|
Brick Steps Up Efforts To Find Alternative Energy Sources
By Keith Hagarty
Alternative energy sources are one step closer to becoming reality in Brick Township.
The Township Council unanimously approved authorization for participation in the state's Environmental Joint Insurance Fund's Sustainable Energy Project (EJIF).
Township officials envision participation in the EJIF as another important step towards attempting to preserve the town's environment while also seeking to utilize the latest innovations in alternative energy sources.
"We're going to set up a committee, and we're going to have a representative in the form of one of our consulting engineers to represent the township at these committee meetings," said Township Business Administrator Scott M. Pezarras. "Then they'll come back (before the council) and present us with viable solutions for renewable energy to the township."
The township's participation in the EJIF is a continuation of Brick's ongoing commitment to seek out sustainable energy alternatives, said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.
In January, the mayor formed a committee to investigate the costs and benefits of utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Known as the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy, their mission is to work to identify township facilities that are compatible with renewable energy infrastructure, the cost of initial investment and potential savings.
"This is about finding innovative ways to reduce the costs of government," said Acropolis. "If using renewable energy sources will create savings for taxpayers, I am all for it."
Participation in the EJIF should now provide an even broader scope of resources available to Brick, said Acropolis.
"Since it is part of the JIF (joint insurance fund), what we're able to do then is not only work with what's going on in Brick, but to also capitalize on the information available from around the state," said Acropolis. "This JIF and other JIF's are all going to be working together on renewable sustainable energy and things like that."
The council's formal adoption of the EJIF is viewed by the mayor as an extra measure of support for Brick and its task of finding new energy solutions without hurting the taxpayers.
"This is the first step in that process," said the mayor. "As we move on, we'll have a lot more information."
Anyone interested in joining the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy, are encouraged to contact Acropolis or Lou Ianniello at 732-522-4284. Resumes can also be submitted to the mayor's office at 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ, 08723.
In other business, the council unanimously approved a change order to provide an additional $2,600 for the construction of a police communications tower at their headquarters on Chambers Bridge Road. The additional funding brings the total cost of the ongoing project to $120,060.
| 
