Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the open public meetings act pursuant to public laws 1975. Said notice was advertised in the Asbury Park press and the beacon and was posted on the bulletin board showing the time and place of the meeting. Will everyone 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, the Coast Guard Auxiliary here. >> Yes. Yes, they are. >> You guys want to come up? >> So, item one, proclamation recognizing National Safe Boating Week, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 79.
Wherever you'd like to sit or stand stand up here. Yes. So we can >> Welcome guys. Whereas recreational boating is a significant part of the heritage and lifestyle of Lacy Township, New Jersey, providing residents with endless opportunities for enjoyment on
Barnaga Bay in our beautiful waterways. And whereas the safety of our boating community is of paramount importance and the prevention of accidents and fatalities requires a commitment to education, preparedness, and responsible behavior. And whereas the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillaa 7-9 of
Lacy Township serves as a vital partner in maintaining maritime safety through its unwavering dedication to public service and education. And whereas flotillaa 79 works in works tirelessly to promote safe boating practices by providing essential safe boating courses
including upcoming classes on May 2nd, June 13th, and July 11th, and offering free vessel safety checks at marinas throughout Lacy Township, ensuring that local boers are both knowledgeable and properly equipped. And whereas flotillaa 79 works diligently to promote safe
boating practices including the critical importance of wearing life jackets which remain the most effective tool in preventing drowning. And whereas the flotilla further enhances the safety of our community. Now therefore be it proclaimed that I, Stephen Kennes, mayor of Lacy Township, on my on behalf of myself and the township committee, do
hereby proclaim May 16 through 22nd, 2026 as National Safe Boating Week in Lacy Township and and encourage all Boers to make safety a priority whenever enjoying our enjoying our waterways. I further commend the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 7-9 for their
continued education and outstanding efforts in promoting safe boating practices and helping to keep our waterways safe for all. Thank you very much. >> NICE. >> If you want to come around and pitch because the mayor will stand here with them. >> Go that way.
>> Go out there and you can get right in front of them. >> Come on. Go in the middle >> and they'll turn around. >> That's okay. Gentlemen, come around to him so that they get he gets some good pitches and we're out of the way. As the proclamation said, uh we're here to to
support the the voting community and and uh make sure everyone stays safe. Uh the safe voting classes, as was mentioned, uh the next one is uh June 13th and the one after that is July 11th. And we look forward to having uh residents and and
uh voters uh join us for the classes. >> Thank you very much. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, gentlemen. Awesome. >> Item two, special use permit car show at 2200 Lacy Road on June 13th, 2026.
>> Um, this is a private residence, 2200 Lacy Road, west of the Parkway. Um, they've done some car shows there in the past. They're looking to do a car show on June 13th um with a rain date of June 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Um they will have a food truck at the event and the event is to benefit Angels in the
Infield, which is a nonprofit um focused on providing um baseball equipment, clothing, and other um necessities for families in poverty strucking communities. >> Move it. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. Item three, special use permit for Forgotten Room on May 16th, 2026,
October 3rd, 2026, and December 5th, 2026. >> The Forgotten Room is looking to do um an outdoor vendor event um on these three dates in their parking lot. So, it's May 16th from 11 to 4, October 3rd from 11 to 4:00, and December 5th from 5:00 to 9:00. Um there'll be various
vendors and a food truck on site, and there's no rain for these events. Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> pot extension request at 835 Chelsea Street. resident at 8:35. Um, Chelsea Street is asking for a two-month extension on the pod permit that they have. Um, so that
would bring us to July 18th. Their insurance provider uh told them that the reason for all of the delays um is due to the large number of local claims that they had from this winter. >> How many extensions have we given them? >> This would be their first one from the governing body. >> Be the first one from the governing
body. Correct. So, they want to go out 60 days. >> Yes. >> So, July. >> July. Mhm. July 18th. I'll make that motion. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> All right. Item five, captains in and the waterfront and the waterfront
request for noise ordinance waiver. >> We received a request from both um captains in and the waterfront um to extend the noise ordinance just as we did last summer. So, those restrictions were um allowing uh amplified sound until 11:00 p.m. on select days between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day
weekend. So those days would include Fridays, Saturdays, and the evening prior to a holiday weekend. >> Move it. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> Move it. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I move to the township meeting. 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 is advertised in the Asbury Park press and the beacon and was posted on the bolton board showing the time and place of the meeting. Um item one uh second reading ordinance 2026-10
amending chapter 21 of the township code entitled parks. >> An ordinance of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey amending and supplementing chapter 261 of the township code of the township of Lacy entitled parks. This is the second reading. So we'll open the floor to public comment. This is to uh increase
the whitet fees and the beach badge fees. >> Seeing none make a motion to close the floor. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Motion on the ordinance. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keratollo? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray? >> Yes. >> Mayor K?
>> Yes. >> Second reading ordinance 2026-11 setting salaries for the CWA union. >> An ordinance of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey amending an ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey affixing and determining the salaries, wages, and
compensation for the officers, employees, and members of the governing body of the township. This is specifically for the um clerical union employees. Second reading. Open the floor to public comment. >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Move it. >> All in. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion on the ordinance. >> Move it.
>> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cutoo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay? >> Yes. >> Mayor Kenneth? >> Yes. Resolution 2026 147 authorizing the budget to be read by title only. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the reading of the budget by
title only. Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kylo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray? >> Yes. >> Mayor Kenneth? >> Yes. Does uh opening the floor to public comment on the 2026 municipal budget?
>> Come on up. >> Please state your name for the record. >> Yes, of course. Richard Bidnik, Lacy, Citizens for Responsible Government. Can you tell us what the percentage is of this tax increase? Um, >> Miss Cabello, >> it's a 4.3 cent increase, which is
7.66%. >> Okay. And can you tell me exactly how what the dollar amount is that you're um going to be collecting in increased taxes by this tax increase? >> The total tax levy is 24,786,73.9.
>> And how much of an increase is that? That's the amount I wanted to know was what is the difference between the current with the increase of the tax increase. What is the dollar amount of just the tax increase? >> You're asking from last year to this year.
>> Correct. >> You got it. Okay. That's1,852,8780. >> Okay. And how much of that is just going to employee health insurance? >> That's over $2 million. >> Over $2 million. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Anything else from the public? Oh, here
he comes. Joe Bransford 113 Amber Miss Way just a question since we I know we're supposed to make statements and not questions but is the tax rate going to be 607 >> per 100? >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Anything else from the public? >> Seeing none make Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you over there, Steve. Sorry about that. Right. >> We all >> about you guys. >> State your name, please. >> Uh Steve Borrow, Fork of River. I'm
concerned about how the 2026 budget I'm looking at. There's a lot of things you're buying, but a lot of them are probably needed. Does this budget affect the $29 million debt that the township has? Is it going to reduce it, leave it
the same, increase it? What's the answer of that? >> Go ahead, Linda. >> We'll have a reduction from a down payment we will have to make on the existing debt. And then you will be taking out another bond ordinance to increase. >> I didn't understand the last thing you said.
>> We will have both. We'll make a down payment on the existing debt which will reduce it and we'll also borrow more which will increase. >> Overall, it'll be >> overall it will go down or up? >> Up? >> Up. >> By how many million?
The bond ordinance won't be borrowed until actually already three. It's $3 million more. >> So it would be 32 million >> and then you have to take a million off. >> Well, thank you for that not so good
news. >> Anything else from the public? >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> uh resolution 2026 148 adopting the municipal budget.
>> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey adopting the local municipal budget of the township of Lacy for the fiscal year 2026. General appropriations for municipal purposes is $45,163,82422. Reserve for uncollected taxes is
$1,864,51.78. Total general appropriations is $47,27,876. Less anticipated revenues is 22,241,1725. And the amount to be raised by taxes for support of municipal budget is $24,786,73.95.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kuruto? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay? >> Yes. >> Mayor Kent? Yes. Resolution 2026149 awarding a contract for the purchase and installation of security cameras for
Lacy Township facilities. Resolution of the Township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract for the purchase and installation of security cameras to Gridless Power for Lacy Township facilities in the amount of $84,9860. >> Move it. >> Second.
>> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cerutoo. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Gennis, >> yes. Resolution 2026150, awarding a contract for the purchase and installation of additional walkway lighting at Gilly Park.
>> Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey, awarding a contract for the purchase and installation of additional walkway lighting at Gilly Park to Worsher Electric Supply Company Incorporated in the amount of $99,961.3. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Second,
>> Mrs. Miss Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Cerutoo, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026151, awarding a contract for the purchase of a Samurai Boom mower. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey,
awarding a contract to Cherry Valley Tractor Sales for the purchase of a Samurai Boom mower in the amount of $191,24655. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kerlo. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennis,
>> yes. Resolution 2026152, awarding a contract for the purchase of a 2026 Mason dump body. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey, awarding a contract for the purchase of a 2026 Mason dump body to Dejanna Truck and Utility Equipment in the amount of
$17,540. >> Move it. >> Second. >> U Mr. McDonald? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keratollo? >> Yes. Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026153, awarding a contract for the purchase of
a 2026 Ford F-250 Super Cab with plow system. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey, awarding a contract for the purchase of one 2026 Ford F250 Super Cab with snowplow system to United Ford in the amount of $67,265.
>> Move it. Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Certolo, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 154 awarding a contract for the purchase of three uh
three striker stair chair prochairs and power load proare service for Lenoka Harbor EMS. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Striker Medical to provide equipment for the Lenoka
Harbor EMS in the amount of $36,25266. >> Move it. Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kerutoo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 155, awarding a contract for an ambulance remount for
Lenoka Arbor EMS. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey, awarding a contract to VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists to provide one ambulance remount switch for the Lenoka Harbor EMS. This is in the amount of $9,529.
>> Move it. Second, >> Mr. Laay, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Cerutoo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 156 awarding a contract for an ambulance remount for Lacy EMS. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey,
awarding a contract to VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialist to provide one ambulance remount for the Lacy Emergency Medical Services in the amount of $174,93416. >> Move it. Second, >> Mr. Mr. Hertolo. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Lay. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Resolution 2026 157 awarding a contract for the purchase and installation of a generator for the police department. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Cumins Motor and
Generator Company for the purchase and installation of a generator for the police department. This is in the amount of $44,250. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. Yes, >> Mr. Futoo. >> Yes, >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes, >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026158 awarding a contract for bodywn camera system upgrade. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Motorola Solutions in care of wireless communications and electronics for bodywn camera system.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> Um, >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Curyo, >> yes. Mayor Kenneth. >> Yes. Resolution 2026 159 awarding a contract for the purchase of a radar
speed alert trailer. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract for the purchase of a radar speed alert 24AS5 trailer for the Lacy Township Police Department to All Traffic Solutions in the amount of $17,65.65.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Certo? >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray? Yes. >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Resolution 2026160 awarding a contract for the purchase and installation of of a case cracker
interview room recording system server. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Mac camera for the purchase and installation of Case Cracker interview room recording system server for the police department. This is in the amount of $9,445. >> Move it.
>> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keratollo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lurray. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kennis. >> Yes. Resolution 2026 161 awarding a contract for the purchase of two police vehicles. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey
awarding a contract for the purchase of two 2026 Ford utility interceptor vehicles to Winter Ford of Cherry Hill. This is in the amount of $90,734. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keratollo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Kennet. Yes. Resolution 2026162 awarding a contract for the purchase of two DSR1 antenna radar systems. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Stalker Radar in care of applied concepts for two DSR1
antenna radar systems. This is in the amount of $5,238. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cutoo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Resolution 2026 163 awarding a
contract for the purchase of equipment for police vehicles. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Elite Vehicle Solutions for vehicle equipment for multiple police vehicles. This is in the amount of $3,327.18.
>> Move it. >> Second, >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. Keratollo, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 164 awarding a contract for the purchase of an off-road vehicle for the police department.
>> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Tom's River Motorsports for the purchase of an off-road vehicle for the police department. This is in the amount of $11,49. >> Move second. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray,
>> yes. >> Mr. Cutoo, >> yes. >> Mayor Cats, >> yes. Resolution 2026 165 awarding a contract for the purchase of additional equipment for police vehicles. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State, New Jersey, awarding a contract to Elite Vehicle Solutions for vehicle equipment for
multiple police vehicles. This is in the amount of 47,775.15. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Curutoo, >> yes. >> Mr. Laay, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 166 awarding a
contract for the purchase of e printers and readers for police vehicles. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to wireless communications and electronics for the purchase of e printers and readers for the new police vehicles. This is in the
amount of $4,13710. >> Uh Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Lay, >> yes. >> Mr. Curuto, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026167 awarding a contract for the purchase of portable radios for the police department. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy
County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Motorola Solutions in care of wireless communications and electronics for the purchase of mobile and portable radios for the police department in the amount of $29,4832. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. McDonald.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Curuto, >> yes. >> Mr. Laay, >> yes. Mayor Cats. >> Yes. Resolution 2026. Did I just do that one? Uh 168. >> 168. >> I'm on 168. >> Correct. >> Awarding a contract for the purchase of
computer equipment for the police department. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Dell Technologies for the purchase of computer equipment for the police department in the amount of $19,7472. >> Move it. >> Second.
>> Mrs. Juliano. Yes. >> Mr. Certolo. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Kenneth, >> yes. Resolution 2026 169 awarding a contract for janitorial services. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract for janitorial
services to Tai Cleaning Machine Commercial Cleaning Services in an amount not to exceed $112,000 for 2026. >> Second, >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Kero, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes,
>> yes. Resolution 2026170 urging state leaders to implement implement reforms to mitigate the rising costs of health benefits for public sector employees. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey urging state leaders to implement fair and equitable reforms to mitigate the unsustainable increases in health
benefit premiums for public sector employees. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Laay, >> yes. >> Mr. Cerutoo, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 171 authorizing the execution of a discharge of mortgage for
an affordable housing deed restriction. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the execution of a discharge of mortgage for 805 Cypress Court in Fork River, New Jersey. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Cutoo, >> yes.
>> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 172 appointing Veronica Laray as the acting municipal clerk for the May 28th 2026 meeting. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey
appointing Veronica Laray as temporary acting acting municipal clerk for the May 28th 2026 committee meeting. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fertolo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay. >> Uh only if she can handle it. I'm hoping
I can get back on that horse and, you know, ride it, you know. >> Mayor Kenneth. >> Yes. Resolution 2026 173 authorizing a medical leave of absence for the clerk's office. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State, New Jersey, authorizing an intermittent leave of
absence for Lisa Mlau in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. >> Move it. Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laay, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Certo, >> yes. >> May, >> yes. Resolution 2026 174 authorizing the appointment of
seasonal employees for the public works department. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State, New Jersey, authorizing the employment of seasonal employees for the Department of Public Works. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes.
>> Mr. Cerutoo, >> abstain. >> Mayor Kenneth, >> yes. Resolution 2026 175 authorizing the cancellation of a tax lean for block 105 lot 22. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean City, New Jersey authorizing the cancellation of a tax
lean to property owner declaring bankruptcy prior to the tax sale. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. Keratollo, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes, >> yes. Resolution 2026 176 authorizing the
refund of deposit monies >> resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State, New Jersey authorizing the refund of deposits held for the use of municipal facilities. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennes,
>> yes. Resolution 2026 177 authorizing the payment of township bills. >> Resolution of the town of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the payment of township bills. This is in the amount of 19,475,6081. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald.
>> Yes. And I'll abstain on T 0035. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kerollo. >> With noted abstension. Yes. Um R5890. >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Monthly reports.
>> Okay. For the month of April, the municipal clerk's office collected receipts in the amount of $5,91.76. For the month of March, the municipal court collected receipts in the amount of $15,416.67. Okay. >> For the month of April, the um road
opening permits were collected in the amount of $3,645. Recycling commodity in the amount of $642. Truck parking in the amount of $8,000. Uh, municipal docks for the month of
February, $2,795. For the month of March, $43,225. And the month of April for docs, $67,860. And the Department of Community Development for the month of April collected receipts in the amount of
$88,73. Motion to accept the reports as read. Move it. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to approve caucus meeting minutes of April 23rd, 2026. Move. Second. >> Abstain. >> Yeah, we're doing a roll. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Certo. >> Abstain. >> Mayor Cass. >> Yes. Motion to approve township meeting minutes of April 23rd, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keratollo? >> Abstain. >> Mayor Kennes.
>> Yes. Motion to approve executive session meeting minutes of April 23rd, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lay. >> Yes. Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keratollo. >> Abstain. >> Mayor Kennis. >> Yes. Motion to approve caucus meeting minutes of May 7, 2026.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I abstain as I was not present. >> Roll call vote. >> That's right. I got it. >> Got it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Comments from the public. >> Bring them on up. I know what this is about. State your
name for the record. >> Kevin Flynn for River. >> YMCA. >> What are we looking at? A price tag? >> Approximately $40 million >> and the payment on that would be >> roughly $3.2 million over 30 years.
>> Over 30 years. Will that increase our taxes? >> It will depending on how it gets financed. Yes. >> If they borrow the money from you, obviously that's the plan. So >> yes, that's the plan. They're it's going to increase our taxes. >> Correct.
>> And most likely they will be charging the residents of the town to be members. Correct. I'm guessing. >> Correct. All those details have >> I mean I'm just trying to get a couple, you know, I know the financial stuff you would know about the other membership
stuff is on their side. Okay. Um the problem here is uh the bank is next door. They walked in the wrong building. The why I'm not against the Y coming to town. The problem is is the township does not belong in the financial
business if it's going to raise our taxes. The bank is next door just like everybody else that wants to build something. They go get a loan at the bank. They don't need to be coming here and raising our taxes. And I looked at the plans. I looked at the plants and I the police
station belongs over there because it was only two years ago that the comment was made up here that they're working in the hallways at the police station. So why are we not building a new police station over there instead of the YMCA?
Because they they outgrew that building 10 years ago. You know there's a problem over there but you keep ignoring it. And the town is not getting any smaller. They need a new police station. >> So I shame on this committee for entertaining the thought of raising our
taxes so someone else can build a building. The bank is across the street. >> Yes, sir. >> So it's going out for referendum. It is. >> Okay. So everybody out there, TV land, YouTube, Tik Tok, or however you're
watching or listening to this meeting, vote no because if you vote yes, your taxes are going up. >> Jim, you really want to follow that? >> No. >> Jim Latoy, Lacy Township. Quick question. I have several questions for the committee. So, as I ask a question,
waiting for a response. Is the clock running on me? Okay. >> Uh, first of all, I'd like to make a statement. The police department was outgrown the day we went in there because of a vote of no confidence. They cut off the back wing for patrol
division. FBI came and seized 2.5 million back on that grant. So, did you reach out to the YMCA or they reach out to you? >> They reached out to us. When I say you, I mean, >> they reached out to us, to me personally.
>> Okay. No. All right. I I'm just asking because there's other organizations like Boy Club and Girls Club of America, PL, which this town rejected in the 80s. That wouldn't cost you any tax dollars. Uh, are you going to occupy any spaces in
the building? >> So, those details have not all been worked out yet. I mean, if we're building a 64,000 foot YMCA recreational building, there's no sense of maintaining a recreational building. I >> So, right now, the plan is to we're not going to disband the recck department
because we do have other things to that. >> No, I didn't say disband. I just said sheer places. You know, a funny thing after last meeting when I spoke went out to dinner and met a gentleman that just completed a six-year program of 100 plus million dollars on the P3 program which
stands for public private partnership just for the public. >> And when I discussed why he gave very stern warnings because it's a lot more difficult than an infrastructure project. Anyway,
uh, is the YMCA, like many of them do, going to house homeless people, transitional people coming out of prison like North does, my hometown, and that's part of YMCA
program. And just so what people want to know when they use that nice term transitional, these are drug addicts, rapists, child abusers, robbers transitioning back into public. And as the three of you served on the planning
board with me, the governor two years or a year and a half ago entered a transitional housing that Lacy had to adopt that could have up to 10 males in a single family house with one bathroom. That's not single family.
Uh now other than just the men coming out of four women coming out of prison, they have shelters, homeless shelters. They have dinner rooms. And like I said, they NORC has actually 200 separate
apartments for families as part of their YMCA. Are they going to be part of this program or prohibit it? >> We don't I mean we there's nothing signed yet. though. >> It's all the details that have to be worked out in a contract, but that was never on the table and has never been
discussed. >> Excuse me for one second, Jim. I would appreciate no comments and conversations going on back there because we are having problems with our our speakers here. So, it carries into there. So, if you wouldn't mind just not having all
those conversations. Okay. Thank you. Go ahead, Jim. >> Thank you. And another program. Are you aware that YMCO has a program? Yes. Youth experience uh emergency services between the ages of 13 and 17. They
house now. Is the game farm still up and running? >> Yes. >> So, you're going to have more of them here. >> It's not part of the program. >> It Well, it's part of their program and I'm >> Well, but it's not part of our facility that we have been in conversation with them.
If we're funding it, we're the municipality has the right to re restrict what's there. >> Oh, definitely. >> The use there. >> Uh I mean, you're talking about >> We haven't even gone. >> We haven't even gotten that far. >> We're not even in that. Not even close.
>> No, I agree. Thank you for bringing No, definitely bring it up because I had a nice dinner with this gentleman and he gave me a lot of advice what to look at and this is different things. >> Oh, good. and there's only 13 firms in the state of New Jersey authorized to do these
programs and he's one of them. Uh the other things I have now funding gentleman talked about the taxes that we're going to use. Municipalities can fund with open lands management act but you don't have one. But you know who
does? The county. County taxes every one of us in Ocean County. They have open land management. they could go into a program using that funds at no cost to the taxpayers and because we know it's going to be open to the whole count actually it's going to
be open to the general public so they're going to be bring ifs overflowing and you have this situation >> come on down and I remember >> when I talked about the pal back in the 80s the mayor at that time turned around and said we don't want bus pe bus loads of
people coming from North Jersey I said just the ones that had the cash to buy the houses, I guess. But there's some serious issues you have here and it has to be nipped in the bud because they may have two pools there. You know, every high school is going to get have a swim
team now and everything else and people from all over is going to come in. But these are a lot of and I don't want to use the word, but these are people that are homeless for a lot of reasons. financials, some of them, drugs are some other, mental illness is a great deal.
And New Jersey, like everybody else, closed all down facilities like Marvel because it was so cruel because it's okay for them to live in the streets. Uh, so I would like to forward to Veronica some of the materials I'm reading and I would
like to see to inform the public >> that it gets posted on the website so the general public can see what statutes to read or whatever to read because there's a ton of it. And as you know, >> first I'd have to have the attorney review it to make sure that it's a, you
know, because again, we didn't solicit that information ourselves. We don't know where you got that from. So, I don't know how factual it is or isn't. So, I >> I got I got it from the state of New Jerseys website. So, I don't trust them either. >> Well, well, agree that we can agree on that. >> Yeah. But before I post anything that
becomes factual >> and and the one thing I'm going to tell you, and nothing against our attorney, nothing. >> You need a specialist that knows what's going on with this program. So, that's an additional cost >> that's going to happen. >> We understand. We've been these are all the talks that we're still talking
about. And the other thing while you're allowed to do this under all these conditions obviously you're going to get give them the land as a lease I hope and not give them as permanent >> right so I know I'm sorry loan lease >> land and a building
>> we're going to own it all >> right >> because they're not taking up the whole portion of the land there's still land there that could be utilized for something >> I I understand I just want to make because there's two ways to do it one you donate the land as mon monetary thing, right?
>> But if you don't want to spend taxpayers money, re and the statute allows the county to do it as well, go into a partnership with him or them. >> So, we're still exploring some of those avenues, >> but I'm just giving you the this is the broad strokes of what we what we're
where we're at right now. >> But if you really want to get your eyes open, go look at Newarks and you'll be shocked. >> Wait a second, Mr. Latelli. One question if I can. Mayor, >> um, you brought up stuff today that I I
had no idea about as far as how I have no desire to house or subsidize anybody coming out of prison on a lacy tax dollar. That was never part of any discussion. I don't think it's going to be there. But what I will say is even if this township is able to put a
restrictive endorsement in astutely what Mayor Kennes pointed out as a land use professional, we don't know what rules and I'll have comments on accessory dwelling units and during my comments. We don't know what rules the state's going to come out with. So they they may throw our restrictive
endorsement in the guard. I don't know. So if that is part of it, >> I'm not part of it. So, I don't know what's coming down from Trenton. And what you just said tonight is a revelation to me. >> Be restricted is by cutting that square
footage off the building. No, that is not going in the building. We're not leaving void at empty rooms that can later be open. Like I said, those of us that serve on the plan board knows what the governor did. You got homeless
people out of jail, transition, nice words, to life in here. I just hope they're not your neighbors. >> So, let's just let's just be the YMCA is a class one organization. It just never >> I used to go to the Y in Newark. You can't go to Newark
>> if you don't want to get shot, stabbed, or whatever. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Just state your name again. >> Uh Steve Borrow Fork River, New Jersey. Um some of the some of the questions about the YMCA were covered by the two
gentlemen before me. So, I did do a a lot of research and my uh advice to you people is to before you make a commitment of substantial money, you should do thorough research. Reach out, put it out to us, let me know. I'll
research it because what I'm saying is even though you're saying it's a cost of 49 million, Steve, >> 40 >> 40 of the over the course of a 30-year mortgage, it's more like 70. So that's the true number you got to figure in. Just like when you buy a a car or a
house, you got to figure the taxes and other fees. >> When you buy a building, you got to figure out what the mortgage interest is going to be and how in debt are we going to further go.
So, I'm going to ask a few questions and to build a new YMCA, which now I know is going to be our building. And uh where does the funding come from? >> So, taxpayers right now, right?
>> Taxpayers >> right now. >> Okay. Because, you know, in what I researched, you could get private donations, capital campaigns, which might be a fancy word for taxes, >> local business contributions, and
significant government grants or loans. >> Um, according to my investigations, the taxpayers will pay no matter what about 72% of the final cost >> of employees of the building. So we're not paying for
employees. >> You're not paying for employees. >> Nope. >> So >> you own the building, but you're not paying the employees. >> These are this is this is the highle numbers, right? So this is not with any there's still a possibility of potential grants. Everything you just mentioned is
is still on the table. Uh advertising revenue, um all those things are not ironed out yet and are all options. So this is the I guess the the top level discussion I guess is the best way I could put it. And yes, so we are not we
are not running the uh the Y. We are we're not going to have any. >> So is the Y going to have a CEO? >> Well, they have a CEO because there's a number of there's they're in charge of a number of of Y's. Is that the only >> So there would be no CEO do doiciled here. Well, there there's I believe
there's in in this YMCA system, I believe there's seven or eight YMCA's in the system >> in New Jersey. >> No, in in the Jerseyore of the Jersey Shore. >> The Y of the Jersey. It consists of I don't know where they are. Tom's River. >> Well, they're going to service our building. So, we're going to have to pay
some CEO whether they're sitting in a chair here or traveling. Oh, we won't we won't have to pay anything towards the CEO salary. >> We're going to we're It's the building. Okay. So, that means that we won't have to pay the employees. >> We're not going to have any employees.
>> They will be they will be employees or the YMCA. >> We're we are leasing the building to the Y and they're responsible for everything else. That's essentially how it works. >> And uh what would be the monthly lease number from them? >> So, we didn't work that out yet.
>> Again, advice is that you find out the first thing you got to find out is the money side of it. I'm all for the why, but I don't want to see us going further into debt because we're going to reach that hundred million dollar ceiling that these gentlemen here have told me and
it's such a okay thing to do. >> So, just, you know, a couple things. >> So, just so everybody's aware on on a $500,000 assessment on a 3.2 million estimated pay estimated payment is $400
on your Minnesota taxes. No, that's just one of the raises. >> I'm just telling that's >> Well, I don't know if I could believe you. >> So, it's right here. It's from the tax office. >> Is that online? >> That was going online tomorrow. >> Okay. All right. So, anyways,
>> but but again, these like these are standard numbers. You can of your own assessments. >> The Lacy Township will have nothing to do with the day-to-day operations. They won't pay the employees because the employees get pensions. You know, >> we're not responsible to We wouldn't be at responsible for that.
>> We're building a building and leasing it to them and we have nothing to do with it after that. >> Okay. >> Hard to believe, but >> how many other YMCA's other than Tom's River are in South Jersey from here down to Kate May? >> I I don't believe there's any, but I
don't know. >> The YMCA has 10 facilities under that. >> I know, but I think they're all north. They're all north. They're all north. All north, >> right? In cities. No, Red Bank. >> Is Is Tom's River considered a city?
>> Is Tom's River considered a city? >> I don't consider >> I believe it is. >> One of the things that happened, you know, cuz I came in a little later on this than mo most. And in the beginning discussions, uh, one of the things was a
name change on the YMCA because of location. And if I remember right, pretty much the uh Y of Southern New Jersey they worked on or Jersey Shores, whatever their new name is,
>> they actually worked on because it pretty much is from nor the north part of Mammoth County South >> because even when they were talking to us, we did not want to be associated with and get mixed up with all these ones that
are all over the place. Innesota was a big name change and if I remember right I think it's pretty much from like Red Bank South pretty much probably the Rton Bridge south >> right >> and that's the Y of Jersey Shore >> or go ahead continue
>> do they do YMCA's go out of business? What would happen in the event it went out of business since we owned and build it? >> Currently under under discussion. Okay. Because um I did some research and um they have been closed in individual branches around the country
due to declining revenue, high operational costs and declining membership. Some go chapter 11. I got Stanford, Connecticut, Long Mount, Colorado, Birmingham, Michigan, Heart of the
Valley, Alabama. And the national YMCA CEO says online that dozens across the country are at risk of going chapter 11. >> So we're again we're we're aware of the the uh in the event that they back out
or go back anywhere. >> Well, how how do you know that could happen? >> Well, anything could happen, but right >> but what would be the what's the contingency? >> Again, we didn't we're not there yet. >> Okay. So, next meeting you would have this information. >> Not necessarily. Next meeting. You it will be you'll have it before we go to
referendum. But after that next meeting may if I may >> I'm a little bit surprised because we we uh have faith in you people to properly lead our township and for you to be this into it without knowing all the the underbelly of it is not right.
>> Well, we have well so the first you have to start with what's the scope of the project. You can't do it like you have to know what the size of the building that we're talking about. That's it's the starting point. You have to know what you're getting into before you can do any of the other stuff. >> Okay. >> So, we have the call again. We have the
That's This is where we're at. You have the information. We're providing information. >> By what date do you think you'll know all the good and the bad before the referendum? That's in November. >> Well, that's only a few months away. >> Be way before that. I'm hoping that >> I'm hoping at the end of June, but don't
hold me to it. By >> by the end of August, we have to have that number. >> By the end of August, we'll definitely >> referendum ballot. >> Okay. So, what's the referendum gonna say? >> We didn't We're not there yet. We didn't even You're way ahead. All the >> Well, there's a lot of people that are very concerned about this because a lot
of people are on fixed incomes. A lot of people are just barely getting through the week. >> Might not be you people, but there are a lot of them type people in this town. >> So, you have to understand this is I've mentioned this many times before. This
is not exactly about a YMCA. This is the township is deciding whether they want a like a town center or not a town center. The way the town is developed, we do not have a town center. Town was developed poorly for many years. >> So what's a town center do?
>> So I'm saying this is the last opportunity. This is the last acres that the town owns that you could do. >> Well, you guys sold all the rest of it off, >> right? >> Well, it wasn't No, it wasn't pl you had this stuff had to be planned in the 70s. If you're trying to do some sort of like say historic district or or some type of
downtown, you have to plan this as decades. Land use is decades, not years. It's decades. So, frankly, this has been going on for like this has been going on a long time. It takes a long time to even get to this point. But so, it's not exactly about a Y. It's about building a a community space with our last bit of
10 acres. It's adjacent to Gilly Park. Kind of have a a this is kind of like the center of town now. Everything occurs at Gilly Park. Mhm. >> Got the Wawa on Starbucks now. The schools are in close proximity. That's the last 10 acres something like this can happen at. Everything else is has
been gobbled up or you know there's not we the township owns no prop buildable property left. That's it. So wait. So let me just finish. So you also have to be aware that the you know stuff changes very quickly in in uh or seems like it's taking a long
time but it goes very quickly and um so you never know what when uh the state is going to change rules and all of a sudden that some future committee has to use that property for something else. I could give you plenty of examples where one thing happened in town and then through time and the rules change or you
know the the development changes and it and it changes the project. I'll give you wait let me give you an example. So, the property behind CVS, right, >> CVS Plaza in Loka, >> that was approved >> probably 20 years ago for 84
uh senior um uh age restricted senior condos, >> right? >> 84. >> So, the um Cororsine changed the rule like the rules kept changing over time. The builder get would get approvals and then change. In addition, the residents
fought that tooth and nail to have that stopped, right? >> Okay. >> The CVS that went bankrupt for a while that sat sat vacant. So in that in the meantime, the rules changed. So what changed? Cororsine changed that if you had something approved but not yet built, you can make it market rate
units. So that that took that stripped away the senior, you know, the ability. It's not senior uh >> age restricted. >> Yeah, it's not age restricted anymore. Then from there the state came in and said well now every township is required uh for to have affordable housing units
and that number keeps going up. It used to be you know a relatively small number and they keep changing and come back ask for more units. The point is by the time the smoke cleared and everybody fought it so long those 84 units became 225 apartments.
So be careful what you wish for is is the is the moral of that story. >> Well you you know it's a good idea. I'll agree with it, but the funds aren't there. >> Well, I >> it's like, you know, I got a I got a 16 foot boat and a guy goes by in a 30foot
cabin cruiser. Man, I would love to have that. It's a nice thought, but it's not financially sound to do. >> Everybody's going to get all the information. It's going to go on a referendum and then everybody's going to make up their own. >> Well, obviously it's going to make the taxes go up. So, that's a bad thing.
>> That's a bad thing. That's something that we're making the town the taxes go up. things that the police need or the firemen or the EMS. That's a necessity there. You know what is it? A want or a need. Tell me which is it. The YMCA. Is
it a want or a need? >> I wouldn't put I wouldn't say I don't want necessarily want it or need it. I think it's good for the township. >> Well, it's not a need. >> Let me just let me just say this if I may. Is I has the mayor and I have been in conversation. We don't even have a
memorandum of understanding yet. Okay, that's step one of many. And I have talked to him and we're talking about exit fees for the YMCA. Should they leave this town before their time is up? What are they
going to pay us? >> So, it again, this this is going to be a tough negotiation because they don't like to do that. But, we're going we're going to try to put that in there. >> Well, we just don't have enough jelly beans in the in the jar to be doing this. That's all I could say, you know, and that's the way that's the bottom
line. >> I mean, when my kids wanted something, did I buy them a Stingray Corvette or a, you know, a regular car? I bought him a regular car because it was ridiculous to go the other way. And this is another
example of us being suspicious and un reasoning that we don't know why you guys are operating the way you are. And people ask me, I said, I don't know. I don't know where they get these ideas, but they got them, >> Steve. >> And we should be working on trying to
get our debt down through slicing things. >> Well, so >> but everything I hear, taxes are going up. You You had your specialist here. She said they're going up $3 million. >> I've had this conversation, I believe, with, you know, say it up here many
times. Our our the cost of the township has very very little to do with what we're borrowing. It's people only. So if we're not reducing staffing, which we're not, nobody ever wants us to reduce staffing. Everybody's always asking us to do more. Yeah. >> They want more employees at the That's
all the costs. >> That's everywhere. >> So So unless somebody is going to come up to the microphone and say, "I need you guys to cut staff." >> We're not going to cut staff. >> We trim. >> So you definitely ain't cutting staff. >> Well, we are. We did it. We We did it tonight. We We We're subbing out to J
for janitorial services. But it's not like we're not saving millions. We're saving something. But we did it tonight. We we approved janitorial services instead of having DPW do it. >> Well, you know, I commend you on that, but I don't commend you on wanting the YMCA when we do not have the money to
fund it. >> If you had a if you had $50 million in the bank and you say, "Listen, we're going to take 30 out towards the YMCA and we'll mortgage the other 12 15 million." I think a lot of people would definitely jump on that. But when you go
with nothing and have to finance 100% of anything, it's something that you should really sit back and think about. Is this really a benefit for the employee h for the township taxpayers? >> So again, we you could take the why out
of it. It doesn't m whether it's fire trucks, a new police station, a new town hall. It's going to be 100% the new town hall. >> It's 100% financing. >> Yeah. >> So So this is in the same pot. So this is just a matter whether >> again we're back to the question is it a
want or a need. >> You don't need it. You want it. >> So this is so in my opinion I think this is is a a net positive for the township as a whole. I think it's going to bring in more business to the township. It's going to help small businesses. We have
there there's a whole economic study that we that's online if you've been online. Well, >> so so I think it's a net net positive to have more people coming here and spending their money. I think I I'm equating it no different than the Home Depot or the Walmart. Yes, it's different on how it's going to be
financed. I agree, but not on the anything else about it's going to employ people. I mean, how many times everybody's complaining about kids don't have enough to do or you know, we need more things for the kids. Like this answers a lot of questions. The seniors, the seniors need more social engagement.
That's so as a net positive. >> That's all true. >> So, so all I'm saying so >> I'm actually agreeing with you. >> So, so all we're going to do again, you're going to get we're giving as much information as we can as we get it and as I'm comfortable discussing it and
then we're going to get everybody make up their mind and it'll be on referendum and you can vote. You want if everybody votes no, we're not going to do it. >> Steve, Steve, one thing I want to say, >> you bring up a lot of good points. So did Jimmy. And what's good about it too is sometimes it triggers something that
might be new to us too. But the one thing is is you know I'm a big believer and I I've said it from the beginning. We got to get anything we do we need to get as much information out there as possible. And
the one thing like you said thorough research. There's a lot of work being done and research being done and something new comes up and we question them. Uh this has been going on for >> three years.
>> Three years now. So it's even before me because there is so much being brought forth and like Steve just said as it's stuff that we can bring out accurately because one of the things is is sometimes you have discussions and discussions create discussions with us
negotiating with them or back and forth and I'm a huge believer that everybody through research the working of it the numbers are still getting worked on and if If we even guessed at numbers and threw
them out there, you know how that runs rampant and we know that's very very important because I agree with you a th000%. We drive by a nice new car goes by us, we want it until we go to the dealership and see what the payment is a month. I agree with you 5,000%.
So, as fast as we can get, Tim just said it. We don't have a memorandum of even an agreement yet with them because we're trying to work out is not just details, programs, different things like this. One of the big things is which concerned
us all. If if this is an if Lacy decides to have it, Lacy residents get discounts >> and priority >> and they get priority to all the programs before anybody else because
yes, a Y is opened up say to the county or whatever. But we're trying to research all these safeguards, put them in and present them. Of course, as we present information is going to create more questions. So, we do welcome them,
but uh this stuff sometimes takes a while. So, we're trying to get as much out there for everybody so that the information that we do put out there, one being upfront, and two, it's about as accurate as we can get it
because we have had meetings where some numbers have been thrown around between, say, our Zoom meetings. And we're like, no, we need better hard numbers. We need to know where things are coming from cuz we're not stupid up here. Yeah.
>> And the one thing is, and I've said it a million times, we're custodians of your money. I've said it before. I ran. These gentlemen know it up here. Steve had just mentioned it that this
will be put up for referendum. >> We present it. You won't you won't hear me ever telling you how to vote or suggesting how to vote on something. >> Well, it just But let me finish. Go ahead. To me, it's your money.
You put it up for a referendum. You decide. And you know, I say this all the time. Listen, learn, and pull the lever that's in the best interest of you, the taxpayer, and homeowner. If you think it
it's a bad idea, even if it's only over cost, because it's hard to knock the Y itself. But if it's a cost thing, I agree with you. You can't afford. That's the That's the problem. >> And you know what? And but as as you did here tonight, unless
I can't see anything changing, this no matter how it works out and whatever is presented, this is going to be presented to you, the voters and the taxpayers of Lacy Township to make the decision. Just because the committee is researching something
doesn't mean you're getting it. Nobody here is saying we're going to go ahead and do this. At least you're never going to see that from me. I want your guys' opinion. I want your guys vote. I want you to learn. Listen. And the committee seems to be on board with that too. The whole committee, but I'm not speaking
for themselves. So, this is something I think Kevin had mentioned, you know, listen, learn, and come November, that referendum, make the decision that's best for you. >> Let me ask the mayor something because
he brought it up. Maybe he can inform everybody. I'm not putting you on the spot, but you're good with land use, so I'm showing you respect by doing this, but giving you a little broad. No, I'm not s You're my You're you're my good friend, and I trust you.
And that's for real. You know that. So we, let's say we develop that 10acre plot >> and now it's developed with a beautiful YM YMCA, which is a high quality value ad to the town. >> That means affordable housing can't go
there because a YMCA will be there. But the state of New Jersey has a neverending voracious appetite for affordable housing. >> Right. >> So, and that's our last piece. >> It's our last piece. So we So where will we put will they make us annex will they annex a park from us? Will they go into
the park? What's going on with that? >> And it's not just affordable housing. This is just rules change. So yeah, you got the weeds on this. >> So in that case, if they keep pushing the affordable housing, which seems like it's not, it's not going to stop. the Supreme Court, the US Supreme Court just
denied the lawsuit from other municipalities to to it got appealed all the way up to the US Supreme Court and they they declined to hear it. >> So, there's a proposal that we just uh uh voted no on or or what's what am I
looking for? Didn't want them to do it resolution to to not let we don't want them to do it. So, change that. Right now, our township ordinance is eight units per acre on this last go rounds. uh in our commercial districts this last co-around they weren't even happy with
the eight units per acre. They made us upzone a couple parcels to 12 units per acre in order to satisfy the requirements for affordable housing. In addition to that, there's legislation that's proposed right now. We just got the update from New Jersey League of Municipalities the other day
>> to make to allow nonprofits, which are churches, to allow 40 acres per zone and allow it to exceed the story requirement by one story >> without >> without local without municipal >> uh input approvals. So, so, so the so
what would so what would happen in that case is the township would be forced to go out and take taxpayer money and go buy property to give it to a builder to build affordable housing. That's how it works. >> So, the point is Wait, so the >> So, the the moral the moral to the story
>> is the YMCA is not the worst of the worst. >> That is the moral. >> Okay, >> spit it out. >> That's the moral of the story. >> I I'll be back. >> Thank you for your comments. Anybody else? Come on up. >> That's
>> It's right over there. >> State your name one more time. >> It says no food or drinks in the right. I'm not quite sure what we're not getting. Um, before I start my >> Just state your name. Okay. >> Uh, Richard Bidnik, Lacy, Citizens for
Responsible Government. Before I start my actual comments, I actually have an announcement to make. Okay. Last night, Preservation New Jersey awarded the Warden House a place on its list of the 10 most endangered historic sites in New
Jersey for 2026. Despite this recognition, along with its eligibility for the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and a pending application, the house now faces imminent dem demolition due to the township's planned sale of the property
for commercial redevelopment. Reportedly, including a convenience store and a gas station. Although township officials have allowed the building to deteriorate through neglect, engineering evaluations confirm that the structure remains sound and can be safely relocated.
Demolishing the Warden House would mean the permanent loss of an irreplaceable piece of Lacy Township and national history. I respectfully urge the township committee to immediately pause the sale, honor our preservation commitments, and work with residents,
Preservation New Jersey, and local advocates to protect and save this important historic landmark. Our community's history deserves better than to be paved over for commercial development. And I would like to thank our wonderful team at the Charles A.
Smith Memorial Association for the outstanding job you have done trying to preserve our history and for your undying dedication to protecting what is left of our town's historical significance. Hats off for a job well done. You are all the best and many of
you are here tonight. Thank you. Now, on to my regular comments. At the last meeting, Mr. McDonald, you made an important admission after my public comments where I was questioning whether Lacy is still great. You said you did not care about the mistakes that have been made by previous governments and
including this one. I sir I appreciate your cond for saying what many of us have known for years. I want to say this to you Mr. Macdonald. If you don't know where you came from, you obviously have no clue where you are and you certainly don't know where you were going. This
fatal idea that you can just ignore all the past mistakes and keep moving forward is folly. The town has declined and it had declined because of many of the misguided decisions that have been made by this body and previous past township committees. You cannot just lay
your head in the sand and try to pretend that what was happening in the past has not laid the foundation for the issues we are facing today. But thank you sir for your accountability. My comments at the last meeting were also not my opinion. They were based on
facts. sad facts, I must say. Now, Miss Juliano, you're up for reelection this year. I want to ask you this. You told us when you were mayor that you would be transparent in the future if the township moved forward with any type of
building scheme such as the YMCA. I personally was shocked at how far along this project has been before you decided to seriously let the cat out of the bag. I feel you have betrayed us because you were not transparent. I was shocked to see a full building design done without
any public input. Then the mayor blatantly blurting out that it was going to be on the referendum come this November, without any real numbers or even sustainability costs explained, "We are not children." And I certainly never voted for anyone on this body to just do
whatever you want. You are accountable to we the people and not the other way around. And let that sink in, please. And another question that I have, I want you to answer this question, Miss
Juliano. What have you done to make life more affordable here in Lacy for the citizens that you represent in this town? Affordability is the number one concern for voters this year. All I see every year is our taxes going up. You
could not even stand up for us over the last three years when our taxes were going through the roof because of our poorly managed school district. Please answer the question, what have you done to make life more affordable? And please
tell me how building a $71 million YMCA, including bond interest, and I think it's even more than that from what Steve just mentioned, is going to make my life and every other citizens in this town's life more affordable. Inquiring minds
want to know. >> Thank you for your comments. I asked a question. >> I'll answer it at my time to speak. >> Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? >> Jim Hughes, >> Morin River, Barnett Pines. After 35
years, that's where I live. I guess I saw a sign by the church. >> Anyways, >> it's still there. >> Uh I it's supposed to be at five minutes. I I I know what I wrote out here. So, go ahead. >> Yeah. I'm going to bring up something I brought up three years ago, and then I'm going to go into the gist of it. Uh, a few years ago I came up to this
microphone to talk about the tons of plastic bags that we were putting in our trash bins. For me, I went to only one place in town to recycle them, which was a small box in coals about the size of a fire hydrant where a town of 30,000 people were supposed to use. Now, even
that tiny box is gone. When I first started coming to town meetings years ago, at every meeting, the mayor would announce how much money the town was saving on tipping fees at the landfill by recycling. Now there are even more of these produce bags ex etc in every parking lot waiting to get washed into
the storm drains and eventually our lakes, the bay and our ocean. Microplastic isn't just in our water. It's even in our bodies. In autopsies now they are finding plastic in every human organ including including the brain. An average of about the same amount of as plastic fork or credit
card. This is not just a town problem. It's a national problem. But now, Congress recently has been pushing through bills eliminating the Endangered Species Act and the EPA has been castrated. Those acts were signed into law by President Nixon in 1973 because pollution was so bad back then. The
Kyogre River in Ohio used to catch on fire every other week. Now, just change the subject. Virginia descends and Richard Bidnik attend every town meeting, school board meetings, budget meetings, and they always ask why more pe town people don't attend these meetings. It's a question I
always thought about because even though I'm not a big fan of speaking at the microphone in public, I know how important it is. I grew up in Ireland, which means the gift of gab is a genetic thing with Irish people. So when I run my errands around this town I've lived in for 35 years now, I talk to everyone.
I talk to people and I ask them with all the property taxes increases and neverending developments going on everywhere, why don't they speak up at the meetings? The most common reply I get back is they don't give a blank about us. I can understand that sentiment because I've gone to the
school board meetings to get up to the microphone and tell them a 20% tax property increase will be the final straw for people who have lived here for generations in this town. Most of my longtime neighbors told me they've had enough and they're moving south where Lacy used to look like. I know my
mortgage increased by 20% every month after our police fell on deaf ears. our utility bills because of AI data centers, the skyrocketing inflation and gas prices brought on by tariffs and a war no one voted for has people truly struggling in an unsustainable financial
climate. My mortgage payment went up 20%, but my pension only went up 2%. And that's some scary math. I told those teachers who all wore the same t-shirts that being a union member means a lot more than everyone wearing the same shirt. I told them that we would have to that we would have joined them if they
had gone to Trenton to fight that budget. Instead, they stuck it on the taxpayers. When I spent decades in Manhattan at a union of electricians, there were times when we had to defend our jobs. Like when the coalition would show up with four school buses full of guys carrying baseball bats, clubs,
machetes who are there to shut down your construction site. I can say you can really feel your heart beating when hundreds of men are facing each other in the street. Kind of like the movie Braveheart. A few weeks ago, I was driving down Route 9 in Loka Harbor and I saw an elderly man on the side of the
road with a big sign around his neck. So, I pulled over and offered him a few bucks to get something to eat. You can pass this for me. >> Okay. Here. >> He told I asked him if he if he needed a few bucks to get something to eat. He
told me, "No, I don't want a handout. I want to work. I'm 79 years old and I'm still in good shape. He had a sandwich bag full of pieces of paper with his phone number on him. I called a friend who offered him some light yard work. That senior citizen desperately standing on the side of a road with a sign around
his neck is a canary in the coal mine when it comes to the future of lacy longtime residents. I was in Home Depot the other day and noticed the astronomical price of ROMX electrical wire. $179 for one coil of ROMX. Last year it was half that price. You see
copper has a 50% tariff on it now as does many construction materials and the diesel trucks a higher price that deliver these materials. So with all due respect any big projects in this town has planned should be put on hold until things return to normal. We are already
tap dancing and quicksay for financially. We are all being driven with a foot to the floor and no breaks at a into a true crisis. Any major project now would be as tonedeaf as spending $1 billion dollars in tax dollars for a ballroom people can't even afford the gas, you know, when people
can't even afford the gas to get to work. Lacy Township has always been the hidden jewel of Ocean County, but now that is quickly changing. My favorite music group, one of them is the Eagles, and one of their my favorite songs they have is called The Last Resort. And
every time I drive around Lacy nowadays, I hear this song from that lyric in that in my head where it says, "Some men came and raped the land and nobody caught him. They put up a bunch of ugly boxes and Jesus people bought them and here we are."
>> Thank you. >> That was good. Did you practice that in front of the mirror? >> Props. >> Millions of these going in the storm on the recycling. >> Oh yeah. Turtles love to smell these and die. >> We don't get tipping anymore. >> Oh, they don't do that. No. No. We don't get to we don't get reimbured
>> the recycling tonnage money anymore. >> You know the thing is the the everybody you know recycles the the the jar the you know plastic bottles and stuff that's all great but for some reason the plastic bags and they're on everything the produce fruit grows in its own package and nature gives it its own package. Why do they wrap apples in
plastic and things like that? I don't understand. And then people will use those protosp. They'll put one off. There'll be 20 behind it. They'll take the whole thing and then you find 20 of them in the attached to each other in the parking lot bowling around. >> The next time we have our Lacy Lakes cleanup, I hope you will.
>> I I I I'm good. I'm game. I'm We on the wobbly side, but I hope >> we did it. We did it last May, but I'm not sure we're doing it this year. >> Yeah. I Hey, listen. I'm all environment. >> If if you if you call Lacy United Methodist Church, they collect those.
>> Oh, these bags >> and they turn them in. They turn them in and they get benches to go around the church. Great. Yeah. >> So, just give them a call tomorrow. I think it's I think they're ending the last one. Probably won't start another one, but give them a call. >> Well, you know, there's all different numbers for these. But the thing is, what was it? There's a there's a website
how torecycle.com with the number two, how to recycle, and that shows you like everything. I I look through the calendar, too, and I see a lot of, you know, like lawn chairs and stuff. You got to go to Manol and stuff. That's okay. I mean, as long as >> Give give the church a call. All right. They'll tell you if they're still running. Is that the one on nine down
there? Pastor one >> down here. >> Oh, >> the old St. L United Methodist Church. >> Okay. All right. >> Used to be the old St. Pas. >> Okay. All right. That sounds great. >> And as we know with the plastic bags, one of the issues were back when we started doing recycling, we all plastic is plastic. So, we all threw it in
there. >> And then of course, we all got instructed, don't throw the bags in there. It was all over the news because the plastic bags, they may be recyclable, but the machines that sort out the recycling, the bags not them up. So they
>> Yeah. It's weird because you >> So it's it's like >> we can't win when we try. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I know. It's like you can throw out the you can put recycle the lid of the margarine tub, but the tub thing itself you can't. But I just feel horrible because I go through a lot of I mean there's a lot of plastic
everywhere and I hate throwing in the garbage. But appreciate your comments. Anyways, thank you. >> Thank you, >> Regina. Regina Desenza, Sunset Drive, Sunrise Beach. Um, do you know what the four letters
YMCA stands for? >> Young Men's Christian Assoc. >> Christian Association. Okay. So, over 40 years ago when I worked in Manhattan, there were YMCA's in Midtown Manhattan. They were transient dormitories and they were not very pleasant to walk by. So, I
know the YMCA's come a long way, but you know, that's the image I have in my mind sometimes when I hear those letters. Okay. So, what Mr. Latellier said was indeed something to be explored and thought about very carefully.
So last week um I was pleased to finally hear that the LMUA was giving their 5% 5% surplus of 472,000 returned to the taxpayers as small tax relief on the township budget. For the
past two years, the LMUA surplus was given to the school district instead of the rateayers. Truthfully, all of that surplus funding for the past three years should have been returned to the water rate payers, but it wasn't. The LMUA chairman also noted this would be the
last time the surplus could be given for a while because the LMUA has 22 million of their own infrastructure upgrades to complete within the next few years. At least the LMUA knows how to properly maintain their infrastructure. Unlike other entities, the school district is a
prime example. Neglecting maintenance is what caused the need for the $28 million roof referendum. I sure hope all goes well with the new roof projects. There were about five bid resolutions on the Tuesday, May 12th agenda to begin
several of the referendum projects. The last three years of tax increases has put an undue burden on many families and seniors in this town. With food and gas prices rising constantly, it is a struggle for people to make ends meet.
No one should have to choose between medicine, food, and taxes. And that goes on every single day. And congratulations to the Warden House being named today as one of the top 10 endangered sites in the state by Preservation New Jersey. A
property has to meet a lot of criteria to get on their list. How do I know? In 2004, I had the Van Arsdale Good Luck Farmhouse listed where everyone shops now at Walmart. Shame on Lacy for mowing down all its history with a bulldozer.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> We're batting around the order. All right. >> Top of the order. >> I'm out of taxi at this time. >> That's what you're saying. >> Just state your name again. >> Kevin Flynn Fork River. So if Peggy, if
you can remember what Bobby said Tuesday night at the meeting about the breakdown of taxes and if you don't, Bobby, if you could in your comments say because >> it was very eye opening about how >> don't know. Yes, we're >> so if you could make that statement. So it was it was very informative. Thank
you. Thank you. >> I'll make it. >> Anything else from the public? >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Second. >> I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. Didn't see you. >> State your name for the record. >> Uh Melody Prior, Wome Road, Pork River.
Um first of all, what about the citizens that actually live in this town? Most of us actually I can't speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. Um but most people that I do speak to
everywhere that I go so I can gather a rather solid consensus. The council thinks that the YMCA is a good idea and it is depending like I have nothing against the YMCA but where it would be built and how it would be
funded. I I think I feel money would be spent causing neglect. The monies for the YMCA right now the way it sounds seems as it's being put together. I'm getting a strong feeling that what it's really
going to do is cause a neglect to our police department what they need to our you know our EMS to all the things that are needed for the people who live here. We don't need more recreation. We need safety. We need security. and they need everything that they need to do their
jobs properly. We can't take from them for something that we need. We need to put the money where it needs to go. As a council, you should be interested in what will benefit the citizens, the taxpayers who hold this town up instead of taking more of what the citizens
simply do not have. Is the YMCA worth disregarding the needs of the taxpaying citizen? That's the bottom line. Thank you and thank you for everything you do. I know it's not easy. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Anything else? >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Comments from the committee? Deputy mayor. All right. >> Mr. Mayor, I'm going to apologize. >> Good. Take your time. >> Take your time. My comments kind of my
my >> Well, yeah, some's prepared, but >> um I do like to address a lot of the comments that were made. >> Can you come back to me? >> As far as the why I made my comments,
but uh Mr. Flynn, I got the same concerns with the police station, so I do hear you loud and clear. um that I've always said that. But first, I want to start off with mentioning a couple events. Uh
I see Barry's not here tonight, but Relay for Life is at Veterans Park. Uh on May 31st from 12 to 7 is approximately it. But uh yes, if everybody could This is from what I understand the only one left in the
state for the cancer walk. So that's May 31st, 12th to 7. >> Oh, I have it 30 >> 30th and noon. >> Oh, 30th. >> 30th. Yes. >> Oh, your time is up. You made a mistake. >> Oh, well. May Saturday, May 16th, which is this
one, is Caffy's Wingfest to benefit the Tunnel to Tunnel Foundation. May 23rd, the PBA is putting on its first fishing derby uh with the help of the Fish Hawks uh
anglers club here in town. Uh little information on businesses in town. As we all know, where C uh White Castle was Tim Hortons is got to be close to opening. They've been working on it and we haven't been given a date, but that's real close to opening, which
anybody that don't know, that's a coffee and baked goods shop. At the planning board meeting the other night, we we okayed where the mattress store and the beauty store was in the Shopright Plaza, Five Below's going in there, and they're anticipating they're
opening the end of September. Jim Hughes I agree. Before I got on a committee, let since I've been on it, I've attended quite a few things that a lot of people in this
room attend. Attendance is poor. And I know a lot of times people look at us to attend a lot of stuff. We can only attend so much. But the shame of it is is there's just about 30,000 people in this town. And of course that includes
kids. Important meetings. I've gone to very important meetings that have been set up specially for multiple things. Whether it's a school, where it's a town, whether it's whatever issue, the attendance is poor.
Which leads into another thing that I talked about a little bit the other night, and it's volunteerism. It's nowhere. I know P families are busy and everything else. Years ago, that was one of the big
things the school system was proud of because they could run so many programs because of volunteers. The recreation for the second year in a row put out a volunteers uh >> fair
>> fair about a month ago. Guess what? Was well attended by organizations. I seen the same faces there, you know. So sometimes when we look out and see how we can help our town, it's
not sitting behind a computer screen and making comments. It's getting out and helping. If you want to come here and make a comment, you know, whether we like the comments or not, whether you like the comments or not, get out there, put your foot forward.
You know what? This town is as good as it is because of the people in it. And yes, things may have not went the way they were all the time in government here in Lacy Township.
All we can try to do is anybody in here that keeps dwelling on the past, which is what we hear all the time, there is no way in hell you can move forward if you keep dwelling on the past. We're here to work together and
move forward because of Mr. Kennes talked about land use, different things that took place, God, some of them 50, 60 years ago. You know what? I know there's a couple people up here that's haven't even reached that age yet. So, it's hard to
blame people for that. You know, the world has changed. The nice thing is you people have the option of changing us. And even with the controversy, you know, however it goes with the why, you know, it's a proposal. you're
getting the option to make the decision, you know, so everybody's doing what they can to for that. Um, one quick thing I just want to make because I've been trying to give updates on uh the uh public
>> our department of public works. Of course, it's springtime, so they're out um cutting the fields, cutting all the property uh owned by the township right now. So, that's getting
done. The fields are getting lined. Uh there's two projects on the paving projects on the calendar this year. One is Hayne Street, which is going to be Now I got to put my glasses on because this one I got to
read. from Manchester Avenue to Route 9. Uh it's going to be Milton paved. There's going to be improve various improvements to handicap ramps. There's going to be some additional sidewalks. Pen Avenue North the entire length from curb to
curb will be mil and repaved. Uh these projects, as we know, paving, even though it's a busy time of the year, usually gets done in the warmer months, which is also when town's busy. But the pave the pavement has to be able to be spread. So, but that's supposed to
start in June or July. Uh, a couple things they have finished up on this year. Of course, uh, last couple meetings I've talked about the docks. The south dock is completely done. Uh, that project has been buttoned up. Everything's done. The slips are
being filled. Uh this past year, we also finished up the Gilly Park uh pavilion with a new roof and the Hebrew park which had a couple phases with upgrading bathrooms and different things like that. That pavilion has been done
totally redone and ready to enjoy. And outside of that, I want to thank everybody for their comments and have a good night. >> Thank you, Bob. Committee woman Juliano. >> Yes. Thanks, Mayor. Um just a couple comments. First of all, we had over 81
calls from our fire departments this past month. Uh again, thank you to our fire companies that take care of us here in town and do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Um we also had some incidents at our
school and at our local business here in town. So, I want to get into what that was and all that kind of stuff. I just want to say that we should be very grateful to our police department. They were there within seconds, minutes taking care of everything that needed to be taken care of. And we're very
fortunate to have them be who they are, fighting for our town, taking care of us, making sure that no one was in danger, except themselves actually. So, we should be very grateful to them. I wanted to remind everybody that we're
having a Memorial Day parade on the 25th, if I have the right day. Yes, the 25th. It's Monday. Please come out and support. It's good to see people walking and cheering and everything else on Lacy Road. Again, it always starts down at the church
on the um Methodist church down across the street from the Catholic church down the street here. So, that's where it always starts off. I was going to talk about the docks, too. They're finished up. It looks beautiful. I went down and looked it really what a what a beautiful improvement to our town, our beautiful
town that we have here. Now, to answer questions as far as um responding to someone, here's what I'll say. That it is my job up here to fight for anything that is needed in this town. Whether
it's for my fire companies, my police departments, my DPW town hall, that's that's part of our job up here. My job included. I've gone to the MUA two years in a row to try to help the
situation at our school system, trying to help some women that were working for 25 years and were going to lose their jobs. So, I asked for money from the MUA, which we're entitled to get, and we I did give it to the school
system for two years. I I say the word I only because I'm talking about me giving the presentation, not me doing everything. I'm not a me person. I'm us person. This year, I went to them to ask to try to help us lower our tax rate. And by
doing that, we've got the 472,000 I think it was approximately that brought down our rate some. That's what I do for my town. I love this town. I raised my children here. I fight for my town.
I'm not perfect and I don't claim to be. And as far as the comment in reference to about a lie or not lying or not telling everything, we did not go into any deal just because
you see pictures up and all that. There is no deal on the horizon. We are talking and nothing but talking is going on right now. That's all we're doing just so we have the information
before we put it out there. That's what I'm doing. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Peggy. Committeeman Kella. >> Thank you. Um I'm going to read a a short statement from our recreation department. They wanted me to uh talk
about some announcements for folks here in town and specifically for some folks that have kids. Pete, please announce this. Registration for summer camp has begun. It cost $200 for the sevenweek program. Please see our summer brochure. It's
available at the recreation department and online and our recreation Facebook page. Beach badges go on sale on Friday, May 15th. They will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
and at available at the farmers market which begins May 22nd >> next week. >> Farmers market begins May 22nd on the grounds at the Lacy United Methodist Church. They always do a great job there and you can get some wonderful food there. Not just produce. If you if you
haven't been, I highly recommend. It's during work hours for me, but if I could ever get there, I do it. Um, thank you. Compliments James Walland, uh, Wland, Lacy Township Recreation, an excellent person in our town. So, a little bit of
backstory about our um about our summer camps. Uh, so that's 35 days. That comes out to $5.71 a day. It's total financial loss for us, but we do it uh for the kids and the families. Um, and it gets more expensive
every year. There are more certifications that those kids need every year, whether it's choking or himlook maneuver or bullying. There's different things that those kids need. And it's uh it's a real value ad that we like to provide uh from our recreation
department. Um, YMCA, I'm going to echo the same statement that uh we heard from Mr. Laray and you can follow me into the booth. It's my my vote, my permission. You could follow me into the booth. If you vote yes on a referendum, I will vote
yes on up here. And that's regardless if it's 51 4 to1 against me. If you vote no, I will vote no. I answer to you. You don't want it on on a referendum, I'm not going to vote for it. Um, I have
said publicly I I appreciate the quality that a YMCA will add to our town, but if you don't want it, I'm here working for you and I will not vote for it if you vote no. So, I would say do your research on that. Also,
you know, we talked about a lot of things here, but one of the things that it it got me and we all pay attention to different things. We have different scopes of experience. Accessory dwelling units, Senate Bill 1786 is a disaster. It's a disaster. Go
try to get, you know, I worked um with Mr. McDonald just for one year. He did it for 25 years before I ran for Township Committee and I had to get off of the zoning board of adjustment. And of course, Mr. Kenneth and M. Mr. Laray. It's not easy getting a permit sometimes, especially if you want to
build or change something on the water, but here, if you want to increase the the human tonnage in our town and sheetrock out a garage, it's okay. And it and it will sound political, but it's not. I have always called this kind of
action blue state building. Just get as many people in here as you can and tax our schools. Make it difficult. increased traffic. I don't think it's right. And I don't think that if you have a single family home that was zoned
with three bedrooms, a 1500 square foot house, you should have seven or eight or 12 or 13 people in it. There's other parts around New Jersey where that's allowed and it becomes very very difficult and problematic, especially if there's a septic system in there and not
city water. I want to thank publicly um Mike Tronee who serves on our health department as well as the uh board at Seabbze. Uh they put on and asked me to speak uh with the permission of Mayor Kennes uh at their
emergency preparedness summit uh the other day. Uh so to Wayne McMullen and the president over there in particular, thank you to Chief Sullivan and Captain Delis Salah. Uh we all spoke uh spoke about the um you know the needs in town
with specific regard to emergency preparedness. Hurricane season will be here before you know it. We are not immune to it. U but there was other topics as well. I'm not going to take a deep dive into uh what's going to happen with populations here
with the uh pending five weeks of the World Cup, but make sure you get 90 days of your medication. That's that's what I will say. It's nothing to be afraid of. It's something to be just prepared for and be cognizant of. It's going to be an economic boom, but there will be may be
other issues with that as well. It's going to confluence with the baseball all-star game, our tourism season, a PGA event, and an LPG event. So, there's there's going to be and our 250th in Philly, which I'm extremely patriotic
and proud of. And I I can't wait to go. I think Mr. McDonald thinks I'm nuts, but if I'm if I'm living and I'm upright and I'm breathing, I'm going to Philadelphia that day. I don't care how uncomfortable or hot it is. So, I want my grandkids to see those pictures. Um,
I want to thank the Boy Scouts and Jacqueline Strodder. Full full uh disclosure, I work with Jacqueline at the county health department. She wanted a tour with the Cub Scouts, so they they came here. And thank you to the police department. Uh, and we it was just a great night. So, I like doing that
forward- facing stuff and talking with Seab Breeze again and Mrs. Juliano said it doesn't matter which one of us speak. It's on behalf of the committee. We're talking on behalf Mrs. Juliano or M. Mr. Kenneth, somebody m Mr. whoever whoever
up here, Deputy mayor, committeeman McDonald, they they speak. It's on behalf of the committee. So, we there's no eye in the team. We just try to get out at different things in our different scopes of interest and expertise. And
I think that is about it. Please pay attention to the accessory dwelling unit. It's S786. We have to keep local control. These guys have all done this land use stuff. There's over 150 years on our land use boards of experience. We
know what we're doing. We don't need Trenton to tell us to bastardize our town. So, please pay attention to it and have your voice heard. We can argue amongst ourselves and have difference opinion amongst ourselves, but don't let Trenton come in and dominate us. We We know our town. We're okay. There's a lot
of capital, a lot of academic capital up here. Thank you for the extended time, mayor. >> Thank you, Pete. Comm McDonald. >> Thank you, Mayor. Couple of things here. um saw in the paper the other day that our esteemed governor is considering working with the
Democrats to redo the districts. Sound familiar? >> How about Virginia? Okay. Um, but the Senate President >> basically said, "No, I don't think we're going to do that." Because in New
Jersey, they have to go in and change the Constitution, and they don't want to open up that constitution because if you open up the Constitution, guess what? It's a free-for-all, and they don't want a free-for-all. So, I don't think we're going to get that. Um, and then you got
the 2030 census, and then 2032, all the fights, they're going to change it anyhow in 2032. As far as the YMCA goes, this is the time of year in which we get a lot of I don't want to say a lot, but
an increase in vandalism and graffiti in Gilly Park. So, why is that? Well, it be it's because the middle school sports programs are basically over. Those kids have nowhere to go. So, they walk right
through on Kenneth Way and come into the park. And if you around the come in around 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, this park is is crazy with kids. And I'm okay with that. But they have a tendency to do a little
vandalism, a little graffiti. It's kids being kids, but it costs us money. So if we have the why, maybe they got a place to go. Maybe they can go in there and play basketball or get in the pool and swim some laps or whatever clubs they're
running at the YMCA. All right. Now, I want to address Mr. Bnick. Mr. Bidnick has criticized me up here saying at the last meeting I said, "I don't care what mistakes were made from the past." And he's right. I
don't because we've probably already fixed them or working on fixing them. See, that's the problem. I can't change history. Nobody up here in this on this deis can change history. You can't.
There was a mistake made, a blunder. We got to deal with it. And yes, I know where we were and I know where we're going. This is a great town. And I'll tell you what, I was I golf every Thursday. I see Kevin at Wawwa every
Thursday morning. And I was at the bar, 19th hole, having a beer. Got got talking with the guy beside me and he says, "Where are you from?" I said, "Lacy Township." Didn't tell him I'm on the Township Committee. Didn't say anything. From Lacy Township. He says, "I'm strongly considering moving
there because it's such a great town. I have no idea who this guy is. I have no idea where he works lives." Okay, but that's what he said to me. I didn't ask him. He volunteered. This is a great town.
It is. And yes, we had the volunteer fair a couple about a month ago. It wasn't a great turnout, but they never are. But if you talk to the people were who were there and the people who showed up, if you and I said this to them, you get one or two people going to help join your organization, that's a good night.
And they agreed. And I went around and talked to some people. There was only one that didn't get any. And that was the thrift shop down here on the on the Methodist church. They didn't get anybody. They got some people maybe. But everybody else got one or two. And
that's all you need because guess what? They're going to tell their friends, "Hey, I'm work. I'm I'm volunteering here." Oh, that sounds interesting. Can I join you? Yeah, maybe you can. And and you build it and you build it that way. We'll hold it again next year. Can't hold it every year because it just gets redundant.
But I know where this town's going. At least I think I know where this town is going. It should go. I'm a believer in the YMCA. I grew up in the YMCA, okay? Played basketball. We didn't have a pool. We had a basketball court. And if you lost, guess what? You were sitting for about an hour. That's just
the way it was. I think the Y is would be a huge huge benefit. and go online and Google the impact of a YMCA in town in your town and you will find that the housing rate the housing increase in value of the
housing is anywhere from 10 to 15%. Because people want to move where there's recreation now Jim has talked about homeless coming to the YMCA and so forth like that. I will tell you this, that has never been brought up and I would
put a at the meetings that I attended and I would put a stop to that right away. All right, we're not going to do that. I will fight that tooth and nail. I when Mr. Kenneth called me three or four years ago about it. I was excited about the YMCA,
but we're going to have and the the buildings that they've shown us have no bedrooms. They have showers because there's a men's locker room >> and women >> and women's locker room >> and a woman's shower. >> We have everything we all that all that you would have for a recreation,
but there's no bedroom. And that would be you have to have those for that. Now, if there's an emergency, we reuse the gym. I think the YMCA would allow us another Sandy or something like that where we had to move people into the gym. We would use that. That's a good thing for this town.
That's a good thing for this town. Everyone talks about the traffic. Guess what? Go look at what Berkeley just built on the north end of town. Another 70 apartments. You got Where? They got that monstrosity
down there by the shop, right? They got what? 200 units in there. And then you go further down, they got another one that's got at least three 400 units in there, right on the left hand side. If you're going south, >> 68. >> That's where the And the only And guess
what? You come up nine or go down nine, where do you stop to get a cup of coffee >> or the newspaper? >> It's got to be Lacy because there's nothing there. And if you go out u in wear town to get on the Parkway, it's good. It's longer.
So they come up here, they get a get a cup of coffee for the ride and they go. That's why we have traffic. And guess what? We can't control what Berkeley does, what Warttown does. We just can't. I know the guys in Wartown very well.
And I know the people in in in uh Berkeley very very well. They're they're they're fighting just like we are to get things in town that aren't going to be taxfree >> or reduce your taxes. >> I know,
>> but are going to try to stabilize them and reduce the growth of taxes. Mayor, that's all I have. >> Thank you, Tim. >> Steve, just one thing. >> Just one thing. >> I was reminded I forgot to address something. this quick. Kevin had asked
if I could explain uh what I explained the other night about taxes because that's a very important to all of us. We all pay them. Believe it or not, even we pay them up here in case you don't think so because that'll be in the paper next that we don't pay taxes.
We all pay taxes. None of us want them to go up. You got to remember see this see these this governing body sitting up here. We control 20 cents on the dollar of your taxes.
That's all we control. And yes, we try to keep it down as much as we can. This year, as Mr. Kenneth has said many a times, he's been on here 12, 13 years. This has been as tough as the biggest battles in
the back room trying to keep the rate down because things are getting where nobody can control it. But basically 20 cents on a dollar. 20 cents goes to your local government, 60 cents, basically 60% goes to your
school system, 20% goes to the county, give or take a tenth every given year. But think of that if you got a $6,000 tax bill, which hopefully you don't, but that's not uncommon.
20 12 >> 20% of that is $1,200. >> Think of the services you get for that 20% out of what this governing body has control over. Your garbage pickup, your
volunteer services, your police department, your parks, your recreation, the road department, all the services that Lacy provides. You can't even buy private garbage pickup for what the amount that we have control of of your
tax dollar. And I only come up with that because somebody badgered me on a ride home from the airport about their tax bill. And I asked him if they ever read it. The third time I asked him, he told me no. Well, guess what? I never did either at that point. It was a couple
years ago. So, I went and looked at it and I come to find out, which was news to me because you know what? We all pay our taxes to Lacy Township and that's all we look at. But this governing body only controls 20
cents on the dollar. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bob. Um, forgive my notes, Carol. I was going to mention the Revolution NJ, but I only have the dates. So, Lacy Alliance uh maybe next week. >> Lacy Alliance now.
>> Okay. The Revolution NJ exhibit schedule will be at the Lacy Alliance lunchon on Friday, June 26th. I wish I had my notes to explain what it is, but attend the Lacy Alliance lunchon on Friday, June 26th. Um >> next meeting. We have time.
I'll take it next. >> It's an exhibit. >> Yes, I know it's an exhibit. So, what 14 15 panels, right? >> So, why don't you why don't you just you quickly describe it >> while you're up there very quickly. >> Give it back to us. Let her have it so
she's >> Who am I talking to? >> Just very quickly just describe what it is so everybody knows. Up >> to them >> because it's only we're one of what two counties getting it. >> Use the mic please. >> Stand behind the mic. >> Great. It works.
Um, we were lucky enough to be to get the exhibit from the state of New Jersey. It's called Revolutionary Lives. It's the traveling exhibit. It's only going to be in Ocean County twice in 2026, and Lacy's going to have it at the
Alliance. So, if you have a chance, go over and see it after it leaves there. And I have to say this, >> it's going to go to the Berkeley Historic Society and it'll be there for a week. And on Fourth of July, it'll be at um Bayville BFFW for the picnic. So
if you get a chance, it's a really amazing exhibit. Um kind of once in a lifetime to read all about people. >> What are the dates in the district? June 26th. >> June 26. The Lacy and Lacy >> at the Alliance. So it'll be in Lacy
>> Community Center. Yeah. >> Right. >> Which is the lunchon with the community center. Correct. But I I believe that they're going to leave that part of the the exhibit will be on the side so anybody can come in during the lunchon >> and see the exhibit. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you very much.
>> Sorry that I wasn't prepared. >> Excuse me. >> I just want to say Carol, you went and applied for the grant and made that happen for us. So we give this lady a LOT OF CREDIT. UM THE uh Forker Mountain cleanup was a couple weeks ago and uh this year they
totaled 15 tons of trash and the grand total for all 33 cleanups they've had is almost 800 tons. It's kind of disgusting actually, but we're glad. So I commend the Fork River Mountain Coalition for doing that year after year and all the volunteers that show up to clean Fork
River Mountain. I attended the Ocean County Department of Human Services. Uh they had a mental health awareness um event at the O at the Tom's River Library. Um I attended because we had two students in the Lenoka Harbor and Fork River School um win. They're
they're their pictures. I think it's countywide. Again, I lost my notes for this too, but it's countywide and um I they're going on the county calendar this year, but there were two students from Lacy Township, so I just want to intend to support them. Just want to mention also what Peggy said about the
police. The the the police have had a number of challenging issues so far this year and I just want to commend Chief Sullivan and and all the uh officers um for the job that they're doing so far. I was on a Pinelands Alliance um the
Pinelands Alliance held a Zoom call to just to educate uh for mayors that have uh own property in the Pelands. Um and uh it was over data centers and so uh we'll be discussing that you know got
the whole presentation and it's something I'm going to have the committee look at next we're going to be on next caucus meeting. um >> in the Y. Just again briefly on the um not really talking about the Y, but our website, the town website was updated
not that long ago and Amy has been posting front and center all the information as we get it on the W. Um uh as we get it, there's all links and tabs full of um all the information that we have so far regarding the Y.
>> I think that's it. >> Wonderful. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Move. Second. >> Second. Resolution executive session >> resolution 2026-178 resolution counc all favor
>> kill the tape Yeah, it's a