28:58A significant portion of the Brick Town Council meeting was devoted to the township’s affordable housing plan. The topic has been a point of interest at recent planning board meetings, drawing attention from both council members and residents. During the meeting, a resident raised questions about the fluctuating numbers regarding the required affordable housing units in Brick Township. This clarification helped address community concerns about the township’s capacity to accommodate the state’s requirements and the potential impact on local infrastructure and resources.

0:01Another highlight of the meeting was the swearing-in ceremony for four new police officers, officiated by Chief Forester and Mayor Lisa Crate. The officers, Darren Lefay, Michael Weber, Brenda Sanchez Leon, and Katie Anne Le Point, were introduced as valuable additions to the Brick Township Police Department. Each officer’s background was shared during the ceremony: Lefay is a lifelong Brick Township resident pursuing further education at Ocean County College; Weber, also a local resident, has experience as a volunteer EMT and works full-time as a communications operator with the Wall Township Police Department; Sanchez Leon is attending Stockton University, focusing on criminal justice; and Le Point is a recent graduate of High Point University. The council and attendees applauded the new officers.

28:58The council also addressed various resolutions related to upcoming township events and infrastructure projects. Notably, a resolution was passed to authorize the receipt of bids for fireworks exhibitions, particularly for the Fourth of July celebrations. A public participant inquired about the previous year’s fireworks budget, which amounted to $25,000 due to the holiday falling on the same date. Clarification was provided that the current resolution was to solicit bids for this year’s event, with no specific cost yet determined.

0:01Additionally, the council discussed resolutions for food truck and concession vendors for the Summerfest concerts and car shows, along with bids for improvements at Windward Beach Park and a change order for the Bay Harbor Estates roadway improvement project. The procurement process for janitorial services generated public comments, emphasizing the importance of managerial evaluation, technical criteria, and cost in selecting suitable service providers.

The meeting also touched upon environmental initiatives, such as a grant agreement for marsh restoration at the Forsythe Refuge and a shared services agreement with Ocean County for the operation of pump-out boats. The council explained that while the township does not purchase the boats, it covers the costs of drivers and captains, with maintenance and repair costs reimbursed by the county up to a cap of $50,000.

28:58Public comments further delved into topics such as immigration policies, with a resident questioning the township’s compliance with federal enforcement directives. The council reiterated that Brick Township adheres to the Immigrant Trust Directive established by the state in 2018, which limits local law enforcement’s involvement in federal immigration matters unless a direct legal infraction occurs. The chief of police confirmed the absence of ICE activities in Brick Township.