What else is Brick going to raise? What happened to all the money they did not use for snow this past winter? Brick is getting ridiculous.

More like rates are going up due to mismanagement. Under Lacey BTMUA has lost over 10 million in bad investments, among other things. They are paying more in banking fees since switching banks at the "suggestion" Of commissioner Bottazzi. Funny Bottazzi gets a 1.5 million dollar loan from Crown Bank and shortly there after the MUA switches their accounts to Crown bank.

As to payroll, cut it, plain and simple. I see the same truck going from store to store scratching lottery tickets. Truck 613. You see several of them parked in Windward. A few weeks ago there were 2 trucks on Princeton, one guy digging, 4 standing around watching him dig.

No wonder the FBI was in there asking questions!

THEFT

DEBT = SLAVERY

BRICKTUCKY.......THE GREATEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE SHOW ON EARTH

" Residents may also be using water more conservatively, ( as they keep telling us to do) making it toughter to project revenue from ratepayers". use LESS pay MORE...... go figure...

Brick has a MUA??? Then why is their Mayor Acropolos working at the TRMUA. OOPS, forgot the TRMUA is where all the dried by old GOP has-beens retire to.

Let me get this straight, By being conservative to stay under the base usage fee, they will raise my rate to get "their" money back? I think the BTMUA should be the department making budget cuts and laying off employees, not DPW.

They keep wasting OUR money. Every 2 weeks I keep getting a letter from the same dried up old prune, that they have to come to "inspect" my inside meter. Since when do they have to do this yearly? I used to live in Howellbama, for 12 years and they NEVER inspected the indoor meter. I already spend $300.00 per quarter.........how much more do they want to rip me off for? Stop sending those letters....I'm not letting you in!!!!!!

The biggest issue being missed here is, how do we as average citizens save money? Well, one way is to stop excessive usage of anything. We turn down our thermostats to save Gas or Oil. We drive less as to not spend on high priced gas. We turn off lights and turn up the thermostat during the warmer months on our air conditioners to save on our electric bills....and we stop running our faucets as to not use as much water...right? But the problem is, if we start to curtail our usage, we get slapped with an increase BECAUSE we curtailed our usage. That's one of those 'damned if you do & damned if you don't' scenarios. So now we're using LESS and paying MORE!

You wonder why the American people are so frustrated? It's HARD to save money because our entire Government has their hands in our pockets no matter what we do. Just another head shaker!

Why is it that water shed and all money we receive for selling water to other towns was supposed to save money for us? Also closing dump will lose more money and am sure d town will earn money from superfund grants and use methane gas to make even more money and town should install solar and windmill power to lower all of brick residents gas electric and water bill? If i want to go to town meeting what are the chances of being able to get andwers? As it is always the same people that dont care about anything but their own agenda? Please email me with answer as i dont want to waste time going to town meetings? Thank you

Maybe Dan or someone else can answer this: why is the rate raising 3.9% I though the governor signed into law at 2% cap. I guess this is part of the loop hole or something?

Maybe they should spend less money on the beautification of the reservoir. Afterall it is not generating any revenue except for all the employees who maintain it. It might be a good idea to charge out of town people like they do for us to use the beaches. Residents of Brick would get passes and parking permits and out of town people would have to pay for passes.

My fellow taxpayers, you are about to be shaken down from the new age gangsters, yet again. Why should water cost so much? A desalinazation plant would save us millions, purifying the sea water. It works in Aruba and so many other places, why not here? This is just more statutory rape. Thanks

Now you know how the BTMUA is giving $1million to Brick Muni for the budget...
It's a tax getting around the 2% CAP.

Gee, I remember Laceys qualifications when he got the job. Said ,"he was always interested in water" Thankfully he was well qualified or our rates would be even higher. What a circus this town has become.

I have cut down so much due to the high prices of water. I don't know what else to do. This is insane to raise the price again. While my lawn looks like hell each year, BTMUA's looks like a resort with gorgeous flowers and unused space.

Bring the MUA in house under brick Gov't. control. Dump the Commissioners! The MUA in towns is the politicos way of paying off an ex politico. Dumo them and watch the rates stabilize as the voters can dump local politicians who raise rates. We currently have no control over the MUA members salaries.

This is the best part "In addition to rising wage and operational costs". I haven't gotten a raise in who knows how long !!!! How dare they raise us to give themselves raises, some nerve they have. I wonder who is behind the whole thing, a mayor perhaps. I think Steveo is trying to shut Brick down, then he will move to TR, collect his pension from here and then from TR, he's no dummy.

Comcast raised my rates, so I put up a TV antenna and only kept their Internet saving a bundle, Verizon raised my rates, got a Magicjack told Verizon to stick it, saving a bundle. I still have my well, the water pressure is great and so is the water, but I don't have the freedom to tell the town to stick it like I did with Comcast and Verizon. I would get a plumber in here tomorrow and reconnect the well to the whole house, but it's against the law, I'd also put a septic tank back in too, but I can't, don't have a choice have to use the township sewers. Guess the only way to stick it to Brick is in the voting booth and I can't wait.

Oscar, I have always told it like it is. I agree with you that no matter what party,most politicians are self serving slugs. I just said your "Bricktucky" line is getting old.

Oscar, I heard Acropolis was changing the name of the town to Acropolisville. So you will have to start calling Acroptucky.

The BTMUA lost $14 million in the previous 3 years. I can't wait to see what this year looks like. The BTMUA year end is 3/31/12. The rate increases have to cover the losses.
THe BTMUA was cited by the EPA for having a likely carcinogen in the water supply that was at a high enough level to require quarterly monitoring. Because the EPA found it and the BTMUA never brought it to the EPA's attention, the EPA is forcing the BTMUA to use an outside independent lab.
The EPA tested 31 public water systems and the BTMUA was the only one of the 31 to have a problem.
Good job Freeholder Jim Lacey!
The other area to look at it is the retirement benefits that are on the BTMUA's balance sheet that are through the roof. I can't get a breakdown of what it contains.

everyone should pay their bill in person, WITH PENNIES! Same with property taxes.

Pennies are legal tender and they have to except them.

why is everyone so suprised? this is Bricktown, the most corrupt town in New Jersey! someone has to pay for all the BS raises and bonus's. I do like the penny idea, thanks BW!!!!

The Brick MUA is a utility monopoly. Other utilities (electric, gas, etc.) have to get rate increases approved through the State. Is the Brick MUA exempt from that?

guess its time to collect rainwater to bring in and flush my toilet...........but alas they will figure a way to charge me for that also !

Where does Brick rank in the state/country in terms of water rate? I had a relative buy a summer home here last year and he couldn't believe the water bill. Dan, do you have any idea? I found this in a google search http://www.americanwaterintel.com/archive/2/9/analysis/cities-hike-water-charges-financing-options-evaporate.html . Suggests that we are right up there with the highest.

Does the BTMUA answer to anyone? Do the people of Brick have any say how their money is being spent, like on retirement packages, raises, salaries, vacation time, insurance? Just interested. something like the budget at the Town Hall?

The SLUDGE RUNNETH OVER! Go back to the archives Brick homeowner. The pit on Herbertsville will cost nothing out of pocket to you. There will be a playground, a bicycle path and fishing. NOT NOT NOT!
The pit is a FREE to Lakewood hole. Never see Brick residents there. My child is not allowed to ride her bicycle there, It serves no purpose for my family to pay for the HOLE filled with SLUDGE.

Wonder what the new Democrat BTMUA commissioner appointee's part in this was? Didn't Ducey just appoint a few of his buddies to the BTMUA?

The BTMUA should be dissolved the management is far to well paid there are secretaries making $60&70G’s a year Freeholder Lacy was paid over $100G’s a year for a part time job and Brando’s BS job there’s over $250G’s in savings right there. We need to go back to a town water dept!

Didnt DeLuca put a trailer in the foodtown dump with M@M coming soon, storefront? Why did the trailer vanish when the Repukes got bashed?

I learned two items today. One is that my Freehold Jim Lacey also has another full time job here running the Brick MUA and that the new Democrat Council gave a few of their crony's jobs at the Brick MUA. So I guess it's the same old as alway's.

Back to the SEWER RATES. The water flowing from my kitchen sink is a health hazard. Brick residents were told filter your drinking water. THE EPA is watching BTMUA. Wonder why? Fill a clear drinking glass with water, hold it up to the sunlight. If you are worried it may be from the cleanliest of your glass, wash it well with hot hot water, then take it outside, Thats right your drinking water is filled with particles, dirty particle. I did the same test with my well. Well water is much better than BTMUA water. Much cheaper and cleaner. FACT!

Het umm BW better do your due dillegence if you are going to be a forum hack. A newly appointed Dem council BTMUA member is former Democratic Municipal Chairman George Cevasco ...

Mr JT you know it all about Brick Township and new hires. Who hired Ms. Briggs?
You remember the outspoken Brick resident that cried at town hall. The chic that got hired a few months before the election.

""Jessie and Mary
41 minutes ago
I learned two items today. One is that my Freehold Jim Lacey also has another full time job here running the Brick MUA and that the new Democrat Council gave a few of their crony's jobs at the Brick MUA. So I guess it's the same old as alway's."""

Waiting for the names of these cronies. I dont care which one of your names you answer under, just prove it.

Day 87 of the new democrat council. How much have Ducey and company saved us so far? It must still be negative based upon the health benefits and the extra attorney they hired.

Oh I forgot, I'm not allowed to single them out according to the last council meeting I saw on TV. They don't like being singled out, but it was their platform.....

A reason why the BTMUA lost $14 million the last 3 years is because they bought the Parkway Water Company at that time.
Each time the Acropolis Gilmore team buys something, we lose our shirt.
Traders Cove, Ocean Ice Palace, Foodtown, French's Landfill Capping and Solar Panel and the Parkway Water Company.

Jimbo actually has three jobs he is a ocean county freeholder, the director of the btmua, and the secretary of one of the transportation authorities of north jersey, he has no shame and really doesn't hesitate to produce jobs for all his friends and families, one friend in four years has been supervisor of the ocean county bridge department and was recently appointed supervisor of the road department he has been with the county about five years before that he was a backyard mechanic, he makes about 115,000 a year, the last thing on these peoples minds is work, it's more like spread the wealth. Oh buy the way Steve Acropolis was instrumental in seeing that his long time friend was appointed as director of the btmua, raise rates, raise taxes and certainly make sure that they all leave with enormus benefits and pensions. No wonder we all are having trouble paying our bills I bet they aren't, heres a great place to start investigating corruption in politics! You want to save money, you want to pay your bills, you want your children to have a future in brick, out they should go without their fat retirement packages!

Does this mean Steve Acrapolis' water park on the bay is shelved?

1

BTMUA ! Reservoir! You ever walk the path? How many clowns does it take to fill the water jugs? TWO! First of all why would a reservoir have 4 water coolers? You have the two clowns cruising in the golf cart with their gatorade jug filling the coolers with the water you pay for. Did you ever go to a park in other towns? Do they have 4 water coolers set up in a 1.6 mile path? NO! They may have one water fountain. Maybe if you get lucky. We were told the reservoir was built to save water. What a joke!
How many clowns does it take to empty the garbage pails? FOUR! Thats right 4.
The clowns cruise in their golf cart emptying, EMPTY pails. The BTMUA will soon be facing the EPA on that one also. They use plastic trash bags and continuously waste. Has the BTMUA been investigated on that one yet? I betcha the answer to that will be YES!
They waste water, they are polluting our oceans with plastic trash bags. Anyone from the BTMUA have any comments on these FACTS?

Do not forget about the BTMUA wasting energy on the lightbulbs! Hundreds of bulbs burning energy. Great way to teach the children of Brick about saving energy!

If you want answers to your questions, go to the BMUA meetings and ask questions. It's that simple. Members of the press, go to the meetings and ask questions. We have an Ocean County Freeholder running our water department. Surely an honorable man like this making nearly $200,000 a year paid for by us, receiving health benefits paid for by us, driving a "company" car paid for by us, running on gasoline paid for by us would love to answer a few harmless questions from his subjects. Did Mr. Bottazi really get a $1,500,000 loan from a bank right before the BMUA switched their accounts to it? Go to a meeting and ask. Maybe it would be interesting to stand up at a meeting and ask Mr. Lacey how he manages to handle three jobs, and on who's dime is he working where and when. He's an honorable public servant. Certainly if someone got up and asked, he would give an honest answer. Maybe he doesn't get paid for the time he is away from job 1 to go to job 2. Or maybe he gets paid from job 3 to go to job 1 and 2, but only on Thursdays. I read that the governor took benefits away from commissioners like the ones at the BMUA, but I read in an earlier post that the BMUA commissioners are still getting them. Maybe that's a question you can ask. But the only way to find out answers to these and many other interesting questions is to get in your car that YOU paid for, running on gas that YOU paid for, and go to a BMUA meeting. What can a few harmless questions hurt?

FBI, Chris Christie someone help, these thieves are bleeding us dry and we can't afford it anymore. Please dismantle this political patronage pit which has robbed from the citizens of Brick for years. How about we clean house, the PIGS no they are gonna lose the election in Sept so they rape us more and more while they can. Stop this corruption please Mr Christie, that was one of your campaign platforms. THE PIGS CONTINUE TO FEED FROM THE TROUGH, FEDS ARE COMING BACK, THE RAT'S TRIAL IS STARTING IN 2 WEEKS, CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Well the POOP flys. Lets start with all the political jobs and favrortism given to family and friends. People that have been working there for years are still making the same money with no raises. BUT all the new hires that were placed there are making more money then the folks that have been there for YEARS! If you are a friend of a commisioner then you get an automatic PAY rasie! Lets start with Frank Pannucci Politicaly appointed came from the Brick town hall tax dept. He gets appointed to run the customer accounts dept, his pays goes up on the average 8 to 10 thousand a year , another job appointed by the commisioners. Then we have Mr Lacey that is NEVER there .This is all public knowlege just go and look at state employee salaries. Oh and the company cars that go home with them on the MUA gas .The employes that have been there for 20 years or better are Disgusted with way the MUA is now being run. Political Political Political and there own pockets of what then can obtain for themselves! ITS ALL ABOUT THEM and the hell with the employes!

BTMUA I was always under the impression its a secret front for the Brick Republican club.Raise our rates first they make me cap my well beacuse the water contains contaminants but it ok to live here. Then they want me to drink their water even thought nobody told us wells were contaminated for decades. I wish i could sell my house but I live next to a superfund site and the real estate market sucks. Anybody wonder why Brick and Toms River have autism issues? Im pretending im in Mexico and bottles water in everything I eat. Crooks,liers,and scumbags ruining my hometown.

Correct me if I'm wrong ..but wasn't it mentioned when the reservoir was built didn't they say that we would sell water to other towns to help save the people of Brick on there water bill???

I too have utilized the reservoir's walking path and think sometimes having up to 6 employees on staff to empty the trash, cut the lawns, etc is excessive. It's time the BTMUA runs like a private loss/ profit business and cuts back. I thought we were making all kinds of money selling our water to Howell, Point Pleasant, etc. The money is going somewhere................

I was on the fence - April 1 is the deadline for filing a tax appeal. I am now off the fence and filling out the correct p/w. My parents live in another ocean county township. They have seen one increase in water and sewer rates in 16 years. Brick keeps taking and taking. Time to appeal!

In order to get an increase, the BTMUA must apply to the state for approval. I would love to know the reason they told the state they needed it. The state wouldnt have granted it for the reasons above.

For every one of you who think the reservoir is a bad thing, I got 3000+ of you asking if it could be open later, and more! Those guys bust their humps beautifying that property, on a shoestring budget, and are among the lowest paid in the MUA. Which means they don't make squat.point your fingers at the guys in ties if you don't like the rates. Its easy to pick on guys if you don't think they hear you. 6am- 9pm six days a week. Saturday and Sunday. Most holidays. Soon Monday. You try staffing that with less than eight guys at $11.50 to start. Oh, and the water is complimentary, and fresh, and you probably use more watering your lawn than they put out. I can keep going...

Not to single anyone out, (SeeYa), but calling the staff 'clowns' is slanderous. As far as I know, no one up there has a degree from clown college, and it certainly is not contained in the job description. It has never taken 4 members to EVER empty trash, and unless they are overflowing, the trash is pulled once a week for collection, and again for sanitizing the cans. The bathrooms are continually
maintained, more so than any other park, and the staff takes pride in their work, however scrutinized and underestimated . Your 'facts' only exploit your opinion, which you are constitutionally entitled to, but at what cost? Do people call you a clown where you work? Would it help your bosses to respect your position if they did? Don't attack the people who can't control the politics. They pay the same rate as you, but have to answer for these ridiculous accusations, no matter how far from true they are...

I think everyone posting on this site can agree on one thing:
It costs us to financially keep the Reservoir path open six days per week during all daylight hours. Further, I think we all realize that it is only BTMUA customers who are the ones actually paying for the upkeep/staffing there.
My question: Does anyone know if we can charge the many out-of-towners who use the path a fee? We would therefore be able to recoup what it's costing the BTMUA customer.

The actual impact that the Reservoir has on BTMUA customer consumption pricing is a considerable smaller percentage than one might assume and well below water treatment, sewage management, ERT, or any other of the MUA's standard services. The staff salary couldn't dent your bill even if it were tripled. The Reservoir is a courtesy extended to the public, and that courtesy would be revoked if it were an actual financial burden. One set of lights are left on for obvious emergency reasons, and there is always talk of energy saving options. If the BTMUA spends its money frivolously, its NOT going to the Reservoir...

Its against the law NOT to clean up after your dog. Good luck enforcing that, though. Its NOT a dog path, but dogs are not banned, yet. Keep leaving a mess, and watch what happens. However, geese leave a bigger mess than irresponsible dog owners, and thus gives both dogs and staff alike a bad rep. And you don't drink untreated river water, which is what the reservoir is. The reservoir is private property, so to speak, so who REALLY profits from parking passes? Not you. Your bill will still go up. It BS, but that's how the world spins...

Do you want to know an actual reason, aside from greed, misappropriations, and political meddling, why the bill goes up? Facuets that don't leak. Droughts and mild winters. Terrorist threats. Poland Spring. Neighborhood expansion. Inflation. Are you boycotting oil or Nat gas yet? Get ready for July's electric bill too. And you have pay to go to their 'park'. A Triple Play from Comcast is a much bigger waste to me, since you are forced to have a phone line to get a cable TV plan. A well maintained open air park doesn't seem like a bad addition to a bill that you would end up paying the same for anyway...

To...Reality: as far as I know, the BTMUA costs the taxpayers $0, since it is NOT Township. That's a different forum. The employees ARE tax payers, and if you can raise a family on $30000 a year, in this economy, considering the pay cut you might have taken from whatever private sector job laid you off, I'm ready to listen. Again, I digress. Your taxes are safe from them...

Its not a tax bill. Its a utility bill. So if we are to be technical, it costs taxpayers who use water and sewage. I suppose in that thinking AT&T also cost taxpayers money. Should they abandon their benefits package?

Unlike AT&T I do not have the option to switch water companies. Were you one of the people the FBI interviewed?

Why, are they hiring? Let's just say i'm caught between a pond and a very high waterfall, and sh+t flows downward. I just thought that the Reservoir and its staff deserve a voice here among the misinformation. If you think this would benefit me IF I was an employee, you would be very wrong. IF I was an employee, I could probably jeopardize my employment locking horns here, but too many bashes and so little support compels me. And my fight is in defense of the Reservoir, not necessarily BTMUA policy. I have no reason to impede that...

OK, let me put it another way. Shut out the public from the reservoir. The lights will still be on. The staff will be re-assigned. There is always a laborer position available. Private security is hired to serve. Public Works cuts the lawn once a month. Your neighbor's dog starts crapping in your lawn. You can't believe many joggers are on the roads these days. And look at your water bill. It just went up again. I don't see a clear winner here between us, but somebody else is going home with the gold. See the bigger picture.

Hmm, I think the answer is... commissioners are appointed officials, I guess we're strapped w their benefit package. Employees I believe are under a different program that is more cost efficient for the BTMUA. Its publicly accessible information...

if everyone refused to pay their bills, changes would happen quickly....instead the sheep do nothing (but complain)

Monopoly based on region, at best. More like just got you by the b*lls. Same w electricity. And cable, somewhat. More to the point, reservoir staff are BTMUA no matter where they are assigned, or reassigned. Shutting down the reservoir only prevents new hires, not create layoffs. And they don't work in billing. This is my point.

Eroc is the man

Eroc~ Solar Panels= Electric, NOT JCP&L
Telephone = too options to explain to you. If you do not want comcast you can cancel anytime anyday.

eroc , I am paying for 6 adult men with benefits to clean up dog doo. Geese? I would much rather have my childs school playground geese poo free, than worry about a path that caters to the black dress

eroc, have you ever went to ringling brothers barnum bailey? The first 15 minutes of entertainment is 4-6 adult clowns in a golf cart!

I have my water bills from 20 years ago! Yes the water and sewer rates tripled.
eroc, what happened to the bicycle path? The playground?
You should be happy you have a job with benefits, You are way above minimum wage! Along with your 15K health plan, If i did not have such a high property tax and water bill, I would apply for your job!

I was happily playing with my daughter when I saw this barrage. SeeYa seems to really like this circus analogy. As I explained to the lynchmob before, the reservoir staff are laborers for the BTMUA. When we are not picking up dog waste left by irresponsible patrons, and supplying fresh water for them, we are clearing easements and pump houses, removing snow for straight time on weekends, working Easter Sunday, customizing landscapes and sponsor gardens, locking up gates when we'd rather be kissing our children. goodnight,

And fielding ridiculous comments from people with the up most professionalism. Did I say we? I meant they...

Easter Sunday. Triple time. 4-12 double time with benefits. Need I say more?

I will use my cell phone to snap the pic of you picking up the dog waste. Instead why dont you use the security cameras to fine these people? Just like Acropolis does with the yellow light tickets

Oh I get it. You people just wanna fund the things you think are important, everything else is a waste of money.

Kingjester21
Is it ok that at the BTMUA secretaries make $60&70G’s a year Freeholder Lacy was paid over $100G’s a year for a part time job and Brando’s BS job , as well as the water comp. running a dog park? When your home income changes you adjust you cut out the frills and what I stated here I call frills! Remove all the frills and our water bill will go down!

SeeYa I got something you can kiss goodnight.

Crystal Clear well water here!

Gates close at 6 get your shit straight I'll see you there

Yea hello

Mark....
If we are going to correct things, they are Canada Goose, not canadian geese.

Ok, after reading these comments it is apparant that the old brainwashing technique of turning people against each other in order to control them has worked well. Can't we all understand that WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME FRIGGIN TEAM!! Those in control DO NOT want us to uprise. Why don't you get together and storm the BMUA instead of each other? I'm personally glad there are still labor jobs for people. It's the waste at the top that needs to go. Am I the only one who understands what is really going on???? Show up to these town meetings and get your RAGE ON!!! EVERYBODY!!!!!

I'm not inciting violence or anything, just saying that we should work together-not against each other. Maybe the citizens in Brick should get together privately and decide what is acceptable to them and come up with a plan to present it at a town meeting or something.

Someone told me a few years back ( don't know when) that the BTMUA was in the process of being or trying to be taken over by the township. Does anyone remember what happened?

The township created the BTMUA and can dissolve it with little trouble.

Why can't we just privatize the water... United Water & NJ American water (their rates also went up) BUT they are still cheaper, more dependable, and their employees aren't complete idiots.

Also, with all the money the MUA is getting you'd think they would have I don't know.. fix their website for once. It's been almost 5 years and the only link on the site that works is the pay your bill section.

I have a public job. Seems like a few years ago when the private sector was living in a fantasy world of greed nobody gave a thought about the public servant. Actually they thought we were beneath them. Now that their bubble burst( oh and by the way the reason we are all in financial trouble) all I'm reading here is jealousy. Jealous of the fact that people like us that do labor jobs that most off you wouldn't dream of have dreamed of doing years ago look appealing now because they are secure jobs. Whining, crybaby jealousy is all I'm reading here. All talk and no action.

water & sewer goes up. property taxes go up up up. i got the message. i moved. i suggest you all do the same. speak with your feet.