Old Bridge, county team to buy hybrid police cars MICHAEL ACKER Old Bridge Mayor Jim Phillips and other officials look over one of the new hybrid police cars during last week's press conference. OLD BRIDGE - The township is the first town in Middlesex County to purchase two hybrid vehicles with help from a new grant program. The two vehicles will be used by the township's police department. "We are proud to be the first municipality to partner with the county in this grant program," Old Bridge Mayor Jim Phillips said. "It's in everyone's best interest to protect the environment." North Brunswick and Woodbridge townships have also purchased two new hybrid vehicles each, and are currently applying for the Middlesex County Showroom of Environmental Technology grants. The county showroom uses existing programs as a model for municipalities and creates training programs for the new technology. The grant awarded $1,000 total to Old Bridge for both vehicles, which helped the township buy two 2006 Honda Civic Hybrids. The grant is part of the county's "green initiative." The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) designated Middlesex County the first county in the state to make a commitment to creating an environmentally sustainable community. This requires that the county manage its natural resources and environmental assets for the benefit of present and future generations, while maintaining the county's economy. The county itself has a fleet of 30 hybrid vehicles, which officials said is the largest such fleet in the state. The two new hybrid police cars were unveiled at a press conference held at the Old Bridge municipal complex last week, where Phillips spoke alongside DEP representative Athena Sarafides, state Sen. Robert Smith (D-Middlesex) and county Freeholder H. James Polos. Phillips thanked Peter Ghaw of the Route 9 Honda dealership where the hybrids were purchased. Ghaw sold the hybrids to the township for $17,200 each, Phillips said. Smith said that the government will have a positive impact on residents by "operating green." Polos, who chairs the county's Public Works and Transportation Committee, agreed but said the federal government has failed to address issues related to global warming. "By working with our local partners," Polos said, "we can have a significant impact on sustainability and using technology that will have a real impact on global warming." The county listed several sustainability initiatives in a press release, including an open space program, a curbside recycling program, transit shuttles, and solar panels to be installed at the Middlesex County Cooperative Extension building in North Brunswick. Another county initiative, Common Cents, is a cooperative purchasing program where the county assists municipalities in reducing costs for such services as natural gas and electricity, as well as supplies and equipment.