The BERKELEY Times Vol. 30 - No. 44
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Divers Teach How To Lower Jellyfish Population
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law
Divers clean jellyfish polyps off of lagoon structures.
Photo courtesy BTUSAR
By Chris Lundy OCEAN GATE – As the weather warms up, boaters and swimmers look forward to spending more time on the bay and rivers near their homes, but the return of warm temperatures also bring back a certain pest. No, we’re not talking about bennies. We’re talking about the bay nettle – a jellyfish that has become accustomed to the lagoons surrounding the Barnegat Bay. Since 2022, the Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Rescue Unit has been using a program called “Stop the Sting,” and they are inviting residents to learn how they can help control the nettle population. The process is a simple concept, although it’s labor-intensive. Divers scrub docks and other objects that have been sitting out in the water. The polyp form of the bay nettle (Jellyfish - See Page 4)
Page 17
Court Appointed Special Advocates Honored By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY - Volunteers across the county were thanked for their dedication to children who are in a very difficult time of their life. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ocean County advocate on the behalf of a child who is in foster care. They spend time with the child to learn what they need and then make recommendations to the family court. “Our incredible volunteers work tirelessly to make sure the foster children we serve are receiving the services and programs they need. CASA volunteers are a steady, consistent presence in the life of a child. We want chil-
VETERAN &
FIRST RESPONDER
DISCOUNTS OFFERED
dren to know they are valued – children in the foster care system and beyond. We are always seeking to change a child’s story for the better,” said Ariane Yazdan, Executive Director of CASA of Ocean County. CASA is an independent nonprofit that has recruited, trained, and supported compassionate citizens to advocate for the best interests of foster children since 2006. These dedicated CASA volunteers ensure children’s voices are heard in the courtroom and in the community. CASA volunteers help secure the educational foundation, emotional support, and medical attention that these abused and (CASA - See Page 4)
Carmona ~ Bolen Home for Funerals, LLC Michael J. Defonzo Jr., Manager • NJ Lic #4075
April 26, 2025
Township Bonds For Purchases, Projects By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The Township Council introduced a bond ordinance that would provide for $4,560,000 worth of purchases. By law, the township has to pay a small down payment up front, so the ordinance appropriated a total of $4.8 million. The money is going toward a variety of departments. For example, at the Forrest Hill soccer field, there will be beach ramp boards, drainage, and a camera security system. At the police department, vehicles will be outfitted, and traffic control devices, radios, computers and other equipment will be purchased. The Division of Emergency Medical Services will replace a Stryker Power Pro Stretcher and remount an ambulance. The Division of Streets and Roads will receive a truck with plow and salter, a Ford F450 mason dump truck, Tink claw, and stormwater repairs. The Division of Sanitation and Recycling will get a sanitation truck, automated truck arms, and a Ford F250. The Division of Buildings and Grounds will be purchasing a Ford F250 and a field groomer. The Division of Vehicle Maintenance will be investing in a variety of new tools. For the Department of Engineering, project planning will be part of the bond. This includes road improvements and looking at watersheds and drainage. The bond ordinance was introduced at the most recent Township Council meeting. Every ordinance requires a second reading where the public can comment on it. This will likely be at the council’s May 19 meeting, which takes place at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road. Ordinances go into effect 20 days after the second reading. Revaluation On The Way Last year, the state ordered the township to undergo a revaluation of all properties, but the new values won’t affect your tax bill for some time. A revaluation is when a third party company is hired to look at every piece of land and any buildings on it. They determine the new valuation of that property. That new value will be what your taxes will be based on. A town is ordered to undergo this process once the values are more than 15% away from what they are supposed to be. According to Ocean County Tax records, Berkeley’s values are 37.36% lower than where they need to be. A large number of other municipalities were also around this mark on the 2024 Equalization Table. The township went out to bid for companies to perform the work last year. At the most recent meeting, they awarded the job to Professional Property Appraisers, Inc. Officials said it could take a few years before the new property values are set.
Affordable Cremation Packages: Starting at $1900
Includes: Removal from Hospital or Facility within 25 miles of funeral home, all funeral home service fees, required cremation container MCDDT-01. Excludes: Crematory Fees, death certificates and residential removal fee. Call us for your Custom Memorial Service with Urn Package Pricing.
TOMS RIVER • 732-349-1922 Traditional Funerals • Cremations • Memorials • Pre-Planning | www.carmonabolenfh.com WHITING • 732-350-0003