Open space acquisition, transforming Roosevelt Care Center and continuing to upgrade county roads and facilities on 2016 agenda of Middlesex County the freeholders.
EDISON -- Purchasing new open space, and transforming Roosevelt Care Center into apartments for the elderly and veterans, are among the projects outlined Wednesday evening at the Middlesex County Board of Freeholders' reorganization meeting at Middlesex County College.
Freeholder Ronald Rios outlined the county's 2016 agenda after he and H. James Polos were sworn in for new three-year terms as freeholders and Elaine Flynn was sworn in for another term as county clerk.
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"2015 was a productive year for Middlesex County," Rios said. "But now it is time to focus on 2016."
He said construction will begin on turning Roosevelt Care Center in Edison, the historic building that has served for many decades as the county's nursing home, into 84 affordable apartments for senior citizens. Health care service will be part of the facilities.
Rios said veterans will have preferred status for 25 percent of the units.
"This is one small way we can say thank you to our veterans," Rios said.
The freeholder director said the county spent $9 million upgrading its emergency radio system last year and is now offering "our municipal partners a shared services opportunity to join the county's new radio system."
"This could save millions in tax dollars for those who choose to join us," Rios said.
The county plans to preserve more open space in 2016 as well, Rios said.
He said the county will add more acreage to Dismal Swamp, the environmentally sensitive area that spans South Plainfield and Edison. The property that county expects to purchase is in South Plainfield.
"Our history enthusiasts will be happy to hear that we also are pursuing the preservation of the 105-acre Story Farm in Monroe Township," Rios said. "The farm falls within the "Road to Monmouth' historic corridor. We would not only be saving precious open space, we would be preserving an important piece of our nation's history, as the Story Farm played a role in the Battle of Monmouth during the Revolutionary War."
Rios said the county will continue to add services available through the county website and bring in new sources of revenue to keep costs of county government under control.
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