The BRICK Times Vol. 25 - No. 23
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
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Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 11
Inside The Law Page 13
Classifieds Pages 18
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Farmer’s Market Wraps Up 11 Season th
By Bob Vosseller BRICK – The final Farmer’s Market of the season concluded recently, wrapping up 11 years for the beloved event that featured nearly 50 vendors at Windward Beach Park. Launched a decade ago in 2015, the Brick Farmers Market was an immediate hit and has grown each year into one of the premier markets in the state. On a weekly basis, the market drew thousands of visitors who enjoy strolling the area, visiting their favorite vendors and finding a variety of fresh foods and goods. Recreation Department staff member Christine Hessenkemper was manning the welcome table as visitors came in seeking out fruits, vegetables, homemade candles, soaps, wine, cookies, baked goods and a variety of other items. “We have full time vendors and part time vendors that we call drop ins. Our number of vendors was anywhere from 57 to 62. This was our eleventh season. We run from
Photos by Bob Vosseller The Brick 502 Baking Company has been a regular for years at the Farmers Market.
the beginning of May until now (October 4).” “We usually end in September but we moved our schedules around to give them an extra week because the vendors wanted to do more,” she added. “The weather was with us and we have some other events we run here. We have the Farmers Market then the craft fair then Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat. It has been very good. Very receptive.” There are also vendors of jams and jellies “and Jeff’s Organics Produce; he’s a new farmer with us this year. People were asking for more produce so we went out and he was available. Every year we get a couple of new vendors. I think we got seven new vendors this year that came through so we’re doing pretty good,” she said. She noted that people are A table displays Jeff’s Organic Produce at the Brick Farmers Market (Farmer’s Marketwhich wrapped up its 11th successful season at Windward Beach See Page 4) Park last weekend.
Stafford Teen Remembered After Crash By Stephanie Faughnan STAFFORD - The living room was thick with grief as Gabriel Saldana’s family gathered several days after his sudden death. His best friend Nate and Nate’s mom sat with them, just as shaken. Even the family’s German shepherd seemed unsettled, pacing as though searching for the boy who was always there. Photo courtesy Saldana family “He’d be infuriated with us being so upset,” Gabriel Saldana in the truck he proudly someone murmured, somewhat hoping earned through hard work.
GOLD Exceeds $3500 an Ounce! OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
HIGHEST RATED CASH FOR GOLD STORE IN OCEAN COUNTY
Gabriel would walk through the door and insist they stop their sadness. Gabriel was “Gabe” to all who loved his infectious smile, his quick wit, and his caring nature. Speaking of him in the past tense seemed more than a little surreal. The 17-year-old Southern Regional High School senior died on September 30 when his pickup overturned on Route 72 in Stafford Township. Preliminary investigation (Stafford Teen - See Page 12)
SILVER Nears $40 an Ounce!
90% SILVER • MEDALLIONS FLATWARE • SCRAP • JEWELRY TEA SETS • TRAYS • PITCHERS CANDELABRAS
October 11, 2025
New Safety Law Will Cost Seniors By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Ocean County’s senior communities are facing a financial storm that one local advocate says could force retirees from their homes. At a recent Ocean County Commissioners meeting, Judy Noonan, a senior representative, who also works for the Manchester mayor, delivered an emotional plea on behalf of residents. She said many have been blindsided by surging maintenance fees coinciding with New Jersey’s new Structural Integrity and Reserve Funding Law, also known as Senate Bill 3992. “I have people crying to me at my back door,” Noonan said. “They’re asking how they’re going to pay these fees and where they’re supposed to go. These are people who worked their whole lives, paid their taxes, and now they’re being pushed out.” Governor Phil Murphy signed Senate Bill 3992 into law on August 21, 2025, after months of negotiation and lobbying. The measure was sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy. The New Jersey Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI-NJ), a national trade organization representing property managers, association attorneys, and engineering firms, played a major role in advancing the legislation. Through its Legislative Action Committee (NJ-LAC), CAI-NJ drafted technical language, hosted webinars, and worked directly with lawmakers to refine and promote the bill. During a recent NJ-LAC presentation, committee members described the law as “compromise legislation” designed to address concerns about the prior version, known as S2760, passed in 2024. That earlier bill drew backlash from homeowners’ associations struggling to meet their aggressive financial standards. “There was some pushback that our legislators got,” said CAI Legislative Action Chair Matt Earle. “Working with them, we were asked to find a way to potentially reduce the short-term burden on people.” For CAI-NJ, the law represents progress (Safety Law - See Page 5)
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