Brick council closes with sports, summer, public access
Council members used closing remarks to praise local teams, address sober living concerns, defend public comment, and flag Memorial Day and beach-season deadlines.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — council and staff closing remarks (no, board advances and approves policy items, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Councilman Cohen said residents should be able to bring issues to council and return more than once if needed, and he would support an ordinance change.
The meeting ended with reminders that touch daily life. Township staff had nothing further to add after the Mayor’s announcements, with Miss Bergen, the Clerk, and the Assistant Clerk each saying there were no additional items. Council members then turned to local sports, neighborhood concerns, and the start of the summer season.
Several members congratulated Brick athletes. Councilman Albanese said the Brick wrestling program’s future is bright, said the township would purchase shades, and wished residents a happy Memorial Day. Councilman Makino congratulated the wrestlers. Councilwoman Reena praised the Brick Wrestling Club and said she had responded to a resident about the Herkimer sober living concerns raised earlier that night and planned to stay close to the issue. Councilman Cohen congratulated the wrestling club, the Parks and Recreation Department, and Brick Memorial High School’s baseball team for its 15 to 1 win over Toms River South on May 7 in the 2026 Ocean County tournament championship, which he said was the school’s first county title in 30 years.
Cohen also used his remarks to back broad public participation, saying residents should be able to raise issues they find important and come back multiple times if they choose. Vice President Ambersino urged residents to attend the township Memorial Day parade and called the holiday both the unofficial start of summer and a day of reflection. The Council President said beach badges and parking passes were available, with season badges at 30 before increasing to 45 on May 15, and announced the next meeting for Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m.
Board advances and approves policy items
The school board moved policy business ahead with little drama but clear deadlines in view. The Policy and Planning Committee reported agenda items and noted upcoming NJSIAA and Shore Conference deadlines, along with a female wrestling cooperative item involving Brick and Brick Memorial.
Later in the meeting, the board approved Policy and Planning items 1 through 3. Item 1 drew abstentions, but the package still passed.
The action keeps routine policy work on track while the district handles athletic scheduling and cooperative arrangements tied to outside deadlines. The female wrestling item stood out because it links the two high schools in a sport that continues to grow, and the board’s vote cleared the committee’s recommendations without changes from the floor.
Board approves HR items, welcomes director
The board approved its Human Resources agenda, with one member abstaining on sub-items 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20 while voting yes on the rest. After the vote, the superintendent recognized Jane Van Nostdale, congratulated Mr. Philippon, and welcomed back Rachel Goff as Director of Special Services.
Board approved Human Resources items, with one member abstaining on several sub-items.
Resident presses traffic enforcement before summer
A public speaker urged the township to step up traffic enforcement before Memorial Day weekend and tied that request to concerns about sober living disclosures, red-light running, shoulder passing, and e-bike safety. The speaker pointed to Manalapan Road in particular and asked for more police presence in the morning, afternoon, and at night.
memorial
Council approves two manual bill batches
Council approved manual bill resolutions at two meetings, authorizing about $2.1 million in payments each time. Both votes went through without council debate or any public speakers on the items.
Bill approvals keep routine township operations and vendor payments moving on schedule.
Council clears computer payment resolutions
Council approved computer bill resolutions covering large batches of township payments at two meetings. The measures passed without discussion from council members and without public comment.
These votes authorize major routine payments needed to keep municipal services and contracts current.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Brick had 83 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize award of contract to upfit eight police vehicles. Council considered a resolution awarding a contract in the amount stated as for purchase and installation of equipment for eight new police vehicles using New Jersey state contract vendors.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize insertion of Chapter 159 for national opioid settlements. Council considered a resolution authorizing insertion of a Chapter 159 item in the amount of 18,956.12 from national opioid settlements.
- GOVERNANCEOfficials pressed for action after Jackson Mueller’s death. Residents, school advocates, board members, and township officials focused on traffic safety near Lanes Mill Road and Herbertsville Road after Jackson Mueller’s death. Speakers called for lower speeds, stronger enforcement, school-zone improvements, sidewalks, crossing support, and county coordination, while police and council said they were checking lights, increasing enforcement, and contacting county and state officials.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize Final Application to NJDEP — Michael A. Milano Park Diversion. The Council adopted a resolution supporting a final application to NJDEP regarding a Green Acres diversion involving a 2.464-acre portion of Michael A. Milano Park used for stormwater facilities tied to county roadway work, with compensation described as a preserved 10.10-acre acquisition in 2011.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize Award of Contract — Purchase and Delivery of One Jet-Vac Truck. The Council adopted a resolution authorizing a purchase of a jet-vac truck for the road department (Grand Turk Equipment, Bridgeport, PA), approved in the 2026 capital budget. Public questions addressed its use for storm drain cleaning and DEEP compliance.
- GOVERNANCEAmend Township Code §288-50 Schedule 20 — Speed Limit on Lynwood Avenue (25 mph Entire Length). The Council adopted an ordinance amending Township Code §288-50 Schedule 20 to extend a 25 mph speed limit along the entire length of Lynwood Avenue. The Council President described the traffic study results and noted installation of two flashing LED speed signs.
- GOVERNANCETown adds two senior service grants to budget. Council approved Chapter 159 budget insertions for two senior-related grants: $170,500 from the Ocean County Office of Senior Services and $200,000 from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The money will help operate senior centers, provide services, buy two minibuses for dialysis transportation, and improve the senior center parking lot.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize Award of Contract — Purchase and Delivery of 155 Glock G47 Handguns. The Council adopted a resolution authorizing a $79,670.25 purchase of 155 Glock G47 handguns for police equipment replacement, including optics, via state contract. A public question was raised about what happens to the old firearms.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize insertion of Chapter 159 for 2026 Community Development Block Grant. Council considered a resolution authorizing insertion of a Chapter 159 item for a 2026 Community Development Block Grant in the amount of 282,455.
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