Crabiel in, Fernicola out for freeholder race Director, 77, says he wants to see projects through to fruition BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer At least two changes are in the works for the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. David B. Crabiel One longtime Middlesex County freeholder will retire later this year, while another recently resigned so he could be appointed as county administrator.Meanwhile, David B. Crabiel, the longtime freeholder director, has announced he will seek reelection in November. Freeholder Camille Fernicola said she will retire at the end of her fourth term, on Dec. 31. Fernicola has been on the freeholders board for 11 years, serving as chair of the Committee of Engineering and Planning, liaison to the Middlesex County Utilities Authority and co-chair of the County Sustainability Committee. "It has been an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Middlesex County," Fernicola said. "I have been fortunate to work with so many fine public servants who give tirelessly of their time." Accomplishments over the years that stand out in Fernicola's mind include the preservation of thousands of acres of open space; continuing improvements to the county's recycling program; improvements to traffic safety; the replacement of more than three dozen bridges; reduction of underground storage tanks, as well as ensuring that existing tanks met with Department of Environmental Protection regulations; and oversight of the first county-wide wastewater management plans, and development of a major watershed protection and restoration plan, she said. Camille Fernicola Fernicola also said she worked with the Middlesex County Urban Forestry Committee and established both the South Central Middlesex County Flood Control Project and the county Open Space and Recreation Advisory Committee. In addition, she played an instrumental role in the passage of the Open Space and Recreation Plan of 2003. Initiating the county Open Space and Recreation Bicyc le/Pedestrian Grant Program in 2006, Fernicola helped to bring over $1.5 million in funding to municipalities for pedestrian and bike paths. "I am especially proud of the Middlesex County Bicycle/ Pedestrian Task Force … which I formed the year I took office," Fernicola said. "The task force has been a strong and vocal proponent for making county and state transportation projects safe and compatible for pedestrian and bicycle use. It has assisted our municipalities in seeking and utilizing various funding programs, as well as advancing such initiatives as the county's bicycle/pedestrian plan, the New Brunswick Bikeway and the County's portion of the East Coast Greenway, to name a few." Before being elected as a freeholder in 1997, the lifelong Democrat served 15 years on the Township Council in Piscataway. She has been a member of the Middlesex County Democratic Committee for 34 years and a member of the New Jersey State Committee for 11 years. Fernicola has been involved with the League of Women Voters for over two decades. She is employed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and is the regional manager in the office of community relations. Fernicola said she is looking forward to spending more time on self-improvement and concentrating on various projects. Meanwhile, Freeholder John Pulomena stepped down from his seat earlier this month, after serving on the board since 1998. It is expected that the freeholders will soon appoint him to serve as county administrator, succeeding Walter A. DeAngelo, who is retiring in May. The freeholders are expected appoint Pulomena's replacement on the board during the Middlesex County Democratic Organization's convention on March 5 at the Pines Manor in Edison. Crabiel, 77, has been a freeholder for 27 years and director of the board for 12, and he is not ready to quit just yet. "I debated over whether to run again or not ... and I just decided that it would be better if I run again," Crabiel said. "I have an excellent record in the county as a freeholder, and I love politics." He added that he does not want to leave his post until he sees a couple of important projects through to completion. Crabiel said he wants to see the freeholders receive payment on a $39 million loan it issued to the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA). The freeholders are anticipating $29 million of the sum to be paid back within 60 days, he said. The loan was given in order to help kick-start redevelopment of the 400-acre former National Lead property through condemnation. Residential, office and retail spaces are proposed for the site, as well as a performing arts center and outdoor amphitheater. "I've been a fighter to reclaim that property for beneficial use," Crabiel said. A county extended-care facility has also been a priority. The freeholders have plans to purchase a 14.8-acre site in Old Bridge for $2 million. The new facility will allow for the remaining 180 patients at the old Roosevelt Hospital in Edison to be moved from the aging structure. Constructed during the Depression era as a tuberculosis hospital and considered a historic building, the facility is not sufficient to meet the needs of its current population, Crabiel said. Once the building is empty, it will be converted to senior housing. The new care center will be modeled after the Edison facility, according to Crabiel. An outstanding feature of the facility will be that individuals will receive the same level of care, regardless of their financial status, he said. Other goals Crabiel wants to continue working toward include keeping property taxes under control, he said, describing himself as a "conservative Democrat." "I've been very much concerned about property taxes," Crabiel said. "I feel strongly that the property tax is too high." A Milltown resident, Crabiel stepped down from his post as chair of the borough's Democratic committee last month after three years of service. "I just filled the gap there," Crabiel said. "I never had an intention to be Democratic chairman forever." His successor is Craig Corson, a partner with New Brunswick-based law firm Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas. Crabiel said his family's Milltown roots date back to 1852. "I've always carried my hometown in Milltown. People in Milltown have been very good to me, and I appreciate that," Crabiel said. The county Democratic convention is scheduled for March 5, and Crabiel said he will soon file the petition to run.