Keeping up with the Bayshore

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - “I love every parish in which I serve, but my home is really in the Bayshore,” said the Rev. Thomas Barry, as he began his duties as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes Parish. Father Barry was recently assigned by Bishop David M. O’Connell to serve as assistant to the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, in the parish that spans both Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, as well as parts of Middletown and includes both Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Highlands and St. Agnes in this community. Ordained to the priesthood in 2017, Father Tom, as he invites parishioners to call him, comes to the parish armed with experience in churches in Burlington, Ocean and Mercer counties before coming to the parish not far from where he grew up in Hazlet and was a parishioner at St. Ann’s Church in Keansburg during his early and teen years. He graduated from Raritan High School before earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Brookdale College, later a bachelor’s degree in administrative justice from Rutgers University, and ultimately master’s degrees in both Divinity and Systematic Theology. Always an avid Catholic and for many years a teenager and young adult who attended mass every day, Father Tom spent a few years trying a variety of jobs from restaurant and auto parts stores management to construction work and security work as he traveled visiting widespread family from Florida to California. He candidly admits he never thought he would be a priest although he volunteered and worked in a variety of positions helping others, including CCD instructor, lector and Eucharistic Minister at mass, and hospital ministry. He was living in Red Bank at the time and attended Mass at St. James and was impressed by the pastor, Monsignor Philip Lowery, who helped guide him towards making a decision on whether he wanted to consider the priesthood. “I loved doing all the ministry work I could, I loved being able to help people, I loved being able to give to the Church with whatever my talents”, the friendly, outgoing fast talking priest said. “It’s amazing how much you can give, but you always get so much more back. God is so much more generous.” Father also turned to Monsignor Michael Walsh at St. Mary’s in New Monmouth who helped him put aside any doubts he may have had and introduced him to the priests in Trenton who could guide him through the steps he would take to enter the seminary for six years, including the two master’s degrees he earned at Seton Hall University while at the Immaculate Conception Seminary on the campus there. Father’s last parish before St. Agnes was St. Katharine Drexel in Burlington County where he began writing a spiritual piece for the parish every week. “I’m continuing that here,” he said, happily, noting a Journey through Easter appears both in the Sunday bulletin as well as the parish website every day. He has also downloaded all his past ‘journeys’ for all who want to read what he has written in the past. The Journey through Easter will last throughout the Easter Season until Ascension Thursday in May, he said, then added, “then we’ll start another Journey and I’ll ask the parishioners here what ideas they have for a “journey” they would like to take. While at St. Katharine Drexel, as well as at the Mercer County parish where he also served, Father became involved in prison ministry and visits both the federal prison at fort Dix as well as state and county facilities on a regular basis, administering to those who are incarcerated. Eager to serve wherever he can do the most good, Father said he has applied to be a chaplain in the Navy, but noted it is a long and involved process that may come sometime in the future. For now, he said, ‘I just want to be where God wants me, I want to do the best I can, and I am confident God will take care of that.” As far as loving the parish, Father laughed again and said “How can you not? God puts love in a priest’s heart so he can share it with everyone through the sacraments and prayer. That is simply beautiful to me. I also know and love the Eucharist and the mass and feel God has given me this blessing so I can share it, so I can help others, so I can offer challenges to help bring people back into church and to encourage and help them. I believe that is my mission in life, and I know God will always be there to help me and to guide me to do it the very best way I can.’

Masks couldn't hide the smiles on the faces of residents like Joan at Care One at King James as Activities Director Karen Cohen distributed palms to residents as one of their services honoring religious holidays. While visiting is restricted during Covid, residents still enjoy both religious services as well as daily recreational programs including Hall Bingo, when Cohen runs up and down the hall calling out nubmers to residents seated in their rooms with their Bingo cards/

The Dougherty youngsters, Piper, Sloane and Beckett, were among the dozens of youngsters in Atlantic Highlands who were thrilled by the Easter Bunny in front of Borough Hall Saturday giving colorful Easter bags filled with candy, bubbles and novelty-filled plastic Easter Eggs to celebrate the season. Families did a drive-by of the municipal building to watch the Easter Bunny, with the approval of Mayor Loretta Gluckstein, dance, sashay between cars and keep families happy to be out in the sunshine.The Visit was sponsored by the borough's Recreation Committee.

HIGHLANDS – Mayor Carolyn Broullon gave a State of the Borough report at the St. Patrick’s Day meeting of the Borough Council, reviewing some of the activities, growths, and completion of projects of the past year and highlighting some of the plans the Mayor and Council have put in place for 2021. She did it, she said, because “as a first-time Mayor, I wanted to address past issues as well as plan for Highlands’ future for both residents and businesses.” Among items started last year, she said, and to be continued are the implementation of multiple infrastructure projects regarding flooding, buildings and equipment updates, progress on the new municipal building, negotiations for two Areas of Redevelopment, procedural changes to make borough operations more efficient, capital improvements and purchases for parks and open spaces, and raising awareness of the Mayors Wellness Campaign. Additionally, goals set for 2021, besides “getting our residents vaccinated,” include updating utilities at borough parks, and moving utilities out of the flood zone, addressing inequities in tax assessments, installing a sewer meter at Rt 36 & Waterwitch Ave for Monmouth Hills and addressing runoff issues at Monmouth Hills. Governing body officials plan on the completion of North and Valley St pump improvements and Waterwitch Pump upgrades and installation of backup generator, installation of a higher riprap rock wall in front of boardwalk at Veterans Park, creating an Overlook Park on Route 36 at the site of the former Stymie’s ice cream stand, entering the Community Rating System [CRS] program for lower flood insurance, validating all Borough owned property, updating the Open Space Plan and Registered Open Space Inventory, neither of which has been done in many years, cleaning Frank Hall Park, purchasing new apparatus for all Borough parks including the Skate Park, categorizing and scanning, updating the slope ordinance and replacing trees on the slope with sea grass after seeking a forestry grant to finance the project. The borough also hopes to remove unused phone and cable lines throughout the Borough during the course of the year. Looking back, the mayor noted in the first month of last year, work began on the Bayshore Family Success Center to expand recreation and outreach services, the borough joined the Monmouth County Health Department and the Recreation Coordinator joined her in programming the Mayors Wellness Campaign [MWC]. Among other agreements and improvements in the borough during the year, was entering an agreement with the Monmouth Affordable Housing Alliance to secure more affordable housing in the Borough to meet the mandated requirement. The borough’s pandemic lockdown which began in March included closing all borough buildings to the public, and the borough continued to alter and create plans in the face of the ongoing pandemic. This included following Covid-19 protocols, opening discussions with JFK Meridian Health to have their rigs and staff in the borough 12 hours a day, an agreement that went into effect days later on April 1, having the recreation department start virtual programming, and borough volunteer organizations including the fire department and first aid squad participating in Birthday drive-bys as well as Easter basket deliveries to local families. The borough worked with food pantries at OLPH, the Methodist Church and the business community to help Atlantic Highlands and Highlanders who need assistance as well as with the Curbside Kindness food donation program organized by the Highlands Business Partnership. The borough also extended the deadline for property tax payments until June, then later extended it further until August. By May, parks were able to be reopened, she said, and the borough received a Safe Roads to Schools Grant. The borough also faced the additional problem of increased traffic and heavy congestion within town with the opening of Gateway National Recreational Area’s beaches at Sandy Hook, Covid news continued to dominate the report throughout the year, with the Mayor citing the death of Mildred Goleman at King James as the first borough resident to die from the disease. At the same time, PPE became difficult to obtain, but private corporations continued to offer assistance to the borough’s residents. With the restaurant industry especially hard-hit by regulations, the Mayor said she worked with the office of Emergency Management to enable outdoor dining at local eateries. The annual summer Farmer’s Market ensured Highlanders had easy access to fresh produce, however, new Covid cases continued to be reported, and the borough cancelled all events through the end of summer. Although outdoor dining continued to be a benefit to restaurants, Tropical Storm Isaias knocked out borough in the borough for several days in August. Restaurants were able to resume limited indoor dining in September, an improvement that continued throughout the rest of the year. During the year, road improvements in several areas continued to be made, the new borough parking lot on Bay Avenue was completed, Happy Potter ‘came to town’ with the advent of Teen Night movies, and the Film Fest went on at Kavookjian Field in October. The borough was able to hold a socially distant 9-11 memorial ceremony at Veterans Park, and the police department entered a partnership program with The Phoenix, a recovery program. The governing body hired a redevelopment attorney to handle the three areas selected for Redevelopment, bonded to fix Waterwitch Sanitary Pump Station, and partnered with Bayshore Family Success Center for an outdoor Baby Pop Up Pantry. In response to the continuing Covid pandemic, the governing body signed a contract with IMM Care to test for COVID-19 in the Borough, VFW post 6902 hosted a flu shot event, and socially distant Photos with Santa were offered. Limited in-person programming began in December in the Community Center, the Blessing Bag Brigade held their 3rd Annual Thanksgiving meal as a take-away event and the Lions club gave away coats for tots. Free holiday dinners were by the Proving Ground restaurant before Christmas. Reviewing these and more activities throughout the year, Mayor Broullon said “Our community really pulled together during this pandemic. Residents, staff, businesses, charitable organizations, and clergy all worked together to get us through the worst part of the biggest health crisis of our lifetime.” She was also able to report that of the approximate 60 businesses in the borough, “no business establishment went out of business in Highlands in 2020,” an accomplishment in itself given the yearlong pandemic. The municipal tax rate was also lowered in 2020, she said, the first time since 2014. Combined valuation of all properties in the Borough soared to $741,121,800, she continued, an increase in valuation of $128,761,777, the largest increase ever recorded in the borough. The borough also received NJ Healthcare Quality Institute accreditation for a 2020 Healthy Town Up and Coming. In completing her report, the Mayor also lamented the deaths of many local residents, from Mrs. Goleman and others who died from Covid-19, to all who died of other causes. “May each of their lives be cherished and honored and may they all rest in peace”

ATL HIGHLANDS - Police are looking for the public's assistance in an onging investigation which started with a report Thursday at the Bayshore Shopping Plaza. The police report indicates that on that date, at approximately 12:20 p.m. officers responded to the Bayshore Plaza on Highway 36, for a report of a male subject in his mid to early forties committing an act of lewdness inside his vehicle. The vehicle description provided was a four-door silver Mazda with a male subject sitting in the driver’s seat. Surveillance video shows the vehicle park in five different parking spaces in the Bayshore Plaza before parking in the parking space where the act was observed. While in the last parking space a female subject advised that she observed this male subject masturbating in his vehicle while she was entering her vehicle which was parked next to the Mazda. This department is reaching out to the public for further assistance from possible witnesses. Anyone that may have seen this male subject committing the same act at this location or any other location on this date or any other date is asked to contact the Atlantic Highlands Police Department and Det/ Sgt. Scott Reinert or Detective Travis Morgan at 732-291-1212 at their earliest convenience.

Three Cheers to the Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad for the fun and innovative means they are using Wednesday night at 7 to entice more members on the volunteeer squad. Squad members are laying it all out there, from the equipment they have to what they do on a call, and how people who don't even want to be at the scene of an accident or emergency can still help the community and keep the squad the outstanding volunteer group it is. They don't say it on the ZOOM program, but of course money helps too, and this squad has been in existence and at the forefront of helping others for nearly 100 years, with many of the same family members of a different generation still involved. They've reacted to the pandemic not only with increased training, but also different cleaning and response methods to ensure they're keeping not only themselves but the people they are helping safe and free from the virus. Money is always helpful, since right now the squad has been hit with a few whammies, from the increrased cost of PPE supplies and other costs going out of sight, while at the same time so many families are also hit with financial problems because of the pandemic and perhaps cannot give as much as they'd like. Every little bit helps, and donations can be made to the squad at 10 E. Highland Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716. A promise of $10 a month would help generate half of the squad's annual working budget...keep in mind they have to maintain those vehicles as well as pay for insurance for them, and since they're a non profit organization, gifts are tax deductible. Great to send in a check or simply click the donate button at www.ahfirstaid.org.

HOLMDEL – Within hours of Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso announcing she will seek another term as the legislator for the 13 district of Monmouth County, dozens of supporters signed and sent in the electronic signatures that will put her on the ballot in the June Primary. DiMaso’s bid for the nomination of the Republican party at the nominating convention Thursday night, was unsuccessful, with it going to incumbent Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and newcomer Vicky Flynn, who had the support and endorsement of GOP Chairman Shaun Golden. That left her with the option of not seeking another term or mounting a contest against party leaders and appearing on the June Republican primary ballot on a line separate from the Monmouth County Republican party. If successful in June, DiMaso will be on the Republican party line for the November election along with whichever one of the other two Assembly candidates also wins the June primary. Voters in the 13th District can elect two Assembly members, a State Senator and a Governor in the November election. “This seat belongs to the people, not party bosses,” DiMaso said after releasing information and ballots for Republicans to vote for her electronically. “My charge as an Assemblywoman is to represent and help the people of the 13th district,” she said, “ I work as hard as I can as a full time legislator, simply because I dedicated myself to doing the best job I could do for the people I represent.” Citing the numerous issues during the on-line county GOP convention, from the late start because of difficulty in each of the committee people being able to access the site, to some committee members failing to get the ballot which were supposed to be emailed during the meeting while they were on the Zoom connection, some supporters questioned the vote count. DiMaso said she asked for private voting to be certain committee members had every opportunity to express themselves as they wish. “There were significant flaws and irregularities in the way this election was conducted,” she said, but declined to say whether she will see legal action against Party Chairman Shaun Golden. DiMaso has the support of many GOP leaders, including former Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno who lives in the 13th district and longtime Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian Burry as well as committee chairman and mayors in most of the municipalities she represents along the Bayshore and Two Rivers and Holmdel Mayor Greg Buontempo. Flynn lost to Buontempo last year when she ran unsuccessfully as the Republican endorsed candidate for Township Committee in her hometown. Persons wishing to sign the petition to ensure DiMaso is on the ballot in the June primary can either sign electronically at https://na4.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhDk-JY1rGmLajPNr9lixwR8087LxRhZzED3Syq6nQfCHvUc-vu53_Bqm4sooZ8O6f0 or they can email Assemblywoman DiMaso at IStandWithSerena@gmail.com and someone will bring you a hard copy to sign. All signatures must be completed by April 1.

There will be a Memorial Mass offered for Thomas Ptak, the only resident of Highlands to lose his life during in the Vietnam War, on Saturday, March 27, at 8 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Churdh, Highlands, the same church where Tommy received all his sacraments and where his funeral mass was held after his death and the return of his remains from Vietnam. Everyone is welcome at the mass and to offer prayers and remembrances for Tommy.

ATL. HIGHLANDS – What started out as a community project launched by two nature lovers is now successfully in helping the migration of the endangered Monarch butterfly, but has also become an exciting experiment for brownies and girl scouts of Troops 60173 and 60821 as well as at least three other scout troops, thanks to the innovation and hard work of their leader. Meet Ken Grasso, retired elementary school educator of 31 years, Ellen O’Dwyer, member of the Atlantic Highlands Garden Club, a lady who charges full ahead when she’s on a mission, Melissa Festa and Kelly Wahl, girl scout leaders of troops who knew their scouts love doing things outside and enjoy any opportunity to help the community. Grasso, who also chairs on the Shade Tree Commission and is on the Friends of the Library in the borough, attended a three-day teachers workshop 18 years ago presented by the Monarch Teacher Network. He was teaching third grade at the Deane-Porter School in Rumson, and after his workshop, the school added the butterfly life cycle to its curriculum. Since then, Grasso has made numerous trips to Mexico, his school has hosted a teacher from a butterflies’ overwintering site in Mexico, as well as a Monarch workshop, and started a milkweed garden at school. To say he grew immersed in butterfly protection and migration put it mildly, but Grasso also liked how teaching the children about collecting monarch eggs, growing milkweed, the plant necessary for their survival and building, tagging and finally releasing new butterflies also gave opportunities to teach the youngsters Mexican culture, environmental and political issues, climate change, and hands-on science learning. Since then, other teaching assignments prevented Grasso from pursuing more visits to events where he was surrounded by millions of monarch butterflies and he set aside his involvement in programs until retirement. Getting more involved after retirement, Grasso shared his love for the monarch experience with his granddaughters, planting milkweed and nectar plants to attract monarchs, collect eggs, raising the caterpillars and releasing butterflies. Still concerned about issues adversely affecting the monarch’s habit and migration, he offered the garden club some milkweed plants as well as caterpillars later in the summer. He then began harvesting swamp milkweed seeds for distribution through the club, and as interest grew, created a web site with information and resources called Monarchs and Milkweed in Atlantic Highlands. (https://sites.google.com/view/monarchsandmilkweedinah). O’Dwyer was also captivated by the idea of preserving an endangered species, learning more, and spreading the beauty and benefit of the monarch butterfly. So she quickly coordinated much of the caterpillar, plant and seed distribution not only to the scout troops but to neighbors, friends, and others who heard about it and wanted to become involved. She also then became both a Shade Tree commissioner as well as joined both the Shade Tree and Library Friends groups and continued to work reactivating the local garden club to share the new butterfly passion with more families.. She referred to Grasso as the “Monarch King” since he introduced her to raising Monarchs in 2019 when she found a caterpillar crawling up my door frame. Wahl read something about………was intrigued by the project and thought it was a stimulating and exciting project for her daisy and junior scouts. Last year some of the girls raised butterflies, and this year both troops are looking to find a way to get caterpillars and raise some butterflies in the coming months as a service project and experiment. Receiving the milk pod seeds from the local Garden Club gives the scouts the opportunity and working again and already are planning on planting in the next few weeks. “Both troops are very active, “ the troop leader said, “but with COVID, helping and being "out" in the community has been difficult. This project will allow us to give back to the community and the environment and get the girls outside together. It will also be fun to learn about butterflies and their impact in a hands-on way. The Daisies will pair this with their 3 Cheers For Animals Journey award where they will explore animals, the life cycle, pollination, and their role in the environment. The Brownies will use this in conjunction with earning their bugs badge and the juniors will be working on their Flowers and Plants badge,” Wahl said. Many of the Scouts in Wahls’ troops are eager to express their joy with the project as well. Bella, a Junior, likes it because “it helps nature…” Bell amie liked that after she grew caterpillars into butterflies “I was able to hold them before I released them.” Tessa liked the idea of growing milk weed, saying “I think it would be so cool to see more butterflies”. And Grace says she was excited because “maybe we’ll see more butterflies around in our years,” a hope also expressed by Julia and Emma who definitely agree that “butterflies are pretty and I can’t wait to see more.” Melissa Festa has 15 girls in our troop. Daisy Troop 223 also in Middletown. “My co-leaders and I work together coming up with new and exciting adventures for our girls.” She said. “It's been a challenging year as we all know but we managed to keep moving forward and making Girl Scouts both fun and educational for our girls.” Milkweed planting was a new project for her scouts, she said, and through it, the girls are learning more about nature and how plants grow.” The leader said she got involved with the project when she saw on social media that O’Dwyer was offering milkweed seeds, and she and her co-leaders agreed it would be a perfect project both for education and fun. “Our troop is excited to watch their milkweed seeds grow and attract Monarch butterflies. Nature is so beautiful and we are happy to be a part of this project,” she said.. As for Grasso and O’Dwyer, who started this year’s project with about two cups of milkweed seeds they had collected from their plants last year. We will have 210 happy recipients, and if we can get each to end up with 5 or more m about two cups of milkweed plants at a minimum…we will have over 1000 plants to protect our butterflies. We have five brown and scout troops as well and they have promised to let us know how their projects go.”

Besides being beautiful and relaxing to watch, monarch butterflies, one of approximately 20,000 species of butterflies, rarely cause any damage to commercial plants and contribute heavily towards a thriving ecosystem . Their presence or absences also helps determine the state of the ecosystem’s health. Butterflies also play a vital role in pollinating flowers Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed. Monarch caterpillars need milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) to grow and develop, and female monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed. With changing land management practices, the eastern part of the United States has lost much milkweed from the landscape, so planting milkweed is one way to help other pollinators, as milkweed provides nectar resources to a diverse variety of bees and butterflies. Milkweed is neither milk nor a weed, but rather a plant that exudes a sticky white sap that oozes from damaged leaves. It is a native wildflower that is found in North Americas fields and wetlands and is the monarch’s sole host plant. It grows from two to five or six feet in height and produces little star-shaped flowers in a variety of colors from yellow and green to pink or orange. In fall, the flowers split open and release hundreds of seeds for future plants. Besides butterflies and bees, it attracts may varieties of birds, primarily hummingbirds. The butterfly lays her eggs on the underside of the leaves and the larvae feed on the leaves after hatching, without causing damage to the plant. At the same time the toxic chemicals in the plant make both the caterpillars and adult butterflies unappetizing to predators. Plants require full sun and should be planted where their growth can be controlled as they can be spread easily. Refrigerating seeds at this time of year equals the cold moist conditions seeds endure to produce germination in the spring and a display of flowers the following summer. Milkweed should be planted in groups of six or more to attract butterflies. They require minimal care . While the toxins in the sap protect the butterflies from predators, they could cause eye or skin irritation and can be poisonous to some pets if ingested in significant amounts

HIGHLANDS Principals involved with Captains Cove Marina pleaded guilty to three different charges in municipal court today, in plea bargains that included fines and dismissals of six other charges. The Marina is also on the agenda at tomorrow evening’s meeting of the Mayor and Council with the council taking action to adopt a resolution which includes giving a piece of property apparently owned by the borough, to Captain’s Cove Marina. In municipal court today, all three firms, Captain’s Cove Marina, LLC, Excalibur Group and Turn Key Resources LLC, were represented by attorney Brian Nelson on a variety of charges primarily connected with the Washington Avenue Marina. Judge Thomas Smith heard charges of illegal dumping lodged against Captain’s Cove Marina by Code Enforcement Officer William Brunt, under a borough ordinance, accepted the gu8lty plea reported by Nelson, and fined the Marina $100 plus $33 court costs. Judge Smith fined Excalibur Group $100 fine and $33 cost for another borough ordinance, failure to obtain a street opening permit for which Nelson also admitted a guilty plea. Judge Smith fined Turn Key Resources, under yet another borough ordinance, $100 fine and $33 court cost for violation of a third ordinance, brush, weeds, trash and debris removal on another property, also with Nelson admitting guilt on the part of his client.. In return for pleading guilty to these violations, which Nelson did for all three firms, the Judge dismissed two charges against Captain’s Cove for failure to obtain both a sign permit as well as failure to obtain another permit to move soil. He dismissed one charge against Excalibur Group for failing to obtain a street opening permit, and three charges against Turn Key Resources for an unregistered abandoned trailer and two separate charges of construction site accumulation. By pleading guilty, the principals charged with the offenses waive their right to have the charges heard in court.

Actually, it should be celebrated on Monday, March 22. That’s the day you officially become 121 years old! It was a Friday, 121 years ago, when Governor Foster Voorhees signed the official papers, making you a separate and legal borough on your own, separate from Middletown, now your own community, just like Atlantic Highlands had done 13 years earlier. This was all because of action that was started by Atlantic Highlands Mayor Charles Snyder, who, acting in his capacity as a state Assemblyman, had introduced the bill the month before, on Friday the 13th , making it possible for this approximate square mile of waterfront in Middletown to elect its own leaders, make its own laws, provide its own water and sewer as well as other utilities and establish its own police department. It was a group of men who had petitioned Assemblyman Snyder to separate Highlands from Middletown, and many of the family names of those leaders of a century ago are still very much alive in the borough today. Officially on the petition were Charles Maison, David Miller, Fred Johnson, James Taylor, John Taylor, Samuel Wilson, John Foster, John Johnson, Lewis Parker, Mahlen Burdge, John W. Foster, Bennet Rosenblum, Samuel Burdge, Thomas Hennessey, Joseph Brown and Ivy Brown. Five of these gentleman were soon after elected to the first Borough Council, with David Miller the first Mayor. But that didn’t happen for another month or so later because Circuit Court Judge Gilbert Collins had to order the Middletown township clerk of elections to turn over the ballot box “from the old fourth district,” to make it official. There were 248 registered voters in that district. One hundred eighty-six of them, or 70 per cent of the voters, turned out to elect their first official leaders. Mr. Miller received 170 of those votes, and had no challengers. John Johnson and Mahlon Burdge were elected to three year terms, and won those seats by wide margins over Benjamin Baldwin and Charles Rogers. Thomas Hennessey and Lewis Parker won the first two year terms, polling 178 and 123 votes respectively to win over John Burdge who polled 58 votes. John Riker and Richard Mount won the one year terms. All but one of the 186 voters cast their ballots for Abram Parker as tax assessor, and all but three voted for Charles Maison for tax collector. John Foster was elected Justice of the Peace and every one of the voters approved the first budget for the borough, a grand $800. With the elections completed, the first official town meeting was held April 30 and it was held at Fireman’s Hall on Bay Avenue. Mayor Snyder came over from the neighboring community to administer the oaths of office….as well as to become the borough’s first borough attorney. Although Frederick Johnson was named the first borough clerk, one of two applicants for the position, he resigned it five days later and Jesse Sculthorp became the clerk. The first action the new governing body took was to set salaries for their new employees. The tax collector and treasurer had a $40 a year salary, the assessors, $25, and the borough clerk received $20 a year. The attorney was paid $50 a year. Only the assessor’s salary was changed soon after. Instead of his $25 a year, he would be paid at the rate of 12 centers per person assessed. The road department laborers, once the department was established, were paid $1.50 a day, and the driver and team received $3 a day. A day was defined as nine and a half hours Mondays through Fridays and another nine hours on Saturday. It is interesting to see how the Assembly bill spelled out the original boundaries of the new town. It started “from a point in the west channel of the Shrewsbury River opposite the Andrew and Thompson tract, along the side of that tract across Navesink Ave. to the west side of N. Peak ave., along that west side to a stone planted for a monument in the line of lands of Hartshorne, then along the Hartshorne line to a monument on the Joseph Wheelock land, next along the lands formerly known as the Robert Proudfoot property; back to the river channel, following the meanderings of the channel to the beginning point.” The boundaries excluded the property owned by the United States “where on the famous Twin Lighthouses are located.” Happy Birthday, Highlands. You’ve had 121 years of growth, excitement, woe and sadness, as well as joy and community. You’ve built up, torn down, re-built, changed, and dug in your roots as a proud and happy community able to govern yourself and be separate and independent from the township of which you were once a part.

HIGHLANDS – Thanks to the thoughtfulness of a generous bakery owner, the hard work and dedication of some Girl Scouts, and the gratitude and acceptance of the staff at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry, visitors to that pantry have had some unexpected treats recently. Cups and Cupcakes, a family-owned business on E. River Road, Rumson, noted for their scones and muffins as much as their cakes and cookies, reacted generously to the suggestion of a part time employee, teenager Bella Cacciatore, for a way to preserve her hard work in creating her baked goods that were not sold by the end of the day. Why not donate them to food pantry so others can enjoy them while they are still fresh, Bella suggested. Cups and Cupcakes owner Denise Kelleher reacted in her usual generous manner and a new program was set up. Under the leadership of Girl Scout Troop 967 leader Maria Hubler, her daughter, Grace, and several other scouts from Rumson and Fair Haven pooled their efforts and set up a safe standard and location to accommodate all Covid-19 restrictions so they could safely accept the pastries, package them individually and deliver them to the OLPH Pantry in the lower level of the church on Navesink ave. There, Pantry manager Tricia Curtin set up an area and the scouts set up their packaged goods for pantry consumers. A sophomore at Bio Tech High School, Bella said she and her friends were happy to be able to play a role in the distribution of the high-quality product, because “we like to help people, especially during this Covid-19 time when people are having an especially difficult time. And it’s nice to see the people come in and pick up things that they will really enjoy.” The scout said the girls form small groups and take turns in packaging and delivering the baked goods to ensure they can maintain the safety standards, and seeing how appreciative people are for what they are doing. “This is a treat for us here at the Pantry,” said Curtin, who started the pantry with her husband, Dan, almost fifteen years ago. “There is always a need for all types of foods and staples for families and we welcome the variety and freshness of what these scouts have been doing for us and the people we serve.” From left, Jaina Barth, Bella Cacciatore, and Chloe Reichart (not pictured Grace Hubler, a sophmore at Trinity Hall.) Jaina and Chloe are students at Rumson Fair Haven High School, Bella at BioTech.

MANALAPAN – Two more programs about women in history are featured this month in virtual programs presented by the Monmouth County Library. Both programs are offered at no charge with an advance registration and internet access. Thursday, March 18, Bernadette Rogoff, Director of Collections at Monmouth County Historical Association, will present “We are Present and Future Women,” the story of the Young Ladies Seminary in Freehold, one of the most prestigious female educational institutions on the eastern seaboard in the 19th century. Rogoff, who is also an author and has been a curator of Monmouth County history for more than 30 years, will give a glimpse into the lives of some of the young ladies who attended the school, relying on primary source documents and other objects from the Historical Association’s collection. The Skirt and Stocking Class Soldier, the story about women in the military during World War II, will be presented by historian Mary Rasa, a museum curator and park ranger for the National Park Service for nearly two decades. The program will discuss the first women to join the military after 1941, including their civilian defense worker counterparts and the Women’s Army Corps members who served at Fort Hancock or Fort Monmouth. Rasa will detail their work in fields including motor pools, office staffing, nursing, and where they lived, ate and also went into war zones for the nation. Both programs will begin at 78 p.m.. and registration is necessary before noon on the day previous. The link to each program will be e-mailed the day before the presentation between 3 and 4 p.m. Rasa’s program will also be recorded and rebroadcast on another date. Registration is on the library’s website, www.MonmouthCOuntyLib.org under their Upcoming Events list.

MANALAPAN – Dr. Jay Kostman, Medical Director of the John Bell Health Center, will present a program on vaccines for Covid-19 pm Wednesday. March 24 on Zoom, sponsored by the Monmouth County Library. Dr. Kostman, who was Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for 15 years, and also was on the faculty of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, will speak on the history of vaccines, how they’re used as well as their effectiveness and toleration. The session is free of charge but registration is required. Registration is on the Library’s Upcoming Events list at www.MonmouthCOuntyLib.org. Once on the list, interested persons wil receive an e-mail with directions on accessing the discussion and a link will be e-mailed the day of the program after 3 p.m. Registration must be complete by noon on March 24. The program will also be repeated on Thursday, April 8 at 7 p.m. using the same registration process. Dr. Kostman’s area of expertise includes both HIV and Hepatitis C virus infections in which he has led regional and national research sessions. For the past six years, he has been the Medical director of the Health Center in Philadelphia where he is developing clinical programs for the underserved population, including directing a Covid-19 testing program in that city. For further information on this and numerous other programs offered virtually by the Monmouth County Library, visit www.MonmouthCountyLib. org.

Yoga and relaxation on line MANALAPAN - The Monmouth County Library offers virtual Yoga programs twice a day on weekdays and de-stress and relax sessions every weekday evening at 5 p.m. All programs are available on the library’s website throughout the month of March, with the daytime programs my Maser Yogi Steven Russell offers at 11 a.m.. and again at 2 p.m. Internet access is required to attend. Visit www.MonmouthCOuntyLib.org’s Upcoming Events list for information on how to access the sessions and how to receive the link the days of the events. Interested persons are also invited to subscribe to the Library’s YouTube Channel for notifications of new programs. For information on these and all other programs offered by the Monmouth County Library, visit MOnmouthCOuntyLib.org. or connect a @MonCoLibrary .

ATL. HIGHLANDS – More than 2,000 letters have been sent to all homes and businesses in this borough once again offering the Home and Business Registration System, a staple in this community since 1990. The program is offered and maintained by the Home Security Committee of Local242 of the PBA with officers Scott Reinert and Michael Zudonyi heading the committee. With the probable switch from a local dispatcher program to the Monmouth County Dispatch, the Home Security Program will still be in effect and may well include an even accelerated response team in contacting businesses or residents, PBA Local president Adam Gurian said. Under terms of the program, offered at no cost or any obligation to anyone, letters went out to all businesses and residents inviting them to join or update their program to ensure local police have instant access to information on whom to contact should an emergency arise at the resident’s home or businessman’s place of business. Information cards for enrolling request the street address of the home or business location and the name and phone number of the person to contact should an emergency occur. Once the Home Security Committee receives the information, they will send a numbered decal for display on the front door of the requested address. In the event of an emergency, an officer at the scene will relay the code number on the decal to headquarters and quickly enable police to locate the information card and contact the person identified as the person to call. With the anticipated switch to the county system, Police Chief David Rossbach said the local security program will continue, and maintenance of individual records will be transferred, most probably via electronic means, or by an excel spread sheet or total transfer to the anticipated Spillman Computer System. Under the new system, Gurian pointed out, officers will have access to the necessary information through the computer in patrol vehicles, a time saver which will mean an even quicker response to contact the resident/business owners. Nor is the program limited to home or business owners, Reinert and Zudonyi added. Tenants in the community can also sign up and interested persons who have not received the letter are invited to contact the police Local at 732-291-1214 to sign up as well. Decals can be placed on any exterior front door to an apartment or home. It contains the coded number police use to access the resident's contact information in the system. The decals also include the most recent year the information was provided, to ensure the most updated data is included, making it important for those who already have the stickers to ensure they notify the PBA committee with any changes or updates. Gurian said records are not kept on the number of times the Program is used, but added, “I can say for a fact that it has been helpful when making notification to residents/businesses about alarm calls or suspicious activity at the home/business when no one is there.” Rossbach once again commended his officers for conducting a program he has termed “an invaluable aid in preventing crime and ensuring the security of both homes and businesses in our borough. Police have used the program on routine patrol to follow up on suspicious activity including property damage or activity in a particular house or business when the department has been notified of a vacancy for a specific time frame. Having the information on hand enables police to contact the designated phone number quickly and efficiently.” The PBA Local does not seek any funds or donations of any kind for this added degree of safety, but would accept donations to defray the cost. Donations received in excess of the program costs would then go to Local 242 charities which include child abuse preventions, L.E.A.D., crime prevention, Sandy Hook Little League, the local Elementary School and First Aid Squad, as well as local food drives, Christmas gifts for underprivileged children, PBA death, scholarship and legal funs, and other PBA activities.

I was delighted to get a letter from another of my favorite people, Kim Guadagno of Monmouth Beach and throughout New Jersey acclaim. Kim, a former Lt. Governor, Monmouth County Sheriff, Monmouth Beach Commissioner and so much more, was writing to extol the benefits of ensuring Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso gets voted back to Trenton for another term. Kim said she agreed with everything I’ve been saying about Serena’s loyalty and work ethic, to say nothing of high principals. She stressed how important it is for county committee people in each of the districts in each of the towns Serena represents to vote for her at the County Convention coming up on March 18. Kim gave numerous solid reasons why Kim should be re-elected….is there anyone who REALLY thinks she should not? But she also pointed out, even if you were considering it out of loyalty to someone, this is no time to switch horses in mid-stream considering he impact Covid has had on New Jersey and the ways things get done. Experience plays a major role here as well, she said, and throughout her years of service, even back to when she was Holmdel Mayor or county freeholder, let alone her continuing service to the Holmdel First Aid Squad, Serena has proven her experience and ability to think and act under pressure are priceless. “These are not the days for learning on the job,” the former LT. Gov said, and she is absolutely correct. Nor are they the days to “blindly follow the tune of those who have never been to Trenton and simply have no idea how it works.” As always, Kim continued showing her own high standards for what a politician should be, “these are not the days for people who put petty politics above the needs of the people of the 13th District.” Her own experience she has, taught her to “speak truth to power when power no longer reflects our values.” Kim’s never been afraid to do that, nor has Serena!

It’s always sad when you lose a friend, even one you haven’t seen in a while, and this week I am so sorry to hear of the death of a wonderful old friend. Joan Byrne. Joan died Friday and will be remembered in a mass Monday, March 15 at St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands. Joan and Marty Byrne were a terrific couple who were always the life of the party, Marty because he was so open, heartwarming and Irish, Joan because she was the silent, always approving wife that knew her happy-go-lucky Irish husband just had to make people laugh. I remember Joan sitting in the crowds with everyone uproarious ovr something Marty said, and she, having heard his stories dozens of times already, simply nodding and smiling with pride and approval. She was proud of her own German stock but knew Marty had to have his Irish way. She was a nurse, a graduate of St. Michael’s School of Nursing in Newark and was precise and perfect in her profession. She would never cut a corner, never let a complaint pass without trying to resolve the issue, loving every school kid who came into her nurse’s office be it for a band-aid, a time-out or simply to have a word with a friend they knew would understand them. Highlands kids were better for Joan Byrne being their nurse. In Hilton Park, she was part of the crowd that made that very special piece of Middletown…and Highlands where they fit in as neighbors regardless of the borough/township line….such a great place to raise children. The Byrnes were there with the Brennans, the Kirks, the Huettls, the Klevas, (well, almost in Hilton Park, right on the edge!) and so many other young families who raised their kids to be good, kind, understanding, thoughtful and nice to each other. The kids all grew up that way, too! A piece of Joan died when her beloved Marty died several years ago and she continued to live in their cozy home in Hilton Park until a fall and subsequent illness forced her family to move her to more professional settings. It was the way Joan wanted it. As Joan wished, there will be no funeral, no gathering to upset others’ lives, no public remembrance other than the March 15 mass at St. Agnes. Joan did leave one other wish as well, though, which everyone could do for her. She asked that each person who wants to remember her, and remember who she really was, simply do something nice or kind for someone else. That will make a great lady very happy. My prayers and sympathy to her wonderful, thoughtful and understanding children, son Marty and his wife, Geraldine and her husband and daughter, Nina, Joan’s only grandchild, and Peggy, the jovial one who hides her grief behind her laughter.

HIGHLANDS _ The new Borough Hall will probably mean an increase of 77 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation was the estimate projected during last night’s well planned, well-organized informational session Mayor and Council held to hear questions from the public on the proposal for new construct ion on the borough-owned tract at the intersection of Miller St. and Route 36. The increase in taxes was only one of the areas covered during the two-hour session with architect Kevin Settembrino and Chief Financial Officer Pat DeBlasio fielding most of the questions ranging from when the building will be started, how long will it take to build, why does it require three jail cells and a private bathroom for the judge to why will construction take less than six months to be weather tight yet another eight to 12 months or more to completion? Residents also expressed fear that construction of the 15,000 square foot building will mean other projects cannot be addressed, and wouldn’t a referendum be the better solution before more funds are spent. Missing was any representation either from Police Chief Robert Burton or the NJ Highway Department on the impact construction of the borough hall on the main state highway leading to Gateway National Recreational Area would have on safety, congestion or access by emergency vehicles from one a busy highway to the lower section of Highlands. Settembrino attempted to answer the question of whether police and emergency vehicles would have access to crossing Miller St. where currently no left turn is permitted off the highway, but apparently misunderstood the question and instead responded there is a cutoff on the property not only on Miller St but on Route 36 as well. Well prepared and thorough in their responses to a relatively small group of residents asking questions during the meeting, the professionals explained the building cost is project to be $11,778163.61 to be financed over 20 years. Council had planned to introduce the ordinance to bond $9.5 million for a $10 million bond at last months’ meeting, then withheld it in favor of the public session to offer further information on the project first. The introduction is not on the agenda for tonight’s meeting but would be anticipated at the second meeting this month or the first meeting in March. Settembrino had estimated bids could be advertised for construction by April, with June estimated to begin actual construction. Council does plan to introduce a separate bonding ordinance tonight which DeBlasio explained will pave the way for a safe introduction of the larger bond ordinance for the new building. Former Councilman Chris Francey expressed fear that so much debt will prevent the borough from being able to address flood control solutions he felt should be given priority. DeBlasio pointed to statistics that show the brough picked up $25 million in ratables and while at first the borough’s bonding capacity will be limited to $2.3 million, he projects that would be increased to $4 million within two years. Although no new renderings other than what’s on display on the sign on the Route 36 property and on Settembrino web site were on display at the meeting, the architect explained the building is bilevel with the police department on the lower level and the administrative offices on the upper level accessible either by inside stairs or exterior ramp or stairs, with parking at both levels, and the entrance to the upper level towards the Highland Ave. side of the building. A pillared attractive front of the building faces Valley Avenue, and a retaining wall is on the Highland Avenue side of the building. There would be some solar paneling on the roof and the building would be equipped with a generator to ensure power at all times. There would be an area for bike racks, and the police and court facilities would meet all the mandates of the NJ Department of Court Administration, which requires both separate cells and bathroom facilities for males and females as well as specific accommodations for municipal court judges. In a few lighthearted moments during a serious, well run, and meeting dotted with nods and statements of thanks and appreciation, Michael of Portland Road told Council that “we’re projecting liked we’re going to grow”…where are we going to go? But he strongly lamented the fact it costs more than$32,000 to educate a single child in the borough’s elementary school, and as another resident said, the borough’s tax rate is the third highest in Monmouth County. Nor is it likely the borough will do any shared services with the neighboring community because “Atlantic Highlands doesn’t like us.”

I just sent the following letter both to Senator O’Scanlon, who is on this committee as well as being my legislator, and Senator Pennacchio who heads up the NJ Senate committee looking into why so many people in nursing homes died from Covid and how things can be improved. I was able to testify before the Committee on my reactions to state actions in response to Covid deaths in nursing homes. Given how driven both Senators are in making sure nothing like this happens again, I don’t think either will mind my sharing my letter of thanks here. My thanks to Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso who knew my story and wanted to do something about it. Can’t wait to hear her once again at tonight’s Atlantic Highlands GOP meeting on ZOOM. Contact Brian Boms at atlantichighlandsrepublicans@gmail.com if you want to sit in on that meeting. My letter to the Senators: Many thanks for enabling me to talk before your committee today, Senator Pennacchio, and you, Senator O’Scanlon, for ongoing support and hard work for everything that is important or healthy for Monmouth County. While I was truly grateful for being able to tell the story of how I, as an ombdusman/patient advocate for a Monmouth County nursing home felt about the Governor’s mandate last March that required nursing homes to admit residents regardless of their Covid stature, I had no idea of the added benefit that talk would provide for me personally. After I got off the meeting, I realized that for the first time in a year, I felt that truly something good is finally going to be happening. I felt my complaints and criticisms were listened to, I felt the agony of each of you legislators in hearing the awful stories family members told about losing loved ones was so sincere, I wondered how you got through it all. I also commend you on the broad spectrum of testifiers you had. Besides myself as a patient advocate, you had a care center administrator, albeit one who lost his job because he had the courage of his convictions that the Governor was wrong; you heard from a reporter who couldn’t get answers to her questions from state offices, a former Marine who openly admitted that as a spokesman for his companion residents at the veterans care center he represents he has, and would continue to, receive retaliation for his honesty. You heard from daughters and sisters who lost loved ones because actions and executive orders were issued before knowledge was obtained. I certainly did not envy your position. But I think it’s important for you to know that I feel certain that the others who spoke also feel the same sense of satisfaction I feel for having someone listen to what we all know…Governor Murphy followed Governor Cuomo in making same very stupid and ill-thought out mandates that caused the death of too many people. I reiterate my recommendations for helping to avoid such disaster in the future: listen to nurses, hear from aides and maintenance workers at nursing homes who see the everyday workings of a nursing home. Learn from some, like those who staff the care center where I am an advocate, that these hard working, in most cases severely underpaid employees and their administrator always did the best they were able, always tried to meet the demands, and yes, were often brought to tears by the deaths of residents who had become dear and close friends. I feel fortunate ‘my’ nursing home is one where the staff treats each resident as a member of the family and where the staff has worked through its own grief in order to continue to save others. Thanks, Senators, I’m so happy you’re in Trenton and not forgetting the families back home. Sincerely, Muriel J. Smith

NEPTUNE - “I know how to move a calendar,” Prosecutor James Butler will say, if asked why so many municipal court judges like him. That may well be true, but there’s so much more to it than that. Yes, Prosecutor Butler can keep things moving on a very busy day in any of the nine courts where he serves as municipal prosecutor. But more importantly, he’s knowledgeable about every case, knows his law and penalties, can explain matters succinctly to a judge, and ends up getting the thanks of both plaintiffs and defendants in most cases. Make no mistake about it. James Butler is a professional in every sense of the word. Every week, when he gets the dockets for each of his nine courts, occasionally a tenth when he sits in for another prosecutor, he sits down and calls each of the persons involved in each of the cases. He gets as much of the story as possible in advance, explains the law, fines, advantages and disadvantages of a court proceeding, then makes his decision. So by the time the Judge sits on the bench and begins proceedings, Butler can explain the case, advise he’s spoken to the defendant, gotten the plea, usually guilty, and recommends a fine he thinks is most prudent for the judge to impose. The result: literally hours of time saved for plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys and the court in general. Granted, Butler concedes, the requirement for virtual court proceedings for the past many months has made numerous people on both sides of any issue more eager to listen first and get the matter resolved quicker. It’s obvious, especially when an accused motorist, for example, is handed down a stiff sentence, loss of license for a term and other penalties, then turns around and thanks the judge for his action. The virtual platform also appears to make everyone more courteous, more polite, more eager to be heard, found innocent or guilty, and be on his way. On the court side, there is always generosity as well, both in time frames for paying any fines, and an explanation of the several optional ways it can be paid. Whether such courtesy and rapport continues once court in person resumes, time will tell. Butler said most courts are hopeful that perhaps by spring, in person courts will be back in session. But he, as prosecutor, will continue his time efficient manner of keeping the calendar moving. Nor do Butler’s explanations and recommendations to the judge take away any power or decision making from the judge himself. In every case, the Judge will accept a plea, then painstakingly go through a series of questions to determine the person making the pleas has explored and had explained to him every option and alternatives. Never does anyone say he hasn’t been educated to it all. For Butler, it all started back in1982 when he landed his first job soon after graduation with a law degree from Cleveland State University 's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and was hired as a clerk in the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office. It wasn’t long after when he was named an assistant prosecutor under the well-known County Prosecutor, later Superior Court Judge Alexander Lehrer. He was with the law firm of Lawson and Kapalko for a year, both attorneys who also went on to be Superior Court Judges in Monmouth County. The next year, the law firm became Lawson and Butler, and Wendell E. Daniels was with the firm, and was the presiding criminal judge of Ocean County. “Isn’t that something,?” Butler will proudly say today, “three judges in Superior Court, and me, a prosecutor in nine different municipalities. If we ever stayed together for all our years, we would probably be the best known African American law office in the state.” You can see how Butler’s demeanor in virtual court puts everyone at ease. He gives casual warm and friendly greetings to all, while at the same time remaining aloof and professional; he’ll joke with a defendant who sounds confused or rattled by the virtual appearance, putting him at ease and more relaxed in presenting his case. He defers to the judge in all cases but is firm in being certain he has explained every detail so the judge can make the ultimate decision. For this prosecutor, his dedication goes back to his childhood and a father he still reveres as “the greatest man I ever knew.” Though the senior Butler died 31 years ago, his son doesn’t ever forget the lessons he learned from him growing up in Neptune. “My dad said you always have to treat everyone with respect. So I do. And I simply love doing my job and helping others.” Because he has been prosecutor for so many municipalities for so many years….at least 25 years in Neptune, and close to 20 in Highlands and Oceanport, you could say Butler has been a prosecutor for well over 100 years. He has been Atlantic Highlands prosecutor for four years, and also serves in Monmouth Beach, Shrewsbury and Little Silver. In Asbury Park alone, he has been the city’s prosecutor for 37 years consecutively. Nor does he see himself quitting anytime soon. “I do it for three reasons,” he’ll explain in that fast paced, low toned voice, “first of all because I love it, secondly because my dad would want me to do it, I’m helping people and third….” His own hearty laugh will break up his sentence before he continues, “I don’t fish, I don’t golf, I don’t horseback ride, I don’t hunt…But I love my cruises. As long as I can get my vacations and take my cruises, life is just fine.” There’s a group of friends who take these cruises, mostly in the Caribbean, all times of year, all on the large cruise ships equipped with everything from hot tubs and elegant dining rooms. “I work hard so I can take my cruises at leisure,” he’ll laugh heartedly, with a final explanation, “that’s just me. I enjoy life, both working at it and enjoying it. And every day I thank God for it. It’s God that gets me up in the morning. And I couldn’t be happier. ”

HIGHLANDS – After collecting samples from dredged soils dumped on borough owned land by Captains Cove Marina adjacent to Huddy Avenue, more than six months ago, Borough Engineer Brian Matlack told the borough council at last night’s meeting that the soils have been cleared from the borough property and the cancer causing beryllium found in the dredged soils at the site has been found to be below a standard that could be cancer causing to people or animals according to state standards. However, Borough Administrator Michael Muscillo, in response to questions from former borough Code Enforcement officer Jim Smith said the borough has paid for part of the cost of the sampling and the accompanying 2,038 page report and is currently in negotiation to see whether the borough will pay the entire cost. Smith had asked at earlier meetings since the soils had been dumped illegally on borough land, why the borough should be responsible for any cost as opposed to the person or company that dumped the soils. The administrator said he will review the status of negotiations and report back at the next council meeting. Captains Cove Marina has been brought up on charges by current Code Enforcement Officer William Brunt for the illegal dumping and after a couple of postponements, that case is expected to be heard in municipal court March 17. In March of last year, the CME engineering firm wrote Fred Rosiak of Captains Cove Marina, saying the firm learned temporary bulkhead repairs were ongoing at the Marina. The firm reminded Marina owners no work could proceed until engineered design drawing for permanent repairs had submitted, a requirement previously discussed with the company, and ordered work had to be halted until such permits were granted. In October, after learning spoils had been dumped on borough owned land without authority, CME conducted a field investigation, in which they collected composite samples of the soil dumped on borough property, an unused right of way running parallel to both Huddy Avenue behind several residences and the side of the Marina. Those samples, they reported, indicated beryllium, a known carcinogen had been in some samples with at least one exceeding the level of concentration of reporting limits as tested by a professional laboratory testing firm. In November, CME recommended the stockpile of dredged material placed without authorization on borough land be disposed of in accordance with regulations, and post excavation sampling for beryllium be conducted once it is removed to ensure it all had been removed. It is payment for this 2,038 page report and sampling costs that Smith questions is a taxpayer expense that than one for the firm that illegally dumped the soils on borough property. In other business at last night’s meeting, council introduced a bonding ordinance to refund $2.4 million long term debt obligation and authorize it be converted to a long term obligation of ten year, action recommended by financial officer Pat DiBlasi in order to make the addition of the proposed $$9.5 million of a new $10 million bond better for the borough. The $10 million is for construction of the proposed borough hall on Route 36 as outlined at the meeting the previous evening. Council did not indicate when the $10 million bond ordinance will be introduced, but it is anticipated at either the next meeting or the first meeting in March. Public hearing on the conversion of the $2.4 million is set for the March 17 meeting. Council also adopted a resolution to make application to the Local Finance Board in to make the change as required by law. Council also is continuing its shared services agreement with the borough of Sea Bright for lifeguards for two public beaches in Highlands during the summer months.

HIGHLANDS – The Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus will hold a 50-50 raffle in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, with the lucky winner being drawn on Thursday, March 18 at 11 a.m. Kenneth Quinn is chairman of this raffle and announced the drawing will take place in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help auditorium at 11 a.m. on March 18 at the regular meeting of the Council.. Tickets are $5 each and are available after all the masses at both OLPH and St. Agnes churches. In addition, tickets will be sold Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weather permitting, at the Bayshore Plaza shopping Center. Volunteers will be in front of the stores in the Plaza every weekend prior to the drawing. Because of the Covid restrictions, fund raising events for the Knights, as other organizations, have been sharply curtailed and members are more dependent on the raffle in order to continue their philanthropic programs. All proceeds benefit the many local charities supported by the Knights of Columbus Council. https://www.facebook.com/KnightsofColumbusCouncilRevJosephJDonnelly11660/

John Schneider sent me a copy of his newest book, ‘John Schneider’s Historic Highlands, A Sentimental Journey” and the book is absolutely well named! It is the author’s summer vacation town, it is historic and it is sentimental. It’s also chock full of photos of many different scenes in Highlands from a couple of centuries, including comparisons between some of the old sites and what is there now. There are two reasons John’s latest writings were so particularly significant to me. One is the huge difference in concentration of what makes the town so special…..we all share that belief.. between those, like John and the two authors quoted in the front of the book who also were long time summer visitors to Highlands, and me and others like me who lived there for decades and brought our kids up there, not only for the joys and fun of summer visitors but all the quiet, beauty, and togetherness of the entire year. This book highlights in many ways the spectacular restaurants, the great variety of entertainment, the numerous hotels, the dancers ,summer fun, and of course the merry-go-round, while those of us who lived there year round also recall the great school and church activities, the neighborhoods. The second reason why the book is so important now is it should be mandatory reading for council members who say the town is growing in leaps in bounds! When they read about and see photos of the Hotel Martin, the Highlander, the Marshall House, DeHaven Cottage, Conners, the Atlantic Pavilion, just to name some of the great hotels and inns that were all within a short walk of the ferry, train or bus that came to town, or the boat works, the two gas stations, the meat market, diner, A&P and other shops that set the town apart, they’d realize what growing by leaps and bounds means! At any rate, kudos to John on another book, sharing more history, and being so proud of such a great town. You can contact John at johnrschneider@optimum.net for price and where to buy the book, and I’ll bet he would even autograph it for you. It is truly a sentimental journey.