.
GOVERNMENT RECORDS COUNSEL: SECTION 4
The measure would expand the Government Records Council to consist of the Commissioner of Community Affairs or the commissioner’s designee, who shall serve as Chair, and eight public members appointed as follows: four appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, no more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party; two directly appointed by the Governor from persons recommended by the President of the Senate, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party; and two directly appointed by the Governor from persons recommended by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party . Each public member would serve for a term of five years, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The bill would direct that a public member receives a salary equivalent to that provided by law for a public member of the Local Finance Board of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs.
PUBLIC AGENCY PENALTIES: SECTION 5
The bill would stipulate that if a public official, officer, employee, or custodian is found to have knowingly and willfully violated the law and to have unreasonably denied access under the totality of the circumstances, the public agency that employs the custodian, officer, employee, or official shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for an initial violation,
$2,500 for a second violation that occurs within 10 years of an initial violation, and $5,000 for a third violation that occurs within 10 years of an initial violation. The penalties authorized pursuant to this subsection may be imposed by the courts or by the Government Records Council. The bill would further hold that a requestor who is found to have intentionally failed to certify that a records request is for a commercial purpose shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 for the second offense, and $5,000 for each subsequent offense. The penalties may be imposed by the courts.
REQUESTOR PENALTIES: SECTION 7
The bill would require that whenever there is filed a verified complaint to the Superior Court of the county in which the request for access to government records was made under the law alleging that a requestor has sought with the intent to substantially interrupt the performance of government function, the court may issue a protective order limiting the number and scope of requests the requestor may make or order such other relief as it deems appropriate, including referral of the matter to mediation or a waiver of the required response time. The court may issue the protective order if it finds clear and convincing evidence that the requestor has sought records with the intent to substantially interrupt the performance of government function. The complaint shall be accompanied by a declaration of facts by the public agency withholding the records demonstrating that it has complied with the law and has made a good faith effort to reach an informal resolution of the issues relating to the records requests.
HEAT STRESS STANDARD
On May 16th, NJAC testified before the Assembly Labor Committee in opposition to A-3521, (Quijano D-20/Sampson D-31), which would establish the “Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program” in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD).
NJAC is concerned that this legislation would impose an overly burdensome and impractical level of bureaucracy on county governments as employers by requiring the Commissioner of DOLWD to establish and enforce compliance of stringent occupational heat-related rules and regulations. NJAC contends that the measure would impose a significant administrative burden on county human resource departments, which struggle to navigate the multilayered and unparalleled protections already afforded public sector workers in the State of New Jersey by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), the “Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act,” the collective bargaining process, generous paid leave laws, and much more.
Further alarming is the fact that this legislation would empower the Commissioner of DOLWD to unilaterally impose stop work orders along with heavy civil penalties and possible imprisonment for violations of the new occupational heat stress standards. Lastly, NJAC recommends that the Legisalutre wait until the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) completes its comprehensive rulemaking process for “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings,” where OSHA is developing rules based on several years of recommendations, public input, and research by subject matter experts. The Committee favorably reported the measure by a vote of 9-4 and second reference the bill to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration with companion version S-2422 (Cryan D-20) currently in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FEES
Three hours later on May 16th, NJAC again testified before the Assembly Labor Committee in opposition to A-3986 (Verrelli D-15), which would increase the cap on fees paid to petitioner attorneys in workers’ compensation claims from 20% to 25%.
Given that county governments across the State employ over 30,000 public sector employees and must insure for workers’ compensation claims, NJAC is concerned that this legislation would increase monies awarded to petitioner attorneys at the expense of workers and local governing bodies as employers. As the Committee is well aware, under current law, a workers’ compensation judge may award reasonable attorney fees up to 20% with the employer responsible for paying 60% of that amount and the injured working paying the balance of 40% deducted from the final settlement. As outlined in the chart below, this legislation would not only increase the amount local governing bodies pay in attorney fees, but would reduce the total amount of the award granted to workers.
| MATTER | 20% ATTORNEY FEES | 25% ATTORNEY FEES |
| Typical Award | $30,000.00 | $30,000.00 |
| Attorney Fees | $6,000.00 | $7,500.00 |
| Employer Responsibility | 60% = $3,600.00 | 60% = $4,500.00 |
| Worker Responsibility | 40% = $2,400.00 | 40% = 3,000.00 |
| Total Worker Award | $27,600.00 | $27,000.00 |
In addition to enhancing attorney fees, this legislation could increase insurance premiums and nullify the steps county governments have taken to effectively manage workers’ compensation claims. As local governing bodies continue to struggle with navigating annual increases in the cost of goods and services, this legislation would make it even more difficult to control operating expenses while delivering essential services. Despite NJAC’s concerns and opposition from the business community and insurance industry, the Committee favorably reported the bill to second reading; and on May 13th, the Senate passed the companion version S-2822 (Lagana D-38) by a vote of 27-9.
PARATRANSIT SERVICES
On April 15th, the General Assembly unanimously passed A-2607 (Karabinchak D-18/Calabrese D-36), which would modify the definition of paratransit service.
In summary, this legislation would modify the definition of “paratransit service” to mean any transportation service other than fixed route transportation or motorbus regular route services. Under current law, the definition of “paratransit service” generally excludes private or charter services provided by taxicabs, limousines, or transportation network companies. This bill would remove that exclusion and would enable paratransit service operators, including the New Jersey Transit Corporation, to contract with certain paratransit service providers, such as the providers of private or charter services via taxicabs, limousines, or transportation network companies. NJAC supports this legislation as it could help county governments provide critical community and paratransit services to senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and others with mobility needs. Although the types of transportation services provided to those in need may vary from county-to-county, this legislation could make additional rides available for medical appointments for hemodialysis, chemotherapy, and radiation; physical and mental therapies; employment and educational training opportunities; veteran services; recreational activities; meals on wheels; visitation of loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals; and more. The companion version in the Senate S-360 (Diegnan D-18/Mukherji D-32) is currently in the Senate Budget Appropriations Committee awaiting consideration.
FINANCE OFFICERS AS PURCHASING AGENTS
On May 13th, the Assembly Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee favorably reported and second referenced to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee for consideration A-618 (Sumter D-15/Reynolds-Jackson D-15), which would permit finance officers to serve as purchasing agents under certain circumstances.
In summary, this bill would allow a contracting unit under the “Local Public Contracts Law” to designate its municipal finance officer, county finance officer, or county purchasing official to serve as a purchasing agent if the person is a certified municipal finance officer, a certified county finance officer, or a certified county purchasing official; and, the person would perform the actual day to day work of a purchasing agent. The bill would require two years of work experience for certification as a qualified purchasing agent, which must be performed under the direct supervision of a purchasing agent. In the case of a certified municipal finance officer, certified county finance officer, or certified county purchasing official, the person would be required to have two years of full-time governmental experience performing duties relative to those of public procurement. Additionally, the bill would specify the content and length of the courses an individual must complete to earn a qualified purchasing agent certificate. A companion version of the bill does not exist in the Senate at this time.
POLICE PRESENCE AT THE POLLS
Also on May 13th, the Senate unanimously passed S-2531 (Ruiz D-29/McKnight D-31), which would provide that police officers may be present at senior residential centers or schools being used as polling places under certain circumstances.
In summary, this legislation would provide that one or more police officers may be present at a senior residential center or school being used as a polling place if the center or school makes such a request. The legislation would clarify that the officers must be in plain clothes and would require the center or school to notify the district board if the center or school requests a police officer. The bill would further require a district board to notify the county board of elections or superintendent of elections, who would in turn notify the Secretary of State accordingly. Additionally, this legislation would require all schools serving as polling places to develop security plans to prevent voters from having access to or the ability to interact with students. The security plan would include a designated area in which voting must take place, where the area must be locked and separated from the rest of the school if school is in session during the time an election is being held. The measure would require the Secretary of the Department of Education and the Secretary of State to notify schools of the new mandate as soon as the bill becomes law. Under the bill, the requirement for a security plan would take effect beginning for the first election occurring after the bill’s enactment, and for all elections thereafter. The companion version A-3862 (Reynolds- Jackson D-15/Sauckie R-12) is currently in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee awaiting consideration.
UPCOMING NJAC EVENTS: Don’t miss NJAC’s virtual workshop “Avoiding Wage & Hour Pitfalls & Compensatory Time in Jersey” set for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday 7/10 with registration details online at www.njac.org.
NJAC’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT 2024 – County Service Award & Vo-Tech Cook-Off Challenge Winners
MAURICE FITZGIBBONS COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- TRACY SILNA ZUR, BERGEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER – For her thoughtful and insightful leadership as a staunch advocate for those in need and tireless pursuit of innovative county programs and initiatives.
COUNTY SERVICE AWARDS
- BRAYDEN FAHEY, DIRECTOR, HUNTERDON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY/OEM COORDINATOR- For his steadfast leadership of the county emergency management coordinators and as a valuable and trusted subject matter
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- JOHN PULOMENA, MIDDLESEX COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR – For his visionary and transformative leadership of Middlesex County as County Administrator for the past 16 years and always relied upon advice and counsel.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER HALL OF FAME
- FRANK DIMARCO, GLOUCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER – For his remarkable career in public service and vital role in Gloucester County’s efforts to save taxpayer dollars by regionalizing and sharing services.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE HALL OF FAME
- DENNIS LEVINSON, ATLANTIC COUNTY EXECUTIVE – For his lifelong dedication to the residents of Atlantic County and authentic leadership as the State longest serving county executive.
- JOSEPH DIVINCENZO, ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE – For his unwavering commitment to “Putting Essex County First” and resolute leadership on matters that impact county governments across the State.
PETER PALMER BUSINESS ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR
- ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE (ES&S) – For ES&S, Christine Valeriano, Joe McIntyre, & Justin Lacey for professionalizing NJAC’s Vo-tech Cook-Off Challenge by tabulating results.
COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL COOK-OFF CHALLENGE – PEOPLE‘S CHOICE AWARDS
As voted on by all participating conference attendees and tabulated by ES&S.
- GOLD MEDAL ($1,250.00 SCHOLARSHIP): ATLANTIC COUNTY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – French Onion Braised Short Rib
- SILVER MEDAL ($750.00 SCHOLARSHIP): CUMBERLAND COUNTY TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER – Pork Butt Bacon & Bourbon Taco
- BRONZE MEDAL ($500.00 SCHOLARSHIP): CAMDEN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS – Surf & Turf Mini Ribeye Cheesesteak
COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL COOK-OFF CHALLENGE – NJAC JUDGES AWARDS
As voted on by selected conference attendees from the business community.
- GOLD MEDAL TASTE: ATLANTIC COUNTY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – French Onion Braised Short Rib
- SILVER MEDAL TASTE: ESSEX COUNTY SCHOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY – WEST CALDWELL – Mambo Cubano Sandwich & Mocktail Mojito
- BRONZE MEDAL TASTE: MONMOUTH COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS – Braised Short Rib on Polenta Cake
- GOLD MEDAL STATION DISPLAY: ESSEX COUNTY SCHOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY – WEST CALDWELL – Mambo Cubano Sandwich & Mocktail Mojito
- SILVER MEDAL STATION DISPLAY: CUMBERLAND COUNTY TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER – Pork Butt Bacon & Bourbon Taco
- BRONZE MEDAL STATION DISPLAY: MONMOUTH COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS – Braised Short Rib on Polenta Cake
COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL COOK-OFF CHALLENGE – PROFESSIONAL CHEFS AWARDS
As voted on by professional chefs in Atlantic City & featuring Chef David Burke
- GOLD MEDAL TASTE: CAMDEN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS – Surf & Turf Mini Ribeye Cheesesteak
- SILVER MEDAL TASTE: GLOUCESTER COUNTY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – Porkroll & Cheese Stuffed Homemade Pasta
- BRONZE MEDAL TASTE: ATLANTIC COUNTY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – French Onion Braised Short Rib
- GOLD MEDAL FOOD PRESENTATION: CAMDEN COUNTY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – Surf & Turf Mini Ribeye Cheesesteak
- SILVER MEDAL FOOD PRESENTATION: HUDSON COUNTY SCHOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY – Italian Sushi with Prosciutto, Risotto, & Pancetta
- BRONZE MEDAL FOOD PRESENTATION: GLOUCESTER COUNTY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – Porkroll & Cheese Stuffed Homemade Pasta
Additional fantastic dishes included: Dou of Takoyaki in a Nashville/Southern Style by the Hunterdon County Polytech; Birra Taco with Consomme by the Mercer County Technical Schools; and, Ricotta Gnocchi with Mushroom & Basil Pesto by the Union County Vocational- Technical Schools.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson