Pine Barrens Tribune November 25, 2023-December 1, 2023

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November 25 - December 1, 2023

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Bass River Commissioners Warn Residents That Visits

by Social Services May End If Not Taken Advantage Of

CONNECTED!

County Could Decide Bringing Outreach, Hope One Programs to Township Isn’t Worth Effort If Few Show Up, They Maintain

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—Should not enough residents of Bass River Township show up to utilize the services that Burlington County now offers them on a monthly basis, county officials may simply decide that making them available here isn’t worth the effort, township Commissioner Nicholas Capriglione and Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon warned at the Bass River Board of Commissioners’ Nov. 5 meeting.

“They’ve already talked about it,” said Capriiglione, who noted that the county Board of Social Services Outreach Program goes considerably out of its way to bring its benefits to Bass River, located in the county’s southeastern corner. “Once we stop participating, they will stop coming back again.

“But the more we take advantage of it, guess what? The more often they’re going to come down.”

The outreach program is one designed to help families and individuals in need of food assistance and other types of aid. It is currently being offered to local residents, depending on their income, by a Board of Social Services representative who travels from the county seat at Mount Holly on the last Wednesday of each month to the Bass River Municipal Building, in New Gretna, to provide them with forms that can be filled out to obtain both SNAP benefits

Photo Provided

Alex Costa, right, who has been advocating tirelessly to bring Comcast’s high-speed Internet to his street, greets Comcast technicians Thomas Manning and Duron Sangster (center) on the morning of Nov. 9, whom finally connected him to the service, with Sangster holding a copy of the Pine Barrens Tribune from Aug. 12 with Costa calling on officials to Bridge the Digital Divide.

Comcast Has Change of Heart Just in Time for the Holidays, Bringing High-Speed Internet to Pemberton Township Street After Struggles Without Service Were Highlighted by Tribune Additional Areas of Township Without Service Will Be Prioritized, Councilman Writes; State Now Accepting Public Comment on Funding Opportunities After Receiving $263M

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—Comcast has had a change of heart, just in time for the holidays, connecting on Nov. 9 a dozen or so homes on E. Parkway, a narrow, gravel/sandy fire lane off Route 70 in Pemberton Township,

to high-speed Internet for the first time.

The Pine Barrens Tribune, back in August, had featured 20-year-old college student Alex Costa’s mission to bring highspeed Internet to his street, with he as well as close friends and family describing that Costa would often have to wake up early

in the morning to go elsewhere in town to seek access to a high-speed connection to be able to complete his online schoolwork.

At the time, Costa had told this newspaper that he had tried for many years to connect to the Internet through use of See SERVICE/ Page 8

INDEX

Business Directory...................................12 Christmas Countdown............................. C1 Countdown to Christmas Guide.............. S1 Event Calendar...........................................4

See VISITS/ Page 6

Local News.................................................2 Marketplace......................................................11 Worship Guide..........................................14

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Once Delayed Tax Bills Are Sent Reflecting Massive School Tax Hike in Washington Twp., Committee Will Be ‘Inundated,’ Says Resident Wrangling with State on How to Address $473K School District Shortfall Prompts Delay in Tax Rate Calculation and 25-Day Special Grace Period; Mayor, Solicitor Respond That District is Separate Entity from Township

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—A local resident, who is the wife of a former, longtime Washington committeeman and is also the chief of the local ambulance squad, is warning the current Washington Township Committee to have a response plan in place, as she predicts that they are going to be “inundated” with questions and concerns once delayed tax bills ultimately get mailed to residents, with residents having 25 days from the date they are mailed – through an extended, special grace period granted on Nov. 14 – to pay them.

The tax bills are delayed, according to Washington Township, “due to an unanticipated school board tax hike,” one adopted to help close a “financial shortfall” in the Washington Township School District’s budget, which at last check with the district, was down from $976,770 to $473,871.

The district has been reportedly going back and forth with the state Department of Education about how to resolve the remaining shortfall after the tax increase, causing the county to be unable to calculate the tax rate on time.

“I am even getting bombarded with questions in the back of the ambulance, when p eople are b ei ng t aken to the hospital,” reported Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company and wife of former veteran committeeman Barry Cavileer.

Washington, responded Mayor Daniel James, is in “unchartered territory,” contending that “nobody at the county level or state level has seen this kind of a situation before.

“There is no guidance or anything,” James declared.

As previously reported by the Pine Barrens Tribune, the Washington district closed its lone elementary school – Green Bank Elementary School, and became a send/ receive school district during the 2016-17 school year. Students from the township are now sent to both the Mullica Township and Greater Egg Harbor Regional districts.

At the time of the decision to close Green Bank Elementary, there was declining student en rol l ment i n the spars elypopulated municipality of Washington, and so the decision had the effect of saving the district money, and actually reportedly created a surplus, which officials had hoped to give back to the residents. The school was eventually sold to the township, who then turned around and sold it to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

Washington, however, still is required to maintain a local school district to fund and oversee the education of township students.

The unanticipated troubles for the Washington district, however, reportedly began as its state aid allotment decreased over the course of the last several years (to the tune of $1.8 million in “cumulative” state aid cuts) due to a revised state funding formula, which has particularly adversely impacted districts that have seen a decline in enrollment.

Then, as was explained earlier this year by school district officials, following the Coronavirus pandemic, “we have students now coming into the district, tuition costs are going up and transportation costs are increasing.” And some of the new students, according to officials, “have IEPs” that require certain services.

Additionally, causing the township school district to get in the hole, according to officials, was that it has had to meet a “minimum tax levy” set by the state in the budget, and accounting for that has contributed to the deficit.

Karen Gfroehrer, business administrator of the Mullica and Washington Township School Districts, told the Pine Barrens Tribune on Nov. 20 that the shortfall has decreased from $976,770 to $473,871 over the last several months, not only the result of additional state aid, but because “there was a change in enrollment between the time that the original budget was created and by utilizing the surplus from 2022-23 as part of the budget, rather than rolling it as surplus for the 2024-25 budget.”

With the $473,871 shortfall remaining, however, the district is increasing taxes, but the district, under state law, according to Gfroehrer, “cannot increase taxes any further” beyond a 2 percent cap.

Therefore, at this point, the “tax increase is a definite” and the total tax increase is $204,979, which amounts to an increase of $224.14 for every $100,000 of assessed value.

The average Class 2 property assessment, she told this newspaper, is $228,359, so it amounts to an increase of approximately $511.84 on the average home.

When asked by this newspaper whether there was any chance the state could turn around and order that the two-percent cap be exceeded to account for the remaining difference after the tax increase, Gfroehrer responded “the state is requiring the board to take out a ‘Loan Against State Aid’ for the difference.”

“They are negotiating an alternative to a loan,” said Gfroehrer, but did not provide See BILLS/ Page 7

Motorcycle Collides with Guiderail on Route 532 in Woodland, Ejecting and Killing Driver from Blackwood, State Police Report WO O D L A N D — A m o t o r c y c l i s t f r o m B l a c k wo o d , l o c a t e d w i t h i n Gloucester Township, was killed when his motorcycle collided on Nov. 9 with a g uiderail on County Route 532 in Woodland Tow nsh ip, repor ted New Jersey State Police.

State Troopers responded to the scene at around 11:50 a.m., in the area of milepost 14.5, according to Det. Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the state police.

Based on a preliminary investigation, he said, a Harley Davidson was traveling east on County Route 532 when it ran off the roadway, before colliding with the guiderail, which caused it to overturn.

The driver, Barry Schwartz, 65, was ejected and sustained fatal injur ies, according to Lebron.

The crash remains under investigation, the spokesman added, and there is no additional information available at this time.

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Reportedly Missing Double Arrow Sign Replaced ‘Week Too Late,’ Official Says, After Serious Accident at Intersection in Washington

Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Squad Chief Also Discuss Visibility of Stop Sign with Latter Official Calling for Installation of Solar-Powered, Flashing One

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—A reportedly missing double arrow sign at the intersection of County Routes 563 and 542 in Washington Township to indicate that one can go right or left, but not straight, due to the intersection being T-shaped was “unfortunately replaced a week too late,” acknowledged Washington Township Deputy Mayor Paul Seybold during a Nov. 14 Washington Township Committee meeting.

That is because, according to Seybold and Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company Chief Barbara Cavileer, there was an accident there during the late evening hours of Oct. 27, in which a motorist ended up driving straight into the woods from County Route 563.

That motorist, according to Seybold, had to be airlifted to an area hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash, which was reportedly so violent that the “engine for that vehicle was laying right in front of it.”

The double arrow sign, according to Seybold, went missing after it “either got knocked over” or “someone took it for scrap.”

While an official with the Lower Bank Volunteer Fire Company had reached out to the county to report the missing sign, Seybold maintained, it was “unfortunately replaced a week too late.”

Local officials also discussed on Nov. 14 that a stop sign for traffic approaching the intersection from County Route 563, is hidden from view, with Washington

Mayor Daniel James explaining that it is “not recognizable” until one is about 100 feet away from the corner.

The county, according to Seybold, has since added a second stop sign at the intersection following the crash.

“We had another sign placed there at the end of Route 563, so you can visibly see it when coming down 563,” Seybold said. “Prior to that, you almost had to make a right, headed toward Batsto, for it to be visible.”

Cavileer, however, during the Nov. 14 meeting, called for a solar powered, flashing stop sign to be placed at the intersection.

The flashing lights, she maintained, would enable motorists to see the stop sign in approaching the intersection after dark.

“That corner is so dark in the middle of the night,” Cavileer contended. “He (the motorist) literally blew the stop sign and landed in the woods. This is the third such incident there since I have been on the squad. I think we could really use something like that there.”

Township Engineer Kevin Dixon, as well as James, noted that the township cannot put signage at the intersection because both County Routes 563 and 542 are the responsibility of the county.

Dixon, however, recognized there is a “very odd geometry” at the intersection in question. The township engineer was to contact the Burlington County Division of Roads and Bridges about a “very, very blind See SIGN/ Page 7

Southampton Committee OK’s, 4-1, Executing Application with NJDOT for Controversial Road, But Town Later Claims Document Doesn’t Exist

Township Denies Access to Related Drawing, Claiming Attorney-Client Privilege; One Official Rebukes Giving OK, Saying Town Shouldn’t ‘Fight Developer’s Battle’

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—The Southampton Township Committee has non-unanimously authorized “execution of an application w ith the New Jersey Depar tment of Transportation (NJDOT) for the Red Lion Road Redevelopment Area,” but after the governing body on Oct. 17 gave a 4-1 approval, this newspaper, in subsequently requesting a copy of the application to be executed, was told by the Clerk’s Office on Oct. 19, in response to an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request, “no such documents exist.”

It is unclear why the governing body would have approved executing an application without first seeing a completed version of the document.

Southampton officials were already under fire previously for the manner in which it approved a document for the redevelopment project – with a woman asking back in April, “How can you approve something when you don’t have a plan?”

According to the Oct. 17 resolution giving the OK for the execution of the application, this particular application is to seek “approval” to “construct” a public road as part of the previously approved redevelopment plan for an approximately 20-acre tract.

The Pine Barrens Tribune previously reported that the redevelopment plan calls for a municipal road to be added from Route 70 to Allentown Road, as part of an accessway for a planned convenience store and possibly other prospective units at the site where (the now-

shuttered) Red Lion Diner is currently located.

The planned road, as also previously reported by this newspaper, has generated significant concern from Allentown Road and nearby Old Red Lion Road residents, as well as from Committeeman James F. Young, Sr., that it will lead to heavy thru-traffic on those two narrow, rural roads with possible store patrons using them to circumvent the Red Lion Circle and seek a traffic signal at Route 70 and Old Red Lion Road.

But other members of the township committee, have expressed a belief that the township could design the thoroughfare in such a way, as well as make some traffic pattern changes to Allentown Road, that would force traffic to turn onto Route 206 and avoid impacting the majority of residences of Allentown and Old Red Lion roads.

But the plan was last discussed several months prior to the Oct. 17 resolution, on April 18, and when it had been last discussed, there were uncertainties as to whether the state would actually allow for a no right turn onto Allentown Road, as well as a prohibition on truck traffic, as amended into the redevelopment plan in April.

And, at the time of the last public committee discussion, there had not yet been the major development that the Red Lion Diner would close and rebuilding a new one would no longer be part of the project, as was announced in early September.

This newspaper, also on Oct. 19, requested See COMMITTEE/ Page 11

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 3

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439 Oakshade Road • Shamong, NJ 08088 Mon. & Tues. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. • Wed.- Sat. Noon to 10 p.m. • Sun. Noon to 9 p.m.

The following authors are signing/selling their books: Allen Crawford, A Wild Promise William Lewis, New Jersey’s Lost Piney Culture Greg Vizzi co-author of The Original People: The Ancient Culture and Wisdom of the Lenni-Lenape People

Green Trading Post December 2nd and 3rd from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, 17 Pemberton Road, Southampton, NJ 08088

Some confirmed vendors include: Blueberry ryy Wood Apiary ryy & Little Critters Illustrations Pine Barrens Post Pinelands Folk Music & Basketry ryy Pine Barrens Diamonds

by Paul Evans Pedersen Jr. Sensory ryy Scrub Shaker Boxes by Harry ryy Silvers Pinelands Adventures Whitesbog Preserv rvation v Trust Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

Holiday bazaar featuring nonprofit organizations, local artists, and local authors.

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Page 4 ♦

EVENT CALENDAR

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

DECEMBER

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Events and special promotions happening locally this month!

To promote your January event on this page contact Jayne Cabrilla at 609-801-2392 or email news@pinebarrenstribune.com

DEC. 1 Train Rides Through the Woods of New Gretna Location: Bass River Twp. Details: The Woods of New Gretna Park and the New Jersey Shore Live Steam Organization provide train rides for all each Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The small steam locomotives, and other trains, wind their way through the beautiful park. The rides are provided by a group of dedicated volunteers who have revitalized the park and laid out the railroad track, based on the historical Tuckerton Railroad.

The volunteers maintain the railroad and walking trails, and are constantly expanding them. Riding the trains is free, but donations are very much appreciated. The train rides are outdoors.

DEC. 2

DEC. 4

Annual Medford Dickens Festival

Seneca High School Chamber Singers

Location: Medford Village (Medford Twp.)

Location: Vincentown (Southampton Twp.)

Details: Step into a Winter Wonderland at the Medford Dickens Festival on December 2, 2023 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Main Street in Medford. This event is presented

by The Main Street Merchants of Historic Medford, a 501c3 nonprofit along with SJS Title. This beloved annual festival will transform Main Street in Medford into a magical winter wonderland.

Details: Southampton Historical Society is presenting a holiday program Monday December 4. The Seneca High School Chamber Singers will entertain you with holiday songs as well as some of their favorite traditional ones. Come out to hear these amazing students from right here in our community! The program will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at Old Town Hall, 25 Plum St., Vincentown.

After the concert there will be a short business meeting, then enjoy some fun with holiday trivia to get you into the spirit of the season. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 609-859-0524.

The Dickens Festival has a long-standing tradition of bringing joy and holiday cheer to the heart of Medford. Drawing visitors from across New Jersey and Philadelphia to see the historic downtown transformed into a Victorian-era wonderland, carolers fill the air with festive melodies, and the aroma of holiday treats waft from local vendors. So many of our visitors come dressed for the occasion too, adding to the festive feel of the event.

The event kicks off with a delightful parade featuring town officials and residents dressed in authentic Dickensian attire and Santa Claus arriving in style to the town gazebo by horse-drawn carriage.

Throughout the evening, Santa’s elves pass out candy canes to the children who let Santa know their holiday wishes. The festival's lively atmosphere, adorned storefronts, and joyful carolers create an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Discover unique gifts from our local shoppes and over 80 juried artisans offering handcrafted items perfect for holiday gift-giving. Main Street will be bustling with handmade crafts, vintage treasures, and delectable treats.

Indulge your taste buds with a variety of tasty meals from our restaurants or from the wide selection of food truck stations at the festival, satisfying every palate. Pick up a tasty beverage from one of our local breweries. Enjoy captivating live performances, including a live nativity, and musical entertainment throughout the evening.

The Village Carolers will enchant you with their festive melodies, and don't miss the lively comedic performances of A Christmas Carol by Pirates of Fortune’s Follies, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Santa & Grinch visits, and more!

Bring your family and join us in celebrating the spirit of the season and help spread the holiday cheer! Parking will be available at designated areas and a shuttle bus route will be posted online. For more information go to MainStreetMedford.com, @MainStreetMedford, and @DestinationMedford or Email: DickensMedford@gmail.com .

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EVENT CALENDAR

♦ Page 5

Page 6 ♦

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

‘Very, Very Blind Curve’ Among ‘Significant Traffic Deficiencies’ Observed

by Engineer on Route 542 in Washington Twp. in Investigating Complaint

Are Your Taxes Too High?

Official to Make Calls to County in Recommending Additional Signage for Area, Also Observes Vegetation and Business Sign Blocking Line of Sight Near Eatery

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—A “couple of significant traffic deficiencies” have been determined to be present by Washington Township Engineer Kevin Dixon on County Route 542, near LB’s Lunchbox, where the chief of the local emergency squad had previously reported her observation of a “blind curve” as one comes across a small bridge.

Dixon, who revealed his findings during a Nov. 14 Washington committee session, told the governing body that he can “report that there is a visual obstruction coming around the bend” due to both a sign for the eatery as well as shrubbery “directly in the line of sight.”

In his estimation, the township engineer continued, the curve is “very, very blind” in such a way that if someone is coming out of the driveway for LB’s Lunchbox, a vehicle navigating the bend would come upon that vehicle “very abruptly.”

“Adequate warning signs would be appropriate there, but it is something that needs to be coordinated with the county,” declared Dixon, asking for the committee’s approval to make phone calls to the Burlington County Division of Roads and Bridges, which he received.

As of right now, Dixon arrived at the conclusion that the “signage is inadequate in that area” and that he “thinks additional safety measures can be added.”

“Especially, now, they have those solarpowered signs with motion sensors, where the signs begin to blink,” Dixon said.

The signs Dixon is speaking of are solarpowered chevron signs, which typically warn drivers about a change in direction or a narrowing of the road and are found where there is a dangerous curve.

Ac cord i ng to Di xon, “the p er fe ct geometry of the road lends itself to warning signs in the area.” But the county, he noted, would have to approve of the additional signage given Route 542 is a county roadway.

When the township engineer suggested solarpowered signage, Washington Mayor Daniel James intentionally let out an extended laugh, given the township’s past wrangling to get the county to act on roadway-related requests.

“At the very least, we can point out to them the appropriate measures to take,” Dixon responded. “I feel we have a responsibility to do that.”

As for the business sign and vegetation at issue, Dixon recommended that the property

VISITS

(Continued from Page 1) (the current rendition of food stamps) and financial assistance cards that can be used on a monthly basis to help pay for groceries.

Bourguignon urged that people in the community not be shy or reluctant to take advantage of the opportunity to receive such aid.

“I know residents here that should get it, but they don’t come and ask for it,” he said.

Capriglione maintained that while county representatives are “supposed to stay for a certain time,” when nobody shows up for the sessions, local officials feel obliged to allow them to leave earlier than scheduled.

Eventually, he contended, such demonstrated lack of interest in the program by the public might prompt their superiors to suspend it in Bass River, where “it was a little difficult to get it re-established” earlier this year.

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owner be contacted, with Committeeman C. Leigh Gadd, Jr., also the township’s director of public safety, recounting that there is “a lot of stuff on signage” in the township codebook and that it could allow for the involvement of code enforcement to resolve the issue.

“If it is non-compliant, but lawfully existing, that is one thing,” Dixon replied. “But if it has been placed there in a non-compliant manner, there may be an avenue there.”

The “question” that has to be answered, as the township engineer put it, is has the business sign at issue, “which I can tell you, right now, does not comply” with the law on appropriate setback from the road “been in existence” before site plan approvals were issued.

“Doesn’t public safety supersede any of that?” is a question James put to Dixon, but ultimately got answered by Township Solicitor Tom Coleman, who replied, “Probably.”

The “easiest fix,” the solicitor continued, is to “find those existing sections” of the local code and adopt another ordinance to ensure they are compliant with the latest American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.

“Clearly that sign is just in that line of sight,” said Dixon of his observations of the business sign.

Deputy Mayor Paul Seybold noted he would “venture to say” that the sign appeared after the adoption of the existing ordinances dictating setbacks, with Gadd recalling that what is now LB’s Lunchbox had been “basically a snack bar type of thing” for those visiting an adjoining campground but that it has “kind of morphed into something a lot of people use who are not associated with a campground.”

Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company, who had lodged the prior complaint about the blind curve on County Route 542 at an earlier governing body meeting, thanked Dixon for being “aggressive” in addressing the issue. She previously reported a major T-bone crash there.

Meanwhile, Seybold, at a previous meeting, noted that resident Ron Hill, of Bulltown Road, brought to him “some concerns with a sharp, 90-degree turn” there “coming from Batsto Village toward his residence,” with Hill having some purported close calls when pulling out of his driveway. Seybold said he had responded to that resident that he would seek a ‘hidden driveway’ sign.

At the latest Nov. 14 session, Seybold reported the sign has been installed, and that tree limbs were cut back in the area of Hill’s driveway.

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residents, though on a less regular basis, the Hope One program for substance abusers and their families, will be coming to the same location on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department in partnership with the county departments of Human Services and Health assisted by several area hospitals, it offers information about addiction, treatment and recovery as well as “critical support” and potentially life-saving Narcan kits, not just to Bass River residents, but anyone who might need them on a “don’t ask, don’t tell” basis, so that participants need not be concerned about any legal repercussions of participating.

But attendance at that event can also be problematic, as was pointed out to the Pine Barrens Tribune by Deputy Municipal Clerk Mari Ann Capriglione, who noted that it was extremely sparse when the Hope One trailer came to the township last winter, despite its providing “invaluable” help and information See VISITS/ Page 11

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November 25, 2023

Countdown to Christmas Guide ♦ Page S1

Countdown to Christmas

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Page S2 ♦ Countdown to Christmas Guide

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The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate with loved ones.

Hosting a themed Christmas party can add extra excitement. Here are five fun party themes.

1. Winter Wonderland: Transform your home into a magical winter wonderland.

Use white and silver decorations to create a snowy atmosphere, hang twinkling fairy lights and set up a hot cocoa station to keep everyone warm.

2. Ugly Christmas Sweater: Embrace the tacky side of Christmas and invite your guests to wear the most outrageous, over-the-top holiday sweaters they can find. Hold a contest to see who has the ugliest sweater.

3. Christmas Movie Marathon: Gather everyone for a cozy Christmas movie marathon. Select a lineup of classic holiday films like Home Alone,

A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life. Set up a snack station with popcorn, candy canes and hot apple cider.

4. Gingerbread House Decorating: Provide plain gingerbread houses, an assortment of icing and an array of candies for guests to use as decorations. The friendly competition will bring out everyone’s artistic skills and result in some tasty and creative gingerbread houses.

5. Christmas Karaoke: Create a playlist of holiday tunes and let guests take turns showcasing their vocal talents.

Encourage duets and group performances and have a prize for the best holiday performance.

Whichever theme you choose, these Christmas party ideas are sure to spread joy, laughter and festive cheer among all your guests.

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Countdown to Christmas Guide ♦ Page S3

Tips to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are among the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season, and the popularity of trees is undeniable.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year.

Annual spending on Christmas trees underscores how important they are to holiday decor. Christmas trees serve as the centerpiece in millions of holiday home decor schemes, so it’s important to pick a tree that can shine in that role. This holiday season, celebrants can consider these tips as they look for the perfect Christmas tree.

• Measure the area where the tree will be placed. A large tree can be awe-

inspiring, but also can stick out like a sore thumb if it takes up too much space. There should be enough room around the tree for families and their guests to sit around it. The home interior experts at Better Homes & Gardens recommend leaving a minimum of six inches between the top of the tree and the ceiling. If a tree topper will be added, make sure the top of the tree is at least 12 inches from the ceiling.

Measure the area before leaving to buy a tree so it can fit nicely into the room and the surrounding decor.

• Try the shake test. Anyone who has purchased a fresh-cut Christmas tree is undoubtedly familiar with the shake test, which remains an effective way to

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tree does not have dense branches, which will be necessary if homeowners want to dress the tree with ornaments. If it’s hard to find the trunk because of all the thick branches and green needles, then the tree is likely pretty healthy.

• Test the needles. The home improvement experts at Lowes note that needles should be flexible but still snap when bent sharply. Avoid trees with needles that are already losing their color and can easily be pulled off.

A Christmas tree garners a lot of attention come the holiday season, which only underscores the significance of finding a tree worthy of being the centerpiece of holiday decor.

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measure the dryness of the tree. A slight shake will produce some fallen needles.

If the needles are brown and few and far between, then the tree likely is not overly dry. However, a lot of falling green needles indicates the tree is already drying out, which means it could shed quite a bit and lose its looks before Christmas Day. • Pick a tree with a symmetrical look.

Trees are living things, so it’s unlikely that buyers will find a perfectly symmetrical tree. However, a tree that’s misshapen or already has some sagging branches won’t make for an awe-inspiring addition to a home decor scheme.

• Find the trunk (if you can). A trunk that’s visible through the branches indicates the

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5 Tips for a Pet-Friendly Holiday Season

Countdown to Christmas Guide ♦ Page S5

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Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather, but it can also be a stressful time for pets. With all the new people, noise and activity, it’s important to take steps to make sure your furry friends stay safe and happy. Here are five tips for a pet-friendly holiday season.

1. Stick to a routine. The holidays can disrupt your pet’s normal routine, which can lead to stress.

Try to keep things as consistent as possible with their feeding, walking and playtime schedules.

2. Create a safe space. If you have guests coming over, designate a quiet room or area where your pet can go to relax and escape the noise. Make sure this space has ev­erything your pet needs, such as food, water and a bed.

3. Supervise your pet. Watch your pet

closely to prevent them from getting into trouble, such as chewing on decorations or getting into food that’s not safe for them.

4. Be mindful of what they eat. Many holiday foods are toxic to pets. Keep all “human food” out of reach, and don’t give your pets treats they’re not used to.

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5. Have an emergency plan. If your pet is injured or poisoned, it’s important to have a plan in place. Find out which local vet clinics are available for emergency calls. Know the signs of poisoning and what to do if your pet ingests something toxic.

Follow these tips and enjoy the festivities, knowing your furry friend is in good hands.

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Saturday, November 25, 2023

5 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Hosting

The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but they can also be a time of stress. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, you don’t want to be so busy running around that you forget to enjoy yourself. Here are five tips for stress-free holiday hosting.

1. Plan and create a checklist. Start by creating a detailed checklist that includes every­thing from the guest list and menu to decorations and cleaning tasks. Begin early to allow ample time for preparation and to avoid a lastminute rush. Break down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps and set deadlines for each. Having a wellorganized plan will help you stay on track and reduce the chances of forgetting anything important.

2. Simplify your menu. While you might be tempted to prepare an elaborate feast, remember that the holidays are more about spending time with loved ones than impressing them with an extravagant spread. Simplify your menu by choosing dishes that can be prepared in advance or that require

minimal last-minute attention. Don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring a dish or dessert, making it a potluck-style event, which adds a fun and communal touch to the gathering.

3. Set up a self-serve beverage station.

Set up a designated area with a variety of drinks, including water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, if appropriate. Include all the necessary items like glasses, ice buckets and cocktail napkins, so guests can help themselves without constantly asking for refills. This frees up your time and allows you to focus on other aspects of hosting.

5. Create a cozy ambiance. A warm, inviting ambiance can work wonders in reducing stress during holiday hosting. Create a cozy atmosphere with festive lighting, candles and seasonal decorations. Play soft background music to set the mood.

Arrange comfortable seating areas where guests can relax and socialize.

A relaxed environment will make your guests feel at ease and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the event.

Following these tips will help you host a stress-free holiday gathering that everyone will enjoy. Relax, have fun and enjoy the holidays!

4. Delegate and ask for help. You don’t have to do every­thing on your own. Enlist the help of family members and friends or hire temporary help, if needed. Delegate tasks such as setting the table, greeting guests or hang­ing up coats.

Letting others assist you eases your workload and gives them a chance to contribute and feel more involved in the holiday celebration.

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Saturday, November 25, 2023

Gift Ideas for Someone Who’s Always Cold

Gift Ideas for Teens Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the teenager in your life? Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

• Gift Card: Select a gift card from a shop they love, such as a clothing store, restaurant or bookshop. If you’re not familiar with the teenager’s preferences, discreetly ask friends and family to find out for you.

• Tickets to a Show: Tickets to comedy and music shows are becoming increasingly expensive. Therefore, gifting someone a pair of tickets is very generous! To avoid making a misstep,

Countdown to Christmas Guide ♦ Page S7

make sure you select a show they’ll enjoy. Have a chat beforehand and subtly ask who their favourite artists are.

• An Accessory That Matches Their Hobby: If the teenager is into painting, a portable easel would be a lovely gift. If they’re into filming and posting videos on social media, a ring light or highquality tripod would be perfect. Above all, make sure you don’t buy something they already own.

• Cash: Cash or some mo­ ney via e-transfer will be a winning idea.

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Is there someone on your Christmas wishlist who’s always cold? If so, their propensity for feeling chilly could be a great inspiration for selecting a present that will warm their body — and their heart, too.

Here are a few cozy suggestions: • Lined hat, headband or trendy earmuffs • Long, thick, hooded bathrobe • Small portable heater • Large, heavy blanket • Pair of soft, one-piece pajamas that also cover their feet • Handmade wool scarf

• Heated mattress cover • Towel warmer • Cozy fleece sweater

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What about scented candles, an electric fireplace, hot yoga classes or an all-inclusive getaway in the sun?

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Saturday, November 25, 2023

Holiday Cooking for a Crowd Made Easy much food to have per person, reducing waste and helping hosts avoid having a refrigerator full of leftovers they may or may not eat.

Delegate Some Tasks It’s alright to ask guests to bring something to the holiday dinner. In fact, they may be eager to pitch in. If someone brings a salad, another an appetizer and others some desserts, then it is just up to the host to provide the main course and

maybe a side or two. This removes a lot of the pressure.

Select Familiar Foods Hosts may be tempted to try all of the delicious recipes featured in magazines or online around the holidays. However, sticking with familiar dishes that you have made before reduces the chances for error. Recipes that can be whipped up by rote will make holiday cooking tasks easier and quicker.

PERFECTION Cooking for a holiday crowd doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when hosts employ a few strategies to simplify meal creation.

A number of things can be expected during the holiday season. Children will anxiously await visits from Santa and travelers recognize there is bound to be traffic on the roadways and crowds at the airport. And if you’re opening your home to guests, those visitors will be expecting some delicious food.

Meals are a big component of holiday entertaining, so much so that holiday hosts may spend weeks pondering what to serve guests. These guidelines can help simplify cooking for a crowd.

Plan Make-Ahead Dishes Simplifying holiday cooking comes down to spending less time in the kitchen on the day of the festivities. Make-ahead dishes that can be reheated or set in chafing dishes for buffet meals are preferable.

There’s lots of dishes to choose from, including casseroles, stews, soups, and baked pasta dishes. Avoid fresh pasta offerings, like spaghetti and meatballs,

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for example. Leftover noodles will get mushy and will not reheat very well.

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BILLS

(Continued from Page 2) any further details.

As a result of the back-and-forth, the Washington Township Board of Education has not yet approved the 2023-24 school year budget, nor has the state Department of Education, and in return, the final tax rate cannot be calculated by the county, which in turn as delayed the mailing of the tax bills to residents.

“The board has not approved the 202324 budget, or the loan necessary to have adequate funds to balance the budget,” Gfroehrer reported. “They are working clos ely w ith the Bu rl i ng ton Cou nty Department of Education and the state to resolve this issue.”

If the shortfall had remained at the original $976,770, and the state had lifted the 2 percent cap, it would have resulted in a worst-case scenario total tax increase of $1,226.90 per every $100,000 assessed value, Gfroehrer previously told this newspaper.

James told township committee meeting attendees on Nov. 14 that he had planned to attend the Nov. 20 school board session to see where things stand, having not heard any updates on whether the state made a final decision on the school district’s budget.

Gfroehrer, who noted to this newspaper she is retiring at the end of this year, said “nothing is on the agenda regarding the budget.”

“The DOE and board have not reached a final decision about the budget,” Gfroehrer emphasized to this newspaper on Nov. 20. “The 2023-24 budget has not been approved. The board and the Burlington County Department of Education are working on a solution.”

Barbara Cavileer, during the Nov. 14 committee session, however, called on the township governing body to conduct “preplanning” for what is coming down the pike when residents open their tax bill.

SIGN

(Continued from Page 3) curve” in town (see separate story), and while stopping short of pledging to raise this issue with the county, maintained that one option is that they can go with larger stop signs for the intersection or add “additional signs that are more reflective.”

“We need something to wake these people up,” Cavileer maintained. “When people are half asleep, the stop sign – they are not seeing it.”

Cavileer concur red with Seybold’s observation of the vehicle’s engine laying in front of the vehicle, with the squad chief maintaining that it was a sign of “how fast he came through the intersection.”

“So, he d idn’t slow dow n at al l,” maintained Cavileer of what the engine laying on the ground represented. “We have to have something to wake them up.”

The New Jersey State Police, however, have not said what, if any role the signage played in the crash.

What was told to this newspaper about the crash by a State Police spokesman, Det. Jeffrey Lebron, is that State Troopers responded to a motor vehicle accident at 9:16 p.m. on Oct. 27, at the intersection of County Routes 563 and 542 in Washington, and that based on a preliminary investigation, a Honda was traveling southbound on County Route 563, approaching the intersection, when it traveled through the stop sign, running off the road, into the woods and colliding with a tree.

The driver, a 35-year-old man from Clayton, “sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital via medevac.”

“The accident remains under investigation and there is no fur ther in for mation

AD HOTLINE: (609) 801-2392 or SALES@PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM “Sooner or later, it is going to hit the fan,” Barbara Cavileer declared. “Have a work meeting, so you have an outline to hit the ground running.”

The Washington committee, during its Nov. 14 session, approved a grace period for third and fourth quarter taxes as a “final 2023 tax rate has not been struck and certified by Burlington County.”

According to the document, “the grace period is extended” to “25 days from the date of mailing of the bills.”

“The grace periods are pretty much all we can do about it,” said James in the absence of any decision by the state Department of Education.

When Barbara Cavileer pressed the township committee what their plan would be in the event “this totally defaults on the school board side of it” or there is a “court order or whatever,” James shot back, “We have no control over it.”

“The school board is a completely separate entity than the township,” he pointed out, to which Barbara Cavileer asked, “But aren’t you left holding the bag when they default?”

James answered “no,” maintaining it is why the school district has its own levy.

Washington Township Solicitor Tom Coleman, in the absence of the township committee knowing the state Department of Education’s decision on the matter, maintained it was “premature” to come up with a plan to react, and emphasized a point made by James, or that the township is just a “collection agency” for the school district (as well as the county).

“Other than a grace period, I am not sure at this point what they are going to do with the rate … and there is nothing we can put in place to react to it,” the solicitor maintained.

Meanwh ile, until residents receive their tax bills, James is “recommending to everyone” that they “pay the first two quarters as paid last year, that way you don’t get crushed when they start coming in.”

available,” Lebron added.

The Oct. 27 crash was in addition to a fatal one that occurred during the early evening of Nov. 1 on County Route 563, closer to County Route 679, which killed two women, as previously reported by this newspaper.

Seybold reported that following the crash, officials with the Lower Bank Volunteer Fire Company, including Fire Chief Mike Alexander, evaluated the intersection to “see if there is anything that needs to be addressed.”

“There doesn’t seem to be any blind spots,” Seybold reported. “It just seems to have been a crazy accident that occurred up there.”

Cavileer, during the session, also revealed that the fire company used its last road flares on hand in the Nov. 1 crash. Road flares are used to increase the visibility of an accident scene as well as to warn motorists of potential danger in the area or road closures.

“Is there any way to get more flares donated to the fire department?” Cavileer asked. “At the crash up at Routes 563 and 679, we were out there for four hours, so you can see how much of our resources had to be used for that length of time.”

James responded that the fire company “addressed that last night,” but Cavileer shot back that the fire company agreed to buy them, all while they are providing a service to assist the state police.

It led the mayor to recount that it was “years ago” that the state police “handed them out” to take motorists “200 feet this way or that way,” but that now, “I’m sure their budget is the same as everyone else’s,” or tight.

A State Trooper attending the session, from the Tuckerton Barracks of the state police, which is assigned to conduct law enforcement activities in the township, said he would “relay it,” or the flare request, “back to my station commander.”

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SERVICE

(Continued from Page 1) a Jetpack or Hotspot, which use cellular phone signals, but that the signal was simply too spotty and weak on his street, nestled in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. It would cause his browser, he said, to simply spin and spin. At times, he was unable to load webpages, nor could he easily send pictures over text messages without having to wait for a long time or going elsewhere.

He tried pleading his case to Comcast, but to no avail, finding him considered the “last mile” with the utility maintaining he was simply too far from the company’s infrastructure to be easily connected, unless he and his family paid over $18,000, money that they simply didn’t have, and even then, the company had maintained their would be a time-consuming permitting process that would need to be completed.

But it was no longer the case on Nov. 9, after Comcast ran high-speed Internet cables down E. Parkway, at no charge to Costa or any of the residents there, and then completed an installation at Costa’s home, as well as at other residences of the street.

Costa for the first-time ever, inside his home, was able to connect his cellphone to a Wi-Fi signal put out by a high-speed Internet home modem in his home – something that has been commonplace for millions of Americans in the 21st Century – and in being overfilled with joy, instantaneously sent to the Pine Barrens Tribune some 16 pictures he took throughout the day of Comcast workers completing the install.

“Oh man, I would have been waiting an hour or so to send every photo I sent to you if I still was using the hotspots,” Costa told this reporter.

While Costa has been relentless in bringing the issue to the forefront with local, state and federal officials, he and his family credit the Pine Barrens Tribune’s front page coverage with having ultimately moved the needle on this issue, with Alex’s mom, Sharon, reporting that upon publication, she sent a copy of the article directly to Comcast’s corporate operation.

Alex Costa believes the Pine Barrens Tribune had “a lot” of impact, while his mother believes the newspaper had brought about a “tremendous amount of impact.”

“If it wasn’t for your article, I don’t think we would have ever even been in a position to obtain any responses from Comcast that amounted to what we would have had in terms of being able to get it.”

Until this newspaper’s story published, according to Sharon Costa, a regional manager for Comcast was “not willing to compromise,” and then upon her sending the story and emailing it to the utility’s corporate office, “now, all of a sudden, they were working with the township.”

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM Within a couple days of sending the article to Comcast’s corporate headquarters, Sharon Costa told this newspaper that she had gotten an email reply that a ticket had been opened, and then a follow-up reply that the company was looking into the matter.

By September, according to both Alex and Sharon Costa, the family received a telephone call from Phil Fleming, who identified as a case manager for the utility’s Northeast Division’s Executive Customer Experience team, informing them that the utility had decided to bring high-speed Internet and cable service to E. Parkway, but that it could possibly take 12-18 months for the utility to iron out all the details and obtain the necessary permissions.

Then, two weeks after Fleming’s call, Alex Costa told this newspaper that he got a call from “the neighbor next-door” that Comcast crews were “laying the wire” on the street and sent him a picture.

Alex Costa maintained that a neighbor observed it took less than 10 minutes for Comcast to run the wiring across Route 70, and less than a day to run the wiring down E. Parkway.

“I was jumping for joy when my neighbor sent me pictures of them running wires down the street,” Alex Costa told this newspaper.

“I was ready to cry because I was so overcome with emotion over something so small to so many people, who take things like this for granted. For most people, they would probably say, ‘Who cares about a wire going up a telephone pole,’ but this is what we have been waiting for, for a long, long time and my neighbors are over-thrilled to have it now.”

Alex Costa, in pointing to the company’s original position and then the timeframe Fleming had provided, declared bringing the service to his street happened “much faster than they had anticipated – way faster.”

It took some time for the wires to become “hot,” according to the Costas, but then they were informed that on Nov. 9, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., they would finally have their connection.

Two Comcast technicians, according to Alex Costa, Thomas Manning and Duron Sangster, showed up to complete the install, with Alex Costa calling them the “final piece of the puzzle.” They “knocked it out of the park,” he said of the technicians, calling them “very professional, knowledgeable and intuitive about work they were doing.”

“I just wanted to see Comcast do something good, for the good of the community,” said Sharon Costa, pointing out that the utility’s decision impacted her child’s life, and for that, she is grateful. “I am just glad to see Comcast actually did something for the good of the community, and they gave back. And I am glad to see somebody actually did something to resolve the issue, someone higher up.”

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Comcast crews work to install high-speed Internet cables on E. Parkway, months after the cable giant had declined to do so without the Costa’s first providing the utility with $18,000. highlighted how others living on Costa’s Street, off of Route 70, were paying exorbitant fees to satellite Internet providers for obtaining an Internet connection, and in return, were receiving limited bandwidth and intermittent signal.

Residents of one of those homes now connected, Ernest and Carolyn Scull, wrote a letter provided to the Pine Barrens Tribune through the Costas, praising Alex Costa for bringing the issue to the forefront and advocating for his street, declaring that Costa has “given enjoyment and peace of mind to all of us.”

Carolyn Scull, in describing that she has lived on E. Parkway, also known as Firelane South, wrote that in that time “we had no access to Wi-fi Internet or cable television” and that “for many years, I have paid for this service at a now-cost of over $700,” to include separate bills for satellite and phone service (Comcast’s phone and cable service

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“The landline phone, wireless cell and satellite Internet were extremely poor or not working at all,” Carolyn Scull said.

“Since having Comcast cable television and Internet, with Xfinity phone for cell and landline, it has not only saved me $400 per month, but the quality of service is remarkable. There is no more waiting to connect to the Internet, timing out, and long downloads are now just a tap away.

The landline and cellphone calls are clear with no disconnect.”

Additionally, the Sculls reported that their television programs and movies are now “without buffering.”

“I owe this all to my neighbor, Alex Costa,” Carolyn Scull wrote. “He has saved his family, neighbors and friends in many ways. This young man has given enjoyment See SERVICE/ Page 10

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Page 10 ♦

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

SERVICE

(Continued from Page 8) and peace of mind to us all.”

For Alex Costa, the new service has meant that “I am able to do schoolwork late at night, now.”

“And I do not have to worry about my tests, or my assignments getting reset to a couple questions I had already done, because now, I have the power of a modem to push through and get everything completed, and do not have to worry about being set back.”

The addition of cable television, Alex Costa added, also means that he will now not have to go in his backyard on a snowy night to clear the snow off the satellite dish in his yard, to be able to continue getting a signal (snow and ice accumulating on a satellite dish causes service disruptions as it blocks the signal).

Comcast, back in the summer, previously described that the utility “wants to serve as many customers as we can” and that it is “always looking for opportunities to expand services,” but that there are “some low-density areas where it just does not make sense, economically, for us to extend our network where we bear all of the expense.”

The utility pointed to “federal money” recently made available to states that could be used to expand service into such areas.

In the case of E. Parkway, Comcast, at the time, maintained that there were only two possible ways that the utility could “build its network” and come into E. Parkway, and in the first instance, it would require the utility to connect to its system from a half-mile away from Costa’s home and cross Route 70, while the other possibility would have involved a connection point that is one-and-a-half miles away from the college student’s home.

In the first possible scenario, the utility had maintained it would require cables to be run across Route 70, and therefore require police and traffic assistance, in addition to installing a node and running the cables down 18 utility poles.

The cost of such work, Comcast had maintained, would not be something that the utility could bear alone, with the utility at the time agreeing to pick up $4,000 of the cost in providing the Costa’s with the $18,000 quote.

However, the utility, after being contacted by this newspaper, left the door open to taking another look at the situation, and said it would provide the Costa’s with an updated estimate once that review changed.

So, what changed from Comcast’s perspective?

“We said we were going to take another look at it, and things kind of do change, business factors, etc., and fortunately for Mr. Costa, some of the factors had changed,” the utility told this newspaper in a phone call.

A further investigation, the utility maintained, found that installation of an

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM additional node was not needed “because of other advancements in our network.” The company, in defending its previous position, maintained that a “full survey” was required to “look at the system” and that a “whole lot goes into” examining the infrastructure to determine the feasibility of extending service, and in this case, it was later found “we didn’t have to build any additional amount of infrastructure.”

“We found we would not need to do that (install a node) and found we could deliver this to him and his immediate neighbors,” said the utility, denying this newspaper’s coverage had anything to do with its decision to change course.

But that is not how the Costas see it, with Sharon Costa pointing out the utility wasn’t willing to budge and it was only after the story came out, did they see movement, while Alex Costa maintained “without your writing capabilities and power as a reporter, none of this would have happened” and that “we thank you for your dedication to local stories – no matter how big or small they are.”

Sharon Costa added, “If it wasn’t for the Pine Barrens Tribune, we would not have gotten this far, and we are very thankful for you.”

Comcast declined to share how much it ultimately had cost the utility to run the necessary wiring and equipment to and on E. Parkway.

During a Nov. 8 Pemberton Township Council session, Alex Costa reported that “finally, after some have been waiting 30 plus years,” the utility was working to connect his street to high-speed Internet, which happened to fall on the day before Costa and his neighbors began enjoying what millions of Americans have had access to all along.

“Waiting 30 years – geez,” declared Township Solicitor Andrew “Andy” Bayer, with Alex Costa responding it is a “very good victory,” with the college student thanking Republican Mayor Jack K. Tompkins, Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel and other local officials, including those on the Pemberton Township Council, for their help and “coordination” and “any contribution they may have had.”

Alex Costa, however, has now made it his mission to continue advocating for those in the township and region still without access to high-speed Internet.

And, in pointing to a recent discovery that there are still other areas of the township without service, including Duck Island Road, which is off the Pemberton Bypass or County Route 530, asked, “What is the township doing for residents that do not have access to that (high-speed Internet)?”

The Pine Barrens Tribune previously reported that Alex Costa had said he had been in contact with The White House, which on June 26, put out a press release, titled, “Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $40 Billion to Connect Ever yone in A mer ica to Affordable,

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Comcast technicians Thomas Manning and Duron Sangster (left) work to connect Alex Costa’s home to the Internet.

Reliable, High-Speed Internet.” The White House called it the “largest Internet funding announcement in history.”

As of June, some 8.5 million households in the U.S. were still estimated by the White House to be without high-speed Internet access.

It is explained in the press release that the Department of Commerce announced funding for each state, territory and the District of Columbia for high-speed Internet infrastructure deployment through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program – “a $42.45 billion grant program created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the Department of Commerce.” Awards, it is noted in the release, range from $27 million to over $3.3 billion, with every state receiving a minimum of $107 million.

The press release contains a link to a federal government website set up specifically to address “Internet for All,” touting the Biden-Harris administration’s connectivity initiative. New Jersey’s allocation of federal dollars for this purpose is $263,689,548.65.

States were to receive their formal notice of allocation by June 30, and were given another 180 days from that date to submit their “initial proposals describing how they propose to run their grant programs.”

Comcast had also previously described that there was al re ady an ex isti ng, available federal funding pool through the Infrastructure Act, in addition to the BEAD program, available that allows the utility to partner with municipalities to bring high-speed Internet access to communities

currently without it.

“After talking with the residents over there (Duck Island Road), I did reach out to Comcast, just like I did after talking with you and visiting your location,” said Tompkins, in replying to Alex Costa’s Nov. 8 query. “He (the area manager) was going to identify it through his channels, and have him come over and take a look at that area and evaluate it. My hope is that after they evaluate it, they will have the same results there as we got with your location.”

Tompkins pointed out that he took Alex Costa’s first phone call on Jan. 4 and “it has taken 11 months to get here,” to finally connect E. Parkway.

“It is a time-consuming process, but if you deal with the government, this actually happened pretty quickly,” the Pemberton mayor declared.

Following the council session, on Nov. 20, this newspaper received a press release from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), headlined, “NJBPU Proposes Plans for High-Speed Internet Equity Grant Programs” and inviting public comment.

T he BPU, it said, is “advanc i ng” Democratic Governor Phil Murphy’s Adm inistration’s “pr ior ity to ensure high-speed Internet access for all of New Jersey” and is seeking public comment on draft plans for two major broadband initiatives: the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Grant Program and the State’s Digital Equity Plan.

“High-speed Internet access has proven See SERVICE/ Page 11

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(Continued from Page 10) to be an essential service that helps deliver educational, professional, and social services and opportunities to thousands of New Jersey residents and businesses daily,” said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, president of the NJBPU. “Ensuring residents, community organizations and businesses engage in how we shape our BEAD and Digital Equity programs is essential to their success. I encourage the public, particularly unserved and underserved communities, to participate in this important opportunity to comment on our plans.”

The release continues that the BEAD and Digital Equity programs are administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the NTIA has delegated primary administration and implementation to states and other eligible entities. The programs, it is added, are “part of the larger Biden Administration Internet for All initiative, designed to reach all unserved and underserved locations across the country, with a focus on equity.”

In pointing to the New Jersey’s award of over $263 million for BEAD, the release continues that “New Jersey’s draft BEAD Initial Proposal Volumes 1 and 2 are largely focused on how to deploy BEAD funding to expand broadband access, with a focus on the state’s unserved/underserved locations challenge process” and that “once finalized, the draft initial proposal will be submitted to the NTIA for further review.”

The deadline for public comment on the draft BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 is 5 p.m. on Nov. 29, it is noted in the release, while the deadline for public comment on the draft BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2 is 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.

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A third form of assistance, Burlington County’s Meals on Wheels program,

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to see all corresponding maps, drawings, and diagrams to Resolution 2023-096, as well as the application it authorizes the township to execute with the NJDOT, but this newspaper was denied access, with the Clerk’s Office claiming that whatever exists in that regard is an “attorney-client-privileged document.”

This newspaper tried taking the matter

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The release then directs the public to https://www.nj.gov/connect/grants/bead to review the draft documents and provide public comment.

It is continued in the release that the Digital Equity Plan, which is part of the Digital Equity Act (DEA), is “focused on marginalized communities with a goal to support economic and workforce development, educational, health and civic and social engagement outcomes.” It is further explained that the DEA established three main grant programs: 1.) State Digital Equity Planning Grant, 2.) the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for implementing State Digital Equity Plans and 3.) the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program for private sector, public sector, and not-forprofit entities to advance digital equity and engage in digital inclusion activities.

The press release also invites public comment on the state plan, setting a deadline for comment by 5 p.m. on Nov. 30. For those wanting to download a copy of the draft and submit comments, they are being asked to visit https://www.nj.gov/connect/grants/ digital-equity .

Alex Costa, when shown a copy of the release and call for public comments, immediately pointed out that it would be very difficult for those who would stand to benefit most from such programs to comment, given they have no Internet connection.

“Sometimes, you have to think about these things,” maintaining it is small details that those who put the release and public comment system in place probably didn’t give thought to, with him believing they probably were in a position of having Internet access for a longtime.

Alex Costa, since the Nov. 8 Pemberton council session, said he has now learned of another area of Pemberton without Internet access – in the vicinity of Quail Run Road, and therefore, will be staying on top of

ensuring Pemberton does what it can to obtain any available funding, if necessary.

“I want to make sure that everyone has access to it,” Alex Costa told this newspaper.

“It is not fair to have some who don’t, and we are here in the 21st Century.”

Pemberton Republican Councilman Joshua Ward, following the Nov. 8 governing body session, said that he has had “several informative meetings in regards to Internet in our community” and spoke to Comcast’s regional affairs manager, and “I am excited to announce that I will be working handin-hand with Mr. Hornickel and Mayor Tompkins, moving forward, to make sure all of the community finally receives Internet” and that “we have several funding outlets available to our community in regards to Internet and the regional manager is going

to work heavily with me, moving forward, to identify areas of Pemberton Township that are missing this vital service.”

Sharon Cost a poi nted out to th is newspaper that “in today’s times, you have to have it” and that “after going thru COVID, it really should have taught everybody something of a learning lesson that these are things you need to have, asserting, “It is not really about cable TV, it is about Internet access itself.”

“Mr. Costa, you thanked a lot of people for Comcast, but the one person you forgot to thank is yourself,” declared Democratic Council President Donovan Gardner of Alex Costa, who brought this topic to everybody’s attention, with the college student, receiving applause, replying, “I couldn’t do it without everyone; we are all a team here.”

delivers five days’ worth of nutritious meals to homebound seniors over 60 years of age in Bass River once a week “so they can simply throw it in the freezer,” noted Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope. But eligible individuals may need help from friends and neighbors in initially signing up for it, the commission members noted, as might others in the community who

are reluctant to participate or unaware of the chance to do so because, as Bourguignon pointed out, they’re not Internet-savvy.

In urging residents to help their neighbors take advantage of such services and even to put together a list of people they knew who might need them, Capriglione likened the township to a family whose members “look

out for each other.”

“This is what I love about this town,” he asserted. “Years ago, if your car broke down, they didn’t tell you to get it off the road, they’d either fix it or get it to your house.”

In regard to the use of the municipal dump, which has been a source of recent controversy,

up with Township Administrator and Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman, in asking if she agreed with the determination of denial of access, but she did not respond as of press time.

The decision by Mayor Michael Mikulski, Deputy Mayor Bill Raftery, Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell and Committeeman Ronald Heston to lend their approval to Resolution 2023-096, or executing the application, drew rebuke from Young, a former township mayor of 25 years, on Oct. 17 – but for a reason entirely different than transparency concerns.

“I feel it is not the township’s position to fight a developer’s battle,” Young declared. “I think the developer should fight his own battle with the State of New Jersey, not us.”

Without the purported existence of the application, this newspaper was unable to ascertain just exactly how this supposedly theoretical application would potentially fight any battle of the developer.

But Mikulski contended, in response to the former mayor and committeeman going on three decades of service to the township, “I

think we are not fighting their battle.”

“We are basical ly author i z i ng the application,” Mikulski said. “They still have to fight their battle. It still has to go to the Planning Board, and just like it does in any other case.”

Prior to Young’s remarks, Mikulski gave little background in trying to explain away what the committee was approving, simply contending it was an “application to the State of New Jersey for a prior ordinance that was passed.”

Photo Provided

The moment Alex Costa’s home was finally connected to high-speed Internet and cable, with Comcast technician Duron Sangster checking the speed.

See VISITS/ Page 13

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY ♦ Page 13

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(Continued from Page 11) Bourguignon reported that the township had finally managed to dispose of all logs and stumps that had been accumulating at the dump, thanks to being able to borrow a new woodchipper from the county and was expecting a representative of the state Department of Environmental Protection to come by in December or January and approve the results.

Other dump-related issues, however, remained unresolved – in particular the problem of higher-than-anticipated bills for removal of trash, much of it building debris, from the site and some residents

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using commercially branded vehicles to deliver their personal trash, such as the owner of one truck who claimed he was being given a hard time for doing that by the individual who supervises the operation (and who, before the meeting ended, engaged in a brief shouting match with another resident who implied he had been involved in illegal dumping, which he vigorously denied).

The situation, warned Keith Abrams Commissioner Capriglione, Lic# 1283 is such that “if we can't get a handle on it, we will end up having to go where no commercial vehicle is allowed in.”

“But that doesn’t mean that someone can go in with a noncommercial vehicle and dump wood (from construction),” he noted, declaring that he finds it “astronomical that we have to pay that kind of money” for the removal of items being deposited there.

When the truck driver contended that “the guys working down there shouldn’t be singling anybody out,” but that “there should be a camera” on the premises for times when there is a problem, Commissioner Capriglione replied, “That’s the direction we’re going in right now,” adding, “We’re in the process of changing the locks and limiting who has the keys, and hopefully, that resolves some of the problems.”

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Another change now underway, according to Bourguignon, is the changing of the dump’s closing times from 5 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 3 to 2:45 p.m. on Saturdays “so if someone comes at the last minute, they’re not hurried to close out their timecard.”

In reporting that the township has just spent $190,000 for its share of the Pinelands Regional School District budget, plus another $88,000 to educate its elementary-school students, who now attend school in neighboring Little Egg Harbor Township, Commissioner Capriglione maintained that local taxpayers “should have some kind of input” on how that money is spent.

(609) 654-6602

NJ Lic. 13VH06395500

“When I was on the board of education, I was always here to give a report,” he said, as was Thomas “Tommy” Willliams, who served as the board’s president prior to his death earlier this year. “I know Mr. Williams did an outstanding job,” he added, and was always in attendance at commission meetings as well.

At the start of the session, Buzby-Cope recognized Planning Board Chairman Russell Bien, who was retiring from the board after having served for more than 25 years, as having been a valued and respected member” of that body and awarded him a plaque for his “outstanding public service.

Photo By Nick Weissmann

Bass River Township Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope, along with township Commissioner Nicholas Capriglione (left) and Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon, recognize Planning Board Chairman Russell Bien on Nov. 5, who is retiring from the local Planning Board after having served for more than 25 years, with the mayor noting that he has been a “valued and respected member” of that body.

Page 14 ♦

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First Baptist Church COME VISIT! We would love to meet you!

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St. Andrew’s Church 121 High St., Mt. Holly MASS: 5 PM Sat. 10 AM Sun. Morning Prayer (M-F) 9 AM on Facebook Office: (M-Th, 8 AM-Noon) 609-267-0225 E-Mail: STANDREWSCHURCHMH@gmail.com Website: WWW.STANDREWSCHURCH-MH.ORG

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Trinity Episcopal Church 18 Mill St. Vincentown, NJ 08088 Worship: Sundays 10 a.m.

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