AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Ron P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Liz…. Is simply the Best ! Her professionalism is amazing …”

Lincoln A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!!!”

Rick M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Maria F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Mel S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Nick S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Liz and her staff are hands down the best!!!”

John C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Kristine P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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 !!!”

Carmen D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Christian M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Karen M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Dan G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Nick J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Mustafa H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Rambo J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Connie M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Larry K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Waylon C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your approach and calming demeanor are truly a gift and personal calling! You have helped more than you will ever realize”

Robbie M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Allen B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Cindy R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Christoper W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Stephen B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Waylon C.
 In-Home Care Bloomingdale, NJ

How does In-home Senior Care in Bloomingdale, NJ work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Bloomingdale, NJ

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Bloomingdale, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Bloomingdale, NJ 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Bloomingdale, NJ

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

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 Bloomingdale,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.

 Caregivers Bloomingdale, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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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.

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.

Latest News in Bloomingdale, NJ

Historian to give talk on 1930s Nazi camp in Bloomingdale

RIVERDALE — Local historian Tom Riley will be presenting his popular presentation "Nazis in Riverdale?" at the borough library on Wednesday, Oct. 3.The retired educator, who grew up in Bloomingdale, said he first learned of the infamous German Bund camp on Federal Hill from the ghost stories in his youth.The camp, active in the 1930s, was in Bloomingdale but was reached from behind Slater's Mill off Hamburg Turnpike in Riverdale. The bridge behind the mill was washed out in 1903."There really was a G...

RIVERDALE — Local historian Tom Riley will be presenting his popular presentation "Nazis in Riverdale?" at the borough library on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

The retired educator, who grew up in Bloomingdale, said he first learned of the infamous German Bund camp on Federal Hill from the ghost stories in his youth.

The camp, active in the 1930s, was in Bloomingdale but was reached from behind Slater's Mill off Hamburg Turnpike in Riverdale. The bridge behind the mill was washed out in 1903.

"There really was a German camp on Federal Hill," Riley said. "So, of course, that just got my imagination going and I was just a sponge for anything to do with Federal Hill."

Camp Bergwald was raided several times by the FBI, and 19 members were put on trial in 1944. Four were convicted as spies for conspiring to transmit military information to Germany in violation of the Espionage Act in 1943.

"So you had spies right here looking down at you from Federal Hill," Riley said.

The camp was ultimately confiscated by the United States government and the land eventually bought by Tilcon Quarry, which owns more land on Federal Hill.

Riley recently had a chance to do some exploring on Federal Hill as part of the production of a new documentary available on YouTube called: "Bloomingdale — An American Small Town."

Remnants of a camp building, visible today, are included in the film, along with some archive footage of camp activities. The film producers received special permission to explore the camp site, accompanied by Tilcon security.

Riley's presentation also includes photographs. Camp Bergwald was a youth camp for boys and girls 8 to 18, Riley said. Members spoke German, and along with normal camp activities they were indoctrinated with a "heavy dose of national socialism," he said.

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More:Controversial 'Hidden Hills' hearings continue in Riverdale

Members handed out fliers and sold pamphlets and Nazi collectibles, he said. At its height there were 20 chapters across the United States, most concentrated in the Northeast.

"Make no mistake: They were just as anti-Roosevelt-administration as anybody possibly could be," Riley said. "The same spiel that Hitler was spreading across Europe at this time, this German American Vocational League are spreading right here."

The group evolved from the Friends of Hitler Movement, the Friends of New Germany and then, by 1936, the German American Bund. Riley cited a 1944 New York Times article that traced $13,000 used to purchase the land on Federal Hill back to Nazi Germany, the Vocational League and the German Labor movement.

Federal Hill, it turns out, also played a role in the Revolutionary War and was part of a beacon system. The early-warning system was used to alert Gen. George Washington of British troops' movements.

Washington even put down a mutiny on Federal Hill, and two of the three mutineers were executed. So the ghosts stories about mutineers that Riley heard as a child had some merit. So did the ones about Nazis on Federal Hill.

The site where Camp Bergwald and the beacon were located may end up being quarried, the historian said. There is no access to the old Bund Camp site, he said, and the area is fenced off. The camp is now within the active blast area of Tilcon.

Register online for the event at riverdalelibrary.org, or call the library at 973-835-5044.

Riley is also known for his presentations on the connection of Babe Ruth and minor league baseball to the area. Keep an eye on the local library calendars for his talks.

A new Bloomingdale’s outlet store is coming to N.J.

Popular department store Bloomingdale’s is set to open its second outlet store in New Jersey.Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store is coming to The Mills at Jersey Gard...

Popular department store Bloomingdale’s is set to open its second outlet store in New Jersey.

Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store is coming to The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, at 651 Kapkowski Rd. It will open on Friday, Oct. 1.

The outlet store will feature men’s, women’s and kids apparel, shoes, handbags, accessories and home goods.

The Bloomingdale’s outlet concept was introduced in 2010 and has since expanded to 22 stores nationwide.

New Jersey currently has one other Bloomingdale’s outlet, in Paramus, and four Bloomingdale’s department stores.

Bloomingdale’s is thrilled to offer our Union County communities a new avenue for discovering great style,” Denise Magid, executive VP and general merchandise manager for Bloomingdale’s Outlets, said in a statement. “Whether it’s a stylish item for your closet or home, shoppers can discover special finds and compelling prices at this new location.”

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Tilcon quarry in Bloomingdale wants private road through Wanaque

An emphasis on nighttime paving work by its biggest client — the state Department of Transportation — has quarry conglomerate Tilcon New York continuing its push to build a private access road off Union Avenue in Wanaque to its Bloomingdale facility abutting Interstate 287.Tilcon representatives were at the Wanaque Planning Board earlier this month to file another application for site plan approval for the company’s long-running proposal to extend Susquehanna Avenue. Next to the Union Avenue Burger King, Susquehanna ...

An emphasis on nighttime paving work by its biggest client — the state Department of Transportation — has quarry conglomerate Tilcon New York continuing its push to build a private access road off Union Avenue in Wanaque to its Bloomingdale facility abutting Interstate 287.

Tilcon representatives were at the Wanaque Planning Board earlier this month to file another application for site plan approval for the company’s long-running proposal to extend Susquehanna Avenue. Next to the Union Avenue Burger King, Susquehanna Avenue leads to the Elks Camp Moore property just north of the Bloomingdale quarry.

In the works for more than six years, the proposed half-mile road is designed to get the quarry’s trucks on the interstate and off local streets, said Vincent Gallo, vice-president of Tilcon.

“Most of our truck traffic, probably 90 to 95 percent, goes south - south and east – and by putting it on 287, we’re getting our trucks off the local roadways as quickly as possible,” he said.

As proposed, the project would divert all truck traffic from the quarry's current entrance on Broad Street in Pompton Lakes. That entrance would remain only for employees and emergencies, he said.

Gallo said the project would allow for a greater volume of trucks to come and go from the facility but would also allow Tilcon to spread out the traffic. Regulations in Bloomingdale and Pompton Lakes restrict shipping and transportation of quarry products to daytime hours.

If approved, the quarry access road would travel through 30- to 50-foot rock faces that need to be carved into the steep slopes to reach the quarry, Tilcon officials said. With county approval, Tilcon may also have to widen Union Avenue to four total lanes from Susquehanna Avenue to the interchange ramps for Interstate 287.

Though possible, there is no intention to expand operations at the quarry, Gallo said. However, there is a plan to divert more work to the nighttime, he said. The state Department of Transportation emphasized nighttime paving work to alleviate traffic concerns, he said.

If the road is approved, Tilcon agreed to pay the local government a usage fee of $250,000 a year for the first four years and $150,000 a year thereafter. A roughly $100,000 property tax increase based on the improvements has also been estimated by town officials.

Still, the company has struggled to gain support for the project.

Planning Board members rejected the proposal in September, citing concerns about traffic impacts on Union Avenue. The new truck traffic’s potential to create backups on the notoriously busy Ringwood Avenue and to disturb the morning commute on southbound Interstate 287 were also cited.

“Our standard of living is going down with it,” said board member Jack Jordan during the September hearing. “The truck traffic is not going to help us. We’re going to get money. That’s the only plus.”

Bridget DiFalco, who lives on Haskell Avenue, said town officials are right to consider quality of life over revenue. She said the new access road could make the left turn out of Haskell Avenue nearly impossible.

“There’s going to be a big accident there,” she said.

Tilcon owns 16 properties in the area, the home of a failed housing development south of North Twin Lake, records show. It also has an easement agreement to cross the Elks Camp Moore site, records show.

David Zimmer is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Bloomingdale schools' interim superintendent comes from inside the district

BLOOMINGDALE — Borough school board members appointed Bloomingdale's director of student services, Michael Nicosia, to take over the superintendent’s role next month.The board met for an occasionally contentious meeting Thursday to appoint Nicosia as acting superintendent following the pending resignation of Daniel Johnson, who also serves as Butler schools superintendent. Johnson, who took the joint role in January, submitted his resignation last week – claiming both districts need a full-time superin...

BLOOMINGDALE — Borough school board members appointed Bloomingdale's director of student services, Michael Nicosia, to take over the superintendent’s role next month.

The board met for an occasionally contentious meeting Thursday to appoint Nicosia as acting superintendent following the pending resignation of Daniel Johnson, who also serves as Butler schools superintendent. Johnson, who took the joint role in January, submitted his resignation last week – claiming both districts need a full-time superintendent.

Members of the public criticized the board Thursday for failing to heed Johnson’s own advice by appointing another part-time superintendent.

Nicosia, who has been working toward a doctorate degree in education, is due to continue in his current roles for Butler and Bloomingdale in addition to the superintendent role. His tenure is expected to start May 1 and earn him an extra $200 a day, records show.

Board members on Thursday expressed confidence in Nicosia to at least close out the school year. Alexis Wilson said she was impressed by his educational philosophies, while Christine Spencer said she was left struck by his emphasis on data-driven assessments to identify weaknesses and boost student performance.

“His desire is to meet every student where they are and get them where they want to be,” Spencer said.

More coverage: Butler, Bloomingdale end four-month superintendent sharing agreement

Still, many expressed frustrations with the need for Nicosia’s appointment. Debra Sondermeyer, a teacher in the district for 16 years, said a lack of consistency in the central office has had a trickle-down impact on programs, teacher training and test scores.

“If we want to see test scores rise and kids work up to their potential, we kind of need to get ourselves somewhere in Bloomingdale where we’re all on the same team with quality in leadership,” she said. “It starts from the top.”

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Elizabeth Santana, another board member, said Johnson was hired with the goal of providing the district with long-term systemic consistency. His departure was unfortunate, unexpected and “seems almost unimaginable,” said Lauren Grecco, the board president who has seen more than a dozen superintendents appointed during her time on the board.

Johnson, who has announced plans to return to his former role as Butler’s full-time superintendent effective May 1, said he will assist Bloomingdale’s school board in its search for a permanent superintendent to promote a spirit of cooperation among the districts that sent students to Butler High School.

David Zimmer is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Mysterious carved stone found under Pequannock River in Bloomingdale's Sloan Park

BLOOMINGDALE — A regal image carved into a granite block found Thursday in the bed of the Pequannock River has piqued local curiosity.Unearthed during the ongoing rehabilitation of the riverbed in Sloan Park, the stone shows a curly-haired person with a cross-topped crown, a ruff around the neck and possibly a scepter in hand. The light-colored granite block measures roughly 14 by 12 inches and its origins are unknown, said Bloomingdale Mayor Jon Dunleavy.“I have no idea what it could be,” he said. “It i...

BLOOMINGDALE — A regal image carved into a granite block found Thursday in the bed of the Pequannock River has piqued local curiosity.

Unearthed during the ongoing rehabilitation of the riverbed in Sloan Park, the stone shows a curly-haired person with a cross-topped crown, a ruff around the neck and possibly a scepter in hand. The light-colored granite block measures roughly 14 by 12 inches and its origins are unknown, said Bloomingdale Mayor Jon Dunleavy.

“I have no idea what it could be,” he said. “It is quite an extraordinary find, and the borough hopes to find out what it actually is. I have a few local historians investigating.”

After a Thursday post on the municipality's Facebook page, the speculation began online.

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One Facebook user responding to the borough’s post surmised that it was a carving of a queen, noting that the Pequannock Valley Paper Company supplied tissue paper to Queen Victoria about 150 years ago.

The storycontinues below the post.

Others claimed the image was of Jesus Christ. One user declared the stone carving to be the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague. One of the most recognizable Christian statues in the world, the Spanish work was carved in Spain in about 1340 and landed in a Prague monastery roughly 390 years later.

Construction at the closed park is part of a flood mitigation project to prevent flooding on nearby Main Street, Dunleavy said. The park was first closed after Hurricane Irene, but the town was unable to obtain permits for rehabilitation until August 2016.

A new bridge and landscaping are planned around a riverbank restoration. Cages filled with rocks are currently being positioned 600 feet in both directions from the park bridge to restore the riverbanks to their original height. The park should be reopened in spring 2019, Dunleavy said.

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