Home Care In Holmdel, NJ

Patch asked Board of Education candidates to share their views on the issues. Peter Reddy of Holmdel presents his ideas.

|Updated Thu, Oct 19, 2023 at 6:54 pm ET

Reddy, of Rustic Lane, is the current Board of Education president, seeking re-election.

Two other current board members whose terms expire this year are not seeking re-election: Eileen Briamonte and Linda Zhang.

Alison LoPresti, Anthony Libecci and Reham Taha are also running, as a team, for the school board.

Reddy has served on the school board for nine years and cited many accomplishments for the district - in academics, school activities and capital projects.

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

"I am proud to serve the residents of Holmdel, and believe there is more work to be done. Being the senior member of this board by a few years, I know my experience, knowledge, history and leadership are absolutely needed on this board. Voting for me will only make Holmdel better," Reddy said.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Read more from Peter Reddy:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience, campaign links, and personal background.

I've been married to Jennifer Hayes Reddy for the last 20 years, with two sons, Tyler, a high school junior, and Andrew, graduated from Holmdel High School in June and now a freshman at Penn State University Smeal Business School.

I have served on the Holmdel school board for the last nine years, three terms. At present I am most the experienced and tenured board member by a few years. I currently serve as Board President for the Holmdel school district, and I am seeking a three-year full term on the board.

During my three terms I have served in every leadership position possible from president to board vice president during the 2020 Initiative, a $40M project; as well as Finance chair (multiple times), Building Grounds Transportation Safety chair (multiple times), Personnel chair (multiple times), Negotiations chair (multiple times).

While a Holmdel resident for 10-plus years, I have coached 30-plus Holmdel travel and recreation teams in soccer, baseball and basketball. Additionally for seven-plus years I served as the finance chairperson for the annual St. Catherine picnic, raising on average $10,000 to $12,000 each year to fund the picnic. I have also served on the township Recreation Committee for six years.

I am from Massapequa, NY (Long Island). I received a BA degree from St John's University (Queens NY) in May 1994. I was awarded a three-year, 100 percent scholarship from the US Army via the ROTC program. Following graduation from St John's, I was commissioned a 2LT in the US Army. I served four-plus years active duty attaining the rank of Captain. I spent the majority of my active duty time with the 1st Infantry Division. Following my active duty service I spent the next four years in the Individual Ready Reserves.

After the service, I worked as an account manager for Johnson Controls Corp. (Fortune 100 company) in New Jersey, serving Fortune 500 accounts as well as numerous New Jersey school districts, hospitals and universities/colleges.

For the last 20 years, I have worked for Honeywell International as a senior account executive, managing and selling millions of dollars of energy-saving projects and infrastructure upgrades to New Jersey and New York school districts and Fortune 500 corporations. I am intimately familiar with how school districts run from a business perspective and from a board-member perspective.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

During my nine years and three terms on the board, I am very proud to say we continually made progress and improved the district year after year. Some of those accomplishments include:

Because of the school board's and administration's great success there are very few capital projects that need to be accomplished at this time.

The top two budget items that we faced this past year and will again in 2024 is increased transportation costs and rising healthcare costs. The board and administration will have to continually find areas we can trim to keep the budget below the 2 percent cap.

Thankfully, the district has a very healthy capital and maintenance reserve we can tap into to help offset some of these rising costs, understanding that we need to continue discussions with the township to find a way to share in the $5 million PILOT funds ($20 million received by the township in the last five-plus years) annually from Bell Works.

Educationally, the top two priorities we need to continue progress on is improving the high school guidance department and the high school math program. Both areas have been a focus this past year and both areas are improving. But we as a board need to ensure we do what is necessary to make both areas stronger.

Another area we will focus on in 2024 is to see about adjusting the schedules for the four district schools, flip-flopping start times.

Policy 5756:

Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy. (Holmdel's school board is expected to confirm repeal of the policy at its regular meeting Oct. 25.)

For the nine years I have been on the board, I have never been political. All my decisions have two things in mind: the students and how it affects the residents/taxpayers of this town. I evaluate each issue on its own merits and have never been beholden to anyone.

Policy 5756 was submitted to us in 2019 as a "Mandatory" policy so the district accepted it as we had no choice. Once we learned this past year the policy was not "mandatory" we reviewed it and, as a board, decided to rescind it.

I am confident in the way the administration and school leaders have handled these situations before 2019 (pre-5756) and after we received 5756 and can confidently say our administration has done an excellent job working and communicating with affected students and will do the same going forward.

Anti-discrimination and anti-bullying laws still remain in force and will protect all students while the administration and board craft a policy that works for all students in the Holmdel School District.

Candidates for Holmdel Board of Education: (Full term; vote for three)

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at [email protected] for the email with candidate questions.

Patch asked Board of Education candidates to share their views on the issues. Alison LoPresti of Holmdel presents her ideas.

|Updated Mon, Oct 16, 2023 at 9:11 pm ET

HOLMDEL, NJ — Alison LoPresti is one of four candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Holmdel Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election.

LoPresti is running as a team with two other candidates, Anthony Libecci and Reham Taha.

Current Board of Education President Peter Reddy is also a candidate, seeking re-election to the board.

Two other current board members whose terms expire this year but are not seeking re-election are Eileen Briamonte and Linda Zhang.

LoPresti says she is focused on the future and how the district can prepare students for an "ever-changing world." She says she would promote innovative programs that bridge the gap between academics and real-world readiness.

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

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Read more from Alison LoPresti:

Background:Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience, campaign links, and personal background.

I'm a native Washingtonian who moved to Brooklyn, then to Holmdel in 2010. After graduating with honors from West Virginia University, I spent time as a budget analyst at Lockheed Martin where I was tasked with providing cost analysis, budgeting and forecasting for a multi-billion dollar contract with the Federal Aviation Administration. Subsequently, I transitioned to the financial services industry, specifically in regulatory and compliance management, where I have been for 20+ years.

In both my personal and professional lives, I've demonstrated characteristics essential for a successful board member. I've been active within the community, from coaching various HYAA sports teams to my role as Village School's PSA Treasurer to being class mom.

I am a results-oriented and trustworthy leader who, if elected, will do whatever I can to ensure the district is the best it can be. I will do this by partnering with the community to develop plans that reflect local values and needs. Over the years, I've learned a lot about what we're doing well but also about some of the challenges we face.

I am running for the Board of Education because I want to give back to the community that has given me and my family so much over the past 13 years.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

I am focused on the future and doing what we can to ensure the district provides a high-quality and well-rounded education and that students are given the tools to reach their full potential.

Our kids must be equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to excel in our ever-changing world. I’ll promote innovative programs that bridge the gap between academics and real-world readiness.

Parental collaboration is also paramount to me. I support parents' rights to make decisions for their children. Additionally, I will focus on transparency, a review of curriculum, push for smaller class sizes, ensure our kids receive age-appropriate instruction and make sure we are fiscally responsible.

Teamwork and a shared commitment to education are essential for achieving positive outcomes. I hope I have the privilege of becoming part of a team that builds upon the strong educational foundation that exists here in Holmdel. Together, we’ll light the way to a brighter future for Holmdel’s children.

Policy 5756:

Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy. (Holmdel's school board is expected to confirm repeal of the policy at its regular meeting Oct. 25.)

I applaud the current board for being proactive and voting on Policy 5756. Per Holmdel's bylaws, the board must vote again to confirm the recission of the policy; however, I am hopeful the result stands. I have been steadfast in my belief that this policy has no place in our district and should be rescinded.

I am also supportive of the board's initiative to create a policy that more accurately reflects our district's current practices and one that reiterates Holmdel's commitment to ensuring all students feel safe, comfortable and respected.

Holmdel, like many other districts in New Jersey, was misled about this policy. I believe that Straus Esmay, a third-party policy writing service, intentionally misled New Jersey school districts into believing this policy was mandatory when it was, in fact, guidance. As a result of their misclassification, the policy was adopted.

My opposition to Policy 5756 is primarily due to the following excerpt: "there is no affirmative duty for any school district staff member to notify a student's parent of the student's gender identity or expression,"

Under no circumstances should school administration or staff be given the option to keep critical and life-changing information from parents. Not to mention, this puts undue burdens on administration and staff and exposes the district to potential legal issues.

Candidates for Holmdel Board of Education: (Full term; vote for three)

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at [email protected] for the email with candidate questions.

Patch asked Board of Education candidates to share their views on the issues. Reham Taha of Holmdel presents her ideas.

HOLMDEL, NJ — Reham Taha is one of four candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Holmdel Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election.

Taha is running as a team with two other candidates, Alison LoPresti and Anthony Libecci.

Current Board of Education President Peter Reddy is also a candidate, seeking re-election to the board.

Two other current board members whose terms expire this year but are not seeking re-election are Eileen Briamonte and Linda Zhang.

Taha says of her team (designated Parental Rights & Education), "We are looking forward to working for our community and providing our students the best educational standards and resources to help them achieve their full potential academically."

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

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Read more from Reham Taha:

Background:Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience, campaign links, and personal background.

My name is Reham Taha, Holmdel resident at Stevens Drive. I am a mother to three wonderful children, Lana, 17; Ameer, 16; and Leya, 11.

I have lived in Holmdel since 2010. My husband and I moved here for the wonderful family environment and of course the excellent school system.

I am currently a stay-at-home mom with a B.A. degree in Political Science. I try my best to give back to the community and volunteer where I can -whether it be at local food and clothing drives, as well as helping out in school activities and sports functions when needed.

My most recent community involvement was last spring when I co-hosted a community dinner during the month of Ramadan, welcoming our Holmdel neighbors to break-fast together with the Muslim community. It was a great success bringing our community leaders and neighbors in one place celebrating together the Muslim community of Holmdel.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

One of the first things I would like to work toward is looking for new ways where we can save with our district budget while making sure all our students’ needs are met for overall smooth school operations. I am certain that there is a lot to learn, but I am ready to dive right in.

On the academic front, one of the main things we need to look into is making sure students are receiving age-appropriate instructions in the classroom, specifically with their health education curriculum.

It is extremely important that we prioritize our children’s best interest and protect them from being exposed to particular health education materials that may be too advanced for them to comprehend at a young age. I am a firm believer that parents should always have the upper hand on deciding when and how to discuss certain sexual education materials with their children and that the schools should help in making sure of it.

Moving on to one of the many positive notes in our district, I am very pleased with the outline of our district’s five-year strategic plan and cannot wait to assist in seeing it succeed according to plan if elected.

Academic excellence is what we pride ourselves with here in our district and it is important we continue to strive to improve our standards for the better. I have no doubt that such goals will be achievable, especially with the dedication and commitment of the hard working faculty and staff members working in our district.

Policy 5756:

Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy. (Holmdel's school board is expected to repeal the policy this month.)

Obviously everyone is talking about Policy 5756 and it is very clear that this policy doesn’t support the kind of relationship we strive to have here between our amazing Holmdel staff and the parents.

I strongly believe our current board needs to rescind this policy, especially now that we know it was merely guidance and not mandatory. Policy 5756 was designed with presumption of bad intent on parents. Prior to this policy, our schools successfully maintained an open line of communication with parents about issues concerning their children, including parents of our transgender students here in Holmdel.

The success of our kids is strongly influenced by the support of the parents and the faculty working together for the best interests of the students. Therefore, parental involvement is essential for the wellbeing of our kids and should never be up for debate. As a parent, I absolutely want to be involved in any challenges my child who is a minor, will potentially face and wouldn’t want them to receive guidance without my knowledge or consent regarding their gender identity. It is just plain common sense! We will work to make sure all our kids have an inclusive and safe environment in our schools, but most certainly in partnership with the parents.

Candidates for Holmdel Board of Education: (Full term; vote for three)

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at [email protected] for the email with candidate questions.

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Patch asked Board of Education candidates to share their views on the issues. Anthony Libecci of Holmdel presents his ideas.

|Updated Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 9:39 pm ET

HOLMDEL, NJ — Anthony Libecci is one of four candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Holmdel Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election.

Libecci is running as a team with two other candidates, Alison LoPresti and Reham Taha.

Current Board of Education President Peter Reddy is also a candidate, seeking re-election to the board.

Two other current board members whose terms expire this year but are not seeking re-election are Eileen Briamonte and Linda Zhang.

Libecci cited several areas to develop in the district, with the goal of enhancing educational quality, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and "providing a nurturing environment for our students' growth and development," he said.

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

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Read more from Anthony Libecci:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience, campaign links, and personal background.

I own Benemont Worksite Advisors, an employee benefits enrollment firm in Holmdel.

I volunteer as a wrestling and baseball coach for HYAA and initiated Holmdel's first Bocce League at Ackerson Park, exclusively for Holmdel residents.

Additionally, I am a member of the Holmdel Chamber of Commerce and serve on the Board of Directors for the Richmond University Medical Center Foundation.

My wife, Lauren, and I have three children, Anthony, 9; Leo, 6; and Amelia, 3, all attending Holmdel Schools.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

In assessing the district's top issues, there are several critical areas that demand our attention to ensure the continued excellence of our schools. These include:

In addressing these critical issues, we can work collaboratively to enhance the quality of education in our district, maintain fiscal responsibility, and provide a nurturing environment for our students' growth and development.

Policy 5756:Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy. (Holmdel's school board is expected to confirm repeal of the policy at its regular meeting Oct. 25.)

In my view, every child deserves dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or religion. However, I have concerns about Policy 5756 for two main reasons: 1. It places an unnecessary burden on our teachers, forcing them into silence when they may genuinely want to support a child in need. 2. It is unacceptable that anyone can hide information from parents or guardians.

There are more effective ways to address this issue, and I eagerly anticipate being a part of the committee that will work toward creating a safe environment for all transgender students.

Candidates for Holmdel Board of Education: (Full term; vote for three)

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at [email protected] for the email with candidate questions.

Holmdel school board is presented student assessment data at a recent Board of Education meeting, with a board focus on math performance.

|Updated Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 2:22 pm ET

HOLMDEL, NJ — Strong results in several areas of student assessment for 2022-2023 were reported by the district in a fall update recently to the Holmdel Board of Education.

And new measures, including the position of math supervisor for grades K-12, are expected to enhance test results in the future.

At the Sept. 27 meeting of the school board, Dr. Jessica Irwin, director of Curriculum and Instruction for the past year, presented a detailed report to the board.

And board members also had comments about ways to learn why students perform as they do and they had suggestions to involve more student feedback.

The assessment information covers the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) in Math and English Language Arts (ELA), Advanced Placement Exams, and SATs.

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

And the hard data helps the district make educational decisions:

"Holmdel Public Schools is committed to data-driven decision making, and will continue to refine and strengthen its educational programs to ensure students receive the highest quality education," said Superintendent Dr. J. Scott Cascone.

Elements of the presentation are given below, but you can listen to Irwin's full report on a video of the meeting. The report was given by Irwin at the start of the meeting. There is also a copy of the report on the district website.

English Language Arts

In English Language Arts, the district showcased "notable growth," with proficiency levels increasing from 75 percent to 80 percent, the district said in a news release.

These results reflect achievement approaching pre-COVID proficiency levels.

The district is enhancing ELA programs through improved foundational assessment tools in primary grades, increased focus on phonemic awareness and phonics, and the full implementation of the Into Reading program in grades 3-5, the district said.

Mathematics

In mathematics, the district has consistently maintained performance levels around the 70th percentile over the past five years, with the 2022-2023 data maintaining at 68 percent.

To address specific areas for improvement, the district is fully implementing Into Math in grades 4-6.

Also, a new math supervisor, Gwendolynn Lotter, will now oversee the K-12 math program.

"This change in administration structure will enhance vertical articulation (students' building on skills year after year) and provide comprehensive support," the district said in its news release.

Other ways the district is bolstering math performance include the introduction of new foundational math courses, the acquisition of digital resources, and high-impact tutoring support for students in grades 3 and 4, anticipated through a federal grant, the district said.

At the meeting, some suggestions came from board members on how to approach math issues with students.

For example, Board President Peter Reddy said it would be good to analyze which students are receiving tutoring in math and those who are not. He also said more peer-to-peer tutoring might help younger students.

Reddy said he was happy Holmdel was ahead of the state averages, but more discussion of initiatives in math particularly will take place at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Reddy said it might also be good to analyze how class size or class breakouts might affect performance.

Irwin noted that Holmdel is at 35 percent above the state average in math at all grade levels.

"Algebra is the lynchpin to higher math," Irwin said at the meeting.

She said it is critical to address performance of 8th-grade students in math - 68 percent in 2022, 65 in 2023, a decrease from prior years. One impact might be the introduction of a rotating schedule in 2019, she said. "That is a variable to consider," she said.

Board member Kim Tuccillo said it would be good to survey students - apart from in their senior year - while they are "in the thick" of math classes, for example.

Student feedback is a subjective but important data point, she said. Then you could learn if students attended extra help or outside tutoring.

Advanced Placement

For Advanced Placement, 349 Holmdel students undertook at least one AP exam, demonstrating their commitment to rigorous college-level coursework.

"Impressively, 80 percent of these students received a score of 3 or higher on their AP exams. This accomplishment not only reflects the dedication of our students but also contributes significantly to the district's high school rankings," the district said.

The district noted that 40 percent of the metrics used by U.S. News & World Report to rank high schools are derived from AP participation and results. This emphasis on AP access and achievement has led to an increase in rankings, with Holmdel High School climbing four spots from 2022 to 2023.

The district "remains committed to enhancing AP programming with initiatives such as increasing the percentage of AP students, researching the motivations behind AP test enrollment and participation, purchasing resources like Albert IO for AP preparation, and providing support for teachers through domain analysis of College Board reports," the district said.

At the meeting, Irwin said she would like to see more students enroll in AP tests - 55 percent do now, but 45 percent don't, she said.

She said she'd like to find out why students don't take that option - and encourage them to take at least one AP test.

SATs

Part of the presentation to the board included the district's SAT cohort results for the class of 2023, with an average SAT score of 1209.

The district will continue to analyze the results as the SAT transitions to a fully digital format in 2024, with modified content to ensure adaptability and shorter testing duration, the district said.

Reddy noted at the meeting that all but seven students who graduated last year are in college, and he and Irwin agreed that is perhaps one of the most important measures of district performance.

HOLMDEL, NJ — The Township Committee gave its approval Tuesday to pursue a $700,000 Green Acres grant to bring a re-imagined, all-inclusive playground to Cross Farm Park.

At a hearing Tuesday night, the township agreed to seek funding through the State of New Jersey Green Acres Program for improvements at the site, 85 acres located on Longbridge Road between Route 520 on the north and Swimming River Reservoir on the south.

Cross Farm Park Playground would be a "completely inclusive" playground, said Township Administrator Jay Delaney.

You can see a concept plan of the proposed site here, which includes such features as a web walk and bongos, as well as a sensory wave entry and accessible ramp link and an ADA crow's nest with a telescope.

The project would include removal of the old, damaged playground equipment, minimal playground surface grading and installation of Jake’s Law-compliant fully inclusive playground equipment and play surface.

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

“Jake’s Law,” signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2018, provides incentives for governments to build inclusive playgrounds for children and adults with disabilities. The term “Jake’s Law” refers to Jake’s Place, a playground in Cherry Hill, that was created in honor of Jacob Cummings-Nasto, who passed away due to complications of heart surgery at the age of two and a half.

The Holmdel grant would also allow for general maintenance of access points to provide access for visitors of all abilities. The project will be completed at one time and phasing will not be required, the application says.

Cross Farm Park is an ideal location for an all-inclusive playground, the township said in the application.

It is the township’s most active recreational facility, the center of the township’s recreation programs and accommodates the town's primary athletic fields, walking paths, and a children’s splash pad park, the application notes.

The projected cost would cover the following:

A concept plan, preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project is available for review at: www.holmdeltownship.com.

Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to: Jay Delaney, Township Administrator, [email protected] and 4 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

With the help of Monmouth County, Holmdel acquires 35 acres of Crawford Hill and the historic Holmdel Horn Antenna

Rocco Impreveduto, Community Contributor

|Updated Wed, Jan 24, 2024 at 12:45 pm ET

Yesterday, we officially acquired the Holmdel Horn Antenna along with the surrounding 35 acres. This effort could not have been possible without the support of the Monmouth County Commissioners and Director Tom Arnone who have committed to helping us purchase the property so that there will be no impact to the Holmdel taxpayers. This was a total team effort between the Township Committe, Crawford Hill Holdings, and Monmouth County and we are incredibly thankful for everyone's partnership.

Here is the full statement from last night's meeting...

"Today is a day of mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am excited to announce that the Township filed a declaration of taking in Superior Court earlier today, which means that Holmdel has officially acquired the upper 35 acres of the Crawford Hill property, and with it, Holmdel Township now officially owns the historic Horn Antenna.

At the same time, as we gather to celebrate Holmdel’s ownership of the historic Horn Antenna, we also must acknowledge the passing of Dr. Arno Penzias – one of the men who (in the words of the New York Times) along with Dr. Robert Wilson 'discovered cosmic microwave background radiation … remnants of an explosion that gave birth to the universe nearly 14 billion years ago. That explosion, known as the Big Bang, is now the widely accepted explanation for the origin and evolution of the universe.' And that discovery – as we all know – happened right here in Holmdel.

Holmdel – and the scientific community – owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Penzias. Our condolences go out to his family and all those touched by his brilliance.

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

Our town has always struck a delicate balance between two sometimes conflicting ideologies: innovation - the persistent pursuit of knowledge, advancement, and new frontiers … tempered by the unyielding desire to maintain open space, preserve land, and stay rooted in our rich agricultural history.

Today is a day, I’m proud to say, in which we’ve honored both of those traditions in a way that generations of Holmdel residents can celebrate for centuries.

In that spirit, tonight, I am excited to announce that Holmdel will be preserving Crawford Hill as a park that will be named after Holmdel’s own Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Robert Wilson.

To memorialize this well-deserved naming, we will be introducing an ordinance tonight.

When I spoke to Dr. Wilson this morning, he said he was honored by our offer to name the park after him and gladly accepted. We expect to have a ribbon-cutting – likely some time in March – where we can all gather and celebrate the majesty of what’s to come.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Rakesh Antala of Crawford Hill Holdings for his partnership on this effort; as well as, former Mayor and current Committeeman DJ Luccarelli – who helped put the wheels of this initiative in motion last year.

And with the support of Deputy Mayor Foster, Committeewoman LaMountain, and Committeeman Romano we have managed to simultaneously honor our past, present, and future.

The Holmdel Horn Antenna serves as a reminder of the collaborative efforts that drive scientific progress. It stands as a testament to the power of teamwork and the collective pursuit of truth. As we strive to preserve this beacon of scientific history, let us also commit ourselves to fostering environments that encourage collaboration and the free exchange of ideas.

In the face of technological advancements and evolving landscapes, it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to marvel at the Holmdel Horn Antenna and appreciate the breakthroughs it facilitated. This preservation effort is an investment in the educational enrichment of our communities and a celebration of the human spirit's quest for understanding

Now, and forever, people of all ages will be able to stand atop the highest point in Monmouth County, dream of the never-ending cosmos, and reach for the stars."

To formally establish Dr. Robert Wilson Park, we passed a motion to introduce “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES," TO ESTABLISH DR. ROBERT WILSON PARK, COMPRISED OF BLOCK 27, LOTS 6 AND 6.01 IN THE TOWNSHIP OF HOLMDEL.”

Holmdel Township Committee negotiates preservation of Crawford Hill, along with the historic Horn Antenna - all to be part of 35-acre park.

|Updated Thu, Oct 12, 2023 at 10:49 pm ET

HOLMDEL, NJ — In unexpected but happily received action, the Holmdel Township Committee last night announced it has successfully negotiated the preservation of Crawford Hill and the Horn Antenna with the property's owner.

Through a memorandum of understanding with Crawford Hill Holding LLC, the public can now can look forward to access to the highest point in Monmouth County - and to keeping the historic Horn Antenna in its original environment - all in what will become a 35-acre park.

It was on this elevation of Crawford Hill, using this antenna, that two Nobel Prize-winning scientists confirmed the Big Bang theory of the creation of the universe. They were honored for their work in 1978.

"This breakthrough will allow future generations to observe the Horn Antenna, a National Historic Landmark located within Holmdel, as well as the impressive views that can be observed from the highest point in Monmouth County, all as part of a sprawling 35-acre public park,” said Mayor D.J. Luccarelli.

“I also want to extend my appreciation to Rakesh Antala and the members of Crawford Hill Holding LLC for negotiating in good faith and reaching this agreement,” he added.

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

Under the terms of the agreement, the township will acquire the Crawford Hill property, including the Horn Antenna, for a net sale price of $4.75 million. The transaction will involve a purchase price of $5.5 million, with CHH donating $750,000 back to the township for improvements to Crawford Hill, according to the township.

These monies are expected to be used to preserve the Horn Antenna, repave access roads, and complete potential improvements such as a visitor center, the township said last night.

The acquisition will be funded through the Township’s Open Space Trust Fund without any adverse impact to taxpayers, the township said in a statement Thursday night.

The negotiated settlement will allow the township to obtain title to Crawford Hill quickly, while preventing against any litigation exposure to the Township over the value of the property, the township said.

“This settlement brings a successful end to our year-long effort to preserve Crawford Hill and the Horn Antenna upon terms that are responsible and will not impact Holmdel taxpayers,” said Deputy Mayor Rocco Impreveduto.

The agreement does not include Lot 7, the eight-acre site of the former Nokia building also owned by Antala. Antala purchased the full 43-acre site in December 2020 for $3.7 million, according to township records.

But the township will also partner with Crawford Hill Holdings for the adaptive re-use of the building. The township agreed last night to adopt a redevelopment plan that allows for specific uses to ensure that site's future use is "generally consistent with those when the building was occupied," the township said.

These uses include office, medical, health, research lab, and educational facilities.

Most important for supporters of open space, the plan will prohibit and prevent any residential development upon Lot 7, including but not limited to single family development, multi-family development, townhouse development, assisted living development, or continuing care facilities.

The cause to preserve The Horn Antenna became a rallying point for the township, the scientific community and a coalition of environmental groups that spearheaded a global petition with thousands of signatures to prevent the residential development of the site.

Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU), Friends of Holmdel Open Space (FOHOS) and Preserve Holmdel all worked to develop public interest in preserving the spot.

And one environmental advocate, Kin Gee, had praise for the agreement and preservation of the Horn Antenna site:

"In addition to preserving 35 acres of open space, this will be a great destination site that will benefit current and future generations of students to learn about cosmology and our universe right here in Holmdel," he said last night.

The issue took on a life of its own: scientists addressed the Township Committee at many meetings; residents spoke of its meaning in Holmdel and even school students wrote essays and appeared before the governing body.

“I am grateful to the Township Committee, the Township’s staff and professionals, and the members of the public that have supported our effort to preserve the Horn Antenna and prevent against impacts such as high-density housing,” said Luccarelli last night.

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A defensive battle was expected from the start.

Camden and Holmdel entered Friday night’s Central Jersey, Group 3 semifinal having won a combined 17 games in a row and allowed a total of 66 points.

For either side to gain an advantage, something would have to give on Bob Roggy Field in Holmdel.

Complete Box Score »

Camden faced fourth-and-goal from the 26-yard line late in the third quarter. Already leading 13-0, Mahki Brunson found D’hani Cobbs in the end zone to provide one final highlight. Brunson finished with 214 yards and two touchdowns as the third-seeded Panthers handed second-seeded Holmdel its first loss of the season, 21-7.

The Panthers will take on fourth-seeded Cedar Creek on Nov. 11 in the sectional championship. This is a position that Camden knows well as it looks for its second consecutive title.

Camden has won nine games in a row after suffering a season-opening loss to Lake Taylor (VA). The Panthers have not allowed double-digit points since that opener and that streak continued.

“We lost that first game against a split-rear option team,” Camden coach Rob Hinson said. “We had opportunities to right some things we did wrong that game. I backed out of my game plan then. Tonight, I knew we could defend it and I stayed true. We practiced the hell out of it. It’s hard to replicate that in practice but we ran it and our kids executed.”

Holmdel has been just as good, if not better, defensively. The Hornets allowed a total of 27 points entering the weekend, an average of three points per game. They also set a Shore Conference record by logging six consecutive shutouts in the middle of the season.

Sometimes in a game like this, it comes down to execution and what team can hit the big plays. From the start, that was Camden.

The Panthers forced an early three-and-out and went on a five-play drive that ended in a Nasere Blakney touchdown. This would be the only score until late in the second quarter as defenses began to settle in.

Once again, the Panthers showed their big-play ability to end the half.

Camden faced second down from its own 36-yard line before Brunson hit Cobbs for a 43-yard gain. On the very next play, Braheem Long got free in the end zone for a 21-yard score.

“We’ve been leaning on the run a bit lately but we have a lot of athletes on the field,” Hinson said. “We saw some matchups pre-snap and thought we could take advantage of them. We were able to do that. Our kids played lights out. This was our most solid performance all season long.

“Big, strong kids. Disciplined kids. A 9-0 team. On film, I was nervous for this game but once we got that first stop on the first drive, we started to settle in a bit. It all goes to my coaches and my team.”

Cobb finished with a game-high 111 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Long added 75 yards and a score.

“Schematically, we thought we could run what we could run,” Holmdel coach Jeff Rainess said. “They didn’t give us anything different than what we thought. When you fall behind two scores, we needed to get the stop. We got the stop but couldn’t put together a drive at that point in the game.”

Trailing 21-0, Holmdel got on the board on a Jack Cannon touchdown run. Will Gilfillan came up with an interception for the Hornets but Camden’s defense stepped up once again.

The clock ran out on Holmdel’s season but the crowd gave a great ovation to its team that saw a complete turnaround from a 1-8 campaign just last year.

“It’s the definition of team,” Rainess said. “We had kids that cared deeply about each other, deeply about their town, and deeply about their coaches. They really came together. I’m beyond proud of what’s transpired here.

Last season, Camden led Delsea 14-0 at halftime in the Group 3 state semifinals before being outscored 20-0 in the second half. Hinson and his team used this as motivation and will once again next week.

“We gotta win it,” Hinson said. “We have it at our house this year. Last year, we were in this same boat against Delsea. In the locker room, I kept saying ‘we were here before.’ We were able to drive in that second half and not fizzle out. The guys really played lights out and dug deep.”

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HAZLET, NJ — It's not too early for towns to be planning for summer.

And those with community pools, such as Hazlet and Marlboro, are trying to stem the lifeguard shortage that has hit public recreation since the pandemic by encouraging lifeguard certification programs to keep swim clubs staffed.

So if water is your element, you may want to consider getting certified.

The shortage of lifeguards has been an ongoing issue, says the American Lifeguard Association.

Last summer, about a third of the country’s 309,000 public swimming pools remained closed or opened sporadically because of the lifeguard shortage, the organization said. As in many areas, pandemic restrictions reduced the numbers of those being trained.

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But the tide may be turning, thanks to free or reimbursed training and other incentives being offered by communities, said Wyatt Werneth, national spokesman for the American Lifeguard Association.

"There's a lot of optimism this year," he said, adding that "a great trend has been waiving training fees."

Those interested in lifeguarding still have to pay upfront fees in many cases, but towns are offering some reimbursement to make the job more attractive.

In Hazlet, for example, the American Red Cross Lifeguard certification course (good for two years) is the first step to getting a job at Hazlet Swim Club this summer. Hazlet lifeguards must be ages 15-plus.

Lifeguards in Hazlet will get $200 back in September if they work through the summer. As a further incentive, Hazlet is offering a bonus of $2 additional per hour for lifeguards who are willing to cover shifts or work weekends.

Here is a rundown of what to do to get a lifeguard job in Hazlet:

Complete the In-Person Certification Course (three classes). Fee is $300:

The township flyer describing the steps toward certification has more details about costs and other matters and is on the township Summer Employment page. Register under the Programs tab at Hazlet.Recdesk.com.

In Marlboro, there are two, two-day sessions being offered by the New Jersey Lifeguard Association in June. Refer to the site training schedule for 2024 here. The cost is $385, according to the site.

Marlboro will reimburse 50 percent of the training fee after completion of work at the swim club this summer, said a township recreation leader, Jani Rubin. She said if the lifeguard comes back for a second summer in 2025, there is an additional 50 percent reimbursement.

The national lifeguarding spokesman, Werneth, based in Cocoa Beach, Fla., discussed some of the qualities that make a good lifeguard. The main classifications of lifeguard are open water, pool and theme park levels, he added.

Water should be a lifeguard's element, Werneth said, and the person must be a strong swimmer.

But equally important is being observant and "preventative-minded," he said, picking up on anything that isn't right even before someone cries out in alarm.