The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 42
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Future Unknown For Former Group Home
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 15
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Photo courtesy Berkeley Times reader The Anchor House was a group home overlooking the water. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – A huge house stands out on a stretch of land with the Toms River to the left, a lagoon to the right, and the Barnegat Bay straight ahead. It’s a beautiful view, but looking to the future is hard to do right now. The huge building on this property was named Anchor House, and it was a group home owned by Bright Harbor Healthcare. They offered 24-hour supervision for people with serious and persistent
mental illness. Unfortunately, in November of last year, one of the residents set fire to the home, causing it to be evacuated. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The building was condemned that day, Bright Harbor CEO Kimberly Veith told The Berkeley Times in a new interview. The eight residents were moved to a Toms River location. “It’s a really great location for them. It’s worked out really well.” Bright Harbor has been in Anchor House since 1979 after buying it from the Diocese of Staten Island. It had been a summer retreat for nuns, she said. “It’s a beautiful piece of land that we adored. I’m not sure it’s in the best interest of continuing to be a group home,” she said. Shore homes are wonderful, but they come with their own maintenance. For example, the bulkheads were their responsibilities. In this day and age, health care reimbursements don’t keep up with the finances, she noted. There are also a lot more houses in the area than (Group Home - See Page 4)
County Introduces $655.6M Budget
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Ocean County’s proposed $655.6 million budget keeps the tax rate unchanged, the total cost to taxpayers is still rising. Wondering how that’s possible? Commissioners formally introduced the 2026 spending plan during a recent meeting, outlining a budget that holds the county tax rate at 28.2 cents while increasing the amount raised through taxation by nearly $47 million. Officials described the proposal as a product of disciplined financial management in a growing county. But the numbers reveal a more complex picture, where rising costs and increased spending are being absorbed by higher property values and continued reliance on budget reserves.
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A public hearing and final adoption of the budget is scheduled for April 15 at 4 p.m. at the Ocean County Administration Building. “I think when you listen to the numbers, they sound scary,” Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione said during the budget introduction. “But it’s important to remember that the tax rate remains flat. What you’re seeing is growth in ratables across the county, and that allows us to make improvements without raising taxes.” Growth Driving Revenue The county’s total ratable base has climbed to approximately $193.1 billion, an increase of more than $16 billion in just one (Budget - See Page 5)
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Beach Sweeps Are A Part Of Spring Cleaning
Photo courtesy Clean Ocean Action Volunteers braved impending weather last year to clean the Seaside Heights beach. By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – As spring weather creeps out from winter’s shadow, people will be spending a lot more time outside, and there are environmental organizations making sure that there will be beautiful natural places to go. There will be ample opportunities to help clean the environment this weekend by picking up litter at various waterways. The beach sweeps are rain or shine, and approximately 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., although individual times may vary. The Clean Ocean Action website provided the following locations: Bay Head: Beach House Classic Boardshop (517 Main Ave, Bay Head) Berkeley: Dudley Park (Route 9 at Cedar Creek) Brick: Brick Beach 1 (331 Route 35 North) (attendees may also clean Brick 3 by collecting supplies at Brick 1 check in site); Windward Beach Park (265 Princeton Ave.) Island Beach State Park Bathing Pavilion #1 Lavallette - Philadelphia Ave Beach Long Beach Island: Wally’s Restaurant (712 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City) in partnership with Alliance for a Living Ocean; Brant Beach (68th Street, additional parking at Bayview Park) Mantoloking: Lyman St Beach (1021 Ocean (Beach Sweeps - See Page 4)
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