Other Industries Suggested For Oyster Creek Land

By Stephanie Faughnan

LACEY – A presentation touched on which industries could save the community from the looming economic catastrophe triggered by the imminent shutdown of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

The closure of the nuclear plant has already impacted local jobs and will ultimately have a profound effect on tax revenue. Until 2018, Oyster Creek was one of the largest employers in the county, generating $70 million in wages.

Authorities estimate a tentative completion date of the decommissioning in 2029, with fuel removal to begin in 2030.

A study was performed with an initial focus of maintaining employment opportunities and bringing people into the community to work.

With 18 years on the job, Ashley managing to remain calm and composed under pressure

By Stephanie Faughnan

WARETOWN – From her station in the Township of Ocean’s police department, Ashley

Damodio is one of eight rotating dispatchers answering the telephone when the potential for chaos strikes.

Despite the Ocean

Young Sleuths Train To Solve Murders At CSI Camp

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – A group of 17 students from Ocean County recently found themselves in the midst of a mysterious crime scene at Cattus Island County Park.

As they stumbled upon two lifeless “bodies.” The budding sleuths, ranging from grades 6 to 12, put their detective skills to the test. Notably, the corpses were actually dummies, set up as part of

County Sheriff ’s Office Communications Division initially answering 9-1-1 calls, Damodio recognizes that every telephone ring could a mock crime scene staged at the culmination of a five-day training program.

The National CSI Camp’s course held during spring break allowed students to immerse themselves in the world of crime-solving techniques. Leading the program was Sean Clancy, a retired Captain of Detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s office, who is also the mastermind behind this innovative (Call - See Page 12) signify a caller in distress or need of help.

As a result, her voice exudes a calm and reassuring tone as she

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Alisa Goren, a planner and project manager for BRS Incorporated, identified her company as a small New Jersey-based planning, economic development, environment fi rm that participated in the submittal of the federal grant application.

According to Sonia Martin, an economist with BRS, the study allows Lacey to analyze options to replace some of what it’s losing with Oyster Creek’s closure.

While the 800-acre former Oyster Creek Nuclear Facility stands as the catalyst for redevelopment, other vacant or underused sites throughout the community have also been targeted. These include a 19-acre site adjacent to Exit 74 on the Garden State Parkway at Lacey Road and an 8-acre parcel on the canal in the Forked River Center zone. Additionally, a 68-acre parcel of land across Forked River from the former nuclear plant holds the potential for new jobs within the Lacey Industrial Park.

Goren said that Lacey officials have been in constant contact with Holtec, the plant’s owners, as they go through the decommissioning

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Continued From Page 1 announces her name to the person on the other end of the line.

Damodio, 37, began working as a dispatcher a year after she graduated from Southern Regional High School. A friend told her about the open position, which sounded like it could be a better fit than her job back then.

“I was working at a nursing home as a CNA,” said Damodio. “I really enjoy helping people, but I hurt my back.”

Once hired, Damodio received on-the-job training leading to in-house certification. Three months of sitting with a more experienced worker included reviewing various systems in the local communications center. Four separate monitors in the room contain views of sixteen separate areas throughout the 20-square-mile municipality. Different channels sound off with information throughout the day. An analog clock on the wall conveniently integrates military time into its display.

As part of her training, Damodio said she needed to learn different codes and abbreviations, as well as the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo...). She also mastered communicating by private written chat utilizing a special device.

Dispatchers are crucial in motor vehicle stops, and she said a great deal of emphasis is placed on the significance of supporting officers in the field. For example, she might be asked to check to see if a registration matches a vehicle or search to see if a driver has outstanding warrants.

As she delved deeper into how officers depended on local dispatch, the phone rang at that moment, almost as if to provide a live example. One of the road cops wanted Damodio to determine whether a vehicle pulled over for a routine traffic stop was covered by insurance. The driver vehemently insisted they’d just forgotten to place their updated insurance card in the glove compartment.

The extra step may have stopped the car owner from an expensive tow off the road.

Damodio made some calls and subsequently advised the officer that the vehicle’s insurance was current.

Damodio admitted that even the seemingly simplest of motor vehicle stops puts her on alert. She monitors situations and is prepared to respond quickly to provide backup when necessary. One of her main concerns includes ensuring the safety of the officers – who she readily refers to as her family.

“I worry about them when they’re out there,” she confessed. “If I feel their safety is in jeopardy, it’s that same ‘mom’ feeling you get when they don’t answer you and you’re checking on them. It hits you the same way any time you turn around and can’t fi nd your kid.”

With no prior knowledge of the call volume, her twelve-hour shifts as a dispatcher are unpredictable. The local department handles calls coming in from the non-emergent line and dispatches police and fi rst aid emergency calls from the county’s 9-1-1 system. Fire dispatch is not managed from the local police headquarters.

Damodio’s overall demeanor reflects her many years of experience as she conveys a sense of confidence and competence to the people she encounters through her work.

The seasoned dispatcher instinctively knows that even callers on the non-emergent line may need some handholding over the phone.

The Township of Ocean Police Department serves as a lifeline support system to some elderly members of the community who live alone. Damodio explained that each individual is expected to call every morning and let the dispatcher know they’re okay.

“Some of them try to make a joke of the whole thing,” she said. “They’ll even try to make me laugh by telling me they’re still alive.”

She admitted it’s the unspoken that carries importance with these types of daily tasks. Damodio builds a sense of familiarity with regular callers, and there have been instances where she has dispatched an officer to conduct a wellness check because something felt off. She also calls those who miss their scheduled check-ins and arranges for an officer to visit if there is no response. Dispatchers often serve as the first point of contact for individuals in distress, including those who may be considering taking their own lives. Similarly, calls for help in domestic violence incidents require a high level of sensitivity and quick decision-making to assess the situation accurately and provide the appropriate support.

You can’t hang up on calls like that,” Damodio shared. “I stay on the phone with them until an officer gets there, and we hopefully keep someone from hurting themselves or getting injured as part of a domestic.”

Multi-tasking is a critical skill for dispatchers who must juggle numerous responsibilities simultaneously. Not only do they need to swiftly and efficiently handle incoming calls, but dispatchers are also expected to gather information, coordinate responses, and communicate with emergency personnel.

The biggest challenge is managing to remain calm and composed under pressure. While the term “dispatcher” is commonly used by the general public to refer to the person who takes initial calls for assistance, some prefer the alternate job title of “communications operator.” With 18 years of experience in coordinating calls, it’s no surprise that Ashley Damodio’s role has evolved into that of Communications Supervisor.

Her dedication to her job also earned her recognition as the local community’s 2021 Civilian of the Year award.

“The civilian of the year is chosen by our officers and our supervisors,” said Police Chief Michal Rogalski when the award was presented at a local government meeting last year. “They each get a vote, send it to my office, and that’s how we make the selection.”

While Damodio never had the chance to review the notes leading to her award, one thing seems clear. The seasoned dispatcher’s approach to handling emergency and non-emergent calls speaks volumes about her unwavering dedication to her pledge to help others in their time of need.

Land

: Continued From Page 1 process. The spotlight is on understanding the timeline and determining appropriate areas for reuse.

Among the site’s reuse considerations is renewable energy generation, industrial development, recreation, or a research and development facility.

“The site at the Garden State Parkway currently has residential zoning in the back and office/commercial zoning along Lacey Road,” shared Goren. “It’s a really great opportunity because of its access to the Garden State Parkway and the connection into the town and the shore.”

According to Goren, the area along the canal is currently underutilized. A closeddown business and restaurant could represent a great opportunity with the expansion of the industrial park or Oyster Creek revitalization. There is potential for a mix of residential, commercial, and civic uses in a walkable, village-like environment.

Goren said that mall businesses within industrial parks provide a significant multiplier effect in local communities and offer further expansion opportunities.

Manufacturing, processing, and assembly operations are among the suggested uses for the industrial park. Warehousing and distribution facilities, trucking terminals, and transportation facilities represent additional considerations.

“We’re looking at the health of the industries themselves,” Martin emphasized. “And, how that ties to the health and growth of employment in each of the sectors.”

“It’s not just the number of jobs,” said Martin. “We also want to make sure they’re good, well-paying jobs, and that they’re not something where the demand for what they produce is already being satisfied in nearly surroundings.”

A little under 40 people listened to the presentation live and offered their input on the analysis. More than one person commented that retail appeared to be a low priority in the prospective plans.

Lacey resident Ron Martin said he’d participated in a prior conference call when

Vintage Postcard Display

LACEY – All are welcome to join the Lacey Historical Society for a special postcard exhibition at their monthly meeting May 1 at 7 p.m. A brief history of postcards will be discussed. There is no fee for this program, and you are welcome to display your own collection. Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m.

Historically, postcards were a reasonable, quick and easy way to keep in touch. Many are so lovely they can be considered art. The Society meets at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 126 South Main Street, (Route 9) in Forked River. They are located behind Mrs. Walker’s Ice Cream Shop. Email questions to Laceyhistorical@gmail.com.

the presenters identified Lakehurst as a community experiencing growth with different opportunities related to the defense department. Goren confirmed this was another industry the planners intended to explore for the local municipality.

“I was impressed by the presentation and how BRS is working to identify industries that would be a good fit for Lacey,” said local community member Paul Dressler. “They’re trying to move the town to a place where everybody would want to live.”

The study was predominantly grant funded.

Just over a year ago, the federal government approved a $160,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for an Economic Adjustment Assistance project to support the local municipal- ity in developing and executing strategies to adapt and revitalize its economy after experiencing structural damage to its underlying economic base.

The funding, matched by $40,000 of local investment, is intended to aid communities affected by nuclear plant closures under a program known as the Nuclear Closure Community Economic Development Plan.

“Approximately 18 months ago, we applied for the economic development grant as a municipality with a closing nuclear plant,” shared Veronica Laureigh, Township Administrator. “At that time, there were only two towns in the country that qualified for this grant to do a study on how to replace the economic loss that we could face with Oyster Creek no longer operating.”