Middlesex will oversee Monmouth ME's office

FREEHOLD - In an effort to save costs and share a service, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has adopted a resolution designating Middlesex County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Falzon to also serve as Monmouth County's medical examiner for the remainder of 2009.

Falzon replaces longtime Monmouth County Medical Examiner Dr. Jay Peacock and will have oversight of the Monmouth County Medical Examiner's Office, according to a press release.

"State statute permits the cooperative sharing of medical examiners, and with the untimely death of Dr. Peacock there was an immediate need to appoint a new medical examiner," Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said. "Dr. Falzon is highly skilled in this area and we will be benefiting from his services, while at the same time saving money by not hiring a full-time medical examiner."

The savings equals $195,893 per year, which was Peacock's annual salary. As part of the agreement, both Middlesex and Monmouth counties will share in that savings, which equals $97,946 for each county. The arrangement was effective May 1.

"We are very appreciative of the Middlesex County Board of Freeholders for entering into this agreement with us," Monmouth County Administrator Robert M. Czech said.

The Monmouth County Medical Examiner's Office provides a highly specialized service to citizens and law enforcement. The office investigates all unexplained natural deaths and violent deaths in order to determine cause and manner of death. The office also preserves evidence, analyzes physical evidence and provides expert testimony in courts of law, according to the press release.