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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 Island Heights, NJ

Home Care Island Heights, 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 the historic Island Heights Cottage Museum 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 Island Heights, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Island Heights, 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

“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”

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“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”

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“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”

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“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”

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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”

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“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”

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“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”

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“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights Triangle Park 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 Island Heights, 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 Rue 561 bistro or visit Historical site of Captain Amos Birdsall House, 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 Island Heights, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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:

  • Maples
  • Alcoeur Gardens at Toms River
  • Brandywine Living at Toms River
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Ruth Caporizzo
  • The Chelsea at Toms River
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Christine Meyer
Home Care Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, 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 Island Heights, NJ

Latest News in Island Heights, NJ

Seaside Heights Officials Predict ‘Chaos’ if Revised N.J. Beach Badge Bill Passes

Seaside Heights has long allowed surfers and anglers to access the beach without purchasing a beach badge, so when New Jersey legislators proposed a bill last year that would extend the policy to all beaches up and down the coast, there was no opposition.“Our local surfers are knowledgeable, they don’t go when it’s incredibly crowded and they know where to go to catch the best wave,” said Mayor Anthony Vaz. “The same with our fishermen. We haven’t charged them and it was never an issue.”...

Seaside Heights has long allowed surfers and anglers to access the beach without purchasing a beach badge, so when New Jersey legislators proposed a bill last year that would extend the policy to all beaches up and down the coast, there was no opposition.

“Our local surfers are knowledgeable, they don’t go when it’s incredibly crowded and they know where to go to catch the best wave,” said Mayor Anthony Vaz. “The same with our fishermen. We haven’t charged them and it was never an issue.”

Then, suddenly, the rather uncontroversial bill changed drastically.

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As it moved through the state General Assembly, the text referencing surfing and fishing was removed, and replaced with general language concerning “recreation.” The law would not prohibit towns from charging for beach access – a reality since state funding for local beach operations is effectively non-existent in the Garden State – but would allow anyone engaging in a recreational activity to enter the beach as long as they remain below the high water mark, essentially the wet sand near the immediate shoreline and in the water itself.

The issue isn’t so much about badge fees, but the potential for chaos, officials said. The bill could be interpreted to allow kayaks, canoes, heavy surfboards, stand-up paddleboards and even battery-assisted watersports equipment in close proximity to bathers, creating a safety hazard. It would also create an environment in which people may simply lie about their intentions, skirting the fees that pay the salaries of lifeguards, sanitation workers, maintenance crews, as well as the infrastructure that goes into a beach operation. The law, some said, might also undermine the issue it was supposed to address: eliminating questions about beach access to avoid escalating confrontations between visitors and authorities.

Vaz said his main concern surrounds lifeguards, who would suddenly be tasked with watching over swimmers as well as any combination of people engaging in other recreational activities that could be dangerous in the presence of breaking ocean waves.

Legislative Changes

The practical issues with the bill came with the recent revision, said Christopher Vaz, Seaside Heights’ borough administrator.

“It went into a committee at the Assembly level and they changed it by deleting surfing and fishing, and basically said we can’t require beach tags for any recreational activity as long as it’s taking place on the wet, sandy beach by the mean high tide line,” he explained to borough council members Wednesday. “We thought this through, and thought of the chaos this would create. We want to encourage them to go back to the language that was in the original bill.”

Seasonal employees, he said, could end up getting caught in the middle of arguments over the legal definition of a “recreational use” and the mean high water mark.

“We have a lot of high school kids who work our beach. Their job is hard enough,” said Vaz. “I listen to the radio all day long and hear what goes on. Now they would have to worry about defining, at the top of the ramp, ‘what is a recreational activity?’ It’s an impossible job.”

There is also a question of enforcement. While the bill’s language initially clarified that badges would not be required for surfing and fishing, it does not prohibit standard beach badge fees for those who access the beach and enjoy the services provided by local communities. Differentiating between who does – and does not – need a badge may have been easy in the first iteration of the bill in that a person is either surfing, fishing, or not. But “recreation” could be interpreted widely.

“You could have 50 people on line to go down to the beach, and then have five say, ‘Oh, I’m just going down to the wet sand, so I don’t need a beach tag,'” said Vaz. “It’s just becomes, ‘how do you enforce that?'”

The bill, titled A-4816, was introduced in September 2024 by Assemblywoman Margie Donlon (D-Monmouth). It went unchanged until amendments were added Feb. 13, 2025 in the Assembly’s Tourism, Gaming and Arts Committee. It passed the committee in a 4-2 vote, making it eligible for a roll call on the full body. Its companion bill in the state Senate, S-4158, sponsored by Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), has yet to pass the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, however a vote is expected on the measure in the near future.

Dredge Boats for Beach Replenishment Project Arrive in N.J., But Stormy Weather Forecast

The venerable dredge boat Liberty Island and the new state-of-the-art hopper dredge Galveston Island have arrived off the coast of Ocean County, as well as several support vessels, but local officials said the long-awaited beach replenishment project could be delayed by a few days if a winter storm moves through the area.The project ...

The venerable dredge boat Liberty Island and the new state-of-the-art hopper dredge Galveston Island have arrived off the coast of Ocean County, as well as several support vessels, but local officials said the long-awaited beach replenishment project could be delayed by a few days if a winter storm moves through the area.

The project was slated to officially begin Monday, and the Liberty Island arrived on time. It spent the majority of the day moving up and down the coast between Manasquan and Barnegat inlets, with Seaside Heights first in line to receive beach renourishment. Crews often work 24 hours per day. Even after midnight Tuesday, Liberty Island was positioned just off Seaside Heights and Galveston Island was underway heading south off Manasquan Inlet.

Along with the two dredge boats, several other vessels were in the area to support the project. The Capt. Willie Landers, a tug, was anchored just off the beach in Seaside Heights, while the Caspian Dawn and Maverick were both underway off Barnegat Inlet. A boat recognizable to those who have seen previous replenishment projects, the St. John’s River, a crew tender that shuttles workers between the shore and the large dredge boats, was docked near the U.S. Coast Guard station in Barnegat Light.

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Shorebeat is planning an article to be published later this week more deeply describing the roles of each of the vessels involved in the federal project.

The work schedule as initially announced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers includes:

Replenishment will not occur on Seaside Park’s municipal beaches, as local officials determined the project could undermine its local dune system and was not needed, however the area of Funtown Beach, which is privately owned, will be replenished as part of the “taper” to shore up the replenishment in Seaside Heights. South Seaside Park will receive replenishment as well.

Sand will be dredged from three separate approved borrow areas located offshore of the project area in the Atlantic Ocean. The sand is then pumped onto the beach through a network of pipes that run to shore, and graded into an engineered template, which is designed to reduce damages from coastal storm events.

Though all of the vessels are in place and pipes have already been anchored in the water off local beaches, there is a chance there could be a delay by a few days before sand is actively being pumped onshore. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 p.m. Wednesday, calling for 3 to 5 inches of snow. Seas will remain calm for most of Tuesday, but waves will build to 3-5 feet on Wednesday as winds reach about 20 knots. By Wednesday night, seas will build to 5 to 8 feet with winds up to 30 knots. Seas will remain on the heavy side Thursday, but begin to taper down during the day, with calmer waters forecast for Friday and into the weekend.

The work is being performed by the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, of Houston, Tx., which was awarded a $73.5 million contract by the Army Corps for the project.

Seaside Heights Condo Owners Oppose Bathrooms, Say It Will Make Beach Too Crowded

A group of Seaside Heights property owners – primarily seasonal residents whose condominium units are located on and around Hiering Avenue – doubled down on their opposition to the reconstruction of a bath house destroyed in Superstorm Sandy, saying the amenity would make the beach on their street too crowded. Residents of one of the nearby condominium developments have also complained that a second-floor deck that would allow seniors and disabled residents to view the ocean would obstruct their view.“Our beach is th...

A group of Seaside Heights property owners – primarily seasonal residents whose condominium units are located on and around Hiering Avenue – doubled down on their opposition to the reconstruction of a bath house destroyed in Superstorm Sandy, saying the amenity would make the beach on their street too crowded. Residents of one of the nearby condominium developments have also complained that a second-floor deck that would allow seniors and disabled residents to view the ocean would obstruct their view.

“Our beach is the smallest beach in Seaside,” said Delores Alexander, who told members of the borough council she was representing fellow unit owners in the Patrician Arms condominium building on Hiering Avenue. “It is crowded now, and that is without – without – the [El Conquistador] which has 62 units, and they’ll start coming back this summer. On Sundays, we can’t get on our beach. We get in the car and go to Toms River. You building this bath house is just going to crowd our beach more.”

The El Conquistador refers to the formal name of the large condominium building that takes up much of the oceanside block of Hiering Avenue. It has been undergoing renovations for nearly two years and has been largely unoccupied on a temporary basis.

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The bath house would be constructed in the footprint of a previous bath house that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, located at 1521 Ocean Terrace, on the boardwalk between Sampson and Hiering avenues. The borough has secured a $1.6 million grant to build the bath house, which will include restrooms and hot showers. The building will also sell beach badges and is planned to include the accessible viewing platform that will allow visitors to see the ocean over the dunes.

Residents of several nearby condominium complexes previously complained about the reconstruction effort at a work session meeting of the borough’s planning board, saying it would obstruct views of the ocean from their units and lead to overcrowding of the beaches in the northern section of town. Wednesday’s complaints squarely focused on what the residents feared would be too many members of the public accessing the beach and boardwalk from Hiering Avenue, where a public parking lot currently operates.

Alexander specifically feared visitors would choose to use the beach located near her vacation residence since they would be able to purchase beach badges closer to the parking lot at Hiering.

“At least now … they have to walk down to the carousel building to get tickets,” she said. “Now, you want to put this bath house there. First of all, that end of the boardwalk is so narrow, we used to have a problem getting on the beach when these people were all gathering to get in the bath houses, and they don’t move for you.”

Alexander continued: “My problem now is the parking lot, and we’re going to get every one of those people on our beach. At what point does this council worry about the taxpayers? We pay taxes all year and only use our residences three or four months of the year, and we’re being so inconvenienced.”

Some of the residents have suggested placing the bath house next door to the Carousel Pavilion, which has vacant space to the north, however while a bath house could physically fit in the space, deed restrictions on that property require it be used for development only in the case that it supports the carousel or historic purposes. A public bath house would not satisfy that requirement, said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.

Tom Brogan, an attorney representing the condominium development at 1515 Ocean Terrace, praised Alexander’s remarks.

“I don’t think I can follow a better advocate,” he said. “If I said what I was planning to say tonight, I’d be more of an echo.”

Brogan said his clients are “very much prepared to work with the town regarding the bath house.” The concerns of his clients take three forms, he said: the size and shape of the bath house, noise that would generated from people using it, and the fear of an obstructed view of the ocean from the residential units.

“My client is prepared to work to come to an understanding to the borough that may be a mutual benefit of both,” he reiterated.

Charlene Polomski, who said she owns properties in Hiering Avenue, told council members she agreed with the concerns of Alexander, and had more of her own – the cost of maintaining the building, as well as a potential “logjam” on the boardwalk.

“I also have concerns about the entrance to the bath house,” she said. “I’ve been coming to Seaside and living on Hiering since I was 11 years old. With the old bath house, you would go up and they would enter onto the area right above the ramp, and you couldn’t even get past the people. There were kids everywhere, taking turns in the bath house, and it caused a logjam going up.”

Joseph Usinowicz, a Hiering Avenue resident, complained that the beach on the north end of town is already used for certain events, such as an annual Boy Scout camp-out, which restricts some access to the sand, and the sale of beach badges from the bath house could bring more people to the area.

“If they do sell beach badges there, that’s going to add to more people coming on the beach at that location,” he said.

Council members did not engage in a debate with the residents, but reiterated the fact that a bath house had long occupied the site and, after the storm, had always been planned for a rebuild.

“It got wiped out by Sandy, and it’s the same footprint,” said Councilman Vito Ferrone.

Councilman Harry Smith said the bath house is needed in town, reminding those in attendance that Seaside Heights’ beaches are not private or reserved for certain residents.

“I just don’t represent Hiering Avenue, I represent the whole town,” he said. “I know, from being in this town my whole life, we do need more bathrooms and we need a bath house. That bath house has been planned since the day it came down. We tried to get it out to bid in 2013 or 2014, and they wanted so much money, we couldn’t do it.”

An opportunity to rebuild now has come due to the federal grant.

“It’s not a private beach on Hiering Avenue,” Smith said. “It’s for all the people of the state of New Jersey, all the people all over the place – it’s for everybody.”

The bath house project is expected to come before the planning board for a hearing in the coming months.

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