Residents sound off on Ice Palace purchase BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer BRICK TOWNSHIP - The price isn't right. While most Township Council members think the Ocean Ice Palace is too good a deal to pass up, some residents have their doubts. And they let council members know it at the Aug. 7 council meeting. Resident George Scott called for a referendum on the $5.4 million purchase of the landmark on Chambers Bridge Road. "We want to hear what the total cost is," Scott said. "We don't want to hear it's costing us $5 million. It's not costing us $5 million. Let them [residents] have their say. The decision should be left up to everybody that's going to be paying for it." The purchase price does not include any improvements or additional facilities, Scott said. "That's just leaving it the way it is now," he said. "That's not putting in a pool or all the things we would like there." Council members voted 6-1 at the July 24 meeting to introduce an ordinance that appropriates $5,450,000 in bonds or bond anticipation notes to purchase the property just up the street from the municipal complex. The purchase includes 13.34 acres, a pool, a dormitory and woods and fields, in addition to the 40-year-old ice rink building. Township officials plan to consolidate recreation and senior services on the site. The township currently pays the Veterans of Foreign Wars $45,000 a year to rent the VFW building as a senior center. Another man said he had visited the site and saw "lots of areas of concern" including cracks and visible defects in the ice rink building. "It's obvious to me this site has not been maintained for many, many years," he said. "The condition of the site is more suitable for picking dandelions than any other form of outdoor recreation." The resident said his taxes had risen from $5,000 in 1999 to $8,000 today. "Past and present township governing bodies and administrations have all been guilty of the same brush - to purchase existing ratables without any clear plan," he said. "We don't take care of the assets we have today and we're going to purchase a $5 million luxury item. When is enough? Not everyone who spoke was against the purchase. Other towns have better recreational facilities than Brick, said William Braen. "We are like paupers when it comes to other towns," he said. "I think it's a real plus and I'm glad to see somebody is finally doing something about this. I think it's a good move for $5.4 million. I don't care if it costs $7 million down the road. I think with a little imagination you can really put a jewel in there and I think it will help the town." Stephen Scaturro said the facility is "desperately needed." "When I moved to Brick Township I paid $12,000 for my home and $300 to $400 in taxes," said Scaturro, the husband of Councilwoman Ruthann Scaturro and a top official in the Brick Republican organization. Today he pays between $7,000 to $8,000, Scaturro said. "What did I get for my money? Much," he said. "Brick Beach 1, 2 and 3. Windward Beach, Bayside Park."