Final Vote on Restructuring Ordinance Set for Tonight

The Brick Township council is set to vote Tuesday night on two ordinances that will eliminate several positions in township government and create three other positions in a move that will restructure some of the upper management of township affairs.

The move has created controversy in township political circles, where council Democrats have said the move is designed to save taxpayers more than $400,000 per year, while some opponents have quietly questioned whether the plan is underpinned by partisan politics.

A majority of council members voted at the governing body's Sept. 10 meeting to pass the ordinance, despite warnings from the township attorney not to do so.

The ordinances were not drafted by the regular township attorney, Council President John Ducey said at that meeting when questioned by a member of the public.

Eight senior positions in township government, including those held by Deputy Business Administrator Juan Bellu and Recreation Department Head Dave Francese, will be eliminated under the plan. The job of the council's secretary will also be eliminated and will be replaced by a deputy municipal clerk.

The departments of Recreation as well as Community Development and Land Use would be eliminated entirely, with their operations rolled into other departments.

Towship Attorney Jean Cipriani said the ordinances could cause issues since some of the people who occupy positions being eliminated have bumping rights under state civil service law.

Not all of the eight positions being expressly eliminated are currently filled, officials have said, and three positions would be created under the ordinances. They are deputy department heads for the Finance Department and the Tax Assessor. A deputy township clerk position would also be created.

The council is set to meet at 7 p.m. at the township municipal complex.

Also on the agenda:

• Awarding a contract to a grantsman.
• Extending state permits for the Seawood Harbor bike trail project.
• Taxi cab license renewals.
• A land use ordinance covering scattered site affordable housing units.