Ducey: Reorganization of Brick Government Will Save $400K

A plan to reorganize Brick's municipal government departments and divisions passed unanimously and without a single note of dissent from the governing body or members of the public on Tuesday, a far cry from a previous attempt to do the same that sparked a venomous round of political controversy.

The reorganization itself is fairly straightforward: the number of departments in Brick's municipal government will be reduced from six to five, with the functions of the Department of Community Development and Land Use being rolled into the administration department.

The office of senior services in town will also be rolled into administration, away from the Recreation Department, and the Parks Department will be rolled into the Public Works Department.

"I think most people would agree that this is a step in the right direction for our township," said Susan Lydecker, council president. "I know our township employees are up to the task, they are very capable people."

Mayor John Ducey has been pushing for the reorganization since he was a member of the township council. But in a previous attempt to pass the plan, former Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis strongly opposed the measure, and accused Republican council member Dan Toth of voting in favor of the Democrat-backed plan because of a personal dispute with Juan Bellu, who was the director of the Community Development and Land Use department. Toth abstained from a second vote on the matter, effectively killing the measure.

But with an all-Democrat council now in place, the reorganization plan passed without a single comment from the public and no vocal opposition.

Ducey said the plan will save taxpayers more than $400,000 by way of the elimination of senior management positions and several demotions. Counted among the savings are the salaries of Bellu – who is now suing the township over his dismissal by Ducey – and Dave Francese, who headed the Recreation Department under Acropolis. Francese was also dismissed by Ducey.

More savings came from a number of demotions, including a clerk who was dropped one level and a code enforcement supervisor who reverted back to a regular code enforcement officer.

The overall savings will be $453,141, Ducey said, calling the effort part of a plan to make the township government "leaner" and smaller.