2023 ISSUE 1 YOUR MIDDLESEX MA G A Z I N E
CONTENTS 02 AROUND THE COUNTY News and updates from our elected officials 04 FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Shanti Narra, Deputy Director Chair, Public Safety & Health Committee Claribel A. Azcona-Barber Chair, Community Services Committee Charles Kenny Chair, Transportation Committee Ronald G. Rios, Director Chair, Administration, Ex-Officio Chair of All Committees
Board of County Commissioners gathers with state, county, and local officials, and residents for annual Reorganization Meeting
06 THE COUNTY’S
LEADING TOGETHER for an even brighter future.
TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY For more than a decade, the County has been building a brighter future for those who call Middlesex County home
Leslie Koppel Chair, Finance Committee
08 BUILDING THE FUTURE
Learn how the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan will transform the Middlesex College campus
Chanelle Scott McCullum Chair, Economic Development Committee
10 FOOD FOR THOUGHT County’s “Get Food Smart” campaign is reducing food waste through education 14 WILL YOUR FAMILY BE PREPARED? Useful tips about wills from the Office of the Surrogate
Charles E. Tomaro Chair, Infrastructure Committee
THE COVER
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
SCAN TO VIEW MAGAZINE OR CONNECT WITH US ONLINE, OR CALL 732-745-3000
Nancy J. Pinkin County Clerk
The cover image was captured in one of the Rutgers University Floriculture Greenhouses on Nichol Avenue in New Brunswick. Five separate greenhouses, totaling 8,000 square feet and each with its own climate zone, are home to hundreds of plants. The Floriculture Greenhouses complex, part of the Plant Biology Department in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, is 15,000 square feet of protected tropical and sub-tropical environments and outdoor gardens. Used by students for classes, student farms, and research space, the Floriculture Greenhouses are also open to the public Monday through Friday and host plant sales throughout the year. For more information, visit plantbiology.rutgers.edu/floriculture-greenhouse.html
Mildred S. Scott Sheriff
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE The Your Middlesex County magazine is a 16-page publication produced three times a year and mailed to every household in Middlesex County, NJ. The magazine shares the latest news and events from around Middlesex County. It also features information on programs, initiatives, and capital projects spearheaded by County offices for the benefit of residents and the business community – to ensure Middlesex County is the best place to live, work, and play. The magazine is produced on behalf of the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners.
Claribel Cortes Surrogate
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Around the County
AROUND THE
of holiday shopping to over 120 families in need in the County. Originally started in 1997, Project GIFT has since reached over 6,500 youth, fundraising, given more than 20,000 gifts, and helped teens engage in over 75,000 hours of community service. raised almost $250,000 through donations and COMMISSIONERS SWORN IN DURING 2023 REORGANIZATION MEETING The Board of County Commissioners hosted its annual Reorganization Meeting on January 5 at Middlesex College. County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios was once again sworn in to serve another term as the board’s director, alongside re-elected commissioners Claribel Azcona Barber, Charles Kenny, and Chanelle Scott McCullum, as well as Sheriff Mildred Scott. Read more on page 4 . PAN AFRICAN FLAG RAISING To celebrate Black History Month, the Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Middlesex County African flagon February 4 in honor and remembrance of all the Black Americans who sacrificed their lives to fight for Young Democrats Black Caucus, raised the Pan-
MADD LAW ENFORCEMENT RECOGNITION BRUNCH HONORED THE 2022 “TOP COPS” FOR DWI ARRESTS IN THE STATE The MADD Law Enforcement Recognition Awards on December 1, 2022 highlighted the hard work and positive results of New Jersey’s “Top Cops” for DWI arrests and the difference they are making in our communities. County Commissioner Deputy Director Shanti Narra represented the residents of Middlesex County, thanking the cops for their continued dedication.
2023 SENIOR FRAUD PREVENTION CONFERENCE On March 9, the Middlesex County Offices of Aging & Disabled Services in collaboration with the Offices of the Prosecutor; Consumer Affairs and Weights & Measures; and the Surrogate; as well as Piscataway Senior Center, hosted this year’s Senior Fraud Prevention Conference. The event highlighted the common types of fraud and how older adults (60+) should protect themselves from online, phone, and door-to- door fraud. The event was open to all older adults (60+), caregivers, and those who serve the older population. FORUM HIGHLIGHTED STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN THE MEDICAL FIELD The Middlesex County Campaign to End Stigma, in collaboration with Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Healthier Middlesex, and Middlesex County Municipal Alliance, hosted
FUN FACT The Edison Tower is a 134-foot tall tower opened in 1938 as a memorial to the famous inventor Thomas Edison, who had his Menlo Park laboratory located in the nearby town of Edison.
COUNTY
a forum on March 9 which provided education and resources on how to best serve our community to medical and public health professionals. To learn more about Middlesex County’s campaign to end stigma, please visit: middlesexcountynj.gov and search “Campaign to End Stigma.” READ ACROSS AMERICA! County Commissioners Charles Kenny and Chanelle Scott McCullum, County Clerk Nancy Pinkin, and members of the Sheriff’s and Prosecutor’s Offices visited schools around the County to read books to students for Read Across America day, an annual event that celebrates and encourages reading.
Commissioner Charles Kenny reading to students for Read Across America
change. A series of speakers and honorees highlighted the accomplishments this community has achieved. COUNTY AND RUTGERS UNIVERSITY HOST ‘PARTNERING TO PRIORITIZE OUR STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH’ EVENT Middlesex County’s Office of the Superintendent of Schools partnered with Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) to host an event on February 9, for school mental health professionals on the crisis of student mental health in the post-pandemic environment DOMINICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FLAG RAISING To commemorate the Dominican Republic’s 179
Dominican Republic flag on February 25. The event celebrated the rich history and culture of the Dominican community in Middlesex County with music, food, and performances. MIDDLESEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE PRESENTS $6,100 TO BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Members of Middlesex County leadership and the Police Benevolent Association Local 214 and Superior Officers Association Local 214, on behalf of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, presented a check to the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital on February 13. Over the last four years, the annual Middlesex County Police Charity Softball tournament has raised approximately $24,860.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY 4-H’S PROJECT GIFT CELEBRATED 25 YEARS OF GIVING The 4-H Youth Development Program hosted their 25th Project GIFT on December 18, 2022. The annual event provides a free day
FUN FACT Did you know the famous mascot for the Borden Dairy Company, Elsie the Cow, is buried at her home in the Walker-Gordon Farm in Plainsboro, NJ?
The Board of County Commissioners celebrated the swearing-in ceremonies of their colleagues and shared a vision for a Brighter Future in Middlesex County at the Reorganization Meeting
years of independence on February 27, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners raised the
Commissioner Shanti Narra with Prosecutor Ciccone and her office
Commissioner Azcona-Barber at the Dominican Flag Raising ceremony
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2 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
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CARTERET CRANBURY DUNELLEN EAST BRUNSWICK EDISON HELMETTA HIGHLAND PARK JAMESBURG METUCHEN MIDDLESEX MILLTOWN MONROE TOWNSHIP NEW BRUNSWICK NORTH BRUNSWICK OLD BRIDGE PERTH AMBOY PISCATAWAY PLAINSBORO SAYREVILLE SOUTH AMBOY SOUTH BRUNSWICK SOUTH PLAINFIELD Building the Future
Over the past year, my colleagues and I have been proud to see our community overcome challenges and fulfill
the promise of a brighter future – for our residents, for our businesses, and for our families.” - Commissioner Director Rios
In early January, in a packed theater on the Middlesex College campus, the Board of County Commissioners hosted its annual Reorganization Meeting. County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios was selected by the Board to serve another term as its director and Shanti Narra once again elected by her colleagues as Deputy Director. Recently reelected County Commissioners Claribel A. Azcona-Barber, Charles Kenny, and Chanelle Scott McCullum ― as well as Sheriff Mildred S. Scott ― all took the oath of office. Rios later addressed the capacity crowd ― which included Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and other state, County, and local officials as well as County residents ― sharing the Board’s vision for building a brighter future for the County in the coming year, focusing on key areas such as infrastructure, education, and quality of life. He also reflected on the accomplishments of the past year, much of which he attributed to the County’s ability to create and foster vital partnerships and its financial strength. To view a full video of the event, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/reorg.
FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE
SOUTH RIVER SPOTSWOOD WOODBRIDGE 4 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
A voluptatem omnis et
Building the Future
For more than a decade, Middlesex County has been on a transformative journey
Located in the heart of New Jersey, Middlesex County is one of the most connected counties in the state. We continue to collaborate with state and local partners to transform our transportation landscape, allowing for broader access within and beyond our borders. In New Brunswick, we recently announced a reimagining of the New Brunswick Train Station. The improvements will celebrate our rich past by marrying the history of the station’s main building ― built more than 120 years ago ― with the modern amenities and technologies needed to support a bustling train station for the future. The renovated station will better connect people with state-of-the-art facilities like the HELIX, an innovation hub, and the Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, both coming soon to the County’s seat of New Brunswick. A few miles down the track in North Brunswick, progress continues on the North Brunswick Train Station. This new station, the construction of which is being managed by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) in a first-of-its-kind partnership with NJ Transit, will sit on the Northeast Corridor Line, the state’s busiest rail line, and provide better access to and from the County for commuters and visitors. We are also working closely with South Amboy and Carteret, both of whom are moving full-steam-ahead on developing ferry terminals that will connect our County directly with New York City. CONNECT
centered on making strategic business decisions and investments that have a lasting, positive impact on those who live, work, and play here.
This journey began with the development of a strong financial strategy, which was later paired with a unique branding initiative. The combination allowed us the financial freedom to invest in the community and increase awareness of our offerings throughout the region. Since embarking on this journey in 2008, we have grown our surplus year after year; decreased debt by $280 million; and maintained a coveted AAA bond rating, all which allow for key investments that grow our economy and improve the quality of life long-term, including investments in healthcare, education, transportation, arts and culture, and business. We envision a future that connects the County to its neighbors both geographically and culturally through regional transportation projects and high- caliber performing arts centers; changes to the educational landscape to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs, inventors, collaborators, and contributors; and better access to cutting-edge healthcare treatment and innovative, state-of-the-art spaces. Come along with us as we take a look at how our past is shaping our future.
These projects will allow for broader access in and around our borders, easing commutes on major thorough fares, attracting new revenue to the region, and allowing those within and beyond Middlesex County to better access our recreational facilities like our 19 County parks, our more than 13,000 acres of open space and preserved farmland, and our many performing arts centers.
Rendering of the future North Brunswick Train Station
COUNTY CAPITAL PROJECTS TIMELINE
2018
2019
2020
APRIL
JULY
AUGUST
APRIL
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
JANUARY
Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center
Avenel Performing Arts Center opens.
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center opens.
North Brunswick Train Station announcement, designating MCIA as project manager.
Residence at Roosevelt Park opens.
Carteret Performing Arts Center groundbreaking.
RWJBarnabas Health partnership for Roosevelt Care Centers begins.
Partnership between Hackensack Meridian Health and the Otlowski Center for Mental Health begins.
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6 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
Building the Future
Knowing how valuable and essential the arts are for our community to thrive, we created the Middlesex County Arts and Culture Trust Fund back in 2015 with the goal of developing new cultural and arts
ENRICH
facilities, as well as restoring, improving, and maintaining the facilities already treasured by Middlesex County. Since then, we’ve made strategic investments in the Carteret and Avenel Performing Arts Centers, the State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), and others. At the NBPAC, the County was a key partner in the development of the $172 million initiative, granting $6 million to the project. The center is transforming New Brunswick’s downtown cultural arts district through its performances at the building’s two theaters and rehearsal spaces which house the George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts, and American Repertory Ballet. And next door, we invested $12 million in the recent renovations of the 100-year- old State Theatre New Jersey, a County facility. Showcasing world-class artists from around the world and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, it is a significant economic driver for us. To tie all these entities together through collaboration, we created the Arts Institute in 2020 to ensure all residents in Middlesex County have the access and opportunity to participate in the arts, culture/folklife, and history experiences that enrich their lives.
Students from the Middlesex County Magnet Schools will soon have hands-on opportunities to learn at the Morris Cancer Center
We envision a future that grants better access to state-of-the-art innovative spaces and cutting-edge healthcare treatment for those within and around Middlesex County. To fulfill this vision, we have
THRIVE
State Theatre New Jersey reopening ribbon cutting, 2021
made key investments in projects ― like those already transforming the skyline of New Brunswick ― that contribute to our residents’ overall quality of life. These investments are the result of partnerships we’ve developed with key stakeholders such as RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health , as well as others around the County. The County is a core partner of the HELIX, and through the Improvement Authority (MCIA) , we plan to use our AAA bond rating to provide the financing mechanism for nearly $500 million in project funds for this facility. The HELIX will be a dynamic environment representing an investment in the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in New Jersey and will serve as the future command center for DataCity, our living laboratory for autonomous technology. With a $25 million investment in the Morris Cancer Center, we and our partners are creating an elite facility that will transform cancer care through a combination of research, education, and patient care. In addition to providing world-class cancer treatment for families right here in Middlesex County, the Center will provide opportunities for students at Middlesex College and the Middlesex County Magnet Schools through robust courses and hands- on internships. This pathway for oncology education will afford Middlesex County students exclusive access to educational curricula and content from a premier oncology center. After working closely with RWJBarnabas Health for years, we continue to cultivate a partnership with the healthcare giant through the hospital system’s management of the Roosevelt Care Centers in Edison and Old Bridge. This partnership is a perfect example of how the County, by partnering with best-in-class experts, can provide the best for our residents.
For over 100 years, Middlesex County has been providing an award-winning education to students in a variety of education tracks, making us an
The CIO Strategic Investment Plan is an unprecedented opportunity to cement Middlesex College’s place as one of the best two-year colleges in America by not only expanding the educational offerings of both the College and the Magnet School System, but by turning the campus and surrounding area into a multi-faceted destination for the Middlesex County community and the entire region. The CIO Strategic Investment Plan will drastically transform the outdoor activities available to families and individuals in Middlesex County and across the state. From cultural to recreational opportunities, from athletic to scholastic, this plan will improve the lives of so many in our community. Since its founding in 1964, Middlesex College has made it possible for so many residents to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. The CIO Strategic Investment Plan furthers that commitment and brings that opportunity to a new generation of learners.
GROW
academic destination for families throughout the region. In 2021, both Middlesex College and the Middlesex County Magnet Schools underwent a transformative brand and visual reimagining to better align these schools with the County’s own distinctive brand strategy and the region’s economic growth plans. These new identities ― including a redesign of the logos and mascots, and development of new names ― reinforced the message that Middlesex County schools are worthy first choices for parents and prospective students. Last autumn, we took this transformation a step further with the announcement of the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan which will transform the Middlesex College campus.
Renderings of the Middlesex College campus from the CIO Strategic Investment Plan
2021
2022
MAY
AUGUST
JUNE
OCTOBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
Carteret Performing Arts Center opens.
CIO Strategic Investment Plan announced.
Tamarack East Golf Course reopening.
New Brunswick Train Station renovations announcement.
HELIX groundbreaking.
State Theatre New Jersey reopens.
Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center groundbreaking.
Carteret Performing Arts Center groundbreaking.
$25 million committed to Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center.
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8 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
Get Food Smart
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Get Food Smart shares the truth about freshness guidelines
Reducing food waste will help the County meet its recycling goal, but how can that be done? Early in 2021, the Sustainable Organic Materials Management Group held a series of meetings that for the first time brought together various County groups with diverse views on waste and food to discuss the issue. The Division of Solid Waste Management and REPLENISH both took part in the meetings, and the “Get Food Smart” campaign was born. The goal of “Get Food Smart” is not only to educate the public about freshness guidelines so that they know what is safe to eat or donate, but to teach people how to extend the life of foods by freezing, cooking, or otherwise preserving. To give people ideas for how to incorporate canned or other prepackaged foods into their meals, REPLENISH shares easy-to-make recipes that use pantry staples. This education is being done through a collaboration with municipal coordinators, and through a social media public awareness campaign, launched in 2022. “There is obviously a need for this campaign: We get a lot of questions, so we know that people are confused,” said Tolmachewich. “We’re working
is thrown w er b ech Middesex Count resident. 500 pounds of food
Food waste accounts for 21 - 22% of the municipal solid waste stream here in the County. Carole Tolmachewich Principal Planner, Solid Waste Management
to educate them because it’s a new message. It’s about reeducating everyone, including in our schools so that we can teach the young ones the correct information right from the start.” “I’ve been with the County for 30 years, and Jen just about as long; this really brought us together to work on a project where we hadn’t had too much opportunity to collaborate in the past.” Visit middlesexcountynj.gov/getfoodsmart to learn more about the “Get Food Smart” campaign and how you can help reduce food waste.
“Sell By.” “Best By.” “Use By.” We are all used to seeing these words, accompanied by a month and year, on food items including packaged and canned goods. But what do these dates mean? Are they actually the cut-off date for when an item is safe to eat? As it turns out: No. In fact, those dates, known as “freshness guidelines,” are just that – guidelines. Created by food manufacturers, these freshness guidelines, and the confusion surrounding them, cause a substantial amount of food waste in the United States, including right here in Middlesex County. “The reality is that food date labels are ONLY mandated for shellfish, dairy products, and baby formula, and should be followed for those three categories. All other sell by, best by, and use by dates are manufacturer-suggested guidelines. The food is safe beyond those dates,” said Jennifer Apostol, director of REPLENISH. “Public perception is that any food past the sell by, best by, or use by date is no longer safe to eat. This is simply not true.” With food insecurity a major issue nationwide and here in Middlesex County, it is crucial that people understand the true meaning of sell by, best by, and use by dates, in order to reduce food waste.
And food insecurity is not the only reason food waste is an issue for Middlesex County. New Jersey requires every county to develop a solid waste management plan that includes goals for source reduction and recycling. According to Carole Tolmachewich, principal planner in the Division of Solid Waste Management within the Department of Public Safety & Health, as a County, we have never met our municipal solid waste recycling goal. Paper is the biggest component of solid waste, but the County has successful recycling programs in place to deal with paper and cardboard. The next largest component is food waste which has been more challenging to manage. “Food waste accounts for approximately 21% to 22% of the municipal solid waste stream here in the County,” said Tolmachewich. “In fact, 500 pounds of food is thrown away every year by each Middlesex County resident.”
of the entire U.S. food supp is wsted. 30 - 40%
63 miion tons of wsted food ws generted in 2018 , just in the U.S.
SCAN FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTE TIPS!
10 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
From Our Offices
Will your family be prepared? Why updating your will now can help your family later on According to a survey from senior living referral service Caring.com only 33% of Americans have a will or living trust. This means 67% are leaving what happens to them and their estates to others, including the state. To ensure final wishes are executed as intended, the Middlesex County Surrogate’s Office encourages everyone to draft or update their will this month.
Protecting people, property, and infrastructure County receives more than $1.1 million in federal funds to fight flooding In less than two weeks in 2021, Middlesex County suffered $40 million dollars in damage due to flooding caused by Tropical Storms Henri and Ida, which dumped several inches of rain on the region and hit the southern portion of the County especially hard. Flooding is the most frequent and damaging natural hazard facing Middlesex County, which is why we launched the Southern Middlesex County Flood Mitigation and Resilience Project. That initiative recently received a substantial boost, thanks to more than $1.1 million in federal funding secured through the efforts of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. The funds will enable the County to navigate the effects of climate change as the regional issue it is, identifying ways to slow or mitigate the impact of flooding in our communities. The funding is part of the federal appropriations bill that Congress passed in December. Menendez and Watson Coleman announced the funding in February.
HERE ARE HELPFUL TIPS FROM THE SURROGATE’S OFFICE:
AVOID DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN LOVED ONES A will lowers family disputes once you’re gone, avoiding any friction that could damage family bonds. It also eliminates the guesswork at what your final wishes were. ENSURE YOUR MINOR CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR Without a will you lose the privilege of naming a guardian for your minor children. This is vital, particularly if your spouse should not survive you. If you fail to nominate a guardian in your will, a court will appoint a guardian.
SAVE YOUR HEIRS TIME AND MONEY Making a will can save your family the cost of a bond. In your will, you decide to whom, when, and in what amounts your assets should go to. Having a will may avoid a forced sale of your property or costly and tedious applications to the courts for the right to sell it.
APPOINT AN EXECUTOR When selecting an executor or personal representative — the person who shall be responsible for the disposition of the estate — it is important to pick someone who is capable and trustworthy. From closing bank accounts to liquidating assets, the person you choose as an executor is the person who will be in charge of wrapping up your affairs. If you do not name an executor or personal representative, your property may not be distributed as you wish, and thus cause hardship for those you want to safeguard most.
“ “ “ I’m proud to announce that more than $1.1 million Central Jersey has long suffered from deadly flooding. Due to climate change, that flooding is
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With this funding, we will be able to continue to identify and address gaps in flood resiliency within the Southern Middlesex County region. It will also enable us to continue working with municipalities and our other valued partners to implement more effective mitigation techniques that will better protect our people, property, and key infrastructure.” County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios Tropical Storm Henri devasted the lives of many in Monroe Township in 2021. My colleagues in the 14th Legislative District and I have worked to secure state funds to address and study the mitigation of catastrophic floods in our area. I am extremely happy that Senator Bob Menendez and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman have heard the people of Monroe and have joined in the effort to secure an additional $1.1 million in federal funding for flood mitigation planning.” New Jersey Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo
Extensive, costly damage from storms in recent years has shown the need to strengthen flood resilience in southern Middlesex County in the face of extreme weather events to come. I’m proud to work with Sen. Menendez and Rep. Watson Coleman to secure this federal funding to strengthen Middlesex County’s flood durability and protect homes and businesses.” Senator Cory Booker Monroe Township residents have struggled with extreme flooding for years, really experiencing the worst more recently during Tropical Storm Henri. Combined with the state’s previous grant, these federal planning funds will ensure that we find ways to keep our residents safe from the increasing severity of floods due to climate change.” New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Benson
of federal funding will be dedicated towards addressing gaps in flood resiliency planning in southern Middlesex County which in recent years has felt the devastating impacts of repeated flooding, including from Tropical Storm Henri and Hurricane Ida. Working together with regional partners, Middlesex County will make sure that their work takes into account the most vulnerable and underserved residents to provide solutions that are equitable, innovative, and inclusive.” U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Tropical Storm Henri was a major flooding event in Monroe Township, particularly in the Rossmoor Senior Community, and we need to explore long- term regional mitigations in response to a steady increase in storm frequency and intensity. We are thankful to Senator Menendez and Congresswoman Watson Coleman for funding this vitally important study by Middlesex County, that will lead to solutions in mitigating future flooding events.” Monroe Mayor Stephen Dalina
“ becoming more frequent and more severe. By acting now, we can protect generations to come,” Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman I am grateful for the efforts of our federal partners, Senator Menendez and Congresswoman Watson Coleman, in securing additional funding to address flooding in Southern Middlesex County. For almost a decade we have collaborated with local officials in order to find solutions that improve emergency responses to severe and repeated flooding in the area. These federal funds are a valuable next step in helping to identify and fight
A WILL GIVES PEACE OF MIND While some people put off creating or updating their will due to superstitions or time restraints, having a will gives many people peace of mind in knowing their wishes will be met after they’re gone. And remember a will only addresses your current circumstances, so it’s important to update it over time as your needs change.
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To ensure your will stands up in court, reach out to an attorney who specializes in will drafting or estate planning. The attorney can guide you to the best decisions and ensure that your will is properly phrased, witnessed, and completed correctly. For additional information on the County’s role in probating a will, please visit: middlesexcountynj.gov and search “Wills” .
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Protecting against property and mortgage fraud County Clerk offers free fraud alert service
flood impacts.” State Senator Linda Greenstein
property, one of your most important assets, sign up for this free service provided by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office.” While our Property Alert Service can’t prevent property fraud, it can ensure residents are notified in a timely fashion when documents are filed for a specific property or an individual’s name, ultimately helping users identify unauthorized or fraudulent activity. To access this free tool, visit middlesexcountynj.gov and search “property alert.”
In an effort to combat property and mortgage fraud, Middlesex County Clerk Nancy Pinkin encourages property owners to protect their property and mortgage with the Middlesex County Property Alert Service. This free service notifies subscribers via email alerts whenever a document is recorded in the Clerk’s Office with data that matches the property legal description (municipality, block, and lot) or party name. “Unfortunately, property and mortgage fraud is a fast-growing crime in the United States. Scams are often committed against property owners in the form of fake deeds or liens, which can go unnoticed for years,” said Clerk Pinkin. “To protect your
County elected officials were joined by federal, state, and local officials at the Flood Mitigation Plan Study announcement held in Monroe.
SCAN HERE FOR FREE PROPERTY ALERT SERVICE
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12 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners County Administration Building 75 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901
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