Brick Authorizes Millions For Hurricane Sandy Work

Brick officials last night authorized a $7 million special emergency appropriation for work after Hurricane Sandy - bringing the total of emergency appropriations to around $29 million.

Although Business Administrator Scott Pezarras pointed out that the township would qualify to be reimbursed for up to 90% of those expenditures, several people in attendance of the regular township meeting - and some council members - questioned what the funds were for, and had logistical questions surrounding the reimbursement process.

Councilman John Ducey said he had a problem writing a "$7 million blank check."

He noted some of the $15 million that has already been spent has gone to engineering firms that, in his terms, "walked around, leaving hangers on doors."  He was referring to three engineering firms that canvassed Brick homes to see about repair or demolition statuses earlier this year.

"These engineers make anywhere from $105 to $140 to go door to door and leave a door hanger," Ducey said. "To pay these people $105 an hour is ridiculous … That's why we can't issue this, 'hey here's a $7.5 million blank check, or here's a $15 million blank check, I can't write anymore blank checks, I'm sick and tired of it."

Pezarras shot back that "each and every dime of [the money] is tracked, because it comes out of the Sandy account."

He also assured Ducey - who was the only member of the council in attendance at the meeting who voted against the $7 million emergency appropriation - that he would give a break down of these expenditures this week.