The Township Council will introduce bond ordinances totaling $10 million at their April 23, 2024 meeting. The bonds will be used to fund Mayor Lisa Crate’s 2024 capital budget. The budget includes appropriations for road improvement projects, drainage projects, police vehicles and equipment, sanitation vehicles, recreation improvements and more.
“The capital budget funds necessary infrastructure improvement projects, vehicle purchases, equipment purchases and upgrades and more,” said Mayor Crate. “They are necessary to maintain our community and keep it clean, healthy and safe.”
The largest expenditure in the capital budget is $2.627 million earmarked for a dredge project that includes marshland restoration at the Forsythe Wildlife Refuge. The project is being done to provide protection from future storms and sea level rise.
The budget includes $2,585,010 in roadway improvement projects. Areas and roads slated for improvements in 2024 include Bay Harbor, Baywood, Lakewood Gardens, Laurel Manor, Lions Head North (Courtshire Drive), Greenbriar, Cherie Manor, Normandy Beach, Herbertsville and Cherry Quay.
“Brick Township has more than 1,700 residential streets that we are responsible for maintaining. Every year, we fund improvement projects for streets that are in most need of repair,” said Mayor Crate.
The capital budget includes $1,277,000 in expenditures for Public Works. This includes $420,000 for a side arm garbage truck, $350,000 for a rear loading garbage truck and $400,000 for the Public Works facility at 836 Ridge Road.
$734,011 in the capital budget has been earmarked for the Police Department, including a high water vehicle and other police equipment. The budget also includes $28,000 for radar equipment and $6,509 for solar powered speed signs.
The capital budget provides $334,000 to remount two ambulances for the Brick Township EMS. By remounting the two bodies onto new chassis, the township is saving a significant amount of money. The estimated cost for two new ambulances is over $500,000.
$75,000 has been included for the design costs for a new public safety building that will be built on the Barrier Island section of the township. The building will house police, EMS and fire department personnel as well as summer crossing guards.
“It is necessary to support our Police and EMS and provide them with the tools, resources and equipment they need to keep our residents safe and this capital program does just that,” said Mayor Crate.
$335,000 has been appropriated for improvements to the Brick Beach 3 concession building. These improvements will focus on the open-air portion of the building and the columns that support the roof. The township will be replacing the columns in the near future with the expectation that the facility will be operational for the upcoming beach season.
Other significant appropriations in the 2024 capital budget include: $541,100 for Information Technology equipment; $60,000 for a new floor in the Civic Plaza Activity Center; $50,000 for new bleachers, $152,760 and for the replacement of the safety surface at Frede Park.
The Council will consider introduce four bond ordinances to fund the 2024 capital budget at the April 23 meeting. The bond ordinances will be up for a second reading and approval at their May 14 meeting.
