Freeholders Gary J. Rich Sr. and Serena DiMaso became freeholder director and deputy director, respectively, at the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders’ 2015 organization meeting held at Biotechnology High School, Freehold Township.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as the 2015 freeholder director and to begin my second term as a county freeholder,” Rich said. “I plan to focus my efforts on bringing the best of our traditions and ideals forward and working to produce a model of government fit for the 21st century.”
Prior to the selection of the board leadership at the January reorganization meeting, Rich and Freeholder Lillian G. Burry were sworn into office to begin serving three-year terms.
Looking ahead to the new year, Burry said, “2015 will be the year of a new comprehensive county master plan. Only the third in our history — and it will be a uniquely powerful resource for our municipalities, school districts, businesses and residents. It will both better inform decision making and provide valuable insights into many areas of county life.”
DiMaso addressed the changes to the newly named Mosquito Control Advisory Board, formerly known as the mosquito extermination commission.
“While the commission just marked its 100th year of service to the county and has changed its name, their mission will not change; the only change will be a savings to the residents,” DiMaso said. “By integrating the commission into county government we have combined like services and employee tasks. This busy and important board responded to over 700 calls and, for 2015, has been awarded a $77,000 Community Development Block Grant to further enhance mosquito surveillance.”
Freeholder John P. Curley highlighted the challenges of the county’s Department of Human Services as residents in need put demands on the many social services that assist with food, shelter, transportation and medical needs.
“The coming year we will have even more financial hurdles that we will have to overcome,” Curley said. “Many of our residents still are not home due to superstorm Sandy. This continues to put a huge hole in our tax base. However difficult as this is, we cannot put additional burdens on our taxpayers and residents. I look forward to removing the financial burden of the countyoperated nursing homes from our balance sheet.”
Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone noted that Monmouth County’s shared-services initiatives continue to maximize county resources while providing the equipment and manpower to assist towns with important projects.
“We are also helping local businesses,” Arnone said. “Eleven business roundtables have helped to cut the red tape and improve communications between businesses and municipal leaders. Tourism spending was up by 5 percent last year; money generated by tourism in our restaurants, stores, boardwalks and beaches has a positive impact on our local economy.”