Community News

Berkeley "Meet the Mayor" Scheduled for Monday, January 23rd

BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen F. Amato, Jr., is pleased to announce that he will continue his evening office hours. Mayor Amato’s evening office hours are in addition to his “Meet the Mayor” and “Town Hall” programs, which will also continue in 2017.

“My next two scheduled public evening office hours will be held Monday, January 23rd and Monday, February 13th at Berkeley Town Hall from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Elected officials have an obligation to be as accessible as possible to our constituents. During my time in office, I have held countless “Meet the Mayor” and “Town Hall” meetings, regularly meet with constituents outside of regular business hours, and have created additional avenues for residents to contact local government.” Mayor Amato said.

“Our Hot Line gives residents one-stop access to Township government, enabling the township to more effectively and efficiently respond to resident’s suggestions, concerns or complaints. The Hot Line number is 732-244-7400 Extension 203, and is available 24 hours a day.” Mayor Amato said.

Residents can also email the Mayor directly at: mayor@twp.berkeley.nj.us .

“In addition to the “Hot Line” and my email, residents are encouraged to visit www.berkeleytownship.org and click next to the Mayor’s message to provide suggestions or feedback online, with most residents receiving follow-up the next business day.” Mayor Amato said.

Our Township of Berkeley Facebook Page is new, and is constantly updated with information, and news on the Township.

If you haven’t signed up for our Nixle system, please visit our web site to register to receive important emails and text messages.

“I look forward to continuing my dialog and outreach to residents in 2017.” Mayor Amato said.

Campbell's Makes Soup from 100 Year Old Recipe Using New Jersey Beefsteak Tomatoes

 

https://www.facebook.com/campbells/videos/10154357490829506/

Campbell’s soup is taking customers back 100 years and deep into their archives. In the back of the vault we discovered they discovered their founder’s original New Jersey based beefsteak tomato soup recipe and decided to not only make the original recipe once again, but package and share a limited batch with consumers.

“We made a limited supply of 10,000 jars using seasonal New Jersey beefsteak tomatoes from southern New Jersey farms,” the company said.  “The original Beefsteak Tomato Soup features a perfect balance of texture and sweet and tart flavors — making it just as good as it was 100 years ago.”

 

New Jersey Tries to Collect 25 Year Old $106 Debt from Ex-Resident

The long arm of New Jersey’s tax collectors can extend across time and state boundaries.

A former Howell Township resident this week received a notice from the New Jersey Department of Labor seeking to collect a $106 unemployment benefits overpayment. In 1991, the man, who wishes to remain anonymous was a 19 year old working in New Jersey, collecting unemployment after being laid off from his job.

Today, he lives in sunny Florida and thought he had left all of New Jersey’s dysfunctions behind.  He left New Jersey in 1994 and doesn’t even remember which job he was laid off from, as so much time has passed.

He didn’t know at the time, but the state paid him a few dollars too much in unemployment that year.

Twenty-five years later, now 44, he received a notice from the state demanding that he returned the $106 paid to him during his teen years to the state. If he did not pay, the state threatened to turn the matter over to the Internal Revenue Service under the Treasury Offset Program, the debt collection arm of the federal government.

Although debtors of private entities in New Jersey are protected by a six year statute of limitations, there is no statute of limitations in the state when it comes to overpayment of unemployment benefits.

This form of debt collection is very common in New Jersey.  A simple Google search turned up dozens of others who received the same letter.

It turns out New Jersey can be relentless in collecting these debts, chasing debtors across state lines in a vigorous attempt to return the money back to the state.

What most people don’t realize is that you don’t necessarily have to pay that debt and the state sometimes settles for less.  Residents also can file an appeal with the Department of Labor if they can prove the overpayment was entitled to them.

In this case, the debt was settled for just $31.08, the cost a few nails to help pay for the $300 million state house renovation project, perhaps.

 

Lacey first responders recognized for saving woman from burning home

by Chief Michael DiBella, Lacey PD

LACEY-On Tuesday evening, January 17, 2017, the Lacey Township Board of Education honored Police Officers Anthony Sarno and Christopher Meyler, along with Forked River Firefighter Edward Barker, Jr., for saving an elderly woman from her burning home November 25, 2016. During the Lacey School Board meeting, High School Principal Greg Brandis spoke about the incident and honored all three alumni for their actions, providing each with a certificate. Several officers from the Lacey Township Police Department, along with members of the Forked River Fire Department, Mayor Peter Curatolo and Committeeman Gary Quinn were present. Officer Sarno graduated in 2003, Officer Meyler in 2007, and Edward Barker, Jr in 2010.

The incident occurred on Friday, November 25, 2016, at 12:09 a.m. Officers Christopher Meyler, Anthony Sarno, and Julie Barcalow responded to the 1800 block of Serpentine Drive in Forked River, in regard to a fire alarm. The fire alarm notification was followed by a second call, from a neighbor reporting heavy smoke coming from the residence. Upon Officer Meyler’s arrival, he observed a large concentration of flames coming from the rear of the ranch-style home. Officer Meyler located two adult female occupants (visitors from Massachusetts), who advised that they were able to exit from the fire, however, the 81-year-old female homeowner was still inside. Officer Meyler soon discovered the woman was trapped inside the attached garage. Officer Meyler broke an exterior garage window and entered inside in an attempt to reach the homeowner. Officers Julie Barcalow, Anthony Sarno, and Scott Keefe arrived on scene to assist. Officer Sarno entered the garage, along with two Forked River Volunteer Firemen, Rob Anderson and Edward Barker, Jr. The four of them were able to successfully transfer the woman homeowner outside through the garage window. The homeowner, and the two female visitors from Massachusetts, ages 64 and 35, were transported to Community Medical Center for smoke inhalation. Officers Meyler and Sarno were also taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

In addition to Officers Anthony Sarno and Christopher Meyler, both Officers Julie Barcalow and Scott Keefe were recognized on December 9, 2016, by Chief Michael C. DiBella for their actions involving the November 25, 2016 fire. In addition, I would like to acknowledge that Forked River Firefighter Rob Anderson was as instrumental as all in saving the woman’s life. Furthermore, I need to acknowledge Forked River Fire Chief Raymond Brandmahl for his actions November 25, 2016.

I would like to thank the Lacey Township Board of Education for taking the time to honor the involved police officers and firefighters. Additionally, I would like to once again honor all of the involved police officers and firefighters who helped save this woman’s life back on November 25, 2017. In addition to our officers, our Emergency Services Personnel are truly an asset to Lacey Township and I thank them.

Food gone digital…University students inching us closer to replicators?

Could food be about to go digital? A team of engineers at Columbia University think so. They’re working with chefs to create a 3D home food printing machine. Digital cooking could be coming to your kitchen. And it could have major implications for nutrition and health care in a future of highly customized food production. “In…

George W. Bush Paints Portraits of American Warriors Wounded in Combat During His Presidency

The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, announced today that it will publish a new book by George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States. Titled PORTRAITS OF COURAGE: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, the book features 66 full-color portraits and a four-panel mural personally painted by President Bush of service members and veterans who have served our nation with honor, and whom the President has come to know personally since leaving office.

“Over the past several months, I’ve painted the portraits of 98 wounded warriors I’ve gotten to know – remarkable men and women who were injured carrying out my orders,” the former President said.

The book will be released by Crown in print and digital formats in the United States and Canada on February 28, 2017. The book will be simultaneously issued in unabridged audio formats by Penguin Random House Audio, with the text of the stories read by President Bush. President Bush was represented in negotiations by Robert Barnett of Williams & Connolly, with Crown acquiring world, electronic, and serial rights to the work.

Since leaving Washington, President Bush has made it a priority to support and honor America’s veterans as they re-enter civilian life, and PORTRAITS OF COURAGE is an integral part of that mission. It is President Bush’s hope that these stories of courage and resilience will honor our men and women in uniform, highlight their family and caregivers who bear the burden of their sacrifice, and help Americans understand how we can support our transitioning veterans and empower them to succeed.

President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from the book to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war.

Gates Removed at Fort Monmouth; Route 537 through former base opens to traffic

The front gates which have been closed at Fort Monmouth since September of 2011 are opening again today.  Route 537 through the base will be open for public traffic at noon. The plan is part of an overall project to repurpose now defunct U.S. Army base.

Route 537 which connected Fort Monmouth from the Eatontown gate to Camden is the state’s third longest county road.