Green Brook's Patricia Walsh Sworn-In for Third Freeholders Term

Patrick Scaglione, of Bridgewater, was named 2014 director of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders at the board’s annual reorganization meeting, which included the oath of office for Green Brook resident Patricia Walsh's third-term. 

The meeting was held on a snowy Jan. 3 at the Historic Courthouse.  

Mark Caliguire of Montgomery will serve as deputy director this year.

A former Bridgewater Township Council president, Scaglione joined the Freeholder Board in 2010 and was deputy director last year. Caliguire, who served as Montgomery Township mayor for two years during his time on the Township Committee there, filled a one-year unexpired term before being elected to a full three-year term as Freeholder last year.  

“Somerset County is recognized as one of the premier counties in the country,” Freeholder Director Scaglione said in his inaugural remarks.  “This is due in large part to the work of many of the people in this room.”  

He thanked and commended his fellow Freeholders, the three elected constitutional officers, municipal and legislative officials, the county management team and staff as well as the hundreds of volunteers “who drive our very successful county programs.”

“Somerset County’s quality of life remains one of the county’s strongest attractions, to residents and to businesses,” the new director noted after the meeting.  “In recent years Hillsborough, Franklin, Warren, Bridgewater and other municipalities have made national lists of ‘best places to live.’  This speaks to their amenities as well as to the effectiveness of their elected officials.”

Recognition was received this past year for the Regional Center Partnership, the Borough of Somerville’s Division Street makeover, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and the county’s many “green” initiatives.

In 2014, the Board of Freeholders will focus on managing the county budget, maintaining essential services and continuing to participate in and foster shared services with and among municipalities.  Two key projects slated for significant progress in 2014 are Skillman Park in Montgomery and the creation of a regional park on the site of the former Belle Mead Supply Depot in Hillsborough.

Freeholder Director Scaglione also plans to promote the Somerset County Business Partnership Executive Committee’s three top objectives—increasing business resources, reusing significant properties and reducing the regulatory burden on business and industry.

“This year I want to foster continued collaboration by the county, the Business Partnership, tourism, the regional center, our business and commercial areas and downtowns,” he said.  “Joining forces will enable us to collectively promote the things that make Somerset County a great place to live and work.”

The other members of the Freeholder Board are Peter Palmer, of Bernardsville and Robert Zaborowski, of Franklin.

Frank J. Provenzano of Raritan took the oath of office for his fifth term as Somerset County Sheriff.