Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance quiet everybody. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the open public meetings act pursuant to public laws 1975. Said notice was advertising asby park press and the beacon and was posted on a bulletin board showing the time and place of the meeting. Ring one please
rise to salute the flag followed by a moment of silence to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Item one, permission to place a pin wheelel garden on township property by the women's club. >> The women's club of Lacy is seeking permission to post a pinwheel garden in front of the municipal building. Um this is in recognition of child abuse prevention month month which is the
month of April and they are asking to place them from April 1st to April 30th. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Women's Club of Lacy presentation. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Good.
>> Um I'm Lauri Young. I'm the president of the Women's Club of Lacy. The Women's Club is a 60-year-old organization in Lacy with approximately a hundred members from Lacy and surrounding towns. Our purpose is to do good works in the community. You will see us at every
Memorial Day parade and at Lacy Day each year. On January 30th, Committeeman uh Pete Curuto attended one of our events and asked me to come tonight and tell you about it. Last June, one of our longtime members, Beverly Keebler, asked
me if the club would be willing to host a party for our community's special needs adults. Her family has a taxi service that transports many special needs adults to their day programs, and she's formed a very strong bond with many of their clients.
We are uh the Women's Club of Lacy are strong advocates of special needs children in the Lacy School District. We've donated thousands of dollars over the years to fund special projects in our schools. And so this proposition from Beverly seemed to be an extension
of that initiative. We put this proposition to a vote and our members agreed to fund the monthly rental at the Charles A. Smith Community Center for six events in 2025. Beverly quickly brought in many new members and formed our special needs
adult committee. Uh the chair peep the chair women are with me tonight. I'd like to introduce you to Janet Malero. Raise your hand Janet and Deborah Gamsy. Those are chairwoman. And we have some of our uh ladies on the committee with
us as well. Say hello ladies. Um our our uh co-chairman uh Deborah Gamsby and Janet Malera formed a partnership with the lace with the Babil Elks who provide us with support from their youth group the Babil antlers to set up serve and clean up. Over the last
nine months, we have hosted a luau, uh, Disney superhero Whoville Christmas and Marty Gar themed events, a Mad Hatter tea party, and a New Year's Eve party along with an autumn and a Halloween party. Each event includes
decorations, music, often with a guest DJ, uh, dinner and dessert, and is attended by anywhere um between 50 and 70 needs special 70 special needs adults and their caregivers. A local photographer donates her time to
take photographs every month. And to help defay our expenses, we are charging a $10 admission with several exceptions for some group home residents who are unable to afford that. And we also run a 50/50 every month. We accept donations in any amount and they have literally
poured into us from families of special needs adults who attend. We have an Amazon wish list. Our committee, our committee and our special needs adults families have contributed over $15,000 in kind donations to fund
these events which started last June. And this tells us that we are doing something that our committee that our community really needs. We um recommitted to hosting a monthly event for all of 2026. Upcoming parties include Spongebob,
Fairyland, and Star Wars themed parties, just to name a few. Our special needs adults love dressing up and we expect these events to be well attended. These events take place uh on the last Friday of the month at 5:30 at the Charles A.
Smith Community Center and we invite you all to come in and join us. Uh please look for us on the Women's Club of Lacy Facebook page to see pictures of our events and to find our Amazon wish list. >> Thanks.
Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for all the information on the Women's Club. We know you've been around a long time and uh do a lot of volunteering uh throughout Lacy Township. Um so really thank you for your service in town. Thank you.
>> Um anything else for anybody? request for on-site trailer, 454 Lake Barnagate Drive North. >> The resident at 454 Lake Barnagate Drive North um unfortunately had a pipe a frozen pipe burst um with some of the cold temperatures that we've had. She's
requesting to temporarily live in a um camper at her property. Um the renovations are going to take about 2 months and this would all be under the condition of approval um with a zoning permit. >> Second. >> All in favor? Can we give it approval
for 3 months just in case she needs an extra month because you know >> she has put a time frame on these or not. So what >> we usually give 90 days >> I think she EA usually 3 months 3 months. >> Yeah let's go 90 days. >> I'll make a motion we go 90 days. >> I'll second it.
>> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> Move it. All >> in favor? >> I motion to >> Okay. Moving right along. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the open public meetings act pursuant to the public laws of 1975. Said notice was advertised in the Yasby Park Press in the Beacon and was posted
on the bullet board showing the time and place of the meeting. Item one, second reading, ordinance 202602, amending and supplementing chapter 335 entitled zoning. >> An ordinance of the township of Ly County of Ocean State of New Jersey amending and supplementing chapter 335 entitled zoning. The three ordinances
tonight are all um they all relate to the fair share housing settlement. Um and they're all various code book amendments to be in line with the fourth round requirements. This is second reading. Open the floor to public comment. >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Motion on the ordinance. >> It second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Certo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay. >> Yes. >> May. >> Yes. Second reading ordinance 2020603 amending its entirety chapter 127 entitled affordable housing program. An
ordinance council for Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey amending in its entirety chapter 127 entitled affordable housing program. Second reading open the floor to public comment. >> Seeing none make a motion to close the floor. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Motion on the ordinance. >> Move it. >> Second.
>> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Peruto. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lay. >> Yes. Mayor K. >> Yes. Second reading ordinance 2020604 amending chapter 211 entitled land development fees, escro deposits, and inspection fees. An ordinance of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State
of New Jersey amending chapter 211 entitled land development fees, escort deposits and inspection fees. Second reading open the floor to public comment. >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I motion on your ordinance. >> Move it.
>> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ger, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fiano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 202691, appointing a director of public works. Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, appointing Taylor
Riley as director of public works for the Township of Lacy. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. And I also want to welcome uh the brand new community member he brought to the meeting tonight.
>> Who's got the hiccups right now? >> I don't know who's more nervous, >> Mr. McDonald. Yes, >> Mr. Cerutoo. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes, Mayor. >> Yes, Taylor, you had a baptism by fire. >> Ask all of you to stay. Don't leave yet.
>> Resolution 202692 supporting the acquisition of properties by the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy County of Ocean City, New Jersey supporting the acquisition of properties identified on addendum A by the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund. This is
the um Georgetown Village um develop or what should have been the Georgetown development. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kerata. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mayor C. >> Yes. Resolution 202693 authorizing a
change order for the Stouts Creek and Warden's Oyster Pond dredging project. Resolution of the township of Ly County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the execution of an amendment to the contract with act engineering for the Stouts Creek and Wardens oyster pond maintenance stretching project. >> Move it. >> Mrs. Juliano,
>> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Pollo, >> yes. >> Mayor Kenn, >> yes. Resolution 202694 authorizing the refund of deposit monies. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the refund of deposits held
for the use of municipal facilities. >> Move it. Second, >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Feruto, >> yes. >> Mayor Kenn, >> yes. Resolution 202695 authorizing the payment of township bills. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey
authorizing the payment of township bills. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Cerutoo, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. And I'll stayain on T0035. >> Mr. Lay, >> yes. >> Mayor Kenn, >> yes. Motion to approve budget meeting minutes of February 5th, 2026.
>> Move it. Second. >> All in favor? >> Motion to approve executive session meeting minutes of February 5th, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to approve caucus meeting minutes of February 11, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to approve township meeting minutes of February 11th, 2026.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to approve executive session meet uh meeting minutes of February 11th, 2026. >> Move it. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Motion to approve membership in the Forcodor Volunteer Fire Company for John Winnie Wyki Jr.
>> Move it. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> I. >> Motion to transfer membership from Lenoka Harbor Volunteer Fire Company to the Fork Fire Company for Jason Yapram. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> We >> We have an add-on. You have that, mayor.
>> So, we have an add-on. We have a proclamation. Whereas Robert Rob Kraasa began his career with the Township of Lacy Department of Public Works on October 27th, 1986 as a laborer. And whereas through nearly four
decades of dedicated service, perseverance, and steady leadership, Rob rose through the ranks, promoted in 1987 to mechanic, helper, truck driver, in 1993 to mechanic, in 1998 to supervising mechanic, in 2005 to supervisor of
public works, and ultimately in 2019 to director of public works. And whereas for almost 40 years, Rob has devoted his personal life to the township of Lacy, working behind the scenes to ensure our roads were safe, our infrastructure maintained, and our community cared for cared for in every season and
circumstance. And whereas in a profession defined by early mornings, late nights, emergency calls, and high pressure decisions, especially during storms and other critical events, Rob has consistently led with a calm, cool, and collected presence. And whereas his level-headed leadership and even
temperament have set the tone for the entire department, never allowing stress to overshadow his professionalism or impact those around him. And whereas, as if to ensure he would be remembered in true public works fashion, Rob's final weeks on the job included not one but
two snowstorms on which brought his of which brought historic accumulation, proving that after 40 years, he would not quietly slip into retirement, but instead uh but instead of out with a bang. And whereas while the township may remember him for plow routes and storm
calls, those closest to him know that retirement will will now allow Rob to trade snow forecasts for sunshine forecasts and spend more time enjoying one of his favorite places out on his boat. And whereas Rob's legacy is not only measured in years of service, but in the steady leadership, quiet
strength, and unwavering commitment he has shown to the township of Lacy and its residents for nearly four decades. Four decades. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and the township committee of the township of Lacy that we extend our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to Rob Krasa for
his extraordinary 39 years of service and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement. And be it proclaimed that we wish Rob fair winds, calm seas, good health, and many relaxing days ahead, knowing that the township he serves so faithfully will forever be better
because of him. HEAT. HEAT. WAIT, Lisa wants a picture, too. >> All right, please >> don't move, guys. >> Should all really get in the picture. >> What? Why >> don't you all get down? >> Yes.
>> That's you, too. the tables tonight. >> You stand on the bench. Take a breath, Steve. Take a breath. >> Rob, did you want to say a few words or anything? >> I'd like to really congratulate Riley. Kevin, your answer is yes.
>> Welldeserved heck of a guy snowstorm. If you realize him with it, any questions, anything, let me know. For the most part, everything he did, I
agree with them. And then they came to one final one final thing at the end of the storm. There was a question. And I turned around told him, I said, "You have to make this decision. You decide on what you want to do." When I tell you
he knocked that decision out of the ballpark, he did. And I and I said, and I mentioned the garage, I said it was a decision that I would never thought, but it was a phenomenal decision. So what he
earned this position just these past this past week. He was home with the little one to have fresh moment. He's beautiful. Congratulations to you, Amber. >> Taylor, why don't you join Rob up here? Yes. Let's get a good shot. >> Thank the t committee for all their
support over the years. They've been great to work with. Great great group of guys here NOW in great shape. >> We should really get Casey in there. >> CASEY
GENERATION. CASEY. CASEY, COME UP. YOU GOT TO COME UP IN ONE OF THEM, TOO. >> This is a good one. Stephanie, you got to get this picture. This is three generations of public works directors. >> Taylor, you can say everything you want to say.
>> Uh, so first off, thank you. Anyway, >> we're so glad to have you. >> Our dream come true. >> We'll see. >> WE'LL SEE IF IT'S a dream. >> He just had a haircut. That's all the
hair we lost this week. >> I wouldn't fit in this. I just want I don't mean to have my back. No, you're fine. You're fine. >> Say thank you to the entire department. This school was insane. >> Yes. >> Um,
>> normal plowing procedures were out the window. It was strictly get the fire, get the EMS, get the police, wherever they got to go. >> Yep. >> Uh, it was hard. We were up against it. We would plow our road and in two hours
it looked like who did it ranch. Mhm. >> Um, the guys stayed on it. They were down an incredible amount of guys, areas where only one plow was hitting big
sections, and they stayed on it. Um, I couldn't have gotten through this storm without you guys. And I owe it to each and every one of you guys for not just putting in the 30 hours that we did for the storm, but
then the next day 7 to 8, the following day, 7 to 5 today going through lunch. Um, I'm getting shook it up, but I can't I can't thank you guys enough. >> It's true. >> And I I hope that
>> the residents are are patient with the snow removal. We're still doing it. We're still going in and digging out roads and uh and you guys, any president has this whole department here. Thank you. And I'm proud of you guys and I'm
proud to to take over this department. Keep working with you guys. And my voice is Now his dad is back there and his mom of course. But you know he was a longtime employee of this township. 25 years that
his dad put in. So God bless. taught him well. >> Yes. >> Taught him well. >> Thank you. Thank you, Taylor. >> Yes. >> Comments regarding this. Uh, Deputy Mayor. >> All right. Um, well, one thing I wasn't planning on saying, but I recogni I
realized it once Casey and Taylor and Rob got up here. I see Rob's the only one that survived with hair. Tyler, you you're starting out on the right right track. >> But uh one one before the room does
empty out, please stay through p our public comment, please. Our committee comments. Um >> they got a party to go to. >> Just it won't take long. >> We're almost there. But Rob, thank you. And it's a real honor to see that three
of our most successful public works director, which Taylor soon to be joined in that uh realm, are all born, raised, and worked in Lacy. And I
don't think there's a town around that could say that and be more proud of the public work directors we've had. And gentlemen, I say it all the time, thank you. Thank you for coming tonight, supporting Rob's retirement, and being
here to support your new public's work director. It means a lot. You guys mean a lot to all of us. And all I can say is thank you. >> I'm going to try not to get choked up. Okay. I feel very lucky that we have it just
shows but what what we have in this town when all these gentlemen here came out to support the retirement and the new beginning. We we couldn't ask for better. So any less than that what is fed out there means nothing to us. You
are our town and we're very lucky to have you and I'm grateful for each and every one of you and Taylor. It just makes me so proud. It really does. I got that mama feeling in there. I'm just so happy and I know we we've we're in the direction of just following through and
doing what we got to get done and I know you'll take care of all that. You've had some good big sho I was just going to say you had some big shoes that had to be filled but you're doing it and we we're right there behind you no matter what. So congratulations. >> Thank you Peggy Committeeman Curello.
Yeah, it's uh usually I don't see this type of crowd unless it's blue or surrounded by blue, but it's I I've never This is my 13th year. I never saw this many um DPW folks. And it says a lot says a lot about the morale in the place because if you didn't like a guy
or a lady or somebody, you wouldn't be coming out here at night. >> That's right. >> And this thing is full. And I I mean it's five, six rows of full plus family. So that says a lot about Rob Krasco who I know and like Taylor Riley who I don't
know as well but I he knocked it out of the park with his interview and I'm totally impressed with him and he's a great young man and Casey whose legacy in the town is um really kind of unmatched with his dad and his family and so it says an awful lot. So I
appreciate it and uh we got you guys back. Thank you so much. God bless you. >> Thank you Pete. Committeeman McDonald. Thank you, mayor. Rob Kra probably has the best demeanor in the entire world.
I know for a fact I would text him at something would happen and I would text him 10 minutes later, no problem, Tim. We'll take care of it. Uh just unbelievable. I've never seen anybody like that. And I know I know the pressure of the of these storms and
stuff because I remember talking to Casey one time after that February where you had five we had five storms in a row and Casey was like ready to take a gun to his head, you know, but but Rob is he's just his
demeanor is just perfect for the job and and you can see this by the guys that show up for him. And he did a great job. Taylor, you got baptism by fire, baby. You know, and it's I hope it doesn't get any worse. >> I really do.
>> I really do. >> What's that? >> It does. We're ready. >> Good. Good. Good. But Rob, I wish you nothing but the best. I wish you great fishing out there in the in the bay or wherever you're going for fishing and think of us all. >> Thank you, ma'am.
>> Thank you, Tim. Yeah, Rob. These last two weeks, you're going out with a bang. Um, I usually don't speak to the department heads all that much. I'm hands off, but I've probably spoke to Rob in the last two weeks, you know, more than I've done in since 2000 since he became the department head. Um,
you're the what Tim said was right and this proclamation, right? Your demeanor is absolutely perfect for the job dealing with the public. You have to be very calm and um, you know, mildmannered and you're you just handle yourself, I mean, excellently with the public. So, really appreciate all the the hard work you put in over the years. and Taylor,
yep, you got a you know, you jumped in and uh you got your sea legs under you quick and um you pull a lot of experience from uh both Rob and Casey. So, wish you truly the best of luck. >> Moving right along. Okay, I'm do a little before I open to
the public, I do have a prepared statement regarding the snowstorm since it was such a um read this first. So we got uh a fair number of complaints uh over the snow storm the snow plowing. So there were a number of complaints
about the quality of the snow plowing. The township does its best to maintain roadways during snowstorms. There were a few reasons why the township fell behind. First reason was it was a blizzard which is an unusual event which so you should expect unusual circumstances. Second, the operating procedures during
a state of emergency, which were went into effect around 3 p.m. on Saturday, um puts the township into emergency protocols. At that point, primary individual priorities shift to the overall group priority for life safety of our residents and first responders. In practice, that means snowplowing
responsibility becomes maintaining access to EMS and public safety buildings in primary arteries throughout residential areas. There are over 300 calls for service in a 48 hour period and some of those calls require a plow or a loader to lead the way to the emergency and to lead the way out of the
emergency which removes a plow from service. Three, by law, our workers have to stop working for a certain amount of hours and take time off due to fatigue. They work for 30 straight hours. Four, the the LMU, which also has
primary responsibilities, always assists with snow plowing, providing they don't have an emergency call. They had emergency calls which then removed them from service for snow plowing as well. And lastly, there was a number of trees come down that came down, wires that came down and poles that came down and
those have to be uh you know secured before you could go back to plowing. So that's why the plowing took a long time and I just wanted the residents to understand the you know the things that go into making the decisions of when to plow and where to plow especially during a storm of that magnitude. So with that
I'm opening it up to the public. Does the public have any questions or comments? >> Seeing there way back there, Regina. >> I'm sorry. >> You got it. >> What's going on? You got it.
>> I know what you wanted to do. >> Regina Desenza, Sunset Drive, Sunrise Beach. If anyone's gotten a little nauseous opening up their NJNG bill, the delivery charges are quite out of sight and it seems like there's no rhyme or reason to when they hit you with it and
to how much they hit you with. Mine has been extremely excessive. I'm on the senior advisory comm council for Ocean County and um at our last meeting we made a decision to start um a formal complaint process with the Ocean County
Department of Consumer Affairs. If you have problems with your NJNG bill, call 732-929-2105 and ask Consumer Affairs to um make a formal complaint on your behalf. The reason is people on a fixed income can't just handle $323
of magical delivery charges and you have no way of knowing from one bill to the next what your delivery charges will be. It's very nominal in the summer and then it skyrockets in the winter. And we so far what we've looked at a few bills and
there's just no rhyme or reason to the delivery charges and there are some people that get none. So, we we want the county department of consumer affairs to talk to the BPU and find out what's going on with this. And I've made my own complaints on my own behalf to the
company will not answer. >> But the BPU gave a big long detailed explanation, but you know, I want their butts in a sling, too. So, because they're the ones that give NJNG the permission to do this. So, the other thing I got if I could just add to that,
Regina, >> what? So, one of the interesting things is in what you're saying, there's been seniors in the town that have called me that vacation or snowbird in Florida, they're using very little heat, whether 65 or >> minimal >> minimal, whatever minimal is,
>> and they're still getting a $300 bill for for delivery. >> So, what we really need is advocacy at the county level uh on the BPU with somebody from Ocean County. um instead of just taking taxes out of this county, Trenton should for once realize that
we're one of the three four primary counties that pay into it. But I think with the governor, you're not going to see an appointee from Ocean County. >> Well, Ron Heightsman, the um director of the Ocean County Consumer Affairs, called me the other day and you know, they're getting the ball rolling over there. They just need people to like
scan their bills and send in their complaints so they can make a massive complaint to the BPO. Um, the other thing I have is, um, I got an email from St. Save Barag Bay on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17th, from
1:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. They're, uh, sponsoring a spring workshop celebrating 25 years of environmental leadership at Mates, the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, 195 Cedar Bridge Road in Stafford Township. Um,
the workshop is free to attend. We're bringing together municipal leaders, educators, students, advocates, and regional partners to explore how local action can create measurable improvements for Barneut Bay. Practical municipal tools, habitat and species
updates, working waterfront solutions, regional resilience planning, networking with change makers. Join them for an inspiring afternoon of strategy, collaboration, and action. and they are requesting RSVPs, but hopefully I can
send this to you and you can already you got it. Okay. And post it on the website so that people can um RSVP to when they can come. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anything else from the public? Come on. >> You're being recorded, Mr. B.
>> Oh, well, that's all right. >> I don't know. I can get up in this. >> All right. So, Richard Bnick here. Lacy. >> Get out of the holder. Yeah. So, you can hold it up closer to your Yeah, >> there you go. >> Richard Bnick, Lacy, Citizens for Responsible Government. Um, I have a question. I brought this up once before.
This has to do with the public sidewalks. Okay? And now I know this isn't public works problem because an ordinance would have to be passed by the township, but I'm a walker. Everybody knows in this town I walk between four and six miles every day. Uh, the
Deerhead Lake public walk sidewalks are now covered with there's up to 10 feet of snow plowed into the sidewalk. Now, I was wondering why that snow couldn't have been plowed to the other side closer to where the road is instead of
covering up the entire walkway, which is now going to be covered probably for weeks because it's like 10 ft tall in some of the spots. Um, it's very dangerous around there, by the way, when you have to walk out in the street because there's, in fact, I'm going to recommend that somebody contact the
police department and tell them to have a police officer in that area because people are speeding. I almost got run over today. And people are rude. And by the way, I want to just mention pedestrians always have right of way. So, Lacy Township, don't scream at
people and be rude to them. Beep the horn or whatever. I mean, it's not our fault that the sidewalks are covered with snow, very high snow. We can't walk on there. So, I would appreciate and I think this is something the township should really do because most towns have
an ordinance like this at least on the sidewalks that you are responsible to take care of that you make sure within 24 hours. Now, you have I looked this up and I noticed that you recommend that people in this town who have sidewalks
that within 24 hours that they clean them up and businesses also. Well, the township should take heed and also practice what it preaches on that matter. Now, I'm going to tell you something. You would be liable if I was hit by a car because that part that
whole area is is um covered in snow, etc. Now, the last storm we had, I couldn't walk until February 3rd because I had injured myself. So, that storm happened on January 25th, I walked in that parking lot in Deerhead and it was
covered with ice. So it makes it kind of like impossible. So I'm just making a recommendation for public safety purposes because I would hate for the walkers in this town, those of us who actually get out on foot. And when the storm happened, a lot of us had
no other choice but to get out and foot because our driveways were blocked in and we couldn't get out. So I would really recommend that this become somewhat of an issue because the state is actually pushing for more of a walkable town all over the state. And I think that we need to take heed of that
because before something happens and somebody gets hit and then this town is sued or or killed actually over there. Um it is it's people are crazy the way they drive around those corners over there. I mean it's it's the road is so tight. I mean I don't you don't live
over there. I mean Veronica knows because she walks. Okay. So she knows what I'm talking about. So I would I would appreciate if you would look into this >> on something on typically that on maintenance like that we send the emails to the DPW and it gets put on a list.
>> So in terms of this specific issue, this is what we've been telling everybody. >> But I'm asking you as our government body >> to state that this will be a priority like within 24 hours that this is just standard procedure. >> Well, with our with with that again our
we're still cleaning streets. So I understand. >> Yeah. So, so we really can't promise you that within 24 hours the walking path around Gilly or Hebrew or even the sidewalk in front of Deerhead Lake Beach would be cleared because we are still clearing streets. >> I understand. But they've never cleared them. Veronica.
>> No. >> Okay. I mean, I I walk >> and then we had to clear the walkways over for the schools, right? You know, to get them back into session. >> I'm just saying that this is an issue and I brought it up once before and no one has said anything about it. So this year we had two major storms within a
month >> and it's been difficult. >> So I'm just >> So you specifically just so I understand because I will explore it a little bit. >> Okay. >> Specifically, you're talking about the second lake sidewalks. >> No, the third lake. Third lake. >> Well, even the second lake it would be. >> Yeah. No, I mean both both of them
wherever per if you want to know my personal opinion is that all the public walkways that you are responsible for should be somewhat of a priority after the roads. Well, these are they are they so along they are well Manchester Avenue
was they the guys were out shoveling Manchester Avenue for they the schools became the priority in terms of sidewalk >> I understand schools so that's what I mean I'd have to do some research research to find out how they designate you know what areas to go to next what the what the order is
>> you could actually research it ordinance that says that the public walkways in this town will be cleared as soon as poss possible >> and we'll get back to you. >> Thank you very much. >> Appreciate it. >> Anything else from the public?
>> Come on up. >> Hello. >> Talking about walking. >> Um Veronica, >> I'm gonna say it again with complete streets and say >> I signed it. Good for you. Okay, so on March 7 to be a
>> just take one minute. We'll let them go out and that way you can talk because they got to go. They got things to do. >> Yep. >> Thank you guys. >> Thanks, guys. >> Thank you. >> It's on. Is it on? >> Yeah. Tommy would be out here if it wasn't on. >> It's on. It's on.
>> It's on. >> It's on. >> Okay. >> Kevin's still here. >> Okay. All right. So, >> is that okay? >> I'm very sure. We're good. Start over. >> Hi.
>> Good to be here and thank you everybody. So, um two programs that are coming up regarding walking safe streets in town, but these are for the state. So, there's two conferences. March 7th is the New Jersey bike and walk summit, which is
going to be in Princeton. um I would like to attend but it's 125 bucks and it's pretty much for townships to attend so you can learn the nomenclature of what's going on in the state. The other one that's free >> on Saturday. >> On a Saturday >> I I'm going to give you these. >> Okay. Thanks.
>> So um complete streets that uh conference is on April 21st. It's for public safety officials. I usually attend it. Um, so if you have a safety person in town and or a police officer that would be
>> available. It's Tuesday all day from 8:30 to 4 and it's at Ruckers and I'll be there. So, and then the other thing is I just want to thank everybody that um commented on Facebook regarding clearing of fire hydrants because this is also something that a resident is
responsible for as per the state of New Jersey. So, just to quell all the arguments about who's responsible for the fire hydrants, my dad was a fire chief. I'm just saying since I was a little kid, clear your fire hydrants 3 feet all the way around. It's your responsibility. It's your neighbor's
responsibility. My neighbors don't do it. So, I have shoveled two within a quarter mile area just to make sure that my house was safe. >> So, >> thank you. Thank you. >> Anything else from the public? >> Seeing none, I'll make a motion to close the floor. >> Second. >> All in favor? I
>> um now what are we doing? >> Comments from us. >> Oh yeah, that's right. Comments from us. Lose track. >> I got order. All right. Uh >> committee comments. Deputy Mayor Laorray. >> Well, first at the beginning of this meeting, I'm now realizing there may be
a three-way tie working between who talks faster, Steve, Amy, or my sister. >> No, no, no. Veronica's got it by far. >> But, uh, yes, it's actually a great
night tonight. And I'm I may repeat a few things the mayor has already said, uh, concerning the storm. I was kind of hoping the public works department would us be here a little bit, but I knew they had someplace to go. >> Their leaders here. That's >> I know the leaders are here, past and
present. But the one thing that frustrates me sometimes is the world is not perfect and neither is the weather. Mr. Bidnick, I'm a walker, too. I agree
with a lot what you say, but you know, things work in time. We can all improve. The homeowners can improve clearing their sidewalks around the hydrants. The town could probably do some improvement on theirs. But with that said,
first I want to thank our emergency management team who was active through this whole thing and the extraordinary work that they have done uh this storm and the past one by our first responders, Fort River Fire Department, Lenoka Harbors, Lacy EMS, the Lenoka
Harbor First Aid and the Lacy Township Police Department, and to the Department of Public Works and the MUA employees who had the huge task of clearing the storm for Lacy Lacy Township residents and the roadways.
But as Steve had alluded to, while at times having to do this, they get diverted from their primary task to ensure our all our first aid, fire departments, and police departments are plowed out and accessible. So besides the emergencies, the buildings also have
to be plowed out. And I'm sure the residents aren't aware that Lacy Township has approximately 240 miles of roadway times two because it's lane miles. You go up, you got to come
back. So there's 480 miles of roadway in this town. And as we know, in any type of storm of this magnitude, you got to go back and forth and keep doing it. It goes quicker if you don't get diverted
or have emergencies or other things. You know, this was this was a humongous task for these guys this time. The DPW, as most of us know, during a storm like this, first thing they do is try to clear the uh primary and main roadways
so emergency vehicles can get through. And if an emergency is called in, they could be pulled off their primary responsibility and have to do a secondary a secondary road so that the vehicles can get into uh whatever the
medical or police emergency is something where most people don't realize and I know how different things affect different people working in in um customer service all my life.
I for over 40 years. I'm a realist. You cannot please everybody and you never will because you can give people a pile of money and they'll complain about the denomination it's in. And when I put things into priority like with this storm, one thing I didn't
realize the town even has, do we make a decision of clearing the sidewalk or paying attention to the list of dialysis patients that we have around this town that the only way they can sustain life
is by making their treatments. The DBW makes its way to these people depending on their schedules. Their schedules are all over the place. But this is some of the stuff people don't realize. There's a lot to it. You know, usually the secondary roads
follow at times doing this, especially this storm. Overnight there was two to three inches falling at one time. Blizzard winds which made it almost impossible to keep up with. And this also affected the uh JCPNL workers who
it was dangerous to either touch the electric lines or go up poles because of the high winds. And with that, I don't know if most know we had a couple different states sent their electrical uh workers to our state to assist. So yes, it's disappointing. Your power
wasn't up as quick as you want to. um you had major areas, you had spot areas. So, it was all done uh when they could get to it. But this storm in particular, while it was going on, the DPW and MUA
workers were diverted from plowing for repairing broken equipment. Power went out. 10 workers had to be pulled just to get the generators up and running on our buildings and the pump stations >> and the traffic lights
>> and the traffic lights. I mean, the one thing is is whether your power was out or not, you still had water. >> So, do you plow or get the pump stations going? This is stuff that people don't really think of. It's quick and easy to
I say it constantly. I don't do social media for a reason because it's easy to get behind that screen and bash people before you realize what the real situation is out there. And you know, sometimes you just got to
take a step back and look at the reality of the situation. Twice our heavy equipment had to be pulled out of service to go up on the Parkway because our EMS vehicles were stuck. We were instructed by the state police, either get them out of there or
they will. So there takes time. We had to pull our equipment to go up on the Parkway and pull out vehicles. We had down trees, we had down poles, we had fires. So when you worry about, wow, my street
wasn't plowed as quick as I wanted to, take this all in consideration. We only have so many people working. So many things uh happen that we're unaware of. We had more calls. Steve gave me a number of calls. It was way
more than I even knew. But you got to realize the extent of these type of storms. We've had two very different, as Taylor even said, unprecedented type storms. Luckily, Rob and Taylor are both here because next
time, Taylor, you got to do it on your own. But all I can say for myself, I'm not going to talk for anybody else, is I could not appreciate and be more thankful for the workers we got in this
town, whether it's the DPW, the MUA, our volunteers, our emergency management team, and our employees at whole. Because if you don't like what you see here in Lacy and don't appreciate it, I got a real simple thing
for you to do. Just drive north or south on Route 9 to the adjoining communities. It's an eyeopener. Be thankful for what you do have. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Bob. Committeewoman Juliano. Well, I honestly you said everything that I would have liked to said, but what I would add to it is as a person who grew up in Hudson County, New Jersey, we had hills that were like this and we we didn't have an opportunity to
complain like people complain. So, I'm still trying to understand what everybody thinks about their driveway. It's something that's become a real like bug in my head. I don't understand. we all have to do our driveways. That if we had each of them stop and do each
person's driveway, we would never get done. So, the smart thing you do is you get out while the storm is happening and you take out and you take out and you keep taking it out. That's what I did. It it's it's, you know, and I'm by
myself so I know there'll be people out there. Well, no. I I don't understand where the selfishness has come in. And I think that's something we all need to think about. We these people went out and put themselves in harm's way as far as I'm
concerned because it's a state of emergency and they're out there working. Okay. I wouldn't have wanted to be out there. That's for sure. So I I I just just try out there in the public just keep it in mind that that sometimes the
things you say do affect people. They hurt. They dig deep and it's it's sinful that people say the things they say out there. On a much happier note, I'd like to thank the woman's club for all they do.
I I I see the pictures. It's just amazing. And the smiles and everything. And I know little Mary over here who's one of the dancers queen. She loves to dance. Mary does. >> Hi, Mary. We used to dance at school all
the time. So, and what's this young lady's name over here? >> This is Cheyenne. >> Hi, Cheyenne. How are you? >> M. Hi, Michael. How are you? I see all the pictures, so I get to see all these faces here. >> Yes, they are. That's wonderful. And I'm
so glad you the women's club is doing this. It's a wonderful thing. And thank you, Peter, for bringing this to our attention. It really is very nice of you to do that. Um, what else did I want to say? Oh, goodness. Oh, back to Taylor. Just wanted to say, Taylor, we are here. You pick up the phone, you need
something from us, you need us to help you get something done, just let us know, okay? You have we have your back. >> Thank you. That's all, mayor. >> Thank you, Peggy. Committee Men Cortello. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah. If you haven't been to a women's um commission event, a
women's club event, we went and that uh our community hall was full and a lot of our special needs community was there and they need and deserve recognition and place and uh I just couldn't believe it. I mean, there was nowhere to really even stand. It there were just so many
people and uh so thank you for telling us a little bit about what you're about because it's a good part of our community. It's it's not just me, everybody. You heard committeewoman Julian, everybody up here collectively wanted to hear from you and thank you all for coming for our DPW. You know, we
we fielded a lot and the mayor more than most because he's holding the mayor seat of um different issues people brought up. A lot of the stuff that you might not see during the back end of it to stand up for the DPW, the police, the fire, the EMS. Think of an ambulance
trying to get through that stuff too. is, you know, when I I talk to the mayor and it's not me. I know it's been done a long time before me. I'll call both association presidents at Feeasant Run and at Seabbze and I'll say, "How you doing with your bed bound? How you doing with your diialysis patients?" So, Pete,
the chief's on it. You know, we we're we're we're talking about it already. A lot of those folks get on meals on wheels delivered from Ocean County. Um, so there's there's some needs in the community, especially when you talk about seniors. So, that's that stuff. people see a plow going down the road
and hearing the beep beep beep when when a big truck backs up, >> but it's the behind the scenes planning stuff and I know the mayor's been involved um many times as we all are when we're sitting in that seat uh with office of emergency management with um getting edicts down from the government
with declarations of um disaster. So there's I just ask for we serve you Mr. Biddick's right. A lot of people that come up to the microphone are right. We're working for you and uh I will say that um you know I appreciate the comments. There is a lot that goes on
behind the scenes and I appreciate your patience and just move on to a couple other things now and I'll I'll be I promise I'll be shorter than Committeeman Laray. We kid because we care and I love the I'm telling you I love the guy. He's been here
>> well last time last meeting I was accused of being too short. So, I asked Stephen if I if I could bank it. No waybody. >> I know. I'm going to wrap it up really quickly. I just >> I think it's important as an American uh to recognize our men's and women's hockey team that won the gold medal.
>> Fantastic. >> You know, they made us proud. And that one kid, he's in his early 20s. He's from the Devils. I care. We're all New Jersey Devils fans last night. You know, Buffalo beat them, but I if I could have been there, I would have been there. And
um uh Yeah, what a what a feeling of pride that was on a on a Sunday morning. So, and I do hope the girls go to the to the White House, too. It's not political. It's just being a good American. >> Um, our Veterans Commission is going to
meet on December 10th, Tuesday, at 5. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I made a mistake. >> March 10th. >> Okay. >> March 10th. I thought the R for wreck was a D for DEC, but it's RECC. I made a mistake. It's uh March 10th at the
Wreck, not the December building. >> That's December. >> At the Wreck Building at 5:00 PM. If you're a veteran or you know a veteran, it doesn't matter if you're a a man or a woman, come because we want to hear from you. We're going to be planning our Memorial Day event with a lot of our
great citizens. So that's uh Tuesday the uh March 10th at the Wreck Building at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow uh Municipal Alliance lunchon uh a wonderful lunchon. There's going to be a lady there who spoke behind a microphone and wrote a book on dementia that we got uh one in three
people over 60 in our county. And I will end with this um because not all sunshine and rainbows, but I got to because I got to. My schools reported in the uh uh local media that they may be up to 5 million short again this year.
So my responsibility, I don't speak for everybody, but I know they feel the same way. I'm looking out for the wallets and when property taxes go up, that is a direct correlation to your property value. And I swore on January 1st, 2025, when I was good enough to sit in the two
chairs to my left, that was going to be my top priority. Watch your bottom line. It's the biggest thing we all have. Uh there's a lot of needs in our town. None of these trucks are cheap. None of these wants, excuse me, wrong word. None words matter. None of these needs are are
cheap. Medical benefits going up. Um so I'm giving you my pledge. I'm I'm looking out for your property value. When I say me, I know we all are and there's going to be some very difficult choices coming up because the belts are uh they're pretty tight and um the
medical benefits alone are something remarkable. So, sorry to end on a let's let's think about USA hockey. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Be Comm. >> Thank you, Mayor Jimmy. So, our plows were out for 30 hours straight. Think
about that for a second. in a what a word they use that I've never heard of a snow bomb, >> right? >> I've never heard of that before. It's always been a blizzard. And if anybody's driven in snow, hard snow, you know what it's like when those lights are on. It's all coming into your to your windshield.
That's not easy to do. And so my last text to Rob today was I wanted to know how much equipment we had out on the road. He couldn't give me an exact answer, but he said between 35 and 40 pieces of equipment. Now, Mr. Bnik
himself was down in Atlantic City and he put a post out on his website that he was Atlantic City and saw plows everywhere. So, I Googled that real quick and see how many plows Atlantic City had. 2300.
>> Oh my. >> Wow. >> 2300 plows. one per >> New York City 2,200 plows. >> Think about that. Now, I don't know how many people in Atlantic City, but there's what 9 10 million people in New
York City. So, I'm sure a lot of those plows came from the casinos to make sure that those guys could get in there and lose money. I'm sure I am sure of that. So that that kind of irked me a little bit because I'd like to get some of the
casinos to dump some money to us because it's our people going down there. They're going to lose some money. So that being said, now the governor had a little press conference today. We're $3 billion in debt.
>> The budget. Now, I know a little bit about budgets, but how do you go over your budget by $3 billion? You know that you set the budget and you got to say, "I'm going to spend $10 million." Well, when you get to close to
10 million, you shut it off unless you get a loan from somebody else to to go forward. And I got to thinking because people three billion, we use the word billion a lot. A billion dollars of $20 bills weighs
110,000 pounds. So think about that. 110,000. I looked it up. >> I couldn't figure that out. >> Too much time. >> So I just, >> you know, it's in it's insane. It's
insane. And she also said, and she put this out, there will be cuts to be made. And guess where one of them is going to be? >> The schools. >> Schools. the schools will be cut. So get ready people. It's coming. It's And I've
I've expected it. I know we've talked about to other people. We've been expecting this. So is it right? No. Is it fair? Absolutely not. When you consider that Newark got an extra $155 million last year for their for their
school and they're out in Hawaii with junkets for the administration and just it's just a mess. So with that, again, I want to thank Rob. Wish you nothing but the best of luck. Are you ready?
>> Born ready. >> You were born ready. >> Love that. >> Okay. I don't think you're going to have any more crazy snowstorms this year. >> But next year, you I guarantee you there's going to be one or two that you know, you can call Casey for the gun to
blow your head off. You know, you're you're going to need it. But no, I just want to thank everybody and the patience that you need. And I want to tell a quick story. >> Monday night, I'm out there cleaning the front end of my driveway
out and I see a plow coming down. Now, I live at the beginning of a culde-sac and there's a lefthand turn you can make. And I'm going, damn, he's going to blow it all in. I'm going to have to be out here for another 30, 40 minutes. Nope. Now, mind you, the bottom part of the
culde-sac had not been plowed. He comes down, makes a lefthand turn, and keeps keeps going. I'm sitting there going, "Well, how am I going to get cuz I had to go to work Tuesday morning." So, thank God I I was able to get out. And they came by Tuesday afternoon. My wife
texted me, let me know. They finally came down and plowed it out. But that I didn't get plowed out till Tuesday. And I think that, you know, that's it's it people complain. And I was looking on Facebook. What are you doing? Why do you want to go out?
>> Yeah, right. >> Why do you want to go out in this? >> There's nothing open. They're all closed. Where are you going? You know, I mean, if you want to walk, okay, walk, but you're going to have to walk in the street until they get around to doing
that, taking care of the sidewalks. >> So, with that, I'll end it. Mayor, it's all Thank you very much. >> I just have one little add on. I forgot to say this and I don't want to not say it. So, there's um three secretaries in the back in the DPW and then our secretaries here in our clerk's office
and our clerk um received >> uh endless amounts of phone call. I'll just I'll just use that word, okay? Endless amount of phone calls. And I just wanted to say thank you to them publicly because they had to tolerate an awful lot too and we we're very
appreciative of what they can do too for us. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Peggy. Now I'm going to take my 20 minutes. Mine will be short. So yeah. No, again I just also want to thank um all the uh just acknowledge the extraordinary work done by all the first responders in
Lacy, the police, the EMS, the fire companies and DPW. It was a tremendous amount of work and truly thank you. Um some township items. I attended the Lacy Science Fair last Thursday. Um and uh there was a projects were really
elaborate. They far exceeded my poster of stick figures back when I mean just really spent a lot of time on those projects. So you can tell they care and really did a great job on it. Um our tax collector report came out uh
this week. I think that'll be online. Um our collection rate was 99.48%. So obviously people still like owning property in Lacy Township. And one final thing, um the obligation on on a township to provide affordable housing
is not going away. A group uh so a couple years ago we're invited every every all these towns were to invited to sue the state over their their affordable housing obligations and we did not join. We typically don't join in into group lawsuits like that because they don't usually farewell. Well, they
lost and then they appealed it to this the New Jersey Supreme Court. They lost and they just this week appealed it to the US Supreme Court where they declined to hear it which is a loss. So that obligation is not going away for any municipalities. So those are my
comments. Cut the tape motion one more item. >> Sorry. Resolution 2026-96 resolution the township county of Ocean State New Jersey authorizing the convening of an executive session in accordance with the open public meetings act to discuss matters of personnel pending anticipated litigation and matters of real estate.
>> Move it. Second, >> Miss Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Ko, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennis, >> yes. Motion to adjourn. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I got the tape. >> Thank you, everybody. >> Got the tape. It's cut, I believe.