MUA expands reservoir hours for residents BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent BRICK TOWNSHIP - Joggers, walkers and nature lovers will have time during the day to enjoy their activities at the Brick reservoir, thanks to the facility's newly expanded hours of operation. The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA) recently announced that the reservoir will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. through Dec. 15. "This will allow our visitors to use the reservoir to walk or run prior to heading off to work or starting on their day's chores," Authority Chairman Patrick. L. Bottazzi said. "We expect our regular visitors will be happy about the increased hours and we may even pick up a few more visitors now that it is open earlier." The reservoir's previously established operating hours for the fall were from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. "This is one of the best times to visit the reservoir. When the leaves start to change, it is very picturesque up there," Bottazzi said. The BTMUA expanded the reservoir's hours in response to the requests by a number of residents, he said. "I think it's great. The earlier hours benefit runners and moms like me who like to walk with their kids first thing in the morning," said Delaware Drive resident Erin Bolger, who frequently walks at the reservoir with her daughter Kiera. "I'd rather walk there than on the treadmill at the gym. The fresh air is so much better for you and the reservoir is so clean. It's the best place to walk down here." The reservoir's winter hours of operation - 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. - will be in effect after Dec. 15. However, there will be flexibility in the closing schedule based on weather condition, Bottazi said. The reservoir is open six days a week, from Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and federal and state holidays. The 1 billion gallon reservoir has become a popular place for residents to walk or jog along its 1.7-mile pathway since its May 2005 opening.