If you’ve spent any time in Belvidere or Phillipsburg lately, you know the vibe is shifting. People usually think of Warren County as the quiet, "cow country" sibling of the more frantic Jersey suburbs, but 2026 is kicking off with a surprising amount of noise. Honestly, the biggest news right now isn't just one single event—it's a series of massive structural shifts that are going to change how we live here for the next decade.
From the reorganization of the Board of Commissioners to the heavy lift of the "USA 250" preparations, the county is trying to balance its debt-free status with some pretty aggressive infrastructure goals.
The New Guard at the Courthouse
The year started with a bit of a milestone at the historic courthouse in Belvidere. On January 1, 2026, Lori Ciesla was named Director of the Board of County Commissioners. It’s her sixth year on the board, and she’s taking the reins at a time when the county is actually—believe it or not—debt-free.
That’s a huge talking point for the local GOP leadership. Jason Sarnoski, who just got sworn in for a record-tying sixth term, has been very vocal about this. He’s arguing that being debt-free isn’t just a "financial statistic" but a shield against the rising utility and state-level costs hitting the rest of New Jersey.
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Key Leadership for 2026:
- Director: Lori Ciesla
- Deputy Director: James R. Kern III
- Sheriff: James McDonald Sr. (starting a fourth term)
- First Vice Chair of NJTPA: Jason Sarnoski (who’s now carrying significant weight in regional transportation planning)
Basically, the same crew is in the cockpit, but the flight plan is getting more complicated. They’re pivoting from the 200th-anniversary celebrations of 2025 to the national 250th-anniversary (the semiquincentennial) in 2026. If you see more flags and "USA 250" banners popping up in Washington or Hackettstown, that’s why.
Real Estate and the Affordable Housing Pressure Cooker
You can't talk about warren county nj news without mentioning the "Mount Laurel" obligations. While Warren Township (the one in Somerset) usually gets the most heat for this, the municipalities within our county are feeling the squeeze too.
There’s a real tension here. On one hand, you have the preservationists who just helped the county protect over 846 acres of land last year. On the other, the state is pushing hard for more units. In Belvidere, for instance, the old Third Street Elementary School was recently put up for auction with a clear eye toward residential conversion. It's a 1.12-acre site that’s basically a litmus test for how we repurpose old public buildings.
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It’s kinda weird to think of an old school as the next trendy apartment complex, but that’s the reality of 2026.
Roads, Bridges, and Why Your Commute Still Sucks
If you’re driving Route 57 or crossing the "Free Bridge" into Easton, you’ve noticed the construction alerts. The county recently finished a massive repair on Lommason Glen Road (CR 626), which had been a mess since the 2023 floods. It took forever, but it’s finally open.
The commissioners are now funneling money into emergency management communication infrastructure. They’re tired of the dead zones. If you’ve ever tried to make a call while driving through the Delaware Water Gap or the deeper parts of Hope, you know how sketchy the service can be. The plan is to modernize the 911 Communications Center, which they’ve been fighting the state for funding on for a while now.
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What’s On the Calendar for January and February?
If you're looking for something to do that doesn't involve staring at the budget hearings, there's actually a decent amount of life in the towns right now.
- Hackettstown: The Mythic Earth Gaming Hall just had its ribbon cutting on January 17. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual retail. Also, keep an eye out for "Winter Deals" starting January 24.
- Phillipsburg: The Indoor Winter Market is the place to be on Saturday mornings. It’s held at the mall and is basically the only way to get decent local produce and crafts until May.
- Belvidere: The "Quilting and Needle Art Invitational" is running through the end of the month at the WC ARTS gallery. It sounds niche, but the talent is actually incredible.
- Washington Borough: The Green Team is leading guided hikes at White Lake. If the weather holds, it’s a great way to see the "Skylands" side of the county without the summer crowds.
The "Stigma-Free" Push
One thing that doesn't get enough headlines is the Overdose Fatality Review Team. Warren County has been surprisingly progressive about addressing the opioid crisis through its "You Are Not Alone" campaign. They’re continuing the "Stigma-Free" initiative throughout 2026, which aims to move mental health and addiction issues out of the shadows. It’s a grim topic, sure, but the fact that the county is being so transparent about it is a major shift from how things were ten years ago.
Why This Matters to You
Look, Warren County is at a crossroads. We have a "debt-free" government that wants to keep things rural, but we have a state government that wants to build, build, build.
You've got a seat at the table, though. The Board of Commissioners holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in the Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building (White Township). If you want to know where your tax dollars are actually going—or if you want to complain about the warehouse sprawl—that’s where you go.
Actionable Steps for Residents:
- Check Your Pet Licenses: If you're in one of the townships, the deadline is usually January 31 to avoid late fees.
- Sign Up for Alerts: Use the "My Warren County" mobile app. It’s actually pretty decent for construction updates and public safety notices.
- Attend a Budget Meeting: There are several budget work sessions scheduled for late January. If you care about your property taxes, these are more important than the general elections.
- Support Local Tourism: The "Grains & Grapes Trail" has a new passport program for 2026. It’s a great way to support local vineyards like Alba or Brook Hollow while exploring the county.
The "quiet" part of New Jersey is getting a lot louder. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends entirely on how much you pay attention to the small details happening at the municipal level right now.