Meetings: 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
9 Members, 4 Alternates | Three-year terms (Alt. 1-Year)

Karen Eastlund, Chair | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

Edward Ruzbarsky, Vice Chair | Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026

Tim Rack, Secretary | Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025

Gail Ostapczuk | Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025

Jane Fidacaro | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

Joyce Tronolone | Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026

Lisa D'Angelo | Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025

Debra Thomas | Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026

Mark Esposito | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

Alt. No. 1 – James Fidacaro | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Alt. No. 2 – Dawn Wilde | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Alt. No. 3 – OPEN | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Alt. No. 4 – OPEN | Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Councilman Fritzinger, Council Liaison

Washington School Monument-dedication Ceremony

Good Afternoon: County Freeholders, Honorable Mayor McMullin and Guest:

On behalf of the Historic and Cultural Committee, Please allow me to express my gratitude to Mr. Matthew Loper, County Engineer, Richard Close, Monument designer, and especially the Somerset County Freeholders for the construction of this beautiful monument in remembrance of Washington School, a school that served the students of Raritan so well, and also the citizens of Somerset County.

"Attached to this structure is the further significance that Washington School, was once a part of a great program of public works launched by President Roosevelt and the Congress during the depression period to help spread employment over the nation. We should look upon this monument as a reminder of the ability of our democracy to survive dark days."

The Freeholders kindness and generosity in erecting this monument will help to continue to preserve the rich history of Raritan, so future generations will better understand the efforts of their fore fathers so essential to building community spirit in Raritan.

I hope the Freeholders realize how much they are appreciated and how thankful the Historic and Cultural Committee is to have them as a friend and tireless worker for our community.

Again, thank you Somerset County Freeholders and Matthew Loper for a job well done! As the plaque reads “through the Looking Windows of the past (school, County Satellite Offices, Senior Wellness Center) Present (Ownership transferred to Raritan Municipal Government) Future

(Hopefully one day the Raritan Police Department, Recreation, and Fire Company will occupy this space.

To the Freeholders, Thank you for your continued support and to all in attendance, thank you for your dedication; especially to the people who at one time attended Washing ton School and the teacher who taught here. (Please raise your hand,) To Wilson Bethard, a former Principal at Washington School, and Ann Marie Navatto, who I believe is one of the oldest living members of the first graduating class of 1937.