246 APRIL 1, 2008 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Somerset was held on the above date at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Director Peter S. Palmer. Director Palmer stated that the meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and that adequate notice was provided on January 9, 2008 as follows: 1. Mailed to the Star Ledger, the Home News, and the Courier News. 2. Posted on the Official County Bulletin Board. 3. Filed with the County Clerk. 4. Distributed to all persons requesting such information. Roll Call ------------------ PRESENT: Walsh, Zaborowski, Palmer ABSENT: Ciattarelli, Fontana absent at roll call. ALSO PRESENT: County Administrator Williams, County Counsel Miller, M. Amorosa, K. Quick, P. Clark, M. Gaupp, K. Krauth, J. Vuoso, B. Pateman, B. Newman, M. Flock, S. Matis, D. Lorimer, C. Rose At this time Director Palmer issued the following Freeholder Citations: 2008 Immaculata Boys Basketball Team – Non-Public Group A New Jersey State Champions Jeff Cullinan Tim Sanderson Brian Dudzinski Andrew Tursky Jimmy Fisher Gamal Mohamed John Mack Theo Riddick Matt Dudzinski Jordan Colas Michael Peltack Jes Scheirer Ryan Tapia Ish Mack Kevin Doyle Joe Sforza Brooks Leger Kyle Jordan Coaches - Head Coach: Michael Frauenheim, Asst coach/staff: Kevin Cullinan, Ryan McKeever, Jeff Sullivan, Scott Frauenheim At this time Mr. Fontana arrived and joined the meeting. The Team and Coaches accepted the Citations and thanked the Board. Joan Gleason – recipient of the Margery and Tom Corrigan Humanitarian Award given by Middle Earth Hamilton Mock Trial Team, Hamilton Primary School 4th Grade Team – winners of the NJ State Bar Foundation’s Law Fair Competitions - Team members - Ethan Rodgers, Patrick Brown, Danielle Hoffner, Brendan Kapp, Andrew Purdon and Maya Tatikola - Helping the Team – Christine Arcoleo, Abigail Sapp, Alyssa Natale, Greg Johnson - Teacher Advisors - Lorraine H. Lotowycz, Ed.D., Hamilton School Principal and Mrs. Patricia Pillon, the School Enrichment Teacher The Mock Trial Team did a presentation of the trial they presented to win the award, after which Team Members accepted the Citations and thanked the Board. 247 At this time Director Palmer issued the following Proclamations: PROCLAMATION SOMERSET COUNTY HOUSING MONTH APRIL 2008 “Planning for a lifetime of secure and appropriate housing for all” WHEREAS, the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing, Somerset County Department of Human Services, Somerset County Office on Aging, Somerset County Planning Board, Somerset County Community Development Office, Regional Center Partnership and other county agencies and groups that support the provision of an adequate supply of housing, to meet the diverse housing needs of the present and future housing population; and WHEREAS, April, 2008 marks the fortieth (40th) anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which seeks to eliminate discrimination in housing opportunities and to affirmatively further fair housing choices for all Americans; and WHEREAS, to commemorate the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, the concept of "Housing Month" celebrated each April by the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the past sixteen (16) years, this year’s Housing Month 2008 celebration will honor the many non-profit, ecumenical, public and private organizations, groups and individuals for their on-going efforts to support individuals and families, including senior citizens and persons with disabilities, in attaining access to affordable, appropriate housing and related financial resources. Housing Month also emphasizes strengthening and revitalizing neighborhoods. During Housing Month, all are encouraged to recognize changing housing needs throughout the course of a lifetime, and to plan ahead to ensure secure and appropriate housing for all persons at all stages of life; and WHEREAS, vigorous local efforts to create housing opportunities for all citizens and to address housing needs and gaps in the county's housing supply are necessary along with other ongoing efforts of these agencies and groups include education and advocacy, technical assistance to private and non-profit developers, the identification of housing, economic, demographic, and land use trends and associated policy implications, housing resource, referral and matching services, housing counseling, participation in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) HOME and CDBG Programs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders do hereby proclaim the month of April 2008 to be Housing Month in the County of Somerset and urge all citizens to carry out the activities and spirit of Housing Month throughout the year. Sharon Clark, Executive Director, SCCOAH, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Board. PROCLAMATION CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH APRIL 2008 WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem requiring involvement from all segments of a community; and WHEREAS, approximately 3 million children are reported abused and neglected in this country each year; including over 40,000 referrals for protective services to DYFS in New Jersey; and 248 WHEREAS, the effects of child abuse are both inhumane and costly, involving the mental health system, juvenile justice system, law enforcement agencies, criminal and civil courts, and health care and educational institutions; and WHEREAS, the majority of child maltreatment cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable in an engaged and supportive community and child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support they need to raise their children in a healthy environment; and WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community and all citizens should become involved in supporting families in raising their children in a safe and nurturing environment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders do hereby proclaim April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Somerset County and call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to prevent child abuse and strengthen our communities and families. Kathryn Krauth, The Learning Gate; Cindy Ferraro, Director/Clinical Specialist of Maternal Health , Somerset Medical Center and Amy Harris, Marketing Manager, Bridgewater Commons accepted the proclamation and thanked the Board. PROCLAMATION ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS MONTH APRIL 2008 WHEREAS, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are a major threat to the health of our nation's youth and our nation's families; and WHEREAS, there are more deaths, illnesses and disabilities from substance abuse than any other preventable health condition; and WHEREAS, approximately one in four deaths each year in the United State is attributable to alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use; and WHEREAS, an estimated 23,381 Somerset County residents are in need of substance abuse treatment; and WHEREAS, the negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs of abuse, and other addictive behaviors include death, disease, crime, violence and injury; and WHEREAS, alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse and other addictions cost the nation over $300 billion annually; and WHEREAS, advertising increases the appeal of drinking, drug abuse and other addictive behaviors for all Americans, regardless of age; and WHEREAS, during the month of April, the County Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Coordinator and Municipal Alliance Coordinator, in conjunction with the Somerset County Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA), and the County Steering Sub-Committee (CASS) will provide the Annual Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Forum on May 7, 2008 for Somerset County parents; and WHEREAS, The Somerset Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Inc., will collaborate with Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center to provide information throughout the month of April at the Somerset County Library and will co-sponsor “Underage Drinking in Our Communities: A Focus of Solutions,” with Middlesex County Council on April 29th. 249 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders do hereby proclaim that April 2008 is Alcohol and Drug Awareness Month in Somerset County. The Board of Chosen Freeholders calls upon all citizens, governmental agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, hospitals and schools in Somerset County to help raise awareness about this critical public health issue and join us in preventing problems caused by alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse and other addictions. Brenda Pateman, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Coordinator/IDRC Director, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Board. PROCLAMATION SAFE NIGHT USA APRIL 5, 2008 WHEREAS, millions of American youth are looking for something to do and the temptations and risks are everywhere; and WHEREAS, residents age 12 or older experienced an estimated 25 million crimes of violence and theft and over 2.1 million youth in the United States needed treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use problems in 2006; and WHEREAS, Safe Night USA is a national youth violence and substance abuse prevention program proven successful