LAKE COMO, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners has commended the county’s Department of Public Works for its rapid and coordinated response assisting the Borough of Lake Como with snow removal ahead of the annual Belmar–Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The joint effort, officials said, exemplifies the value and efficiency of the county’s shared services program.
Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, who serves as liaison to the Department of Public Works and the Division of Shared Services, praised the DPW team for stepping in quickly to support local crews. “The professionalism and responsiveness of our Department of Public Works truly demonstrate what shared services are meant to be,” Arnone said. “This was a textbook example of the County and a municipality working together to meet a local need efficiently and effectively.”
Snow removal success ahead of major community event
The County maintains a long-standing shared services agreement with Lake Como, which allows for mutual aid in times of need. With significant snowfall still on the ground just days before the parade, county DPW staff joined local crews to clear roads and public areas in record time — ensuring the event could proceed safely.
In a letter to the Board of County Commissioners, Lake Como Borough Administrator Andrew Huisman praised the coordinated effort, writing that what would normally take the small borough three days to complete was finished “in a single night thanks to the dedication and teamwork of County staff.” Huisman added that the collaboration “went above and beyond” expectations and highlighted the county’s professionalism.
Key points:
• Monmouth County DPW assisted Lake Como with pre-parade snow removal under a shared services agreement
• The combined effort cleared major roads and public spaces overnight
• Officials say the partnership underscores the effectiveness of shared services across Monmouth County
Shared services continue to strengthen local partnerships
Commissioners emphasized that this kind of collaboration reflects the County’s broader goal of supporting towns with limited resources. “For us, shared services are not just agreements on paper. They are real partnerships,” Arnone said. “This effort shows how County expertise and municipal coordination can come together to serve our residents in meaningful ways.”
County officials said the success of this operation further demonstrates the benefits of cooperative governance, where municipal and county departments share resources to maximize efficiency and deliver measurable results for taxpayers.
