The HOWELL Times
Vol. 22 - No. 49
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 6-8
Dear Pharmacist Page 10
Inside The Law Page 8
Classifieds Page 13
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Teacher Named Educator Of The Year
By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – In their “Staff Spotlight” series, Freehold Regional High School District recognized Athanasia Stacey Gregorakis-Chrysanthou who was selected to be honored in the Monmouth County Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. Gregorakis-Chrysanthou is a Social Studies and Special Education Teacher at Howell High School. She’s an alumnus of Howell High School, Class of 2008, and has been teaching at Howell for 12 years. During that time, she has taught many courses, including AP Government & Politics, the Leadership in Action Program, Honors U.S. History I, World History, Financial Literacy, U.S. History II, and Special Education within the Social Studies Department. She proudly represents her Greek immigrant background and is a first-generation college graduate, having a Bachelor’s degree from
Photo courtesy Freehold Regional High School District Athanasia Stacey Gregorakis-Chrysanthou recognized as Teacher of the Year. Georgian Court University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Additionally, Gregorakis-Chrysanthou has served as the advisor for the M. Pearle
Button Chapter of the National Honor Society for nine years. She mentors students, helping them develop leadership skills and providing meaningful opportunities to serve and give back to their
community. She’s also responsible for establishing a Peer Tutoring Program and an AP Exam Prep Program, which support over 200 students annually. “I am passionate about (Teacher - See Page 2)
Veterans Village Celebrates Groundbreaking
By Chris Lundy JERSEY SHORE – Usually, gatherings for veterans are somber occasions. Memorial Day. Veterans Day. September 11. The groundbreaking of a veterans village in Bayville was a celebration. Hundreds of people came from miles around, with police directing traffic on busy Route 9. The future home of 124 units for veterans will have the official address of 359 Atlantic City Blvd.
Visitors were greeted with loud country music as Faith Community Church across the street played patriotic songs on bells. Veteran organizations and politicians made the rounds before the presentation made by Tunnel To Towers who also gave a tour of some of the homes. The property will have 99 apartments and 25 small houses. The houses have stairs and ramps leading to a front door (Veterans - See Page 3)
Photo by Chris Lundy Officials turned over a ceremonial shovel of dirt marking the groundbreaking of the veterans village.
May 17, 2025
Township Adopts $64M Budget For 2025 By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – The governing body of Howell Township voted to adopt a $64.28 million municipal budget for 2025. At the April 1 council meeting, the Township Council held its annual budget presentation and originally introduced a 2025 budget of $64,276,662. However at the May 6 meeting, which included a public hearing, that number had been changed to $64,277,159.73. In addition, the total amount to be raised by taxes was updated from $35,715,022 to $35,339,168. According to township manager Joseph Clark, these revisions between the budget’s introduction and adoption were due to recent funds the Township received. “During the period in which the introduced budget was out for public inspection, the Township received $275,000 for proceeds on the sale of a liquor license. It was decided by management to use those funds within the 2025 budget and reduce the amount to be raised by taxation,” Chief Financial Officer Louis Palazzo said. “There was also the final state aid award that the Township received from the state for its energy receipts tax which was $94,352 more than we anticipated in the introduced budget.” As a result, the amount to be raised by taxation was reduced; the increase to the average homeowner was also reduced from $110 to now $91, depending on the assessed value of a home. “We were able to use those proceeds in this year’s budget and that’s what we’re planning to read in as to the amendment this evening. We were on state review this year and we have been approved to move forward as such,” Palazzo added. Resident Marc Parisi, who previously served as a board member for Freehold Regional High School District’s Board of Education, spoke during the public comment addressing this year’s budget challenges. These challenges included revenue losses from ARP funding (COVID relief) and one-time state aid as well as increases in contractual salaries, pension and health benefits costs. “When I saw the slide about budget challenges and there was roughly a little more than $4 million in budget challenges, (Budget - See Page 5)
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