Brick, NJ – Mayor Stephen Acropolis is offering tips to make sure residents have a safe and Happy Halloween.

“Halloween is a special day for young people and a day for them to have fun, show off their costumes and get treats,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “It is important for adults to teach young people about safety and how they can protect themselves from any accidents and hazardous situations.”

Mayor Acropolis offers the following tips for kids and parents:

• Trick or treat in groups; never go alone.  Kids under 13 should always have a parent or adult with them.
• Wear costumes with light colors or wear reflective tape so that motorists can see you.  Carry a flashlight or glow stick at night.
• Look both ways before crossing streets and never cross in between cars.  Only cross at corners or crosswalks where available.
• Wear makeup instead of masks.  If you have a mask, make sure the eyeholes are large enough to see.
• Make sure costumes are not baggy so they are not a tripping hazard.
• Only visit houses that are well-lit.
• Kids should let their parents know where they are going; parents should make sure their kids tell them.
• Parents should check all candy before allowing kids to eat any.  Any candy with wrappers that appear to be open should be discarded.
• Observe the Township curfew.  On October 30, October 31 and November 1, with few exceptions, no resident under the age of 17 is permitted to be on any public street or in any public place between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. 
• Have fun and be safe.

 “Following these tips will help make sure Halloween is fun for everyone,” said Mayor Acropolis.

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Brick, NJ - Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis and the Township Council will present checks to thirteen local service providers at the October 27, 2009 Council meeting.  The checks, which range from $1,000 to $10,420, are from funding the Township receives as part of the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.  The checks will assist the organizations in providing a wide variety of services to the community.

“Every year, we have the opportunity to assist organizations that help the people of Brick Township by using Federal CDBG funds,” said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.  “It is great to see this money be put to good use and make a positive impact on the lives of so many.”

Every year, the Township receives grant money from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program which is in turn passed on to local service providers.   The Township identifies issues of concern in the community and then provides the Federal funds to the organizations most appropriate to address those issues.

“Each of the organizations that will receive contributions work hard to improve people’s lives,” said Council President Joseph Sangiovanni.  “The Council is proud to support their efforts and help them make a difference.”

The 2009 CDBG Recipients are

Community Services Inc.  /   Meals on Wheels                       $10,000

Through its ‘Meals on Wheels’ program, Community Services Inc. provides nutritious meals to homebound elderly in their own homes.  The program also serves meals daily to seniors at the Brick Township Senior Center on Adamston Road.   For more information, please call 732-367-1400 or the Brick Senior Center at 732-920-8686.

Dottie’s House                                                                                $10,420

Dottie’s House provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children.  They may be reached at 732-295-7380.

Providence House                                                                         $7,500

A division of Catholic Charities, Providence House provides a wide variety of services related to preventing domestic violence and assisting its victims.   For many years, the Township has worked with Providence House to fight domestic violence in our community.  Providence House may be reached at 732-262-3143 or 732-244-8259.  They have an office located in Lions Head Plaza.   

Ocean County Hunger Relief                                                      $7,000

Ocean County Hunger Relief provides emergency food assistance for needy people.  They operate 38 food pantries throughout Ocean County.  They may be reached at 732-349-1500.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey                             $4,902

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a non-profit interfaith organization that provides volunteers to assist frail elderly with simple daily tasks enabling them to live, with dignity, where they are most comfortable – in their own homes. And, … there is never a charge for help provided!  Their phone number is 732-505-2273.

VetGroup                                                                                          $4,000

VetGroup operates a local satellite resource office in James Howard VA Clinic for veterans in need of various kinds of assistance with such issues as career counseling, medical assistance and stress management.  They may be reached at 609-971-7613.

Interfaith Hospitality Network                                                     $3,000

There are times when families face becoming homeless because of personal, financial or medical reasons.  Interfaith Homeless Assistance provides a safety net program for Brick Township residents who face becoming homeless.  They may be reached at 732-370-1550.

Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Ocean County                           $1,500

Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Ocean County provides community and site-based mentoring services for young people throughout the county.  They may be reached 732-905-5349. 

Contact of Ocean County                                                            $1,000

Contact of Ocean County provides a 24-hour hotline and crisis intervention for people in need of help with drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, suicide, depression and other personal issues.  They may be reached at 732-240-6100 or 609-693-5834. 

Ocean’s Harbor House                                                                 $1,000

Ocean’s Harbor House provides free short-term shelter and crisis intervention for male and female youth ages 10-17. Any youth who is homeless, has runaway, been thrown away or abused, or is otherwise in need of immediate intervention may find help 24 hours a day at this safe haven.   Their Shelter Services 24 Hours/Day Hotline is 732-929-0660 and their Outreach Center phone number is 732-929-4001.

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship                                     $1,000

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship operates a thrift shop for low-income families at 236 Chambers Bridge Road in Brick.  Their phone number is 732-451-0779.

Destiny Development Corporation                                           $1,000

Since August of 2006 Destiny Community Development Corporation has been operating the Community Outreach Food and Clothing Pantry (COFCP). The COFCP is available to provide food and clothing to anyone in need regardless of race, creed, or ethnicity in such a way as to maintain a persons dignity as a respected member of society.  The phone number is 732-451-0777

ARC of Ocean County                                                                  $1,000

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter advocates for, provides supports and empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they are accepted and valued as citizens of our community.  The Arc does this through vocational, recreational, family support, residential, transportation and primary medical care programs.  Their phone number is 732-363-3335 ext. 115

“In today’s economy, charitable and non-profit organizations are struggling to find funding,” said Council Vice President Dan Toth.  “The support that Mayor Acropolis and the Council are giving is more important than ever and I encourage residents to help these organizations anyway they can.”

The Township’s CDBG efforts are administered by Rehabco/Oross Associates located on Mantoloking Road in Brick.  Grantsman Ervin Oross works with the Township to identify community needs, submit the funding applications to HUD, and disburse the funds to the local service providers.  “Ervin and Rehabco do an outstanding job every year in administering our CDBG program,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “Their efforts have touched the lives of so many.”

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Calling all photographers! The Brick Township Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a contest for amateur photographers and the winning submission will be used on the cover of the 2010/2011 Parks & Recreation Brochure.

“This contest gives residents of all ages the chance to showcase their talents while showing what make Brick Township so special,” said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.  “I am looking forward to seeing the photos that are submitted.”

Residents are asked to submit nature photographs that showcase the natural beauty of Brick Township.  Digital photograph submissions are preferred and may be e-mailed to contest@twp.brick.nj.us.  Print photographs may be mailed to the Brick Township Department of Parks & Recreation, 401 Chambers Bridge Road Brick NJ 08723, Attention: Chris or delivered to the office which is located in Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road.  Each submission, whether digital or print, should be accompanied by the photographer’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, age and number of years living in Brick Township.  It should also include a brief description of the location and subject matter of the photo and one or two sentences about the photographer.

The winning photographer must certify that the photo is original and not copyright protected in any way.  The photograph will become the property of the Township of Brick and may be used by the Township in the future.

Multiple submissions are permitted.  The deadline for all entries is January 29.  For more information, call the Brick Recreation office at 732-262-1075.

A Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Brick Township by Mazza & Sons, Tinton Falls.  The lawsuit alleged that the township was in violation of public purchasing laws by rejecting their bid for disposal for solid waste.  The township argued that the lawsuit was moot because the service provisions in the bid were eliminated in an effort to save taxpayer dollars.

At issue was a township bid last year for removal of Type 13 and Type 13C waste.  Type 13 waste is bulk waste such as appliances, furniture, large vehicle parts and the like.  Type 13C waste is construction and demolition waste.  Last year, in an effort to save taxpayers money, the Township Council passed an ordinance that eliminated all collection of Type 13C waste, which is a voluntary service for municipalities. 

The township argued that the elimination of the collection of Type 13C changed the specifications so much that the bid was moot.

“The decision to not collect construction waste was made to save taxpayers money.  We had the right – and the obligation to our taxpayers – to do so,” said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.  “While I am pleased that the suit was dismissed, I am disappointed that we had to spend money defending it.”

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New traffic patterns went into effect early this morning (Sept. 18) at the intersection of Route 70 and Cedar Bridge Avenue, here.

“We believe the improvements to this area will help ease some of the traffic congestion and provide a safer intersection,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department. “Ocean County has worked closely with Brick Township to provide this improvement.”

A new traffic signal on the west side of Cedar Bridge Avenue was turned on at 5 a.m., Sept. 18. The signal helps with the flow of traffic around a new jughandle, which is used for motorists heading south on Route 70 or west on Cedar Bridge Avenue.

“Brick Township is committed to providing the residents and visitors with safe passage throughout the township,” said Brick Township Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.   “With the cooperation of Ocean County and State agencies, the most congested intersections in town have been vastly improved allowing for safer travel and hopefully reducing accidents.”

With the new traffic pattern, motorists can no longer make a left onto Cedar Bridge Avenue from Route 70 southbound. Motorists traveling west on Cedar Bridge Avenue can no longer make a left onto Route 70 southbound. Instead, motorists will use the newly completed jughandle to access these areas.

“By eliminating these traffic movements traffic can flow easier with the extended time the green lights will now have at the intersection,” said Ocean County Engineer Frank Scarantino.

Brick, NJ – In an effort to make getting around easier, the Township of Brick is replacing missing and illegible street signs and Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis is reaching out to residents for help.

“Our Public Works employees have been told to be on the lookout for missing street signs and ones that are worn and can’t be read easily,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “However, we have over 1,750 streets that we are responsible for.  Any help residents can give us in this effort are greatly appreciated.”

“As you can see by the recent improvements to the Route 70 corridor, as well as other areas, we are committed to upgrading the roadway infrastructure within our township,” said Council Vice President Dan Toth, who also serves as the Chairman of the Council’s Public Safety Committee.  “Street signs, as small as they may be, play an integral role in ensuring that such roadway improvements get fully utilized, affording motorists the most efficient route possible.  We are paying attention to every detail in an effort to make your commute hassle-free.”

Residents are being asked to call the Department of Public Works at 732-451-4060 to report missing street signs or signs that cannot be read.

Mayor Acropolis says that missing or illegible street signs are a public safety issue.  “Our police and emergency responders rely on street signs to do their jobs,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “When every second counts, our responders can’t afford to miss a turn because a street sign is gone.”