[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6647393,"mediaKeyId","2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928","parentId",2522297,"title","County residents urge expanded Code Blue sheltering, question 2‑1‑1 and spending; officials outline limits of county role","audioSeconds",1177,"startMs",807000,"endMs",1984000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928&start=807&end=1984","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928/thumbnail_807000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6647393/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/County-residents-urge-expanded-Code-Blue-sheltering-question-211-and-spending-officials-outline-limits-of-county-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6647393-aebb25688a064f358784296a4c731622/orig.mp4?Expires=1774915744&Signature=buOArrMOLMpdugYc-FHPblq-FExSGMT8wd5Z97AD-FEQIzvmUOUS4llGipQqELKALwdeKYM1dDfyRvI4uFelcV9VhZASDIVW-XfcqQZzwz0P-T8fokqSNcXWAdRcFIhtaBPjYsUG2Iv~QNffw1Fh8brgW93G-gCYsmHdteyG0nxANHlLIc2cw5OkmmReAhzg7ow584KFKLwZLZsjzev-meHiBHzuJof3Tge8DXTNtCwCy2nzDkMqrTRocPhha7V6yY3yfpaOKelXAL8GIYw-JpGEJb8wV6sYHiHCefWRyLnrzjmHVVGBFu0B2Yt1cPGJcNAKlsVeOFxze8XVJJYIoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middlesex County","date","2025-03-07T02:19:59.373Z","article","Several residents urged Middlesex County to expand and better oversee Code Blue winter shelter services during public comment at the Board of Commissioners meeting, raising concerns about transportation, meals, bedding, secure storage and how funds are spent.

Charlie Prattville of New Brunswick, Danielle Martin and Carissa Cunningham described gaps in service and expressed frustration that many of the county’s unhoused residents are routed to New Brunswick’s Code Blue site at 6 Kirkpatrick Street. Carissa Cunningham recounted a call to 2‑1‑1 on behalf of a 68‑year‑old woman with health problems that the caller said resulted in a refusal of shelter because of a waiting list; Cunningham called for increased county funding, oversight of how Code Blue money is spent and better access to transportation.

Public commenters alleged money intended for direct services had been spent on building improvements and said shelters lack sheets, secure storage for belongings and consistent food provision during long overnight stays. One speaker named the current Code Blue operator, saying the county should reconsider oversight of the program.

County staff responded that Middlesex County’s role is primarily grant funding to municipalities; local municipalities operate Code Blue sites and determine operations under state legislation. County staff said the county declares Code Blue under temperature or wind‑chill restrictions and distributes funds to municipalities that apply for them. Staff also said 2‑1‑1 is contracted by the state of New Jersey as the statewide entry point for homeless services and is not contracted by Middlesex County.

Speakers at the meeting asked for the county to require stronger accountability for how Code Blue funds are used and for practical changes such as expanded hours, better release times in the morning and transportation supports. County staff said they will verify operational details with municipal operators when requested by commissioners.

No formal change to county policy or funding was recorded in the meeting excerpt; the comments were made during the public‑comment period and during discussion of resolutions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Middlesex County Commissioners Meeting - 3/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents pressed Middlesex County commissioners for more oversight and funding of Code Blue winter sheltering and raised complaints about services, transportation, and the Code Blue operator; county staff said municipalities operate shelters and 2‑1‑1 is a state‑funded access point.","taxTitle","Middlesex County, New Jersey","taxId",3540,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6647398,"Middlesex County opens public hearing on $87.6 million bond ordinance for capital projects",168,745000,913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928&start=745&end=913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928/thumbnail_745000.jpg","/articles/6647398/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Middlesex-County-opens-public-hearing-on-876-million-bond-ordinance-for-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6647398-a7c5e3bd3e995c8b2af146587e382704/orig.mp4?Expires=1774915745&Signature=ECnRN-jSxp4ffVlehX1BXGbw6ykh2jjv9BsIY7bBczvj-M11MrJTc6qZVqwpxsqXlRRqwjbcuI4O0X3XZsHB~S2HVoo2Kf3YodjgaCu63h2ELi7~SfEEpdFqLfUSyRItKhF8v60~HxPluYfy5LcVY7zYR~lICtaH9U8ALXH7RO9~qhZjBJsxZFMB5vi5ggIcBqQIxBMYsDca~EIsKriYBV~wR6Tu1x1gxVbIj2ISmbTcsm7UXFDiESK6Zy~ud8lwl2~Fk6NXg-UxSUCnrGgqjh4zc9hxpxYHR1M7pJ7wN5jEEG8gdu2PUC4qTUDDmRA~5PNN2n3tEmt-XqMJp-qALA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Middlesex County opened a public hearing on Ordinance No. 478, a proposed authorization of $87.6 million in bonds to support capital improvements across the county, county officials said at the Board of Commissioners meeting.

County staff described the ordinance as a general capital appropriation that would fund bridges and culverts, road projects and intersection work, park system upgrades, building improvements and vehicles. The presentation named specific anticipated appropriations including renovations to the adult corrections training center (wellness area and gymnasium), site repairs to East Jersey, Overtown Village, the Cornelius Lehl (Lehi) House, the Rodney House and the Indian Queen Tavern, and the formation of a 2025 Housing First Fund to create permanent, affordable and accessible housing for people experiencing homelessness.

A member of the public, Charlie Prattville of New Brunswick, asked what the $87.6 million would be used for; county staff replied that the ordinance is the county’s regular capital‑improvement authorization and that the listed projects are examples of uses. The director noted the ordinance ties to the county’s 2025 capital improvement plan and the county’s debt‑service trajectory.

The public hearing was opened and members of the public were invited to speak. No final vote on the ordinance was recorded in the meeting transcript excerpt; the item remained in the public‑hearing stage.

Other departmental reports presented at the meeting included announcements from the Department of Economic Development (Sandy Pastor will serve on a life sciences summit panel) and the Office of Workforce and Career Development (award of $890,000 from the New Jersey Department of Labor TANF Innovation Grant for supportive services and job‑readiness programming). The Middlesex Regional Medical Examiner's Office (MRMEO), which serves Middlesex, Mercer and Monmouth counties, was reported recommended for continued full accreditation by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) on Feb. 10, 2025.

County staff posted a schedule of recycling, solid‑waste and environmental events; the first household hazardous waste collection of 2025 was announced for March 16 at Middlesex County College, 2600 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The public hearing on Ordinance No. 478 remained open at the close of the excerpt.","The county opened a public hearing on Ordinance No. 478, a proposed $87.6 million bond authorization intended to fund bridges, roads, historic site repairs and a 2025 Housing First Fund, county staff said.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6647402,"Edison Magnet students win 2024 Congressional App Challenge for 'RADAR' Amber‑alert tool",456,64000,520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928&start=64&end=520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522297-88f1006ce00b7c9bafb326bcbb994928/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6647402/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Edison-Magnet-students-win-2024-Congressional-App-Challenge-for-RADAR-Amberalert-tool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6647402-ab53cdf0eb153e415a7866ef4a233cf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774915745&Signature=Ry6Ro1Z9dyyp~19DVkBVnFp5xl1e6g526k-tyXU9H~ItMb8ixaggL1QVfF-8wVR5jHLkQnZYP~LBLYOfudVXoyHzJQ03YNClAqTfY0KzolsvASyrEUJi1CI0Ot9okFu4HVoZ0ly1y~kTby3~wYHn7ZXFgrMb2w3REpBq21U8QXqJ8dvr9VECGDV~13wkB6JJodfzy4G8lfzDLPTpyjSVJ0RKBs8IEEc8bH1eeIKPUQqyS8juu-93xsJvwxYEqlx-ho9h0WJuz2gMYnjmpqRjnC899GS9oCalhP58Wvd9003AXMhh4YdMe-gcPJQ8NmyEof0hg5iKxU-vNbGrr~jLjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three students from Edison Magnet School were named winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District for an app concept called RADAR, county officials announced during the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The county commissioner who introduced the winners read a press release from Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and called the project \"Rapid Amber Detection Response,\" saying the app is designed to supplement law enforcement in child‑abduction cases. The winners named were Akia Dalgra, Sahil Ghosh and Adithya Venkat Krishna, all identified as Edison Magnet School students.

Student Eddie Gudovra, one of the team members, described RADAR as software that would integrate with existing security cameras and vehicle dash cams so agencies would not need to install new hardware. \"Our software will integrate with existing cameras and existing dash cams,\" Gudovra said. He described a system that analyzes camera frames with machine learning, flags suspicious vehicles or people and routes that information to law enforcement.

Gudovra said the team designed a \"self‑propagating\" feature so that when a suspect moves from one area to another, the system would notify nearby cameras to continue tracking the vehicle automatically. \"It's automated. It's efficient. It's extremely fast,\" he said, and added the project remains under development.

County officials asked the students and school administrators — including Assistant Superintendent Jeff Bisco, Principal Amro Mazad and Vice Principal Kelly McKelvey — to join the announcement on stage. County staff also acknowledged the students’ families and the district staff present, including Lee Nieman, director of career and technical education, supervisor Adam Retnold, photographer Isaiah Gomez and content creator Rachel Morales.

The board did not take action related to the app; the segment was a recognition and award announcement. Students said they plan further development of the software concept.

The announcement noted the award came from the Congressional App Challenge run by the office of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., a competition for middle‑ and high‑school students.","Three Edison Magnet School students won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for a project called RADAR, a software concept that would integrate existing cameras and dashcams with machine‑learning to speed identification and tracking in child‑abduction and other suspected‑vehicle cases, the county meeting was told.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County residents urge expanded Code Blue sheltering, question 2‑1‑1 and spending; officials outline limits of county role

Middlesex County opens public hearing on $87.6 million bond ordinance for capital projects

Edison Magnet students win 2024 Congressional App Challenge for 'RADAR' Amber‑alert tool