The BRICK Times Vol. 23 - No. 48
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
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Past And Present Chorus Members Perform At Famed NYC Concert Hall
BREAKING NEWS @
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Government Page 7
Community News Page 6w-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 16
Photo courtesy Kevin Bettys The performance included four current students: Caia Cano, Emily Farrell, Kelly Fitzgerald, and Marley Lego. They were coached by Kevin Bettys, Brick Memorial Chorus Director. By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – The talented vocalists of the Brick Memorial Honors and Alumni Chorus recently took to the stage of the famed Car negie Hall in New York City. Current and former
members of the Brick Memorial High School Chorus ventured into a once-in-a-lifetime per for ma nce. T he group joined forces with a larger ensemble comprising singers from various parts of
New Jersey and Texas – totaling about 175 voices – ranging from high school students to adults. Kevin Bettys, Brick Memorial Chorus Director, explained the jour ney on how the
group was invited to the unique experience. “We were recommended by someone who had worked with MidAmerica Productions, the company that produced the concert,” Bettys said. The chorus performed Dvořák’s Te Deum and Ērik Ešenvalds’ Trinity Te Deum u nder the direction of Dr. Jeff Goolsby from Abilene Christian University in Texas. The singers were joined on stage with the New England Symphonic Ensemble; the stunning performance left the audience in awe. The Brick Memorial Cohort included four current students: Caia Cano, Emily Farrell, Kelly Fitzgerald, and Marley Lego; was well as 18 alumni: Kate Tesch (2016), Maddy Blunck (2019), Catherine Rowe (Chorus - See Page 4)
Residents Sound Off On Military Base’s Loud Noise
Photo courtesy Joint Base MDL Military training exercises create noise levels of varying degrees.
By Stephanie Faughnan LAKEHURST - For many who live near the Joi nt Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, occa sional t remor s a nd t hu nderous re verberations that s h a ke t h e i r h o m e s are a familiar occurrence. The base even
publishes a monthly calend ar to help residents anticipate the resounding noises related to military training exercises. However, the sounds seemed to travel much f u r t he r la st mont h than usual, triggering speculation and unease. Even longtime
residents, who have grown accustomed to the base’s activities, noted that this was an unusual occurrence, marking the first time they had noticed such w ide s pre a d d ist u rbance. “My house was shaking, and we have lived (Military - See Page 4)
April 6, 2024
Town’s $117M Budget Introduced By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - Mayor Lisa Crate presented the 2024 municipal budget during a recent Tow nsh ip Cou ncil Meeting, one that she said “is the culmination of months of hard work by the township’s fi nancial team as well as the result of many years of instilling a philosophy of fiscal responsibility.” The $117 million budget has a slight increase of 1.9 per cent over last year, which equates to an annual increase of slightly more than $98 per year for a median home in Brick Township, the mayor said. “This budget also reflects the cost that comes with exceptional services and programs that I am deeply proud of, serving all residents from the very young to our active aging seniors,” she said. The mayor said the t ow n sh ip’s pu bl ic safety needs are always a priority, and the administration is committed to funding a full roster in the Police Department, special police and dispatchers, of which there are more than there has ever been. “Part of our commitment to them is the equipment and fa-
cilities they need to function efficiently,” she added. On that note, the mayor said that within the coming weeks, the grand opening of the new EMS home on Aurora Place will be held, and within the next few months, a second grand opening will be held for a Special Operations Building, currently under construction behind Town Hall. “This new facility will serve both EMS and our Police Department, giving both of them the space and support they need to be prepared and ready to serve our residents, no matter when the call or need,” Mayor Crate said. In the upcoming year, the administration will be working with the Board of Fire Commissioners to develop plans for a public safety building on the barrier island, which will house the Fi r e D e p a r t m e nt , EMS and police, including the summer crossing guards, and will be manned 24/7 all year long, she said. The proposed spending plan also funds Senior Services, the Department of Public Works (DPW), the maintenance of township parks, recreational (Budget - See Page 4)
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