The administration is asking the Brick Township Council to vote on a matter which can cost the township in excess of $3,000,000 in its current form. Brick currently owns approximately 20 acres behind the Chambers Bridge Road post office. The administration has recommended to the Township Council that they authorize the sale of the property to the highest bidder who will in turn build approximately 300 units of aged restricted housing. This current plan of simply selling to the highest bidder can cost the taxpayers of Brick over $3,000,000. In addition, the township will loose significant control of other potential uses of the property in addition to receiving payment for the property. The right way to sell this property is having it first designated as an area in need of redevelopment. This designation not only will allow us to get $3,000,000 over and above the highest sales price but will also give us flexibility far beyond what will happen if the sale goes through in its current state. The manner of this sale is unfortunately being recommended for one reason and one reason only; politics — bad politics. The township is facing a tax increase this year. Because this is an election year, the mayoral seat, along with three Township Council seats, are up for grabs in November. If the sale goes through as planned (within next two months), the average taxpayer will save approximately $180 in real estate taxes this year. If the sale is delayed for three months so as to have the parcel designated in need of redevelopment, the average taxpayer not only will save the same $180 in real estate taxes but Brick will also receive in excess of $3,000,000 more to be utilized for future years’ tax savings along with gaining much more flexibility on how the land will best serve the citizens of Brick. I for one am willing to wait until next year to get my $180 if it means Brick will receive an additional $3,000,000 plus gain flexibility.
Mayor, it is not too late to do the right thing. Please rethink your position. Weigh the benefits versus politics. Put your proposal side by side with my suggestion. Throwing away potential found money is never good politics.
Ron Jampel
Brick