BOE Approves $135.2 Million Budget

By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL

– Members of the Howell Township Board of Education recently voted to approve a $135,161,913 million budget for the 2023-24 school year.

According to the board, the $135.2 million budget will be supported by $84.4 million in taxes collected from Howell’s residential and commercial property owners.

The budget will be used to operate 12 schools, which have an estimated enrollment of about 5,400 students, according to the school district.

na School, Memorial School, the Newbury School and the Ramtown School.

The two middle schools for grades six through eight are Howell Middle School North and Howell Middle School South.

By Mark Bator HOWELL –

historical figure.

From his birth, the Delaware native moved through the early days of the Colonies’ struggle towards indepen- dence, playing a key role in the events that shaped history.

The State of New Jersey is often tagged as the “Crossroads of the

Revolution” because of the numerous key military battles and the significant figures who walked amongst (Grave - See Page 3)

“She Can Finally Feel Comfort,”

Starving Puppy Rescued From Roadside

By Alyssa Riccardi

as she continues to improve from starvation after being left on the side of the road in Neptune Township.

On May 7, members of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) were called to Monroe Avenue on a report of a found puppy.

The caller told police that around 8 p.m. May 6, the dog was found two blocks away, near the intersection of Bangs and Myrtle Avenues. The caller said he contacted the SPCA the following day when he realized that she was too sick for him to adequately care for her.

The puppy is a tan female pit bull mix estimated to be 8 to 10 weeks old and named “Matilda” by her caregivers.

“We responded to the call and took custody of an emaciated 8-week-old puppy… and what we saw was beyond words. Skin and bones, labored breathing, and unable to lift her head, a puppy we’ve named ‘Matilda’ was on the brink of death,” Monmouth County (Puppy - See Page 4)

The pre-kindergarten through second grade schools consists of the Adelphia School, the Greenville School, the Griebling School, the Land O’ Pines School and the Taunton School.

Schools who have grades three through five are the Aldrich School, the Arde-

In Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement of state aid for all municipalities, Howell School District received a $1.74 million reduction in state aid. For the 202223 school year, the district received $22.34 million, while the upcoming school year they received $20.60 million, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.

“We are in an environment where we are reacting, unfortunately, to budget cuts. It creates a scenario where it’s more about maintenance and defense than it is about advancement

(Budget - See Page 4)

Grave

: Continued From Page 1 the Colonists of what would become the Garden State. In fact, more than 200 armed conflicts associated with the Revolutionary War took place in New Jersey during the American campaign towards independence. But while such individuals as Washington, Jefferson and Franklin are often tabbed as notable names associated with the “Founding Fathers” of the American Revolution, a lesser figure is often left out of the conversation.

Serving to educate the public about this often-overlooked historic figure is the Howell Heritage and Historical Society (HHHS), under the direction and leadership of President Robert Novak and Vice President Ann Malsbury. Much of the information that is known about Richard Howell today comes from their exhaustive search and collections contained within the historic MacKenzie House, which serves as both a museum and headquarters for the HHHS.

On October 25, 1754, Richard Howell was one of two twins born to Ebenezer and Sarah (Bond) Howell. Along with his twin brother Lewis, Richard was one of 11 children that comprised the family, who were farmers of Welsh descent. The family were Quakers, but as the two twins matured into manhood, they became outspoken and active in the movement towards American independence.

The Quaker religion is one of pacifism, where members of the faith are taught to avoid all forms of armed conflict. This presented a moral dilemma for the Howell brothers, and while it is not known what path Lewis ultimately followed, he almost certainly shadowed his brother’s footsteps and chose to eschew his Quaker upbringing to embrace the Episcopal faith.

“Quakers are still anti-war,” said Fred Millner, who serves as the de facto historian of the Trenton Meeting House. “A letter survives from the Clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, sent to all the local meetings, to avoid all possibilities of engaging in conflict with the British. It was dated December 1776, a week before the Battle of Trenton.”

Both brothers were professional men, with Richard becoming a lawyer and brother Lewis, a physician. So, it is all the more remarkable that they would risk their lives and professional statuses to take up armed conflict against the British soldiers on behalf of the upstart Colonial militia.

While the Boston Tea Party is a much more celebrated event in the annals of the American Revolution, there was a similar attack on New Jersey soil, as well. On December 22, 1774, the Howell brothers, along with other Colonial insurgents, dressed as Native Americans and raided the port in Greenwich, New Jersey, destroying tea and property in this small Salem County town. A monument stands in the town commemorating the night, and it is just one of the many events that Howell would take part in on behalf of the push for independence.

If one quality can be ascribed to Richard Howell, it is his ability to seek out and survive danger. He fought as a commissioned officer in the Colonial Army, and was a trusted confidante of General George Washington, implementing the planned campaigns of the Revolutionary War, most notably fighting alongside him at the Battle of Monmouth in 1776.

At Monmouth, Richard Howell survived, but his brother Lewis would not be as lucky. While

Lewis Howell would succumb to the fever that took his life, Richard went on to fight in Pennsylvania at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, both of which inflicted heavy losses on the Colonists.

Howell was encamped during the unforgiving winter at Valley Forge and fought in the surprise attack on the Hessian mercenaries who had been retained by the British at the Battle of Trenton. He also participated in military campaigns in Quebec on behalf of the fight for independence, and as a trusted member of the army he led forces to squash both the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 and Fries’ Rebellion in 1799.

Yet, incredibly, for a man who served the nation in its infancy and cheated death on countless occasions, the exact location of his final resting place remains a mystery.

While he converted to the Episcopal faith, and even served as a vestryman for St. Michael’s Church in Trenton, he is not buried in any grave connected to that faith. Curiously, while he was raised a Quaker, his call to national duty compelled him to find a faith that would allow him to fulfill his desire to help form the new nation. Yet, when he married, he chose to wed Keziah Burr, who was also a Quaker. Burr was a relative of the infamous Aaron Burr, who is perhaps best known for his fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton in Weehawken.

Howell had survived his many military campaigns, the brutal winter at Valley Forge, and avoided the illness which claimed the life of his brother during the campaign at the Monmouth Battlefield. When he left the military he continued to serve, transitioning into a career in intelligence for the young republic his actions helped to establish. He eventually ran for, and was elected as, the third governor of the State of New Jersey, holding the office and being re-elected yearly from 1792 until his retirement in 1801. Howell died the following year at age 48.

“I would assume that when [Howell] died, Keziah followed her own beliefs and had him buried where she was worshipping,” said Millner. “There is no doubt that Richard Howell died in Trenton, and no doubt that his wife, Keziah Burr Howell, was a lifelong Quaker.” This union ultimately helps to unsatisfyingly solve the mystery of the final resting place of Governor Richard Howell within the confines of the Friends Burial Grounds in downtown Trenton.

“It seems to be general knowledge,” said Millner regarding Howell’s gravesite in Trenton. However, the problem with locating the exact plot is complicated by not only the passage of time, but also the lack of preserved records and the humble quality of Quaker burials during that time period. Unlike modern graves which utilize granite or marble for headstones, Quaker graves in the 18th and early 19th Centuries used wood or stone that was easily weathered by the elements. For this reason, many of the markers have been lost to time, and those stones which remain have been worn down to the point where names and dates are illegible, and in some cases, the stones have even sunken into the ground.

Unfortunately, the trail ends at the Friends Burial Grounds in Trenton, where clues, while tantalizing, lead to no concrete conclusion about the exact location of Howell’s gravesite. Perhaps Howell’s grave is emblematic of the man himself, known to exist, yet not fully recognized in his importance to the American Revolution and the establishment of the nation.

Puppy:

Continued From Page 1

SPCA said.

MCSPCA stated that the puppy was rushed to the shelter, shaking and whimpering, and they were unsure if she was going to make it.

“We wrapped Matilda in warm blankets and began IV fluids to try and give this tiny girl some life. Matilda has been min- imally responsive to our care, and she’s still in critical condition but we’re doing our absolute best to keep her comfortable,” MCSPCA said.

On May 10, MCSPCA wrote an optimistic update on Matilda’s condition as she’s been slowly showing improvements.

“As far as our sweet girl Matilda, she is living up to her name ‘mighty in battle’ and is showing small, yet promising, signs of improvement. We’re doing our absolute best to keep this girl on a positive path and we’re so grateful to have all of you behind us, fighting the good fight,” MCSPCA said.

Caretakers have been able to stabilize the dog’s temperature from 97° to a normal 101°. She’s currently being fed small, frequent meals in order not to shock her system since she was severely starved. At fi rst, her blood work wasn’t up to par, but it is now showing improvements.

MCSPCA said Matilda is in foster with other dogs and she just “can’t get enough of them.”

“She absolutely loves to cuddle and has been following them around like a shadow! She can fi nally feel comfort – and she’ll never have to be scared or alone again,” MCSPCA said.

Those who would like to donate to help Matilda, visit: classy.org/give/487872/#!/ donation/checkout.

At this time, authorities are still seeking the person responsible for neglecting Matilda. Anyone with information should contact SPCA investigators at 732-4401539.

Budget:

Continued From Page 1 of the educational process,” said Ronald Sanasac, Assistant Superintendent for Business Administration.

“I’m glad to say with the help of the committee and board, we’re presenting a budget that sustains the excellence of Howell Township,” Sanasac added.

In the budget presentation that was shown at the May 3 BOE meeting, he went over the details such as the budget’s priorities and the challenges the district has been facing. Sanasac said in order to maintain stability, they will continue to monitor and manage debt and other fi nancing, enhance the benefits of ESIP (Energy Savings Improvement Program), continue transportation routing efficiencies, continue to streamline operational functions, and more.

He said the biggest challenge the district is facing is the continued budget cuts.

“In light of the reduced funding, they continue to come up with regulations and rules that are more difficult to follow, more difficult to adhere to, and in my opinion do not necessarily all add to the educational experience,” Sanasac said.

Baxter’s Fishing Derby

HOWELL – Hooked on fishing, not on drugs, Baxter’s Fishing Derby will be on June 3 at Alfred C. Sauer Park at Echo Lake, 1225 Maxim-Southard Road.

Free fishing day for adults and children. Enjoy grad and go breakfast, picnic style lunch. Rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing pole and supplies. Bait: mealworms and night crawlers provided.

Registration and learning stations – fi rst 100 registrations revived drawstring bag: 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Fishing Derby contest: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Trophies, awards, prized: 12:15 p.m.

For more information, contact Department of Community Relations at 732-938-3500 ext. 2106, sfecher@twp.howell.nj.us,