The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 11 - No. 52
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Barnegat Sees Progress For New Town Hall
June 29, 2024
Waretown BOE Pushes For 9.99% Tax Increase
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-14
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
Classifieds Page 22
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Visitors to the new town hall will be greeted by a striking first floor lobby with a central reception desk. By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT –Some things are worth waiting for, and Barnegat’s new town hall may just be one of them. The building is brimming with modern amenities and a stunning presence, sharply contrasting with the outdat-
ed facilities currently shared by the local police department and municipal offices. Visitors to Barnegat’s new town hall will be greeted by a striking first-floor lobby with a central reception desk. Directly behind the desk lies the municipal courtroom, which also
serves as the governing body’s meeting room. The expansive space features dark wooden benches and a dais already equipped with furniture and microphones. The most captivating aspect of this particular room is the natural mural created by more than a dozen
windows just below the ceiling. One could get lost in the clouds while waiting for their case to be called or sitting through a government meeting. The two-story building, complete with a basement, is already well-marked (Hall - See Page 4)
Rides, Games, Shows, And More At Upcoming Ocean County Fair By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The Ocean County Fair will again be held at the Robert J. Miller Airpark on Route 530 in Berkeley and will be filled with all the rides, food, and entertainment you’ve come to expect at the annual event. Entrance to the fairground is $10. Parking is free.
The same ride vendor as last year, Campy’s Blue Star Amusements, will be there. Certain days (see below) will have wristbands available for unlimited rides during certain times. Expect to see pig races, the Dynamo Dog show, and other animal acts. Depending on when you get (Fair - See Page 6)
Photo by Chris Lundy 4-H had a number of animals you could see and learn about in this archived photo from 2022.
Photo By Stephanie Faughnan Ocean Township Board of Education members narrowly approved a tentative 20242025 school year budget at its latest meeting. Chief School Administrator and Principal of Frederic A. Priff School Ariane Phillips provided information concerning a tax increase. By Stephanie Faughnan WARETOWN – The Ocean Township Board of Education narrowly approved a tentative 2024-2025 school year budget at its latest meeting in a 3-2 vote. The plan includes a one-time 9.99 percent increase in the tax levy, incorporating a previously approved 3.76 percent hike. Notably, the local district does not record its school board meetings, making them unavailable for review. Ariane Phillips, Chief School Administrator and Principal of Frederic A. Priff School, provided information regarding the budget and justification for the increase. New Jersey schools receive funding from local property taxes, state aid, and nominal federal aid. However, a 2018 law known as S2 amended the state school funding formula, resulting in cuts to many districts. Over the past six years, Ocean Township Schools have faced significant reductions in state aid, totaling roughly $5.3 million compared to 2017-2018. A state law previously limited school districts to a two percent increase in local property taxes for budget purposes without seeking voter approval. In 2022, Ocean Township narrowly passed a referendum requiring taxpayers to fund an additional $840,000. This amount was said to be necessary to retain eight classroom teachers and maintain current classroom sizes. (BOE - See Page 5)
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