Shared Municipal Court Appointees to Save Towns $300K

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In an unprecedented move by three local towns in Somerset County, a shared services agreement has been signed to share municipal court judge,
prosecutor and public defender.

Green Brook joined ongoing talks between North Plainfield and Watchung when Judge Raymond P. DeMarco announced his retirement in May of 2012 from North Plainfield and Green Brook.

The agreement covers the sharing of the salary for the municipal court judge and public defender between all three municipalities and the sharing of a prosecutor between Watchung and Green Brook.  This is the first time that a shared service agreement such as this has been done in Somerset County.

Despite differing political majorities in the three towns, completing the
agreement and selecting the personnel was a smooth process for the three
municipalities.

The three towns will realize a combined savings of $60,000 in 2013, which
over the life of the five-year agreement is $300,000.

John Richardson, Esq., the appointee for municipal judge, has been serving
in North Plainfield and Green Brook since Judge DeMarco's retirement in June 2012.  He will hold his first session in Watchung on Jan. 10.

Mayor Pat Boccio of Green Brook said this of new agreement, "Green Brook is very happy with the new shared service agreement for the courts of Green Brook, North Plainfield and Watchung and look forward to more opportunities for collaboration and realizing additional savings for the residents."