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 Midvale Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Midvale, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care Services. From the moment I”
“Liz and her team are the consumate professionals when it comes to providing quality care”
“Liz…. Is simply the Best ! Her professionalism is amazing …”
“Liz is beyond TOP NOTCH at what she does, and the services she provides. We”
“When Always Best Care was referred to us by a friend, we didn’t quite know”
“Excellent service, Always Best Care takes care well of your loved one. They are professionals”
“If you are looking for the right team to help you provide in-home care for”
“Liz and her staff are hands down the best!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services and CEO Liz Johnson, provide compassionate and qualified care for”
“Always Best Care provides the highest level of in home care for your loved ones.”
“Excellent company! They care deeply for each person they work with and I highly recommend”
“You will always get the best care and service. Liz is so compassionate and”
“When my special needs son broke his femur we called Liz for help. Although”
“Always best care have been a good company,and they always check on the workers,and make”
“I was referred to Always Best Care by a close friend when I was searching”
“Quick and reliable assistance from the skilled team at Always Best Care played a major”
“We found Anna through Always Best Care to take care of my ailing mother-in-law. She”
“After my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we looked at all of the different companies”
“Nicky provided ten months of excellent care to my 82 years old mother who had”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I”
“Your approach and calming demeanor are truly a gift and personal calling! You have helped”
“Great Agency! Esoma The Coordinator is the best in the field! So caring”
“I am a current client of this provider My ninety year old grandfather was diagnosed with”
“It has been a delightful experience to work with Always Best Care. Over the last”
“I really liked the caregiver who came to help my mom during her recovery from”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I”
“I am a current client of this provider I would like to offer my thanks to”
“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care Services. From the moment I first reached out to them, it felt like I was working with family. The owner is incredibly kind, compassionate, and genuinely cares about her clients. She goes above and beyond to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and it's clear that her heart is in the work she does. The caregivers are top-notch – professional, caring, and incredibly loving. It's rare to find a team that treats your loved ones with the level of respect and warmth that Always Best Care does. I've used other home health care services in the past, but nothing compares to the peace of mind and quality of care I’ve received from this team. The caregivers don’t just provide services; they build meaningful relationships with the people they care for, making them feel like a part of their extended family. I honestly believe they are better than having family help, because they bring so much professionalism, expertise, and heart into everything they do. I trust them completely and would recommend Always Best Care to anyone in need of high-quality home health care. They are simply the best in the business. Dennis Bonagura”
“Liz and her team are the consumate professionals when it comes to providing quality care for our seniors. They provide compassionate and competent care without forgetting about empathy and dignity for those entrusted in their care. Providing exceptional care...and then some...isn't what they do, it's simply who they are. Thank you, Liz, for providing such exceptional leadership to your team!”
“Liz…. Is simply the Best ! Her professionalism is amazing …”
“Liz is beyond TOP NOTCH at what she does, and the services she provides. We had a difficult family situation, and she handled it with grace, and provided my family with service, and advice above and beyond what I expected to receive!!! Thank you!!!”
“When Always Best Care was referred to us by a friend, we didn’t quite know what to expect. Meeting the charming and charismatic Liz the owner and her smiling staff at the agency however put our hearts and minds at ease although we were in the middle of the pandemic. They are down-to-earth caring, compassionate and professional and our aunt could not ask for anything more. I truly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Excellent service, Always Best Care takes care well of your loved one. They are professionals and certified which makes them on top of everything. Just call Liz Johnson and she will help and goes above and beyond. I would highly recommend them.”
“If you are looking for the right team to help you provide in-home care for your loved one, Always Best Care should be your first call. Liz and her team are trustworthy, caring, and compassionate. They go above and beyond for their clients and their families! They are truly exceptional!”
“Liz and her staff are hands down the best!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services and CEO Liz Johnson, provide compassionate and qualified care for seniors and patients recovering from surgery. Liz has a heart for families who need to make those tough choices and is a knowledgeable resource for those in need. She addresses questions and concerns with advice and solutions based on her professional acumen and life experience. I would recommend Liz wholeheartedly. Make her your first call when you need support for a loved one!”
“Always Best Care provides the highest level of in home care for your loved ones. I have used this agency to provide in home care for several family members and loved ones. Their aides provide compassionate care and have allowed my family members to age in their home with dignity and grace. Highly recommend !!!”
“Excellent company! They care deeply for each person they work with and I highly recommend them. Very reliable and quick to respond. The owner is just amazing!”
“You will always get the best care and service. Liz is so compassionate and attentive and treats everyone as if they were family. I highly recommend!”
“When my special needs son broke his femur we called Liz for help. Although she specializes in Senior Care, we knew her company would take great care of our pre-teen. We can never thank Liz and her company enough for the kindness and great care they provided not just for our son, but for our entire family! What a relief it was to know he was being well cared for with such kindness and compassion. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Always best care have been a good company,and they always check on the workers,and make everything so easy for me,I never have bad experience wit them,I like my supervisor Mrs Leslie and the Coordinator Esoma bcos they always check on us wit my client and confirm if everything is working so good wit us,please all I want to say to them,is to keep the good work contine,may the company continues to be bless wit good people and so caring about the Aides....thank you so very much”
“I was referred to Always Best Care by a close friend when I was searching for an assisted living community for my parents. I found the staff extremely professional and helpful right from our first meeting. What I appreciate the most is their prompt service and flexibility. Since I have my job in another city, I wasn’t able to take care of my parents and eventually had to make the difficult decision to move them to assisted living. Thanks to Always Best Care for speeding up the whole process according to my schedule. Highly Recommended!”
“Quick and reliable assistance from the skilled team at Always Best Care played a major in my father’s recovery from osteoporosis. The assigned caregiver was extremely patient and supportive. He helped my father with all sorts of exercises. I strongly recommend Always Best Care for the well being of your beloved elders.”
“We found Anna through Always Best Care to take care of my ailing mother-in-law. She is honest, reliable, and goes out of her way to help my mother-in-law with her daily chores. I never have to worry that she wouldn’t show up on time or would find excuses for not doing some tasks. She is also very funny and keeps us laughing all day long. We are really happy with the services offered by Always Best Care. The attentiveness and quick response of their staff has made things quite easy for us. We know that they are there to address our needs no matter what time of the day we call them. They genuinely care about the health and well-being of their clients. And that’s what makes them so much better than other agencies.”
“After my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we looked at all of the different companies in the marketplace. We received great care from our caregiver and really appreciated the patient approach they took with my dad. With much gratitude to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Nicky provided ten months of excellent care to my 82 years old mother who had dementia. She was caring in every possible way which was exactly what the family wanted for her. She passed away last month, but peacefully and with dignity. Thank you so much Always Best Care for the amazing service.”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I believe is a top-class service. They have amazing caregivers who took care of my mother-in-law post her heart surgery. She was back to her normal routine faster than we thought. It wouldn’t have been possible without the care and support of their caregivers.”
“Your approach and calming demeanor are truly a gift and personal calling! You have helped more than you will ever realize”
“Great Agency! Esoma The Coordinator is the best in the field! So caring about the Aides! Thanks again!”
“I am a current client of this provider My ninety year old grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few months ago. Without the in home care provided by Always Best Care, I do not know how we would have managed everything. I am grateful for the dedicated service they have provided to us.”
“It has been a delightful experience to work with Always Best Care. Over the last three years, I have had a few caregivers come in to care for my mother who has Alzheimer’s. When she was diagnosed with the condition, I had little hope of her getting back to her normal self again. She had almost stopped smiling. But after I had the wonderful caregivers to care for her, I saw a great improvement in her health. She seems not only healthier, but happier too. Thank you Always Best Care.”
“I really liked the caregiver who came to help my mom during her recovery from a major surgery. She took great care of her and ensured a quick recovery. A hearty thanks to Always Best Care.”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I believe is a top-class service. They have amazing caregivers who took care of my mother-in-law post her heart surgery. She was back to her normal routine faster than we thought. It wouldn’t have been possible without the care and support of their caregivers.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I believe is a top-class service. They have amazing caregivers who took care of my mother-in-law post her heart surgery. She was back to her normal routine faster than we thought. It wouldn’t have been possible without the care and support of their caregivers.”
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 Midvale City Park 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 Hoof Vine or visit Midvale's Main Street, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Midvale, 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 Midvale, 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 Midvale, 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.
Modern-day representatives of a once-sprawling township stretched to the breaking point by a trio of influential commercial centers are set to unite at Passaic County Community College's Wanaque campus later this month.The Feb. 23 event dubbed the Tri-Town Centennial Kick Off Celebration will celebrate the coinciding centennials of Ringwood, Bloomingdale and Wanaque, triplet boroughs born by acts of the state legislature in 1918.Invariably, the ghost of Pompton Township will also attend.One of New Jersey's original munic...
Modern-day representatives of a once-sprawling township stretched to the breaking point by a trio of influential commercial centers are set to unite at Passaic County Community College's Wanaque campus later this month.
The Feb. 23 event dubbed the Tri-Town Centennial Kick Off Celebration will celebrate the coinciding centennials of Ringwood, Bloomingdale and Wanaque, triplet boroughs born by acts of the state legislature in 1918.
Invariably, the ghost of Pompton Township will also attend.
One of New Jersey's original municipalities, Pompton Township covered roughly one quarter of Passaic County before its final fracture 100 years ago. The pull of the 45-square-mile township's dispersed communities became too much for the central government to bear, said Tom Riley, a Bloomingdale historian and former adjunct professor at Sussex County Community College.
"They co-existed when everything was rural for everybody, but as soon as things started becoming built up ... they wanted their tax money to be spent in their locale," Riley said.
From 1890 to 1910, Pompton Township's population doubled to 4,050. Rubber production in Butler, once known as West Bloomingdale, loomed large in Bloomingdale. Farming and iron mining near the New York State border ran the still-rural Ringwood region. And smokeless powder and blasting cap plants fueled by the Wanaque River spurred development along Ringwood Avenue in Haskell and Midvale.
"It wasn't uncommon for large townships to split," said Ralph Colfax of the New Jersey Highlands Historical Society. "They were pulled by the things that were happening in their areas and I think it became quite evident to the local residents that they could more efficiently handle their local needs by splitting into the three new boroughs."
The 7 p.m. event at the county college's Wanaque Academic Center this month is due to feature speakers, presentations, memorabilia displays, and slide shows on the history of each borough. The following day, Bloomingdale and Wanaque are set to host outdoor fairs.
Wanaque has a noon to 6 p.m. celebration set for the Wanaque First Aid Squad. Bloomingdale is due to open Sloan Park that afternoon for locals to enjoy a temporary ice-skating rink, horse-and-carriage rides, and history exhibits at the adjacent United Methodist Church featuring an old canoe found in Glen Wild Lakes that Riley said may predate Pompton Township.
"You only get to 100 once in a lifetime," Riley said. "We’ve been meeting for over a year to plan all this stuff."
Planning Pompton Township's final split also took some time. Discussion started in 1915, when residents from the Wanaque section of Haskell hatched a plan to split off the business district along Ringwood Avenue, Colfax said.
"Ringwood - which is still rural, still based on the mining; the Ringwood Company - for them to think their tax money to Pompton Township is being spent all the way over in Bloomingdale, it probably didn’t make much sense to them and vice-versa too," Riley said.
The split came naturally and amicably, Colfax said. Still, drawing the boundary lines and dividing Pompton Township's school district, assets, and debt took several years.
"It's something that evolved over time but was a win-win for all three towns," Colfax said.
On Feb. 23, 1918, three separate acts of the state legislature created the boroughs. Each meticulously demarcated the new borders and set guidelines for a March 22 public referendum that confirmed the split.
The description of Ringwood’s border started at a point in the boundary line between Passaic and Bergen counties abutting the edge of a 1,612-acre plot once owned by a Japanese national named Heitaro Fujita, records show.
One of the largest landowners around, Fujita eventually had some of his Passaic County land condemned for the construction of the North Jersey District Water Supply commission’s Wanaque Reservoir. The rest was seized by the federal government's Alien Property Custodian during World War II.
Though construction on the Wanaque Reservoir did not begin until 1920, the lake is the feature most synonymous with its namesake borough. The 2,300-acre reservoir’s $25 million dam was built at the location of the Wanaque River Paper Company owned by Robert D. Carter, Wanaque’s first mayor (1918-1920).
The 1918 split was Pompton Township's last, but not its first. West Milford Township split off in 1834. Pompton Lakes left in 1895 to become Passaic County's example of a phenomenon more readily connected with 1894 Bergen County known as "boroughitis."
Initially dubbed "borough fever," boroughitis brought the number of Bergen County municipalities from 20 in 1893 to 46 in 1894.
Many of the newly-created boroughs were sought in reaction to a new law that eliminated more than 1,000 school districts by requiring consolidation within each New Jersey township. Parents were motivated to retain local control of their schools, while taxpayers did not want to assume responsibility for the debt amassed by a neighboring district.
Other boroughs were shaped by a supplement to the Borough Act of 1878. Enacted in 1894, the amendment allowed boroughs forming from parts of two or more townships to gain representation on their County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Newspaper reports from 1894 point to a desire by politically-minded borough-makers for control over schools, the Bergen County Freeholder board, and local government jobs.
In other places, boroughs were formed as farmers in sparsely-funded rural areas sought to avoid investments in public infrastructure at service-hungry commuter hubs, Colfax said.
In Pompton Lakes, residents of the area's new summer estates initiated the split to shed what residents thought was undue taxation from Pompton Township. At the start of 1895, the 1,880-acre lakes area contributed a third of the township's total taxes.
"Taxpayers within the limits of the new borough have been assessed for road and poor taxes, though there are no paupers within their boundary, nor roads, excepting those under care of the county," reads a Feb. 25, 1895 article in the New York Times, records show.
The split confirmed by state legislators on Feb. 26, 1895 caught opposition from other township residents, including the wealthiest and most politically influential landowners, the Hewitt and Cooper families of Ringwood, the article continued.
The new borough took on its portion of Cooper Union bonds amassed by the township during rail construction to Greenwood Lake, according to state records. Pompton Lakes added $3,000 in debt for the construction of a new school house, records show.
By early 1895, state legislators slowed boroughitis by requiring petitions for referendums to be signed by owners of 50 percent of the taxable real estate in the boundaries of the proposed borough. Another amendment required boroughs to have at least 400 children to separate.
Within two years, state lawmakers resolved to reserve the creation of boroughs to special acts of the legislature rather than via local petition and referendum.
While Pompton Lakes was Passaic County's only example of the phenomenon, boroughitis helped bring the number of Bergen County municipalities from eight (all townships) in 1849 to 70 today.
Every township in that county was impacted in some way by the phenomenon, most notably South Hackensack. The township comprises three widely separated sections of what was once Lodi Township.
As of 2014, New Jersey has 565 municipalities, more than eight other states combined. New Jersey also has the highest number of municipalities per capita of any state.
Staff writer Jai Agnish contributed to this article.
Cherry Hill Courier-PostA $400,000 house topped the list of priciest homes with sales recorded in Burlington County in New Jersey last week.A total of 123 sales were recorded last week in Burlington with a median price of $102,000.Properties included on this list reflect when the home's deed was recorded with the state, though the property may have changed hands earlier.Last week's most expensive homes in Burlington include:10. $242K, WillingboroA 2,326-square-foot house at 18 Hinsdale Lane in Will...
Cherry Hill Courier-Post
A $400,000 house topped the list of priciest homes with sales recorded in Burlington County in New Jersey last week.
A total of 123 sales were recorded last week in Burlington with a median price of $102,000.
Properties included on this list reflect when the home's deed was recorded with the state, though the property may have changed hands earlier.
Last week's most expensive homes in Burlington include:
A 2,326-square-foot house at 18 Hinsdale Lane in Willingboro has a new owner. Naia Barr bought the property from Roberto Valentin in May 2019. The $242,000 purchase price represents a price per square foot of $104.
A 2,070-square-foot house in Willingboro has changed hands. Kenley Harvey and Crystal J Epps acquired the property at 9 Midvale Lane from Arora Dream Home Properties LLC in June 2019. The $242,250 purchase price works out to $117 per square foot.
A 3,110-square-foot house in Willingboro has changed hands. Joshua and Melissa Chrisman acquired the property at 45 Courtland Lane from Jason Konek in May 2019. The $257,000 purchase price works out to $83 per square foot.
A Burlington City house dating to 1860 has sold for $272,000. Judith M Barclay acquired the property at 433 Locust Ave. from Patricia Knapp in May 2019. The purchase price represents a price per square foot of $130.
A 1,677-square-foot house at 13 Windingbrook Road in Bordentown Township has a new owner. Barbara Cotton bought the property from Matthew and Jillian Krantz in May 2019. The $284,000 purchase price represents a price per square foot of $169.
A 2,437-square-foot house at 255 Club House Drive in Willingboro has new owners. Marcus Betts and Jennyliz Nunez bought the property from Melvin and Karen Washington in May 2019. The $326,000 purchase price represents a price per square foot of $134.
A Riverton house dating to 1907 has sold for $339,900. Susan Murray acquired the property at 302 Eighth St. from Bernadette G Kohms in May 2019. The purchase price represents a price per square foot of $121.
A 2,464-square-foot house in Springfield has changed hands. Jason C and Josie E Castaldo acquired the property at 72 Spring Mtg Hs Road from Francis J and Susan A Bell in May 2019. The $375,000 purchase price works out to $152 per square foot.
A 2,464-square-foot house in Springfield has changed hands. Thomas Struzjr and Robyn Struz acquired the property at 1277 Jacks Smith Road from Matthew J Egler in June 2019. The $394,500 purchase price works out to $160 per square foot.
A 3,300-square-foot house at 7 Wynwood Drive in Springfield has a new owner. Jhanita K Hakim bought the property from Gary T and Dennis-Smith D Smith in May 2019. The $400,000 purchase price represents a price per square foot of $121.
The square footage value is a general guide for the area and does not necessarily indicate if the purchase price was too high or low.
See what homes have sold in your area by searching our historical database of New Jersey property sales, and find other useful public information in DataUniverse.
This story was automatically generated using real estate transaction data from the state of New Jersey. If you have a question or find a mistake, please email us at [email protected].
The health department is warning nearby residents to stay inside due to air quality concerns. PHILADELPHIA — Nearly two dozen SEPTA buses were engulfed in flames Thursday morning at a depot in Northwest Philadelphia, and health officials have detected high levels of particulate matter in the area.The Philadelphia Fire Department said the blaze started at about 6:30 a.m. at the Midvale Depot at Roberts and Pulaski avenues.About half an hour later, the fire was raised to two alarms, but crews were able to get the b...
PHILADELPHIA — Nearly two dozen SEPTA buses were engulfed in flames Thursday morning at a depot in Northwest Philadelphia, and health officials have detected high levels of particulate matter in the area.
The Philadelphia Fire Department said the blaze started at about 6:30 a.m. at the Midvale Depot at Roberts and Pulaski avenues.
About half an hour later, the fire was raised to two alarms, but crews were able to get the blaze under control by about 8:10 a.m. Action News reports 40 decommissioned buses were caught up in the fire.
According to NBC10, the fire did not impact SEPTA service Thursday. No one was injured, Fox 29 reports.
Due to the smoke produced by the fire, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is warning residents to avoid the Hunting Park area or try to stay inside.
Health inspectors found high levels of particulate matter in the air, as well as evidence of benzene, ethylbenzene, and carbon monoxide. The levels of all of those pollutants have been dropping since the fire was extinguished, and officials expect they will continue to drop.
Residents in the area should take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke.
The Health Department recommends doing the following to protect yourself and your family from poor air quality:
The air may be potentially hazardous for sensitive groups, including children, elderly people, people who are pregnant, and those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions.
Residents nearby should avoid areas of high congestion and where air pollution may be high, such as main streets or highways, areas with low circulation.
People with underlying illnesses should monitor for symptoms, including trouble breathing, nausea, and dizziness. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
877-318-0529
