After nearly a decade of vacancy and six years after the Township’s previous Mayor and Council purchased it, the former Foodtown store in Brick Township is coming down.

Earlier this week, the redevelopment firm that is in negotiations with the Township began the demolition process of the vacant building.  Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis anticipates the building to be down within the next few weeks.

“This has been a long time coming, but I am proud to announce that the Foodtown building is in its final days.  Crews are in the building preparing it for its demolition,” says Mayor Acropolis.  “We have worked with the redeveloper to expedite the demolition process so that the site can be prepared for its next life.”

The Township purchased the site in 2003 for approximately $6.2 million to stop the construction of a home warehouse store.  Since then, the building has been dormant and has become severely dilapidated.  Upon taking office in November 2007, Mayor Acropolis made selling the property for redevelopment a top priority.

“In four years, nothing was done on the site and no plan for its future was developed by the previous administration.  The property is too valuable to our ratable base for it to sit there and generate absolutely nothing for the taxpayers who paid for the site,” said Mayor Acropolis.

Mayor Acropolis and the Township Council worked with the redeveloper to get the demolition process started.

“The Township was prepared to take down the building and charge those costs to the redeveloper,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “Thankfully, they are being good partners and agree that the building needs to come down before someone gets hurt.  They are going to handle the demolition at no cost to our taxpayers.”

“The building is an obstacle to progress that has to be removed,” said Council President Joseph Sangiovanni.  “We are thrilled that taxpayers will no longer have to look at the building as a reminder of the inaction that has plagued the site for too long.”

# # #

Brick Township Mayor Stephen Acropolis welcomed about 1 million new residents to Brick this week.  On September 2, Mayor Acropolis visited the brand new clam nursery at Traders Cove Marina and Park and “flipped the switch” to start the Barnegat Bay water, filled with nutrients, flowing over these baby filter feeders.

The nursery, properly called a FLUPSY, or floating upweller system, was put in place by the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program (BBSRP) and ReCLam the Bay.  Financial assistance came from The American Littoral Society with funds from a NOAA – Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) grant. Ocean County employees assisted in both the construction and positioning of the FLUPSY.

“The Barnegat Bay is vitally important to the everyday life of our community and has been throughout our history,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We are thrilled that we are able to do our part in helping protect and preserve the Bay.”

The public is encouraged to visit the new nursery and park, especially on Monday afternoons at 1 p.m.  Shellfish Gardeners, trained by Rutgers Cooperative Extension through the Shellfish Restoration Program, and members of ReClam the Bay will be working with the clams and oyster at that time and can answer any question and point out what the residents and visitors to Ocean County can do to help Barnegat Bay.

The FLUPSY has two main purposes: it increases the flow of nutrient laden bay water past the clams and oyster and it at the same time protects the babies from predators, like crabs and sea stars.  After a summer in the nursery the then much larger clams will be placed in the bay under protective nets for one more year of growth.  At the end of the second year these babies will be “freed” and distributed around Barnegat Bay.  This year ReCLam the Bay plans on growing over 2.5 million clams and about three quarters of a million baby oysters.

Traders Cove Marina and Park is located on the Barnegat Bay.  Brick Township preserved the site from residential development in 2005.  Since then, the Township has received over $4.4 million in Green Acres funding for the acquisition and development of the site.

“We preserved Traders Cove to protect the Barnegat Bay and provide residents with waterfront access,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “This partnership with ReClam the Bay will go a long way towards preserving the Bay and educating the public about our ecosystem.”

The Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program is always looking for volunteers to assist at the FLUPSY and of course would welcome anyone from the northern part of the bay to participate in the Shellfish Gardner course offered by Rutgers Cooperative Extension which takes place in the winter months and help with the many other activities in this area year round.

The clams like to live in the sand and mud bottom of the bay.  The oysters prefer a hard shell bottom and BBSRP, in cooperation with various State agencies have built an oyster reef with two barge loads of shells which was brought to the bay last December.

BBSRP and ReClam the Bay uses these clams and oysters, which one might say act like a “canary in a coal mine”, as an attraction and teaching tool. The goal is get the public involved with living creatures so that everyday citizens will realize that need to help improve the water quality that the shellfish depend on to survive. People can visit the some of 11 nurseries around the bay and learn, first hand, about the problems the bay faces and what they can do to improve it.

The FLUPSY at Traders Cove Marina and Park is the newest of the nurseries, but it is also the one furthest north in Barnegat Bay.  It is important to the Shellfish Restoration Program to be able to follow the growth of these animals and compare their progress with the other locations around the bay.

According to Rick Bushnell, volunteer president of ReClam the Bay. “When people see something the size of a grain of sand grow to a small but recognizable clam, in a few weeks they realize that there are living things in the bay. People of all ages want to help the baby creatures. I know it sounds a little crazy but seeing the reaction over the past 3 years proves that people care. The home run is when a kid asks mom or dad, why do we need to put fertilizer on the grass if it makes the clams sick?” Bushnell goes on to say that when kids ask those kinds of questions he knows that ReClam the Bay volunteers are doing a good job teaching about the nitrogen problem (that comes from too much fertilizer among other things) and that the kids get it.

# # #

The Township Council awarded a bid for roadway and drainage improvements to Cheryl Lane and authorized the Township to seek bids for a paving project for Parker Avenue at their September 1^st meeting.

“We are constantly working to improve the quality of life in Brick Township.  Street improvements are a significant part of our efforts,” said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.  “The Cheryl Lane project will pave one of the last dirt roads in our town.”

The Council is awarded a bid in the amount of $119,901 to GSP Construction Company, Inc. of Parlin, NJ for the project.

The Council also authorized the Division of Purchasing and Contracting to seek bids for improvements to Parker Avenue and adjacent streets.  The Township has budgeted $265,000 for the project which will include milling, paving, excavating and replacing pavement, concrete work and maintenance and upgrades to the existing drainage system.  The streets included in this project are Parker Avenue, First Street, Second Street and Fourth Street.  It is the Township’s intent to have the project completed by the end of the year.

Every year, the Township funds for improvements to Township streets with a ‘worst is first’ philosophy with streets in the poorest condition are considered top priority for improvement.  In 2008, a comprehensive Township-wide street survey was completed that ranked the condition of every Township street.  Every Township street was assigned a number based on the condition of the pavement and drainage.  Curbing and sidewalk condition were also given consideration.  These assessments were used for the prioritization of improvement projects.

“Improving our infrastructure is a necessary part of our job.  The costs that we would invite by delaying projects like these would be far greater than what we are paying today,” said Mayor Acropolis.

# # #

BRICK, NJ – There are a limited number of tickets available for a bus trip to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to see the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Mets on Friday, September 11, 2009.  The cost is $55 per person and includes round-trip bus and ticket to the game.  The bus leaves the Civic Plaza, Chambers Bridge Road at 4 pm.

Tickets are also now available for a bus trip to the world-famous Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular on Thursday, December 3.  The cost is $80 per person and includes round-trip bus and ticket to the show.  The bus will depart the Civic Plaza at 8am and will return after the show.

Tickets are payable by check or money order at the Brick Township Parks and Recreation Office, Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.  For more information, please call 732-262-1044.

# # #

Brick, NJ – Brick Township’s historic shared services agreement with Toms River Township saved the town’s taxpayers $282,118.84 through the first seven months of 2009.  Mayor Stephen Acropolis expects the agreement to save up to $500,000 over the course of the year.

“The proof of the effectiveness of the shared service program we started with Toms River is without question,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We have reimbursed Toms River $291,076 through July 31^st for inspection services.  Those same services would have cost $573,195 had we not restructured the Township last year.  These are incontrovertible facts.”

The Townships of Brick and Toms River entered into a historic shared services agreement this year in which Brick Township and Toms River would be able to utilize employees from either workforce.  Each town pays for the personnel costs of employees only when they are working within their respective community and a 5% administrative cost. 

“Through this agreement, if we have an employee with unique skills or expertise, Toms River can use that employee instead of having to hire a new person and vice versa,” said Mayor Acropolis.

The agreement also has provisions for the future sharing between the townships of services such as snow plowing, printing services, transportation services, building and grounds services and more.

Since January, Toms River has provided inspection services to Brick Township and has been be reimbursed for those services.  Brick Township underwent a restructuring last year.  As part of the restructuring, the Township eliminated eight inspector positions.  The duties performed by those inspectors are now handled through the shared services agreement.

Through July 31, 2009, Brick Township has paid a total of $291,076.16 for inspection services.  Had the Township not eliminated the nine inspector positions and not entered into the shared services agreement, the cost for 2009 would have been $982,620, which is $81,885 per month.  This includes salary ($712,528), health   ($145,968), pension ($69,614) and ssi/med ($54,510) costs.  The total for the first seven months would have been $573,195.

“The shared services program is a great accomplishment for both Brick Township and Toms River,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We have taken the first steps towards changing the way government operates and more importantly, we are providing real and undeniable savings to taxpayers.  In fact, I expect the final savings in 2009 to be close to $500,000.”

“The Council was confident that the shared services agreement would create savings for our taxpayers.  It is great to see that confidence rewarded with such substantial savings,” said Council President Joseph Sangiovanni.  “It is clear we made the right decision for our community and our taxpayers.”

Mayor Acropolis invites any resident who has questions about the agreement or would like more information to visit Town Hall.  “I know there are people that are questioning the savings.  After seeing the bills and documentation, there will be no way to question it any longer.  The invoices don’t lie,” said Mayor Acropolis. 

“This administration has an open door policy.  We will gladly sit with anyone who wants to discuss the shared services agreement or any other Township matter,” said Mayor Acropolis.

Brick, NJ – Construction has recently been completed on new sidewalks on Burnt Tavern Road that link the Greenbriar active adult community with retail and banking services.   The project was funded through Brick Township’s 2009 Capital Program.

“These new sidewalks have made walking to a bank and pharmacy safer and more convenient for Greenbriar residents,” said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.

The sidewalks begin at the entrance of the Greenbriar community and continue along eastbound Burnt Tavern Road to new shopping plazas east of Van Zile Road.  The project cost $94,264.41 and was done by Seaview General Contracting of Sayreville, New Jersey.  The project was completed on time and within budget.

The project was originally slated to be funded through federal grants and Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) funds.  To expedite the project, the Township used curbing and sidewalk funds appropriated in the 2009 Capital Program.  The federal grants and CDBG funds will be used for future projects within the Township.

Council President Joseph Sangiovanni reminds motorist to be mindful of pedestrians.  “Even with these new sidewalks, motorists should always be attentive and aware of the pedestrians along Burnt Tavern and all of our roads,” said Council President Sangiovanni.

# # #

Brick, NJ – Brick Township and the Brick Township Police Department’s Office of Emergency Management are now receiving real-time weather and wind information from a weather station on the Barrier Island.  The station is operated by WeatherFlow Inc., a California-based weather monitoring service.

“Accurate weather information is essential to coastal communities like Brick Township,” said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.  “The partnership between Brick Township and WeatherFlow will help not only our residents and our emergency responders in times of bad weather, but will help provide other communities with invaluable information.”

In March, the Township Council approved a resolution that entered the Township into an agreement with WeatherFlow that permitted the construction of the station in the municipally owned parking area on Route 35 adjacent to Brick Beach III.  The 4-year agreement provides the Township and the OEM with access to WeatherFlow’s extensive weather data.  There was no cost to the Township for the construction or the weather services.

“Public/private partnerships like this are a win-win for the taxpayers,” said Council President Joseph Sangiovanni.  “We are receiving a valuable service from an industry leader at no cost to our taxpayers.”

# # #

Brick, NJ – Traffic is flowing better on Route 70 in Brick Township thanks to the improvements suggested by Mayor Stephen Acropolis and implemented in June.

“To say I am pleased with the results of the changes on Route 70 would be an understatement.  Until a month ago, Route 70 often looked like a parking lot and now, people are getting to where they want to go quicker,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “I have nothing but positive feedback from our police and residents.”

In June, the traffic pattern at the intersection of Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road was altered.  Motorists are no longer permitted to make left turns from Chambers Bridge Road on to Route 70 either east or west bound.  Motorists wishing to access Route 70 East from southbound Chambers Bridge Road will be required to travel to the intersection of Chambers Bridge Road and Brick Boulevard.  Motorists wishing to access Route 70 West from northbound Chambers Bridge Road will be required to use the u-turn on Ovation Way.

The changes were the idea of Mayor Acropolis.  Birdsall Engineering worked to develop the plan based on the Mayor’s suggestions and received State approval for the project.  “I commend Birdsall Engineering for the outstanding job they did on the project,” said Mayor Acropolis

“I am proud of the way this Council has worked with Mayor Acropolis to restore common sense to local government,” said Council President Joseph Sangiovanni.  “Something needed to be done at Route 70 and we made it happen by looking for a simple, yet effective solution.  These are the types of accomplishments that can be made when you use common sense and look out for the taxpayers.”

An issue of concern that has been identified by the Brick Township Police Department is the increase in motorists cutting through shopping plazas.  “We have seen more motorists cutting through the Shop-Rite and Best Buy plazas to get to Route 70,” said Brick Township Police Captain John Rein.  “Residents are reminded that it is illegal to use commercial properties to avoid traffic lights and in most cases it probably takes longer to go through the plazas than it would to use the proper routes.”

The Township will continue working to implement traffic solutions.  “We are not done,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We are going to work with our business owners to develop traffic solutions that will improve traffic flow in and around our shopping plazas and we will continue to work to do so in the most affordable way possible.”

# # #