Bayside Park, Brick, N.J. (Credit: Google Maps)
Brick Township will renovate three parks, improve the Drum Point Sports Complex and mill and pave several roads under its $8.5 million, 2015 capital program, Mayor John Ducey said Tuesday night.
The township council unanimously voted in favor of introducing the plan, which will be funded through $8,075,000 in borrowing. Ducey said, however, that the level of bonding keeps Brick on track on decrease the net debt of the township by $3,432,413 by the end of this year and $6,579,883 by the end of 2017. The township was carrying about $160 million in bonds at the end of 2014, documents show.
This year’s capital plan funds numerous items, including improvements to three parks. The plan appropriates $2,198,500 for the renovation of Hank Waltonowski Park, which is located in the Birchwood Park development, the design of the renovation of Bayside Park and the design of the renovation of Bernie Cooke Park. The appropriations will also be used for improvements to various facilities throughout the community, Ducey said.
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“We have also included an appropriation for exercise stations at the Drum Point Sports Complex along the jogging trail,” said Ducey. “This will give residents the opportunity to improve their health and get a complete body workout.”
The appropriation for the exercise stations is $30,000.
The budget also includes $1,707,500 for road improvement projects. Areas and roads slated for improvements or design for improvements include Lake Riviera, Lakewood Gardens, Woodland Valley, Firehouse Road, Sunset Court, Plaza Terrace, Yorktown Boulevard and more, officials said. Additionally, the budget funds the repair of a milling and paving machine that the township already owns so smaller projects can be undertaken by township employees instead of hiring contractor.
While the township is not reinstating the “paving crew” it once had, Business Administrator Joanne Bergin said the milling and paving machine will be put to good use primarily for road repairs and small paving projects.
In all, $1,969,200 is earmarked for Public Works, including $1,675,000 for new vehicles. Vehicles include two automated trucks, two rear loaders, a street sweeper, a rack body truck, a Ford F250 pickup with a plow and a Ford F250 with extended cab and utility body. The budget also funds perimeter fencing, a pole barn for the equipment and locker room renovations. There is also parks equipment included.
The capital plan also includes $1,560,845 for Buildings and Grounds purposes, with $1,050,000 being used for the renovation of the Brick Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Professional Standards office.
“RIght now, you have victims of crimes being interviewed fairly close to suspects of crimes,” Ducey said, an issue that will be remedied through the renovations.
Another $150,000 of the appropriation will be used for repairs at the Brick Township Public Works Recycling Center on Ridge Road.
Also included in the capital budget is $595,810 for data processing and technology equipment and projects, $27,880 for police equipment, $35,000 for curb replacement design for Laurelton Gardens, $95,000 for stream cleaning and drainage and roadway improvements design for Hulse Landing Road and $313,965 for non-motorized equipment.
“With the state’s tax caps, we would not be able to fund infrastructure projects or necessary equipment in our operating budget without severely impacting the level of services we provide,” said Ducey. “By issuing bonds, we are able to pay the projects and equipment off over a period of time. It is similar to a person purchasing a car using a loan instead of paying the entire cost at once.”
The bond measure will be up for a public hearing and final vote at the township council’s May 19 meeting.
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