Brick Government Restructuring Plan Proves Controversial
Warning from attorney as ordinance intending on cutting costs moves forward
The introduction of two ordinances that would eliminate several positions in municipal government, create some new positions and restructure several departments proved controversial Monday night, starting with a warning from the township attorney.
The ordinances, which Council President John Ducey said were not drafted by the regular township attorney, would eliminate eight positions within township government and create three new ones. Not all of the eight positions are currently filled, Ducey said.
In addition to the eight positions to be cut, which include those currently held by Deputy Business Administrator Juan Bellu and Recreation Department Head Dave Francese, the departments of Recreation as well as Community Development and Land Use would be eliminated entirely, with their operations rolled into other departments.
Warning from Attorney
Ducey said the elimination of the positions could save taxpayers as much as $418,000 per year, but the introduction of the ordinances on first reading began with a warning from Township Attorney Jean Cipriani.
"These ordinances have a tremendous impact on a number of employees' employment," said Cipriani. "Some have bumping rights."
That means even if some of the affected employees are appointed and not covered under civil service laws, they retain the right to move back into the civil service system, which in turn could cause other employees to be "bumped" out of their positions.
Cipriani said introducing the ordinances without identifying potentially-affected employees and issuing them so-called Rice notices came with risk.
Rice notices are legally-mandated notices given to certain public employees whose employment will be discussed at a governmental meeting.
"You did not contact, as far as I know, any of the individually-affected employees," said Cipriani.
Cipriani, along with Business Administrator Scott Pezarras and Councilman Domenick Brando, balked at the fact that they were not notified of the pending ordinance introductions until late Friday.
Cipriani also said there were "significant substantive problems" with the proposal, though she did not identify them at the meeting.
Brando abstained from voting to introduce the ordinances. All of the other council members – with the exception of Councilman Joseph Sangiovanni, who was not present – voted in favor of introducing them.
"I may very well, in the end, vote for these ordinances," Brando said. "But I just need more information."
Additions and Subtractions
The proposed ordinances eliminate eight positions, six of them being deputy department heads. They are the deputy department heads for: Administration, Finance and Public Affairs, Land Use and Community Development, Engineering, Law, Parks and Recreation and Public Works. The remaining two positions to be eliminated are Director of Land Use and Community Development and Director of Parks and Recreation.
Some of those positions, such as the deputy department head for the Law Department, are not filled. In the case of the Department of Law, the township uses an outside law firm as its counsel instead of an in-house team.
Three positions would be created under the ordinances. They are deputy department heads for the Finance Department and the Tax Assessor. A deputy township clerk position would also be created.
The elimination of the current salaries will save $418,000, when the additional salary of the deputy clerk position is factored in.
"When we ran, we were running on doing this," said Councilman Jim Fozman. "And this is the right time."
Ducey said most of the positions being eliminated were created in 2008, and for years the township ran efficiently without them.
"These changes were made in 2008, and you all know what happened from 2008 until today with our taxes," he said. "They skyrocketed."
State law requires a public hearing and a second vote before the ordinances can be enacted. Those actions are expected to take place at the Sept. 25 council meeting.
BW
6:28 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
So the council wants to remove those positions Stevie created for his friends, family and political cronies. Go for it. There are many others jobs that were given to the Acropolis crowd beginning in 2007, when he was first elected. I have to laugh because he has said since 2007, he was going to clean out the Scarpelli friends and family, which he did, but only to replace them, plus more, with his own friends and family.
As to the Law Department, we could save hundreds of thousands by hiring an in house Attorney, instead of paying the extortionist rates Gilmore charges us now.
can't say who
6:30 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
WOW!!! About time.
Reality
6:38 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I just went on the Township website to look for a list of employees and job title by department. Why is this information not clearly listed on the Township website? Each and every Brick Township taxpayer has a right to know this information. Mr. Ducey, Mr. Pezarras, Mr. Acropolis: Please post this information on the Township website immediately.
BW
6:42 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
You can get most of the info on data universe but not all. There are certain employees who's information has purposely been left out of the public records, including Steve.
Reality
7:05 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
BW - Thanks, I know you can get the names and salaries on Data Universe. But what about job titles? Again, there should be a list, by Department, with each employee name and job title, on the Township website. It needs to be made public that we are paying absurdly high salary and benefits to numerous employees simply because they have been in their position for a long time. Hmm, would it be much more cost-effective for the taxpayer if salaries were based on job performance and not just longevity?!!!
Jerry Belle
11:26 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
You can go through the Open Public Records Acts (OPRA) if they are being deliberately obtuse.
KMC
6:43 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Finally.
Jerseyshoregirl2
7:38 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
AWESOME!!
DennyD
7:43 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
What "job" is Juan Bellu doing today? What was he doing yesterday? What is he doing tomorrow? Didn't the Mayor give him a $50K pay "raise" a few years ago? He must be doing one hell of a "job"! What does he do Mr. Mayor? We(not you) are paying him $150K per year.
Flo
7:48 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Reality, the info you seek is public document and therefore subject to th Open Public Records Act (OPRA). You should file this request with the township clerk. They will have the necessary form to fill out. You must be very specific when requesting this information since OPRA is a request for DOCUMENTS not information. The payroll/finance dept probably has such a document. Be prepared to pay. 05 per sheet for an 8x11 sheet of paper.
Reality
8:13 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Flo - My point is that one should NOT have to OPRA this information. (Thanks. I am very aware of what OPRA is.) Rather, there should be a list on the Township website for the public to easily view. This list should be broken out by department and should have names and job titles of each and EVERY employee. The list should also show salaries. One should not have to file an OPRA nor go on Data Universe to obtain this information.
Art Sholty
8:58 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Never put politics before security, even though the majority of Democratic Council members campaigned for smaller government during election proceedings. They also had help in their quest of getting rid of certain employees who were appointed by the current administration's process. Yes they sure had needed help in the person of Bullet Dan Toth, a "Galvanized Democrat," who in my opinion, wants to show allegiance to his Democratic majority. This is nothing but Politics 101 and Toth knows how to deal underhandedly. More on the Master of Abstain a little later.
I don't have a dog in the fight concerning these comments brought forth by the council, I too want to see smaller government, but at what price? The regular appointed Lawyer instructed the council that by attempting to pass this ordinance,, it might affect others in the seniority chain of employment, where-by creating law suits that could sky rocket into the tens of thousands of dollars. I ask, what kind of savings will be had if law suits win and garner untold tax doillars to be given to the agreeved employees? There goes the projected savings of $400K, right out the window.
Councilman Brando and former councilman Thulen had the right idea which was to re-think the motion, discuss it further and then bring it up for a vote. Is this too much to ask for?
Ryan Meyers
1:53 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Art, you did have a dog in the fight and he's about to become neutered. While I certainly am not a fan of Toth, your obsession continues to be front and center.
Bertha
8:01 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
app.com has a web site that has everyones salaries, State, local, turnpike ect.
BW
8:03 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Bertha the info on app is incomplete. They only have what the town, state etc send them. If you search it, you will find several familiar names have been omitted from the info the town sent.
Reality
8:18 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
BW - Yup, you are so correct about the incomplete list. In addition, Data Universe does NOT list job titles. I think the general public would be astounded to realize we are paying astronomical salaries and benefits to many employees simply because of longevity, and not because of any expertise/education/knowledge required of their position.
Bertha
8:05 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
thank you.
Peter Weldon
9:12 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Read the above carefully. "Bumping" rights? "Rice" notices? Do any of you not working for government have any such "rights?" Where did these "rights" come from? They came from politicians creating and passing laws that secure the employment of people working for government at YOUR expense as a citizen and taxpayer.
Do you have such "rights" in your private sector job? Are your job, benefits, and retirement secured and guaranteed by the taxing and political authority of any government? Of course not. Yet we pay for these guarantees.
There are less than 400 Brick Township Municipal employees (excludes schools). There are 75,000 residents of whom about 50,000 are registered to vote.
It is time for us all to pay attention.
nan
3:55 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I am not positive but I believe "bumping rights" only apply to Union represented employees. Rice notices on the other hand apply to all.
Seen Enough
9:25 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I have been very critical of the Ducey regime on this site. All I can its about time. To those on here who want to make this about the Steve appointees, how about commenting on the real problem here. "Bumping Rights" give me a break, where do bumping rights exist in the private sector? We never can get anything done in an efficient manner because of the unions. Interesting to see the Ducey regime take a positive step just lets hope it does not cost us more in the long run. And we need unions why??????
A Resident
10:07 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
"Bumping Rights" is a civil service protection, not a union protection. Can't blame the unions for bumping rights.
nan
3:57 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Bumping rights do exist in the private sector in jobs which are collectively bargained by a Union.
Sally Ike
9:50 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
"That means even if some of the affected employees are appointed and not covered under civil service laws, they retain the right to move back into the civil service system."
I personally would like further clarification on this statement by the attorney. My understanding is that appointed employees serve at the pleasure of the Mayor with advise and consent of the Council. Although the Council may eliminate these positions via ordinance, in our form of government, the Mayor retains control of staffing decisions. Is she saying that rather than terminating these employees, the Mayor would put them into civil service positions (which, if I am correct, neither Juan nor Dave ever had), thereby forcing out other employees who may or may not have anything to do with the politics of this situation.
It is also my understanding that when the Deputy Department Head positions were created, they were to be unpaid titles - meaning that the employees in those positions retained their original civil service titles. If that's the case they should not be in any jeopardy whatsoever.
JD
10:00 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Regarding Cipriani comment regarding bumping rights...
so what... Bellu and Francese do not have any bumping rights... only a few years with Brick... so this is achieving what many in Brick have wanted!!! getting rid of Bellu... and Francess wasn't needed to begin with... blame Acropolis for these hires.
JD
10:20 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
btw... This is an ordinance on 1st reading...
They can start putting together the plan to implement... rice notices, etc.
Bertha
10:23 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I had to go by public works and was ashamed for all of brick to see the condition of the AMERICAN FLAG that is flying at that site, on any day. But today of all days!! Also. Shoudn't the flag be at haft mast today? Sorry to change the subject but I found this very upsetting
JHill
11:09 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Good job. Time to cut some of the FAT we got stuck with when Stevie appointed all his local buddies to no show jobs.
BW
11:16 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Now if we could get rid of Lacey at the MUA. The MUA has LOST 20 million under his watch. Time for him to go bye-bye
FAIRNESS
11:26 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Are there any minorities working within the Brick municipal government?
FAIRNESS
11:38 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
In Bayonne the MUA is being bought by united water for roughly 40 million and they are not keeping any workers. Also united water is charging an increase of 4% for services per year for 10 years.
What's worse is the one swinging the deal is the former director of the MUA which is the reason why their in so much debt and he is now the city's BA. Don't let this happen to Brick.
Bwirth
1:07 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Why is no one picking up on the fact that they are creating a NEW, Politically Appointed, not needed title of Deputy Township Clerk? Horray that they are getting rid of Juan and Dave!! They were also not needed titles that were created for friends. But NOW they are doing the same thing! They talked about titles prior to 2008. There was no Deputy Clerk then either. Let's see who gets that job......
BW
1:21 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
If you read the ordnance you will see those jobs created, have very precise qualifications to get hired. While I can sit back and go hmmmmmmm, I strongly doubt that they all have friends and family who have those qualifications (1 maybe tops)
Those appointed by Steve into jobs he created just for them, do not have ANY qualifications what so ever for the jobs they were given. And Jim Lacey's qualifications are "he has always been fancinated by water" and that facination has cost the Citizens of Brick 20 million dollars over the last 5 years. I guess you could say Lacey flushed it.
Bwirth
1:48 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I did read it and the Deputy Clerk does not have any qualification requirements. That's why I only mentioned that one. The other two new ones seem ligitimate.
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
2:41 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I think this is more smoke & mirrors. They will just clear out those people to make room for their own "friends & family" club. Rumor has it at DPW that a TWU chairperson is going for union president as well as a position in his own office on Chambersbridge Rd. Now, that's ironic....get rid of the public works dept head...position opens...friend/public works employee/union shop steward...moves in as a friend & supporter democratic council members. See, same crap, different people!!!!!! BTW, info came from a spouse of a DPW employee.
Joseph Woolston Brick
7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Well if they are setting up their own friends and family deals, they sure didn't learn much. Just look at what happened to Steve's buddies during the last election and what's going to happen to them November 2013...if the newbies want to keep their jobs, there better not be any friends or relative shenanigans or they will be joining Steve and the rest of them a few years from now. (Don't quit your day jobs!)
Herbert's and Ville
10:44 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Oh yea, rumors are spreading like wildfire about Ducey starting a new family and friends club to work in town hall. A few blabbermouths are already going around town telling folk's they are a lock on a new job. Ducey and company , here we go!
BW
11:11 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
WEEEEEEEEE the trolls are back in action! I bet Steve is pissed he has lost his control over the town.
Is it true Steve is resigning from the TRMUA for a state job?
Joseph Woolston Brick
8:47 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
BW from your lips to God's ear, now only if that state job would require him to resign as Mayor a year early, it would be like the whole town winning the lottery.
Chief Wahoo
6:26 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Look at little Scottie Pezzaras fight for Juan Bellus salary and benefits , like a good little puppet
Polly
11:45 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I heard today that one of the four Dem council folk may be resigning for a new job in Trenton. Word was heavy on the strret last week about one of Duceys gang, could be Ducey?
KC
12:14 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I have a funny feeling if heads roll they are going to look to once again cancel trash pickup. Politics is such a dirty business - I think the average person presumes corruption even if it isn't there and God knows it certainly is.
Joseph Woolston Brick
9:01 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
It is so important for the population of Brick to get out and vote in the next election, to get rid of the garbage that has been creating the garbage for the last few years. I have a feeling who ever runs against Acropolis is going to have a landslide victory. That person could be deaf, dumb and blind and still win.
Brick
9:23 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
KC that's why we need someone who wont talk down and berate anyone.
There's nothing worse then a whiny ex politician IE Mile Thulen,... Mike please stay home
Brick
9:26 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Joe K... The mayor can not be honest. He can lie to meet his needs and points... 2013 can not quick enough
Mrgrumpass
9:32 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
First I must say that Juan Bellu is a carpet bagger from Toms River and should have been gone long ago! But there are a few things that trouble me here “The ordinances, which Council President John Ducey said were not drafted by the regular township attorney, would eliminate eight positions within township government and create three new ones.”
#1. Who was the attorney who drafted this document?
a. Do we have to pay this attorney
b. The attorney needs to be identified
c. Why the town (paid) attorney was not consulted or assigned the drafting of this document?
#2. When was this ordinances decided on and by who?
a. Which council people decided on this action
b. Was there a Quorum of council people present at the time this action was being decided on? (Which is illegal seeing it was not an official properly advertised meeting)
This seems like the New Bees have some explaining to do, back room dealings should not be tolerated!
IGGY
6:34 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Hello.......wake up........smell the coffee......there is an attorney list that council can use ..........do you think that they would go to Gilmore's for this draft or advice. This is just the start of the new council cleaning up the dead wood........sit back and enjoy the ride !!!!!!
Mrgrumpass
8:19 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
IGGY I don't have the unlimited amount of time to spend on line as most people here do, but improper and illegal procedures don't fly no matter what their end game is. And Gilmore’s law firm was hired by the town not a party it is their fiduciary responsibility to the town to do a proper job by LAW! Speaking of dead wood when the present administration took over from JS's corrupt administration there was a cleanup of dead wood I am not sure of the number but 30 to 40 people were removed and not replaced. There is the same poop going on with this new group of so called servants of the people, they will be placing their friendlies and family in positions they are moving to other depts. look at road paving one of our new bees he massaged the priority list to have his road paved sooner, same old same old new faces!
nan
4:23 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Mr. Grump...
If you watched the Sept 10 meeting you would have heard these questions asked and NOT answered. A committee of three had some unnamed attorney draft the resolution. By itself it would not have been bad if on first reading there had been full disclosure of why someone else and all the info without anyone having to ask the questions.
As to paying the attorney that answer was "No impact" pay Ms Ciopriani or pay unnamed attorney. Having chosen another attorney the rationale should have been given to us and the unnamed attorney should have taken the seat at the Counsel table to answer all questions.
We are not allowed to comment on first reading but we are still entitled to ALL the FACTS.
Peter Weldon
11:40 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
One would have thought that the current elected municipal council members would take overt and deliberate steps to assure the public of their integrity and commitment, putting the interests of the citizens before their own and those of entrenched local interests given the history of Brick governance.
I point out the following from Wikipedia: "Former Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli resigned as of December 8, 2006, amid a federal corruption probe into township government. On January 8, 2007, Scarpelli pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges for accepting money from developers in exchange for using his official position to obtain approval for development projects. Township Clerk Virginia Lampman was appointed to fill the role of mayor until the Township Council could select a replacement. On December 17, 2007, former Scarpelli was sentenced in Federal Court in Newark to serve 18 months in prison and was fined $5,000, after admitting that he had accepted bribes from 1998 to 2003."
We can do better, a lot better.
Joseph Woolston Brick
9:08 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
You know what Mr. Weldon, if Joe Scarpelli ran against Steve Acropolis the next election, Scarpelli would win, felon or not. That is how sick and tired the people of this town are with Steve and his band of Merry Men. That's a fact! At least with Scarpelli we knew what we were dealing with, he was somewhat of a stable person, with Acropolis, not so much.
Seen Enough
9:56 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Joseph Woolston Brick
you could also say the following
if Joe Scarpelli ran against anyone from the Ducey regime the next election, Scarpelli would win, felon or not. That's a fact! At least with Scarpelli we knew what we were dealing with, he was somewhat of a stable person, with the Ducey regime, not so much ala benefits!.
Typical Obama Voter
9:58 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
@Josephwoolstonbrick.......you would re-elect Scarpelli to run the town like his personal kingdom, while taking bribes and extorting money and bullying town workers because he treated them like he owned the town. The reason you dont like Acropolis is because he is just like Scarpelli. No one was a bigger friends and family man than Scarpelli. Scarpelli and acropolis are two of the same. Dont lower yourself to want an admitted convicted thief in office. You are better than that.
Mrgrumpass
8:23 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Joseph Woolston Brick
Joe would love to be back in office his mattress is in need of filling!
I B buggin
12:27 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
http://php.app.com/NJpublicemployees12/results.php?lastn=Bellu&firstn=Juan&location=%25&countyname=%25&fundname=%25&Submit=Search
knarfie
3:10 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
If Scarpelli is the best name to come up with, it's really time to get out of town.