No Delays for Engineering Projects in Brick Expected

Fears that the seizure of Birdsall Services Group's assets this week could result in engineering projects being delayed statewide should not affect Brick Township, officials said.

A number of company executives were indicted this week in a pay-to-play scandal, including Brick's former township administrator, Scott MacFadden.

The Newark Star-Ledger reported on Thursday that some public officials worried that seizure of assets could lead to projects stalling in local communities.

The seizure could "risk the completion of a lot of good projects statewide," Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage told the newspaper.

But the company's troubles should not affect ongoing engineering projects in Brick, Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said.

The township has been winding down its relationship with Birdsall over the past year, he said, and beginning April 1, his administration will hire current township engineer Elissa Commins as its full time, in house engineer.

Acropolis said Commins, who has received frequent praise from residents at public meetings for her expertise and accessibility, will become a township employee whose salary will be reimbursed 75 percent by FEMA due to ongoing storm recovery efforts.

Over the past several months, Commins has been working on dune restoration plans as well as on FEMA maps and flood zone issues.

Her salary will be approximately $100,000, Acropolis said, which even before the reimbursement would be a savings over an outside engineering firm.