The JACKSON Times Vol. 20 - No. 47
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
First Aid Squad Providing 24/7 Service
In This Week’s Edition
April 18, 2020
Jackson To See 1.95% Tax Increase
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON - The Township Council recently approved the introduction of a $47.5 million general fund budget that will raise taxes on the average home by $21. The spending plan which the council unanimously approved calls for a tax levy increase of 1.95%.
BREAKING NEWS @
─Photo courtesy Jackson Township First Aid Squad The EMS will now offer 24-hour service without charging residents. By Bob Vosseller Each member of the v id i n g s e r v ic e fo r 2015 the squad began JACKSON – During all areas of the large billing patients which squad has received the ongoing COVID-19 township on a 24-hour, allowed the organiza- extensive training becrisis, township resi- seven-day basis. tion resume full-time yond t he m i n i mu m dents can take solace The squad was es- operations. amount of training rethat First Aid Squad tablished back in 1953 Currently the fi rst aid quired by law. Funding service is provided 24 as the Jackson Town- squad has 68 volun- for t raining and its hours a day. ship First Aid Squad, teers and the only paid, members is designated Service by the squad a volu nteer st af fed full-time employee is by the squad which based at 38 East Veter- emergency medical the squad’s chief, Al is also reviewed and ans Highway resumed services agency. Couceiro. There are supported by a medical full time for the entire Members of the squad plans for the hiring of director. township last month provided 911 ambu- 25 part-time, per diem Daytime service is and the squad is doing la nce ser v ice f rom employees according covered w it h t h ree well. the hours of 6 p.m. to to Township Business trucks which resemAfter nearly 30 years, 5 a.m. according to Administrator Terence ble s t he syst e m of the squad began pro- township officials. In Wall. (Squad - See Page 2)
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Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
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Wolfgang Puck Page 19
Are COVID-19 Totals Accurate?
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – It’s easy to get focused on the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases arou nd the world and right outside your door - but it’s worth looking at what those numbers really mean. Health officials are saying that the number of positive cases and even the number
of deaths are more a reflection of how many people are being tested. It is not necessarily an accurate number. Weeks ago, the number of cases in Ocean County was still less than a hundred. However, that figure was understood to be lower than reality. There was no way to count how many peo-
ple had the virus but weren’t sick enough to get tested. In the beginning, residents reported not being allowed to get tested w it hout u nderly i ng health issues. The cases posted are just conf ir med cases, said Brian Lippai, s p oke s m a n for t he Ocean County Health Department.
“Keep in mind most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate, like the common cold. Others are just carriers while some will get sick and never know it. That’s why it’s so important we follow the social distancing and the other hygiene recommendations and g u ideli nes becau se most health care ex-
perts believe that even these moderately effective interventions to reduce transmission can have a significant impact on the scale of the epidemic,” he said. Now that the county has opened its own testing site at Ocean Cou nt y Col lege i n Toms River, the numbers are naturally going (Total - See Page 18)
$2.1 Million Increase The proposed budget includes $33.6 million to be raised by property taxes. Residential and commercial property owners in Jackson will pay a total of $645,086 more in municipal taxes to support the operation of the township in 2020 than they did last year. This year’s municipal tax rate is projected to be 49.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home is assessed at $328,520 and the owner of that home will pay about $1,617 in municipal taxes. This is an increase of $21.02 this year. A public hearing on the budget plan has been scheduled for April 28. Business Administrator Terence Wall said the township is “ahead of the curve on the 2020 budget, especially in light of the global pandemic.” Wall said during a recent council meeting that last year’s budget expenditures that were expected to be $44.7 million actually came in lower at $42.6 million. He also noted that township revenues exceeded expectations by nearly $1.7 million. Wall said this was due in part to increased interest on investments and deposits, fees and permits, and housing fees. The spending plan’s introduction was unanimously approved by Council President Barry Calogero, Vice President Alex Sauick ie, Cou ncilman A nd rew Ker n, Councilman Martin Flemming and Councilman Ken Bressi. In 2019, the council adopted a $44.79 million budget that was supported by the collection of $33 million in taxes from Jackson’s residential and commercial property owners. The governing body used $3.7 million from its surplus fund (savings) as revenue in the budget. (Budget - See Page 2)
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