These people just don't get it, government is not in the business of operating water parks and marinas. We do not have the money to waste on this!!!!!!!!!

If no grants are being used . How will this be payed for ? Tax $$$ 's ? I hope not.

Thanks Daniel . I just hope it stays that way,and doesn't fall on taxpayer dollars.

I am in favor of the plans for Traders Cove Park. Mr Ducey is just blowing smoke and playing politics and reciting a script to make a name for himself as he steps onto the council. It is time for him to take a stand for the residents of Brick and support things that are a benefit to this town rather than just being against any project and statement of the prior council and current Administration.

DeLuca, Thulen and Catalano showed how arrogant and unconcerned about Brick they really are. They really are losers. This problem they have created on there departure --thank god--can be resolved to the best interest of the brick taxpayers.

The best interests of the Residents of Brick would be in my opinion be to create a site that provides unhindered public access to the bayfront, access to a public boat ramp and boardwalk and has a marina and other amenities that generate enough revenue to cover any expenses and debt service so that there is no burden on the taxpayers. Does this sound familiar or did you favor Condos and private property on the site that would have closed it off to the residents of the town as Mr ducey stated during the campaign?

I'm in favor of the site being used for this too. I just wanted to make sure that it's not a burden to the taxpayers of Brick.

Have any fellow posters sat in traffic on a summer weekend at this location? How much worse is it going to be with a water park there? Who is going to pay the bill for the Brick police officers that will be needed to direct traffic at this location on summer weekends?

I don't think a spray park was needed...but id have voted yes. Overall its a good pr
oject and the spray park $ is going to be a fraction of the total cost.

This will not be a water park, as if it was Great Adventure. I'm glad it is being developed for the people of Brick. I'm tired of all the stores and development on every piece of property in Brick. The residents of this town need open space and a waterfront park to enjoy. Just look at Point Pleasant Boro and see all the wonderful things they have done for their residents.

Trish I think you're missing my point. I guess you don't live off or on Mantoloking Rd or go to the beach very often to sit in traffic waiting to get over the bridge. That's my problem with this. Either they'll have to make Mantoloking Rd. a 4 lane road or no one will be able to get anywhere never the less get to that park. Mark my words. You'll see come June.

how funny the 2 fools up for re-election in 2012 voted no.......a CYA vote if there ever one was......no chance it will help them......they better try and get a job at the trough, making license plates with DeLuca, as they are politically dead men walking

keep paying those rising property taxes as your home equity continues to plummet.......BAAAAAAAA !

I have not been by there lately. My brother, who makes a living off the water, has. He told me he was surprised how much of the parking area had been blacktopped. I'm pretty sure CAFRA has rules that a percentage of parking area for a project can not be impervious; with the idea being at least some of the rainwater will filter down through the soil/dirt instead of all of it running into catch basins and into the bay. Is there some reason why this project is not playing by the rules, in this respect?

Or do the rules not apply in this situation, or have the impervious surface area rules (in general) changed? You would think the majority of the parking would have been bluestone or traprock. It would have been a hell of a lot cheaper and more environmentally friendly. (Except for the cost of someones relative to ride around on a small tractor once in a while dragging a piece of chain-link fence to keep it somewhat level.) It could have been a good job for the mayor, if say the Toms River MUA decided to downsize in a couple of years.

I wonder if Commissioner Martin at the DEP knows about all this blacktop? It seems to go directly against the grain of the Save Barnegat Bay movement.

Power, greed, and corruption are three words that nest together like styrofoam cups.

This will be a very nice place for people who don't live in Brick to spend time, dirty it up and have it cleaned up by Brick taxpayers' dollars. Nice going outgoing council people.You should have been ousted long ago. And by the way, this ploy will not save the two remaining incumbents. You are going out with the mayor.

Does anyone find it absurd that we need to build an ARTIFICAL water park right next to what was until very recently a spectacular NATURAL source? Somewhow I don't think this was the original intent of Green Acres legislation.

This park will attract the element from lakewood thats a fact. Thanks guys you all have no brians.

What happened to the 10 million in bonds the council voted on LAST Dec (2010) for Traders Cove?

Green acres does not allow "for profit" business on land funded by green acre funds, this means the boat museum can not go there, no banquet hall, no nothing. They are allowed a "nominal fee" ie; parking to cover operating costs. Also they CAN NOT let Brick residents in for free and charge everyone else. ALL boat slip fees must be the same for residents and non residents.

I got all of this from Kathy(forget last name but she is the one that over sees Brick) at Green Acres. You can call and verifiy it and wll be told the same thing.

VOTER, do not lose sight of our next objective... To vote out the rest of the Merry Men. DOM and DAN or is it DAN and DOM or DUMB and DUMMER. Their C.Y.A. vote did not go unnoticed,they must take us for fools.Out with the OLD in with the NEW... bye incumbents....

I think most residents have forgotten how close Traders Cove was, to being developed with condo's back in the 80's. Joe Todino of Trend Homes in Point Pleasant was I think close to sealing a deal. At the time, a bunch of clammers (including my Dad, brothers, myself and many others) were relaying clams to Swan Point. We were told in writing by a State DEP Biologist that if those condo's were built, we'd be shut down and out of work due to water quality degradation. So between the clammers and others who opposed it at the time, it was never developed. Now, in 2011/12, I think a marina and park is a nice idea. But they're spending too much to turn a sows ear into a silk purse.

ENOUGH OF THIS !!! GEEZE !!! Let's end the bickering NOW !

Parks and attractions add to the quality of life in a town. Windward Beach, the ocean beaches, the park on the bay, etc all make Brick a great place to live. This new addition will make it even better. It's like adding a fireplace to your living room. The splash park is not like a water park. It's just for little ones to enjoy. The traffic is caused by the bridge being raised. Since most people will get off the road before getting to the bridge, it should have no major consequence. I think it's looking real good and much better for the town than condo's.

"A splash park is a good idea in an area far from a bay, lake, or pond; in the middle of Monmouth County, for example. Or by the ocean, which is too rough for little kids, like the Asbury Park boardwalk, for example."

"But a million-dollar spray park within a bay-front park is a waste of money, just like sod, irrigation systems, and asphalt pavement. It is better to have a bathing beach on the bay, instead."

Folks, its time for your New Years resolution.The new council is running four meetings a month.Surely you can make some of them.Get out and speak.Don't rely on the same few to voice your concerns.You will learn so much,like the difference between DEBT and OBLIGATION ???

Just leave it as a park, a bayfront walking trail, a boat ramp, a fishing dock but not a spray park. A spray park is seasonal where everything else can be used year round. I give up, trying to explain myself.

Thanks Reality for being REALISTIC!

C- Here's an example maybe some of these folks can understand. The Brick Reservoir (which I realize is not located entirely in Brick) is a public area where many Brick residents enjoy walking. Are Brick residents the only people who use the Reservoir? No, of course, not. At times, I would bet we our outnumbered by non-residents.
Who pays for the upkeep, insurance and employee staffing at the Reservoir? Only the BTMUA ratepayers - not the people from Lakewood, Wall or non-Ramtown sections of Howell.
Ever see the parking lots and Herberstville Road on a nice weekend? Often, I probably wouldn't even be able to park there, even though my BTMUA bill is paying for it!

Thank you. That is a perfect example of what I'm saying. Just picture if that reservoir was what is going to be on Mantoloking Rd. Between the traffic and everyone from out of town using it, would we even get to enjoy it? Doubt it but we as Brick tax payers, maybe never realizing how, will be paying for it somehow. I can't even find a parking spot to walk the Reservoir. People I know from other towns all say that's where they go. Somehow it's not for the people of Brick to enjoy & neither will this park be.

If you don't want to sit "for hours" before the bridge, take 88 to 35. It think some of you are expecting Water Works or Hurricane Harbor. What kind of water park do you think you can build for $600K?

Anthony, I expect it to be very similar to the Dorbrook Recreation Area Spraypark. You know, the one in Colts Neck, where ALL the residents of Monmouth County share the financial burden of operation, not just Colts Neck residents.

Scott - What will we charge for admission? What will we charge for parking? Will bus parking be prohibited by ordinace?

Reality

That needs to be established by a fee ordinance of the Twp., same with parking and bus parking. If it is the will of the council not to have buses go their, I would suggest a similar ordinance to govern that situation at Trader's Cove that is in effect at Windward Beach which requires a large permit fee for buses.

Time

Thanks. While you are correct, these decisions are made by the council as we live in a reprsentative democracy in which the people elect the policy makers, and once elected it is the elected officials that ultimately have the power to set policy and laws through their elected term not the individual constituents.

Happy New Year to you and yours as well.

Reality

You are correct about charging, it must be uniform. To charge or not to charge is something the Twp deals with on a day to day basis as far as services go. Just look at other towns, they offer bulk pick ups a limited number of times per year and then have a per stop charge if you exceed that number. Other towns do not have a recycling center or drop off ( DPW hill), you simply would have to go to the dump on your own.

These decisions are all quality of life decisions. There is no right or wrong way to handle these scenarios, it is a matter of policy. Do you put lights up at ballfields? Do you install curbs and sidewalks in an area? Do you install synthetic fields? Speed tables? Where do you have traffic enforcement? Install more street lights? All of these things are decided by elected officials, but there are always projects that the constituency wants funded.

As far as Summerfest goes. Currently, and for quite some time, NO tax dollars are spent to run the event, it is all charged to a dedicated rider account. This is evidenced by the fact that there is no operating acct in the Twp's budget for Summerfest.

Missing from the story are the award winning contractors.

Scott - Since you brought it up - There absolutely should be an account for Summerfest. Frankly, I'm shocked that you state there is not! There should be a line-by-line accounting for ALL expenses and ALL donations from ALL sponsors. That way, taxpayers would know that expenses are actually being covered 100% by the sponsors. Futher, it should be clearly and easily accessible on the Township website!

Also, I'm very confused by the examples that you give. Out-of-town teams cannot use our Township ballfields unless they are playing a Brick team. Out-of-town teams, not playing against a Brick school, can only use our school fields if they pay a fee. In addition, non-Brick residents cannot use our recycling center. So I guess my response to your examples is simply, "huh?"
I stand by my statement that this is a lose-lose scenario for the average Brick family!

Reality

I didn't say there was no accounting I said it doesn't get paid from taxes it comes a dedicated rider account.

And out of town teams can use our fields if they are not already permtted and pay a fee. It sounds like what you are suggesting is a pay to play scenario for every service offered by a town or pay taxes based on service levels,

Either scenario would take either State legislation or local ordinances to invoke. To illustrate if you live on the south side of town and a road gets paid on the north side in a devlopment you don't actually benefit, right. So why should that concept not be extended through all improvement and service scenarios?

Those are decisions that every branch of government makes everyday. You don't use a County park in Tuckerton but you you do pay for it, don't you? You may never go to a National or State park but we all pay for those. It is what make a community or a nation desireable.

Scott - I have absolutely no problem with fellow Brick taxpayers who may live in a different section of town getting their roads paved. THAT'S EXACTLY MY POINT. THANK YOU. As Brick RESIDENTS, they are paying taxes to Brick Township and are sharing the burden.
Obviously, you think this Water Park is good long-term planning and makes economic sense for the Brick taxpayer. Just as our council members do. Thank goodness that majority is out of here in just a few hours!!

How much is the insurance going to cost the town for the marina?

Scott, Happy New Year. I have a question. Wouldn't or shouldn't the parking fees for this marina park be the same as for parking at Brick Beach I, III and Bay Beach Park? If that is correct, then, no matter who uses the park, everyone pays. $1.00/hour by the meters. Problem here on the island is, after hours and specifically near dusk/dark, there are many vehicles parked at Bay Beach Park, sitting in cars exchanging packages between windows, and also those who choose to sleep in the gazebo all night, even though the ordinance says otherwise.

A few comments, first off I ride by the Traders Cove often, and I must say the first phase looks great !!! For the person who made the comment about sod, there is no sod, as I see it. It was sprayed with the green stuff that contains grass seed and as of last week, you can see grass growing. As far as the rest of the park goes, what many are saying about non-residents, fees etc. I have to agree. Perhaps as tax-payers go, I think all of the fees should be discounted for residents, i.e. beaches, parks, etc. I also think that it is absurd we have to pay for parking after the beaches close after 5pm, I enjoy the "free" concerts in the evenings there. A question I have is there going to be a fee to park just to use the dock for crabbing & fishing, and will it be a 24 hr parking fee as well, or wiil you have to pay for parking to launch your boat and pay a launching fee as well. I'm sure these are the things the Council will have to work out like Scott mentioned. I say, let them move foward and see what happens and if problems arise deal with them then. If too many problems arise from out-of-towners, then maybe they can put another trailer like at Brick 1 as a mini Police Station, just it's presence alone may deter the riff-raff's.

At least the posts here had less name calling. Perhaps, we can all make a New Year's resolution that we will post our opinions without insulting others?

In response to attacks on Scott Pezarras, he does his job as many of us did. We did what the Boss told us to do. He is not the decision maker. I find no reason to call for his removal. From what I have observed he has intelligence and knows his craft better than anyone else I have observed in his seat.
If you want him removed submit facts to us the voters and taxpayers that support your reasoning.

Regarding Traders Cove, the park is probably a "nice to have", but can we afford it? The township is now committed to completing most of the project, but do we really need a "spray park"? Those who reject the condo scenario forget those plans included a part of the site to be open to the public. Condos would have generated income to the town without burdening services while still providing recreation for the public, a "win-win" situation. Making the site into a total park has its merits as well, but whether it will be a money maker for the town or a financial drain is not known. Also unknown is any negative effect caused by an influx of outsiders. When the Traders Cove property was first being considered the decision should have been left to the people. A cost analysis could have compared the monetary gain to the township if the site was developed with condos to what would be the net gain or loss if developed totally as a park. With that information the taxpayers could have decided by referendum the preferred option. Before committing the town to add millions of dollars more to its debt, the people should be consulted first. When knowing the facts and the people approve, fine. But with the current economy, we need to rein in free spending elected officials who act without the peoples' consent. Some may say we elect people to make the big decisions, but too often they forget who's paying for them.

Sal you are failing to account that a large number of residents of the town as well as Save Barnegat Bay did oppose the condos and signed petitions and attended the council meetings to demand that the condo project be stopped and that the town purchase the property. There were articles in the paper and editorials etc. If there were any groups objecting they must not have made their objections known or seemed to be fewer in number than those in favor of acquisition. Remember the purchase was made under the prior administration. that purchased a great deal of undeveloped open space that is not generating any income as well as built the drum point sports complex. This is no different from when Windward Beach was purchased and developed by the town.

And John, it doesn't matter whose administration purchased the site. Purchasing land to retain open space is actually less costly to the township than allowing construction of homes on the site when considering the school costs incurred in educating the children derived from those homes. Traders Cove was different since no children were anticipated, thus the town would have gained more in tax revenue than what it would lose in providing services. Nonetheless, my opinion stands.... let the people decide the costly issues.

"Windward Beach was for many years a taxpaying, private ly-owned, recreation park complete with a bathing beach, playing fields, picnic grove, bathrooms, parking lot, and a pavilion FontSync a snack bar and pinball machines."

"The Township bought the property when the owner announced he was considering closing the park and subdividing the property into single-family lots for which it was zoned."

"Windward Beach was an existing recreation facility, which needed no improvements, but the Township eventually spent millions of dollars in additional structures.
In addition, the Summerfest program was started, which still disrupts the neighborhood and costs the Township thousands of dollars each year when the true expenses are calculated."

"Mantoloking Cove Marina should have never been approved for condos, which are not a permitted use, and should have never been bought by the Township. It should have remained private property and it would have been redeveloped like Winters Marina across the street when Hinckley bought it. Instead, the Township bought it, aptly renamed it Traders Cove and is now sinking millions of dollars into the mud."

At a time when many folks have their backs against wall financially, Is this spray park a TRUE NECESSITY??????? The original concept for this site was very pasive in nature with the fishing pier and a more "park like setting". Now it sounds full steam ahead with commercial interests at mind. Banquet hall?? Please no.
At a time when the money involved could be used for more important items like maybe buying some new equipment and snow plow trucks in public works or maybe, just maybe lowering the tax rate for the citizens of Brick may be more important?????

Oh and by the way, Mr. Art Sholty, please go back to Bloomfield ASAP!!!! I'll even donate the increased toll money for you to go.........