County’s $139M Budget Whisks Through; Farewells, Welcomes, Salute to Scouts, Red Cross

CREST HAVEN – Passage of the county’s $139.1-million budget Tue., Feb. 28 was just an agenda item that zipped through without public questions, in a busy, emotional meeting filled with Red Cross volunteers, Girl Scouts, cookies, flowers and farewells. There were also a couple of welcomes during the afternoon session.
The most important official segment, hearing of the budget that will fund county operations for the calendar year, puzzled even Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, who was ready to field inquiries. The budget will raise $94.6 million through taxes that will increase the tax rate by less than one cent per $100 of assessed value to 19 cents. Thus, on average, the county will be funded by $190 per $100,000 of assessed value.
But the room was filled with county department heads, mandated to attend in the event there was a question about their sections, and Girl Scouts, Daisies and Brownies from 12 troops that host 400 scouts from throughout the county. They were there to help mark the centennial of Girl Scouting in the nation.
To mark that festive occasion, under auspices of Ellen Byrne, district executive, the scouts administered the Girl Scout Oath to Freeholders Kristine Gabor and M. Susan Sheppard. Gabor said she had never been a Girl Scout; Sheppard was a scout who was “rededicated” at the meeting.
After a group photo, the scouts offered freeholders a tray of Girl Scout cookies.
Prior to that photo session, Southern Shore Chapter of the Red Cross was presented with a resolution by the board that recognizes March as Red Cross Month in the county.
Bidding adieu to county employment after 38 years was Roxanne Catarcio, deputy clerk of the board. She ends 38 years of county employment. According to Thornton, Catarcio entered the county as a high school senior on a work program as a clerk typist. She remained and worked her way up to the senior position, he added.
Elizabeth Bozzelli, director of Department of Aging, was appointed acting deputy clerk of the board. She presented Catarcio with a bouquet and wished her the best on her retirement. Through a shared services agreement Donna Groom will be working along with Bozzelli (who will be working there part-time as well) for a six month period.
Also attending his final freeholder meeting was county Chief Financial Officer Edmund Grant. County Engineer Dale Foster, who had worked for many years with Grant, joked that “With Ed Grant deciding to depart, Foster Grant is going to be separated.”
Grant had worked with the county since 1970 when he began at the county airport with Economic Development.
Assuming Grant’s post will be Francine Springer, who was appointed acting chief financial officer by action of freeholders.
During a caucus prior to the regular meeting, freeholders:
• Discussed renewed enforcement of the county residency resolution, on the books since 1980 but not enforced. There are 47 county employees who have informed the county they reside outside the border. Part of the discussion centered on the county’s high unemployment rate and that payroll paid to local employees helps local businesses by bolstering the county’s economy.
• Heard Assistant County Counsel James Arsenault outline a Union County freeholders’ legal case, under the Open Public Records Act, that forced that county to release a mailing list of senior citizens’ home addresses to a watchdog advocate. Thornton noted that legislation should be introduced to amend the law to forbid release of private citizens’ home addresses.
• Discussed, and passed a resolution at the regular meeting, to name a road on the county 4-H Fairground as “Betty Jean Lane” in honor of retired county 4-H Agent Betty Jean Webersinn. She was unable to attend the meeting due to illness in her family, but her husband, John Webersinn, vice president of the 4-H Foundation, attended and voiced support for the proposal.
• Discussed opposing the 20 percent rate hike requested by New Jersey-American Water Company. Some municipalities in the county are served by that utility.
• Heard Dr. Peter J. Bosak, superintendent. Department of Mosquito Control and Assistant Superintendent Matthew Diem, tell of projects that would improve the flow of water, and thereby reduce mosquitoes, and reduce phragmites at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary and Armacost Park, Avalon.