Commissioners Back Delaney Hall Closure as $16M in Contracts Sail Through
Board of County Commissioners (Video) • Essex CountyMay 27, 2026
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Essex County commissioners used their May 27, 2026 meeting to sharpen their opposition to Newark's Delaney Hall immigration detention facility. Board President Carlos M. Pomares said the county will work toward closing a site he believes is operating illegally. Earlier in the evening, the board approved every resolution 6-0, including a $14M janitorial contract, $1.5M in parks deals and a poll pad support contract that drew single-bidder questions from a Republican candidate.
- Delaney Hall clash: A GOP candidate urged ICE cooperation, and commissioners pushed back hard.
- $1.5M in parks contracts pass after scrutiny of a sole-bidder, $595,640 sign deal.
- Dividend Hill restoration push gets a promised county convening this summer.
- Mental health chief: patients are "younger" and "sicker," including demand among children ages 0 to 5.
- ABM wins $14M, five-year cleaning contract covering 18 county facilities.
- Poll pad contract renewed 6-0 despite questions about a single responsible bidder.
Why it matters: The board took no formal action on the federal immigration detention facility in Newark. Still, Board President Carlos M. Pomares said the county will push for its closure, and a resident laid out four concrete steps the county could take.
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