MCIA programs touch lives of many

I n response to the recent letter to the editor, “Stop Officials from Benefiting at Expense of Voters” (Sentinel, Sept. 6), concerning the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) and Executive Director Richard Pucci, I would like your readers to know more about the MCIA and the programs that touch the lives of many who live and work in Middlesex County.

Our programs have provided Middlesex County residents with vital services and millions of dollars in cost savings since the authority’s inception in 1990. By establishing and managing programs for curbside and yard waste recycling, long-term care, open space preservation, public financing, golf course operations, economic development and redevelopment, and community services, the MCIA has delivered services efficiently and effectively.

Richard Pucci, the executive director of the authority from the outset, is largely credited with building the MCIA into one of the largest and most effective authorities in the state. Under his leadership, the authority grew in its first year from one employee (Mr. Pucci) and a $37,000 balance sheet to 20 years later over 600 employees and a balance sheet of $65 million with net assets of $25 million.

With operations beginning in 1995, the countywide recycling program has been crucial in achieving substantial recycling goals for Middlesex County. As recycling rates experience a decrease statewide, Middlesex County’s rates have remained stabile. Middlesex County is the only county in New Jersey that has met or exceeded the state-mandated 60 percent recycling rate for 14 years, and the county has been ranked the No. 1 recycling county for four of those years.

The MCIA’s management of the Roosevelt Care Center Edison campus achieved “advisory standards” in the latest survey by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, an indication that the care services exceed state requirements. Management oversight has also resulted in lowering the annual subsidy by the county freeholders to the facility, with CPI annual adjustments, by $10.5 million, a substantial property tax savings to county residents from 1995-2010. The same care standards and fiscal responsibility are being applied to operations at the new Roosevelt Care Center at Old Bridge.

To date, the MCIA’s technical and legal due diligence has resulted in 7,457 acres of open space being acquired or placed under contract. And due diligence activities are ongoing in 2012 for further property acquisition throughout the county.

The authority’s financings have met the demands of bonding for municipalities backed by the county’s Triple A bond rating. Financings also resulted in the construction of five special needs schools, senior housing, student residences, municipal facilities, a youth detention center and a hotel/conference center. Financing also covered the acquisition of a wide array of capital equipment necessary for safety, technology and day-to-day operations of municipal governments. MCIA bonds have resulted in millions of dollars of savings for county taxpayers. And to date, 580 special needs students are being educated at MCIAfinanced schools; 263 seniors who have met income requirements are living in safety and security at the North Brunswick Senior Housing and the South Brunswick Senior Housing complexes; and 671 Rutgers students are taking advantage of downtown New Brunswick apartment living in Rockoff Hall.

The MCIA management of four county golf courses at three locations (East Brunswick, Piscataway, Plainsboro) has resulted in affordable recreation for Middlesex County residents, and the fees at the courses are some of the lowest public golf course fees in New Jersey.

As part of the MCIA Economic Development Department’s oversight of development and redevelopment projects, more than $2 million in state and federal funding has been acquired for environmental investigation and redevelopment planning. The funds have been dispersed to a number of Middlesex County municipalities. Community Service projects include the operation of the Middlesex County food bank known as MCFOODS (Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services). MCFOODS works to supply nonprofits with food and personal supplies for needy clients. In 2011, a record amount of food, 378 tons, was distributed throughout the county. A vast majority of goods are acquired through financial contributions and food drives that are held during the year.

Our track record speaks for itself. Each area of programming has been successful, and over a more than 20-year period, the MCIA has managed to preserve the quality of its programs as well as the cost-effectiveness of these programs. These goals have been particularly challenging during the economic downturn of the last few years, but our experience and professionalism have continued to produce the best results.

Leonard J. Roseman

Chairman

Middlesex County

Improvement Authority