Home Care In Bayville, NJ

To my surprise, I'm driving on Mill Creek Road in Bayville and see a cow.

I was like, oh a cow, in Bayville. That's something you don't always see every day.

It's true there is a farm on Mill Creek Road. I love it. I had to find out a little bit about this farm in my town.

The farm, from what I found out the other day speaking to someone at the farm, they moved here from Toms River. They have cows, baby cows, donkeys, and more. I saw a donkey the other day, but the day I was there taking pictures, I only saw cows and the adorable calves.

It's called Charlotte Farms. They help animals. They are a non-profit. A friend of mine was talking to someone that works at farm and they are a sanctuary for animals. And, great news, this farm will open in the next couple of weeks.

If you're familiar with Mill Creek Road in Bayville, you'll notice there's a giant privacy screen along the road, that's the farm. This is from Charlotte Farms Animal Sanctuary Facebook page:

Thank you so much for all of the well wishes and support! It means so much to us!Unfortunately due to complaints, between zoning and animal control, we still have to keep up the privacy screen. If you enjoyed seeing the animals, please let the township know!I see there have also been lots of requests to visit and volunteer. We are still in the process of setting everything up for the animals, so at this time we are not yet prepared to have anyone inside.

For more information on Charlotte Farms Animal Sanctuary or to donate CLICK HERE.

Quiz: Do you know your state insect?

Stacker has used a variety of sources to compile a list of the official state insect(s) of each U.S. state, as well as their unique characteristics. Read on to see if you can guess which insect(s) represent your state.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

BERKELEY, NJ — After a previous rejection, a proposed detox and rehabilitation center will be going before the Berkeley Township Zoning Board of Adjustment with amendments to the original plan.

Quantum Behavioral Health, which operates an outpatient treatment facility in South Toms River, had hoped to open the detox center at 6 Allard Road, which previously housed Bayville Manor. But a number of residents spoke out at a four hour meeting, and the plan was denied. Read more: Location, Safety Biggest Issues For Bayville Detox/Rehab Center

Last May, Quantum filed a lawsuit against Berkeley and the zoning board, claiming that officials

"unlawfully yielded to the prejudices and fears of neighbors about the presumed harm that people with disabilities would bring to their neighborhood, often termed 'NIMBY' or 'not-in-my-backyard.'"

The 109-page lawsuit said that officials "held one 'kangaroo' public hearing that screamed of pretext and discrimination" and that their denial of the application following that hearing was "based upon inaccurate statements and is devoid of any non-discriminatory or any other valid basis for the denial."

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officials with Quantum have been insistent that the facility would in fact be beneficial to the local community, giving those dealing with addiction a safe place to detox. There would be a number of security measures in place, including pre-screening and 24/7 monitoring. Read more: Detox Facility Will Be A Benefit To Bayville Community, Director Says

Even more security measures are planned to be implemented as well. According to public notice, Quantum proposes adding an eight-foot vinyl fence along side and rear property lines and planted buffers along Allard Road and the westernmost property line.

Additionally, all patients will be screened and no one under government supervision for violent crimes will be admitted, surveillance cameras will be installed and monitored 24 hours a day, a security system will be installed to prevent unauthorized entry or exit, sliding glass doors in each room will be permanently locked (except as required by fire code), all doors that allow entry and exit to the building will be alarmed and patients will not be allowed visitors except as clinically directed.

This will be discussed at an upcoming zoning board hearing set for Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. It is what's known as a "Whispering Woods settlement," based on a New Jersey court case from the 1980s. This will allow Berkeley and Quantum to settle the lawsuit without a full hearing, but allowing the public to hear the terms. In the settlement, Quantum seeks approval of the facility, with the aforementioned amendments.

All members of the public are invited to attend the hearing.

Neighbors expressed concerns about traffic and detention basins at a hearing on the proposed development at 99 Station Road.

Patch Staff

BERKELEY, NJ — A decision on a proposed 24-home development in Berkeley will not be made until the new year after traffic concerns lead the project's attorney to request the hearing be carried.

The proposed development consists of 24 homes, two detention basins and an open space/recreation lot that will have another basin.

A public hearing was held before the Berkeley Township Planning Board on Nov. 16, six months later after it was first supposed to be heard. The reason for the delay was that attorney Ryan Murphy had spoken with concerned neighbors and asked to delay the hearing so the applicant could take those concerns to heart.

However, after neighbors further voiced concerns Thursday night, Murphy admitted that he was not aware that traffic was a sticking point and requested the hearing be carried so that he could bring in a traffic engineer. The new date is Jan. 18, 2024.

Neighbors who live on Station Road and on Brittany Drive spent the evening saying how Station Road was already a dangerous road to drive on, and fearing that the proposed entrance to the development would only make it worse.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Longtime Station Road resident Ellen Fassmacht said that the curve had caused many accidents, one of which took out her mailbox, a fire hydrant and the car ended up in her front yard.

"I just think it'll be very dangerous," Fassmacht said.

William Exner, a Manhattan Avenue resident, said it would be "another accident waiting to happen."

Residents noted that Station Road is frequently used by emergency vehicles and worried that additional traffic would impact that.

Another point of concern was the detention basins. Three are proposed, but one that would sit behind Brittany Drive homes was the main focus.

Resident Jennifer Vasconcelos pointed out that while those who purchase homes in the new neighborhood do so knowing a basin will be near them, she and her existing neighbors did not do so. The basin would sit directly behind her home.

"That really isn't acceptable to me," Vasconcelos said.

The board's engineer, Ernie Peters, noted that while the applicant may have picked the most efficient locations for the basins, they will impact existing neighbors.

Chairman Nick Mackres said that if the basins were moved, they would affect another neighbor. But Peters said that the basin could be moved entirely away from property lines.

Murphy added that they will be dry basins and that the applicant is willing to provide buffering. A homeowners' association will also be established and will be responsible for maintaining the basins.

Many neighbors also said they chose their homes because of its wooded surroundings.

"It's teeming with life," said Brittany Drive resident Kathryn Milewski, who noted that the woods were home to deer, bats, owls and more.

These concerns will be further addressed at the Jan. 18 Planning Board meeting.

BERKELEY, NJ — After 32 years of serving Berkeley Township and its residents, Mayor Carmen Amato is moving on.

But before Amato is sworn in as the 9th Legislative District's state senator, his constituents, colleagues and family took time to thank him, presenting him with gratitude and gifts.

In a packed Township Council meeting, the last of 2023, with guests including Ocean County Board of Commissioners Director Joseph Vicari and Central Regional School District former superintendent David Trethaway, the community gathered to give Amato their best wishes.

"It's been a hell of a ride," Amato said as he reflected on his time as mayor.

A proud lifelong Bayville resident, Amato has been serving Berkeley in various ways for 32 years, dating back to his time coaching Little League and Pop Warner. From there, he was elected to the Berkeley Township Board of Education, then to the Central Regional Board of Education, and served on the Township Council before being elected mayor in 2011.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When he took office in 2012, the township had $10,000 in reserve and was in debt. Then, Superstorm Sandy hit, creating a chaotic first year for the new mayor.

Amato said he was proud of what he had accomplished in his time as mayor, holding 123 community town hall meetings, preserving more than 1,000 acres of township land and being on the cusp of the revitalization of the Beachwood Mall.

Among those accomplishments was helping the Wunder Wiener get back and also, "we saved the dinosaur!"

And as of their last audit, the township had $12 million in surplus, Amato said.

"I leave the municipality in good hands," he said.

Many were sad to see him go, though he will still represent Berkeley, just at a higher level.

"He is the best mayor that served Berkeley Township," said Councilman Keith Buscio.

Amato's assistant, Gina Russo, got teary-eyed as she presented him with a leadership award.

"There is no mayor that has worked harder," Russo said.

Amato was also presented with a framed Berkeley Township sign, a personalized plaque and a proclamation from the council.

"Under his leadership, Berkeley Township rebuilt to become stronger, more united and more resilient than ever," Council President and Mayor-Elect John Bacchione read from the proclamation.

The council pledged to support Amato's legislative efforts and said they were proud to have him as a resident and "steward of all things Berkeley."

And while Amato may no longer be mayor after Jan. 1, he vowed that he would always take care of Berkeley.

"I may be fighting the good fight in Trenton," Amato said. "But my heart will always be in Berkeley Township."

Ocean County will preserve a privately-owned campground site off Route 9 in Bayville for $5.9 million, making this summer the last season that the Cedar Creek Campground will operate.

The acquisition of the 27-acre tract was presented to the county commissioners at a work session meeting last week and will be finalized Wednesday when they vote on its approval. It is being purchased through the county’s Natural Lands Trust, which is funded by a county-wide open space tax. Berkeley Township officials voted to support the land buy at a meeting earlier this week.

“It’s currently operated as a camp ground and this will be its last season of operation,” County Administrator Michael J. Fiure told Shorebeat.

Cedar Creek Campground is a popular destination for families with RVs and similar vehicles for short stays, and features camping, kayaking, hiking in the pines, plus a swimming pool. It is unique in its proximity to both Barnegat Bay and the Pine Barrens, but for Ocean County, its importance comes due to its location beside the Barnegat Branch Trail, which has been preserved up and down the corridor where a train line once ran.

County officials will not continue running the camp as an attraction, and have not announced whether active recreational components will eventually be hosted here.

“As of right now, the main priority is that this will be consistent with our Natural Lands plan, which could allow some recreation,” said Fiure. “But really, the main thing is that we have the Barnegat Branch Trail that runs through here, and there are pieces next door that we just acquired on all sides. Everything will eventually flow together.”

Consistent with the traditional policy employed by the county, the campground was acquired only after the property owner signaled a willingness to sell.

“It’s been completely discussed with the seller, they are on board, and they accepted our offer,” said Fiure.

The purchase will be finalize at the county commissioners’ meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday.