The HOWELL Times
Vol. 20 - No. 13
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Howell Native Assists Veterans In Finding Jobs
August 27, 2022
Senior Living Development Approved
BREAKING NEWS @
–Photo by Mark Bator The stretch of roadway along Route 9 northbound, just north of the White Castle, will now have the highway entrance to the new Woodmont senior living facility.
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 7
Inside The Law Page 12
Dear Pharmacist Page 13
Classifieds Page 15
–Photo by Mark Bator Founder Mike Ferraro, Director Toni Gianatiempo and Marketing Manager Anthony A. Grisanzio at the charity’s offices in Wall. By Mark Bator HOWELL – Transitions in life can be difficult. When one goes from high school to college, college to the workforce, or single life to married, a period of apprehension and adjustment is normal. But when someone moves from the military to the private sector, the difficulties can be monumental. Often, the transition from carrying a rifle to carrying a briefcase or lunch pail can be a daunting and challenging ordeal. Helping veterans cross this chasm of uncertainty is the goal of an organization known as Bridging the Gap For Veterans, whose mission is to assist America’s service men and women find jobs in the modern economy. Started in February 2016 by (Veterans - See Page 3)
–Photo courtesy of Mike Ferraro Bridging the Gap donates coffee to the Walter Read National Medical Center.
First Jersey Shore Recreational Cannabis Dispensary Opens
By Bob Vosseller NEPTU NE – It was a unique ribbon cutting ceremony for what is now the first Jersey shore-based adult-use cannabis business offering products for recre-
ational use. The township-based Zen Leaf Dispensary opened its doors on an early Friday morning celebrating its newest location as one of only a few dispensaries currently operating in the
state for customers of recreational marijuana. It took only six months to transform the empty storefront that was once a Smash Burger franchise into an anchor store for the strip mall complex at 2100
Route 66 in the township. The dispensary is owned and operated by Verano, a multi-state cannabis operator in the U.S. with two existing New Jersey dispensaries in Elizabeth and Lawrence.
The Zen Leaf dispensary has been serving medical patients since April 16, 2021. The dispensar y was welcomed by officials of the township including Mayor
(Opens - See Page 2)
By Mark Bator HOWELL – Despite opposition from neighbors of the proposed project, the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the application of Woodmont Senior Living to build a 130-unit luxury residential building at the corner of Route 9 and West Farms Road. The complex, to be called Aspire Luxury Senior Living at Howell, would include independent living apartments, assisted living facilities and “memory care” units. The 11.57acre site would also include three landscaped courtyard areas, and 133 parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging spaces. At the May 5 Planning Board meeting, West Farms Road was one of the roads singled out during the discussion of the township’s traffic plan, as part of
the Howell Master Plan presentation. At that time, Township Planner Jennifer Beahm characterized the street in years past as “kind of a sleepy road, almost like a farm road.” She also noted the issues with sight distance and the geography of the road. “Care should be given to development in this area,” Beahm concluded during the Master Plan discussion, “to make sure that driveways are safe, site distance and site triangles are maintained, and right of way acquisition is obtained wherever possible whenever a development application comes in. But this is a road that’s on our radar and should be continued to be watched over the course of significant years to come.” These cautionary observations likely made the Board insist that (Senior - See Page 4)
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