BRICK – The township’s 2023 proposed capital budget includes funds for such things as dredging, building upgrades, and more.
Some $8.5 million would be paid for with bonds or notes that the governing body votes for in the form of five-year, seven-year, 10-year and 15-year bond ordinances, depending on the projected life cycle of each improvement or acquisition.
One of the highlights of the budget includes adding a vestibule and covered patio to the new Senior Services Center on Aurora Place. The new center – the site of the former volunteer EMS building – is undergoing renovations and could open as early as the end of the summer.
Some projects relating to the township’s waterfront location include a design of the reconstruction of the “T”-dock at Windward Beach Park, a structural evaluation of the Ocean Beach 3 concession building, new floating docks at the township-owned Traders Cove Park and Marina, and a large-scale dredge project for the boat slips there.
The proposed capital budget also includes technology requests such as a redesign of the township website and placement of the video recording system and microphones used to record meetings.
Also, funds are requested for Building and Grounds to continue installation of ballistic glaze in public offices including the tax collector, the tax assessor and Land Use.
Ballistic glaze, commonly called bulletproof glass, is made of transparent materials designed to resist the penetration of bullets.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) has requested funds for Building and Grounds to install air conditioning in the dispatch shed behind Town Hall, even though the secondary dispatch location will be moved to the new building. The shed will remain the location for the township servers.
Also, the budget includes four, 40-yard roll-off containers for the yard at DPW, a new roll-off truck for sanitation, a new sidearm garbage truck for sanitation, and a new patch truck for the road crew. The department is also asking for a utility truck and brush hog for parks.
Police capital requests include a dispatch radio console upgrade, and five workstations for the temporary dispatch center in the Special Operations Building. The $1,057,881 building was included in the 2022 capital budget. The pole-barn style building, measuring 7,240 square-feet, is being constructed behind Town Hall/police headquarters and will be used to protect various police vehicles.
As part of the 2023 capital budget, an HVAC system is also included for the new building including office and garage heaters, a fire alarm, and everything else needed for a complete interior buildout.
The police department is also asking for a new drone.
Emergency Medical Services has requested two Stryker power cots to replace cots that are nine years old. Additionally, the department has requested 10 new portable radios, which is part of the radio upgrade project to replace portables that Motorola no longer supports or repairs. Members of the council unanimously voted in favor of the bond ordinances.
