def # 74 04/27/11
COUNTY READIES NEW SERVICE CENTER IN MANAHAWKIN
WITH A FEW MORE loose ends to tie up, Ocean County is just a few weeks away from opening up the new Ocean County
Southern Service Center in Stafford Township.
While county workers complete the striping of the parking lot, install the welcome signs and complete the
installation of the telephone system, the completed preparations will allow southern Ocean County residents to access
a number of county functions in a conveniently located facility at the corner of Routes 9 and 72 in Manahawkin.
"This facility will provide residents of the southern portion of the county with the opportunity to access
some local senior services programs, the services of the Ocean County Clerk and the Ocean County Surrogate," said
Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as Chairman of Senior Services. "This will help us meet the needs of
our seniors in southern Ocean County for many years to come."
A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for noon, May 11 at the center.
Ocean County had purchased the facility, which had been the former St. Mary Parish Center, with an eye toward using
the property for a new Stafford Township branch of the Ocean County Library.
However, the downturn in the economy resulted in those plans being delayed for the time being.
"The new use will be the Ocean County Southern Service Center," Vicari said. "I believe this location will get a lot
of traffic from our residents. It’s a great location and it’s going to be a great county service center."
The first tenants to relocate into the center are staff from the Ocean County Surrogate’s Office and the Ocean County
Clerk’s Office. Each will have an office at the front of the building.
"This center provides more room for the services of the clerk and surrogate," Vicari said. "They have been providing
their services from a much smaller facility on Haywood Road which originally was to house only the county’s southern
Ocean Ride office.
"The new space will be much more user friendly," Vicari said.
The facility will house some senior social/support services such as a satellite location for the Long Beach Island
Senior Services and Outreach, which provides information and assistance with an array of benefits and entitlements
for older adults. Additionally Visiting Home Care will offer Adult Social Day Care: "A Friend’s House."
"This facility represents a great partnership among agencies, elected officials, and county departments," said
Freeholder John P. Kelly, liaison to the County Clerk. "Surrogate Jeff Moran, County Clerk Scott Colabella, the staff
from Buildings and Grounds, our Engineering Department, Senior Services, Transportation staff and a host of others
worked together in order to put programs and services under one roof to benefit the residents and especially the
seniors living in Southern Ocean County."
Kelly noted the site works well for programs and services for several reasons including accessibility to public and
local transportation, the proximity to major corridors, and adequate parking.
"I believe the residents will be pleased with this new center," Kelly said. "Making services accessible is a priority
for this Board. This is yet another step we are taking to meet this goal."
