Wealth of Information, Poverty of Answers

May 31, 2026

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Although he Atlantic Highlands Borough Administrator has not yet responded to requests for further information about the opening of a non-profit organization’s activity in the former Mother Teresa School on South Avenue, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer issued information last week to both borough officials and parishioners of the Catholic Parish that an Adult Day Habilitation program will be opening in June.

Caleb Stratton, Borough Administrator in Atlantic Highlands.

Mayor and Council had been questioned at the last meeting about the issuance of permits and approvals for Their Place, a non-profit organization that supports adults and children and families with intellectual disabilities. Fire official Martin Hawley had issued a CO for the premises that meet the requirements of a residence, and building permits have been sought for both a new roof and air conditioning for the school, which has been closed for several years. At the last council meeting, Mayor Lori Hohenleitner had said zoning officer Michele Clark issued the approval for the business without any need for the application to go before the planning board.

Atlantic Highlands Mayor, Lori Hohenlietner

Nicole Appello, the CEO of Their Place, had a full-page letter in the Sunday bulletin for Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes Parish last Sunday identifying herself and the business, and inviting anyone who has a family member with a developmental disability and needs services to reach out to her Intake Coordinator.

Appello, who is the sister of parish business administrator Deborah Appello, said in the letter the facility will be opening in June, and a community day event will be hosted this summer where “you will be invited to meet our staff, enjoy delicious food and beverages and partake in activities.” A similar invitation had been sent to borough officials earlier.

In her letter, Nicole Appello also said she has been coming to the borough for years, “visiting your shops, eateries and marina, “ and said the borough “holds a special place in my heart.” She added “I just know you will love our individuals and program “ and urged “if you see us around town, I encourage you to say hello.”

She identified her Intake coordinator as Christian Guaman and invited calls at 848-334-0716.

Their Place is a licensed 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose information on line from 2024 shows it is 99% Medicaid funded. Appello’s salary as posted for that year is listed as $195,959 inclusive of all compensations.

Residents at the last council meeting questioned whether the new use is a change of use, or is the facility identified as a day habilitation program considered the same use as a K-8 elementary school. The local borough ordinance defines education use as

Public, parochial or private elementary or secondary schools, duly licensed by the State of New Jersey, attendance at which is sufficient compliance with the compulsory education requirements of the state. Summer camps should not be considered as educational uses or accessories to such uses. Duly accredited colleges and universities shall also be considered educational uses.

Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information

CHAPTER 1 LOOMINGS. Call Me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me. There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs—commerce surrounds it with her surf. Right and left, the streets take you waterward. Its extreme down-town is the Battery, where that noble mole is washed by waves, and cooled by breezes, which a few hours previous were out of sight of land. Look at the crowds of water-gazers there. Circumambulate the city of a dreamy Sabbath afternoon. Go from Corlears Hook to Coenties Slip, and from thence, by Whitehall, northward. What do you see?—Posted like silent sentinels all around the town, stand thousands upon thousands of mortal men fixed in ocean reveries. Some leaning against the spiles; some seated upon the pier-heads; some looking over the bulwarks of ships from China; some high aloft in the rigging, as if striving to get a still better seaward peep. But these are all landsmen; of week days pent up in lath and plaster—tied to counters, nailed to benches, clinched to desks. How then is this? Are the green fields gone? What do they here?