For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2026

Planning Board presents 2025 Merit Awards

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners joined the Monmouth County Planning Board to honor seven recipients with 2025 Merit Awards during a Planning Board meeting held in December.

“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners, we congratulate this year’s award honorees and commend the Planning Board for highlighting the exceptional work taking place across the County,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We deeply appreciate the organizations and individuals whose efforts continue to elevate Monmouth County and inspire excellence in planning.”

“The Planning Board’s work in selecting this year’s Merit Award recipients highlights the many projects and individuals making a meaningful difference in Monmouth County,” said Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, member of the Planning Board. “We extend our thanks to this year’s applicants and invite future applicants to contact the Planning Board to learn more about the 2026 awards.”

“Thoughtful, forward-looking planning is essential to ensuring Monmouth County grows in a way that is sustainable and responsive to community needs,” said Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Monmouth County Division of Planning. “The work being done by the Planning Board and this year’s Merit Award recipients reflects a shared commitment to advancing projects that benefit communities across the County.”

The 2025 Monmouth County Merit Awards were presented to:

Highlands Central Business District Floodplain Design Guidelines

The Highlands Central Business District Floodplain Guidelines were created with a clear and forward-thinking purpose: To champion the resilience, vitality and long-term success of Highlands’ promising central business district.

Springwood Avenue Heritage Walk

The Springwood Avenue Heritage Walk is an engaging, interactive self-guided tour that beautifully honors the rich legacy of Asbury Park’s Westside. Recognizing the need to celebrate and elevate this essential chapter of the city’s story, Interfaith Neighbors brought together residents, historians and community stakeholders to co-create the trail and its accompanying StoryMap.

Stephanie’s Sanctuary Program

The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation launched the Stephanie’s Sanctuary Program in 2025 with a compassionate and transformative mission: to create comforting, trauma-informed spaces within police agencies, courthouses and hospitals for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The program’s impact began with the first sanctuary’s opening at the Freehold Township Police Department in March 2025, followed by the second at the Manalapan Township Police Department in May 2025, marking meaningful steps in a growing network of hope, dignity and healing for survivors.

New Jersey Asset Activation Plan for the Borough of Highlands

The Borough of Highlands was awarded a New Jersey Economic Development Authority Asset Activation Grant in September 2024 to envision an exciting new future for the James T. White Shellfish Plant. As one of only two active clam depuration facilities in New Jersey, the plant plays a vital role in harvesting and purifying clams in tandem with a new on-site educational maritime museum facility that will attract a wide range of visitors to the site.

Carbon Roots

Carbon Roots is an inspiring youth-led nonprofit organization founded by High Technology High School student Shivali Sethi, dedicated to strengthening climate resilience across Monmouth County. The organization develops carbon sink gardens - specialized green spaces that absorb more carbon dioxide than they release - while also empowering communities with knowledge and hands-on involvement.

Shrewsbury Riverfront Park Development

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection purchased a 1-acre parcel of land that contained a storm-destroyed apartment building. Sea Bright garnered public support and input to create a plan to turn this parcel into a riverfront park. The plan was used to secure a grant from the Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Program, while the Monmouth Conservation Foundation raised the matching funds. Today, the restored parcel offers unobstructed river views and is protected as permanent open space.

Suzy Dyer, Esq., CHC

Suzy Dyer, Esq., CHC, has brought remarkable leadership and vision to the Parker Family Health Center since becoming executive director in 2019. Under her guidance, the volunteer-driven clinic has expanded its capacity and impact in profound ways.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Joseph M. Ettore

Capping the presentations, the Planning Board presented Monmouth County Engineer Joseph M. Ettore with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ettore joined the Monmouth County Engineering Department in 1983 as an Assistant Bridge Engineer. In 2004, he was appointed as the County Engineer by the Board of County Commissioners.

Ettore has a team of more than 70 people, and as County Engineer, he directs the planning, design and construction of Monmouth County’s extensive transportation and building infrastructure, which currently includes more than 380 miles of roads, 980 bridges and culverts, more than 250 traffic signals, and more than 2.2 million square feet of County buildings and facilities.

The Planning Board established the Merit Awards Program in 1984 to recognize those plans, projects, programs, individuals, municipalities, businesses, community leaders and stakeholder organizations that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of planning and planning outcomes in Monmouth County.

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