Politics & Government

Status of Brick Public Works Still in Flux

Budget may be introduced by the end of the month, however

Residents don't have to be looking for private trash and recycling haulers – at least not yet.

Though layoff notices given to employees of the township's public works department said layoffs could begin March 31, Business Administrator Scott Pezarras said this week that date represents the first day workers could be laid off under state law.

Without the 2012 township budget solidified, the status of public works is still in flux.

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Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis has , though several township council members have indicated they intend to restore the funding. The council now has the power to modify the mayor's proposed budget – a task that gives council members the option of both cutting and adding funding to the spending plan.

Council President John Ducey said at a meeting Tuesday that the council intends to introduce its budget by March 27. There is a state-imposed deadline of March 29 for municipal budget introductions this year.

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"I intend to make sure that it's funded," said Councilman Dan Toth this week, referring to public works.

In the case that the township council restores public works funding, Public Works Director Glenn Campbell has prepared a full 2012 department budget.

Many residents had questions for council members at a Tuesday meeting – mostly over whether they should be seeking prices for private haulers.

But there is no immediate need to do so, officials said.

"I'm anticipating, since we're still in discussions with the council, that that March 31 date will not be the drop dead date," Pezarras said.

The township would have 120 days past March 31 to institute layoffs if the council does not restore funding. During that period, notices would go out to the public and ordinances would be proposed to govern private collections.

Meanwhile, public works will continue operating based on temporary budget appropriations that keep the township running while a final budget is discussed.

"I believe it would hurt my pride in this township if we were to [privatize public works]," said Gregory Duffy of Revere Drive, who urged the council to fund the department this year.

"It wouldn't save me a dime," Duffy said, referring to a $245 tax cut that Acropolis says would result from eliminating public works, since he'd have to hire a hauler.

No one spoke in favor of cutting the department at Tuesday's meeting.


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