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
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 Monmouth Battlefield State Park 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 Colts Neck, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 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.
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“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”
“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.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“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!!”
“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.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
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.
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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home 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:
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:
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 Dorbrook Recreation Area with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
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 La Candela Gallega or visit Twin Lights State Historic Site, 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.
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:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
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.
Request More Information
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.
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 Colts Neck, 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.
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:
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 Colts Neck, 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
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 Colts Neck, 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.
The board recently passed a resolution expressing disappointment in affordable housing mandates and the lack of data from town and county.Sara Winick, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 9:37 am ETCOLTS NECK, NJ — The Colts Neck Board of Education called for more transparency in the affordable housing process and announced plans to initiate collaboration with state, county and town officials on the matter durin...
Sara Winick, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 9:37 am ET
COLTS NECK, NJ — The Colts Neck Board of Education called for more transparency in the affordable housing process and announced plans to initiate collaboration with state, county and town officials on the matter during a recent board meeting.
In an 8-1 vote, the board passed a resolution expressing “deep disappointment” in the affordable housing mandates from the state, and disappointment in the “lack of actionable data” from the Township Committee and Monmouth County committees regarding impacts to taxpayers.
Requirements for affordable housing in Colts Neck (and other NJ municipalities) are generated from calculations by the Department of Community Affairs, which determine how many units of affordable housing municipalities must provide over the next decade.
Under the Mount Laurel Doctrine, all municipalities are constitutionally mandated to provide their “fair share” of affordable housing for the region.
In Colts Neck, the present housing need (existing housing units deemed substandard/deficient and in need of repair) is 0, and the prospective housing need (the number of new units that need to be built based on population trends) is 101 units, according to calculations from the DCA.
On Jan. 29, the Township Committee passed a resolution accepting the calculations from the DCA and said that within two days of the resolution passing, the town would also file a complaint seeking approval from NJ’s Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program (and the court) on the town’s affordable housing obligations and seeking to reserve the town’s right to adjust its obligations.
While the Board of Education said they appreciate the Township Committee’s resolution, they encouraged the committee to “engage other impacted stakeholders and expand their reach on future resolutions."
The board also urged state legislators and the Governor’s Office to reassess affordable housing mandates and develop a “fair, fiscally responsible approach to affordable housing” that accounts for the infrastructure and educational costs held by municipalities and school districts.
In their resolution, the school board cited developments such as Livana Square (which is near the Yellow Brook and flows into the Swimming River Reservoir) and discussed how further development could put a strain on the existing water supply and wastewater treatment in Colts Neck.
The resolution argues that the affordable housing mandates fail to account for the strain additional housing developments will put on the school system, including “increased student enrollment, overcrowding, and the financial burden on local taxpayers to fund necessary expansions, faculty hiring, and educational resources.”
“The impact of affordable housing on our township is unfair,” said Board Member Kevin Walsh, who helped initiate and execute the resolution with Board Member Robert Scales. “It’s unfair to our taxpayer, it’s unfair to our residents, it’s going to be unaffordable to live in our town.”
“I’m deeply disappointed our Township Committee did not communicate much earlier the impact of affordable housing obligations to our school community,” Walsh continued. “This delay in open transparency is affecting our ability as a Board of Education to properly prepare long-term financial budgets for the large influx of students.”
During the meeting, Walsh also referenced a previous Planning Board meeting held in January, where residents were asked to give their input on the town’s affordable housing obligations.
At the Planning Board meeting, Board Chair John Tobia said the board doesn't typically hold meetings on affordable housing, as the Township Committee normally hosts those information sessions and hires professionals such as affordable housing planners and attorneys.
“In the interest of public input, we are conducting this informational session so that it’s transparent and we have all the input," Tobia said. "But please be advised that it’s ultimately the Township Committee that has the total responsibility of affordable housing in this township.”
During their Feb. 5 meeting, the Board of Education ultimately passed their resolution in an 8-1 vote.
In a statement sent to Patch, Mayor Tara Torchia Buss said she was disappointed in the resolution the board passed and spoke about her experience working for the town and with the board.
"As someone who has been the Township Committee Liaison to the Board of Education for the past four years, I spent a great deal of time attending meetings both taking in information and sharing information," Buss said. "The township has always had an open and transparent relationship with the school district and the Board of Education. With that being said, I am very disappointed in the resolution that the current board of education, many of whom have just begun their terms, put forth."
"I agree that the financial burden of affordable housing is unfairly thrust upon townships, including the schools, the infrastructure, emergency services, and so much more. But for the Board of Education to put forth a resolution stating the township has failed to provide actionable data, or any transparency, is completely false," Buss continued. "The former president of the Board, and one of the few remaining board members from 2024, stated on the record that the township has had many meetings with the School Administrator, Superintendent and previous board members. For this current Board of Education to state otherwise less than one month into its tenure is disappointing, to say the least."
"One of the board members came to our last Township Meeting and stated in the public comment period that it was the intention of the resolution to create friction because friction causes a reaction," Buss said. "Unfortunately, reactions don't always lead to positive outcomes. Sometimes that friction causes more harm than good."
As Mayor, Buss said it's her job to learn and listen to residents, as well as work in the best interest of Colts Neck. Going forward, she said she looks forward to working with the Board of Education to ensure the best interests of the town.
"As Mayor, it is my job to learn as much as I can, listen to my fellow residents (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and act in the best interest of the township," Buss said. "I look forward to working with the current Board of Education members, as all of us on Township Committee have done over the years, to ensure the best interests of our township are always paramount and we do no harm in the execution of those interests."
During the Feb. 5 meeting, Board Member Jessica Ramirez voted against the resolution, saying the board needs to ensure that they do their due diligence regarding the issue and have adequate time to fully discuss the resolution. She also said it may be wise to have legal counsel look over the resolution before voting on it.
“We have these committees, we have these leadership roles in place, so I think we need to explore those avenues first before we’re putting out a resolution urging the township to do something, or urging our local government to do something,” Ramirez said. “I think we need to do our due diligence and ensure that we’ve done everything in our power moving forward.”
Colts Neck Board of Education President Angelique Volpe said that she feels the board members had time to respond to the resolution draft and that any concerns or additions raised for the resolution were taken into consideration and adjusted as necessary.
“As president, I decided that it was imperative that this community, the county and the local government knows our position on this,” Volpe said.
To watch the full Colts Neck Board of Education meeting, you can click here. To read the board’s resolution and meeting agenda, you can click here.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with a statement from Mayor Tara Torchia Buss.
Related
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
DEPTFORD -- With 2:37 left in the boys basketball Group 3 state semifinal between Ocean City and Colts Neck on Tuesday, it appeared that a valiant comeback would come up short.The Cougars' star senior Lukas Sloane had single-handedly cut Ocean City's five point lead to just one point, and he added to that heroic effort with yet another score to give his team a 44-43 lead. But just a few moments later, Sloane fouled out with a team-high 17 points.What seemed like an unfortunate ending was just the start of another...
DEPTFORD -- With 2:37 left in the boys basketball Group 3 state semifinal between Ocean City and Colts Neck on Tuesday, it appeared that a valiant comeback would come up short.
The Cougars' star senior Lukas Sloane had single-handedly cut Ocean City's five point lead to just one point, and he added to that heroic effort with yet another score to give his team a 44-43 lead. But just a few moments later, Sloane fouled out with a team-high 17 points.
What seemed like an unfortunate ending was just the start of another chapter in the most miraculous story of the Shore basketball season. After Ocean City swiftly regained the lead, Colts Neck shut out the Red Raiders in the final two minutes. It set the stage for senior Dillon Younger as he drove into the paint with a clunky and gritty move that was finished off with a 10-foot jumper through contact to give the Cougars a 46-45 lead.
"Our best scorer is out," Younger said. "I needed to just step up. And obviously our whole team got us there. Rebounding, defense, making them turn over the ball. So I just knew it was my time to get that basket."
Appropriately, the Cardiac Cats capped off the comeback victory with two defensive stands. Colts Neck beat Ocean City 47-45 and secured its place in the state championship at Rutgers on Saturday. It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done. And it was the perfect finish for a team that has been defined by a willingness to win by any means necessary.
"We all knew we had it in us," said Younger. "We love each other. We're good friends off the court."
The love extended to the devoted student section, The Den, that provided home court advantage throughout the team's run to a sectional championship and traveled to give the Cougars a home court advantage even while being 70 miles from home. The Den stormed the court in the aftermath of the momentous victory.
"The Den didn't travel an hour and 30 minutes to watch us lose," Sloane said. "I had to get the fans what they wanted."
The constant for the Cougars was their defense, and senior Dan Buoncore set the standard with multiple steals including a steal-and-score in the closing minutes of the fourth.
"I love my teammates. Us seniors, we've been playing together for four years, we've been staying ready for this moment," said Buoncore. "And most importantly we play defense."
The Cougars overcame a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter to topple an impressive Ocean City that came into the game with a 22-6 record. The Red Raiders were beset by a devastating injury just 18 seconds into the game when the team's lone senior and leading scorer, Ben McGonigle, exited the game with an apparent ankle injury. But that loss seemed to galvanized the talented group as they seized control in the second quarter and extended their lead in the third. Luke Tjoumakaris had a game-high 21 points for Ocean.
But Colts Neck would not be denied. And no matter how much the Cougars had struggled in various aspects, they found ways to turn those shortcomings into strengths. They were an abysmal 10 of 20 at the free throw line and struggled on the glass, but the turning point of the game came when Sloane crafted a three-point play. He made his first free throw and grabbed his own offensive rebound on the second and put it back in for a score to cut Ocean City's lead to 41-40 midway through the fourth quarter.
"This is my senior season, I've gotta give it all that I got," Sloane said. "I don't think we crashed the boards one time, so I was thinking, let's give them something they ain't seen. He came out with the ball on his hip and I just took it and scored."
Colts Neck coach Steve Jannarone admitted he wasn't thrilled with the principle behind the play, but praised the execution from the star senior.
"That same play, he did it against Ewing and I was ready to strangle him," the coach said. "So the fact he ignored me and got it was to his credit because he knows what can and can't do."
That level of confidence is a theme for Colts Neck, as they've made fools out of naysayers and established themselves as the Shore Conference's unsung elite team. This run is particularly impressive given the recurring state-wide narrative that this winter was a "down year" for boys basketball at the Shore.
"I think the Shore speaks for itself," Jannarone said. "Anybody that thinks we have to prove anything hasn't been watching."
They'll face reigning state champion Ramapo in the Group 3 final, giving the Cougars one more chance to stun the entire state with another upset. But it's difficult to imagine how any moment could top the theatrics of Tuesday night's semifinal.
"It's just surreal," said Younger. "All my friends here - it's just an amazing experience. Can't ask for better."
COLTS NECK – While the township is gearing up to meet its state-mandated affordable housing obligations, the school board is expressing “deep disappointment” about how these mandates will impact the district over the next 10 years. But the township mayor assured school board members at their recent meeting that the housing mandates will be manageable, and that the township has been preparing for the changes for the past year.The township committee approved a resolution at its Jan. 29 meeting to accept the state&rsquo...
COLTS NECK – While the township is gearing up to meet its state-mandated affordable housing obligations, the school board is expressing “deep disappointment” about how these mandates will impact the district over the next 10 years. But the township mayor assured school board members at their recent meeting that the housing mandates will be manageable, and that the township has been preparing for the changes for the past year.
The township committee approved a resolution at its Jan. 29 meeting to accept the state’s estimate of 101 units to be built over the next 10 years as part of the state’s fourth round of affordable housing obligations under the Fair Share Housing Act. Meanwhile, the district’s school board has voiced strong concerns about the state mandates, as included in a resolution passed at its most recent meeting.
According to estimates calculated by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), as directed by the state’s Fair Share Housing law, the township has been assigned zero units for present need, referring to the rehabilitation and repair of existing housing, and 101 units for prospective need, or new construction planned for the next 10 years as part of the fourth-round affordable housing obligations (2025-2035).
The DCA set a deadline of Jan. 31 for all municipalities in the state to either adopt a resolution with their own calculations or comply with the DCA’s estimate. Colts Neck officials accepted DCA’s estimate and adopted the resolution. Complying with the state mandate protects the town from exclusionary zoning litigation or builder’s remedy lawsuits and allows the municipality to maintain control over its zoning and planning decisions.
The resolution also stated that within two days, the township would file for approval from New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program and the court regarding the town’s affordable housing responsibilities, while preserving the town’s right to modify those obligations if necessary.
‘Strain’ On Schools
However, an influx of new students from the potential developments will put an added “strain” on the school system, the Colts Neck Board of Education (BOE) said in a resolution adopted at its Feb. 5 meeting. The board members worded the resolution expressing “deep disappointment in the affordable housing mandates” imposed by the state, in addition to the “lack of actionable data” from the township and Monmouth County regarding impacts to taxpayers.
The resolution, initiated by BOE members Kevin Walsh and Robert Scales, warns that the additional housing developments will lead to increased student enrollment, overcrowding and financial strain on local taxpayers to fund necessary expansions, faculty hiring and educational resources.
The board argued that “the financial responsibility for accommodating increased school-age populations due to these developments is unfairly placed upon local property taxpayers, with no corresponding increase in state aid to offset the cost of additional students, infrastructure, and educational services.”
The board members also voiced disappointment with the township committee’s handling of the issue, claiming a “lack of open communication and clear planning” from the township committee regarding the long-term financial and educational impact of the state-imposed policies on the school system and community.
The resolution was also critical about one of the most controversial affordable housing plans called Livana Square, previously known as Colts Neck Manor, by developer Kushner Co. that was approved by the township and county amid strong pushback from residents and environmentalists. The Livana Square development is situated on an environmentally sensitive site near the Yellow Brook, which flows into the Swimming River Reservoir. The resolution states, “the township committee, planning board, and county commission have failed to conduct a thorough assessment of the potential impacts on the existing water supply, which could directly affect the students of the Colts Neck School District. A failure in the wastewater system could compromise the drinking water supply, endangering not only our students but also more than 300,000 residents of Monmouth County.”
While the board noted it remains grateful for the township committee’s shared-services initiatives and dedication to the schools it is urging officials including state legislators and the governor’s office to reassess these mandates considering the infrastructure and educational costs borne by municipalities and school districts because of the increased development.
Board member Walsh said “the impact of affordable housing on our taxes is unfair. It’s unfair to our taxpayer. It’s unfair to our residents. It’s going to be unaffordable to live in our town.”
“I am deeply disappointed our township committee did not communicate much earlier the impact of affordable housing obligations to our school community,” Walsh said during the meeting. “This delay in open transparency is affecting our ability as a Board of Education to properly prepare long-term financial budgets for the certain large influx of students.”
Walsh noted that the township planning board held a public hearing on the affordable housing obligations Jan. 14, which he said was “too little, too late.” He stated the school board had to request affordable housing data from the township, rather than the information being proactively provided. “I believe round four obligations will result in over 500 units that we are responsible for, and the possibility of 100 to 200 students,” Walsh said. Those numbers are an approximation made considering that 20% is designated for affordable housing by developers while 80% of the remaining units are market-rate to make the project financially viable.
Mayor Reacts
Colts Neck Mayor Tara Torchia Buss, who attended the BOE meeting, addressed the concerns but defended the township’s approach to the issue. “I find that comment – the lack of transparency and open communication – completely incorrect and false. I have always had a wonderful relationship with the business administrator and the superintendent. We have been very open and transparent,” Buss said.
The mayor expressed optimism about the township’s planning for incoming affordable housing developments, adding that she does not anticipate “shovel in the ground” for these projects. “I don’t believe you guys will see an increase in affordable housing. That’s what I believe. Whether or not that’s the case that remains to be seen.”
In addition to the resolution, Colts Neck has moved forward with several projects to help meet its affordable housing obligations. On Jan. 8, the township committee entered into an affordable housing developer’s agreement with Countryside Developers to transform the property at Block 42, Lot 4, commonly known as Charleston Meadows, into a 68-unit inclusionary housing development. The development will consist of 53 market-rate units and 15 affordable housing units.
The township’s planning board has also recently granted preliminary and final approval for a major subdivision plan by Roger Mumford Homes, LLC at Obre Road. This plan involves the creation of a 25-lot single-family residential community. The township will be collecting a closing fee from the developer that will be deposited into the township’s affordable housing fund, rather than building affordable housing on-site. The amount of the closing fee is not specified, as it can vary by town and may change over time, the company said. The development is still a couple years away from closing, with site development work happening this year and model homes expected to start early next year, according to the developer.
Meanwhile, the township committee has until June 30, 2025, as per the state-mandate to adopt a comprehensive plan to meet the affordable housing obligations. Once the affordable housing plan is prepared, the township will seek permanent immunity from exclusionary zoning lawsuits until 2035.
The article originally appeared in the February 20 – 26, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.BASKETBALLAsbury Park PressPISCATAWAY -- The forces of destiny that permeated the Colts Neck boys basketball team were as omnipresent as the external doubt. But on the grand stage at Jersey Mike's Arena for the Group 3 state championship Saturday night, the Cougars left no room for doubt.Facing reigning st...
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.
BASKETBALL
Asbury Park Press
PISCATAWAY -- The forces of destiny that permeated the Colts Neck boys basketball team were as omnipresent as the external doubt. But on the grand stage at Jersey Mike's Arena for the Group 3 state championship Saturday night, the Cougars left no room for doubt.
Facing reigning state champion Ramapo, the Cougars faced the same chorus of sports soothsayers that had said the team would lose to Ewing and Ocean City. The silence of the doubters was as deafening as the booming student section as Colts Neck outmaneuvered the bigger and talented Raiders to win 54-46 for the first state championship in program history.
With leading scorer fouling out, Colts Neck boys basketball comes back, reaches state final
Coach Steve Jannarone couldn't ignore the fate that always seemed to surround his team, dating back to innocuous trip to see his son. They went out to dinner at an upscale restaurant that required a suit jacket, and Jannarone bought an elegant green piece for the occasion
"I bought this jacket and I kid to my wife, if we get something green, it'll be something I can wear in the state finals," Jannarone said. "I had been rocking a 20-year-old polo for the whole tournament, so it was a big decision to try it out. And it worked. So there's definitely something going on."
Whether it was the fashion gods or the basketball gods, there was always something good going on about this year's most unlikely state champ. The Cougars scrapped their way through the first two quarters while Lukas Sloane kept the team afloat with 13 of the team's 15 points at halftime.
After trailing Ramapo 20-15 at halftime, the Cougars could do no wrong as they surged in the next 16 minutes. They made eight of their nine field goal attempts in the third quarter and shrunk the Ramapo lead to 38-37 heading into the fourth. Fresh of his late-game heroics against Ocean City, junior Dillon Younger had nine points in the third quarter. The results laid bare that Colts Neck was built for these moments.
"In the Shore, we play a lot of teams that are bigger and more physical," said Sloane. "We just have that hustle that I don't think any team in the state has. That's why we came out on top."
The defensive hand placement was immaculate as they ruined the Raiders' rhythm with blocks and steals. The ball movement was a work of art as scoring opportunities flowed to seniors Dan Buoncore, Jack Freid and Bryce Belcher, who made back-to-back shots to give Colts Neck the defining 43-41 lead midway through the fourth as they rode that momentum to the finish line.
"We just believe in ourselves," Younger said. "We believe in each other especially. Lukas believed in us to hit all these shots, he was carrying us in the beginning. Our chemistry is the best."
Colts Neck embodied team basketball in a way that it galvanized the community beyond just the student-athletes on the team. The Cougars' student section, The Den, dwarfed its counterpart from Ramapo. The vocal coalition of community members and alumni roared at each turning point, just as they had all through the team's incredible playoff run.
"It's really great for the whole community to come out," Belcher said. "The Den has been supporting us all year and it has been truly amazing for us to just perform in front of them. It's the greatest feeling in the world."
The Cougars were a team that faced an unfathomable climb to the top. They embraced each fateful twist and turn of their journey.
Before the state championship, Jannarone didn't shy away from reminding his team of the stakes of the moment and what it would mean if his players could deliver the first boys basketball state championship in school history.
"We talked about how they matched a legacy by winning a sectional. By winning the next one (in the state semifinal against Ocean City), they'd surpassed it," Jannarone said. "The talk today was: win this and you can never be surpassed."
The start of the game could not have been uglier for fans hoping to see high-flying offensive basketball. After three scoreless minutes, Ramapo got the first points of the game on free throw and added the game's first field goal with 4:20 left in the first quarter. It was a slog, and it was exactly what Colts Neck needed.
Ramapo never seemed to fully recover from that opening offensive funk while Sloane kept Colts Neck afloat by scoring all of his team's six first quarter points. The Raiders held a 10-6 lead, but that seemed to foreshadow the Cougars mucky path to victory.
All the while Sloane buoyed his team and reached double figures before another Colts Neck player could put the ball through the net. Ramapo inched forward to an 18-12 lead before the Raiders found themselves stuck in the mud again, going scoreless for four minutes before scoring the final bucket of the second to hold a 20-15 lead at halftime.
The foundation of bricks in the first half only augmented Colts Neck's gritty style of play in the third. The Cougars surged immediately to keep pace with Ramapo's best offensive stretch of the game, steadily shrinking the lead largely thanks to their hot hand from beyond the arc.
Colts Neck was only 5-for-15 from three-point range in the game, but all five makes came in the third quarter. None of them were bigger than Younger's two makes, the first of which tied the game at 33-33 and the second of which was a four-point play that gave Colts Neck a 37-35 lead, their first of the game, with 57.5 seconds left in the third.
Ramapo answered to hold a 38-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Raiders were running out of answers.
They relinquished the lead for good after Belcher's back-to-back scores that put Colts Neck up 43-41 with 3:52 left in the game. The Cougars played an astute game of keep away to bleed off more than a minute of game time. Clutch scores by Bouncore and Freid in quick success gave the team a two-possession lead and put Ramapo into intentional foul territory.
The final minutes were as much of a slog as the first minutes, all signifying that Colts Neck had executed their strategy to perfection.
Sloane finished with game-high 20 points in addition to 12 rebounds. Freid was the other Cougar in double figures with 11. Younger was the do-it-all point guard as he finished a well-rounded performance with nine points, eight assists and six rebounds. Belcher and Bouncore each finished with seven points.
Just 27 years after its inception, Colts Neck became the first high school in the Freehold Regional School District to win a boys basketball state championship. It's one more stunning factual element to an unlikely story.
The Cougars didn't have a shred of momentum heading into the playoffs. They lost by 30 points to Manasquan in their exit from the Shore Conference Tournament, and ended the regular season with a loss to Sayreville that brought their record to 14-9.
Of course, fate intervened for a team that can sparsely be explained in any other way. Lukas Sloane himself emerged as a star and doubled his scoring output as a senior. But the clutch performances of Buoncore, Younger and Belcher were what got the team to Rutgers to play for a state title.
In a Shore Conference basketball season that been repeatedly denigrated as a down year for the league, Colts Neck was battle-hardened enough to seize a state crown. If this is a down year, then things are certainly looking up for basketball at the Shore.
Boys Bowling New Jersey's Fastest Growing University NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, Central Jersey, Group 31FINAL 217-2-1 • 11-0-1 BCSL - LibertyShare: ...
Boys Bowling
New Jersey's Fastest Growing University
NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, Central Jersey, Group 3
1
FINAL
2
17-2-1 • 11-0-1 BCSL - Liberty
Share: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
High Set
Dante Peteocelli
Colts Neck
572
Matthew Carman
Ewing
685
High Game
Sean Bresnahan
Colts Neck
207
Joey Reid
Ewing
257
Bowler Average
Dante Peteocelli
Colts Neck
190.67
Matthew Carman
Ewing
228.33
| Final | |
|---|---|
| Colts Neck (10-10) | 1 |
| Ewing (17-2-1) | 2 |
Colts Neck
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOT | HS | HG | AVG | GP | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Leggio | 168 | 158 | 146 | 472 | 472 | 168 | 157.33 | 1 | 3 |
| Sean Bresnahan | 169 | 207 | 128 | 504 | 504 | 207 | 168.00 | 1 | 3 |
| Frank DeCola | 135 | 156 | 138 | 429 | 429 | 156 | 143.00 | 1 | 3 |
| Dante Peteocelli | 170 | 205 | 197 | 572 | 572 | 205 | 190.67 | 1 | 3 |
| Jason Bennett | 170 | 182 | 190 | 542 | 542 | 190 | 180.67 | 1 | 3 |
| Totals: | 812 | 908 | 799 | 2,519 | 2,519 | 207 | 167.93 | 5 | 15 |
Ewing
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOT | HS | HG | AVG | GP | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian Curtiss | 159 | 164 | 177 | 500 | 500 | 177 | 166.67 | 1 | 3 |
| David Hartmann | 184 | 116 | 201 | 501 | 501 | 201 | 167.00 | 1 | 3 |
| Antonio Vargas | 172 | 188 | 160 | 520 | 520 | 188 | 173.33 | 1 | 3 |
| Joey Reid | 195 | 152 | 257 | 604 | 604 | 257 | 201.33 | 1 | 3 |
| Matthew Carman | 245 | 236 | 204 | 685 | 685 | 245 | 228.33 | 1 | 3 |
| Totals: | 955 | 856 | 999 | 2,810 | 2,810 | 257 | 187.33 | 5 | 15 |
| CN | E | |
|---|---|---|
| Game | ||
| Game 1 | 813 | 955 |
| Game 2 | 908 | 856 |
| Game 3 | 799 | 999 |
| Total Pins | 2,520 | 2,810 |
Notifications
732-483-4611
