The status of the school regionalization question being on any ballot in the future is still a mystery. Matthew Giacobbe, the labor attorney representing the Mayor and Council advised them not to answer any questions at last night’s council meeting. However, administrator Rob Ferragina said anyone with questions should address them in writing to him and he will forward to the attorney for his response.
Last night’s action came on the heels of Monday night’s meeting of the Highlands Board of Education when the acting chair Robin Sanfratello declined to accept any questions on the proposal to put a K-12 regionalization question on the ballot. She told the public the board had been advised in an e-mail last August not to answer any regionalization questions.
The regionalization questions involved the three boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands as well as the mayors and councils of the two towns as well as Sea Bright that does not have a board of education. Sea Bright would like to separate from the high cost of being minority members in the Oceanport and Shore Regional boards of education and join Highlands and Atlantic Highlands in a K-12 district that would use the three schools in those two towns and capable of taking in the approximately 50 Sea Bright students at their respective grade levels.
Giacobbe was on the agenda at last night’s council meeting to give a “regionalization update” but Ferragina announced the attorney had another obligation and would not be there, and so advised the no question edict. Ferragina did not submit any update report that could keep the public informed.
In other business at the meeting the governing body unanimously approved the No Knock ordinance after no one spoke at the public hearing. The ordinance will enable residents to secure signs and post them at their homes if they do not want vendors and other uninvited persons on the property.
It introduced an amendment to the salary ordinance, setting the public hearing for the Oct. 13 meeting. Janice R. Swaggerty was hired as the municipal court clerk and also serves in the same position in Highlands court, which is also held at Atlantic Highlands Borough Hall. The appointment is for three years at $80,000. Ms. Swaggerty, who had been court clerk in Little Silver began the Highlands position with municipal court yesterday and begins with Atlantic Highlands Sept. 26.
Roger Tole was hired as school crossing guard effective immediately at an annual salary of $10,200
Borough employees, police, commission members and other volunteers were all present Tuesday for the unveiling and official dedication of the new community Pollinator Garden located near the Senior Center in the Municipal Yacht Harbor.
In her welcome and opening statements, Green Team Committee chair Ellen O’Dwyer pointed out “this is a noticeable and important achievement in spreading the education on sustainable gardening and the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem. It is particularly significant in light of the fact we are a small borough and designing and accomplishing all the work involved for success involves many volunteers and a sincere interest on the part of the borough leaders. We have been highly successful in both areas,” O’Dwyer said.
The program is funded by the Sustainable Jersey Grants Program and the PSEG Foundation.
“Pollinators are not just honeybees,” O’dwyer said, “but other beneficial insects, birds, and mammals also are helped through the program.”
In addition to attracting pollinators, the plants are mostly native species, all perennials, and deer resistant. The garden will bloom from early spring in red, white, and blue phlox, through summer with a variety of colors, but also yellow and blue signifying Atlantic Highlands, O’Dwyer added.! “It will finish blooming in the late fall, as our Monarch butterflies that we have been raising through an earlier program and volunteerism, migrate south.”
The new pollinator garden has taken environmental improvements to a new level, she continued. Bigger than planned, it has expanded to replace three additional sections of grass that required mowing; with more than 150 perennial plants, shrubs, and grasses, and spanning more than 15 different species, the group has created a diverse habitat, offering not only food and nectar, but habitat as well.
In explaining how the garden will play an important role in the local ecosystem and food chain, O’Dwyer said it will require little maintenance and no mowing; nor will it interfere with pedestrian access to the Senior Center.
The new garden can also be adopted and adapted as a model throughout the borough by residents, with no regard to the size of available space in the areas they would create for a pollinator garden.
Mayor Loretta Gluckstein praised the employees and volunteers at the dedication ceremony. O’Dwyer had pointed out the borough’s Department of Public Works and Harbor crew brought machinery after grass was removed, and provided equipment for replacement of poor soil and, debris, as well as post hole diggers and pickaxes to break through difficult materials by hand since each individual plant required a mini excavation, soil improvements, fertilizer, topsoil and mulch. “By overcoming these difficulties in planting…we have essentially reclaimed the land from the very inhospitable fill upon which the area was built to something usable!,“ O’Dwyer said.
The chair praised all the organizations and personnel involved in the transformation led by the Greem Team, including the borough’s Beautification Committee, Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Commission, and Morgan Spicer, a member of the Environmental Commission and a professional artist who designed artwork for the Team.
Some individuals present at the ceremony and praised included PWS Director Jim Phillips, Harbormaster Lou Fligor, Dan Johnson and his team of half a dozen men, as well as the Atlantic Highlands Garden Club, Historical Society, Wild About Atlantic Highlands, and local residents who turned out to offer assistance wherever they could help.
Wild about Atlantic Highlands member Marilyn Scherfern explained the borough needs 100 individual gardens in order for the borough to be cited as Habitat City by the National Wildlife Federation. In spite of only working for a few months towards this goal, Scherfern said only nine more sites are needed to be recognized before the borough receives its designation. Those interested in creating a Certified Habitat can visit NEW.org/Gardens to learn more about the program.
The completion and opening of this Community Pollinator Garden enables us “to check another box as a Certified Habitat,” O’Dwyer said to the applause of the crowd gathered for the dedicating
An Autumn Harvest Party benefiting the Shrewsbury Historical Society will be hosted at the home of Phil and Rachel Carnes on Sunday, Oct. 23 beginning at 4 p.m.
Historical Society President Donald Burden told members in a recent letter that the Covid pandemic took a serious toll on the fundraising activities of the Society, pointing out that while fund raising efforts were sharply curtailed, utilities and insurance costs continue to be due at monthly as well as maintenance expenses, in spite of volunteer maintenance and attention.
The president is hopeful the Harvest Party will enable members to show their support at a social event at the gracious home of the Carnes and will go a long way towards generating funds necessary to keep the historical society operational.
New members are always welcome into the Society, Burden pointed out, and urged current members to invite their friends to join and participate in the preservation of fascinating eras of interest pertaining to Shrewsbury, its environs and the important of Shrewsbury history throughout Monmouth County and the state.
Tax deductible donations for the Oct 23 event are $50 per person and can be made through VENMO to the Shrewsbury Historical Society or by check mailed to the Society at PO Box 333, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702. All reservations must be complete by Oct. 17.
Given the Highlands School Board of Education acting chair Robyn Sanfratello’s explanation why elected board member Gina Melnyk could not vote on a regionalization question, is it now the proper time to ask whether there are other, more visible, more economy affected conflicts also involved and perceived, but apparently permitted in the regionalization question?
Gina Melnyk, an elected official on the Highlands Board of Education, was told she could not ask any questions on regionalization at Monday’s meeting of the board of education. The reason given is because her husband, Councilman Donald Melnyk is an elected official on the governing body for the town. Mrs. Melnyk was still not allowed to ask questions let alone vote, in spite of the fact her husband recused himself from all regionalization issues on the governing body.
In Atlantic Highlands, elected board member Erin Dougherty quit her position, saying she did so, so her husband, Atlantic Highlands Councilman Brian Dougherty could vote on the regionalization issue. Just because she is no longer there, is he now excused from the conflict? If he votes on regionalization and she then returns to serve as a board official after the vote, given she indicated she quit to let him vote, is that not a conflict?
Atlantic Highlands Councilman James Murphy recused himself from voting in Atlantic Highlands. His wife Mollie, a member of the school board, has not indicated whether she will vote. Yet it appears attorneys have already advised the board she cannot.
Which brings the situation to Dr. Tara Beams, the highest paid person in the tri-district that includes the three schools in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.
She has been the primary spokesman, primary leader, primary intermediary among the school boards and the governing bodies.
It was she who ran a highly educational and well attended regionalization explanation meeting at Henry Hudson Regional School.
It is she who was praised by Atlantic Highlands for being so outstanding in knowing everything there is about regionalization.
It is she who has addressed the many questions and considerable information about $1 million coming into the two towns if Sea Bright is voted into a tri-town regional district. Sea Bright is currently a member of the Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts, with their fewer than 50 students costing their taxpayers more than $50,000 a child to be educated in districts where they only have one or two members representing them on the boards of education. It is because of their unending agreement with those districts that the cost of their students runs so high.
It is because of their union in the Oceanport school district that they had little to say when the board decided their elementary school was too antiquated and had to be demolished, leaving the borough with no schools and a mandate their children attend Oceanport schools.
Given that information, does everyone know the highest paid official in the Henry Hudson Regional District, Dr. Beams, is a resident of Oceanport?
Does everyone know Dr. Beams owns a house in Oceanport that is assessed in excess of $800,000?
Does everyone know Dr. Beams does not send her own daughter to the Oceanport school or Shore Regional, but rather a private school?
Yet Dr. Beams is leading the discussions answering the questions, and advising the three school boards in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands on how and when the regionalization question should go on the ballot for the voters of the towns that if Sea Bright were voted in, would then cost Oceanport taxpayers more money absent the million dollars Sea Bright feeds to the Board for its fewer than 50 students every year.
Farmacie by the French Market, opened its doors Wednesday at 165 Bay Avenue, a new market operated by Nicole Oppelt and Carli Windsor.
Nicole, who grew up and lived in the borough 22 years, now lives in Atlantic Highlands and started in the event planning industry and also owns Dovetail Vintage Rentals in Atlantic Highlands, a business which provides vintage and boutique rentals for weddings and other special events.
Windsor is a native of South Africa who has lived in the United States for 21 years. A resident of Middletown, she also owns The French Market in Rumson and Colts Neck.
The French Market is a gourmet cafe that carries specialty gifts, plants and flowers and caters special events. The proprietors met 6 years ago, working together and collaborating on special events and now own the Highlands business as well as Fleur La Fete Flowers and Events, which will now be located inside Farmacie by the French Market.
Paige Montecalvo will be working with the owners as part of their creative team.
Farmacie by the French Market will enable customers to enjoy a gourmet coffee experience featuring Illy coffee from Europe, along with an abundance of French pastries and gourmet delicacies. Fleur La Fete will specialize in European-sourced, high quality silk flowers for custom faux arrangements, along with an array of home goods, candles and interior design accent pieces.
“We are beyond excited to be a part of the Highlands community. When looking for a home for Farmacie, we wanted somewhere that would transport you and would be an escape” said Oppelt. Windsor added, “Farmacie is a gourmet espresso bar, café and design collaborative with Interior Design accents for sale. We are looking forward to sharing our passion with our new patrons”.
Farmacie by the French Market will be open Monday through Saturday, 7am to 5pm and Sunday, 8am to 2pm. For more information about Farmacie by the French Market visit farmacienj.com or call 848-300-2007.
The Highlands Board of Education once again completed the NJ Department of Education’s monitoring and accountability program and the k-6 elementary school was deemed in compliance as mandated by the state Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tara Beams told the Board of Education Monday night at its meeting.
The superintendent explained the monitoring program is a mandate in all school district every three years with a purpose of ensuring each school is in compliance with all state and federal programs and regulations.
Dr. Beams noted that the Highlands School satisfactorily scored higher than 80 in all five areas monitored and has been rated as high performing. Scores ranked from one 83 percent to three at 100 per cent, achieved in the five areas monitored during the program.
Henry Hudson Regional, which also went through the three year mandated program this year, also passed with a high rating, the superintendent said.
“This is not an award,,” Dr. Beams said, but rather “ a compliance rating and how the Department of Education monitors the effectiveness of school districts.”
– Packed with credentials as a child psychologist, clinical assistant professor at Rutgers University for Family Medicine and Behavioral Health, and post doctorate work both in family medicine and behavioral health care after graduating magna cum laud from the University of Toledo, Margaret Chan, Ph.D., spoke as a mother of two youngsters in the public school on everything she feels is wrong with the new health curriculum the Board of Education approved at its meeting Monday night.
The same approval is anticipated in Atlantic Highlands when that Board of Education meets this week.
Dr. Chan implored the Board not to vote on the curriculum , explaining it was not comprehensive or transparent and was only presented in part to parents and other interested persons late Friday. She asked for a complete syllabus of alternative health assignments and charged the letter to parents of students in the school “appeared curiously deceptive.”
Dr. Chan also objected to only receiving the curriculum posted online after 3 p.m. Friday, saying there was insufficient time to review it as well as it being absent examples of how sensitive health concepts including gender identity, expression, sexual orientation, masturbation, and oral and anal sex would be taught.
Dr. Chan was one of several parents who spoke out against the new curriculum which goes into effect for the school year, with parents questioning why students have to opt out of classes at their parents’ wishes rather than opt in, wondering whether opting out would cause children in the K-6 grades impacted by the new curriculum to feel separated, embarrassed, or insecure because of their parents saying they should not take specific classes.
“It is my professional and expert opinion that elementary school children are developmentally not ready to meet the health performance expectations outlined in a letter sent to 2d,5th, and 8th graders last week. She pointed out in written statements distributed to each of the board members and School Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams that “ They are still in concrete operational stage in brain development…” Concrete thinking is black and white thinking, she told the board.
Many other parents present at the meeting agreed, adding their own comments and questions about who will be teaching the classes…a female teacher in Highlands and a male teacher in Atlantic Highlands since that is how the faculties are comprised at this time, the impact socially with his peers for students who parents opt out of their learning in school about sexual differences, parts of the body, masturbation and similar topics, and why opting in to the classes could be a better option for children in K-6 grades.
However, Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams explained to all parents that the district cannot change state standards and teaching programs, but she assured them that this district is approaching the education conservatively, with no program for Pre-K students, not required by state law, and using the Great Body Shop as one of the educational means for the classes. The superintendent also pointed out that regularly scheduled ‘newspapers,” similar to former Weekly readers are part of the program, using cartoon figures to make learning easier and more educational for young children. Failing to follow the state mandates, she said, could result on the district receiving a poor rating, losing state funding, and other serious changes for a district that does not follow state mandates. “We’re not trying to force you into anything,” Dr. Beams told parents, with parent Brian Phair noting it appears the board is conservative in its approach to the the regulations.
Information received by the parents indicated their opt out decisions had to be made almost immediately, but the board, though appearing willing to extend that deadline in order to give parents more opportunity to revie1w the information and make their decisions took no action and did not ask Dr. Beams to discuss the matter further. The superintendent added, however, it should not present a problem to extend the time for parents to review the information forwarded to them on Friday, but the school would still follow the state mandate. Beams said, “the state guide is the blueprint” for what has to be taught. And “
The superintendent cited the second grade class as an example of teaching the physical characteristics of both genders, and the new regulations continue to teach that, however “we can’t change the state standards.”
Parents also questioned the lack of recess for sixth grade students, with Dr. Beams indicating she was unaware of complaints and she and the principal will look into the program and see if changes should be made.
It was so ludicrous I had to ask the board president to repeat it more than once.
Make no mistake about it, I finally learned, I could not ask any questions during the public portion of the Highlands Board of Education meeting.
How could I make comments if I didn’t know what they were talking about, I asked? A reporter does think of things like that.
But it was clear. Not only could I not ask any questions about anything, but a school board member couldn’t ask any questions about regionalization either!
But that’s another story.
This one is about how I truly was treated differently from everyone else who attended the Highlands school board meeting Monday night.
During the public portion, in response to an announcement it was time on the agenda for the public to speak, before I even gave my name, the board president smiled and said, “You’re limited to three minutes, I’m starting the timer now.” I smiled and said, “I haven’t even given my name yet, is that included in my time.” She smiled, friendly like, but apparently even giving my name was being timed.
I was the only timed speaker the entire night. No one else was told the timer was starting; indeed, though admittedly I don’t see well, it did not even appear from the front row that the egg timer was used for anyone else at all. And several residents, including a Councilwoman, asked questions. But I was denied.
So why couldn’t I ask questions even if I contained them in the three minutes allow?
I read the rules.
I would be allotted a limited time AFTER BEING RECOGNIZED (which to me means giving my name, how else can I be recognized? (oops, that’s a question!)
The rules said the board encourages public participation. But how can you comment on things that were said if you aren’t sure what you heard and need clarification in order to be informed?
The rules said my conduct could cause them not to listen to me. But I only stood, gave my name and address, and asked a question… Not allowed.
The rules said they would not respond to questions about employment, appointment, discipline, prospective or current employees, or “any other matter that may be discussed during a non-public meeting in accordance with NJSA 10:4-12…”
I wasn’t asking about any of those things.
My question, horrors of horrors, had to do with REGIONALIZATION. You know, that’s the same every one of the three boards are supposed to know about, three different Mayors and Council have been discussing and, like the boards, acting on, and councils want to get on the ballot to let the people decide whether we should do it or not.
But nope, I couldn’t ask that question.
Why, you ask? (That’s ok, I welcome questions!) Simple. The board president told me not one, but two attorneys advised the board last August they cannot answer questions about regionalization.
Wait!
You’re supposed to be part of the planning, part of the decision making, representing the people, but I can’t dare ask you a question about it? Is that for real? Is it any wonder there’s been so little communication among all the entities if a private citizen can’t even ask a question about it at a school board meeting?
Is that a violation of the First Amendment?
Do two attorneys have the right to recommend I, or others like me, don’t have the right to ask questions of an elected board?
Does a school board have the right to deny a constitutional First Amendment right because two attorneys they pay well told them I and others like me should not be allowed to ask questions?
All of which begs the questions…
Is it these same two attorneys who also advised a school board member cannot participate in any decision on whether regionalization can be on the ballot simply because her husband is on the Council and has recused himself from any decision making?
Did those two attorneys, or whoever issued that opinion, think it’s okay for a councilman in Atlantic Highlands to vote on regionalization even though his wife, the former school board member, quit her post so he could vote?
There’s another school board member in Atlantic Highlands whose husband is also on Council. Can’t either of them vote either, in the opinions of these two attorneys?
I did hear at the meeting there’s yet another conflict at the Henry Hudson level, though I don’t know a member of that board married to a councilman.
So have we come to the point where paid attorneys are deciding what the First Amendment of the Constitution permits for Americans or anyone who comes into our beloved country?
There’s no doubt many other people asked many other questions after I was denied the right. None was on regionalization I suppose.
Though the Highlands Mayor, who attending the meeting along with two council members because I guess they think all of this discussion is important for the residents to know and learn made some very good points. She wanted to know when the board would be able to figure out its budget and present it to Council? Because Council has a deadline they have to meet in figuring how much of their budget has to be allocated for the school district. If the borough doesn’t get the school board figures in time, council simply won’t have the money to give them to pay their bills since they can’t take it from other accounts.
Not sure she got an answer. I was still struggling over why I was singled out with an egg timer, a warning it was being turned over, and a denial of my right to speak if that speech included a question mark at the end of a sentence.
In spite of councilman Donald Melnyk recusing himself from voting on school regionalization since his wife is a member of the local board, the board of education has also ruled that his wife Gina Melnyk is also not eligible to discuss, let alone vote on any regionalization issue. The issue leaves Highlands absent a vote on both the municipal governing body and the school board of education because the elected officials are husband and wife.
The question also brings up the attorney’ s opinion on who in Atlantic Highlands can talk about regionalization.
Councilman James Murphy has recused himself from regionalization questions, since his wife, Mollie, is a member of the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education.
Councilman Brian Dougherty’s wife, Erin, who was an elected member of the board but quit several months ago, saying she did so because her husband was on the council and would be voting there. Persons at Monday’s meeting also indicated there was yet another conflict at the Henry Hudson Board, but that was not described or identified.
Board President Diane Knox said the board had been advised last August that in spite of the espoused board member’s recusal from voting Melnick was also being recused from her vote on the board, since, in the opinion of not only the local school attorney but also the special attorney retained by the board for the regionalization question said the union still represents a conflict.
Because Knox refused Melnyk the right to ask questions, as well as told the public there are no questions permitted during the public portion of the meeting, (meaning residents are not permitted to question board members or decisions during a meeting), Melnyk refused to share her list of questions and did not ask to ask them during the meeting. The member, however, did not pursue her denial to ask questions, nor did she remind the board as an elected official she had the right to ask questions and represent the inquiries of the public.
Knox indicated that the attorneys had e-mailed the board sometime after their August opinion that regardless of recusal, school board members could not vote on issues when their spouses are members of the governing body. No one explained at the meeting whether mother daughter, father, son, or any other combination other than a husband and wife is considered a conflict by the school board attorneys.
Melnyk was apparently prepared to be denied her right to ask questions saying to Knox, when she was asked a question on regionalization by a member of the public “I knew you were not going to let me talk.” The board member appeared to have a series of questions she was going to ask, but declined to share the questions either during or after the meeting.
Mayor Carolyn Broullon, present at the meeting with two councilman, expressed surprise at the discussion denial, saying she had “never heard of a such a thing before.”
Knox said she had received the message from the attorneys on denying an elected official the right to vote through an e-mail from the attorney after the attorneys and others whom she did not identify … had discussions on the right of elected officials who are related to elected officials on other boards, or whether the board can make a decision refusing an elected member the right to vote even if related to another elected official who is recused from voting on the same issue.
It’s a known fact to everyone in Highlands that The Girls Café is a pretty terrific spot to go for breakfast or lunch. (except Mondays and Tuesdays and those are days you can try some of the other outstanding eateries in a town that has a lot of wonderful places to eat)
But Joseph Majka took it one step further. Joe is a Highlands resident, but he’s also superintendent of the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School district. A smart guy, a pleasant guy, and obviously a guy that recognizes and appreciates a great place like The Girls Café.
So Joe went as far as to send out one of the routine weekend messages to his staff to tell everyone about The Girls Café.
Here is Joe’s take on The Girls Café and why it brought so many out-of-towners to town to try it out themselves.
“Vera and Cathy own Girls Café in Highlands. It is located next to the Driftwood Liquor Store and Bar on Bay. Ave. Driftwood is a story for another day, but suffice to say that in the warmer months the Driftwood Bar gets kicking at 6:30 a.m.! I have been having breakfast with Vera and Cathy since I moved in almost 3 years ago. They grew up in Highlands and are an institution. I usually go a few times a week. I love going because anything goes and it is just a great way to start the day after exercising. They are extremely salty, which I love! There is always something going on and everyone has a great sense of humor. I guess you could call Vera and Kathy my therapists. I leave every time laughing and ready for what will come of each day. They also have a great outside set-up in the summer! If you are jump for a new breakfast experience, visit Vera and Cathy…the salt of the earth, my friends!
Then he added a Steve Martin quote: “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night!”
And when I brought up to Cathy that Joe called them salty, she didn’t miss a beat before responding to me, “Well, of course we are, we’re clammers!.
By the way, though still open five days a week from 6 a.m., the girls are taking an extra hour to rest, so are closing at 1 p.m. instead of 2 p.m. these days, so get your lunch orders in early.
