One of the most impassioned pleas came from a resident who underscored the lack of dedicated facilities for girls’ softball compared to boys’ baseball. The resident pointed out that “Brick Little League on Cherry Quay has six fields for boys’ baseball,” while the girls’ teams struggle to secure locations for practices and games. The speaker also noted that other local organizations, such as the Brick American Bulldogs and Brick SJ NFL Flag, have regular access to fields, whereas girls’ softball teams face continuous challenges.

This resident stressed that the community, including local parents and businesses, is willing to volunteer their time and resources for field maintenance. They asked for the town’s support in maintaining existing fields and referenced the recent authorization of a $285,886 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for nonprofit organizations, suggesting that their organization, being a nonprofit, could also benefit from such support.

Another resident, Melissa Nash, shared her history with Brick sports, noting she was the first girl to play baseball for Brick American Little League in 2004. Nash emphasized the life lessons learned through sports and asserted that the current travel softball team requires a dedicated space to foster similar values among young girls. She stated, “Our kids deserve a field where they can put in hard work, learn the value of persistence, and grow as a team.”

The council appeared receptive to these concerns. A business administrator acknowledged the issues regarding field availability and committed to investigating the situation further. However, the administrator pointed out a potential misunderstanding about ownership, stating, “We do not own The Duchess Lane playground according to the tax record.” Despite this, they assured the residents that they would check available resources and work to accommodate the softball team’s needs.

Additionally, local developer Michael D. George offered support for the softball program, stating, “If it’s possible, as local developers we will definitely help with subcontractors if you guys are tight on money,” indicating a willingness to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the facilities.

In another significant portion of the meeting, Mayor Lisa Crate introduced Caitlyn Delanoy, recognized as the first female Eagle Scout from Troop 600 in Point Pleasant Beach. Delanoy detailed her Eagle Scout project, which involved creating a monument for fallen police canines in Point Pleasant. She successfully fundraised over $177,000 for the project, which features a life-sized bronze statue of a German Shepherd and includes the names of fallen canines and their handlers. Mayor Crate expressed pride in Delanoy’s accomplishment and encouraged other aspiring Eagle Scouts to reach out for project ideas.

The consent agenda covered several important resolutions, including the authorization of a $285,886 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 2024 Community Development Block Grant program. This grant is intended for home improvements for income-eligible senior citizens and to support nonprofit organizations. The council also authorized bids for the Bay View Drive roadway elevation project, partially funded through a New Jersey Department of Transportation Municipal Aid grant.

In the public comment session, another resident named Micah Bender advocated for the use of a vacant softball field at the former VFW Park on Duchess Lane for the Brick Bombers softball team. Bender emphasized the importance of youth sports and the joy it brings to families. He stated, “Nothing brings me as much joy as watching my daughter and her teammates play softball.” Bender urged the council to support the initiative to clean and utilize the empty field, highlighting a desire for the council’s support in fostering recreational opportunities for children in the community.

The meeting also included the introduction of an ordinance amending the township code regarding mobile food truck licenses, extending the time limit for class two food truck licenses at one location from two hours to six hours. This ordinance received unanimous support from the council members.

Mayor Crate made several announcements, including a reminder for an upcoming neighborhood watch meeting and the final Farmers Market of the season. She also highlighted a community cleanup event called “Pick Up Brick” and an important event on October 9th at Brick Township High School titled “Strengthening Our Community,” aimed at addressing bullying, drug awareness, and mental health.