It's hard to deny that we live in a world where health issues seem to be increasingly common. From allergies that baffle doctors to chronic pain that never seems to go away, it's no secret that many individuals struggle to maintain good health. Respiratory issues, reproductive complications, and other conditions add to the mix, making it clear that we're all susceptible to some kind of malady.
Unfortunately, many modern doctors still believe that throwing pills at the problem or scheduling surgery is the best way to provide long-term relief. While certain serious conditions can warrant such extreme treatments, a large percentage of Americans are looking for something far less harmful and much more holistic. They're looking high and low for a reliable, well-studied solution that doesn't require time off work or sketchy pain medications.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, one of the most effective and exciting treatments we've seen work for such patients is acupuncture in Holmdel, NJ - a modern take on an ancient treatment that has been used for thousands of years.
If you're new to holistic healing, acupuncture may seem intimidating. You might be wondering how needles pressed into your skin could possibly make you feel better. Wouldn't someone pushing a needle into your back be painful? As it turns out, acupuncture is far from painful and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after treatments for chronic pain and for regulating issues relating to:
In fact, acupuncture has been studied and practiced for over 2,500 years and, more recently, has been researched and supported by many scientific studies. While acupuncture may not be a "miracle" treatment for every type of pain or condition, it has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
Acupuncture is a therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that aims to balance the body's energy, called qi, which flows through pathways called meridians. This balance is crucial for overall wellness, as disruptions to qi can lead to health concerns. According to TCM, inserting small stainless-steel needles into specific points called acupoints along the meridians can help rebalance the flow of qi and restore overall health.
These acupoints are believed to release certain chemicals when stimulated, which can trigger an immune response and promote physiological homeostasis. Recent research suggests that this therapy may help alleviate symptoms of various health ailments.
In fact, the National Institute of Health conducted a survey on complementary health approaches, revealing that acupuncture usage in the United States has increased by 50 percent between 2002 and 2012. As of 2012, 6.4 percent of American adults have reported using acupuncture as a form of treatment.
One of the most common questions from new patients interested in acupuncture typically revolves around whether it really works or whether it's all "new age" malarky. We get it - for most folks, the thought of inserting stainless-steel needles into one's back, arms, or neck sounds loony. However, with the ever-increasing popularity of acupuncture in New Jersey and other locations, numerous studies centering on acupuncture's effectiveness have taken place.
Extensive research has been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions. A February 2022 analysis published in the BMJ, which evaluated over 2,000 scientific reviews of acupuncture therapies, revealed that acupuncture's efficacy is strongest for:
Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is most effective for pain relief in cases of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and tension headaches. Additionally, a review of 11 clinical trials found that acupuncture may also alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment, as noted by the NIH.
When meeting with your acupuncturist for the first time, they will discuss your condition with you before conducting a physical examination to identify areas of your body that might respond to acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture are incredibly thin, sterile, and disposable, with your acupuncturist inserting them at different depths ranging from a fraction of an inch to several inches.
Acupuncture needles are less painful than medical needles used for vaccines or blood draws. This is because acupuncture needles are thinner and solid, not hollow. During the treatment, you may experience some muscle sensations like dull aches or tingling.
Your practitioner will ask you to report any deep heaviness or numbness, which are positive signs that the treatment is working. Depending on the condition you're treating and the supplemental treatments you're undergoing, like physical therapy, acupuncture needles will remain in place for several minutes or up to 30 minutes.
Once your first acupuncture treatment is finished, it's normal to feel extra relaxed and calm. For that reason, some patients like to arrange for a ride home after their first or second session. With that said, you shouldn't experience much pain at all, and it's quite possible for you to return to work after acupuncture.
This is another common question that we get at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness. The simple answer is, "It depends." While we understand that that's not a satisfying answer for some, it's important to understand that every patient is different. Everyone has different bodies and, by proxy, different bodily conditions and issues that need to be addressed.
During your initial consultation at our office, your licensed acupuncturist will go over your needs and goals as it relates to acupuncture therapy. Once your therapist has a good sense of the scope of your needs, they can give you a loose idea of how many sessions you'll need.
Generally speaking, most patients have appointments once a week. Others may require more or less frequent sessions. It's important to note that the full benefits of acupuncture may not be immediately evident after the first or even the second session. It's common for normal patients to undergo up to five treatments to realize the full benefits of acupuncture.
There's no question that acupuncture is more popular than ever as a non-invasive, non-addictive way to reclaim balance and well-being. But what types of conditions can this traditional therapy help alleviate in the modern world? Advances in acupuncture techniques and applications have resulted in some very promising benefits.
Did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis? In May 2017, a meta-analysis was published, which studied approximately 18,000 patients with chronic pain, such as low back, neck, and shoulder pain, knee OA, and headache or migraine. The analysis found that the benefits of acupuncture therapy in reducing pain lasted for more than 12 months.
That's wonderful news for athletes and other people who push their bodies daily to accomplish goals or bring home money for rent and bills. In fact, many medical experts consider acupuncture as a viable option for managing chronic pain in conjunction with traditional methods like physical therapy and chiropractic care. The idea behind this approach is that acupuncture may trigger the body's natural healing response to alleviate pain.
When a licensed acupuncturist in New Jersey inserts an acupuncture needle, it penetrates your fascia, a connective tissue that wraps around your organs and muscles. Like a slight tickle on your arm, your body realizes that something is happening and responds by delivering lymph fluid, blood, and other important nutrients to speed up healing in affected areas like your knees, back, neck, joints, and more.
If you're like other people who suffer from migraines, you know that once one of them hits, it can be next to impossible to function properly throughout the day. Fortunately, acupuncture in Holmdel, NJ may be a viable solution if you have to endure migraines often.
A study conducted in 2009 by the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich analyzed 11 studies involving 2,137 patients who received acupuncture treatment for chronic tension-type headaches. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could be an effective non-pharmacological solution for frequent headaches.
The study compared the effects of acupuncture sessions with sham acupuncture and no treatment at all. Both groups that received acupuncture treatment, whether needles were placed randomly or strategically, reported a reduction in headache symptoms, while the control group reported no change. The group that received real acupuncture treatment also reported a decrease in the number of headache days and intensity of pain in a follow-up survey.
For individuals who struggle with insomnia and other sleep disturbances, acupuncture is a promising therapy. Although sedatives are commonly prescribed for insomnia, long-term use can lead to negative side effects such as dependence and excessive drowsiness.
A study conducted on 72 participants and published in Sleep Medicine in 2017 found that individuals who received acupuncture three times a week for four weeks experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and anxiety compared to those who received sham acupuncture.
Similarly, a review of 30 randomized, controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective in improving sleep quality and daytime functioning than sham acupuncture.
While many patients choose acupuncture as a way to avoid surgery altogether, those who need surgery also use it for improved recovery. Because, at the end of the day, recovering from surgery is no easy feat. Patients may experience various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain around the incision, restlessness, sleep troubles, constipation, and sore throat.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, healthcare providers may use acupuncture as a way to alleviate some of these symptoms and help with healing. A study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies in January 2017 involving 172 participants found that patients who received acupuncture after surgery reported significant improvements in sleep, anxiety, pain, fatigue, nausea, and drowsiness.
Did you know that supplementing physical therapy with acupuncture and vice versa can have profoundly beneficial effects for patients in New Jersey and across the country? If you're like most, chances are you didn't.
The truth is that acupuncture and physical therapy have both been proven effective in reducing pain and inflammation. While many people view them as separate methods, combining the two modalities can produce a synergistic effect that enhances pain relief and delivers long-lasting benefits to patients.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
To effectively reduce pain and treat tissue injury, a combination of acupuncture and physical therapy can be very helpful. Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and release muscle tightness and trigger points, allowing the patient to better receive manual therapy or exercise-based physical therapy techniques. In doing so, acupuncture can actually create a window of time that allows your body to respond better to other treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, such as physical therapy and chiropractic care.
There are many benefits of combining physical therapy with acupuncture in Holmdel, NJ, including the following:
You may be wondering, "Are there any studies showing these benefits?" As it turns out, there are many. One such study, published on the NIH's website, was conducted on patients suffering from frozen shoulder.
Patients who received acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in pain, while those who underwent physical therapy saw an improvement in range of motion. However, the best outcome was observed in patients who received a combination of both treatments, with reduced pain, increased their range of motion, and improved quality of life. This study highlights the potential benefits of using acupuncture and physical therapy as complementary treatments for frozen shoulder.
It makes sense, then, that people from all walks of life are combining acupuncture with chiropractic treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, including:
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, our doctors, practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapist specialize in a range of therapies and treatments. Much like physical therapy and acupuncture, combining chiropractic care with acupuncture therapy gives patients a new way to reclaim their mobility, reduce chronic pain, and maintain a healthy quality of life.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture in Holmdel, NJ are natural healing practices that don't rely on drugs to improve the body's health. They focus on correcting imbalances in the body's structural and supportive systems, promoting natural healing, and ultimately leading to better health. These practices have a proven track record of helping patients improve their quality of life and overcome physical difficulties.
Integrating chiropractic and acupuncture as a dual-modality treatment offers the most efficient solution for removing blockages from the body, promoting balance, and accelerating healing. Rather than using these treatments sequentially, a combined approach allows for maximum benefits at one time.
Chiropractic targets subluxations in the nervous system through manual adjustments, facilitating the central nervous system to promote healing, while acupuncture removes blockages that may hinder the body's internal balance. Together, these treatments work synergistically to optimize energy flow and restore harmony in the body.
When our physical well-being becomes imbalanced, and our innate healing mechanisms are compromised, illnesses can manifest. The integration of acupuncture and chiropractic practices can effectively address a wide range of health conditions that they individually target, such as:
Curious if combining chiropractic care or physical therapy with acupuncture is right for your body? The best way to find out is to make an appointment at our sports rehab clinic in New Jersey. Once our team of medical professionals has a chance to evaluate your conditions, we can explore the best options to provide the most relief in the shortest amount of time possible.
New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness consists of a team of athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other professionals. We're very proud and passionate about caring for our patients, many of whom are suffering from debilitating conditions like back and neck pain, plantar fasciitis, sports-related injuries, and more. If you're trying to get on the road to pain relief and recovery, acupuncture may be the non-surgical solution you need to reclaim your life. Contact our office today to learn whether this exciting treatment is right for you.
By Jeanne Wall Last UpdatedJuly 4, 2023 at 8:37 PMOh the places they will go...HOLMDEL, NJ: In a beautiful outside ceremony, on the evening of June 20, on Holmdel High School's Bob Roggy Memorial Field, the 2023 Graduates took the stage one-by-one to receive their well-earned diplomas!The processional was accompanied by the Holmdel High School Band, John Koryat Director. The welcome address and introductions were delivered by HHS Principal, Dr. M...
By Jeanne Wall
Last UpdatedJuly 4, 2023 at 8:37 PM
Oh the places they will go...
HOLMDEL, NJ: In a beautiful outside ceremony, on the evening of June 20, on Holmdel High School's Bob Roggy Memorial Field, the 2023 Graduates took the stage one-by-one to receive their well-earned diplomas!
The processional was accompanied by the Holmdel High School Band, John Koryat Director. The welcome address and introductions were delivered by HHS Principal, Dr. Matthew Dakota, and the Flag Salute and National Anthem by Brandon Cheng. Board of Education President Peter Reddy delivered inspiring and congratulatory words to the class of 2023.
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Guests were met with the lovely sounds of the Choral Presentation with Isabella Moitoso, and the Holmdel High School Chorus, with Katrina Roberts, Director. The chorus later performed a beautiful version of the Irish Blessing:
WATCH VIDEO: Holmdel High School Chorus performs the Irish Blessing as a send-off to all of the 2023 HHS graduates:
The welcome address was provided by SAB President; Olivia Kwan. Anthony Marzano announced the senior awards, Elina Patel delivered the Valedictorian Address, and the Salutatorian Address was given by Jacqueline Shen. The Yearbook Presentation was made by Rylley VandeWettering and the Presentation of the Class of 2023, was delivered by Dr. Matthew Kukoda. Superintendent; Dr. Scott Cascone delivered an inspiring message to the graduates and guests.
Then the moment all were waiting for; Dr. Matthew Kukoda delivered the diplomas to the graduates, followed by the Farewell Address and Tassel Ceremony presented by Senior Class President; Trinity Han. As the graduates processed from the ceremony, the pink sunset set the backdrop with hopes for a rosy future for all! The following is a list of the many great places the Holmdel High School 2023 Graduates are off to next! BIG Congratulations to all from TAPinto Holmdel!
The 2023 Holmde High School Graduates:
*Denotes National Honor Society
Laney Abbes
Joseph Michael Aiello
Anthony Aloia
Denise Elizabeth Aquilano
Andrew Thomas Arredondo
Danté Christian Babek
Matthew Baker*
Raymond Thomas Baker
Christian Joseph Baratta
Alexandra Theresa Bauman *
Amelie Baveja
Marissa Behal*
Jared Spencer Beinhacker *
Madalyn Jordan Beinhacker *
Sofia Beylin
Taylor Rose Bielan *
Olivia Skylar Blasiak *
Boris Blyakhman
Matthew Luca Bodnar
Arielle Borges *
Michael Thomas Bracero
Allan Breslov
Kayla Bunsee
Anthony Buonocore
Paul Burakov
Brianna Skye Cabunag *
Isabella Josephine Campo *
Kai Campuzano
Connor James Capaci *
Fiona Isabella Ceka
Timothy Chau
Kaitlyn Chen *
Xu Chen
Brandon Harry Cheng *
Rachel Chertok *
Kaitlyn Kai-Ling Chien *
Elliot Minsuk Chun *
Brendan Ronald Cieplensky
Class of 2023
Danielle C Contafio *
Sandra I Contafio*
Domenica Conti*
Thomas Blaise Coppola, Jr
Dean Wyatt Corneiro *
Steven Cornelio*
Anna Countouroudas
Dominick Joseph D'Amico
Praneeth Sai Damarla
Mia Eve Dasaro
Drea Desatnick
Angelo DiCostanzo
Antonio DiCostanzo
Marc Anthony Dietz
Olivia Wilk DiSaverio*
Lainie Elizabeth Doran *
Alisa Dovgopol
Ethan Duborg
Kayla Arielle Edison
Mohamed Elmesei
Yusef Elsafadi
Qusay Elsakr
Madelyn Nicole Fanelli *
Emma Louise Feighner
Julia Fernandez,
Robert Ferro *
Simon Alexandre Fidalgo
Aidan Michael Field
David Fiorito
Michael Joseph Fiorito
Sarah Beth Friedman*
James Allan Garcia
Sabin Ghimire
Scott Andrew Gilbert
Augustus Matthew
Urbanski Giller *
John T Giordano
Ilan Lawrence Golden
Justin Gorzelnik
Timothy Haggerty
Ryan Matthew Hammer *
Trinity Han*
Liam Robert Hansen
Carly Harris *
Andrew Charles Harrison *
Christopher Lee Hayduk
Stephen John Hayduk
Brydon W Hayes
Alex Chase Hendrickson *
Ava Francesca Hernando *
Julia Hood*
Heather Huang*
Aidan Hynes
Colin Hynes
Joyce Ibrahim
Daniel Ivanushkin
Ella Rebecca Jennings*
Emma Jiang
Christine Alexandra Jipescu
Brooke Ashley Jorgensen *
Kiera Mary Joyce *
Gabriella Kaffl
Christian Alexander Kalb
Justin Gabriel Kaminski
Jeffrey Paul Kelley
Ryan Joseph Kennedy*
Anwita Ketha
Zoe Isabella Khachaturian *
Adam Khadr
Usman Khawar
Michael H Kidwell
Ryan Komosinski
Ivan Konchakovskiy
Kate Lynn Koval
Daniel Kushnir
Olivia Kwan*
Dylan Hunter Lagana
Leonardo Lamberti
Christina Maria Lambrou
Margaret LaMountain
Paris Laster
Afia Lateef *
Aidan Lawlor *
Rachel | Lee "
Kaydance Abigail Lempert*
Jasmine Evianita Levinsky
Ryan J D Lopez
Alexandra Loucopoulos *
Elysium Lee Luciano
Jacques Pierre Lucien
Daniel Peter Lynch
Shayne Marione
Caroline Martinez
Anthony Marzano *
Eva Master
Erin Beverly Maurer
Reece Raymond Maurer
Tierney Lee Maurer
Mason John McCarthy *
Jaden McClarnon
Charles McGill
Samantha Miele
Jake Miller
Isabella Moitoso *
David Mord
Angelina Moschetta
Farida M Moustafa*
Angelina Nadi *
Amanda Elle Nash *
Grace Naughton
Faiz Ali Nazeer
Jakob Nied
Jonathan Nolan *
Alexei Christopher Novojilov
Dale M O'Beirne
Robert Anthony O'Hanlon
Matthew Walter Panagoda
Sofia Papalia *
Elisa Papraniku
Elina Patel *
Amelia Jane Petretti
Emry Phothimat *
Emily Piccione
John Michael Podesta, Jr. *
Drew Pollock *
Sophia Rose Prestigiacomo
Luke Daniel Pruscino
Anarosa Raffaella Quinto
Zachary Rabkin*
Merriam Rafla *
Jake Rainess
Andrew Reddy*
Amanda M Rice *
Matthew Alexander Robbins
Gianna Rutigliano *
Jacob Samardin
Alexandra Bená Schaul *
Ethan Samuel Scheinman
Elizabeth Schmitt
Juliana Schmitt
Tiffany Sciandra
Callum Serbetci
Mira Shah *
Ammar A Shaker
Marissa Ingrid Shapiro *
Denys Shebitchenko
Maxwell Elliot Shekoff
Jacqueline Shen *
Michelle Sherman *
Avani Shinde *
Michelle Marie Shlivko *
Kaylyn Sidhu *
Nicholas Jude Siebel
Kaan Bekir Sisman
Eric Matthew Socha
Mia Carmella Sperduto
Cassandra Stanyek *
Samantha Stanyek
John William Caesar Steele
Erica Ashley Stolker
Riley Nicole Svenson
William Joseph Szilasi*
Lance Takhtaganov
Avery Diana Tatro *
Andrew Tesler +
Nithya A Thalasila
Alex Tobengauz*
Lauren Elisabeth Todd *
Jeremy Topel *
Jack Edward Tufaro *
Trey Lawrence Tulenko
Giyas Umarov
Abigail Rose Umbrino *
Gabrielle Elizabeth Uskach *
Sophia Vallone*
Coleman Jude VandeWettering
Rylley Emma VandeWettering
Gregory Eric Vervoordt*
Nihal Walia
Madison Anne Way
Tiffany Wen*
Benjamin Christian Wong *
ladyn Emily Wong
Jared William Wong
Maxwell E Woodward*
Laina Shu-Yu Yiu *
Samantha Youssef *
###
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Thank you for reading TAPinto Holmdel and Colts Neck. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today here. Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email jwall@tapinto.net Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
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To applause and thanks from the public, Holmdel Township Committee voted Tuesday to begin appraisal of the Crawford Hill antenna property. HOLMDEL, NJ — The Holmdel Township Committee voted to approve resolutions Tuesday night that will begin the process of acquiring the 43-acre Crawford Hill property, home to the historically significant Horn antenna.Mayor DJ Luccarelli told the assembled residents that what so many have sought - the protection and preservation of an antenna that was used in research to confirm the ver...
HOLMDEL, NJ — The Holmdel Township Committee voted to approve resolutions Tuesday night that will begin the process of acquiring the 43-acre Crawford Hill property, home to the historically significant Horn antenna.
Mayor DJ Luccarelli told the assembled residents that what so many have sought - the protection and preservation of an antenna that was used in research to confirm the very creation of the universe - "makes sense."
The action is "not taken lightly," he said, but it is the start of a process that will enable the township to keep safe a "unique property," and ensure the National Historic Landmark status of the Horn antenna, intrinsic to Crawford Hill for decades now.
Responding to a "ground swelling" of public opinion and fulfilling the open space imperatives of the township Master Plan, the committee decided to put forth the resolutions. Crawford Hill Resolutions 2023-168 and 2023-169, as listed on the agenda, were both unanimously approved.
Resolution 2023-168 authorizes appraisal for "potential condemnation and acquisition of Crawford Hill property. (Pages 61-67 of the agenda.)
Resolution 2023-169 "modifies past authorizations of redevelopment investigation." (Pages 68-70 of the agenda.)
The Crawford Hill site at 791 Holmdel Road is owned by a private developer who is considering a townhouse project there - a plan that has met with much opposition from land use and historic preservation groups concerned about the landmark Horn antenna.
An appraisal of the site is the first step in coming up with a good faith offer for the property to present to the owner, Rakesh Antala of Holmdel, said Township Attorney Michael L. Collins. Antala in 2021 purchased the property from Nokia, which acquired it from Bell Labs.
A vacant Nokia building is on a smaller lot adjacent to the antenna site. The blighted building is still part of a redevelopment study by the township, Collins said, noting that "redevelopment" in this context does not imply any specific plans for it.
Once an offer for the entire property (both lots) is presented, there is a set time for the offer to be considered by the other party. Depending on the negotiations, the township can ultimately exercise its right of condemnation, Collins said, which would then involve Superior Court proceedings.
But matters are far from that point yet.
Tuesday night's meeting was a cause for celebration. Several speakers thanked the committee and Luccarelli said the Township Committee was "excited" about the step.
Ralph Blumenthal, a leader in environmental issues in the township and part of a coalition that urged the preservation, thanked the committee and suggested it consider working with Monmouth County Parks to seek funding toward the acquisition. He also said the county can offer guidance for the site's reimagining as a park and educational center.
"We all hope for an incredible park in Holmdel," he said.
The Horn antenna was built by Bell Labs on this highest point of land in Monmouth County and was used in satellite research there.
That research took on a broader significance when the antenna detected background cosmic microwave radiation, providing "irrefutable evidence" of the Big Bang Theory of the creation of the universe, the township notes in Resolution 168. This was Nobel Prize-winning research, and the antenna was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1978 for their work at the Horn antenna.
Wilson still lives in the township, and he was at the meeting Tuesday night - in part to cheer on the Satz School Technology Students Association, whose members were recognized at the meeting.
One resident who addressed the committee remembered meeting Wilson.
She said she has long supported the preservation of the Horn antenna, and she and her family would celebrate the winter or summer solstice there.
One day she met Wilson at the site - a unique opportunity for "my little family" to experience living scientific history, she said.
So the action Tuesday by the Township Committee was profound to her.
"This is the single greatest act," she said, in Holmdel government history. "It's so huge; it's so beneficial," she told the committee members.
To read more about the resolutions and more history of the site, see this recent Patch article.
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Holmdel Township is preparing to acquire the property where the Horn Antenna, which confirmed the Big Bang Theory, sits -- even through eminent domain.The township committee unaninomously approved Tuesday night:The resolution and two ordinances will have a public hearing on Aug. 22.“I am excited that we took further steps towards preserving the Crawford Hill property and the Horn Antenna,” said Mayor DJ Luccarelli. “Holmdel voters overwhelmingly supported increasing funding to the Trust Fund. We are now...
Holmdel Township is preparing to acquire the property where the Horn Antenna, which confirmed the Big Bang Theory, sits -- even through eminent domain.
The township committee unaninomously approved Tuesday night:
The resolution and two ordinances will have a public hearing on Aug. 22.
“I am excited that we took further steps towards preserving the Crawford Hill property and the Horn Antenna,” said Mayor DJ Luccarelli. “Holmdel voters overwhelmingly supported increasing funding to the Trust Fund. We are now looking to responsibly use the Trust Fund to complete an historic property acquisition that would benefit Holmdel for generations to come.”
The township must engage in “bona fide” negotiations with the owner of the property before it can move to eminent domain.
It hired a company in June to appraise the property and an Aug. 3 report provided by the company determined that the value of the property is $1.92 million.
The home of the Horn Antenna has been the subject of concern among residents since it was purchased last year for $3.7 million by Crawford Hill Holdings.
The Horn Antenna, which recorded a hissing sound on May 20, 1964, was used to confirm the Big Bang. Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias, former Bell Labs physicists, earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1978 for their work.
The antenna, which was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1988, sits on the former site of Bell Labs, which became Alcatel-Lucent and later Nokia.
Three local groups – Citizens for Informed Land Use, Friends of Holmdel Open Space and Preserve Holmdel – started a petition in December 2022 to make the property a public historic landmark and park. It has more than 9,713 signatures.
“As indicated in the resolution authorizing the appraisal back in June, there has been ‘a ground swelling of public support’ of the Crawford Hill property at meetings of the Township Committee, through electronic submissions and other outreach from residents,” said Kin Gee, editor of Better Holmdel. “It is wonderful that Mayor (Domenico) Luccarelli and the Township Committee heard the public voices to save the historic Horn Antenna and to preserve the surrounding area as a public park.”
The owner of the site, meanwhile, says the condemnation of the property will cost taxpayers millions and increase property taxes.
Besides the historic significance of the Horn Antenna, Crawford Hill is one the most desirable properties in Monmouth County because it’s located in the middle of one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Holmdel, it is the highest point of Monmouth County providing remarkable views of Raritan Bay and Manhattan, and its within walking distance of The PNC Bank Arts Center and Park and Ride, the developer says.
“How do you assess such a unique site,” Rakesh Antala, a partner in Crawford Hill Holdings, said in a press release. “What price do you put on that? $10 million? $20 million? $50 million?”
Antala says the township should have hired an appraiser who specializes in historic landmarks.
“The appraisers must consider many factors, including the site’s historical significance, condition, uniqueness, and market comparable properties,” he said.
Crawford Hill Holdings has said that the Horn Antenna is not and never was at risk and that it would remain open to the public.
“Misinformation has been deliberately spread about our intentions from the start,” said Antala. “Put aside the irrational fears, shut off the political posturing. We want nothing more than to have honest negotiations with the town officials and open-minded residents.”
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As part of a continuing NJ Natural Gas regulator project in Holmdel, a portion of Holmdel Road is slated to be closed on July 5.HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel Road, between Roberts Road and Route 520, will be closed on Wednesday, July 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., as part of the continuing NJ Natural Gas regular project - a project being contested by the township.Police say that, while traffic cannot pass through the work zone, businesses on Holmdel Road are still accessible.Businesses on the north side can be accessed from R...
HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel Road, between Roberts Road and Route 520, will be closed on Wednesday, July 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., as part of the continuing NJ Natural Gas regular project - a project being contested by the township.
Police say that, while traffic cannot pass through the work zone, businesses on Holmdel Road are still accessible.
Businesses on the north side can be accessed from Roberts Road and businesses on the South side are accessible via Route 520 or Spring Valley Drive.
Police advise planning an alternate route; detour signs will be in place.
The work is part of a controversial NJ Natural Gas regulator project that the township is fighting in court.
The township has been involved in continuing litigation with the gas company about its plan to build a regulator station at 960 Holmdel Road in the southern part of the township. The proposal got its latest go ahead recently from the state Board of Public Utilities.
The gas company has previously commented on the project:
“Both the BPU and administrative law judge in this matter have agreed with NJNG that this is an important project that is in the public interest to benefit Holmdel residents and other customers in the area with safe, reliable lifeline natural gas service. We are moving forward with construction of the regulator station,” according to the statement from Director of Communications Kevin Roberts has said recently.
In a recent statement, Mayor DJ Luccarelli said “Our community has done everything in its power to fight this. Unfortunately the BPU has overridden everything that we were fighting for.”
The statement also included the update on the litigation between the gas company regulator project and the township:
As a public utility, the gas company was not required to obtain construction permits from the township.
Should the Township ultimately win its appeal, it is Holmdel’s expectation that the gas company would be ordered to remove the regulator station, the mayor's statement said.
Holmdel Township Committee votes to acquire Crawford Hill, site of the landmark Horn antenna that provided evidence of the Big Bang theory.Posted Wed, Aug 23, 2023 at 8:07 pm ET|HOLMDEL, NJ — At a quiet, late summer meeting of the Township Committee Tuesday night, members took a historic step toward the preservation of Crawford Hill and of the Horn antenna that rests there.The mayor and three committee members present voted unanimously to adopt an ...
Posted Wed, Aug 23, 2023 at 8:07 pm ET|
HOLMDEL, NJ — At a quiet, late summer meeting of the Township Committee Tuesday night, members took a historic step toward the preservation of Crawford Hill and of the Horn antenna that rests there.
The mayor and three committee members present voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance authorizing the acquisition by eminent domain of the Crawford Hill property, currently privately owned and the site of a potential residential development.
Crawford Hill - the highest point in Monmouth County - is also the site of the Horn antenna, now a National Historic Landmark famously used in research by two scientists that confirmed the Big Bang theory of the creation of the universe.
The area to be acquired includes Lots 6, 6.01 and part of Lot 7 for a partial easement on Block 27 - 34.3 acres - to be used for open space, recreation and historic preservation purposes under the township's Master Plan.
The committee then also voted unanimously to adopt a second ordinance that would appropriate $2 million in bond anticipation notes to finance the purchase of the site.
One of Holmdel's most respected environmentalists, Ralph Blumenthal, said he applauded the committee for taking the step. However, he reminded the members he also hopes to preserve the full Lot 7, the site of the abandoned Nokia building, the company that purchased the site from Bell Labs and then sold it to its current owner.
"But that is a topic for another day," he said, adding his own applause to that of others at the meeting.
In nearly a year's worth of meetings, the Township Committee has heard from physicists and school students, environmentalists and professors and from one woman who modestly described herself as "a homemaker not a scientist." She brought the same message to the committee as the others: Save the Horn for history.
But the momentous action by the committee is a first step in what will be an evolving process.
The owner of the total 43-acre site is Crawford Hill Holdings and Rakesh Antala of Holmdel. The company has said its latest versions of plans for the site would not move the antenna and so would preserve it.
The company's plan for an 88-unit, age-restricted townhouse development might not move the antenna. But opponents say an undisturbed Crawford Hill, with the 1960s-era antenna facing the sky in its original natural setting, is integral to its preservation.
Good faith negotiations
Township Attorney Michael L. Collins responded to questions by Blumenthal about the first phase of the process, good faith negotiations with the owner.
Collins said a letter from special counsel in the matter went out late last week to the owners of the property to engage in good faith negotiations.
Collins said there has to be a minimum of 14 days to allow for negotiations, but negotiations can continue beyond that if they are productive.
He said if there is no "engagement" on the part of the property owner, after 14 days the township has the ability to file proceedings in court, now that the eminent domain ordinance has been adopted.
He said negotiations would not be discussed in a public forum because it is a legal matter for closed session.
You can listen to the explanation by Collins at the meeting here, including comments from Roberta Kaufman, an environmentalist and five-year Planning Board member, who said she hoped the negotiations would "bear fruit."
Kaufman also applauded the township action and said the site has great potential as an educational center.
The committee previously authorized an appraisal of the Crawford Hill property, which has been completed and values the property at $1.92 million. And earlier this month it authorized the good faith negotiations to acquire the property from its current owner.
The bond would be supported by the township’s Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. In 2021, Holmdel voters voted to increase the collection rate to this fund, which is legally restricted to use for land acquisition and similar expenses.
“Holmdel voters overwhelmingly supported increasing funding to the trust fund. We are now looking to responsibly use the trust fund to complete an historic property acquisition that would benefit Holmdel for generations to come,” Luccarelli said earlier this month.
There was no immediate response from the owners of the Crawford Hill site on Wednesday, but Antala said in a previous statement: "We want nothing more than to have honest negotiations with the town officials and open-minded residents - based on facts not fear. We are more than willing to work in good faith as before and develop alternate options where the Horn antenna is preserved and open space is maintained.”
The Horn antenna was used in research by Bell Labs physicists. The antenna's national significance arises from its use in the detection of cosmic microwave radiation that provided irrefutable evidence of the Big Bang theory of the creation of the universe. In 1978, scientists Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias earned a Nobel Prize in Physics for this work.
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