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.
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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 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.
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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.
COLTS NECK -- The legacy of Nick Russo at the Shore goes back decades from his time as a player to winning titles as a head coach, and it may have helped him this season as the Colts Neck girls basketball head coach.More: ...
COLTS NECK -- The legacy of Nick Russo at the Shore goes back decades from his time as a player to winning titles as a head coach, and it may have helped him this season as the Colts Neck girls basketball head coach.
Colts Neck won its Shore Conference Tournament preliminary round match against Freehold Borough on Tuesday afternoon, final score 47-33. The Cougars will travel down to Manasquan to face the top-seeded Warriors on Thursday. The win was backed by his talented freshman duo in Julianna Jasina (10 points, 8 rebounds) and Emily Donahue (12 points). Those two have been the leading scorers all season.
"They love to play, they're basketball players, that's what they do, they want to play all day so that's the difference," Russo said about his freshmen.
As a player, he finished and still is a top 50 Shore Conference scorer of all-time with 1,664 points for Keyport in the 1970's. He averaged 25.7 points per game his senior year. Russo coached at St. John Vianney in the 1990's to help the program become the powerhouse it now is and led the Lancers to nine state titles and five Tournament of Champions crowns. Russo will also be the assistant coach at the McDonald's All-American Game in April alongside current SJV head coach Dawn Karpell -- who'll also be the head coach of the all-star game.
"I felt really really really blessed that Dawn would ask me to do it so I appreciate that," Russo said.
In an era when players go to powerhouse programs to capitalize on exposure and playing high-level competition more regularly, getting kids to stay at local public schools has gotten tougher. Colts Neck (12-7) may be able to break that mold starting with the roster he has now, a team with only one senior. Russo expressed that it's tough to keep players home, but he's hopeful. When asked why she chose to stay local, Jasina's answer was clear.
"Mostly Coach Russo," Jasina replied. "I feel like it's such a privilege to have him as a coach. McDonald's All-American and stuff, I just wanted to stay home."
The first half of the game against Freehold Boro (16-5) was close, Colts Neck went into halftime leading 23-20. The third quarter is when the Cougars turned up the heat and began pulling away. The Colonials turned the ball over eight times in the third quarter, 25 times in the game, and the Cougars made them pay. Their on-ball pressure and double teams wore down Freehold over time. An 8-0 run to start the third quarter gave Colts Neck the cushion they needed.
"I just felt like we were smarter in the second half," Russo said. "We had a plan going in to limit their best players and I feel like we did a good job in the first half, we did on the point guard (Christina Sikaras), but not on the other kid (Sayuri Penaranda) and we gave them too many layups and free throws."
Penaranda had a game-high 19 points, Sikaras had six, and Olivia Batchelor had six for the Colonials. As for Colts Neck, eight players were able to find the score sheet.
Lone senior Katie Dichter finished the game with 12 points. She's the main ball handler for Colts Neck and was a big factor in limiting turnovers in the second half. She's happy for the contribution the younger girls have brought to the team.
"This is probably my favorite year out of the four, we have a bunch of young people that actually work hard," Dichter said.
"She's got to be a leader on the court for the young team, put everybody in their spots and every thing in that nature," Russo said. "Second half I felt like she got under control a little more and got us going."
COLTS NECK – As the Colts Neck players celebrated with family and friends on the court in the immediate aftermath of a 52-43 win over Ewing in the NJSIAA Central Group 3 championship game, head coach Steve Jannarone had plenty of reasons to be emotional as he stood nearby.There was the team that had overcome the odds as a No. 4 seed to win the program’s second sectional title, and first in nine years.“These kids are unbelievable kids,” Jannarone said. “They’re unbelievable in the classroom, o...
COLTS NECK – As the Colts Neck players celebrated with family and friends on the court in the immediate aftermath of a 52-43 win over Ewing in the NJSIAA Central Group 3 championship game, head coach Steve Jannarone had plenty of reasons to be emotional as he stood nearby.
There was the team that had overcome the odds as a No. 4 seed to win the program’s second sectional title, and first in nine years.
“These kids are unbelievable kids,” Jannarone said. “They’re unbelievable in the classroom, on the court, especially the four seniors who start. They do everything you ask.”
And there was the legacy he holds so dear, with his father, Jim, a head coach at Howell and Manalapan, and Dennis Simpson, who he went to work for at Manalapan in 1986, both in attendance.
“I am more emotional about the fact that my father went to four or five sectional finals and never got one,” he said. “That he was here, that Denny Simpson, who was my mentor at Manalapan was here, and then we probably have 100 alumni here. That all makes it very special.”
Colts Neck (19-9) advances to the Group 3 semifinals against Ocean City (23-6), a 66-53 winner over Timber Creek in the South Group 3 final, next Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Deptford High School.
A year ago it was upstart Freehold Borough storming through the NJSIAA Central Group 3 bracket as the No. 7 seed, reaching the Group 3 championship game.
Now the Cougars are travelling the same path, getting 12 points from senior Nolan Duddy, who drained four 3-pointers off the bench, and 11 points from senior Lukas Sloane, who scored eight points in the first quarter as the Cougars jumped out to a 14-10 lead. Senior Dan Buoncore added 10 points.
It’s a stirring run by a team that started the season 6-5. Now the Cougars have won seven of their last nine games, with the two losses to Manasquan and Greater Middlesex Conference power Sayreville.
“We’ve had some growing pains,” said senior forward Bryce Belcher, who keyed the defensive effort on Ewing big man Joel Cineus, holding him to nine points. “A lot of us haven’t been healthy. I hurt my back early in the season, Lukas has been on and off with injuries. But as we get healthy you see how dangerous we can be as a team.”
It was the Cougars first trip to a sectional final since 2018, when they lost to Trenton in the Central Group 4 final.
“A good team always goes through adversity and I think that is our story here,” Sloane said. “We made corrections early in the year and now we are reaping the benefits.
“I had no doubt we could do it. We have team of hard-working guys. I never had a doubt.”
Colts Neck has never been to a state Group final. In 2016, the Cougars lost to Atlantic City, 55-50, in the Group 4 semifinals.
Coming off the bench at the start of the second quarter, Duddy promptly made a steal and then sank his first 3-pointer at the other end to push the Cougars lead to 17-10, before doing it again a few minutes later to give his team a 20-14 edge, after Ewing had made it a one-possession game.
“There is a kid who is a senior and playing time hasn’t there, but he stuck with it and when his number was called and he got the opportunity he delivered,” Jannarone said. “And in this day and age it is so unusual for a kid to have that kind of character and stay with it and be ready when he needed to be ready.”
Colts Neck had a 37-25 lead heading into the final quarter, but Ewing cut it to five points on several occasions before the Cougars put the game away at the free throw line.
Now they had into a clash with one of South Jersey’s best feeling good about themselves after rolling through the bracket.
“I don’t have to worry about confidence with this group,” said Jannarone, in his third season as the Cougars' head coach, having been a long-time assistant and head girls' basketball coach at the school. “They are resilient, they just play how they are going to play no matter who the opponent is. We have talked early in the year about walking into the gym with our chests out and a swagger and they do it, even after getting thumped at C'BA, or after getting manhandled by Manasquan. They just come in and we’ll work on it and we’ll fix it.
“I started with Denny in 1986 and since then we’ve had maybe three teams that have had that kind of mentality and character.”
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.
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olts Neck residents familiar with the Colts Neck Inn Steak & Chop House will notice a difference the next time they dine at the restaurant. For one thing, the restaurant is now rebranded as the Colts Neck Inn Steak House. But perhaps more noticeable is the complete overhaul of both the interior and exterio...
olts Neck residents familiar with the Colts Neck Inn Steak & Chop House will notice a difference the next time they dine at the restaurant. For one thing, the restaurant is now rebranded as the Colts Neck Inn Steak House. But perhaps more noticeable is the complete overhaul of both the interior and exterior.
The renovation was long overdue says George Mavrookas, whose father, Louis, owns the spot. He says it’s been more than 20 years since the last renovation. The project took four months to complete, but the Colts Neck Inn Steak House is now ready to serve. Gone is the outdated dark mahogany woods and burgundy and green color palettes. In its place is a mixture of grays, blacks and golds. “It’s a sexier, more modern look,” George says. The whole interior, including the dining room, bar, and banquet rooms have all been completely renovated. This even extends to plates, flatware, and booths.
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The menu still boasts traditional steaks, filets, and ribeyes (which are hand cut and never frozen). However, these classic dishes are plated with new sauces and sides. For example, the ribeye steak was previously served with a baked potato and vegetable of the day. But now, they serve it with fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, chimichurri, and steak sauce. “We wanted to make sure that each plate feels unique,” George explains.
New to the Colts Neck Inn Steak House are contemporary dishes such as sushi and a raw bar. They also serve chicken parmigiana, chicken dishes, salmon, and halibut. Meanwhile, the kids’ menu offers options like pasta and chicken tenders with French fries.
As for the new liquor menu, they offer specialty martinis like Peach Passion. This combinesGrey Goose Peach + Rosemary Vodka with Peach & Passion Fruit and bubbles. The Spiced Pear is also popular, with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, pear nectar, fresh lemon, and cinnamon. Signature cocktails include the Apple Bourbon Smash and Spicy Pineapple Margarita. Of course, they also have draft beers, champagne, sparkling wine, and white, red, or rose wines.
The Mavrookas family has owned the Colts Neck Inn Steak House since the 1970s. (It’s been in the family for three generations at this point.) They also own the Colts Neck Inn Hotel next door. Established in 1717, the Colts Neck Inn is the oldest inn in New Jersey and the sixth oldest in America.
Visit the Colts Neck Inn Steak House at 191 County Road 537 W in Colts Neck. To learn more:
| Visit Their Website | Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Call 732-462-0383 |
See the Latest Restaurants Open in New Jersey.
Does this Restaurant accept Reservations?
Yes, they accept reservations.
Are there Gluten-free options?
Yes, they have gluten-free options.
Are there Vegetarian options?
Colts Neck Inn Steak House offers vegetarian dishes, yes.
Does this Restaurant offer Takeout?
They offer takeout, yes.
Does this Restaurant offer Delivery?
No, they do not offer delivery.
Do they have a Liquor license?
Yes, they serve a variety of cocktails.
Is there a Kids’ menu?
They have a kids’ menu, yes.
All Photos: © Colts Neck Inn Steak House
1 / 60Boys Basketball: Colts Neck vs. Hopewell Valley, March 1, 2025Dillon Younger (10) of Colts Neck celebrates after scoring the game winner at the buzzer during the Central Jersey, Group 3 boys basketball quarterfinal between Colts Neck and Hopewell Valleyl at Colts Neck High School in Colts Neck, NJ on 3/1/25....
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Boys Basketball: Colts Neck vs. Hopewell Valley, March 1, 2025
Dillon Younger (10) of Colts Neck celebrates after scoring the game winner at the buzzer during the Central Jersey, Group 3 boys basketball quarterfinal between Colts Neck and Hopewell Valleyl at Colts Neck High School in Colts Neck, NJ on 3/1/25.Get Photo
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Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Boys Basketball: Colts Neck vs. Hopewell Valley, March 1, 2025
Dillon Younger (10) of Colts Neck scores the game winner at the buzzer as Cooper Briehler (1) of Hopewell Valley defends during the Central Jersey, Group 3 boys basketball quarterfinal between Colts Neck and Hopewell Valleyl at Colts Neck High School in Colts Neck, NJ on 3/1/25.Get Photo
3 / 60
Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Boys Basketball: Colts Neck vs. Hopewell Valley, March 1, 2025
Colts Neck celebrates after Dillon Younger (10) scored at the buzzer to win the Central Jersey, Group 3 boys basketball quarterfinal between Colts Neck and Hopewell Valleyl at Colts Neck High School in Colts Neck, NJ on 3/1/25.Get Photo
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