The BRICK Times Vol. 22 - No. 40
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Pages 7
Community News Page 9-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
February 18, 2023
Retiring Chief Looks Back On His Career
By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - James Riccio said he would be working until the last minute on his final day as Brick Township Police Chief, a job he has held for seven years. “I just feel that it’s time to retire; I’ve been (in the department) over 36 years,” the 58-year-old said from his office on January 31, which was his last day. “There’s some good people coming up behind me.” Born in Bayonne, Chief Riccio’s family moved to Brick just before he started high school. “I always knew I wanted to be either a cop or a fireman because that’s what my family was in the business of doing,” he said. As soon as he turned 18, he joined the volunteer fire department and has been a member ever since. (He has been a fire commissioner since 2012). Shortly afterwards, he took the police department test and was hired as a police officer in 1986. “So I fulfilled both dreams, I guess, working as a firefighter and a police officer,” he said. (Retiring - See Page 5)
─Photo by Judy Smestad-Nunn Chief James Riccio’s last day was January 31.
Lay-Offs Possible As Schools Lose More Funding By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – As the Brick Township School District continues to work out a budget for the 2023-24 school year, Super intendent Dr. Thomas Farrell gave a disheartening update on the process. “Our budget process
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
over the last few years has been a little dire since the cut in S-2. As I stated last month, the district is in the process of finalizing the budget from the 2023-24 school year,” Farrell said. “As we plan the budget for 2023-24, we have an additional loss
of state aid once again under S-2. This loss of state aid in cumulative, so now our total loss is over $22 million. This reduction has multiyear impacts on Brick Schools.” The S-2 funding formula is a state change (Funding - See Page 4)
Police Chief Forrester Sworn In To Serve Brick
By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - David Forrester was named as the new Chief of Police for the township, the fourth in the history of the Brick Township Police Department. During a brief ceremony held on February 1 at the municipal complex, Mayor John G. Ducey administered the swearing-in of the new chief as well as a new captain, a new lieutenant and a new ─Photo by Judy Smestad-Nunn sergeant. Mayor John Ducey (left) swears in David Forrester as the new police chief. The mayor said that the township police de- once he was elected and and see what they do and how hard the offipartment is one of the had the opportunity every day he developed cers work. top departments in to work closely with a greater grasp on how “Our officers are the state. He said the police department demanding the job is (Sworn - See Page 8)
TO ADVERTISE, CALL 732-657-7344 EXT. 206