(WEST WINDSOR TWP., NJ – December 3, 2025) – A Warren County drainage project was honored as the County Public Works Project of the Year by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Representatives of the Warren County Department of Public Works, Division of Bridges and Roads received a plaque recognizing the project at the state association’s annual holiday and awards luncheon.

The award recognizes excellence in the management and administration of an innovative public works project, which was completed utilizing in-house staff.

County staff finished the project in November 2024, in response to a critical need for improved drainage infrastructure in Harmony Township to protect local businesses, residents, and farming operations from the threat of flood damage.

The project was a response to July 2023 storms with a foot of rain over the course of three days, resulting in significant destruction to more than 100 lane miles of roadways and damage to or failure of 33 of Warren County’s bridge structures. “The infrastructure devastation was sudden, profound and put the safety of tens of thousands of County residents in jeopardy as a network of once-quiet streams and creeks became raging rivers tumbling debris downstream,” according the project nomination.

One of the hardest-hit areas was County Route 519 at the intersection of Roxburg Hill Road and Roxburg Station Road, where bridge structure #10007 became clogged with debris, leading to the deck failing and closure of a major arterial county route. After initial work to repair structures and reopen the road, the County developed a plan to upgrade the area to prevent a recurrence.

The project consisted of installation of 1,538 feet of 24” pipe; 120 linear feet of curb; and four inlets, three manholes and a yard inlet along County Route 519 and Roxburg Station Road. The drainage system effectively diverts heavy stormwater flow during rain events around and away from local businesses and residential properties.

Under the direction of Warren County DPW’s Construction Crew Supervisor Ross Jean, a team of 12 Public Works staffers completed the project in just six weeks. Some 1,733 hours of County employee labor was used for the project, avoiding the use of costly outside construction labor.

Accepting the award from NJ Chapter Vice President South Kevin Bucceroni were Crew Supervisor Ross Jean, along with Warren County Public Works employees Stephen Buckholtz and Richard Mantoni, Assistant Supervisor of Bridges and Roads Glen Matlock, and Supervisor of Bridges and Roads Calvin Inscho.

"This award reflects the resilience of Warren County,” Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski remarked. “The storms of 2023 caused unprecedented destruction, but our Public Works team refused to let that damage get the better of us. I’m proud of the dedicated professionals who turned a crisis into an opportunity to build better infrastructure for our residents.”

Sarnoski, who commissioner liaison for Public Works, added, “I want to thank Crew Supervisor Ross Jean and the entire team for their outstanding work. This award is well-deserved, and we are fortunate to have such capable professionals working for Warren County.”

New Jersey Chapter of the American Public Works Association Vice President South Kevin Bucceroni (fourth from left) presents the County Public Works Project of the Year award to Warren County Public Works employees Stephen Buckholtz, Richard Mantoni, Crew Supervisor Ross Jean, Assistant Supervisor of Bridges and Roads Glen Matlock, and Supervisor of Bridges and Roads Calvin Inscho.