Political Opponents Trade Barbs at Brick Budget Hearing
Spending plan passes 6-1, however
About two hours of political back-and-forth conversations culminated in the final passing of Brick's 2012 municipal budget in a 6-1 vote Tuesday night.
Before the $86,818,351 operating budget could be finalized, a state-mandated public hearing was held at the township council's caucus meeting. Members of the public – several aligned with the township Republican organization – criticized the majority Democrats on the council for not cutting taxes more than the approximately $176,000 cut from the tax levy this year.
The Democratic council members said they were proud of the 2012 municipal budget and were getting the town back on track after several years of mismanagement under an all-Republican council and administration.
"A hundred-thousand-dollar cut on an $86 million budget," said former Councilman Michael Thulen. "Honestly, I don't think you did the job that you said you were going to do."
"It's still better than what prior councils have been able to do," countered township resident Sam Foster, the next person to speak. "A cut is still a cut, and most importantly, it's a balanced budget with no tax increase."
Members of the public, council members and Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis all put in their two cents during the hearing, which eventually turned into an all-out debate on the April 2011 referendum that raised more than $8 million in taxes and allowed the township to exceed a state-mandated 2 percent tax levy cap.
"If we didn't do something as drastic as that referendum, we wouldn't be sitting up here today high-fiving each other about what a great job we did," said Councilman Joseph Sangiovanni.
Sangiovanni laid blame for the referendum and its resulting tax increase on several years of flat tax rates under the administration of former Democratic Mayor Joseph Scarpelli, accusing the former mayor of using "one shot" budget influxes to avoid increasing taxes as the township's financial picture worsened.
Council President John Ducey shot back that when former Democratic Mayor Daniel Kelly favored increasing taxes to put the township on a better financial footing, Republicans blasted the idea.
"It was a cumulative effect that caused the 24 percent increase," in taxes in 2011, Ducey said, blaming Republicans for mismanaging the township when they held the majority of seats on the governing body.
Township resident Skott Burkland, a member of the planning board, accused Democrats of re-funding the township's public works department because the Transport Workers Union endorsed the Democratic council members when they ran for election in November 2011.
Acropolis had proposed cutting the 2012 budget by more than $8 million and privatizing public works services, such as trash and recycling collection.
Brick TWU Shop Steward John Menshon, however, said the county Central Labor Council – not the local shop – made the endorsement.
"I would have voted the same way whether they voted for us or not," said Councilwoman Susan Lydecker, referencing the 2012 budget.
Lydecker later said she voted in favor of last year's referendum before having been elected to council.
"Without that referendum, we would have had cuts," said Acropolis, telling council members that his proposal to cut the amount raised by last year's referendum from this year's budget was meant to prove the need for the referendum.
Ducey accused Acropolis of "playing with a lot of people's livelihoods" in sending out layoff notices to public works employees to prove a point to Democratic council members. "And that's just wrong," he said .
Acropolis accused the Democratic council members of running against the referendum process, which Ducey said was incorrect.
The Democratic party neither endorsed nor opposed last year's referendum, though Democratic candidates criticized the tax hikes that resulted from it during campaign season.
"I would have much rather had a tax cut budget, but this council decided not to have a tax cut budget," said Acropolis.
Municipal taxes will remain flat in Brick this year. Homeowners will pay 63.6 cents per $100 of assessed real property valuation, the same rate as 2011.
That led Sangiovanni to cast the lone vote against the budget, saying he would have rather seen taxes cut.
The remaining six council members – four Democrats and two Republicans – voted in favor of the spending plan.
"I think it's a good budget," said Lydecker. "I think it's responsible, and I'm going to stand by it."
"I believe the residents of Brick deserve a break" from tax hikes, Ducey said, explaining his support for the budget.
Ryan Meyers
7:08 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
While I think this is a learning process and they're moving in the right direction. Most of us are beginning to feel, they're moving to slowly with the obvious. The politically created jobs, should have been removed by now. How they plan to deal with the burdens of growing pension costs & benefits, needs to explained ? I just pray to God, someone looks closely into why a panel in the PD researched carefully and came to the conclusion the Dodge Charger was the best suited car for patrol cars. Only to have that decision overturned and seemly giving the contract to Weisleder Ford. Time to stop "politics as usual" .
peaches
9:09 pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012
So if they cut one dollar.... its a cut their keeping their promise. right. bullshit as usual. Democrat's do not understand the words cut taxes. dont U people understand that yet??? as as far as the republicans go , there no true Republicans in this state. they act like Democrat's. there has to be a difference in Governing other wise they are all alike. and they are. wheres the money coming from next year. cant wait to see.
JD
7:21 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
There are still more cuts that could have been made....
Still tooooo much headcount...
1. Privatize EMS... losing 600,000 to 1 million/yr... lost $5million since it's inception.
2. Downsize Recreation... spin off basketball, softball to private org like football, soccer... eliminate most programs except challenger, summer, beach, etc.
3. Outsource maintaining parks (cutting the grass, etc)
4. Cut staff at cedar bridge... Brick has more staff than Toms River... HR, Purchasing, Computers, Land Use.
5. Get rid of Police Marine division (boats, etc).. bay covered by coast guard and state police.
6. Demote some police supervisors (sgt, capt, etc)... tooo many chiefs...
That would be a start... at least $3million/yr in savings.
Tom Spano
8:26 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
like your ideas. Concrete suggestions rather than political slogans is what is needed. We need people with ideas like these to step up and run if we really want something done.
JD
9:26 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tom,
I've made those suggestions to Council, Ducey, Toth... even spoke to some...
Nobody has the cahones to make it happen!!!
I'm a Repub and disappointed in all the council members... past and current.
Mrgrumpass
10:35 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
JD take it one steep further dissolve Brick DP have the county and the State take over, the county should take over all 32+ town PD’s this would save all the towns greatly, 4 to 6 chiefs instead of 32, and each town stations would be run by sergeants this is some what like it is done in the UK. This would save a fortune the county freeholders negotiate contracts much better than the towns do.
10% Tax Cut NOW
9:32 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
As in my screen name there should have been 10% cuts across the board - The campaign promises should have been kept and the Mayors attempt to just cut the DPW Department is,was and stil is unexceptable. The Parks Department should be abolished in placed back in DPW so if a layoff in the future occurs a "FAIR" layoff would be in place.
Why does Recreation send an employee each evening to shut the lights off at the Drum Point Complex ? Why doesn't a timer be placed in accordance with the Township Ordinance ? Is this to hard to do ? Maybe Mr.Francese should do it since he has a set salary.
I would hope that non esential spending would stop already - When this years Memorial Day Parade is held why not just a "Thank You" instead of spending no money for plaques so the Mayors and Town Council names appear on them.
peaches
9:15 pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012
If we don't address the N J E A, we will never see our taxes go down. but no one wants to talk about that. We need a Governor Walker in this town. Reform the entire system. Education takes the highest percentage of our property taxes. that's whats killing us. they indoctrinate our kids we pay them highly for it. when you think about it Government running Education is Socialism.
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
8:18 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
This is a ridiculous budget. Every single one of the township officials (elected or appointed) are at fault here. Bottom line....newly elected council members did not stick to their campaign promises, therefore, they are no better than the previous council. They did not look deep enough for current cost or future expenses, such as contracts, pensions, etc... Their pride will be short lived. It's pretty well know that Democrats are pro-union, that's why DPW fights so hard to help endorse them. I'm not saying that Republican are any better. Staff should have been cut, services should have been restructured, and private township contracts for garbage collection should have been researched for savings. I believe the taxpayers just got screwed again!!!
DennyD
8:47 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Can ANYONE explain exactly what are Juan Bellu's responsibilities? Take today for instance. What is he doing today? What does his job entail? Scott Pezarras, what does Juan do for his $150K salary? What will he be doing tomorrow? Friday?
peaches
10:10 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
the people always get screwed. they all need to be thrown out. their all liars. Democrat's with their money Laundering with the unions. and the Republicans are no good when they act like Democrat's. remember the Democrat's have the Tax and spend sickness. that will never change .
BW
9:00 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
SSDD, It is always the same the "R"s did this, the "D"s did that. Why must our elected officials always act like spoiled 5 year olds?
The FACT is none of them are in it for the taxpayer, they are in it for themselves. They are using the people of Brick as a stepping stone to something better.
Joseph Woolston Brick
1:29 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Not only are the people of Brick getting tired of the Democrat/Republican football game, so is the rest of the country. It's time to vote in people that deserve the job or can handle it, this crap of voting all Rep or Dem because your grandfather was one or the other and it's a family tradition is ridiculous. It's time to get the right people in, split the ticket in the voting booth and then tell them they better work together for the people of Brick or face being fired just like any employee would be for bad performance. I really hope that the people that won the election last November realize that they won, not because they were democrat or their agenda, but because the people of Brick were tired of the shenanigans of the current "employees" and what other choice did we have? So right now, those that won better realize they are on probation just like they would be at any job, those who's job performance shines, will be kept, those that don't consider yourselves seat holders until the next election. Brick has to go back to the non-partisan form of government we used to have. Meanwhile, to the employees we hired last November, we are watching you, grading you and reviewing your performance, you will find out how your doing next election day, if not before!
peaches
10:14 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
These people that run this local Government don't give a dam about the people. only when there is a pay off or a vote for the next election. their all NO Good.
10% Tax Cut NOW
9:10 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
What about the $ 1,000,000.00 gift given by Brick MUA and then they raise our rates.
What did Acropolis & Thulan say about that ?
Why isnt't Code Enforcement enforcing Quality of Life Issue's in our neighborhoods ?
Basement Apartments, Scavenger Business', Illegal Parking(trailers), High Grass on property,high noise levels(fixing lawnmowers & dirt bikes), riding dirt bikes on Township Streets ? Mr.Bellu please have your Enforcement Officers visit Birch Park and the Huxley Area of the Lake - Please earn your salary.
Ryan Meyers
9:37 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Have you noticed the absence of Scott, Art & John C. Almost a "not engage" policy and it'll eventually go away. This council needs to verbalize what it really plans to do, to get this town on the right track. It appears Sangiovanni is obligated to side with the mayor. Just love Thulen's quote about how he doesn't think the council is doing the job they said they would.....wow.
Mrgrumpass
11:01 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
10% I agree how do you like the motorcycles roaring past you house at all hours of the night with straight pipes instead of mufflers you can’t sleep with the window open, when I was a teen agree I got tickets for excessive noise from my car what happened to that law?
The Gov. Dosen’t stop any of it the cars with the lowed stereos, the coffee can mufflers, or the motorcycles, and now that the Bennies are on their way it is even worse. Quality of life, my BUTT!
Joseph Woolston Brick
1:54 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Mrgrumpass, Oh you hit the nail on the head! I can see the replies now, two old farts complaining about cycles BUT I live on a road that is constantly used by motorcycles, I swear to God I've actually seen the window panes shake as some of them roar by. We have one lovely neighbor who comes home at two in the morning and shakes the whole house. I've asked bike owners how they are allowed to have such loud bikes, each one told me it was a "safety" issue and makes the bikes more visible to people. That's why the cops sort of turn a blind eye towards the practice. Well hell, that would make my car safer too! The next time I jog by Mr. Loud Ass's house at 4am. I think I will take my bagpipes and play them as I very slowly jog past his domain, hell it's for my safety makes me more visible too.
Mrgrumpass
11:20 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The council needs to stick to their campaign promises and cut taxes, so far they Lied they took a questionable referendum and ran on dissolving it and saving us money, they Lied they used every dime, Same old, Same old , the clowns have different faces same POO, and as for former Councilman Michael Thulen I guarantee that looser will try to regain a seat in November.
Joseph Woolston Brick
2:07 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
First, these politicians from the President on down, will promise anything and everything to get elected. What I would love is someone that has the money and balls, to take a politician to court over the promises made by the politician during their campaigns, Suing that said promises are verbal contracts. Then I would love to have a judge and a jury with even bigger balls to agree and figure out a HUGE settlement that would be spread out and paid to charities all across the nation. What a class action suit that would be! All the promises that I have heard politicians make over my lifetime and break, the monies generated would have found the cure for cancer, diabetes and stupidity by politicians. (well maybe just cancer and diabetes).
Chief Wahoo
11:46 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
boy those democRATS sure did lie to you folks
but this is my favorite line of the article....
The Democratic party neither endorsed nor opposed last year's referendum, though Democratic candidates criticized the tax hikes that resulted from it during campaign season.
Mickey
12:46 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I agree....they're getting dangerusly close to how the past all republican council acted.
Ryan Meyers
12:56 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I disagree, they're not at that point yet. When they start appointing each other to MUA, DMV or BOE positions or placing relatives in township jobs. Then they've each that point. Only time wil tell.
Art Sholty
11:45 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Hey Wahoo
I just posted a new blog. Please read it and I too agree with you only keep it truthfull
Dominick Rappoccio
1:49 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
They are part way there...they have already placed at least two of the cronnies on the MUA. Give them a little more time.
BW
1:51 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
LMAO just like the R's appointed you to the planning board! Pot meet my friend kettle
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
2:03 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Ryan...yes they have, did you forget they hired their own lawyer in the beginning to the sum of $10K. Who do you think paid that fee...Mr. Ducey??? It's just a matter of time before they make positions for friends & family. Let's not forget that two out of the four also took the Cadilac Benefit package that their campaign slogans, including their website...www.stopacropolis.com, said they would stop. They have not kept true to their word, at all.
Mrgrumpass
2:22 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
TOBS you are right this is from the bottom of their campaign page
“The Acropolis Team gave us a choice
- either a 24% tax increase or lose our
trash pickup, police protection, and senior
services. Brick Deserves Better! "
More Lies and BS!
Chief Wahoo
3:24 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Bricktucky.............the greatest show on Earth
Dominick Rappoccio
3:29 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
BW
Get your facts straight...Although I was appointed during a Republican adminstration, "I am not now or never was a member of the Republican Party". On the other hand, the people appointed to the MUA by newly elected Democrats have been long standing active members of the Democratic Party. They were repeatly rewarded for the efforts with township jobs or appointments in the past under a previous Democratic administration. So you can put the Pot away and give the Kettle a break!
Chief Wahoo
5:12 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
sure i guess you were appointed because you have always been fascinated with water......
get it thru your thick head, we are sick of all you public leeches ON BOTH SIDES, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EITHER GANG OF THIEVES !
Jim
4:24 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Closet Commies on the council have finally revealed themselves. They will be voted out next election as well.
knarfie
5:08 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thulen. You are done. Just like Brando, Sangiovanni , and maybe Toth. Go away . You and your gang with Acropolis screwed the town up enough. No one cares what you say.
Mickey
7:17 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thulen is in campaign mode, Brando & Toth appear to be just sitting back and will take credit for any success and claim they were in the minority if failure. Sangiovanni has run his course with most. Acropolis will run on the inability of the new council, like we forgot all the havoc he, himself created. if you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.
brick strong
10:45 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Knarfie..we are no better now..they had a road show to so us that our trucks are old and will not last much longer ..so when they hit us with the news we have to spend to buy newer or new truck////UP GO OUR TAXES AGAIN..YOU KNOW ITS COMING ..
Joseph Woolston Brick
2:29 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
The rest of the Acropolis team will be fired this November. Don't need a crystal ball for that. I voted for each and every one of them, what a mistake that was! I was thinking about keeping one of them but changed my mind. The idea behind having a Mayor and a Town Council is a check and balance system. Say a mayor comes up with a stupid idea (Ice Palace). The people on the Town Council should be feeling the pulse of the town they represent, if they get the feeling the majority of the town doesn't want to go along with the stupid idea, then they should have gone to the mayor and said this is a bad idea, instead they stood shoulder to shoulder to buy a falling down refrigerator. So then the town had to take on job of what the Town Council should have been doing, got together and told said mayor, NO! Then the mayor blames all the Democrats in town for the blockage of the sale, when the reality was, NOBODY in town wanted the thing except for a few hockey connected people. So we as a people had to do the job of the town council, the very thing they were hired to do and didn't , why should we keep employees that didn't do their job and are being paid anyway? So this go around, hopefully we will get better employees and hopefully they will learn from their predecessors what NOT to do or suffer the same fate down the road. To those on the Acropolis team getting ready to go into campaign mode, why bother! Too little to late and a waste of money and time!
brick strong
3:23 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Joe woolston..I agreed that the rest of the republican members are gone Toth don't know who's side he's on..trying to play both sides for hope of Mayor shot..Brando Just afraid to take a stand ..Sangiovanni..just gone ..But don't be surprised if you don't see past republican councils running with a better approach to issues..Will be interesting to say the least ..More trash talk will follow I'M SURE ..
BW
5:12 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
No wonder Sangiovanni voted no. He doesnt know anything about budgeting
http://njcourts.judiciary.state.nj.us/web11/JudgmentWeb/jsp/judgmentSearchResult.faces
Upset Union Member
6:47 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Whoa!! What about cutting Jaun and Scott's pay? How come Jaun still makes 6 figures and does absolutely nothing for the township. What about Joe Gilson who sits in his truck all day and either eats or talks on his cell phone as safety director. Why werent any cuts made in townhall or public works? Still way unanswered questions that need to be answered.
Mrgrumpass
9:26 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Upset Union Member
Face it even if your wish list were granted it would only be a small mount saved, the 800 lb. gorilla is still PW & the PD and you will be the first to be attacked. As I have stated before the PD should be under the county and may be PW too, Larger in these cases would be less expensive!
Joseph Woolston Brick
2:43 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
MrGrumpass, are you saying the the Ocean County Sheriffs Department should take over Brick? Do you have any idea what's going on with them? Do you want a 90 year old with suspected dementia running our township police system? Google it or search Patch for the story. It's unbelievable! I like our police department just the way it is, they do a great job and the officers on it are our friends and neighbors. I can't believe people bitch about their pay, would you face being killed everyday and leaving your wife a widow for the salary of a manager of Walmart ? If you do, please enter the academy, your hired!
OceanCounty
7:03 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Why does Brick still have it's own Medical Benefits Policy when it can go under the state's plan and save us $$
Daniel Nee
2:17 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Brick can't go under the state's plan. The current collective bargaining agreements in place provide for health coverage more generous than what the state plan would provide, therefore the town would be in breach of its contracts with the unions if they went to the state plan.
Upset Union Member
9:22 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
@oceancounty: because it's their way to scam and take funds to use in different retarded places.. By Brick going with state bennifits, they will be tracked n monitored as to where the $ is going and how it's being spent. The township is trying to stay as much under the radar as possible w/all the other probs they have already with the state, FBI and attorney generals office..
Mrgrumpass
9:29 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Its 9:30 shouldn’t you be at work now?
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
10:05 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
The new council had the opportunity to change that and didn't.
Daniel Nee
2:20 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Tired of BS -- It has nothing to do with the new council. See above post. We've done a couple stories on it, as well. The current union contracts provide for benefits packages more generous than what the state plan provides.
George
2:40 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Dan I agree with you I can't stand all the politics it means nothing to most of us and wastes alot of time.
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
2:46 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Dan, I understand that. However, contracts can be negotiated. Is it true that DPW still does not have a contract? I understand that their contract expired on 12/31/11.
Daniel Nee
4:04 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
The TWU (which represents the vast majority of DPW employees) does not have a contract, that is correct.
Upset Union Member
5:42 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
@Mrgrumpass: I was at work; So i cant blog like the idiots at townhall?
Mrgrumpass
6:25 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
If you are at work and you have time to blog than maybe you position need to be eliminated, I think the council president needs to find out who you are and see why you have this much time! I’m a taxpayer you work for me, I am not happy with slackers working for me!
darrell
10:41 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
I think your reference regarding the people in town hall is uncalled for. How do you know who does and who doesn't? Why does everybody have to call people names? Is there anyone that can have a normal conversation?
BW
7:00 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
" I am not happy with slackers working for me!"
OMG LMAOOOOOOOOO thank you grumpy! I sooooooooooo needed a good laugh! So in other words everyone who works for the town should be fired? I TOTALLY AGREE AND LETS START AT THE TOP!
brick strong
10:31 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Yea thats the answer..more people running our town with no experience ..you can how its working since jan...???
Ryan Meyers
7:24 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Br82 How do you explain two of the senior council members voted with the four new council members ? I agree, they are disappointing to this point and we had expected much more dramatic change and transparency. Yet don't forget, the change we've hoped they'd have made by now, was all created by those "experienced" town leaders. If they truly are listening to the taxpayers, they'll take heed and do what they promised.
Upset Union Member
8:15 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
@Mrgrumpass: too bad I don't work at townhall, so waste your time having ducey try n finding out who I am.. Your an old geezer who lives in greenbriar or lions head that has nothing else better to do.. :)
Ryan Meyers
8:48 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Upset Union Member, why hasn't anyone brought up the scandal about going away from the Dodge Charger & back to Weisleder to purchase Fords ? Everyone at DPW seems to be talking about it.
Upset Union Member
9:05 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
@Ryan Meyers: since Dan isn't reporting it, explain.. Dan your slacking and not keeping the tax payers in the loop.
Mrgrumpass
8:53 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Your the only slacker here!
Mrgrumpass
9:00 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Oh by the way I am self-employed and I will be on you like white on rice, you are on my payroll! The IT people in townhall can zero in on your computer BOZO!
Art Sholty
11:54 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
I hope that now all who thought I was not telling the truth will think better because my predictions have all come true even the one that Bullet Dan Toth would turn coat and make his bed with the new Democratic Council. He's on the NJ State Legislature now. How do I know? He has a special license plate marked with a coat of arms that only a State Legislature can have (1- FDT) ???????? I expect this will be killed as inappropriate by the Bullett himself.
Mickey
2:00 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
why couldn't he agree with them, if he felt that way also. you want R's to vote as a block, regardless if that's the correct vote...or not. that's the formula that got us in this mess to begin with. I guess you feel the same way about Brando then ?
George
5:24 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Art wake up the budget was adopted forget the politics nobody cares.