The HOWELL Times
Vol. 22 - No. 45
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 6-9
Inside The Law Page 13
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Volunteers Team Up To Clean Local Beaches
By Alyssa Riccardi JERSEY SHORE – Despite the cold and rainy weather, hundreds of volunteers hit the beach to pick up litter or harmful debris found at the Jersey shore. The bi-annual initiative is a part of Clean Ocean Action’s (COA) Beach Sweeps, which celebrated their 40th Bea ch Swe e ps on April 12. Clean Ocean Action is a leading national and regional voice working to protect waterways using science, law, research, education and citizen action. Their Beach Sweeps are held every April and October and are the state’s largest
Township Introduces $64.28M Budget
Photo courtesy Clean Ocean Action (Above) Volunteers included students from MAST, community leaders and local residents. (Below) Sandy Hook welcomed about 150 volunteers to collect trash for the Annual COA Beach Sweep. volunteer driven, citizen science and envi-
Dear Pharmacist Page 13
Classifieds Page 16
ronmental event. The goal of the Beach Sweeps is to make beaches safer for marine life and more enjoyable for people. Volu nt e e r s st r ive for difference in the community while joining in
April 19, 2025
on the beachy-clean f u n. Un l i ke ot he r cleanups, volunteers keep record of each piece of debr is on COA’s data card. Collected data is monitored for trends and analyzed so COA can work on advocating for
(Beaches - See Page 3)
By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – The average Howell Township property owners may anticipate a $109 tax increase on the municipal portion of their taxes with the newly proposed budget that was introduced. At the April 1 council meeting, the Township Council introduced a 2025 budget of $64,276,662, which is nearly a $3 million increase from 2024. The tax levy is set to increase from $33,165,788 in 2024 to $35,715,022, about a $2.5 million difference. According to township manager Joseph Clark, this increase was due to many challenges, including revenue losses from COVID relief aid and one-time state aid. Additionally, increases in contractual salaries, pension and health benefits costs have affected this year’s budget. The Township’s ratables have also increased for 2025 – a 10.81% increase to $12.18 million. “I know people have strong feelings about property tax in this county and the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program and I can say back when it was introduced in 2015 the council then protested it. We still think in times like this where you have higher than normal property increases, it’s probably not the best metric, but I don’t know of anything that anybody’s doing to change it,” Clark said. “We try to do the best we can to provide relief internally.” (Township - See Page 2)
County Clerk Honored With Public Service Award
By Alyssa Riccardi FREEHOLD – Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano-Hanlon was recognized with a Public Service Award from the Amerigo Vespucci Society of Long Branch. “As an Italian-American who is extremely proud of her heritage, this award is especially meaningful to me,” said Clerk Hanlon. “The Amerigo Vespucci Society has been at the
forefront of celebrating Italian-American culture here in Monmouth County while also providing scholarships to our youth.” “They’ve been a positive force for over a century, and I’m honored to be a part of their legacy,” Hanlon added. Hanlon was elected Monmouth County Clerk in November 2015 and was re-elected to a second term in November 2020. Prior to be-
ing elected as County Clerk, Christine was Of Counsel to the law firm of Archer & Greiner, PC. She practiced law for over 20 years focusing her legal practice on government affairs and municipal law. She is also a former Commissioner on the Monmouth County Board of Elections, serving as Secretary for two years. Her extensive public service record includes cre-
ating programs for veterans such as the Monmouth County Clerk’s “Honoring Our Heroes” discount program for veterans and Gold Star Family members. In addition, she serves as a trustee of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Museum and Memorial. As Clerk, Christine initiated the Mobile County Connection, a program to bring (Award - See Page 2)
Photo courtesy Monmouth County Clerk’s Office Pictured are Amerigo Vespucci Society President Joseph Mossa, Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon and Event Chair Roberto Ferragina.
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