Fire Juan and Scoot; Cut Salaries and then talk about getting rid of the people who make you look good. Your biting your nose to spite ur face steven!

What a joke, if we do get rid of the DPW and those 77 employees I guess there will be no need for an assistant business administrator. Can someone please explain to me why we pay Mr. Pezarras $174,880 (2010 numbers) and according to APP.com he had 4 public jobs in 2010 for a total $229,132. And Mr. Bellu made $150,000 and according to APP.com he had two public jobs for a total of $152,000, it is people like this that are draining this township. Enough is enough.

Simple math steven, i know your reading!!! Scott; lower ur salary to $1 if you love brick so much and then do whatever you two do with toms river and the pony show. Leave brick tax money out of it!

Want some real common sense? LOL in their faces.. Did everyone know that there are 2 administrators in the mechanic shop downstairs in a small office located in public works? Two guys doing the same job sitting at a desk and the other one playing bingo on yahoo.com. Did you know that theirs 3 admins in public works, two that drive around all day and watch ur garbage cans being picked up and the 3rd is sitting in an office county dump slips. Even better, its a guy who drives around who got kicked out of recreation for fighting that checks to see if you recycled? Yea i bet all you tax payers wondered who was sending you those threatening recycling letters! These are the wasteful spending holes that need to be fixed in brick. Why does there need to be 3 people sitting at a desk answering phones making 40+ a year in public works. Dont eliminate everyone in public works, do cuts Steve!. Again before you bite ur nose to spite ur face; site down and think things out over lunch with scott. Scott donate your salary to the township and keep it at one dollar and eliminate your boy jaun.

Ever watch a movie and you just know what the ending is goin to be? I told my neighbors he wouldn't stay and answer questions & take the heat. But it was worth attending just to watch him slither away. Personally I feel we can reduce costs in all departments, which should be considered thru attrition. Outsourcing the DPW might be cost effective day one, but once we're into the process, we'd be at the mercy of whatever company used. Surprised the administration didn't suggest they could secure the lowest price from a company, usig the volume of the entire town and place safe guards in any contract, rather then make each home owner scramble and throw out all this confusion. Probably part of the Mayors game plan. One thing I hope is considered is getting away from pensions. While the township does have an obligation to honor to those with considerable time, some change to a 401k so the burden to the taxpayers needs to be researched. Lets hope this Council treats the employee's and taxpayers fairly.

Township Council - Please immediately propose that ALL, I repeat ALL, Township workers immediately do the following:
1) Contribute substantially to their health coverage.
2) Switch from ancient, cost-prohibitive plans - you know, the ones referred to as Caddilac plans. (These have not existed in the private sector for 20 years now.)
3) Give back at least 3 of their 12 paid holidays.

For what it's worth, here's my idea of utopia:
We would immediately get rid of the last-in, first-out and same-raise-for-all mandates for public-sector workers." When cutbacks need to happen, wouldn't it be nice if the laziest workers were let go? There are many dedicated public workers. They all know who the slackers are. They resent the fact that under civil service rules, these slackers receive the same pay raises each year as they do. The slackers recognize that it is virtually impossible for them to get fired. Wouldn't it be nice if supervisors AND fellow workers could actually have input into who is let go when layoffs need to happen? Wouldn't it be nice if pay raises were based on actual peformance?

Hey, I know this is never going to happen in the foreseeable future, but I can dream, can't I?

This brings me back to when Gov Christie called out the mayor after the huge storms last winter. The mayor failed miserably to have a plan in place and he tried to blame the state, Christie called him out blaming his lack of an effective plan prior to the storms. This sounds like deja-vu, the mayor has no plan except to blame 1 dept for his complete and utter lack of financial planning. Mayor, when is it ever going to be YOUR fault?

Am I reading this right? Would that mean that the garbage collectors will be out of jobs? Also if we source out than are we the homeowners of brick will be paying for our own garbage collection? Also if this is true are we going to have to pay when we take our own garbage to the dumps??

Also what is it going to cost us homehowners to pay for our garbage?

Council, Save Our Services for garbage and trash services, we voted to keep the services last year.
Suggestions: Hold an Open Brick Budget Crisis Workshop.
Invite citizens and past council members, both sides of the aisle to attend and work on the Brick Budget Crisis.
The Brick Budget Crisis challenge the Mayor gave is to find 8 cents to keep DPW.
Here are two ideas:
1. Restructure and eliminate 2 administrators, highest paid go first, offer to pay health care for early retirement and give them unemployment.
2. Add red light cameras at all major intersections in Brick. Think of the red light cameras as travel road tolls to create revenue.
Everyone who blogs: Post one idea for a solution to the Brick Budget Crisis.
Do not play the blame game, except after you have posted one solution.
After you post one solution, blame the Mayor for crafting the 2012 Brick Budget Crisis.

How come the are no layoffs in the police dept

Take a look at having retirees pay for a portion of their health costs like private industry is doing. I would like to know how much retirees health benefits are costing the town. It is probably a bundle.

So I guess Toth is no longer a loyal follower of Acropolis. I am curious to see what Brando and Sangioviani do. Will they do the right thing or just roll over?

Don't be fooled into thinking that private garbage service is going to save anyone money. My sister in law lives in an affluent northern NJ 'bedroom' community. About 15 years ago I know her yearly fee was $850+ and going up every year. If you have a heavier than usual garbage day (say for holidays or a party) they will up your fee the next time your contract is calculated. She used to actually bring some of her extra garbage down here to throw out. When I walked in the woodsy trails in her neighborhood I would see random piles of house waste, she explained that people dump in the woods to avoid their fees going up and up. That extra 200+ bucks we will 'save' one time by adopting this 'budget' is a joke. I'm an adult, I don't mind paying for services, trim the fat in the bloated 'admin' jobs in the township and force public employees to contribute towards their health care. It was not taxes that pissed me off but rather the payola and unethical behavior by the GOP council and mayor.

If a Brick Policeman/woman has a spouse that has health insurance and the Police person chooses not to take insurance they get paid thousands of dollars for not taking it. Eliminate that.

Fuzzy math in his numbers. The savings to the taxpayer would be approximately $245 in property taxes, however my taxes went up by $470. We were told that the passing of the referendum would be an average of $300 per household (tax increase). That was way off. I can guarantee you that the $245 number is on the high side and we would most likely see LESS than that as a reduction in our tax.

So, if you are "rolling back" the voter approved referendum and claiming that the savings to the budget would be $8.6 million (same number that was used to say that voting on the referendum to exceed the cap), how is it that I would see less than half of my increase?

This guy needs to find the door, walk through it and never look back.

I'll take the tax cut please!
Sorry but I can't afford to subsidize these 77 workers and their families. I have my own family that I have bills to pay for!
The private sector has been cutting over the last 4 years.

Hey Steve! You did not mention that Point Pleasant went out for BIDS FOR THE ENTIRE TOWN FOR GARBAGE TO GET THE BEST COST AND HAVE CLOUT IN THE AGREEMENT. Your idea is to throw each and every one of the township residents under the truck and make them negotiate with whoever they can - with no clout OR protection. GET SERIOUS. Get rid of 10% of everybody (EVEN YOUR RELATIVES IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT) It is called share the hurt. NOT GENISIDE TO A GROUP OF 77.

The people cast their vote last year on the garbage collection.. Yes we want and paid for garbage collection……. Now Mr. Major we want you to Govern as the fiscal conservative that you claimed to be when you were elected. There are too many township employees making 6 figures... Reduce spending 10% in each dept and there is your 8 million in savings……. you play the all or nothing game and the people a wise to it…….. Show some courage and reduce waste and unnecessary spending in every dept……yes even the BPD…. we want to keep all hard working town employees BUT the township employees all need to make a little less and pay more for their health care like the rest of us who pay all the bills at Town hall…. The gravy train has run out of gas,,, start by cutting expenses

My best friend's second cousin's in-laws uncle has private garbage collection. He pays $2,000 per year, and the cost is going up to $2,900 next year! And that is for just the smallest size garbage can, not like the large ones most of us Brick Township residents have now. This person lives in one of the most affluent towns in New Jersey. But his neighborhood is full of trash. The people in this affluent town just dump their trash all over the place so they don't have to pay extra for additional garbage pickup. Futher, the residents of this affluent town only have bulk pickup four times a year. So the trails in this affleunt town are full of old washing machines, refrigerators, mattresses, couches, regular trash, etc.!

For someone who is supposed to be a grown up, Steve acts more immature then my 9 year old!

There is an old saying "be careful who you step on,on your way up the ladder, because you will meet the same people on your way down".

Jhill "In Howell through Waste Management yearly garbage pickup was 108/quarter or around 430 bucks" - Maybe it's just me but even those costs you are quoting is more than the 245$ we are expected to 'save' and that doesn't even factor in the cost of other lost services such as leaf/snow removal and recycling. Plus the private company has you by the short and curly and can and will continue to raise the cost past the 'honeymoon' phase with them. Seems like some basic math is missing from your point along with an almost childlike trust that the waste removal business in NJ is now run by boyscouts.

To the new Democrats on the Council…. as a registered republican I voted for you (well I actually wanted to fire the Republican crew) but please look at the best long term solution the to PWD issue. I do not like this over reaction governing. I think that if all options are on the table the right answer for the township and the PWD employees would be very clear. Please keep politics out of it and make the hard choices that your predecessors could or would not make… Pirate collection may be the answer but it has other issues to consider and would be best run by the town which would have a better bargaining position… I have no problem keeping the PWD but all hard working public employees need to give back some… I am sure that there is also much over head that could be reduced to save money good luck and yes we well be watching

So JHill when can I expect my refund check for the 600 my taxes went up? If you really think, the king is going to lower the taxes if he is allowed to do away with PW, I have some Ocean front property in the Nevada desert you might like!
FYI I called waste management and got a quote of 150 a quarter, for 1 pick up of 1 50 gallon trash can, and that does not include bulk or recycling.

Believe me Steve has something up his sleeve, and pretty soon he or one of his henchmen here on the forum will slip up and let the cat out of the bag.

With the hundred's of posts on here about this subject. One thing that I do not get is why there were not more people there last night. There were only a few public that got up and showed up. Considering the DPW thing and the many, many posts on here you would think more people would actually show up.

Budget is not posted yet on the website. Did we budget sale proceeds of the equipment? Mr. Pezarras do you have any details?

Cosmo, they only post the power point on the website, not the line by line. The line by line is usually available at the library. Good luck!

I propose that Princeton Ave residents collectively negotiate with a private hauler. Once we organize on that front we can begin organizing on seceding from the township of Brick. Mantoloking did this over 100 years ago. Its time for us to do the same.

So let me get this straight.... the average homeowner will save about $245 a year if PW is abolished, but it will cost about $400 to $600 a year for private collection? Wow! Such a deal! Still say officials should seek the following: pay freeze; increasing employee contributions to health care insurance by four percent each year over five years; go to a four day work week with staggered schedules so that positions are covered for all week days; convince employees that if they are not willing to compromise, many will face the possible fate of public works. Better to have less income than no income! The mayor says the current work rules were "negotiated". Maybe the township needs better negotiators.

The Administration can be more creative then this - What are we paying Scott and Juan all these big bucks. To come up with a plan so short sided is unexcusable. Why did vote for the refereandum in the first place. It's for a forensic audit of the entire budget. There is so much waste in this Brick Township Government that cutting 10% across the board should have no inpact on the services that we are owed - that's what are tax dollars are for - it's time for the Mayor to step down if he can't handle the daily function of the position he was voted to do.
Now that the Council has the budget it is theirs to do what is best for our entire Community not the few family freinds the Mayor takes care of.
On a other matter how did Tony Matthews become Interim Executive Director of the
Housing Authority - go figure.

Since there will be one less department for the Mayor and his administrators to look after, then there is less work for the Mayor and his administrators to do. So I immediately call for the Mayors position and that of the administrators to be part time and the pay adjusted accordingly. Plain and simple, the more privatization of services, the less people we need in town hall. If we in our neighborhoods have to start taking control of our own garbage and other services, why do we need these six figure people in town hall, when we are doing their jobs ourselves? Hmmm maybe there is something to this plan after all!

Spend, spend, spend! This town just loves to spend! WHY did we vote in April? Didn't it cost us money to have this "special" vote? Weren't we told that we would be good for 4-5 years IF we voted yes? Didn't the town spend all this wasted money on Traders Cove? Didn't the town just spend money on 2 "slightly used" trucks? Wasn't this "magical" amount, $8.6 million the SAME amount in April to KEEP Public Works AND the rec dept, senior services, & cops? I'm sorry, but there's too much wasted spending in this town! After the people voted yes in April, almost every time I turned around, I was reading something that the town was spending money on...like the "extra" money was burning a hole in their pockets! SELL Traders Cove, the Civic Center AND the old Foodtown...NOW!!!!! As for Public Works, start doing your darn job!! FIX the road on Lake Shore Dr & Pinetree!! STOP hanging out at 7/11!! STOP BSing with the neighbors!!

Jhill - your math with private waste management still does not add up to actuall savings. Thats your plan to have to shop around for a new waste management provider every six months to a year when the intro price expires - honey here aren't THAT MANY waste managed companies out there for that to be a long term solution. Sounds to me like some of you just have a vendetta against public employees. Instead of just chucking everything we can 'lean' down departments and waste and heck I think we can strap a bag to people caught littering to clean up Rt. 70 or any other road. At some point litterbugs should be held accountable and forced to pay.

took you people awhile , but its about time you have Pezzaras and Bellu in your bullseye....Better late than never

FIRE SCOTT PEZZARAS

i dont know why every one isnt for the private garbage ......than everyone gets to pay a fix amount for the same exact service and not based on how big or expensive your house is.......oh wait maybe thats the reason why !!!!!

The Administration can be more creative then this - What are we paying Scott and Juan all these big bucks. To come up with a plan so short sided is unexcusable. Why did we vote for the refereandum in the first place. It's TIME for a forensic audit of the entire budget. There is so much waste in this Brick Township Government that cutting 10% across the board should have no inpact on the services that we are owed - that's what are tax dollars are for - it's time for the Mayor to step down if he can't handle the daily function of the position he was voted to do.
Now that the Council has the budget it is theirs to do what is best for our entire Community not the few family freinds the Mayor takes care of.
On a other matter how did Tony Matthews become Interim Executive Director of the
Housing Authority - go figure.
Does anyone know how many Police personal retired and how many have been hired since the referandum was past in April ?
To Mom of 3 there was no additional cost for the balot question last April since it was on the same balot with the Board of Education election .
And one last comment what do you have to say now Scott MacFadden & Kathy LIndenbaum the fund raisers of the Ballot Question - What do you have to say ?

Cosmo, think before you speak. The LINE BY LINE is not on the website. What is on the website is the is the basic numbers. Everything summed up. The line by line is well over 100 pages.

If you look real hard, it will give you numbers for income, but not broken down as to where it came from. Will give you expenses, but again not broken down. Believe what you want. Having lived here my whole life, and knowing the mayor since 8 th grade, maybe he has a bridge you can buy from him.

I am wiating to hold my judgement on the budget till the Democrats come up with something. They now have the power, the budget, and the documents. Lets see what they come up with. I want to hear from them first. Time to put up or shut up Dems. I'd recommend a seperate forum for them to present it so they can give details and take questions. I think the mayor should do the same. Then we, the public can make an honest assesment

Getting budgets from department heads is a joke as well. I wish someone would take a realistic look at each line item from the previous year in each department. Anyone that can read would see the waste. Towards the end of the year departments spend on ridiculous BS just to SPEND DOWN their line item budgets. If they DON'T spend all the money from that year, they get less budgeted for the following year. Could you imagine running your household like that? How about if they didn't spend it it gets carried OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR?

Its like the mentality of " how can my checking account be over drawn if I still have checks left?"

The 4 democRATS said they were going to lower property taxes......well it looks like all they have to do is agree with the budget.....of course they could lower the property taxes more......Cut the the police 25% AND CUT ADMIN 50%

What kind of management do we have in this town? The original article "77 Township Workers Given Layoff Notices" gave me the perception that the town would contract with an independent hauler for these services. Now I'm reading us property owners will need to do the contracting. What about recyclables, bulk, etc? The township voted to keep these services in house, so why doesn't the township negotiate with "ALL" the unions to contain benefit costs and raises? Who will maintain township vehicles? The management in this town needs to take a good look in the mirror. You are being paid well to make smart decisions here. Pushing the work and responsibility to contract private trash collection off to the citizens is not a sound management decision, If the township were actually doing their job, they would put a single contract out for bids like Point did instead of having every homeowner contract individually; A single contract would result in lower costs overall to us taxpayers- Ever hear of economies of scale?

Go to a INDEPENDENT AUDIT should be the Councils first step.Include ALL positions workers,Adm.Supv. anything that gets a paycheck from our taxpayer money.do away wiith all the frills for the SUMMER.Police Dept. HOW MANY OFFICERShired this past year,How many SGTS. per officer.Reduce the pay of Scott P. and J.B. how MANY SECTY TO SECTY DO WE HAVE IN TOWN HALL?How much does King Stevies secty.make?????? MANY WAYS TO GO AFTER THE REAL GARBAGE BEFORE HURTING 77 PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES...We voted yes last year now the KING is telling us NO. To Mr. Gilmore and Cartine. the last election was a plurality of 3to1...THIS will be a LANDSLIDE against any R you put up.Thank your Mayor for that.....

It all has to start with removing Juan! The new council has hired an auditor that cost several thousand more than the previous auditor sounds like it’s time to pay back for those political contributions! We must start looking at them too!

Do an independent audit and have the state DESK AUDIT all empyrean to see if they are qualified to hold the position and salary they get. Yes it does have some hidden risks of some people working below their title and the state changes the title and pay scale but I bet so many people would have to change titled and salary because they are so under qualified fir the job they are doing. Also why are people given titles that have NOTHING to do with what they actually do. That's something that needs to be looked into as well.

Those of you who call public works lazy and claim they get paid more then they are worth, take a ride over to windward beach. For days now, public works has been cutting down trees, removing brush,busting their asses.

So all of you who say lay them off, go over to windward, and do what they are doing, for a lousy 35k per year. I DARE you.

You know what, Me, you're kind of right. Most people wouldn't do what the folks of PW do on a DAILY basis for that type of money, but that is what the employees signed up for, that and JOB SECURITY. Most PW workers are the hardest workers the township has. Sure there are slackers as pro works baby pointed out. Most of the slackers are the upper management levels. If the guys of PW weren't doing their jobs on a daily basis, trust me you'd know it. This town would be a much bigger dump than it already is.

So basically there is no savings and it will cost the average tax payer $70 per year to eliminate the DPW.

I encourage everyone to go to this pdf and see what the monthly cost for the average homeowner to "save our services" versus Steve's projected "savings."

http://www.twp.brick.nj.us/library/Referendum%20Fact%20Sheet%204%204%202011.pdf

Thanks for nothing. Keep the DPW. I want to save money as much as the next person, but stop messing with people's lives.

Please, Michael, that was propaganda created by the Township to persuade the people of Brick to vote yes to exceed the 2% cap. Those figures are BS. BUT if anyone thinks they will save ANY money by eradicating the DPW they are as dilusional as the Mayor himself. While some of you point out to make calls to find out how much it will cost to get private pickup of your garbage don't forget to get quotes on recycling bulk metal Xmas trees leaves and branches

Good thing it has been a very mild winter! I bet if we had blizzards this year, -77 DPW employees would make an even better "winter wonderland" out of this area than last year.

LEW last years debacle was due to mismanagement. They guys were told to stay home until it was too late. Then most if the couldn't get to work due to impassable roadways. Upper management didn't keep an eye on outside vendors that were sent into specific neighborhoods but never showed. Make upper management take the responsibility of that screw up. Not the guys trying to get rid of 36 inches of snow with crap equipment.

How soon will the town post the 2012 Budget online?

we are not going to save any money on laying these people off because if we do not have garbage pick up then either does the board of ed., so they will have to pay to pick up thier garbage and raise our school taxes to pay for it, so we save nothing, and the rec dept. has a bargaining thing they do with the board of ed. , the town picks up their garbage and the rec dept. gets free gym time for the programs they have, so if the rec dept. has to pay for gym time then the parents of all those kids in those programs will have to pay more to sign their kids up, so it will cost us more. and why then keep the rec dept. why not make those programs private entities if we have to pay for them anyway,

Bricktucky taxes are going UP UP UP ......and the county has you lined up for a big increase too......shouldnt be long until the public employee takers are even complaining that the property taxes are too high to keep up with......

Oscar
you dont think they are complaining now? You're an idiot

The mayor claims he reduced the budget for 2012 but $2.5 million is the down payment from Standard Alternative to install the solar panels. It shouldn't be used in the budget, it should be used to reduce the $23.5 million debt Acropolis wants us to take on.

They are complaing about having to pay higher taxes just to save their jobs and put food in their tables it cloth their kids and pay their mortgage and bills. You called yourself a Benny in an earlier post, so maybe you just should go home. Um done responding to you. You are ignorant and ill informed

Cosmo, maybe you should take a ride through the park to the big parking lot and take a look. I live NEXT DOOR to windward, and walk through the park every day. Seriously go take a walk and look. If you are unable, I will get pictures tomorrow and ask Dan to put them on the web site.

Everyone on hear has wonderful ideas. But take a look at what is really eating up your tax dollars besides over paid school and township administrators. Birdsall engineering which our ex-business administrator is a high ranking shot caller in that still pulls the strings of the township at over 300k a year and while your looking into that take a peek at the townships attorney Billing. The town needs to shop around for some out of county or even out of state professional services if its allowed by law. Stop the silly tactics and get back to serving the residents, who put you in office, not just the few out of town corporations that funded the way that now suck the township tax payers dry!

you people were all against the referendum, but now you want to save DPW. You all wanted to get rid of it last April. All of you are Flip Floppers. Listen you didn't like the referendum, well here ya go, DPW may be gone. Stop complaining about taxes then, either you pay the town to get your garage taken away or pay yourself. You all are so stupid, you sit behind the computer and BITCH. be proactive in the community and have the balls to call Scott or ask at a council meeting.

Thank you for posting this "budget". Now we can see the before and after. Just a shame we have no input.
http://www.bricktownship.net/library/budget/2012_Mayor_budget.pdf

Funny funny cosmo. If you look where the trees used to be all around the edge of the parking lot. Sign I guess some people just have to be right all the time, even when they are wrong.

Yeah Shepard. Some one that really knows how the politics are working g in Brick. Get rid if allthe big corporations running Brick Township. Funny how McFadden still runs townhall only now his running it through Birdsall not admin. How is it he didn't go down with Scarpelli And Nydam. STOP THE BS OF IF YOU SCRATCH MY BACK I'll SCRATCH YOURS. ENOUGH WITH THESE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTORS GETTING SWEET BUSINESS DEALS IN BRICK.

Hey non crazy.
I was not against the referendum last year. Check out my other posts from that time period. Furthermore I spoke to Scott for quite some time and that's where a lot if my info comes from. So don't say all cause That's not true

Department Heads answer to no one. If the Township Council is serious about cutting waste, they should start from the TOP. No more excuses. Some of the Department Heads receive more than ONE SALARY and their contributions for Health Benefits is based soley on their primary income. It gets worse, if their is more than one related employee, the other employee gets a $4,000 stipend for opting out of health coverage.
Department Heads should not be able to come and go as they please and rarely put in for SICK TIME like the regular worker (unless they are the Department Head's favorites) They don't punch a clock. That is why they are able to retire with a pay-out in excess of $175,000. It is these types of unchecked abuses that ought to be investigated before you go after the DPW.

The Department Heads should give up their taxpayer paid vehicles NOW. It is simply outrageous that we continue to ask the ordinary hard working employee to do all the sacrifices while the real waste and cuts could be realized without CUTTING SERVICES to the Citizentry of Brick.

Department Heads should give up 25 percent of their salaries now. And Juan Bellu, what ever happened to the TWU's grievance lodged against him. Someone please let the citizens know. Hope there were no payoffs on that front.

All other wasteful spending should be cut ( $400 on ceremonial keys to the Township) when you put 77 workers and key services at risk!

Wow!!!!!! I am looking at this budget and the difference between approp actual between 2011 and this is UNREAL. Admin salaries 23k in 2011 and 442k in 2012? This budget is inflated by astronomical amounts!

Going to take sometime to compare these. I can see why Steve FAILED as a financial planner!

And, stop rewarding employees for showing up for work. Are you kidding me. The Township gives an employee a "Personal Day" if they do not take a sick day in a 3-month cycle . . . that's four free days and counting. That's as bad as having paid employees $100 respectively for going to the flawed "Health Center" which thankfully has been discontinued. Talk about a waste in spending.

Cosmo I have 2011 downloaded. I am in the process of comparing them, but it is going to take a while, because as you said Steve made it almost impossible to do so. Whats nice is windows 7 has this snap feature so you can brig them both up side by side1

Me - be sure to take a look at the amount of employees who are getting more than one paycheck or stipend while performing the very same tasks during normal business hours. Talk about DOUBLE- TRIPLE -DIPPING! If we cut those expenditures alone from the budget a significant savings would be realized. All those duties should be incorporated into the job description of a given employee. Such expenditures contribute to the waste in spending simply because there have been few challenges to existing unsound policies.

It is my genuine hope that the Council will analyze this budget with a fine tooth comb. They might want to seek input from previous Citizens who have analyzed previous Budgets because many of the same patterns exist and questioned. In my opinion the 2010 Budget was extremely ill-conceived, and I publicly made my view known to no avail.

That's great--the township workers don't have any type of filtering on their computers so they are free to loaf around on Facebook and shop on ebay? Wonderful.

I am so confused. I thought I understood how a democracy worked. Wasn't there a vote to keep services? Didn't the people say they wanted to keep services? Can he really just do whatever he wants?

No, that's what some use their cell phone for - phone cell use should be restricted for this reason! But we should not assume that it is the norm. Isn't that the duty of the Department Head to confirm that this does not happen. Of course, he or she would need to be present.

It seems the Mayor's plan will save each household approximately $245. They will then have to spend that much to hire a private company. You can deduct the amount you pay in taxes. You cannot deduct what you would pay for a private service. How is that a win for the residents?

Doing away with DPW will not save a dime in the long run. Sounds good until you start paying to have it all done. Furthur more those of you who keep trashing DPW you try doing it on their salaries. The person who said most of them make poverty level wages for a family of 4 is correct. Take from those that sit on their butts and look goos leave the hard workers alone, the ones that work outdoors in all weather, that fix the roads, plow the snow and do the best they can with what they are working with. it is a thankless job and all they are are criticized.

that was good

Another cost-saving measure which HAS BEEN brought to the MAYOR and COUNCIL'S attention is to revise the Ordinance which provides for our Public Defender and Prosecutor from status as a Brick Township employee. It is financially irresponsible to continue to provide for medical benefits and pension credits for attorneys. They should be subject to the fair and open bidding process and not be considered an EMPLOYEE of the TOWNSHIP at an absurt cost to the taxpayer. It is my understanding that a savings of $4,500 a month would be realized just from this one revision alone.

It's time for public advantage and the people's work to begin or else we must seriously consider changing to NONPARTISAN form of Government. The business administrator confirmed that 1,700 hundred signatures would be required.

deep down i think the mayor is wishing the council puts the dpw back into the budget, then he will climb up on the roof of town hall and say "I told you so " , saying the council raised your taxes while he wanted to lower them . He will blame the whole mess on the new council .
also a woman made a comment last night about the kids should playing nice in the sand box , but it seems someone left the sandbox . i say go one step further, take your marbles , leave the playground altogether and go the hell home steve. you are killing this town.

The mayor says if the budget is passed there'll be a savings of $245 a year for each household? Really? What savings? The way I see it If everyone has to get their own garbage removal, there goes that savings.

I am sure the FBI or the AG's Office Is looking into this Mayor. He must have ties to a carting company.

I don't understand maybe because I'm so sick and tired of the mayor's political games..We voted in the new budget and the increase over the cap to save the D.P.W. and Police department..So where is that monies that was approved back then..??Why now does he want to now give us a tax break ..does he think he's going to re-elected ??? haha fat chance ..leave now ..

FOR 245 I will take the services i voted YES for and keep what I have now.He put in place 10 new cops so he agrees with our Yes vote on the referendum.Now I cant wait to show him the door along with S.P. and J.B. If the voters want a new MAYOR ti will be a landslide against our own BLAGO.Vote out the remainder of his group.D.S. D.B. D.T with more DEMS. Hey ALAN C. why dont you run ,that will be an avalanche against you. BYE STEVIE

November elections can't get here soon enough. I'm afraid of all the bad decisions can be made until then. I just hope the Council keeps their promises to us & do what's good for the people of Brick. The mayor certainly hasn't.

The Budget as presented is on line on the Twp's website. It is the revenue and expenses by legal line item and the corresponding detail that was entered by the various departments.

What the council now needs to do is balance this budget. That is why they were voted in. Not an easy ask, but before any layoffs are considered the council should analyze all spending. As someone said earlier, freeze all capital spending and non essential spending for the immediate future..at least until the revised budget is approved. The council now as a short time to do this....late nights and all the pressure from the township residents.

You ask Scott to take a $1?? Are you kidding me, the council should take 1$. They ran on a platform for saving the town money by not taking benefits... Well, little lydecker is taking her salary at $8000, Ducey is taking his benefits for $20000, Fozman is taking his salary of $8000+stipend of $4000= $12000, Moore is taking the same, salary and stipend of $12000. Total DEM Costs are $52,000...Thats equivalent to another mayor. thats 51,999 more then the Mayors taking.

It is beyond comprehension that some folks, the same-select few, continually misdirect their frustration and outrage on our competent Business Administrator Scott Pezarras. He continually reaches out to the public to answer resident concerns. He always conducts himself in a professional and civil manner. Folks should give it some serious thought as to who else beside Mr. Pezarras has the insight, foresight, knowledge, and fortitude to oversee the Township.

Although I would be the first to point out that there are numeroust cost-saving measures to be had, I do appreciate Mr. Scott Pezarras's business acumen and work ethic. It is inconceivable to me that he should be likened to the incompetent Mr. Juan Bellu. Do you have any idea how much time and effort Mr. Pezarras extends to our Township? Try not having him available at one Council Meeting and see what happens.

WOW! An excuse for everything. New software, reading it wrong. Maybe it is because the person who wrote it doesnt know his tushie from a hole in the ground? NOW THAT IS A GOOD EXCUSE!

I have the budgets all downloaded from 2008 to this one. Dont worry I KNOW how to read it!

Me

Anytime you would like to discuss this feel free to come to microphone or simply call my office. I respectfully disagree with your comment about the "tushie". I have all the licenses and credentials that qualify me for this job. What is your background, are you familiar with the statutes, CAP laws, DCA regulations. Are you aware that municipalities do not work off of a GAAP accounting system? Do you know what system they do operate under? How is it that you never call my office to have discussions on the issues you bring up on this forum. I have put my number out numerous times, some have called and had their questions answered.

I would urge the Townsip Council to maintain the integrity of the People's Vote in last year's Referendum, and save the Department of Public Works from elimination. It shouldn't matter which way you voted in the referendum to understand that the plurality of votes should mean something and the democratic process took place as was intended by our Forefathers. Essentially overturning the Referendum ballot will place a dark cloud over Brick Township for years to come. This is not the legacy I'd like for Brick Township to be remembered by. Leadership is best served by individuals with a Cool Head and Warm Heart!

The Role of a Business Administrator in New Jersey - The appointed manager or administrator is charged with carrying out the policies established by the elected officials and with delivering public services efficiently, effectively, and equitably. Elected officials, in turn, have more time to concentrate on creating a vision for the community’s future.
Scott Pezarras you do a marvelous Job... This budget was prepared At the direction of the mayor. Now the budget has been presented to the council, Mr. Pezarras will change the budget to reflect the requests of the council. Mr. Pezarras has brought in millions of dollars in grant money to this town and works with all of our elected officials equally.
Once people recognize that there is a need to continue planning for the future of Brick in order to become independent of state funding as much as possible, the better we will all be.

LOL Scott I was talking about Steve. He IS the one who came up with this budget isnt he? That what we have been told. So if you have nothing to do with with this scam, why get so upset?? HMMMMMMM

waste management is not the only comp available there are others that dont charge nearly as much so stop comparing local prices to those of towns up north shut up and shop around and see how much it costs for yourself instead of complaining without the facts

Me
You addressed the comment to me after I answered your question. I assumed you were speaking about me, but my explanantion still stands that the document was misread.

After reading the article and all the comments made, I am sure the Mayor is looking at this and enjoying every minute of it. This is nothing more than his way of getting back at all of us for voting out his butt buddies, the council for denying him all of his pet projects and making public works look like the bad guys.

Scott, Employees names and their respective salaries are usual and customary in most budgets. As such, they are not present in the Mayors "2012 Introduced Budget". My question would then be, why are they not included as individual line items rather than lumped as a whole sum? I am aware of GAAP guidelines, as well as "Off Balance Sheet" accounting. The present budget as submitted is vague and all over the place.

Lori,

Stop assuming, speak of the facts and keep your opinion to yourself. its really sad you think this little of the mayor

"It was said at the meeting that there were no to be no one-shot revenue gimmicks in the proposed budget."

"However, the $2.5 million up-front payment from Solar Sam's home office is such a one-shot deal."

Vera, do you get 50% of the $12,000.......i would just like to know how the taxpayers money is spent

Lets list for public scrutiny all employees salaries,including Supv. Dept. Heads Secty and go line by line and figure who is needed and who is not... We voted on a referendum a yes VOTE FOR OUR SERVICES,and we want that legal vote to remain iif not then the COUNCIL should tell the KING to get rid of the 10 cops that he and his in law have hired and sworn in..See Ya Stevie

"It was said at the meeting that all the employees' unions were consulted about alternatives to the proposed employee lay-offs."
"However, the employees belonging to the Teamsters Union were never consulted, as required by state law, despite numerous opportunities to do so."
"This omission, in itself, should procedurally nullify the lay-off plan."

Localexpert
I think that's a GREAT idea but don't stop there, have townhall include their hire dates that way the public can see who worked their way up the ladder and see which employees had cushy jobs with top salary just handed to them. You would be shocked to see those numbers.

keep your eyes on the uncollected taxes......It is Scott Houdinis greatest trick

so scott you say you will answer all questions, so answer me this.....you were one of those who led the public to believe if they voted for a 24% increase upon themselves they would not have to visit this issue for another 4 or 5 years , why are we here again like ground hog day (just as i predicted by the way)
and do not tell me Nov. vote was for lower taxes (the fools like their garbage picked up and the cops to write tickets for them to pay) it was AGAINST arrogant people who had/have no respect for the taxpayers and put out nasty negative literature was the last straw.....your mayor did the impossible and got 4 democrats, who have never been for lower taxes , voted in, so why are we here with this and the year is not 2015 yet ??????

Scott, tell us, since you are Steve's right hand man, what is this grudge and vendetta Steve has against public works? Anything to do with E.C.??

Oscar

Do you understand what a reserve for unclollected taxes is and how it impacts the budget if you don't calculate this properly? If you don't have a reserve and there are delinquent taxpayers the town will not have the money to pay the other taxing entities (school, county, and fire districts) if that happens we would have to pay it out of the Twp's surplus, or worse if there is not enough surplus balance we would have an operating deficit. This is not a good scenario. If not I urge you to contact my office and I will be happy to explain it to you. 732-262-1050, I will be back in the office on Friday.

What surplus? With all due respect of course.

Vera we dont have a surplus, dont you remember Bellu told the press the mayor could spend it because there were no emergencies in the foreseeable future!

Speaking of delinquint taxes, it is funny how many of the mayors inner circle have had their taxes sold at tax sale. What is it with them not wanting to pay income taxes and property taxes?

Oscar FYI Bellu's fedliens are now $210,000.

Scott Pezarras has been working for the Township for many years under both Democratic and Republican Mayors. He knows what he is doing and it very good at it or else he would have been let go when there was an opposite party mayor elected. Cut the guy some slack.

As a 35 yr resident of Brick I have reached my breaking point. The greed that goes on in civil service along with politicians is unbelievable.That being said, i must point out a fact that i cant stop thinking about. A garbage collector is listed number nine in the top ten most dangerous jobs in America nowhere does policeman appear. The average salary for a garbage collector is 45000yr approx here in Brick yet a policemens avg salary is 100000yr both are plus benefits. Can anybody tell me why? Before you go crazy on me,i come from a family of many policemen. The only two reasons I cancome up with are because they have a strong union along with a great propoganda machine and within the last decade politicians feel they should give them more because of 9/11. if its because its a dangerous job well why arent garbage men making 150000yr. just saying!

"More than $6.7 million was lost from last year's spending plan, with almost $3 million in anticipated surplus not being realized among other revenue losses that total $6,729,606."

Scott, if you are still answering questions, what happened to this proclamation?

"Acropolis ended the discussion with a bright forecast, however.

“If the referendum does pass, we will be on sound footing for probably four to five years.” (source: http://brick.patch.com/articles/acropolis-no-layoffs-if-referendum-is-approved)";

If understand the proposed budget correctly, my taxes last year increased by approximately $315, but the new budget will save me $245 this year. I'm still at a net loss of $70 and I have to contract my own garbage and recycling collection.

If I understand it correctly, I can't believe this would make any fiscal sense at all for any resident of Brick Township.

Line by Line Audit. Council go for it

To Mr. Pezarras:
I agree (for once) with Mrs. Fozman - Please post all employees names, job titles and salaries on the budget that is on the Township website. The public has a right to know this information.
One word - TRANSPARENCY

if i'm going to save 250.00 in taxes and it costs me 250.00 to have my garbage picked up privately. wouldn't it be better to pay the 250.00 in taxes and keep 77 people employed

ALL should read what J.W. Brick said. This is the theme of our argument.Who is he to disect our YES vote on the referendum.Its ok for 10 new cops but not okay for the 77 who are presentky employed. We voted your people OUT to stop the rubber stamp KING STEVIE had. Brings in J.B. at a large salary but now wants to be a fiscal conservative on salaries.he IS REALLY TRYING to HURT the people of Brick..The 4 new members better take him to task over this budget and do away with his cronies.Everyone knows WHO they are...

alot of you are missing the point, the 4 democrats ran being against the 24% referandum and doing everything they could to save the brick taxpayers money......i have yet to see them save $1 for the brick taxpayers
(and actually costs more than they promise with the health benefits they took or get $4000 for passing)

you need to see this for what it really is.....there is NO difference when it comes to spending taxpayers dwindling money, between democRATS and republiCANTS

Brick resident, how I wish the FBI woul come back and investigate town hall again!

Let me see if I have this right.
Proposal to raise taxes over the 2% cap in order to keep trash collection and police employees.
It gets passed
Find out the Police dept got raises prior to vote.
Buy a new garbage truck
Spend $25,000.00 for new garbage cans
Offer to pick up Pt Pleasant garbage.
Now despite the vote for trash collection which is what the people wanted, the Mayor decide he doesn't like that idea.
I know the garbage cans did not come in yet because I requested a replacement. So did they cancel the order for the trash cans? If not, why not? If trash is not an option for the township, it would mean they have another $25,000.00 to keep for another of the Mayor's bright ideas.

Is the Mayor giving us a tax credit that I can really see against my taxes? Because as an unemployed homeowner I could really use it.

Pt Pleasant was so smart to stay away from us as a township. Just wish the people in Brick would get smarter

So many comments and so much anger. Obviously people on both sides of the political aisle defending their favorites. We have a problem. Too much spending. Acropolis sees the solution as doing away with public works. Personally, I don't favor losing those services, and I am not convinced that over the long term privatization will save me any money or make life more convenient. The big question we should be asking is why the mayor singled out public works which represents about 20 % of the work force? If we need to cut the payroll by that amount, why not spread it over the ENTIRE work force. If it is legal to eliminate 77 jobs, it should be legal to eliminate 20 % of the personnel from ALL departments!
What is so sacred about all the other departments? Or if we don't want anyone to lose their jobs, why not a temporary 20% cutback in work hours? Or renegotiating contracts to have employees begin contributing more for health insurance? How about asking the employees for their ideas to save THEIR jobs. They are not stupid. They can see the handwriting on the wall. They've had it pretty good up until now, but the ride is over. Either help, or suffer with the rest of the community. If the mayor was really sincere in trying to solve the budget crisis, he could have strived for better solutions.

Hey Scott P. Got a bone to pick and maybe you can answer this VERY serious question that seems to be eluding everyone here. Before our Mayor left the meeting, tail between his legs, he stated, and I quote, "if the council decides to INCREASE the budget by 8¢ those types if things can be put back in the budget" WTF!!!!!!! Now explain to me how there needs to be another increase when we, the taxpayers of Brick, were told by the mayor, you,and just about everyone that if we exceeded the cap we would be on good footing for the next 4-5 YEARS? Its been 10 months and we may need another increase if we want to keep services in house? What the F happened to all the money? You are the business administrator. FIGURE THIS $HIT OUT. WE ARE TIRED OF BEING LIED TO. DON'T FORGET WE PAY YOU NOT ACROPOLIS.

I don’t think council will allow PW to be dissolved; the council knows what the people want and will act correctly. I want my trash picked up as well as road repair and snow removal.

Czar Acropolis pushed the citizens of this township to vote for the budget last year saying that if it did not pass he was going to cut garbage and police officers. I have an idea! Instead of cutting public garbage services, why don't we lay off half the cops. I mean, we have about 10 officers for every fender-bender and another three to pullover anyone going 10 over the speed limit. We also spent a fortune to put those stupid cameras in at every intersection which give tickets to those of us who really don't deserve them. The funny thing is, the pictures taken by those cameras are reported to a company in Arizona, so we don't even need cops to monitor them! So instead of cutting public garbage and recycling, we should lay off a good portion of the cops, and maybe then I won't have to wait for a table at the diner or in a line at one of our two dozen Dunkin Donuts just to get a cup of coffee.

OH! Good morning all you nice people I met at the meeting & same to everyone else :-)

Have to say it does make perfect sense to lay off higher paid personal more police hasn't made this a safer place to live especially if you live near Herbertsville Rd....just saying..........BTW what are our stats nationally these days?

The King wont touch the Police because his IN LAW is in charge.Lay off the 10 new cops ,that will save over 600,000.00 That is a no brainer,then look at those jobs that are not needed IN TOWN HALL. Freeze all salaries to last years level and watch those who get overtime.That should be easy for the Council to look at.Council this is your first test play the Kings game but one better.Go for the new 10,see how he and in law like that.SEE YA Stevie

hey Local,
Don't forget getting rid of some of the "paid Holidays". It's these stupid days that create a lot of unneeded overtime. Let the garbage men pick up garbage on Election day, it's not like they can't get out to vote. STUPID HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!! Township did away with Good Friday, now start picking through the other useless holidays and get rid of them too, Veterans day, MLK day, Columbus day. GET RID OF THEM

Scott, you answered Thulen at trhe council meeting and said the $2.5 million was in this year's budget.
What gives?

scott p is a professional-you need a competent administrator-juan b is another story! political appoinment sounds right. i urge the council to not fall for this nonsense and keep the good people of dpw-they do an honest days work and do not deserve this treatment. keep the budget static and form a task force to find ways to reduce costs or better yet find ways to increase revenue.

With an economy challenged, resources cut, state aid cut, gas going up, property taxes will continue to rise - there is no dobt that there is high pressure building among people with in the town.. as well among the politics with in the Township it's self.. everyone is feeling it and as the dog days of this summer coming - we are all going to feeel some sort of an fallout.
It's like a noose that has already been hung with everyone caught in between it's gasp. yes there is a problem, we need to find a solution now.. in this moment,, which is the most difficult thing to do,, We also have to realize that it's not only the DPW, it's a "ripple effect "- there are many other departments that may also be affected by this as well,, BTPD is also under a budget,, School systems as well...
and lets not forget- there is also another problem growing in our backyard - Lakewood is still "encroching it's ways in everyday "- pick a condo development in the area bordering Lakewood.. it doesn't take much to figure out .
we are not all apart of this needed solution now, or may have a majior problem much sooner than ever expected... the end result would become a spiral that would go into a flat spin whith no recovery.- I'm not pointing fingers, right now we need a working solution for all, and here we all have a chance offer those sugestions,, someone will be watching and reading. we all have a chance to voice our views and opinion here and at a Town meeting as well.

I'm not saying I am for having garbage pickup outsourced, but I am asking why would it be proposed to have each household enter into it's own garbage pickup contract, when it would be much more economically feasible to have the Township enter into a contract with a private company for the entire township, which would be paid for out of existing tax revenue with a decrease in cost to taxpayers? This seems to be the same scare tactic that was used in pushing to get the referendum passed is it not? Politics need to be put aside and there needs to be a joint effort in working with this problem, and that doesn't mean just throwing it out there and saying it is in your hands now. If necessary, sacrifices should be shared by all departments not just one!

Heath Care is one of the largest cost to any plan, this is an area that everyone could find a solution to manage cost and keep employees working. Many companies are beging to use Sallary Bands to help cover cost evenly with out a burden. Example of Sallary Bands could look like - cost for Benefits to the employee along with in network Copays - Add 10% more for out of network Copays.
Income level: Benefits costing employee:
$0.00 - $49,999.99. 20% cost for insureance = Med/Rx/Den/Vis
$25.00-30.00 Co-pays in network
$50,000.00 - $99,999.99. 30% cost for insureance+ $35.00-40.00 Co-pays

$100,000.00 - $149,999.99. 40% cost for insureance + $45.00-50.00 Co-pays

$150,000.00 and greater. 42% cost for insureance +$50.00-60.00 Co-pays
What's included in Base Pay?
Hourly Employees:Hourly Rate x 2080 hours = Annual Base Pay.
Salaried Employees:Monthly Salary x 12 months = Annual Base Pay.
Base Pay does not include overtime, bonuses.
Educate employees- 401k, ROTH +FSA plans how to save,invest and tax breaks to benefit them.
Allocate flex scheduales to save OT expense - Utilize employees for shared services in town to keep jobs and cut cost.
purchase or deposit - Vaction time.
A single person in CA. pays an avg $1,800.00Mo. for medical with a 70-30 split of coverage. 30% is the out of pocket cost+ monthly preim for medical+Rx only.
Base Sallary Caps - not incld bonuses.
"sharring ideas to keep people working."

Everyone who voted for the King has gotten what they deserved. Did anyone really think he would serve the taxpayers with honesty and integrity? I never did and never will, THE PIGS CONTINUE TO FEED FROM THE TROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!! Brick MUA, TR MUA, Brick Housing Authority, political patronage pits of no show jobs for the pigs to fatten themselves. Finally, starting in April Big Mike R and Francis Gartland from Federal Hill Rick management will be prosecuted by the FEDS, and all the PIGS will be scurrying from the FEDS, you heard it here first. Oscar I thin k you are right there is going to be a tax revolt in this town, just when you thought our town couldn't get any worse.

WTH?? Scott you are saying adding the 8 cents will keep us inside the cap?? Then why on Gods green earth is Steve being such a jackass?

In his attempt to make the new council members look like fools, he has dug that hole so deep he has no chance of climbing out of it. Yes jackass is the right word!

LOL Scott it wasnt tax relief we voted for it was ACROPOLIS RELIEF!

Yes I know Scott, 2013 unless the God's think otherise.

Scott if you would be so kind.How many police officers have been hired since WE voted YES on the referendum? What is their starting Salary???? Thanks

I am posting this information here and on today's post also- I contacted the state Attorney General's office about the tax referendum and the subsequent lay off of the public works employees. I was refered to The Department of Community Affairs, specifically Acting Commissioner Richard Constable III. His number is 609-292-6420. A friend called the office and was told to email the director of the division. His name is Tom Neff and his email address is DLGS@dca.state.nj.us. We need to report this to the state, and not just vent our anger here. Maybe the right person will learn about this and do something.

the only honest politician in America , may as well be talking about Acrapolis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R99hCsAchDk

Thank you Scott for coming on this forum and listening to the people, you have proven that you are a clear asset for the taxpayers of Brick. Your honest answers and quick response's show that you are well informed and excel at your position. The same can not be said for your constitutes who continue to decimate our town. Nov. 2013 is not that far away, hopefully that will be a new beginning. THE PIGS CONTINUE TO FEED FROM THE TROUGH>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THEY MUST BE STOPPED

Although it is virtually impossible to educate citizens on all aspects relative to municipal finances, our Business Administrator, Mr. Scott Pezarras demonstrates a magnitude of patience and understanding with the public at large.

1) The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) website is an excellent source of information which outlines the guidelines and specifics regarding municipal finances.
2) Further, anyone can submit an "OPRA" request through the clerk's office which will be forwarded to Human Resources for a salary/compensation history on each
individual employee. Make certain that you request a separate line item for each individual’s overtime received in year 2011. Include in your request a list of permanent employees and seasonal employees. Include in your request “new hires” in 2012 and pending title changes and promotions/salary increases for year 2012.

I would suspect that no "title changes or recent promotions with salary increases" have been implemented, given that 77 employees and families are at risk of having no job at all.

This should satisfy the recent numerous inquiries on this blog. Involved citizens make for the best citizens and knowledge is the key to good governance.

Hey Scott Pezarras
What are yor thoughts on Juan Bellu's tax lien situation?

"Bee patient. Township officials are working to the best of their abilities to figure out the budget."

So essentially what Acropolis is doing, is “cutting taxes” and forcing the hand of the democratically held council. If they disagree with his budget (which they will) and put the “8 cents” back in, to save the DPW, then they are basically fighting a “tax cut” and increasing spending. Then they look bad. Hopefully they can put the funding for the DPW back in and find cuts elsewhere, like a less expensive health plan, less sick days for the DPW employees etc. They need to leverage this Acropolis ploy and turn it around on the Union.... either you give up a little or you’re all out of a job.

Bill PW has already agreed to cuts. They took a pay cut, along with other things. It is time for those in town hall to take some cuts, pay cuts, benefits cuts, holiday cuts, etc. Tell me exactly what does Bellu do to earn his 164,000plus benefits? And how the hell can he even be an ABA when the man has no idea how to even file his income tax? He now has over 210,000 in tax liens against him, according to the ocean county clerks office.

It is time to disband the friends and family club and make cuts in town hall.

Me... couldn't agree more. Useless town hall figureheads making 6 figures all have to go. Why should any of them be making 6 figures in the first place? They all suck at their jobs, which is why Brick is where it is. There's fiscal mismanagement across the board. I wasn't just singling out the DPW, but they happen to have the floor at the moment. Bottom line is... this is a political ploy, not a cost savings measure. Acropolis knows there is no way this is going through. He put the ball in the democrats court for them to make the ugly decisions. I'm a republican and I can't wait to see Acropolis go.

I think it's time for the supervisors and upper echelons of this administration to take the same cuts or even more that they forced onto so many of the township's other workers. DPW made significant concessions. Did all the managerial people do the same? I've heard not.

I am in favor of pay cuts and maybe even benefit cuts be shared by administration who seemingly feel exempted. I am not in favor of holiday cuts. That serves no purpose but to destroy morale further. We are one of the most under-vacationed civilizations as it is. Remember how they wanted to make those bus drivers work on Thanksgiving Day in Lakewood! Taking holidays away seems draconian and serves no purpose. The one day delay in trash pickup is a minor inconvenience. It would only serve to encourage employers of non vital services (like retail) to force employees to work on holidays. I personally boycott those stupid holiday kill sales. Where are we going as a civilization when we have no holidays? I understand that there are many who perform vital services who don't have that option, but seriously?

Why are we (Brick Township) not in the state insurance program
APP article 2-29-12 NJ municipalities could save $100 million with state health benefits
http://www.app.com/article/20120229/NJNEWS1002/302290024/NJ-municipalities-could-save-100-million-state-health-benefits?

I dont understand this.Our government talks about cutting unemployment. Well how do you cut unemployment if you keep laying people off? Why cant we cut salaries (more so from the top) to help save jobs? I am sure if you asked these employees to take a pay cut to save their jobs and let them know if they do their jobs will be safe,then i am sure they would do it.

BIG DOG.....maybe you should knows some fact before you speak.Point Pleasnt is 1/5 the size of bricktown.also Point Pleasant has 52,000 LESS people then Bricktown,also Point Pleasant has 20,000 LESS homes then brick.So IF Point has only 5 trucks and 15 people (which i doubt)...how do you expect brick to downsize and get all that down with the same amount of people as Point?

"Many employees took a pay cut last year to save their jobs and were told that their jobs would be safe for at least four or five years."

Sean

I believe most employee's except for cops,JB,SP and the Mayor

Scott P

You say the people voted for lower taxes... 95% of the people of Brick also think your salary should be cut and Juan should be fired.. What says you?

Brick

I say they are entitled to their opinion.

I'm beginning to think that a dictatorship is really the best form of government. The trouble is finding the right one.

"Nobody should have their pay cut and nobody should be fired or laid-off."

1. The Mayor's proposal appears to be a shoot from the hip reaction; not very well thought out.

2. If the administration really feels that laying off the DPW will save the town money, why isn't the administration develoing and putting out a Request For Proposal for a contractor to do those services for the town directly. We all know you can get a better price through economies of scale.

3. The Mayors approach would dump the responsibilities of contracting for these services on the individual homeowners. While many towns currently operate that way, is that the hands-off approach we want from the people we trusted with our votes?

4. While the Mayor talks about savings on "trash" pick up, what are the additional costs each resident will incur for pick up of recyceables, bulk, leaves, and Christmas trees? Bulk pick can be expensive. Just think of the many times you run to the township recycle points during the year.

5. You will also be forced to hold onto stuff longer and consolidate bulk pick ups to save on pick up costs.

6. Will our tax bills really be reduced to cover the actual cost for pick up of the above? Somehow I doubt it.

7. The other consideration is if residents have to individually contract for trash/bulk pick up, they would lose the tax deduction.

8. There is another area where the town could achieve cost savings, and possibly avert some of layoffs. Recently there have been articles in the Patch and APP which indicated that Brick paid more than $1M more per year during 2009 & 2010 for its health coverage than it would have under the NJ state health program. The administration contends that the savings are not that great for 2011 & 2012, and the state plan is underfunded, etc., but since the town's benefits are better than the benefits in the state's program, it's a more costly plan. The administration needs to work with the unions and transition to the state plan, and do what’s best for our town as a whole. How many jobs could be saved if Brick had a more cost effective health benefit program?

" In peril and yet happy "

Year after year Citizens have recommended that the goal of our Governing body should be to significantly reduce and/or eliminate associated OVERTIME costs - more than a million dollars in savings could be realized.

Further, overtime expenditures should have to be analyzed and then approved at the Council Meetings (specific to the associated Overtime expenditure, not lumped into a generated bill resolution.) To-date overtime expenditures remain unchecked at the discretion of our highly paid Department Heads who are neither willing to share in the sacrifice by giving up their taxpayer vehicles.

Previous excuses provided for the use of most overtime is not substantiated, and I suspect that should overtime expenditures and approval of same be DISCUSSED at the Council Meetings, much needed accountability would be achieved and tax dollars would be saved.

Portia

Direction of the workforce is not within the Council's purview in our form of government. Your comment that OT is unchecked is incorrect, all OT driven by non-discretionary workloads that does not require administrative approval (storms, court, saturday garbage due to a holiday, and scheduled night events) is all controlled by contract. Discretionary OT MUST be approved by myself or the Mayor.

It is cheaper to utilize OT when needed then to hire additional employees with benefits.

I don't know what dept heads you are speaking of that have vehicles. The only people who take home vehicles are members of emergency management and the DPW supervisor that is on call, so that they can respond directly to a scene.

With regard to your statement of "dept heads not being willing to share in the sacrafice" they started contributing to required amount under Chap 78 of the healthcare reform bill prior to it being signed into law and took no pay raise in 2011.

We could not impose that on the unions they were subjected to the effects of Chapter78 when there contracts ran out at the end of 2011. Two of the units, Teamsters and TWU, agreed to give up their 2011 raises moving forward, after they had received them for a portion of the year. The Twp did not take them back, nor did it unilaterally take their raises, it was agreed by the two unions.

Portia, I tend to agree with you about Scott. Bellu is just a payback from the Mayor at the taxpayers' expense. It's a shame.

Knarfie,

Portia did not say anything about me. What do tend to agree with?

Scott, I respectfully disagree. It is my hope that we can agree to disagree. In these economic times, we could and should reduce the cost of overtime in many areas. And since the Council controls the purse strings it is within their scope to review all expenditures. It was my understanding that the Department Head approved the overtime so forgive me for my misstatement. For that I do apologize. Please clarify: If someone gets overtime the request goes to you or the Mayor and then the Department Head lets the employee know that it has been approved? Is that the customary process?

In my opinion "The Get Up and Go" initiative whereby employees were allowed to leave work by 11:00 am or 12:00 pm has outlived its time. It no longer serves the Township well. and should be discontinued.

Regarding Department Head Vehicles and in this economic climate I do not see why a Department Head who lives in Brick could not just use his own vehicle during an emergency and submit mileage and the like.

Again, I always appreciate your input and contributions to the Citizentry of Brick Township.

Scott, does that mean that Department Head Glenn Campbell no longer has a taxpayer paid vehicle (In 2010 he did take home a vehicle at taxpayer expense?)

What is the TOTAL cost of overtime spent for year 2010 and 2011?

What is the TOTAL cost of overtime appropriated for in the proposed budget 2012?

Do you think that there are ways in which the Township could reduce overtime costs?

Maybe we can train the eagles on top of the cell tower to do tricks for extra cash.
Hey, If they want to live here they're gonna have to pay somehow.

I would argue that the majority of folks who voted in favor of the April 2011 Referendum specifically voted in favor of the Referendum to maintain the Department of Public Works because they did not want to have the services provided by the Department eliminated.

Many were willing to do without other services but were adamant in keeping the trash pickup, recycling and the hill open. Yet, that is the one service that is slated for elimination . . .

Why do we continue to add on nonessential costs, new recreational programs for additional movie nights, line dancing, aerobics, etc. when we are asking the taxpayer to do without having their garbage picked up?

Currently, the collective bargaining agreement provides for an employee to work one evening a month- do we utilize that provision at all in an effort to cut down on overtime?

Upon entering into the Shared Service Agreement with Toms River a provision to pay out five percent in administrative costs was included. We could have saved a significant amount of money if we would have excluded that clause. Recently a Councilman brought up that $100,000 was expended for services. He probably is not aware that the agreement provides for a 5% administrative fee. We could have saved $5,000 without impacting services.

Although I recognize that we cannot unilaterally discard current agreements, going forward we need to rethink the way we distribute Overtime in Brick Township. The costs are staggering.

@ Ocean County, I am not in favor of eliminating the Department of Public Works. The people's VOTE should count and remain intact. Its demise would render all future Binding Referendums meaningless!

However, if the Township pursues this avenue and were to contract with an independent hauler on behalf of the residents, we would lose at minimum $600,000 taxpayer dollars that we would have to in turn reimburse the Condominium Associations, Apartment Complexes and the like due to the Municipal Services Act/Community Services Act. Savings would be significantly reduced.

Given the numerous Regulations and State Mandates that plague municipalities, we ought to reach out to our State Legislators and Governor for remedy/relief (as well as our local elected officials.) In my opinion, true property tax relief remains an enigma to the POLITICIANS in Trenton. It is a disturbing reality.

frances,....I am not in favor of eliminating the DPW, UNLESS Brick can achieve significant savings by contracting the work out, and when I say "contracting the work out" I mean the township contracting directly for equivalent services.

Pushing the contracting down to every homeowner is a non-starter in my opinion, and will more than likely cost us more, and since it will cost more, there are many folks who simply cannot afford it. Additionally, it will more than likely result in increased "dumping" throughout the township. How much will it cost to replace the convenience of the recycle centers?

Moves such as this show how little the Mayor thinks about the people. It's a political move that doesn't make much sense.

The administration simply needs to "Do it's job" and implement cost savings efficiencies to preclude these ill conceived cuts.

Senior citizens make up a large portion of our population. The PTR (property tax relief) program also known as the "senior freeze" provides reimbursement to our seniors and disabled starting at the base year they apply. For example, if you start the program in 2010 and your property taxes paid were $2000, and you pay $3000 for the year 2011, you will be reimbursed $1000, and every year after that your reimbursement will be the amount you paid over your 2010 base year. By eliminating the DPW services and forcing them to pay out of pocket, that is money that many seniors and disabled need to survive. I do not think the Mayor is proposing this to lower taxes, by watching his actions and listening to him at meetings this is more of a personal vendetta. I hope that anyone who may qualify for the PTR program gets the information and applies. My mother's property taxes doubled, and was reimbursed by the program. Let your neighbors, friends and family know that there is help out there!

I do not care how long it takes the DPW to do their job, yes they are TERRIBLE AT IT. I have to call almost every week because they "forget" my house, and I have to call for bulk pick up numerous times... but that is okay, you know why? Because I do not want to have to be controlled by a disposal company. Sure its inconvenient that I have to call up sometimes but I pay very little from my taxes for that service as compared to what private services will charge me. I will not be getting the money they say this will save everyone and don't fool your self neither are you. So what does that mean? It means I will be paying the same amount of taxes (actually I will be paying more because the towns "assessment" is bogusly high ) AND of course I am in turn responsible for paying for private disposal.

What is going to seriously suck when and if they get rid of the DPW are:
1. having to coordinate my current garbage day with the private company, I will expect terrible traffic if 3-5 different disposal companies try to pick up trash on my block on the same day.. being a blunt dead end and all..
2. subcode officals are going to go ticket crazy writing out sanitation violations for people who try and reduce the amount of pick ups they get by storing two weeks or so of trash.
3. Neighbors are going to complain like crazy about people who decide to get small 1-2 yard dumpsters.

I have called public works several times to pick up various items at my house and they
have always arrived when promised without a problem, so I must disagree with you about the service. Also the people on the phone I spoke to about the pickups have always been very polite . I have never had a problem with them.