Bulletin top ten stories of 2008
BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer

Joseph C. Scarpelli

1. Former Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli starts federal prison stint

Former four-term Democratic Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli's colorful political career came to an end on Jan. 8, 2007, when he pleaded guilty to accepting at least $5,000 in bribes from an unnamed developer between 1998 and 2003. He began doing his penance almost one year later, on Jan. 28, 2008, when he headed down to federal prison in Fort Dix to begin serving an 18-month sentence on corruption charges. Federal District Court Judge Susan D. Wigenton also sentenced the longtime mayor to three years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. Chances are he will serve the entire 18- month sentence since parole has been abolished in the federal system. Scarpelli, 69, is due to be released next May 29, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Web site.

The State Division of Pension and Benefits board on Feb. 19 voted to slash Scarpelli's monthly pension from the state public Employment Retirement System from $1,825.41 to $333.44 a month. Pension board members also ordered Scarpelli to pay back $20,887 in full benefits he received over the last two years. Scarpelli lost his benefit years from 1998 until January 2006, roughly the time period he admitted to accepting the bribes from the developer.

John H. Nydam

2. Nydam gets five years' probation for in exchange for plea deal on corruption charges

It was former public works director John H. Nydam's "proactive cooperation" that helped county and federal officials snag Scarpelli on corruption charges. But Nydam was no dedicated public servant. He once faced decades in prison before he pleaded guilty in April 2006 to official misconduct, theft and witness tampering charges. He agreed to cooperate for federal and state authorities as part of the plea bargain. The scuttlebutt in town was that Nydam had worn a wire in conversations with Scarpelli. Nydam also took bribes and boat trips from the coowners of International Trucks of Central New Jersey. He also threw more than $40,000 in no-bid contracts to local landscaping contractor Lance Hadley, in exchange for checks totaling $4,000, according to the indictment. His sentencing was delayed six times, until it finally took place Feb. 1 in state Superior Court in Ocean County. Judge James A. Citta dismissed the balance of the charges in the indictment against Nydam, 56, in exchange for his guilty pleas to third-degree official misconduct and theft charges. The state Division of Pension and Benefits board on June 18 stripped Nydam of the pension benefits he had accrued during his 14 years and seven months in the state pension system. The board ruled that he had failed to meet the states "honorable services" criteria to receive pension benefits.

Stephen C. Acropolis

3. Township officials eye $4 million shortfall in 2009; layoffs loom

The state-mandated 4 percent budget cap put in place early this year was one of the contributing factors that led to an anticipated $4 million hole in the 2009 municipal budget. Other budget-busters included a $1.3 million hike in employee health insurance premiums, a $500,000 jump in utility costs and a $700,000 drop in state aid. The administration eliminated 34 positions through attrition in 2008, but that was not enough to prevent the layoffs of 47 township employees on Dec. 31. The list includes many public works employees and all of the inspectors in the township building department. The township asked for but did not get concessions from unions for health care premium contributions, unpaid furloughs, or pay cuts to stave off the loss of some jobs.

Nils R. Berquist

4. Ocean Ice Palace owner puts freeze on sale

The township's plans to purchase the 46- year-old landmark ice rink and 13.34-acre property on Chambers Bridge Road for use as a community center fell through in early June, when owner Joan Dwulet cut off negotiations. The talks collapsed just a few weeks after the group Stop OverSpending gathered enough signatures to put the $5.25 million purchase on the ballot. Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis and township officials blamed the failed purchase on SOS. But Dwulet's attorney, Stephan R. Leone, said she got "tired of waiting" for the township to put together a successful financing plan. Dwulet and the township came to a verbal agreement for the purchase in the spring of 2007. But the proposed sale quickly became a political issue in the 2007 mayoral campaign. Several financing arrangements were never completed. Township Business Administrator Scott M. Pezarras outlined the cost and revenue projections for the controversial project at the May 27 Township Council meeting. Pezarras said the purchase price and first phase for the Ice Palace property would cost the average homeowner an additional $1.05 a year, or 8.7 cents per month. But it came too late. Several days later, Dwulet informed Brick officials she would no longer deal with the township and instead would consider offers from other buyers. Township Council members rescinded a $9.9 million ordinance on June 16 that included the purchase price and an additional $4.7 million for site improvements. The property has been on the market since June, with a $7.5 million asking price.

Foodtown site

5. GOP Freeholder gets top job with township Municipal Utilities Authority

The GOP-controlled MUA voted 6-0 at the Feb. 1 organization meeting to hire Freeholder James F. Lacey as executive director for $135,000. Some questioned his qualifications and the timing of his appointment. Lacey, who has held several political patronage jobs since the early 1990s, had no experience in running a water and sewer utility. He was about to lose his job as business administrator in Beachwood when a new mayor was elected, who vowed to abolish the job. Stephen T. Specht, who had served as acting MUA executive director for almost a year, declined to comment when asked if he had applied for the job. The MUA later appointed Specht to the newly created position of deputy director and gave him a $20,000 bonus and a $5,000 raise. Lacey's contract also included a provision that allowed him to "be unavailable" for 10 hours during the workweek so he could perform his freeholder duties. The MUA refused to release the names and qualifications of any other applicants for the job.

Walter J. Hrycenko

6. Foodtown redevelopment in the works

Township officials made some headway in the eventual transformation of the dilapidated Foodtown site off Route 70 into a potential revenue producer. Township Council members voted unanimously at the Nov. 25 council meet to enter into "predevelopment" agreements with Paramount Realty Services Inc., Lakewood, and M&M Realty partners to redevelop the 10.5- acre site that abuts Forge Pond. The property, which was once home to a 30,000-square-foot Foodtown supermarket and a Bradlees store, has been vacant since before Brick bought it in 2003 for $6 million, during the administration of former Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli.

Warren Wolf

7. Longtime police chief steps down

For years, the name Ronald J. Dougard was synonymous with the Brick Township Police Department. Dougard, who was badge No. 2, was sworn in as a Brick police officer on Aug. 11, 1972. The juvenile bureau, the marine unit and the DARE program all began during Dougard's tenure. He credited his officers with the department's success, which included winning the "Safest City in America" title from Kansas-based Morgan Quitno Press in 2006. Dougard, who had originally planned to retire in 2009, announced in late 2007 he was leaving a year early.

8. Berquist named new police chief, Kinney appointed deputy chief

Nils R. Berquist was sworn in as Dougard's replacement at the New Year's Day organization meeting. Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis had originally said the search for a new chief could take between three to six months. But the township administration decided to limit the field of candidates to replace Dougard to the department's four captains. Only two, Berquist and Douglas J. Kinney, were eligible to apply for the position. The two men — almost evenly matched in qualifications and experience — were given a week over the Christmas holidays to prepare "position papers" on how they would run the department and their plans for its future. They were also interviewed by an ad hoc committee before the selection was made. Kinney was later appointed to the newly created position of deputy chief.

9. Longtime administrator gets top spot in school district

Walter J. Hrycenko got a standing ovation when the Board of Education unanimously approved him as the district's superintendent at the Aug. 28 board meeting. His appointment ended more than a year of administrative flux in the Brick school district that began when former Superintendent of Schools Thomas L. Seidenberger resigned in July 2007. He was replaced by interim Superintendents Melindo A. Persi and Mary Ann Ceres, respectively. Hrycenko began his career as a science teacher at Christian Brothers Academy. He later taught at Monsignor Donovan High School before coming to Brick in 1998 as the district's science supervisor. He was later appointed assistant superintendent.

10) Warren Wolf ends 51-year career as football coach

Legendary coach Warren Wolf announced in early December that his days as head football coach at Brick Township High School (BTHS) were over. Wolf, 81, holds the state record as the high school football coach with the most wins, with a record of 361-122-11. He came to BTHS in back in 1958, the year the high school opened. Wolf also served as mayor of Brick Township from 1971 to 1975, two terms on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders, one term as a state assemblyman and three terms on the Township Council. The council plans to honor him at the organization meeting on Jan. 6.