The BRICK Times Vol. 22 - No. 34
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
January 7, 2023
Police, Other Groups Get Raises
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Pages 6
Community News Page 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News
By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – One Brick Township family received the gift of a lifetime this holiday season that they weren’t expecting at all. After being lost for
Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
(Reunited - See Page 4)
Family Reunited With Dog From Hoarding Incident ─Photo courtesy Ocean County Health Department Rocky reunites with his family after being found in an animal hoarding incident.
Lawmakers Criticize Ciba Deal By Chris Lundy TOMS R IVER – The State Senate and Assembly members that oversee Toms River said that the proposed Ciba-Geigy settlement does not go far enough to protect residents from development or to punish the corporation for its poisoning of local
land and waters. “This deal seems more like a slap on the wrist than punishment for despicable corporate malfeasance,” said Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10th). “The Ciba site has been a primary source of stress, concern and even health problems for resi-
dents, and this shocking arrangement only adds insult to injury. It is appalling that this proposal was crafted without any input from local elected officials or families who have lived in fear of the water in their taps and under their feet.” According to a settlement
announced by the State Department of Environmental Protection, about 1,000 acres would be preserved. Of this, approximately 790 acres will be maintained as open space and will include restoration projects. The remaining 210 acres will be (Ciba - See Page 5)
By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - The township administration has reached an agreement and has signed a four-year contract with Transport Workers Union Local 22, the bargaining unit that represents the township’s blue-collar workers, who will receive a six percent increase. During the December 27 council meeting, the governing body unanimously approved the contract along with two other unions, representing four employee groups. An agreement was also reached with Teamsters Local 469 which represents the township’s crossing guards and
supervisors, who signed a four year contract with an increase of five percent for guards and six percent for supervisors. In addition, the Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 230 negotiated a six percent raise for the township police officers and the command staff. “I want to comment on our memorandums of agreement and just really give a shout out to the groups that that covers,” said Council Vice President Lisa Crate. Noting that some of the workers attended the council meeting to hear the vote, Crate said the groups covered in the new contract agreements (Raises - See Page 7)
Retiring Undersheriff: Police Work Has Changed In Over 40 Years
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – More than four decades ago marked the beginning of two lifetime commitments for Nils “Rick” Berquist. After handing in his badge and gun at the end of the year, the 66-year-old Ocean County Undersheriff appeared more than ready to enjoy his retirement with his high school sweetheart. “I started as a seasonal police officer with Seaside Heights in May of 1977,” shared Berquist. “That same month, I
married my wife, Donna.” Berquist’s retirement from the Sheriff’s Department comes five years after he joined the county law enforcement agency. After the short stint with Seaside Heights, Berquist served as an officer in Ocean Gate and Brick Township police departments. He moved up the ranks to retire as Brick’s police chief in 2015. A g reat deal has changed in law ( Undersheriff- See Page 9)
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