Mayoral Salary Ordinance Back on Council's Agenda
But have questions over measure been addressed?
After being tabled last month by the township council, an ordinance to revise the mayor's salary is back on the council's agenda.
The ordinance was re-introduced Feb. 14 without having been included on the agenda for that meeting.
The governing body will vote on the ordinance – unchanged since its last iteration appeared before council members – after a required public hearing Feb. 28.
In what Council President John Ducey has called an ordinance that provides for "part time pay for part time work," the measure delineates two salary levels: the current $52,000 salary for a mayor who does not have full-time employment, and $15,000 for a mayor who is employed less than full or not at all.
But the definition of full-time employment has raised eyebrows, since the ordinance defines a full-time worker as a person who works 35 hours or more per week.
Some residents and council members have expressed concern that there is no way to verify whether certain people – such as those who own their own businesses or otherwise set their own hours – work 35 hours or more each week. Some have suggested a future mayor could ask for a cut in hours from his or her employer simply to collect the larger salary.
"We're going to have people following people around," said Councilman Domenick Brando, suggesting that a future mayor's political opponents might follow him or her to verify employment.
Council members made few comments about the pending ordinance at a caucus meeting Tuesday, saying only that the ordinance was taken off the table to see if certain types of public employment, perhaps rather than hours, could be used as a basis to guide the salary level.
But Ducey said Tuesday that such restrictions could dissuade those who are employed as teachers or in similar public sector positions from running for mayor.
Regardless of whether the new ordinance is approved, the current mayor will not be affected. Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis has said he will take a $1 per year salary for the remainder of his term.
The ordinance will be considered Feb. 28 at the council's regular meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the township municipal complex.
Sean Conneamhe
6:01 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
"This is a temporary, part-time service."
"An annual stipend of $26,000 per year with no benefits and no restrictions should be considered."
JHill
7:56 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
I agree. This is such a non-issue brought up during the election. Can't we just put this to bed already?
paul b
5:04 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Excellent proposal!
HELP..
6:21 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Its just the Mayor trying to fix his image to show he wants to save money for the town ..TOOO LATE ..YOUR GONE ..!!!!
Brick needs Help!
7:58 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
If the mayor did not have 2 or 3 other jobes that her was making a lot at then that would be good. But our mayor has several other incomes coming in!!! Some people in this town don;t even have one income and he has several. I say they get no pay or very little. He has the title isn't that enough!!!!! I am sure a lot of perks come along with that!!
Mickey
8:42 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
it's not really about how many other jobs he has...but how can he devote the time needed and he claims, to do the proper job for Brick !
Oscar Wilde
8:06 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
looks like just enough loopholes for Ducey to get paid as a full time mayor
John C
1:16 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
or Fozman or Moore they all want to run.
10% Tax Cut NOW
9:01 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
I see no problem keeping the Mayor's salary as full time - this is really a non issue. What I do have a problem with is the non logical thinking of our Mayor and his two so called professionals in the Business Administrators Office. These two over priced employee's seem to have no clue on how to handle budgeting. How do you take the proceeds from the solar farm and use it for this years budget - Why isn't being spread over the term of the contract period ? Why are we expanding our Police Department ? How is the revenue from the Red Light Camera progeam being used ? When will receive the funds for the Foodtown site ? Are we waiting for waiting for October 2013 when his Honor is up for reelection? And what will Councilmen .Songiavanni and Brando suggest to cut the budget ? Also how can a town like Lakewood receive more recycling dollars than ours(nothing against Lakewood). Why isn't the Department of Public Works enforcing the non recycling homeowners go around the township any section and look what is inside the garbage cans as well what is not in there recycling containers on collection day. It's the DPW Supervisors do their jobs and if they can't the Mayor should come down of those who are not performing their duties as prescribed in the job specification.
Michele
9:25 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
10o/o. It has been brought up many times by Ms Briggs ane each time she is told by Mr. tOth that they want to educate the home owners. I suggest the time for education is over start fining the home owners and see how fast the refund to Brick goes up.
JHill
9:36 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Great questions and in a privately run company you'd already have your answers and people fired. Unfortunately in a bureaucracy there is no accountability and you only have to "half ass" your job.
Lonna Doyle
12:35 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
To 10% Tax Cut NOW: "Why isn't the Department of Public Works enforcing the non recycling homeowners go around the township any section and look what is inside the garbage cans as well what is not in there recycling containers on collection day."
I bring my recycling to New Hampshire Ave after too many times chasing empty plastic iced tea containers down the street. Just saying that no recycling left at the curb coes NOT necessarily mean no recycling at all. Am I supposed to take pictures of me at the recycling center so I don't get a summons? Non-recyclers should be identified, I just don't think this suggestion works.
George
2:38 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Good point Lonna I agree with you.
Michele
4:14 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Lonna- not sure but does the New Hampshire give you receipts, trust me I understand the whole not wanting to chase the container problem. That way if you get a "ticket" you can show them the receipt and they would just mark your address as a recyle facility house. I think what 10% is saying is to go after the people that never recycle.
Have a wonderful weekend. :)
10% Tax Cut NOW
9:35 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thank you Michele - Basement Housing and Scavanggres should be looked at by the
Shared Service Personal from Toms River - Mr.Belu please do your job
George
2:00 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Does Mr. Bellu even show up for work everyday?
Mrgrumpass
10:04 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
With all that is going on in town the mayor’s salary should be at the bottom of the list, will this be the only campaign pledge the new council make good?
John C
1:14 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
so far all i see is increases in spending and a silly complaint about an electric bill to repair lights damaged in a storm.
10% Tax Cut NOW
10:15 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Another avenue to look is Ambulance Services - Why not a Shared Service with an other Town or consider a RFP for an outside agency and see what is presented? Many Municipalities have gone this route and have seen large savings. I still think the best way to cut cost is a Zero line budget and go with the 10% cut across the board for al Departments. Why isn't the Parks & Recreation Departments being looked at - Summerfest should be stopped for at least this year - If Red Bank can cut Kaboom(the Township covered all overtime cost totaling over 50K of the program activity) we should cut our non esential services - NOW - Let's get to work Town Council it's in your hands since the Mayor can't dribble or drink at the same time.
John C
1:13 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Brick EMS actually pays for itself - Summerfest was cut back in both number of concerts and types of acts so that the sponsorship dollars contributions and fundraising would be able to support the concert series.
rose
1:15 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mayor a job not to be respected resign
10% Tax Cut NOW
2:04 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
To Lonna Doyle,
I know many residents take advantage of the Township & County facilities for their recyclables - but it must be in the area of 10 - 15%. The problem taking your items to the County facilty the Township does not get the credit, but that's not the problem the Administration is not enforcing the laws and that make's the Township lose on excess revenue's that we are entitled too.
Joseph Woolston Brick
2:24 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
WHAT? HUH? This ordinance sound like a Chinese restaurant menu, take one from Column A or one from Column B. The question is, does a town the size of Brick warrant a full time mayor? Do we? Is there enough work at town hall to keep a mayor at his desk doing township work for eight hours a day five days a week? Most of the mayors that have been elected here have had full time jobs and worked as mayor part time and everyone was fine with that. In recent history we have had two mayors declare themselves full time and demanded raises and got them, not from the people of Brick but their "friends" at town hall. Let's put it to a ballot and let the people decided what they want. If it's true that the town needs a full time mayor at beck and call, then fine, but let us vote on it. (I'm speaking of real work, not crap like cutting the ribbon at grand openings and other PR stunts like it).
patch
2:35 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
steves daughter married to pd chief s son,steves son works for town agency never touched by cuts,guess he thinks he is smarter then the rest of us!
10% Tax Cut NOW
2:53 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
The first thing the Mayor should do is layoff any new hires that occured after the April 2011
ballot question. Since he states the November election spoke volumes. NOW is the time to have a zero line budget - line by line and cut 10% from each and every Department. Let's get to work Mr.Acropolis.Start with youe Department and the Business Administrators and show how it is done.
forthekids
3:29 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
With the Kings track record and they way he has treated the taxpayers of this town he should be paying us 52k. Time to dismantle the friends and family club, Juan,Dave,George, and Tony M just to name a few. Shame on all the people who voted for this egotistical self entitled bully, oh well you reap what you sow. Maybe you people have learned a lesson, play with a political devil and your gonna get burned. THE PIGS CONTINUE TO FEED FROM THE TROUGH, FBI please help, this mayor and his friends and family club are bankrupting Brick. A disgruntled and fed up taxpayer.
Jim
4:11 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Look Brick Township. Let me make this very clear. Your local politics is run by a bunch of immoral scumbags. Its so bad that I want to move out of here at a loss. Drive down Princeton Ave and take a look at all the for sale signs. They all see the same sh_t I do. These b_stard sons of b_tches need to be run out of office at all cost.
Oscar Wilde
4:15 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
with the property taxes that they are robbed of, do you blame them
PROPERTY TAX REVOLT
Jim
4:15 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Acropolis you are directly hurting my family and its pissing me off. We may lose our house over your property tax increases. 50% in one year in unacceptable.
Al
4:37 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Here is the ordinance that I would make:
The mayor's salary shall be $52,000, less the salary that he or she makes at any other job, and no less than $15,000.
BIG BLUE 111
5:18 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
25% across the board cuts now
brickedup
11:53 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Chalk up another one for Mr. Juan Bellu bringing the grand total to: $214,859.17
http://www.oceancountyclerk.com/wb_or1/details.asp?doc_id=5685118&file_num=2011011193&doc_status=V
patch
12:36 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
all he cares about is his pension boost,not the salary
Thomas Anthony
8:04 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
In my opinion the Council has the opportunity to save the citizens of Brick Township TAX DOLLARS and enact SOUND PUBLIC POLICY by initiating a fiscally responsible Ordinance which shall serve the public well. Reduce the compensation and eliminate benefits entirely; extremely simple, no more loopholes at the detriment to the Taxpayer.
Should the Council miss this opportunity to represent all the people, it will be a noteworthy disappointment. Much will be revealed about the character and intentions of our newly elected Council by the manner in which they handle this Ordinance. Providing the Citizens of Brick Township with sound public policy is paramount.
Reduce the salary to a designated flat fee with no medical benefit entitlements or gimmicks for opting out of same. We placed our trust and faith in the Council’s commitment for Change. If the Ordinance is enacted "as is" the public's interest will not be served. Provisions to eliminate medical benefits from the Ordinance must be included in the language or it will not be worth the paper it’s written on. The guise of change shall be worse than the arrogance of the past! Please don't let us down.
Sean Conneamhe
9:40 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
"Hopefully, all parties can agree to a practical policy for this relatively simple issue."
none of yobusiness
12:11 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Mayor Acropolis is quoted in Thursdays Asbury Park Press "You cannot effectively cut taxes without looking at your employees. That is the highest cost we have in Brick Township."Hey Steve how about you take some of your own advice and make cuts to all departments? If not, why don't you explain to your employers (the residents of Brick) why? Don't forget you work for us and I for one am seriously considering your termination.
John C
1:09 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
the stubborn refusal to remove the two salary levels proves that this is pure pokitical grandstanding on the part of the new majority. They look like they want to preserve the $54,000 salary for when they become Mayor. It is well known that Ducey, Fozman and Moore are all considering a run for Mayor in the next election Please set one salary say at the $26,000 per year level in the post above to prove that they are honest in what they say they are trying to accomplish here.
paul b
3:17 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
It is suspect that the Flawed Ordinance as crafted does not provide for the elimination of wasteful spending - medical benefit entitlements, pension credits, stipends for opting out - and the obvious REDUCE the COMPENSATION to a designated fee - the Council should not demonstrate memory loss so soon after the election. One would have to give credence to John C on this one. Clearly, it will become a Campaign Liability come the next election. Time for Real Change and Independent Minded Thinkers.
"The guise of change shall be worse than the arrogance of the past!"