Wait. Recording. >> Good evening everybody. Township of Lacy Caucus meeting October 23rd, 2025. I'll read the statement. We'll pledge allegiance to our flag. Have a short moment of silence. 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 the Aspberry Park press in the beacon and was posted on the bulletin board showing the time and place of the meeting. I pledge algiance 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 number one, proclamation for friends of the Lacy Libraries Week. >> Come.
>> There's our girl. Wonderful. >> Hi everybody. >> Would you like me to read the proclamation first or >> I mean unless you want me to introduce myself to the audience. >> Please introduce. That's more important. >> Okay. Hi. For those who may not know me, my name is Chris Sinator. I'm the adult
information services librarian for the Lacy branch of the Ocean County Library System. Um for those who may not know, the Ocean County Library just celebrated its grand centennial 100th birthday recently. Um so that's very exciting. Um I'm here today to accept the
proclamation for national friends of a library. Um as you know our friends are very important to us at the lazy branch to provide extra funding for wonderful programs. Um, most recently we held in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month the Wonders of Peru uh, flora, fauna, and
food program in which the friends helped sponsor us in getting the food truck uh, snowi Peruvian food truck here at the Lacy branch and patrons got to enjoy Peruvian cuisine along with enjoying all the informative uh, wonderful culture
offerings that Peru has to offer. So, I thank the friends of the Lacy branch and I thank everyone here in attendance this evening for supporting the Ocean County Library System. So, thank you very much. Read a short proclamation. Whereas, the friends of the Lacy Library raised money
that enables our library to move from good to great, providing the resources for additional programming, muchneeded equipment, support for children's summer reading, and special events throughout the year. And whereas the work of the friends highlights an ongoing basis the fact
that our library is the cornerstone of the community providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of lifelong learning and connect with the thoughts and ideas of others from ages past to present. Whereas the friends understand the critical importance of the
well-funded libraries and to advocate to ensure that our library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of services to all ages including access to print and electronic materials along with expert assistance in research readers advisory and children's services.
And whereas the friends gift of their time and commitment to the library sets an example for all in how volunteerism leads to a positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Peter
Curito, mayor of Lacy Township, along with our township committee, uh, proclaims October 19th to the 25th, 2025 as friends of the libraries week of the township of Lacy County of Ocean, state of New Jersey, and urges everyone uh to
join the Friends of the Library and thank them for all they do to make our libraries and our community so much better. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you. [Applause]
Item number two this evening honoring volunteers of the Lacy Haunted Trail. I'd like to invite our director recreation Jim Wland up to the microphone. >> Thank you. I'm hope I'm sure you guys can hear me. Uh I'm not used to it being
so far away, but um I just wanted to say thank you to everyone uh for for inviting us in here today. Um the recreation department is is extremely uh lucky to have a dedicated volunteer group that works on programs and events
uh all throughout the year. Um which we couldn't do nearly the things that we do without them. um starting in summertime um pretty much as soon as we got past 4th of July and uh we had that great
piece air uh on um uh News12 New Jersey on our Wibbit, we were packed every day over there. So that was a huge increase. U but that extra um workload took us away from some of the other things we were trying to get done. U so without
the help of volunteers, it really doesn't happen. So today we're here to talk about our haunted trail. Our haunted trail uh to give you a little bit of history started in 2020 uh during the pandemic. I want to say right after
Labor Day we sat down and said we have to do something to kind of keep the spirit of Halloween going and uh we had five weeks to plan it and um we got it done. A lot of sleepless nights then, a lot of sleepless nights now. Um, but we
did a drive-thru haunted trail at Gilly Park um because we had to observe all the uh different rules that we were observing during the pandemic and but we still wanted to give people an experience. So, we did a drive-thru. Now, it's not as easy or it's hard to
scare somebody or to get someone into the Halloween spirit to be scared when they're in the comfy confines of their car. Uh, but we made it work and we it was very theatrical and we had a great time doing it. Um we then decided we wanted to try to do this every year and
um we tried to do it outdoors the following year in um uh Hebrew Park. Didn't go as well. Mother nature didn't work with us. Our date got cancelled two or three times. Um so uh it kind of discouraged us a little bit but we we um
took a year off brought it back in 2023 and ever since then we've seem to found a good formula where we're getting people to come. Um this year we had uh over 1150 well we had 1156 people walk the trail. Wow.
>> Over the two nights. >> So um they go in small groups of about 10 people. Um, I know Mayor, you came out and and uh, you know, took part in the trail. Hopefully you enjoyed it. >> That was it was outstanding. The work that goes into it. I'll comment later.
It's your >> um, but it it's uh it's it's a lot of um, it's an intense week. We start building on on Sunday afternoon um, to get ready for the following Friday and it takes every hour up until basically
minutes before we're about to open to get it done. Um, and it doesn't happen without the good people in this room tonight. Um, we we had about 50 different volunteers come in over the course of the week between actors, builders, designers,
um, cleanup crew, uh, people. We have kids who volunteer just to feed the actors who run around with granola bars and chicken fingers and stuff. So, it uh, the adage it takes a village. Well, it it certainly does take a village. um
maybe not to um run the entire department but to make sure our events are operating in a extremely well organized and uh professional manner and I'm thankful to have such great volunteers. Now we're getting together Monday night to go over some of the
particulars, but I will uh talk a little bit about um you know favorite scenes and things. So we said we had 1156 uh people go through the trail. I had about 125 take the survey. Um, and from
those survey results, we had basically we asked, "What's your favorite scene? What's the scariest scene?" And, uh, without a shadow of a doubt, everyone's favorite scene was our mad scientist. Uh, she is here in the room right now. Um, so a round of applause for Miss
Eleanor. She um, >> never going to hear the end of that. Should have given it to somebody else. >> So, she was uh, she was our mad scientist. She had a couple younger actors with her and they did a phenomenal job. And our scariest scene and I don't think Lily is with us today.
But um Right, Lily was our ring girl. >> Yeah. We um for anyone not familiar like I wasn't cuz I don't watch scary movies, >> which is uh ironic. But um we had a scene in the trail where there's a a scary movie called The Ring. In this
movie, a girl crawls out of a TV. So, one of our volunteers built a old-fashioned TV console, put a flat screen on the back of it, so it was playing that scene. And while that scene is playing, we had a girl climb out of the TV. And, uh, she was awesome. I think she was 10 years old,
>> 11. >> 11. So, we, you know, her mom and dad were also in the trail volunteering, but, um, she was awesome. She was able to, uh, contort herself and twist and turn, and she just, she didn't have to say much. She didn't say anything except
she would just stop and then just let out a blood curdling scream and people ran from her. So it was uh quite amazing and I hopefully she does come to our dinner on on Monday night. But um she was fantastic. So she was voted scariest
scene and um but there's just so many people to name and I I I don't want to miss anyone. So I'm just going to give a collective thank you to the entire group. Uh over 50 plus volunteers make that happen. to bring in,00
people or more to walk the trail to bring in uh I think our gross revenue this year was $15,770. >> Fantastic. >> Which, um minus our expenses, you know, we've already been able to profit enough to put our down payment on our firework
display for next year. So, >> fantastic. >> Um round of applause for the good people who who came out and uh and made that happen. So, I got the contract on my desk. We're we're ready to to move forward. Um, next year is a big year for
fireworks. It's the country's 250th. So, um, we're excited to get that contract out of the way now with the down payment. So, there's, >> you know, no chance of losing out on a on a vendor because I believe it's going to be tough as as the year goes on. Mhm. >> So, um, but that doesn't happen again
without the 50 dedicated people that come basically after they work their full day. They come to the park. We're there till park closing time. Of course, we wouldn't stay late. Um, >> who's telling? >> But, um, but they're there. They
dedicate so much time and energy. Uh, they bring a lot of their own their own props, their own lights, you know, smoke machines to help supplement what we have uh to make it happen. So, I'd like to invite everybody come up, you know, to come up to the deis here. We'd like to do a photo if that's okay with you guys.
>> And uh don't be shy. Come on up. >> Can I do something real quick? >> Sure. >> I'm going to call out Lucas. [Applause] >> You guys want me to like this or something. >> Jim, you're in the picture. She'll
>> All right. >> Amy said she would do it for you. >> You sure? >> Why don't we move the microphone and the podium out of the way a little bit so we can catch your shot? >> Good catch. [Music]
>> Mayor, your wife's trying to hide in the back here. I just want to say she's trying to hide. >> The mad scientist is trying to hide. >> Yes. >> Oh, here comes some more folks. Get in here. Get in here. Hurry up. >> Wait. Wait. They they help, too. Come on. You got to get in the picture.
>> All right, Cole. >> Nice job, Cole. All right. >> Very nice. Very nice. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thanks J. [Music]
>> So item number three is going to be tabled for this evening. So, unless you want a really exciting set of comments afterward and uh >> some talking about municipal and 2C and NJAC, New Jersey administrative code. Going to show you the door if you'd
like. >> Take a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Move it. >> Second. All in >> favor say I. I >> move right into township this evening. and we'll go right to item number one after the statement. Township, October
23rd, 2025. Adequate notice for this meeting has been given in accordance with the open public meetings act pursuant of public laws of 1975. Said notice was advertised in the Aspbury Park Press in the Beacon was posted on the Bolton porch board showing the time and place of the meeting. Item number
one, resolution 2025-284 authorizing an agreement for the collection of solid waste and recycled materials. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a 5-year contract for the collection of solid waste and single stream recycling services to Metobrook
Industries. We only had one bid received. We are opting for the 5-year contract as it's most cost effective. Um, this will be from January 2026 until December 2030. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mrs. Juliana. >> Yes. Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennes, >> yes. >> May,
>> yes. Item number two, resolution 2025-285 authorizing an agreement for health reimbursement account services for township employees. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to EB employee
solutions LLC DBA as a difference card to provide health reimbursement account services for the township of Lacy employee benefits program. This is the annual renewal um for the difference card. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennon, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Kto,
>> yes. Item number three, resolution 2025-286 authorizing an interlocal service agreement with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office for the Driving while intoxicated enforcement program. Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean, state of New Jersey, authorizing the execution of an
interlocal service agreement with the county of Ocean for police services for the driving while intoxicated enforcement program. >> Second, >> Mrs. Juliana, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennis, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Ker, >> yes. It number four, resolution 2025-287
authorizing an interlocal service agreement with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office for the Drug Recognition Expert Callout Program. Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, authorizing the execution of an interlocal service agreement with the county of Ocean for police services for
the drug recognition expert callout program. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Kenn, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Keruto, >> yes. With one comment. Thank you to the police department for doing this um with the Department of Highway and Traffic Safety. Uh they pay the overtime uh on
some of these issues and uh they also uh always apply for a texting grant. You text, you drive, you lose. So kudos to them for keeping us safe. Item number five, resolution 2025-288 opposing the proposed judicial consent order between New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection and 3M Company in its current form. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey opposing the proposed judicial consent order for 3M company with the NJP. um they want to settle with the state um so as to not be liable for any future
liability that comes from PAS related contamination claims. This is just in opposition to what's currently being offered to them by the state which would be um no future liability. The reason why we're doing it is for not that it affects anything in Lacy Township, but it sets a precedent if something were to
in the future. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kennes. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mayor Ker. Um yeah. Mayor Keruto. Yes. Item number six, resolution 2025-289, authorizing the release of a performance guarantee for road opening permit number
5037. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the release of a site improvement performance guarantee posted by Ridgemont Homes for road opening permit number 503. >> Move it. >> Tim. >> Tim, you got to abstain.
>> Oh, second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennis, >> abstain. Mayor Ker. >> Yes. Item number seven, resolution 2025-290 authorizing an amendment to the personnel policies and procedures manual. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy
County of Ocean State, New Jersey, authorizing amendments to the local government personnel policy and procedures manual and the employee handbook for the township of Lacy. This is to update some language in the handbook as it relates to new requirements for the pregnant workforce um sorry, pregnant workers fairness act.
>> Move it. Second, >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mr. Kenn, >> yes. Mr. >> McDonald, >> yes. >> Mary Kula, >> yes. Item number eight, resolution 2025-291, authorizing an employees leave of absence. >> Resolution at the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey,
authorizing a leave of absence for John Labot. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. Kennis. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Ker, >> yes. Item number nine, resolution 2025-292, authorizing the tax collector to cancel
taxes due to a disabled veteran tax exemption. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the tax collector to cancel 2025 taxes due on a property granted the 100% disabled veteran exemption and refund the resulting credit balance. >> Move it. >> Second.
>> Mr. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennes, yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Ker, >> yes. Item number 10, resolution 2025-293 authorizing the refund of deposit monies. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the refund of deposits held
for the use of municipal facilities. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Kenn, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mayor Ker, >> yes. Item number 11, resolution 2025-294, authorizing the payment of township bills. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey
authorizing the payment of township bills. This is in the amount of $1,270,852.36. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kenneth. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kerto. >> Yes. >> Yes. With noted abstension number 5890.
>> Mr. normal. >> Yes. T0035. >> My forgot about it. >> Item number 12. Motion to approve caucus meeting minutes from October 9th, 2025. >> Move it. >> Second. All in favor? I >> abstain.
>> Item number 13, motion to approve township meeting minutes from October 9th, 2025. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennis, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> abstain. >> Mayor Curuto, >> yes. >> Item number 14, motion approve executive session meeting minutes from October
9th, 2025. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mrs. Juliano, >> yes. >> Mr. Kennes, >> yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> abstain. >> Mayor, >> yes. >> Comments from the committee. Add on. Oh, one add-on. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2025-296.
Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey supporting the acquisition of properties identified on the addendum A by the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund. This is um uh what is it? 98.89 acres um out in Fork River Mountain that will be uh acquired by the county for their open
space. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. Kennes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mayor Ker. Yes. >> And we will have comments from the committee this evening. Deputy Mayor Kennes. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, one of the other
uh positions that I uh sit on, um, I I'm uh on the board of the Ocean County Utilities Authority. And if nobody knows what that is, it's responsible for all the sewage that's uh in all of Ocean County. It's a sewer system for the entire county. It treats all the sewage and then um, you know, filters it and
then discharges it out into the ocean, make sure it's clean. Uh today there was a ceremony to um uh rename the uh building after John uh the maintenance uh not the maintenance the operations building which is the main building and in uh Berkeley
um after John Parker and we also um had a ceremony to unveil a uh bronze memorial for him and at the entrance to that building and um you know those that don't know John was you know longtime Lacy resident everybody knows John's
asked, but he was the chairman of the of the OCUA for 25 years and he sat on the board for uh 45 years and um just put a lot of time into make he was there when it was designed and built and and served on it the whole time. So um again, it was just a nice ceremony today and it
was welld deserving to to name that building after after John. Thank you. Those are my comments. >> Thank you very much, >> Committeeman. >> Thank you, man. The only thing I really have to say tonight is
in a couple Tuesdays from now we vote. And I have always believed it is the responsibility of every citizen that is eligible to vote to get out and vote for the candidates of their choice. We have a referendum here. You do what you got to do. You vote for the way you think is
best for this township and the schools. That's all I have to say. Thank you very much, Committee Juliana. >> Hi, Mayor. Um, I just wanted to say uh first of all to our librarian that was here and I know she's had left now. Um, we're very fortunate to have that
library here in town and um, I know my children were brought up on it. So I it's a conversation that's come up many times in school because I also work at the school system with some teachers and they discuss with the children a lot of times that just because um we don't use books anymore where you know
everything's on a screen and you should go to the library and check it out because there's a lot there that you would be interested in and we try to teach the children that at school. That's one thing. And I I'm sorry that Jim left before I got to say this, but I'll tell you what, his voice on our
media is phenomenal. We are very very lucky to have that man. He's so softspoken. He works hard and um he pro promotes this town very nicely. So, we're we're very fortunate to have him. But that's all me. >> Fantastic. I for the first time in 12
years uh I have a short prepared statement tonight in light of some of the comments that have come across the microphone and it'll take five minutes or less. So I wanted to take this opportunity to read this statement against the better judgment of people on this dis in the building and all around town. So I just want to unpack a few
what I'll call inaccuracies. Now, a lot of you have seen and heard a lot of a lot of things in the last few meetings, and it comes from a place a place of political partisanship as we are all in what we call the silly season, inclusive of the last few meetings before an election, and it's a
free chance to hit a microphone that reaches 30,000 people. First, it was alleged that I have been I have given too many interviews at the Jones Road fire, and I offered no time for any advocacy for any of our citizens or our taxpayers by not attending any schoolboard meetings. On the night of
the fire, late into the night at our community hall, I loaded infirmed seniors physically that were evacuated in wheelchairs and with their dogs onto school buses after calling County Administrator Mike Fiori and County Sheriff Mik Mastinardi.
um along with Peggy Sue Giuliano and Veronica Laray. Once the landing spot for our seniors was procured that night and I knew that there'd be attention to basic medical needs, um that basically concluded the night, but it was the first of many harrowing nights. What was
left out of many out of the too many interviews comments was why I did so many interviews and that was as the leader of the town to control categoric rumors that were not true such as things you hear at hearsay. The nuke plant was
on fire. It's leaking. It's been struck by lightning. None of this was true. But there was a cost. I was been I've been trained in incident command management system. worked through many disasters over the last 19 years in public health, both here in the state of Florida. And I
know that nothing is more important than controlling the message. And that's why I did what I did with the TV stations. When I hear a pregnant mom who can't move or get around too well or an infirm or immobile senior that got the life scared out of them due to misinformation, that pisses me off. So,
I became their advocate. Uh, and 50 years ago, that could have been my mom. So, I'm proud of that information. and I kept in constant contact with my colleagues on deis and all around the town including our senior presidents in our towns. It was said that I was a no-show at schoolboard meetings. That's
garbage. Uh that I was scared. I'm never scared of anything. So any other diarrhea of the mouth or constipation of thought that comes and gets spewed behind the microphone accusing me of that is untrue. I have advocacy for our taxpayers. So Mr. mayor for 2023 and
2024. I was one of two school board liaison and I met frequently with the school board, the business administrator, the former superintendent and the current acting superintendent to discuss these issues and I did advocate for the taxpayer. In addition, I attended two school board meetings and
and at one spoke against the advice of many to rail against a governor who cut $14 million for our schools in that means they cut $14 million from our kids and I accused the governor of doing that for political reasons and there's a long
list of people that did do that. Our kids suffered because of that. So I advocated for our schools, our kids and against the governor who did that. Had I been governor and I'm not running for governor, I wouldn't have done that. I think that's patently unfair from a group of people that says they care
about kids. Lastly, I suggested to the school board to augment their communications to the public. If you're going to go into somebody's pocket, you need to communicate very clearly and with full throat why you're going into it, why you
deserve it. And so I offered I said, "Hey, use our website. Use your website." They're now doing this not on our website, but these are all matters of fact. They're giving progress updates. There has been an incremental increase in in some of the scores and I'm proud of them. They took my advice
on that. Other people advised them as well. They took mine. They took ours and they're doing it. So, in close summary, additionally, it's been stated that there needs to be a change in the elected officials up here, including the very style of government we have, a community form, committee form of
government. Incidentally, the very same style of government that the people of Lacy chose. Too much one party rule you hear. Let me tell you what tenured individuals like myself and Mr. Kennes have. 30 years in municipal, county, and state government where I was an administrator at all three levels. I
built these relationships and when I call people in our legislative districts, they see my number and they pick up. It's advocacy I use to advocate for us in these towns. That's a slew of assemblymen and our senators. I don't drop their names because I don't need to
do that. I do that because I have a relationship where there's mutual respect. They keep me informed and I take take care of our people. And that's the way I like it. That's the way it's supposed to be. I'm your advocate. I work for you. We work for you. Mr.
Kennes and I work well together. So, in summary and in closing, I owe nothing. I need nothing. I fear nothing. I like doing this. I like being your advocate. enables me to advocate for our residents like no other. It's a very particular skill set I've honed over a
great many years that I put to work for you. In finality, a reverberating theme at the microphone has been too much development, too many s single family homes, too much traffic. In reality, we're 86 square miles, the majority of it protected Pinelands, most of it
undeveloped and undevelop undevelopable. These are the very same voices that rail against progress and say the tax levy is too high but don't want us to build out ratables, roads, Walmart, Aldi, Home Depot, and Kohl's. And they believe that
it's still possible to have no development and lower taxes. To my well-intentioned yet misguided friends who really showed me some nastiness behind the microphone, so I felt like I had to do this tonight, and I apologize for the long wind. To my well-intentioned yet misguided friends,
show proper decorum in the world that you're residing in and say hi to Dorothy and the Munchkins because you're living in Oz. That'll conclude my comments for this evening. I'll open the floor for public. >> The floor is open. So >> floor's open. >> Raise your hand.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> Welcome. >> Good evening. Jaya Lake tribe. We're here on behalf of the roots across America and first of all we'd like to say thank you to everybody that helped us last year because it's gotten very large. Um and we're coming here again to
ask for help through the township. So um it's December 13th. Um we need the 12:00. We need the road department. We need the fire department. We need everybody. I'll reach out to everyone and u make
sure that Daryl Nick who is our police officer who handles it you know and then of course Jim Wyland he'll take care of it on that you know and and um DBW will be in touch with uh Tyler over there he handled it last year so that'd be fine >> Taylor
>> yes Taylor yep so I think I think >> I know committee woman Juliano loves the event and she's a fine addition to that event and if she would speak or if you would you know however you would Miss Juliano involved. I'll play the support role >> for Miss Juliano. >> We'll have a meeting.
>> Yeah, we'll have a meeting with you. I'll set up something so we can all be there and discuss what you what needs to be done. We have a rhythm going now. So, we'll just keep that rhythm going. You know, >> I feel like I feel like it like the time is coming quick, right? It's right around the corner, right? You're just going
>> Are you um still in need of volunteers? Is that something? Yes, >> I've already had um someone from the Girl Scouts reaching out. >> Okay, good. Good. That's and I know the different um locations like Feeasant Run usually comes out and helps a whole group from there. Um so maybe you know
>> good last year came out, you know, we had the Alps program from where it's so hopefully it's all going to be the same. >> And I think it worked well when we did the bus situation too, you know. So that was a big >> Did we coordinate with Murray Grove yet? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So
>> we have we have we have yeah she um yeah they offered like the immediate volunteers to be able to park like us and um the kids that come from Alves and maybe >> we could do something figure something out with the handicap this year >> right that that's another issue
>> but they have to be able to show us their handicap. We can't just have everybody I know. >> Yeah that's the problem. Yes. Yes. That's the problem. So yeah, but otherwise we'll work with the buses too because we had the bus, you know, the volunteers last year do the busing. So that worked out great, too. So
>> all right, we'll get it done. >> I'll I'll make I'll make a deal. >> On board on board. >> We're all good. >> We're on board. No problem. >> You go bug Taylor when you want. >> Yes. Yes. >> Taylor, he's the best. He was really good. >> I know. Thank you so much. >> Thanks. >> Good to see both of you.
>> Other comments, Mr. Bender. inside if it's easier. >> All right, let's do that. >> Yeah. Yeah, that gives you a little bit closer. There you go. >> There we go. Come up more. >> Barry Bender somewhere in Lacy Township. >> Have a good day. Uh I've been coming to these meetings for a long time and I've
the meeting before the election is always a fun meeting but always the comments and the campaigning have come out from here on the floor. It's never come from the day before and I consider part of your speech political campaigning. Mayor, I'm sorry and I
think it's wrong. I don't think it should be done. >> If I was sitting up there I would have advised you against giving that speech. Well, I was straightening out the facts, so I have a right to do that if somebody's going to >> l It's campaigning. >> Well, you could say what you want. >> Okay. I consider it campaigning and I
think it was wrong. So, I'll leave it at that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Please. >> Don't raise your hands at >> Can you do it? >> Um, I think so. As long as it's not too tight, I can
>> Regina Desenda Sunset Drive, Sunrise Beach. I don't know if you all heard, but only about 30 people attended the two public information sessions at Mil Pond and Fork River School. However, I did hear that about 100 people attended at Seabbze. The lack of attendance about
referendum information speaks volumes. Now, it will be very interesting to see how many people show up at the high school next week. Hardly seems worthwhile to spend $39,500 and only a handful of residents show up for information. Low attendance after the expenditure of
$39,500 for promotional materials that weren't even legally labeled by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission guidelines. I sent you all a copy of the paid voucher and invoice and it is not
itemized. I am going to seek itemized bills for the 39,500 because those laminated postcards were big. They were 11 by7 and they are very expensive. The pricing on the referendum projects themselves are very high. I contacted a
private commercial roofing company myself and they assured me the pricing was exaggerated. I gave them the insulation specs and this the five building addresses. People often ask me, "What are some suggestions for helping the board's budget?" They're easy.
Three major ones constantly overlooked for the past 10 to 15 years. It's more than time to subcontract out the transportation department and get a company that will agree to use local drivers. When it was first proposed years ago, Jack Martin was the board
president. Think of the savings from not paying bus insurance alone. Bus mainten maintenance is expensive. I see the bills for the parts. I saw a bill for parts the other day. I think it was $15,000. was like a total allocation for one particular thing. Subcontract out
the food services department. Find a company that will also agree to use the local employees. Many do. I asked when I went to NJSBA workshops in Atlantic City. Pay to play for sports. Vanessa was always afraid to do this because of parental push back, but it's time. The
board must find ways to free up money in the budget and do their regular maintenance. They just put HVAC in I think Mil Pond or the middle school, but they managed to squeeze out some money to do that particular project, which I think was on question two from March.
So, it is possible. It's just that they pick and choose. If every district in the state neglected maintenance, there wouldn't be a school building left standing in the state. It's called management. And if these suggestions were implemented years ago, they might be able to squeeze back in some courtesy
busing. But I do think that's gone for good. The very hurtful increased tax payments are soon due on November 1st. Try and think of all the people that have to make sacrifices for those payments. School board, I hope you're listening. The school district is making
people choose between medicine, food, and taxes. And I think that's unconscionable. But that's what we have. A school administration without a conscience. Thank you. November 1st is going to hurt a lot of people. Any other
comments this evening? >> Nobody else. Anybody else wants to >> Yes, Mrs. Delicris. >> Mayor and Township Committee. >> That was a great c Halloween celebration unique provided for it.
>> Thank you, Helen. So many people came, kids with their moms and dads, even with their grandmas and grandpas and even people with not anymore kids, but kids at heart. >> Yes. >> It was so great and it was so awesome
the way it was done. Special thanks of course goes to the uh Department of Public Works and Department of Recreation for their hard work and all the other volunteers that came. I know you you will get a special reception for them. That was very very
appropriate and not just appropriate. That was great because I was there myself and I enjoyed it. And thanks also for the actors. They were there was this young lady doing somersaults on the floor with such ease. And another one
another young lady doing walking on the floor on all fours. Not not this way, the other way. How awesome can that be? >> And there was not just the um wonderful sound and uh special uh light
effects, but also the effect of the uh the element of surprise. There I I was walking and then I thought I heard I f them and I wow what does this right on my face
a mask which that was so good and thank you mayor and township committee you did a great >> Thank you appreciate it Helen great you did a great job for our township God bless you all >> thank you >> thank you thank you >> thank you Helen >> very nice Helen thank Anyone
else? >> Nope. Guess not. >> Okay. Here we go. >> Welcome. >> You might want to put that microphone. >> Oh, I think I'm going to have to just a little bit. >> A little bit taller.
>> Yeah, just a little bit taller. I can't help it, Regina. You're just too short. >> No. Yeah, whatever it is. Uh, let's see. Okay, glasses. Uh, good evening. Um, hold on here.
Good evening, township committee members, uh, members of our community, Lacy Citizens. My name is Richard Bidnik. I am the chair of the Lacy Citizens for Responsible Government. Last night, the Lacy Citizens for Responsible Government conducted its Board of Education candidates forum.
Last night at the Lacy Library, I was very pleased with the candidates who showed up and the many vibrant questions that the candidates were asked from the audience. There are a group of people in our town who get it and are educated on the issues that are affecting our
schools. I can recommend Steve Goen and Meg Forna for the school board. They are two intelligent individuals who articulated very well their positions from which I might not always agree but with I but who I can definitely work
with on many many issues. Please when you go into the voting booth vote for Steve and Meg. The incumbent unfortunately Jack Kennady did not does not deserve to be reelected. Not only did he not even respond to the invite
to um the event to the candidates forum, he had no interest in answering to the public that he's elected to serve. He literally went online today on Facebook and wrote that the email invite that was sent to him
was sent to his school board address. This is an utter lie as I have a copy of the email that I sent to all the candidates and it went to his Gmail account. He also inflicted two 10% tax increases
on the taxpayers. He is part of the problem and not the solution for the future of Lacy Township Board of Education. I'm asking the voters of Lacy Township to vote no on the upcoming $28.8 $8
million referendum. Repairs do need to be made, but not with the current scenario in play. If the referendum is defeated, the new board can go back to the drawing board and file new submissions with the state of New Jersey that have actual cost estimates by
vendors to back up all of the repairs so that we, the voters, can have confidence in these numbers and not put the district in any more debt than it needs to be. There are those that say we're eligible for 11.1 million in state aid, but from what we heard at the Fork River
Forum that the school district had recently, some of the projects are only eligible to receive 34% of state aid. So, we really don't know what the final numbers will be. On another note, the supporters of the referendum keep saying, "Oh, we'll get 11.1 million from
the state." But we are the state. That is our money and we want it to be spent prudently, honestly, and transparently. I could get behind a referendum that meets all of these requirements.
Also, I want to ask the Lacy voters if you were having a new roof design put on your house and you had an architect design it and he gave you a ballpark figure of $25,000 for a new roof. He's not the one who's going to be doing the roofing project.
So, of course, you're going to go out and get estimates from roofers. We don't have any of that right now with the submissions that this school district has made to the state. For these reasons, I'm asking the citizens of Lacy Township to vote no. Instead, we
can have the school district go back to the drawing board and do this the right way. And then, instead of dividing this town as they are doing right now, we can all get behind this project working together. There are several dates next year where a new referendum can be put on the ballot. I don't think we are
asking for too much. On another note, November 4th is election day. It It's time for all excuse me, it's time for all of us to reflect on the performance of those who are up for
reelection. Again, the citizens of Lacy Township deserve better in my view. They deserve a better government. They deserve people who actually care about the struggling individuals who are barely making it in our town. And this current body, certain members, just
don't cut the mustard. We need new blood. We need people from other parties besides the Republican party sitting on this committee who may have different points of view than the people who are sitting up there now. I don't believe in party affiliation having anything to do
with local politics because we're all in this together. because we're not dealing with state or national issues. We're dealing with how we can best manage Lacy Township. So, please Lacy residents, do not go in the voting box and just because you're a registered Republican
or any other political party and just don't go and vote for somebody just by party line. There are a lot of Republicans who just don't deserve to be >> in public office. People want to know why our country is
in dire strait situation that it's in. It's because of our failed governments, both local, state, and national, which have put us in $ 38 trillion in debt. And of course, most of the chaos that's affecting our country right now. It's a
very sad state of affairs. And just so everyone knows, I'm a registered Republican and a fiscal conservative, but I vote with my brain, using logic and my pocketbook as my guide. I ask that the citizens of Lacy do the same.
We need to hold our public officials accountable. They are elected to represent our interests, not their own. They are paid a salary to do work, not their work, but our work. We need true leaders who are not afraid to stand up
against the establishment when they know certain things are going to affect the taxpayers in a very negative way. We all deserve better. Of course, nothing is perfect. But always remember, if our government can't stand up with us and be
there for us when we need them, why should we show up and support them on election day? And thank you very much for allowing me to speak tonight. And I wanted to mention too, our public library is great. They did a great job.
Um, you know, I've used it several times. The staff there are great. And since we're honoring our public libraries, and that has been my whole life profession that I worked in, please support our libraries. And our young people do need to start reading books. >> Yes. >> Go to the library and don't read off
those crumb. Read those books, please. because you know I just heard today that Baker and Taylor which is the largest book supplier is going out of business. >> It's kind of sad when you hear that folks. >> It really is. So thank you very much and I appreciate and have a good night. >> Good night.
>> Any other comments this evening Stephen? >> See make a motion to close the floor. >> Move it. >> Second. I I have a comment. We're close. We're closing public portion. >> Closing public portion. I >> I >> I >> have further comments. Go ahead, >> please.
>> Just one more comment. I would like to remind everyone of the advantages they now have living in Lacy under the guidance and leadership of the Republican council. All the projects and developments that have occurred in Lacy over the past 15 to 20 years have been and continue to be our biggest advantage in maintaining a relatively stable
municipal tax rate while offering an everinccreasing list of services to our citizens and also providing fair wages to our employees. We are fortunate that we have so many individuals and businesses that want to make an investment in Lacy Home Depot, Walmart,
Walters, Walters Homes, Ryan Homes, Who Toll Brothers. This development has allowed us to increase services such as the railroad avenue road and walking trail, the wibbit, and acquiring the former Knights of Columbus building to use as a new community hall. Over the years, these raidables have provided
hundreds of thousands of dollars in permits, permit fees to the township and provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to our tax base. This has all occurred with many planning meetings and foresight to ensure that Lacy not only survives but thrives. And again, this has all occurred under the direction of
the Republicans. Conversely, we have achieved these results set against the backdrop of many mandates pushed by a partisan legislature and governor. Taxpayer funded affordable housing, ownorous stormwater regulations, law enforcement directives, and school
funding cuts to name a few. So, to summarize, while there are always going to be growing pains as towns and places change, this Republican committee has always worked hard navigating the equal responsibilities of more services and less taxes. and it will always continue
to do so. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Resolution 2025-295. Resolution Township Police. >> Let me interrupt you for one second. I don't want to be unfair to Mr. Bender. He wants to come up. >> We're closed. We already Okay, we're
closed. Resolution 2025-295 resolution of the town county of Ocean City New Jersey authorizing the convening of an executive session in accordance with the open public meetings act. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Motion second. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Juliana. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mayor Galla. >> Yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Favor. All right.