Mayor John Ducey’s record of fiscal responsibility continues to be the cornerstone of his campaign for re-election as mayor of Brick. Early voting has already begun. As voters go to the polls, Mayor Ducey wants voters to remember his fiscal record – stable taxes, a substantial reduction in debt and new businesses added to the tax rolls.
“Taxes are finally stable,” said Ducey. “Our residents remember the out-of-control spending of the previous administration. Before we took office, spending went up 53% in 8 years. We stopped that.”
According to statistics published by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Brick’s municipal debt is down $31 million, and taxes are up only 1% a year, much lower than the state average. The tax revenue from the new Sportsdome business site is estimated at $600,000 a year and will be used to fund municipal services.
Ducey also cited the elimination of 9 patronage jobs costing $1 million a year, the termination of the unpopular red light camera program, which he called a “back door tax,” and the successful CRS program which substantially reduces annual flood insurance premiums for homeowners in flood prone areas. This amounts to a savings of $200 per policy for Brick residents with flood insurance.
Ducey credited the members of the Township Council, including Heather deJong and Marianna Pontoriero who are running for re-election with Ducey, along with newcomer Derrick Ambrosino, for their efforts and hard work in maintaining a fiscally responsible government.
During Ducey’s tenure as mayor, Brick Township also applied for and received $3.3 million in Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) grants to repave local roads, as well as a $400,000 grant for a new senior center, scheduled to open in 2022.
Partial List of Grants for Brick Township
| Grant Source | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State of NJ, 2021 Budget | Renovation of Senior Center | $400,000 |
| Green Acres | Open Space Acquisition and Park Renovation | $6,000,000 |
| Dept. of Transportation | Road Repair | $3,300,000 |
| State of NJ | Renovate Disable Veterans Building | $99,350 |