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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Cherry Hill, NJ

Home Care Cherry Hill, NJ

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Barclay Farmstead Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cherry Hill, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Cherry Hill, NJ

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best care has been truly a blessing. Ms. Rose and Ms. Minirah shows care and dedication to providing a safe environment for my mother. So, I give them stars.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Cherry Hill, NJ?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Cherry Hill, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in Cherry Hill, NJ

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Cherry Hill, NJ
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Cherry Hill, NJ
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill, NJ with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Cherry Hill, NJ
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Eddie V's Prime Seafood or visit Historic Smithville District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Cherry Hill, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in Cherry Hill, NJ

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Cherry Hill, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Cherry Hill, NJ

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NJ's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Cherry Hill, NJ

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cherry Hill, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Cherry Hill, NJ

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Cherry Hill, NJ

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • The Residence at Cherry Hill
  • The Residence at Voorhees
  • Arbor Terrace Mount Laurel
  • Cadbury At Cherry Hill
  • Harmony Village CareOne at Cherry Hill
  • Brookdale Evesham
Home Care Cherry Hill, NJ

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Cherry Hill, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cherry Hill, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Cherry Hill, NJ

Latest News in Cherry Hill, NJ

Best Real Estate Agent in Cherry Hill, NJ: Amy Rossano

CHERRY HILL, N.J., October 2, 2026 (Newswire.com) - With more than 22 years of industry experience, Amy Rossano has built a reputation as the . As the Team Lead of the Amy Rossano Group at Epique Realty, she helps buyers, sellers, and investors work through the Cherry Hill and Voorhees markets with clear communication and strong negotiation tailored to each client's goals.Buying or selling in Cherry Hill, NJ? Call Amy Rossano at (856) 912-4192.Why Is Amy Rossano the Best Real Estate Agent in Cherry Hil...

CHERRY HILL, N.J., October 2, 2026 (Newswire.com) - With more than 22 years of industry experience, Amy Rossano has built a reputation as the . As the Team Lead of the Amy Rossano Group at Epique Realty, she helps buyers, sellers, and investors work through the Cherry Hill and Voorhees markets with clear communication and strong negotiation tailored to each client's goals.

Buying or selling in Cherry Hill, NJ? Call Amy Rossano at (856) 912-4192.

Why Is Amy Rossano the Best Real Estate Agent in Cherry Hill, NJ?

Amy Rossano brings a distinct background to the real estate transaction. Before entering the industry, she worked as a therapist and earned a Master's degree from New York University. This foundation gives her an advantage in complex negotiations and client advocacy. While many agents focus solely on comparable sales and property features, Rossano understands the psychology of a transaction, helping clients manage the stress of a major financial decision while keeping the deal on track.

For sellers, she delivers a structured approach to marketing and pricing that positions a home to capture strong interest from day one. She advises homeowners on preparation, market timing, and how to evaluate multiple offers effectively to secure the strongest terms.

For buyers, Rossano provides objective counsel on property value, offer structure, and potential risks. Her ability to read a situation and advocate for her clients ensures they make confident, well-informed purchases without overextending themselves in an active market.

"My goal is to provide clients with a clear strategy and the straightforward facts they need to make the right choice for their future," says Rossano.

What Is Amy Rossano's Experience in Cherry Hill?

Amy Rossano's work covers the varied neighborhoods, property styles, and price points of Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and the broader South Jersey region. Her practice includes traditional home sales, relocation services, and representation for clients at different stages of ownership.

Whether guiding first-time buyers through their initial purchase, managing luxury listings, or advising homeowners looking to downsize in , Rossano tailors her approach to the specific property type and client situation. She carries specialized training to support older adults transitioning to new living arrangements.

Experience Proof Points:

What Do the Cherry Hill Market Numbers Say Right Now?

Cherry Hill remains an active seller's market, where limited inventory gives homeowners a distinct advantage. The median sale price sits at approximately $599,740, up roughly 9.4% year over year, according to the most recent data from Redfin. With just 70 homes available recently, the market holds only 1.6 months of supply, keeping pressure on buyers.

Homes are selling in a median of 26 days, and properties close at about 2% above asking price on average. Furthermore, more than 53% of homes sell above their list price, showing that well-priced listings continue to draw strong interest and multiple offers.

For buyers, these conditions mean preparation is essential. A buyer must enter the market ready to act quickly when the right property appears, armed with a clear understanding of where they can negotiate and where they must submit a strong initial offer. For sellers, the data confirms that testing the market with an inflated price is unnecessary; a home priced correctly from the start will generate the activity needed to secure a strong return.

Who Is Amy Rossano?

Amy Rossano is the Team Lead of the Amy Rossano Group at Epique Realty, serving buyers and sellers throughout Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and surrounding communities. Her former career as a therapist instilled an objective, analytical framework she applies to real estate, allowing her to handle complex transactions with composure and empathy.

She holds specialized expertise in senior real estate services, supporting older homeowners as they downsize or transition to new housing. This work requires patience, clear explanations, and a deep understanding of the emotional and financial elements involved in selling a long-held family property.

Known for her disciplined negotiation skills and responsive communication, Rossano ensures a diverse range of clients feel heard and informed throughout the process.

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SOURCE: Amy Rossano

Source: Amy Rossano

Judge rejects Cherry Hill school board’s attempt to block public records requests

District officials sought to prevent Benjamin Shore and his brother from filing public records requests for one year.A Camden County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Cherry Hill Board of Education seeking to prevent a local journalist and his brother from filing public records requests with the school district, finding no evidence that they intended to disrupt district operations.Superior Court Judge Michael Mikulski rejected the district’s arguments and dismissed the complaint with prejudice J...

District officials sought to prevent Benjamin Shore and his brother from filing public records requests for one year.

A Camden County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Cherry Hill Board of Education seeking to prevent a local journalist and his brother from filing public records requests with the school district, finding no evidence that they intended to disrupt district operations.

Superior Court Judge Michael Mikulski rejected the district’s arguments and dismissed the complaint with prejudice July 31, meaning the district cannot refile it. Mikulski cited New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP law, which protects people from lawsuits targeting constitutionally protected speech, journalism, and public participation in government.

Cherry Hill’s school board sued Shore Investigates, journalist Benjamin Shore, and his brother, Daniel Shore, in February under a controversial provision added to New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) when the Legislature substantially weakened the law in 2024. The law now allows government agencies to sue people who file records requests with the intent to “substantially interrupt” government operations. Agencies must prove that intent by clear and convincing evidence.

In its lawsuit, the district accused the Shores of submitting “numerous, repeated and vexatious” requests that consumed staff time and substantially interrupted operations. School officials also asked the court to shut down a website Benjamin Shore created to help people submit records requests to the district.

The judge found that Shore Investigates was operating as a news organization and that filing records requests, pursuing public records lawsuits, and publishing the website were protected activities involving matters of public concern.

“Pertinently, Defendants have made approximately eighteen (18) OPRA requests over the course of a year and a half in their journalistic capacity,” Mikulski wrote in her decision. “As Defendants state, ‘this is what reporters do.’ As such, Court finds the first prong of UPEPA to be satisfied.”

Shore Investigates is a free online news outlet focused on local government, law enforcement, and public institutions, including Cherry Hill and its school district.

The Shores submitted about 18 records requests over 18 months. They also sent about 260 emails to district employees and administrators over that period.

District officials argued that responding to the requests and related correspondence required substantial staff time and resources. But Mikulski found that the district had not provided evidence that Shore filed the requests intending to interfere with its work.

“The court finds the amount of time the Board must expend in order to respond to the requestor’s OPRA requests is not a valid reason for its action,” Mikulski wrote. “Rather, it is the Board’s statutory duty as a government agency to fully comply with OPRA requirements.”

The record contained no evidence of ill intent and instead showed that the Shores were willing to work with the district to make their requests less burdensome, the judge found.

The district’s complaint listed requests for videos, legal bills, invoices, copies of other OPRA requests, and records related to Shore’s disputes with the district. It also cited lawsuits Shore filed after the district denied his requests or provided redacted records.

District officials asked the court to prohibit Benjamin Shore, Daniel Shore, and anyone affiliated with Shore Investigates from filing OPRA or common-law records requests with the district for one year.

Officials also sought an order requiring Benjamin Shore to remove a website called the Cherry Hill Public Schools OPRA Request Portal.

The district alleged that the website resembled its official site closely enough to confuse the public. It also argued that requests submitted through the portal could expose the district to legal liability if they were delayed or failed to reach its records custodian.

Shore’s lawyer, CJ Griffin, countered that the portal was free, did not solicit business, and included a disclaimer stating that it was not affiliated with the school district or any government agency.

Mikulski found no factual basis for the district’s claims. She ruled that the disclaimer, which appears in bold letters, made sufficiently clear that the portal was independent of the district.

The Shores sought dismissal under the anti-SLAPP law. The district argued that their activities were not protected.

New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP law, the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, adopted in 2023, provides an expedited process for dismissing strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as SLAPP suits. Such lawsuits target speech, journalism, and other forms of public participation.

Mikulski found that none of the law’s exemptions applied.

“Here, movants are exercising their First Amendment rights on matters of public concern,” Mikulski wrote.

The judge also found that the district failed to follow the procedures for an expedited OPRA case because it did not file an order to show cause with its initial complaint. Although that omission could have justified a dismissal, Mikulski also considered the substance of the district’s claims.

She concluded that the district had shown only that Shore’s activities allegedly disrupted its operations, but not that he intended to cause that disruption, as the law requires. “Plaintiffs have shown no evidence of any ill-intent of Defendants here,” she wrote.

Mikulski’s ruling is a victory for open government advocates and journalists.

“The judge’s decision recognizes that filing records requests is what reporters do to keep the public informed. But even if my clients weren’t reporters, no one should be hauled into court for seeking public records from their local school board,” Griffin told The Vindicator Tuesday. “Thank goodness New Jersey has a strong anti-SLAPP law to allow folks to fight back against bogus suits that serve only to chill speech.”

Because the Shores prevailed under the anti-SLAPP law, they are entitled to seek reimbursement from the district for reasonable attorney fees and court costs associated with the case.

Benjamin Shore told The Vindicator the lawsuit accomplished something before it was dismissed.

“It chilled our reporting. We paused records requests and held back stories because every new inquiry appeared to carry the threat of further litigation,” he said. “That is what it means to report with a target on your back.”

Shore said the court’s July 31 order shows how little evidence supported that school district’s efforts.

“This was not an ordinary disagreement over a records request. The Board used taxpayer-supported litigation to try to prohibit a journalist, an independent newsroom, and a private citizen from filing public-records requests for an entire year. It also asked the court to shut down a free public-records portal created to help residents access their government,” Shore said.

“A public body should not use public resources to pursue claims the court found lacked evidentiary and factual support,” he said. “Taxpayers funded the Board’s decision to bring this case.”

Cherry Hill joins a growing list of South Jersey municipalities to formally ban large-scale data centers

Cherry Hill just became the latest municipality in New Jersey to formally ban the development of large-scale data centers.The township council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday night that lists data centers as a non-permitted land use within the township’s borders.“We don’t think that Cherry Hill should be a guinea pig,” Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher said after the council meeting. “So while the technology is evolving, we wanted to be proactive and make sure that we eliminated a problem bef...

Cherry Hill just became the latest municipality in New Jersey to formally ban the development of large-scale data centers.

The township council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday night that lists data centers as a non-permitted land use within the township’s borders.

“We don’t think that Cherry Hill should be a guinea pig,” Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher said after the council meeting. “So while the technology is evolving, we wanted to be proactive and make sure that we eliminated a problem before it became one.”

The ordinance also clarifies the difference between the now-forbidden data centers used for artificial intelligence or cloud storage and the small server rooms used by standalone businesses for file storage, which will still be permitted.

The move is consistent with the goals outlined in Cherry Hill’s master plan, said Christopher Dochney, a certified city planner who worked with the township on the ordinance.

This includes “maintaining Cherry Hill as a garden suburb, maintaining a desirable visual environment and attractive community, and wanting to preserve natural resources,” he said.

It also aligns with the economic development portion of the plan, he said, which prioritizes job creation, job retention, and “providing an economic boon to the residents of Cherry Hill.”

“[Data centers] consume a lot of land, they use a lot of water, they take up a lot of energy, and they also tend to be very big, ugly buildings,” Dochney said. “Things that are all directly inconsistent and contradictory to the stated goals of your master plan.”

For a data center to be built in the future, a developer would need a land-use variance from the township’s zoning board — generally the most difficult land-use approval to obtain, he said.

Up to this point, no data center developers have approached the township, “and we wanted to keep it that way,” Fleisher said.

“As you see in some other towns, by the time an application is submitted, legally it might be too late,” he said. “And we didn’t want to find ourselves in that position.”

Cherry Hill, the most populous municipality in Camden County, is the latest of a growing number of South Jersey towns to pass similar bans as debate around data centers continues across the country.

This month, Burlington County’s Mansfield and Chesterfield Townships also approved bans after Medford Township did the same a month prior. Millville in Cumberland County banned large-scale data centers in May after promotions for a new 66-acre “Millville Energy & Data Center Campus” circulated online.

Meanwhile, a massive data center in Vineland is set for completion by the end of the year.

In Gloucester County, a real estate developer is suing Monroe Township for $300 million after the municipality issued a ban on data centers and subsequently denied its plans to build a 1 million-square-foot data center and a warehouse.

With the restrictions on data centers now in place in Cherry Hill, Fleisher said he is not worried about potential legal action against the township.

“We were very cautious to be very thoughtful and methodical about how we were going to address this,” he said. “We made sure we had the appropriate professionals go through the right process and have all the accurate information on the record before we took formal action.”

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