City of Estell Manor

Estell Manor Groundhog Confirmed as 4^th Rabies Case of 2024

A groundhog that confronted a family dog in the 100 block of Cumberland Avenue in Estell Manor was confirmed positive for rabies on July 19 by the state lab. This is the fourth rabies case in Atlantic County this year. Rabies was previously confirmed in two Egg Harbor Township raccoons and a Pleasantville cat.

An investigation by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health found two individuals who may have been exposed to rabies, both of whom are now receiving post-exposure treatment. The pet dog received a rabies booster vaccination.

Rabies can be fatal if left untreated. It can be transmitted through direct contact with saliva through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth. Most human cases of rabies are the result of a bite from an infected animal. If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention. All bites should be reported to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at (609) 645-5971.

If you see wildlife that is behaving strangely, especially nocturnal animals such as skunks and raccoons found during daylight hours, do not approach the animal. Instead, call your local Animal Control Officer. Contact information is available on the county web site. Visit www.atlanticcountynj.gov and search “Animal Control Services.”

Residents should ensure trash cans have secure lids to prevent wildlife from foraging for food and not leave pet food outside. Many animals are also attracted to bird seed.

Public health officials advise residents to teach children to stay away from wild, stray or aggressive animals. Never feed or touch wild animals or try to keep them as pets.

A rabies vaccination is recommended for domestic animals to not only protect the pet but also the pet owner and family members who could contract rabies from an infected pet.

The Atlantic County Animal Shelter provides free rabies vaccination clinics for both dogs and cats by appointment only.

For more information about rabies control and precautions to protect your family and your pets, please visit the county web site: www.atlanticcountynj.gov or call (609) 645-5971.

Atlantic County Senior Fix-It Program

1-888-426-9243     609-645-5965

The Atlantic County Fix-It program provides minor home repairs to protect the safety of County residents 60 years and older in an effort to help them maintain their independence and their ability to remain in their own homes.

The Fix-It program is designed to provide help that enables residents who may be living alone, ill or disabled to continue living in their homes.

 Important Notice:  Please be Advised:

Atlantic City Electric Reminds Residents to be Aware of “Customer Scams”

Atlantic City Electric reminds residents to guard against falling victim to imposter utility scams. When scams occur, a customer typically receives an unsolicited phone call from an individual, who falsely claims to be a company representative. The scammer often warns that the customer’s service will be terminated if they fail to make a payment – usually within a short timeframe through a prepaid debit card or other direct payment method.

Some scammers also use caller ID “spoofing” to replicate a company’s phone number.

Signs of Potential Scam Activity:

• The scammer often becomes angry and tells a customer his or her account is past due and service will be shut off if a large payment isn’t made – usually within less than an hour.

• The scammer instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card – widely available at most retail stores – then call him or her back to make a payment.

• The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the funds loaded to the card.

• The scammers may disguise themselves as the utility by sending spam emails with logos, trademarks, website links, and wording to lure the customer into making a false payment or providing personal information.

How Customers Can Protect Themselves:

• Atlantic City Electric representatives will never ask or require a customer with a past due balance to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.

• Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank withdrawal, mail, or in person.

• Customers with a past due balance will receive multiple shut off notifications – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.

• If a customer ever questions the legitimacy of the call, hang up and call Atlantic City Electric at 800-642-3780.

The Neighborhood Watch Program

The Neighborhood Watch program is an effective way to get the community involved in crime prevention.  Who knows better, what is going on in the community than the residents that live there?

Click the link below to view valuable information from the NJ State Police regarding Neighborhood Watch Programs.

Need Help Paying Your Utility Bill?
Atlantic City Electric Reminds Customers Assistance is Available

Cash Grants Available For Customer Energy Bills

Energy assistance is still available in southern New Jersey to help Atlantic City Electric customers pay for winter energy bills. Through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Atlantic City Electric customers can receive up to $1,000 in grant support toward their energy bill that they do not have to pay back. Customers must apply during LIHEAP’s open period to ensure they can secure their grant while money is still available.

Atlantic City Electric customers can submit LIHEAP applications now to secure their grants. Customers can apply for LIHEAP through April 30, 2018 by visiting nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/html or by contacting their local LIHEAP agency. For a list of LIHEAP agencies by county, visit state.nj.us/dca/agencydirectorylist.html.

“We understand that our customers may face financial challenges in meeting their energy needs, so we help them secure the essential energy assistance they need to help pay their utility bills,” said Vince Maione, Atlantic City Electric region president. “It is essential that our customers submit their application now, before this important money runs out.”

Last week, Atlantic City Electric employees traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in LIHEAP Action Day hosted by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition. The employees advocated for policies that protect funding for the LIHEAP program by sharing stories with elected officials and policymakers that demonstrate the program’s value to vulnerable households in southern New Jersey.

To be eligible for a grant, a customer’s annual household income cannot exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Each state has determined eligibility guidelines based on household size and income. Homeowners, renters, roomers and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible. Customers do not have to be behind on their bills to receive a grant. 

New Jersey’s eligibility requirements are as follows:

• $24,120 - One-person household
• $32,484 - Two-person household
• $40,848 - Three-person household
• $49,200 - Four-person household

In addition to LIHEAP, there are many other programs and tips available to help Atlantic City Electric customers save money and manage their energy costs. Customers can also Get more detailed information about your energy usage so you can make more informed choices about how you use energysign up for My Account, which contains tools and detailed energy usage information. By tracking their energy use, comparing usage trends, and discovering the results of energy-saving practices, customers can manage their energy more efficiently. Customers can visit atlanticcityelectric.com to learn more about My Account, available energy assistance programs, and other ways to save money and energy

Customers also can receive financial assistance through Helping Hands, a program, funded by Atlantic City Electric, providing $3 million to help struggling customers meet their energy needs during the next three years. These funds are annually dispersed to low-income residents through the Affordable Housing Alliance, New Jersey SHARES, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden and the People for People Foundation.

Atlantic City Electric will work with customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. The company offers payment options, like budget billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly electricity costs, or flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans. Customers who may be struggling to make a payment should contact Atlantic City Electric as soon as possible at 800-642-3780.

To learn more, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at twitter.com/acelecconnect. Our mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.

Ken Mosca
Public Affairs Manager
Atlantic City Electric
2542 Fire Road
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

(609) 645-4802  (O)
(609) 412-3738  (C)