Lisa Crate was sworn in as the next Mayor of Brick Township at the February 28, 2023 Council Meeting. Mayor Crate was chosen by the Township Council to serve as Mayor following the resignation of John Ducey.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity and the privilege of serving as Mayor of Brick Township,” said Mayor Crate. “I would like to thank my colleagues on the Township Council for placing their faith in me and giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to continue working with them to move our great community forward.”
“I know I have large shoes to fill. I would like the people of Brick Township to know that I am fully committed to continuing the work that was started by our previous Mayor and following the same guiding principle that he had – to always do what is best for Brick Township,” continued Mayor Crate.
Following Mayor Ducey’s resignation, the Brick Township Democratic Committee provided the Township Council with three names to consider for appointment to serve as Mayor. The Council unanimously chose Lisa Crate.
Mayor Crate has served on the Township Council since 2016. She was elected to the Council in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. She served as Council President in 2020 and 2021 and as Council Vice-President in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Mayor Crate’s priorities for her term include continuing the conservative fiscal policies of the previous administration, providing the Brick Township Police Department and EMS with the resources they need to keep Brick Township safe and fostering a strong and united community.
As a member of the Council’s Business and Finance Committee, Mayor Crate worked with the administration and Council to implement conservative fiscal practices. Over her eight years on Council, municipal spending increased $13.9 million compared to an increase of over $29.6 million during the eight years prior to her time on Council. Additionally, tax levy growth was 55% lower during her time on Council than the previous eight years.
During her time on Council, Mayor Crate was integral to several projects that will have long-lasting impacts on the community. As a member of the Land Use Committee, she worked on Brick Township’s Community Rating System (CRS) application. The successful efforts will help Brick Township flood insurance policy holders realize savings on their policies. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Village Zone which was created to protect Brick Township from high-density residential development.
Mayor Crate has been a strong advocate for veterans. She served as the Council’s veteran liaison, worked with veterans to create Hometown Hero banners that honor Brick residents who have lost their lives defending our nation, advocated for free beach badges for veterans and helped Brick be recognized as a “We Value our Veterans” community. She also worked with local veterans to make much needed repairs and improvements to the Veteran’s Memorial at Town Hall.
Mayor Crate is also an animal lover. She strongly supports the Township’s ban on ‘puppy mills,’ has coordinated events to raise funds for K-9 Narcan and trauma units and is a volunteer Board member for Tooney’s Last Resort – a local animal rescue.
Mayor Crate is a 28-year resident of Brick Township. She and her husband, Will, have two children who attend Brick Township Public Schools. She has been an educator for over 30 years and currently serves as the President of the Jackson Education Association and is a member of the Ocean County Council of Educators. She has been recognized as the Teacher of the Year and the District Educational Services Professional of the Year.