N.J. Stat. § 44:1-3: Establishment by board of freeholders

The board of chosen freeholders of a county may, by resolution, establish a county almshouse to be known as a welfare-house, or change the name, control and management of an existing county almshouse for the care and maintenance of the permanent poor, and the permanent poor, other than in municipalities excepted therefrom as provided in this chapter, shall be provided for therein by the county, and almshouses maintained and supported in municipalities in the county shall, as otherwise provided in this chapter, thereafter be abolished and the permanent poor shall thereafter be maintained in the county institution rather than in municipal almshouses.