Mayor to Ask Council Members to Reduce Salaries

Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis will ask township council members to halve their salaries, eliminate health benefits and give up stipends for waiving health care benefits at Tuesday night's council meeting.

Council members are paid $8,000 for their services; the council president receives $9,000.

It was not immediately clear Tuesday afternoon which council members currently receive health benefits from the township.

For township council members who do not receive benefits, there is a $4,000 waiver incentive in place.

Acropolis said in an e-mail to Brick Patch that he will propose ordinances and resolutions at tonight's council meeting to cut the council salaries in half, and formally eliminate health care benefits and the health care waiver incentive for council members. He will also ask for the mayor's salary to be reduced to $1 from its current payout of $52,000. Acropolis said he does not take health benefits from the municipal government.

"The new council majority ran against higher taxes in Brick Township," Acropolis said in the e-mail. "It is time to follow through with their promises."

"We should lead by example which is why I pledged to take only $1 in compensation and why I already have waived taxpayer funded health care as Mayor," Acropolis said.

Council President John Ducey could not be immedately reached for comment.

The township council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the township .