Brick's mayor will be paid $52,000 per year if he or she works less than 35 hours per week outside of town hall. But the salary will be reduced to $15,000 for mayors who work full-time in outside positions, defined as 35 hours or more per week.
The issue, which has been debated for more than two months, was settled by a 5-2 vote by the township council Tuesday night.
Council President John Ducey has said the ordinance provides "part-time pay for part-time work," but not everyone agreed with that premise.
In a public hearing before the vote was taken, several residents offerred opinions on alternative solutions to determining the mayor's pay.
"Cutting the mayor's salary is degrading," said former Councilman Al Chrobocinski. "It gives the impression that the mayor's post is not needed."
Chrobocinski said cutting the salary of a mayor who has alternate employment could dissuade Brick residents who work in private industry from seeking the office.
"The mayor's salary shouldn't be based on whether he has outside employment or outside income," said Greenbriar resident Nan Coll. "People frequently work from home. Everybody has personal communication devices where they can be in touch instantly as if they were there."
But Roxanne Jones, another Brick resident, applauded the move.
"We are living in financially perilous times," Jones said. "I'm confident that with the salary adjustment, we can still obtain competent leadership for our town."
Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis, who has pledged to take a $1 per year salary for the remainder of his term, said although he wouldn't be affected by the law, he did not support the move.
"This is just really an ordinance that protects other people down the road," Acropolis said.
The mayor said there is no way of verifying one's employment or enforcing the ordinance, and anyone who owns his or her own business – such as a lawyer or plumber – could simply say they work less than 35 hours to collect the full time salary.
Township Attorney Jean Cipriani, who did not draft the ordinance, said the salary regulation would be "self-executing."
"If somebody believed they were violating that, they would have to bring those proofs forward," Cipriani said.
Acropolis brought up a number of scenarios, including a person who works varied hours depending on the week.
"If that situation occurs, it would have to be addressed," Ducey said. "It's self-reporting from the mayor, as described."
But despite the objections of the current mayor, who said he was glad he would not be affected by the ordinance, the measure passed 5-2.
Councilmen Domenick Brando and Joseph Sangiovanni cast the dissenting votes.
"I think it's a total waste of time," Sangiovanni said. "I only hope that going forward, we spend as much time as we did on this on the budget, and lowering taxes."
Brando said he cast a 'no' vote because he feels the ordinance will turn the town into a "circus" when the next mayor is elected.
"It's gonna be a zoo around here in a couple years," Brando said. "Whoever the next mayor is, somebody is gonna win and somebody is gonna lose. Whoever loses is gonna be angry. There are going to be people following people, people filing charges of fraud. Get ready for a circus."
Acropolis' term as mayor concludes at the end of 2013. He has not indicated as to whether he'll seek re-election, though he maintains a campaign fund according to filings with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission.
The debate over the mayor's pay began after Acropolis maintained his mayor's salary in Brick while working a second full-time position with the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority.
Following an election that led to four Democrats taking control of the governing body, Acropolis announced he would give up the $52,000 salary from his position as mayor.
Robert Talmo
5:41 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
....People of Brick, do not cry for Mr. Acropolis, he will be making a much bigger salary from the Contractors he brings in to take the place of our Sanitation Dept.
OceanCounty
7:53 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
From the article I read, I perceived that the town would wash it's hands of trash collection, and the individual property owners would have to contract themselves.
peaches
8:15 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
well the ones that deserve the blame for this huge mess is all the Politicians, that promised all these goodies. didn't anyone think that it all had to come to an end.
E-V-E-T-R-Y-B-O-D-Y HAS TO PAY FOR THEIR BENEFITS . from top to bottom. and that includes N J E A. they are not recession proof. 11.00 a week is nothing. remember the complaints about that??? I DO NOT WANT TO LOOSE MY HOME BECAUSE OF NEVER ENDING ENTITLEMENTS !!!!!!!
Reality
6:06 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Dan
I love the verbatim quotes from our councilman. It's not "gonna" be a zoo around here. It already is!
Mickey
3:50 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
It's gonna be a zoo around here in a couple years," Brando said. "Whoever the next mayor is, somebody is gonna win and somebody is gonna lose. Whoever loses is gonna be angry. There are going to be people following people, people filing charges of fraud. Get ready for a circus"...isn't he the guy that went out on a 100% disability pension....then is bragging how he drives plows in snow storms, runs around the baseball field with kids, opens a baseball instruction school, got caught away from his desk more than he's there at the MUA...but collects a disability pension just the same ?....what do you mean is "gonna" be a zoo.?..it already is!
Jerseyclone
6:13 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
What about the state comptroller's pay to play accusations made against the mayor and council on the twp's handling of the health insurance and taking contributions from the insurance company/agent???? He we go again. Wait for the trash contracts the mayor will give out. IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL.
Daniel Nee
7:55 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
If you're looking for a story on it, it's here: http://brick.patch.com/articles/state-comptroller-brick-violated-pay-to-play-law-would-save-money-by-switching-health-plans
bricklakeriv
6:49 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Dan - Thank you for reporting the outstanding word for word remarks by Councilman Brando. We are having coffee, talking and enjoy reading the vision statement for Brick by Councilman Brando. Makes us wonder: Who will be the Ringmaster for the circus? This as good as it gets in Brick!
"It's gonna be a zoo around here in a couple years," Brando said. "Whoever the next mayor is, somebody is gonna win and somebody is gonna lose. Whoever loses is gonna be angry. There are going to be people following people, people filing charges of fraud. Get ready for a circus."
Betty Ann Fuller
7:13 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I'm not stating what party I belong to, and it doesn't matter here. I just wonder if all the weekend openings, evening appearances, etc. by any Mayor count for any Mayor's time duriing a regular work week. Does that mean once he/she completes 35 hours during any given week, they should stop working for the balance of the week? If they don't, that would mean that any Mayor works more than 35 hours per week. Did this or any Council have to waste so much time and energy on this issue? Shouldn't the dollar amount have been more important than how many hours someone works?
Second, I too, don't understand why we purchased used trucks from another town IF, and that's a big IF, the 2012 budget makers didn't forsee the need to cut costs which include people. Perhaps the budget cuts would not be as they are being recommended, if everyone understood the referendums to begin with. Sure, we wanted garbage collection, but no one had a crystal ball or even wondered where the money was supposed to be coming from. Perhaps we are all responsible for the end result.
Reality
8:17 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Betty
I for one would love to see the all our mayors actually stop feeding their egos at all weekend/evening public events. I know from first-hand experience that the kids don't care (and probably don't even want) to have to listen to a spiel from any Mayor at opening day sporting events, "celebrity" school reading events, DARE graduation, etc. Is it really a "necessity" for any mayor to attend ribbon cutting events? Most of these aforementioned events are actually ego-boosting events for whatever mayor is in office.
As an anecdote, I still laugh when I remember the opening day at Brick American several years ago. The kids just wanted to "play ball." But they had to stand and listen to a long line of public speakers. The mayor would still not stop yakking even after the kids and families ran off the fields when a downpour started!
captainJ
7:40 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
About the mayor's salary.................it's all about double dipping in the pension system, 2 full time paid positions going into the pension system for this person. That is one of the big reasons the pension systems and this state are in such financial trouble.
captainJ
7:43 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
PS.................start the recall on this position, he is not good for Brick Township! the Klan must go......................the tax payers can't afford him.
Eric
7:49 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Betty ann you are obviously an Acropolis cronie with that comment blaming the public works situation on the voters of Brick. Get real. One person deserves the blame and that is the mayor. He is the one that started this three ring circus
10% Tax Cut NOW
4:43 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Dear Council Members:
Sit down and cut the budget - And please request the Mayors W-2 for 2012 reads $1.00 along with his pension payment the State. With the Mayors request of DPW what happens to all the Administrative Titles are they as well or are they hidden in the Mayors or BA budget ?
Betty Ann Fuller
12:40 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Eric, you don't know me, and obviously didn't understand my comment. I am a cronie to no one. My previous comment was quite clear, guess you just wanted to find something political in it, where there was not intention of having one. And yes, I am real....many people deserve the blame, including myself, who may not have understood reading the question properly on the referendum. Is that ok with you?
peaches
10:21 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
at least he is trying to do something. do you really think if a Democratic mayor gets elected our taxes will go down. or at least stable. don't hold your breath. all the Democrat knows is tax and spend. they are the architects of money laundering with the unions.
brick strong
7:58 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ok now that we spent 2 months on the mayor salary can we please move on to low my damn taxes..and oh yea get this mayor out of here ??
Betty Ann Fuller
12:45 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
thank you Hope: Guess I'm not the only one who feels the same way. We have much more important items in the budget presentation to discuss than the Mayor's salary. Perhaps he will reap benefits even with taking only $1.00, but the next Mayor whoever that might be, will have to deal with the discussion.
Reality: I agree with you. Never thought of it that way until you mentioned it. I remember being in HS (not from Brick) and I couldn't wait until the presentations were over; hated listening to people I didn't know. But, I guess the fact is, that in Brick, tradition shows that someone from the Mayor's office does speak at these events.
BW
8:09 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
"""It's gonna be a zoo around here in a couple years," Brando said. "Whoever the next mayor is, somebody is gonna win and somebody is gonna lose. Whoever loses is gonna be angry. There are going to be people following people, people filing charges of fraud. Get ready for a circus."""
I See Brando was nice enough to let us know, that when Steve loses in 2013, he will do his best to make life misrable for who defeats him. This story is a keeper, so when he starts his crap, we can pull up the story and say see Dom said he was "gonna"
Jo Amesco
3:28 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ha, HA, can't wait for the next show ! How much are the front row seats going for,, the next event may just pack the house.. time to hire more bodyguards..to protect the innocent. I have to make these events, I've been missing out!
Denny D
8:12 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I'd still like to know,specifically(NAMES), who designed the mailers for the Republican Council members.
Born Here
8:24 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I think this ordinance assures the people of brick that the people who choose to run or mayor will now do so because they actually want to help the people of this town. It's amazon how many people run away from responsibility when you remove some zeros. How about a more positive outlook of our town from our elected officials?
Born Here
8:25 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Supposed to say amazing
Denny D
8:40 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thought you were referring to some of the public! LOL
Born Here
8:54 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Lol!
bths06
9:09 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Chrobocinski said cutting the salary of a mayor who works in alternate employment could dissuade Brick residents who work in private industry from seeking the office.
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If you want to be the mayor because of the salary then you are not running for the right reason. You want to run for mayor because you want to make the town better, should not matter if you make $1, $15,000 or $52,000.
knarfie
9:17 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
This is one of the worst ways to control a Mayors salary, because there is no way to monitor it. This is an obvious set up for a self employed Mayoral candidate. We seem to go from bad to worst with our elected officials, when we thought there was a ray of hope..
JB
9:19 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
There hours will say what they want so they can get the extra money. The mayor and apparently the council to include the new members are in this for their own reasons.
JB
9:19 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
So what are we doing about trash pick up at this point?
Jerry Belle
9:28 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
In the next election, it will be time to say goodbye to Brando. After all, "...somebody is gonna win and somebody is gonna lose..." Classic.
Ryan Meyers
12:24 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wish we could say goodbye sooner. There's only several posters that care that he seems to be playing the system. How can you be unable to return to work as a cop, collect a disability pension, then partake in all the above activites mentioned ? Seems less and less have personal pride anymore.
Oscar Wilde
9:35 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
BRICKTUCKY ......THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
Jo Amesco
3:29 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ha Ha
Oscar Wilde
9:38 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Going to be alot of people working 34 hours running for mayor
BRICKTUCKY........THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
Oscar Wilde
9:40 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
how much has the new council saved the taxpayers ????......taking health benefits and/or cash does not save taxpayers
BRICKTUCKY............THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
John C
10:19 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saved? So far nothing has been cut or saved. Some took health benefits or the stipend after promising not to, increased costs in having weekly meetings (wether you agree with the format of having a separate caucus or not), $10,000 for only ONE MONTH of private legal consultations (is there a bill being prepared for February?), an auditor that costs 20% more than the previous auditor PLUS I hear they want the town to issue them cell phones paid for by the taxpayers too. I bet they will request the latest smartphones and the most expensive data plan they can get. AND hold on everyone it is only February 29 we have 3 years and 10 months to go of this!!!
Mickey
3:57 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Johnnie, Johnnie...where were you the last several years, while all the department heads collected stipends ? plus the council members ? friends and relatives were hired ? when council members were appointed to BOE, DMV or MUA jobs ? would love to see the food bills ran up the last 3 years at meetings, by the mayor & council. abusing ones position isn't right....by whoever does it.
John C
10:07 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
basically a sad political/personal vendetta by the party that created the $54,000 salary for their own mayor that was working 2 other jobs one in private industry and another job "consulting" for a company that provided services to Brick and other towns. If the council and mayby the outside law firm that drafted the ordinance were truly concerned and were not personally interested in collecting the $54,000 salary when they run for mayor themselves they would have cut the salary to one set lower number.
Ryan Meyers
12:30 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
"John C" do you remember when then Mayor Kelly challenged the councils right to make appointments ? He paid the legal costs himself, yet you and the rest of the "R" council ran out and got indiviual council to the tune of around 70k. paid for by the taxpayers. Never did hear an explanation why ?
knarfie
10:17 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
We thought we would have a breath of fresh air after Scarpelli. The new regime was smelly. We thought we would have a breath of fresh air after getting rid of the Acropolis crew, we were wrong. It seems this gang stinks too. Most politicos are self serving scumbags. This proves it.
concerned and informed
11:50 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
BRAVO!!!! well said, they are all the same.
Brick Skeptic
12:20 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Never again will a mayor be able to do what Acropolis did. He was ripping off the taxpayers taking $150,000 a year. If it wasn't for the election, Acropolis would still be taking all that money. Never again will a mayor be able to take 2 political jobs the way Acropolis did.
There may be some holes in this ordinance, but who cares? If another mayor down the line finds a way to get around the ordinance, the Council will have to amend it then.
John C
12:45 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sure they will all they need to do is say that they only worked 34 or less hours each week say at their private law firm or their plumbing company and they will be able to collect their private job pay as well as the full $54,000 mayors salary. This ordinance is a farce, structured to benefit the three council members that have eyes on running for mayor next year.
Brick
12:37 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
WHAT THE MAYOR REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS THE FACT LAST YEAR HE TOLD US THE TOWN WILL BE OK FOR 4-5 years..
I like to know why Scott P gave the budget for the tax collector while she sat there in the audience? The Collector is separate from Adminstration.
John C
12:43 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
He did not say the town isnt fine that has nothing to do with what is going on, he is rolling back the increase that was voting for and eliminating the services the reversed increase paid for
Oscar Wilde
12:49 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
i am all for lowering taxes but he isnt rolling back ALL of the services the increase paid for.....lets not tell half truths john C.
John C
12:53 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
OK Oscar then I will ammend/clarify my statement to say reversed portion of the taxes paid for.
Scott Pezarras
5:28 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Brick
The presentations are given by Dept Heads, I am the Dept Head of Adiministration, Finance and Public Affairs, which include the following divisions, Assessor, Collector, Finance, Purchasing, Human Resources, Administration and Data Processing.
That is why I gave the presentation, and when the other divisions under my direction come up I will given those presentaions as well.
Oscar Wilde
5:31 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
you want a medal .......you and the unions are killing the taxpayers in this town.....i dont even know how you walk around town ....you should be ashamed and have an L tatoo on your forehead
John C
12:38 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
unless the Mayor is from the same party as the Council majority perhaps????........for example Mayor Starkey, Kelly, Kenneally, Cunningham or Turnbach, ...Mayor Ducey.....Mayor Fozman....or Mayor Moore??????..........
Oscar Wilde
12:44 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
FIRE SCOTT PEZZARAS
BRICKTUCKY ......THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH !!
Sal Petoia
12:55 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The salary ordinance is very disappointing. There is no reason we need a full time mayor when we have two highly paid administrators to deal with day to day issues. Proof of that is that obviously the mayor is not at town hall all day long every day if he is at the TRMUA, but business is getting done. The salary could have been set at $15,000 without all the confusion about whether the incumbent has a full time job or not. If a person is sincere about serving the community and is willing to do it for $15,000, he runs for the office. If not, don't run! Really don't think the council has fully thought this issue out!
John C
1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Yes they did think it out Sal and that is why they are forcing the taxpayers to pay for a private legal firm to create a $54,000 loophole that will benefit themselves if they become mayor.
Oscar Wilde
1:09 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Bottom line everyone, do you want to be screwed by the democrats and the public unions or the republicans and the private cronies......end of story
Sal Petoia
1:18 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people" ????? Must be somebody's idea of a cruel joke!
Laura
4:11 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I'm curious. Why do you need 2 administrators?
Sal Petoia
4:27 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Laura: We don't need two B.A.'s. In the past we had only one, Steve Leone, and that was when Dan Newman was the part time mayor. Scott Pezzaras is perfectly capable of handling the job himself, as he has done in the past also. Juan Bellu's position is superfluous... a payoff, in my opinion, for Acropolis getting the director's job at the TRMUA where Bellu is a commissioner. Typical "quid, pro, quo". Start working on that non-partisan government, people!
John C
5:40 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Our form of Government calls for a Mayor that is not considered a full time position. That is why we have a business administrator. Since I have been in Brick we always had a BA and Assistant BA. When Scott McFadden was BA Scott Pezarus was the Assistant BA and CFO. Now he is the BA and CFO. (Please everyone don't attack I am merely stating facts not declaring support of anything)
Sal Petoia
7:45 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
John C. If an assistant business administrator is REALLY needed, what did we do before Juan Bellu came along? Who was assistant B.A. when Steve Leone had the job? I believe that the mayor, as you agree, is a part time position and that Scott Pezzaras can handle the B.A. job. If not, someone else should get the job. If necessary, a financial person can be hired (in a fair manner!) to handle the finances at a lesser salary than what Bellu is getting. Bellu is not needed. The tenacity with which you defend your mayor (and fellow party member?) has to be "admired" (LOL).
Oscar Wilde
7:56 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
an ABA is not needed....
1. especially at $150,000
2. especially when the BA has 3 other jobs
3. and if somehow it is needed, one with 200,000 in federal liens , is not the best idea
bths06
8:01 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
sal you should rephrase your question: who was the asst ba before bellu after mcfadden (somewhat) left and pezzaras took the BA position.
I think this would be a fitting question while your question does the same just bringing it to more current terms then when it was newman and leone.
Jo Amesco
3:34 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
a bodyguard ?
10% Tax Cut NOW
4:51 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Town Council:
Place a question on the ballot this November to see how the voters fell about a non-partisanform of government .
frances
4:54 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
"Men carry their signatures upon their persons, although they may not always be visible at first glance." The Council Members who voted for this flawed Ordinance served only themselves. In excluding provisions to eliminate medical benefits and $4,000 stipends, they have spared themselves from the same fate. Moreover, they did not reduce the salary to $15,000 as previously pledged. They protected their personal interests at our expense. The guise of change and promise is disheartening!
Portia
5:33 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Knarfie, The ray of hope has been darkened by self-aggrandizement. This ordinance is meaningless in purpose and insulting to the citizens of Brick Township . . .
knarfie
7:26 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
So these new people are to me no better than the bottom feeding pigs we have had in the past as far as this salary ordinance appears to be.. What a sad situation. I don't know where we can go from here. What happens to people when they get elected. It's like a disease.
Thomas Anthony
6:02 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Common sense and public advantage did not prevail. A simple Ordinance whereby reducing the salary to $15,000 and elimination of benefits entirely would have been substantive.
Although it is extremely disappointing that the Council majority instead voted for this unsound Ordinance which doesn't rid us of wasted spending in stipends, medical benefits, and higher pension contribution year after year, We, the PEOPLE, CAN NOT GIVE UP. Sometimes I wonder is that what most politicians count on - discouraging public participation and voter turnout.
Brick
8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
SCOTT P
HOW come in previous years dept heads such as Fred Millman and Joanne LamBusta gave budget presentations?
So are you telling me you worked on these budgets? My money is on Ellen and Joanne made up there own budgets and then submitted to you.
Scott Pezarras
9:42 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Brick
I am not saying the division head did not request their budget amounts, but the are all reviewed by the department head before they are incorporated into the budget that is presented by the Mayor to the Council. Yes, there have been changes to many budgets based on law or regulation changes that I have discussed with various division heads, like the possibilty of having to issue another set of tax bills for the school that was discussed at the collector's presentation. This will be brought up again when the division of purchasing budget is presented due to the additional postage that will be required.
Joseph Woolston Brick
8:40 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Knarfie you ask where do we go from here, we just keep voting out these people until we get the right people in office. Go back to a non-partisan form of government and institute term limits. It may take years, but something has to be done if not for us now, but for the future of the next generation that will reside in Brick, our kids. Anyone with half a brain knows we don't need a full time mayor in Brick not now, maybe in the future and that decision should be left to the people of Brick and voted upon when the time comes that we do. So for now sit back relax, watch the circus and when it's time, pull down the tent poles.
Kevin Koch
9:11 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
When is the republican party going to reel this idiot in? I mean really, how much more do we, the residents, have to put up with? I don't want a front row seat at the circus any longer, let me out of the big top...
10% Tax Cut NOW
10:29 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Scott,
The budget presented to the Council was that the 1st Budget crafted by you or a 2nd one with the Mayor's vendetta against DPW ?
Scott Pezarras
7:55 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
10%
As in the past 18 years that I have been the CFO, we have never had 1 or even 2 crafted budgets. We have had as many as 7 from start to finish. The budget is a fluid process until adoption, and even then it is amended with grants being accepted during the year. In our Faulkner form of government the budgeted is put together by the Mayor with the assistance of the Business Administrator.
This budget was put together with the direction of rolling back the $8.6 million effect on the amount of taxes raised to negate the increase caused by the referendum in 2011.
I am sure it will adjusted a few more times before its introduction and adoption by Council, just as it has in the past.
10% Tax Cut NOW
10:32 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Scott,
Thanks for the response on the budget. Can you explain when the budget was prepared and you where aware of the pending DPW layoffs why would the Mayor purchase three new garbage trucks ?
Scott Pezarras
8:41 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
10%
First off the Mayor authorize purchases, the coucnil does. After discussions with budget and finance committee it was decided that we would not let the opportunity pass us by to get 3 used trucks in good condition for the price of one new truck. The town that was selling the trucks had other buyers and told the Twp that we had to make a decision.
It was decided to move ahead with the purchase and if the layoff occurs we could sell the trucks. Repairs on the existing fleet are proving to be very costly. These trucks could be utilized unitl such a layoff occured.
10% Tax Cut NOW
9:07 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
Scott,
Thanks again for your response. I would only hope for the sake of all the personal in DPW that the layoffs can will not happen. The illconceived plan to have our
Garbage pickedup by Private Haulers is unexceptable in the form the Mayor presented. If the Township has to go this route why weren't RFP's prepared by the Township to get the best possiable price for these services so everyone would be able to have one vendor in our Community and we would able to continue to have this service as part of our tax bill ?
knarfie
7:40 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
I would like to hear Scott state in this forum that he actually needs a ABA, even though we all know this was a payoff for Acropolis" cushy job at the TRMUA.
knarfie
7:43 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
I would like to see Scott state in this forum that he actually needs an assistant BA, even though everyone knows Bellus' job was a payback for the cushy job in Toms River.
Denny D
8:34 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Ritacco's trial starts in early April. hmmmmm
Jo Amesco
3:36 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ha, Ha, good one
Scott Pezarras
8:43 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Knarfie
During Scott MacFadden's tenure we always had 3 primary people deal with ALL aspects of finances in the twp. from budgets, to forecasting, purchasing requirements, debt structure, and daily operations of the twp.. Those people were Scott Mac, Rich MacDonald, and myself. Rich and I would deal with the miniutia, and present it to Scott Mac. After we reviewed the documents and discussed policy, we discussed it with the Mayor, and upon the Mayor's approval we brought the item to the Council. That was the process then, and still is today, as it dictated in our form of government. The only difference is now it is Rich, Juan, and I.
With the changes in the budgeting process, purchasing process, and increased reporting municipalities are being hard pressed to keep up with changes coming out of Trenton and Washington. New bills are being discussed every week and the towns have to be ready to deal with their impact should they be passed and signed into law or protest against them. The Mayor sits on the League Legislative Commttee to keep abreast of new and proposed laws and make recommendations to the League.
In my absence Mr. Bellu assumes the roll of COO and all problems get funneled through him, just like in Mr. MacFadden's absence I was in charge of operations. If Mr. Bellu and I are absent, responsibility is assumed by Mr. MacDonald. The short answer is yes whether it is Mr. Bellu or anyone else, you need someone to be a part of that management team.
Denny D
8:48 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
So what you are saying is the "substitute" gets paid almost as much as the head guy? Answer yes or no. Do you think that Bellu's salary is justified? No rhetoric, a simple yes or no.
Oscar Wilde
10:36 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
you may not want to use funneled and Bellu in the same sentence
knarfie
6:42 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Well Scott, I appreciate you taking the time to respond with an explanation, although I don't know if I am 100% convinced. The thing that bugs everyone is a pay increase of 50% to a guy who was a factor in awarding a cushy job to the Mayor. I think you do a decent job, but you are tied to a Mayor no one trusts. Unfortunate. It's a case of kill the messenger.
Jo Amesco
3:38 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Scott MacFadden - there's a name,,,, almost forgot all about him.; say, where is he today.?
Brick
10:10 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Scott P
What concessions did the cops get for their contract deal?
Brick
10:15 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
TOO ALL...
398 towns or as the Mayor likes to say (70%) of the towns that have private haulers HAVE LESS THEN 15,000 residents. THAT makes 170 towns pick up their own garbage, plow their own streets.
TownshipofBrick
1:19 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
That is not an accurate statement. Of the 25 most populous municipalities in the state, 17 either contract the service or privatize it. 2 others use a mix of in-house and either contract or privatization. 7 have complete in house service.
Just clarifying an inaccurate statement.
Brick
10:17 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
BTW Juan Bellu by law DOES NOT QUALIFY TO BE ABA NOR DEPT HEAD.
Denny D
10:23 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Ritacco's trial starts in early April
Oscar Wilde
10:36 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
is that taking into account the $200,000 federal lien or not ?
Betty Ann Fuller
6:32 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
@ Brick:
I learn a lot from this Patch site. But, what I don't understand is why people throw out bait (or maybe chum), and hope that someone grabs onto it. As far as I have been told, there is no specific "law" for job qualifications for an ABA. It could be a Joe Shmow as long as they do the job they are told to do. And I've also seen this 200,000 lein mentioned, that I assume the individual who said it was JB. Is there anyone on this site who does NOT know anyone who ever had a federal tax lien on someone? I thought so. Does any lien on any individual prevent them from working for the township? Then, there might just be more people walking out the door than you'd like to know.
Betty Ann Fuller
1:15 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
@ Brick: not sure what you mean by saying JB by law does not qualify to be ABA nor Department head. Can you explain, thanks.
pro twu nj
2:43 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Scott; why are you posting during township hours? Dan should log your IP address and see if your using township property on township time to post on blogs to defend your brilliant administration.
pro twu nj
2:44 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
its either your posting from brick's computers or toms river township computers, the logs will tell.
Betty Ann Fuller
2:44 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
who's got the federal lien.... did I miss something again?
Brick
3:58 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
TWPOFBRICK
Nope I'm accurate, nice try Mayor. Trenton,Toms River,Lakewwod and even Woodbridge picks up their own and Rahway...
Brick
4:06 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Betty Ann..
The federal lien is against JB.. JB does not have the qualification's to be ABA nor the certifications and qualification's to be a dept head..
Denny D
4:04 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
And Ritacco's trial starts soon.
TownshipofBrick
4:09 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Your original statement - that towns that have private haulers have less than 15,000 residents remains inaccurate. There is no consistent correlation between size of municipality and collection method. The methods are spread out among populations.
Toms River, Lakewood, Brick, Trenton and Woodbridge are part of the 7 that do it in house along with Edison and North Bergen. Rahway is not part of the 25 largest towns. They are 84th largest.
paul b
5:05 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
The consensus among independents, republicans, and democrats alike - Mr. Juan Bellu could go tomorrow and we would not grieve his absence (and our budget would lean more favorablyin the right direction - toward the taxpayers of Brick Township.)
Oscar Wilde
6:40 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
betty Ann,
you think everyone knows someone who has a $200,000 federal Lien against and that you see no problem that person is working with taxpayers monies when they cant even apparently handle their own financials.....is that what you are saying ??
or are you saying this would never be allowed in a private company but since its a public employee than its Ok ????
Betty Ann Fuller
6:53 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Oscar, again, I am surprised at how people who post on here or read these posts, jump to making a negative comment on another's comment without fully taking in what is being said. what I'm saying is that many of us have known someone whether now or in the past years, who had/has a tax lein albiet whatever the amount is. I never mentioned the 200,000.... you just did. It could even be someone in our own families, whatever town we live in. Working for Brick or any township had nothing to do with my comment.
And, it has been allowed in many a private/public company. I've come from big pharma, and I can surely tell you that there were/are high level individuals within this company who had leins taken out of their paychecks.
I never said I condone either.
Oscar Wilde
7:27 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
so since taxpayers are paying his salary i guess that means its just fine with you, that we will be paying for his lien out that taxpayer paycheck as well.......its well past time to say NO MORE !!!!
Betty Ann Fuller
6:56 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
All I hope is that the township officials, unions or anyone that affects our budget, come together and sort this out for the sake of all taxpayers. The days of automatic raises, low or no co-pay in health care benefits are surely over everywhere else but here.
Betty Ann Fuller
7:47 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Oscar, Oscar: I inow you are angry, and so am I. But, why are you that argumentative? The twp or any other public or private company does not pay someone's lein. The individual pays via wage garnishment to the Federal or State Government until it is paid off. If an employee left the company or township, their new employer would continue with a garnishment. The taxpayers never pay one's lein. No Township EVER pays a lein for anyone. Where did you come up with that one?
Oscar Wilde
8:07 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
forget it, you will never understand how they steal from you
Betty Ann Fuller
8:13 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Oscar, I think that's a great idea. You will never understand certain processes either. Usually, I agree with you on most concerns. But, you mix issues up and hope someone goes along with you. We all have a right to an opinion. Take care.
OceanCounty
9:37 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
Can someone please explain something to me: as the information I've read hasn't been too clear:
If the town lays off the DPW, will the town contract for trash collection, or would every homeowner be responsible for individually contracting thier own trash pick up.?
The concern is if the TWP should lay off the DPW guys and contract trash collection for the town as a whole, the action would be seamless to the residents, and if what the mayor indicates is correct, we should see a tax savings.
However, if each resident has to contract for the service, they would would need to see taxes reduced in an equivalent amount to cover the cost of trash, recycleables, bulk, leaves, and Christmas tree pick ups.
The other consideration is if residents have to individually contract for trash/bulk pick up, they would lose the tax deduction.
Jo Amesco
3:41 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
It's complicated
10% Tax Cut NOW
7:45 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
OC I asked the same thing the other day to SP but have not heard a response. The way the Mayor came up with this Garbage plan was so far fatched. Why didn't the Township go out for an RFP for these services., this way we can have two vendors do the services - one for garbage and one for recycling. We would also be able to continue to have this as part of municipal services and included in our tax bill. If we go with the Mayors proposal we will not only have to pay individual bills but the Township will have fund for all the additional work DPW does now.
It's a shame how the Mayor has no respect what so ever for the TAXPAYERS as well as the livelyhood of the poor 77 employees of DPW - It's time for the Town Council to get to work and crafting a budget that won't effect just one department all have to take part of the pain in this budget.
knarfie
7:16 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
The whole point is, the Mayor is not trying to reduce taxes or do anything for the benefit of the people. He is trying to make the new council members look bad(they are not helping themselves much either yet) for the beating he took in the election. This town has never been the laughing stock of Ocean County, but it is now. How did the caliber of our elected officials decline so much. Oh for the days of Dan Newman, Warren Wolf, Ed Hibbard and people who loved this town.
Sal Petoia
9:05 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
Amen to that, knarfie!
Stinger
9:16 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
I'm not sure how I feel about our Mayor. I simply don't know enough of his administration to form a good opinion. I do however, know a little about leadership and I can tell you that a good leader has to make some difficult choices at times and politics is an ugly business.
One thing I'm sure of, is that good leaders focus on what is right and not who is right. With that said I feel that our new counsel has shown POOR leadership in reducing the salary for a position that I'm sure has a great deal of responsibility. If we don't feel our Mayor is serving our township well, we always have the option of voting him out of office. In addition, it is my understanding that the state has passed laws against receiving two pensions. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Bob Short
3:22 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
As I've posted before:
Come November - get me an average working class guy or gal who does not have or is currently living off a pension, someone who is making $50,000 or less a year. And you'll see someone who's going to be creative enough to look where others won't. ( I'm sure - that someone will get nervious on stage )
As i said before -elected officials with Pensions and those who are doing well, will continue to do well- they have their money and security, do you.?
No more Pension colleted elected folks (retired pension officials)
No more Rich-well to do folks running the show ( big time business owners-CEO's)
No High end Professionals making our decisions ( come from Money and will leave with money )
They have their money, their security, do they know what it's like to continue to struggle, to make Sacrifices, to make hard Choices are they willing to make a differences or show Integrity when faced with new or current Challenges.?
I'm not talking about 20 years ago, I'm talking about now, Do they know how to adapt to change?
Give me someone who's had it all and lost it and get up, everyday, and keeps fighting someone with Integrity - that's who has my vote this Nov!
That's who I want to vote for this November - Mayor - Council people, Democrats and Republicans - are you reading?
Jo Amesco
3:43 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
There are a few good one's up there on council, I hear ya , I'm with ya on that one..
I can't wait to see who the new comers are.?