Walsh Named Freeholder Director

Patricia Walsh, of Green Brook, was named Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders Director at Friday's reorganization meeting.

Freeholder Peter Palmer, of Bernardsville, was named deputy director, and sworn in for his sixth term.

Also on the board of chosen freeholders is Franklin resident Robert Zaborowski, who was sworn in for his fifth term; Patrick Scaglione, of Bridgewater; and Montgomery resident , who was chosen to fill the one-year unexpired term of elected Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.

According to a release from the county, Walsh pointed out in her inaugural address that the county took part in weathering two very major storms in 2011, namely Irene in August and the October snowstorm.

"I want to again thank and commend the first responders, emergency management and public works teams, state, county and municipal employees, local organizations and the many volunteers who came forward to respond to these storms," she said, according to the release. "We were fortunate to have no loss of life in Somerset County during either event."

And the next year, Walsh said, will have many financial challenges.

"The next 12 to 24 months are going to be just as challenging and will require even greater cooperation if we are to continue our long-standing tradition of exemplary services coupled with a strong financial underpinning that is based on solid planning and sound budgeting," she said, according to the release.

Walsh said, according to the release, that the county has received more than $60 million in grant funds, with $35.2 million for the Route 22 and Chimney Rock Road interchange, in Bridgewater, which is expected to begin construction this year.

Among the 2011 accomplishments, Walsh said, are the construction of solar panels on 36 public sector properties, open space acquisitions and other work.

In 2012, Walsh said, some of the upcoming plans include the completion of the North County Public Works Facility in Bridgewater; bringing Somerville, Raritan and Bernards to the county 911 dispatch system; building a new social services building in Somerville; creating recycling drop-off locations around the county; and completing a police consolidation study in March, which includes the possibility of a centrally located sector of it in Bridgewater.

Walsh, according to the release, also touched on the passing of former freeholder Vernon Noble and Assemblyman Pete Biondi. The Talmage Avenue flood-control bridge will be named in memory of Noble, and the Hillsborough Township Municipal Building will be named after Biondi.