Middlesex County freeholder James Polos has resigned to take $180,000-a-year job as director of the county improvement.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- After 18 years as a Middlesex County freeholder, James Polos has resigned to become executive director of the Middlesex County Improvement authority.
Long-time Middlesex County Freeholder James Polos resigned from office is expected to become executive director of the Middlesex County Utilities Authority. (Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media or NJ.com) Polos announced his resignation at the freeholder's meeting last week, said freeholder director Ron Rios. The executive director position pays $180,000-a-year annually.
"I think it's a great move for both Jim and the improvement authority," Rios said.
Polos "has excellent experience as a councilman and mayor (of Highland Park). He's run a business for more than 20 years. He brings a lot of experience to the improvement authority," Rios said.
The authority board is expected to approve Polos for the job at the meeting Thursday, said Leonard Roseman, the board chairman.
"His qualities match our needs," Roseman said.
Polos will succeed former director Richard Pucci, who lead the authority from the day it began in 1990. Pucci retired in December 2015.
The authority, which uses its bonding power to assist municipalities in financing capital improvement projects, has an annual operating budget of $9.45 million. The authority also owns and manages the Roosevelt Care Center facilities in Edison and Old Bridge, with an annual budget of $50.3 million.
The authority also operates a county curbside recycling program, and manages three golf courses.
Polos did not respond to a message seeking a comment.
Democrats control all seven seats on the freeholder board. Rios said the county Democratic Committee will nominate a candidate to fill Polos' seat.
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