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 Packet Alley 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 Jackson, 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.
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college,”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides.”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”
“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services”
“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in”
“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me -”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”
“Angela was a very thorough, compassionate, and kind aide.”
“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care for Mom Monday”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was very lucid and managed his own care with the agency, I was at his house alot and participated in his care with the aids. They were all very caring and he kindly spoke of the owners being very attentive and offered very personalized care. They even visited him. I am very fond of many of the home health aids..they were loving and concerned. They took their job to another level. I even formed friendships with some of them. The golden years are a very delicate part of our lives. Always best care not only offered good physical care to my father, but unbounded love and compassion !!!! Thank you and he is looking down at us. I'm sure.”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was to die in her home. I can’t say enough about how ABC was able to give her a quality of life that she valued as well as provide comfort to her family knowing that she was in good hands with ABC's Caregivers. From the caregivers that always went the extra mile to the fast response we got 24x7 from folks like Carli…you were there for us!”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to care for herself for that night. I called Always Best Care Senior Services (ABC) at the very end of the business day, asking if they could find someone for one night of 12-hour private duty care on pretty much an emergency basis. The ABC team went to work and secured a caregiver for mom within a matter of hours for an 8pm-to-8am care shift at mom's senior living community. We had worked with ABC in the past on a scheduled basis, but this experience was above and beyond the call of regular duty and it truly helped us get through a difficult and stressful episode. We would recommend ABC for any and all of your senior care needs.”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father in day to day activities. Sam helps him with gait training and understands dementia care and how to handle care, the way the client needs it. I would not hesitate using this agency and Sam is excellent.”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college, and they always provided me an aide that is helpful, considerate, and hardworking. Thank you for always providing me with an aide like Ms. Colleta!!”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He was God sent; thank God for him”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides. Thank you again!”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she is paid! I miss her. Her help was timely, professional, and invaluable”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had professional help. Tremendous your service”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The management met with us and assigned caregivers almost immediately. As our needs evolved and increased, they were responsive and flexible. The caregivers were well-trained, kind, hard-working, and truly fine people whom we enjoyed having in the house.”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up the good work, and be safe!”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and concern that was shown for my husband by the Always Best Care staff. Thank you for the exceptional attention to his comfort, as well as the wonderful insights, strength, knowledge, and emotional support you showed our entire family. Watching someone you love make the transition out of this life is a really difficult thing, and your wisdom and comfort helped us navigate this challenging time. I will always be thankful for the service you provided for him. I would also like to acknowledge the excellent care provided to my husband by Ms. Marie Louisjean. We thank Ms. Louisjean for her incredible patience, tenderness, and attention to his needs. We thank her for being such a dedicated caregiver. God has given her a very special talent and He has blessed her with a compassionate heart. I could not have asked for a more passionate group of people. May God continue to bless the Always Best Care staff as you continue to care for people in need.”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They came out to his house and offered suggestions so that he would be able to get around with his walker easily. Their person took great care of my Dad. It is such a relief to my sister and I that we had someone stay with my Dad that was so reliable. I highly recommend them.”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you enough. Thanks for always being there for us in every way.”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and how best to provide workable care solutions for aging relatives. They are well informed on current issues and available options. I speak from my own experience here and strongly recommend then and their company to anyone in need of assistance in this area. They are compassionate and caring people which is critical in their business!”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care they provided for our Aunt and Uncle as they battled with diminishing health and mental conditions. Carmen and Gimbert were always available to us to answer questions and discuss aspects of care that was needed. Without their help the situations that we faced would have been so much worse. God Bless.”
“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services in the future if needed. I would recommend you to anyone needing your help. Again, thank you for caring.”
“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also cared for me and my family.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in caring for a loved one. We have a brother and his significant other who were living independently and when visiting them realized they had not been eating or keeping their home clean. Since we knew of Always Best Care and heard of their excellent reputation we contacted them. They immediately stepped in and assisted us in knowing what steps we needed to take. After taking both our brother and his significant other to the doctors and learning that they had the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease, we met with Carmen who helped us set up a plan. She suggested that we start with a few days a week of in home care so that we would know that they were eating. She provided us with excellent aids that not only helped prepare meals, but also interacted with our family members to encourage socialization. These few days increased to five days a week which left us with Saturday and Sunday to monitor their eating. While this was taking place, Carmen helped us find an Assisted Living Community where they could move. We visited several in the area and decided on one after consulting with Carmen. She and Gimbert were always available to take our calls if we had any questions. They helped us with finding someone to clean out the house and assisted us in relocating our bother and his significant other to their new home. We have recommended Always Best Care to several of our neighbors who have needed assistance with caring for loved ones. Carmen is on top of any situation that needs attention. Whether a person needs an aid for a week, a month or indefinitely she arranges the right person for the client’s needs. Always Best Care, Carmen and Gimbert, cared for our family members as if they were their own family. We would not have been able to care for our family members as well as the aids from Always Best Care.Hopefully we will not need the services of Always Best Care again, but if we do we know that they will be there to help us.”
“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me - her knowledge/advice, genuine caring, and friendly personality. We're managing well and hopefully that continues and if needed, we know to call ABC.”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care they provided for our Aunt and Uncle as they battled with diminishing health and mental conditions. Carmen and Gimbert were always available to us to answer questions and discuss aspects of care that was needed. Without their help the situations that we faced would have been so much worse. God Bless.”
“Angela was a very thorough, compassionate, and kind aide.”
“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care for Mom Monday through Friday. They are expensive, but that's the going rate, unfortunately. They were very reactive; I called them, and the next day, they were at the house doing the assessment to see what was exactly needed. However, there were two occasions where I called them and did not get a response back within 12 hours. On one occasion, I called them on a Friday afternoon, and they called me back on Saturday at 10:00. But, they're not bad. The person they recommended was wonderful. I don't have complaints about that.”
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 Jackson Jungle Play Park & Children's Trail 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 The Edge Restaurant or visit Merci Train, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Jackson, 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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, 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.
Everybody had a favorite animal growing up. Do you remember what yours was?Ever since I was little, I was always drawn to wolves. I think it's because my mom was such a big Kevin Costner fan, so I watched "Dances With Wolves" way more times than any kid should have. It is funny, though, because I was afraid of the wolf scene from Disney's "Beauty And The Beast." So, I was afraid of animated wolves but fascinated by real ones, go figure.One of the coolest things you can do in the Garden State actually involve...
Everybody had a favorite animal growing up. Do you remember what yours was?
Ever since I was little, I was always drawn to wolves. I think it's because my mom was such a big Kevin Costner fan, so I watched "Dances With Wolves" way more times than any kid should have. It is funny, though, because I was afraid of the wolf scene from Disney's "Beauty And The Beast." So, I was afraid of animated wolves but fascinated by real ones, go figure.
One of the coolest things you can do in the Garden State actually involves my favorite animal. Now, you don't hear of people having the chance to get close to anything truly wild. Wolves, to me, represent beings that are so in-touch with nature and so sensitive when it comes to the state of their world, that when I found out that we could actually interact with them, "no" simply wasn't even a thought in my head.
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There's a wolf sanctuary located in Jackson, right near Six Flags Great Adventure, called Howling Woods Farm. Its goal is to take-in wolf hybrids and wolf dogs that people think would have made great house pets. Spoiler alert: they don't.
While you may think it sounds cool to own a wolf dog or wolf hybrid, they're not just a bigger version of your husky or golden retriever. On the contrary. These canines have a direct lineage to wolves and are more in-tune with those ancestors than their domesticated dog DNA. Almost all of the canines in the care of Howling Woods Farm are over 60% wolf. They're all DNA tested with the certificates hanging on the walls of the shop.
Two wolves in their care, in fact, are over 90% wolf. So, don't let the word "hybrid" or "dog" in their name deceive you into thinking they're harmless. They're still wild animals.
In my opinion, they're the most intriguing and beautiful animals in the world. If you have a chance to go and take a tour, it's a 10/10 recommendation from me.
Get more information about Howling Woods Farm HERE.
Did you know that there's a place in New Jersey where you can get up-close and personal to wolves? It's pretty cool! Howling Woods Farm is the organization and they teach you all about wolf preservation and responsible care for these animals.
Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.
Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.
Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany
A petitioner wants Brick, Toms River, Manchester, Jackson and Lakewood to become "one united city." Brick isn't interested, the mayor said.Patch StaffBRICK, NJ — Brick Township has no interest in merging with other local towns, in spite of a petition circulating locally that suggests otherwise.Mayor Lisa Crate issued a statement Wednesday in response to concerns raised by residents about the ...
Patch Staff
BRICK, NJ — Brick Township has no interest in merging with other local towns, in spite of a petition circulating locally that suggests otherwise.
Mayor Lisa Crate issued a statement Wednesday in response to concerns raised by residents about the petition on Change.org that urges Lakewood, Manchester, Jackson, Toms River and Brick to "create a city where families, businesses, and communities can grow and thrive."
"Imagine a thriving, united city built on collaboration, shared values, and endless opportunities," the petition, created Dec. 31, says. "By uniting into one city, we can unlock incredible benefits for everyone."
Crate rejected the petition's suggestion.
"I wanted to assure our residents here in Brick Township that this municipal governing body has no interest and will not be seeking to join any other municipality here in Ocean County to create a combined city," Crate said on her weekly Mayor's Minutes video. "Anyone can put a petition out and ask for anything that they want but it doesn't mean it that it's something that's going to happen."
The name of the person who created the petition is not listed; it's tagged simply "Lakewood Resident." It has been written about twice on the website Frum News, which suggests that unifying the five towns would alleviate issues facing Lakewood.
"Lakewood Township has grown exponentially in recent years, both in population and economic activity. With this rapid development, the current township structure faces significant challenges in delivering essential services, maintaining infrastructure, and planning for future growth," a Jan. 9 report on the petition said.
That site shared the petition again on Jan. 21, reiterating what the petition creator suggests would be the benefits of a merger of the five towns, claiming it would lower taxes, improve public services and infrastructure and "improved representation" in government.
Consolidating towns in New Jersey is a complicated process. Under the Municipal Consolidation Act of 1978, there are multiple steps that include a willingness of the towns' governing bodies to be considered for a consolidation. There are requirements for a study to show whether consolidation would benefit the towns, and consolidations must be approved by the voters in each affected municipality.
Princeton Borough and Princeton Township is one of the few mergers in the last 15 years, and that consolidation was 60 years and four tries in the making, then-Mayor Liz Lempert said in a 2017 interview in New Jersey Monthly, four years after the two towns merged.
That consolidation was of two relatively small towns; the population of Princeton in 2023 was just under 30,300, according to U.S. Census figures.
In 2021, the towns of Pine Hill and Pine Valley in Camden County consolidated, resulting in a borough of about 11,000 residents. NJ101.5 reported on the merger, saying it eliminated one of the smallest towns in the state.
New Jersey legislators have tried to encourage consolidation of towns in the state, but the focus has been on much smaller towns. In 2018 then-Senate President Stephen Sweeney was pushing for consolidation of 191 of the smallest towns in the state on the belief that it would reduce the property tax burden. It has not gained traction.
Trying to combine five of the largest towns in Ocean County — the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Lakewood's population at just under 140,000, Toms River at just under 100,000, Brick at just over 76,000, Jackson at 60,275 and Manchester at just over 46,000 in 2023, the most recent estimates available — would require approval of voters in all five towns, only after studies that have to have voter support as well.
"It would have to have agreeing municipal governing bodies wanting to do that," Crate said. "Brick Township is not interested in doing that."
"I wanted to assure everyone that it's a petition and a petition is all it is," she said, adding residents with questions could feel free to contact her at town hall.
Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." - Abraham LincolnAs many of you may have noticed all the very large trucks running through the cemetery, it is due to our latest expansion. The Department of Veterans affairs has issued us a Grant in the amount of $11,961,040.00 to have installed an additional 7520 preplaced crypts to continue to provide another service to all our deserving service members and their dependents. The construction will last up to this coming December (weather permitting). We w...
Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." - Abraham Lincoln
As many of you may have noticed all the very large trucks running through the cemetery, it is due to our latest expansion. The Department of Veterans affairs has issued us a Grant in the amount of $11,961,040.00 to have installed an additional 7520 preplaced crypts to continue to provide another service to all our deserving service members and their dependents. The construction will last up to this coming December (weather permitting). We would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Respectively,
Kenneth Smith JrSuperintendentB.G. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery
On May 30, 1986, Governor Thomas H. Kean dedicated New Jersey's first state-operated veterans' cemetery as "a lasting memorial to those men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country's honor and freedom." On January 3, 1989, the cemetery was named for the principal guiding force behind its development U.S. Army Brigadier General William C. Doyle.
The facility was funded jointly by the state and federal governments and is managed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It is open to eligible Veterans; members of the Armed Forces or reserve units on active duty at the time of death; certain dependents and certain merchant marines and civilians who have been awarded veteran's status. Rules and eligibility requirements were established within the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, D.C.
The cemetery is located in Arneytown, North Hanover Township, Burlington County on Province Line Road, which intersects Route 664 to the north of the cemetery and Routes 537 and 528 to the south. Its central location, 15 miles southeast of Trenton, makes it easily accessible from the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and Interstates 195 and 295.
The cemetery is a contemporary memorial type with all grave markers flush with ground level. It covers 225 acres and was designed to accommodate 171,000 veterans and their family members.
To provide privacy and protection from the elements for the bereaved, a chapel and committal service shelter are provided. The United States and New Jersey State flags are flown in the front court of the chapel in tribute to all veterans buried in the cemetery.
Professional, compassionate service to the bereaved is the concern of the experienced staff who are ready to provide assistance and comfort to the family in their time of need.
There is no finer tribute or more appropriate final resting-place for our valiant heroes than in a cemetery dedicated to them.
As a state shrine, Doyle Cemetery honors the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Approximately 13 burials occur each business day and the cemetery is visited by thousands of visitors each year.
JACKSON — The Board of Education of a cash-strapped and shrinking Ocean County school district recommends the sale of a second school in two years school and the consolidation of its two high schools.Without restructuring, the board says it may have to eliminate 200 jobs, advanced placement courses and athletics while packing 40 students into each classroom.Jackson school district has 7,628 students in nine schoolsLast year, the district sold the Rosenauer Elementary School to a Lakewood-based all-girls Jewish scho...
JACKSON — The Board of Education of a cash-strapped and shrinking Ocean County school district recommends the sale of a second school in two years school and the consolidation of its two high schools.
Without restructuring, the board says it may have to eliminate 200 jobs, advanced placement courses and athletics while packing 40 students into each classroom.
Jackson school district has 7,628 students in nine schools
Last year, the district sold the Rosenauer Elementary School to a Lakewood-based all-girls Jewish school, for $13 million to close a budget deficit.
This year, the district is looking to close another projected $13 million deficit
Without restructuring, the board says it may have to eliminate 200 jobs, advanced placement courses and athletics while packing 40 students into each classroom.
A formal budget has not been presented but the district expects a further cut in state aid.
Both final plans called for closing one of two middle schools and consolidating the two high schools into one building.
The favored plan submitted by a planning committee:
— Close Goetz Middle School, which now enrolls more than a thousand students.
— Turn Jackson Memorial High School into a middle school for 7th and 8th grades.
— Send all high school students to Jackson Liberty, which currently enrolls a thousand students, and is the newer of the two high schools. Memorial now enrolls less than 1,500.
— All elementary schools would serve pre-K to 4th grade while McAuliffe Middle School would serve 5th and 6th grades
"This is not something that any superintendent, board of education or administration really wants to to do in a district. It's a lot of work, it's a lot of emotion and it's a lot of change," Superintendent Nicole Pormilli said. "We recognize that these decisions impact people. Our students, our staff and our community."
The recommendation chosen by the board will close the Goetz Middle School and put it up for sale or lease.
Liberty, which opened in 2006, was designed as a state-of-the-art high school with parking for students, staff and visitors and large hallways.
Pormilli acknowledged the emotions in closing the district's legacy high school.
"We will address and work through all of our challenges of uniting our staff and our students to ensure that we become one united place," Pormelli said. "It's the facility that's different but we want to come together as one Jackson."
A final vote will be taken on Feb. 5 after an additional public hearing beforehand.
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