Brick Set to Appoint Departing Council Members to MUA Commissioner Posts

The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority, BTMUA (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Two Brick Township council members who served until the end of 2025 are due to be appointed to posts on the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority Board of Commissioners at the township council’s reorganization meeting on Tuesday.

Marianna Pontoriero, who did not seek re-election in November, and Heather de Jong, who was defeated in her quest to remain on the dais, will both be considered for the BTMUA positions. Though the MUA is a separate entity from the township’s municipal government, its commissioners are appointed by the township council. Pontoriero is set to be appointed to a five-year term as a regular commissioner, while de Jong is up for an appointment as an alternate commissioner to fill an unexpired term through Jan. 31, 2029.

Commissioners of the BTMUA are eligible for a stipend and, for regular voting members, health benefits, though it was not known whether either appointee would be accepting them. The BTMUA is a common landing spot for former members of the governing body. Pontoriero and de Jong would join fellow ex-councilmembers Susan Lydecker, Paul Mummolo, and Arthur Halloran on the board. Former Board of Education member Michael Blandina also serves on the board, as well as William Neafsey, Thomas C. Curtis and Erin Wheeler.

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The appointments of the two former Democratic members of council are expected to be approved, as their party will continue to hold a one-seat majority on the council after Republicans gained three open seats in the November 2025 election. With few exceptions, seats on the MUA board have long been filled by appointees of the majority party on council.