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 Azer park press and the beacon and was posted on a bulletin board showing the time and place of the meeting. Everyone please rise and salute to the flag and and following a moment of silence. I
pledge allegiance 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. Okay. Item one, Lacy and Lights winner. Jim.
>> Sure. >> Okay. Well, first off, I want to just uh say thank you for having us in today. Um, this was our ninth annual Lacy Lights uh holiday light decorating contest uh for the township. And I'm very happy to say
we've had nine different winners. So, we've, you know, continued our streak of having a different home uh come in first place, which just goes to tell you it kind of when people are out there looking at the lights and voting for their favorite houses, things strike people differently. Uh, which is nice.
So, um, this year we had another very successful year. We had over, um, I think it was 47 houses enter the competition. We had judges go out and it took them about a week to rate all the houses, but we come down to our final 15
houses. When we make that announcement, we have signs made and put out in front of the homeowners that do uh, become finalists. And then we do bus tours with our recreation buzz. We send out a map on Facebook so people can download the and they go out and they and they enjoy
the the holiday spirit at their leisure. Now, we had um over 2200 votes cast. Uh they are individual votes. Um we you can't just go in and just keep voting if you like. So 2200 individual votes
were cast and of those 2200 31% of those votes were cast for601 with lane drive. So uh the homeowners are here. So, I'd like to uh invite the Weman family up to the podium. Uh we have an award here for them and we'd
like to present that to them and uh maybe take a photo. All right, guys. You ready? >> Okay. Three, two, one. All right. Do a bunch. >> Thank you very much.
>> Don't go away. We You got We got to grill you here now. >> So, how long did it take you to put the lights up? all year. I I build all all the props. It's a pixel light show, right? Totally different. >> It's the light stand.
>> Right. Right. >> So, we had what? >> Oh my gosh. >> How many? >> 6,28. >> Who's paying your electric bill? >> Yeah. When did you start all you start
paying? Actually, uh, >> we're starting to build right now some different crops for next year. We're going to add probably a couple thousand more >> lights. >> And you get the kids to help you set it up. >> That's fantastic.
>> Great job. >> Thanks for having us. >> Absolutely. >> There you go. >> Excellent. >> Thank you so much and congratulations. >> Thank you very much, Jim. I think I put this in the right spot. Hopefully. >> Yeah, it's good. Item two, request to
dedicate softball field at Gilly Park. >> Lacy Girl Softball is seeking permission to dedicate and name field number two at Gilly Park. Um it would be in honor of Peter Miles, who's the founder of Lacy Girl Softball. And all costs associated with the design and installation um will
be covered by Lacy Girl Softball and it will be presented at opening day. Uh they'll do a ceremony on April 18th at 10 a.m. >> Who are they naming it after? Peter Miles. >> He was very instrumental with softball. Both I mean his daughter and his um son
have um played uh you know sports here in town. Very big um uh in St. P's Church as well, >> right? >> Yeah. In town for a very very long time. Lived in Sunrise. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ray.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Ker. >> Yes. >> M. Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Item three, request for memorial tree at Bayfront Park. >> We have a resident who lives in the area of Bayfront Park um who is requesting for a seasonal memorial Christmas tree.
Um it would be similar to the one um in LBI. They have the wooden jetty tree if anybody's familiar with that. Um the resident will donate the tree and handle the coordination as well as the cleanup of it. Um and it will be out from November 23rd to January 5th.
>> Move it. Just got to second it. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. Kola, >> yes. May, >> yes. >> Okay, moving right along to the township meeting. Have >> a motion to motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Moving right along 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 was advertised in the Azie Park press in a beacon was posted on the bolton board showing the time and place of the meeting. Item one, second reading of
ordinance 20261, setting salaries for seasonal employees. >> 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 and determining the salaries, wages, and compensation of the
officers, employees, and members of the governing body of the township. This is for our seasonal um recreation and DPW employees. Second reading. Open the floor to public comment. >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. Do I have a second on that? >> Second. >> All in favor? I motion?
>> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tera? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray? >> Yes. >> Mayor Kenneth? >> Yes. Resolution 202666 authorizing the execution of a mediation agreement for fair chair housing. >> Resolution of the township township of
Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the execution of a mediation agreement for the affordable housing dispute resolution program. >> Move it. Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. Mr. Kerato. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay. >> Uh, yes. But I want to mention we really
got to extend a great amount of thanks to uh both our administrator and Mayor Kennes for a lot of time spent on this through the past year and before that to get this these numbers as low as we have. So, thank you. >> Mayor K.
>> Yes. Resolution 202667 appointing an affordable housing consultant. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey appointing affordable housing administrators as Lacy Township's affordable housing consultant for the preserve at Barne Bay and any affordable housing projects designated by the
township of Lacy and assigned to affordable housing administrators. This she will manage the resale of any affordable units in town. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lay. >> Yes. >> Mr. Certo. >> Yes. >> May. >> Yes. Resolution 202668.
Authorizing a change order for the Southwest Barnagate Pines's phase 1 road improvement project. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the execution of an amendment to the contract with Earl Asphalt Company for the Southwest Pines phase 1 road improvement project.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fto. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lay. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kenn. >> Yes. Resolution 202669 authorizing an agreement with Nick Lex Construction for the CDBG housing rehabilitation program. >> Resolution of the Township of Lacy
County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Nick Llex Construction LLC under the terms and conditions of the community development block grant to provide a housing rehabilitation program. >> Move it. Second, >> Mr. Cerutoo. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes.
>> Mayor Kenn, >> yes. Resolution 202670, accepting the resignation of an employee. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey accepting the resignation of an employee in the department of public works. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lay. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Curutoo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kenneth. >> Yes. >> Resolution 202671 authorizing a lateral transfer with the CWA clerical unit. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the lateral transfer of Karin Vincenzi from clerk 2
in the department of community development to the department of public works. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kerutoo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Resolution 202672 authorizing the appointment of an alternate member to the LMUA. Resolution of the township of
Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey appointing Jeff Nylon as alternate number two to the Lacy Township Municipal Utilities Authority. >> Move it. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. Keratollo. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kenneth. >> Yes. Resolution 202673 authorizing the
premium payments on tax lean certificates to be turned over to the township. Resolution of the Township of Lacy, County of Ocean State of New Jersey, authorizing the premium payments on tax lean certificates be turned over to the township treasurer to become part of the funds of the municipality in accordance with the provisions of NJSA
54 5-33. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lay. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keru, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennet, >> yes. Resolution 202674, cancelling certain tax, debit, and credit balances. Resolution of the township of Lacy
County of Ocean, state of New Jersey, cancelling certain tax debit and credit balances under $10. >> Move it. Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cutoo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laay. >> Yes. And to give you an idea of the whole page of things, it's only $12610
for the whole town. >> Mayor Hennis. >> Yes. Resolution 202675 authorizing the refunded 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. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ray. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kennes. >> Yes. Resolution 202676 authorizing the payment of township bills. >> Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the payment of township bills.
>> Move it. Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Do you have any abstensions? >> Nope. You're so good. Yeah, I'll abstain on T 0035. Pardon me. >> Mr. Kerato. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mayor C. >> Yes. Motion to approve caucus meeting
minutes of January 8th, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Um, he's from the 20th. >> It says January. >> Do we have the >> Okay. Yes. >> Mr. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Curutoo. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Laray. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kennet. >> Yes. Motion to approve township meeting minutes of January 8th, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. Kero, >> yes. >> Mayor Kennet, >> yes. Motion to approve executive session meeting minutes of January 8th, 2026.
>> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Mr. Kerutoo, >> yes. >> Mr. Lang, >> I got to abstain. I didn't make the uh you had to leave early. >> Mayor Kenna, >> yes. Motion to approve caucus meeting minutes of January 20th, 2026.
>> Move it. >> Wait, that was January 20th. >> Uh, >> no, he did not attend January 8th. >> Okay, go ahead. >> January 8th. >> He need need a second. I'll I'll second it. >> Uh, Mr. McDonald, you cannot second the motion for January 20th minutes for the caucus meeting because you weren't
there. >> I vote. >> All right. I motion >> and Bob will second that. >> I'll second it. >> Mr. Keratollo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laray. Yes, >> Mr. McDonald. >> I'll abstain since I was late for that meeting and we get there for that. >> That's right. For the five seconds that
we were here. >> That's right. >> Approve executive session meeting minutes of January 20th, 2026. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Mr. McDonald. >> Again, I'll abstain as I attended that meeting very late. >> Mr. Laray, >> yes. >> Mr. Certo,
>> yes. >> Mayor Kevin, >> yes. Motion to approve membership in Lenoka Harbor Volunteer Fire Company for Roco Schmidt and Keith Sullivan. >> Move it. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> motion to approve membership in Fork River volunteer fire company for Jesse Lee Lair. >> Move it.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. No. >> Comments from the public. >> My name is Klowski. I live at 31 Parker Point Boulevard on the middle branch of the Fork River. Um I'm here to assist my
neighbor Sandy Girardano who lives at 41 Parker's Point Boulevard. Um I'm going to read to you a very brief um comment from Sandy She. >> Uh in less than a month, our town has experienced two swan fatalities, each of
which also caused a power outage. In both cases, the swans remained on the road for days before being removed. I believe our community can and should do better. Other municipalities, including New York City, have taken proactive steps by installing bird diverters on
electrical lines. These devices make the lines more visible to the birds. Swans, in particular, have limited forward vision and often cannot see power lines until it's too late. Communities that have installed these diverters have seen a significant reduction in both bird fat
uh fatalities and related power outages. What can our town do to address this issue? I'm asking that we explore similar situation solutions including bird diverters, improved response protocols, and better coordination with utility providers. Protecting wildlife
and maintaining reliable power should be shared priorities. And I guess the question is um who owns the power lines? Is that a >> Jersey Central Power and Light? >> Okay. So um Sandy also included you know
um information on how Atlantic City has addressed this issue. Um and >> yeah. Do you want to add? >> Yeah, it's just, you know, it's within the past two months, you know, we saw two swans, um, hit the power lines,
caused power outages, and then like left in the road instead of days for them to clean up. So, um, I saw a big, um, thing on Lazy Chatter, and everybody was like really upset about it. I know we love our swans. We want to protect our
communities and so that's why we're here. Not sure if we start here or where we start. >> I have a couple of comments. >> Yeah. So, so um I got it was my in my comments later, but I might as well do them now. Um the uh we had a lot of comments over the past couple weeks
regarding all the power failures at JCPNL. So, we did reach out to JCPNL and they are doing um a lot of upgrades in Lacy Township and around Lacy Township and they he did specifically mentioned bird diverters when I spoke to them. Great. So well whether they you know he mentioned it I don't know what the
process is but he did say it. I didn't ask him about it either. So >> um so we we are on top well that my comments were more about power failures not so much the geese but he did you know since you said that he did swans. So and I learned something tonight.
>> And it's funny I was looking out. I saw the swan. Have you ever heard a swan fly? >> Mhm. >> Sounds like a helicopter. >> Right. He was going and he was kind of low. Then all of a sudden I heard a bang and then our electricity went out and that was the one that was killed right by Wawa. That's where the caf that's
Parker's point. >> So um anyway, >> thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> I just wanted to ask far as like cleaning up like who would you call >> on Route 9? So it's a state highway. >> State highway. >> Yeah. It's really strange. Like, yes, it's in Lacy and you would think that we
could pick it up, but there are such like, you know, if it's on a county road, you're the township's not allowed to touch it. The state's not allowed to touch it. If it's on state road, it's got to be the state. It's it's government red tape at its finest. >> Yeah. It's it's crazy. It's it's insulting sometimes, but
>> give you an idea. Last last year when I had to look at my first ordinance, I think it was for picking up deer and what the animal >> Oh, the deer carcass removal. It had to be one of the thickest uh resolutions I've ever read. All the qualifications and the dos and the don'ts and
everything else to basically to us would seem very simple, but >> it's lots of red tape. >> Well, thank you for giving us >> anything else about it.
Regina Descent of Sunset Drive, Sunrise Beach. Um the January 20th meeting that you approved minutes, you just said it was a very short meeting. Can you tell us the topic of Tuesday's meeting? >> Personnel matter. >> Oh, >> we went right into executive session.
>> Right. Okay. That was easy. Um has anyone given any thoughts of making the meeting time later to accommodate the working public that commutes? There's nine people here tonight. I mean, could you guys kick that around?
>> Maybe, maybe we're doing such a fantastic job that an astute observation, Mayor Kenneth, um, >> you know, when I moved here 20th, I believe the meeting started at 7 or 7:30.
>> You're correct. 7. You know, for people that commute more than an hour away and they don't get off till 5 5:30, they cannot be here and we will be done in just a few minutes and it's only 6:15. I think it's very unfair to the working
public who are out there busting their butts to pay your taxes. >> So, >> you ever give that any thought? >> I have. So, we we you know, the meetings are on TV. We are available 24 hours a day on via email, >> right? So I don't
>> comment from your armchair though when something is said here. >> Well they can email they can email from their armchair >> two weeks though or whatever for it to be recycled into a comment here >> in addition if I if I could mayor to interject >> we have addressed this in the past and
qualitatively there's nobody in the door with a clicker to see how many folks come in. Qualitatively speaking though, I think you would have to agree that at this time slot, we've had more people here >> than at this. Yes, I do. >> Oh, yeah. >> No question about it, Mr. McDonald. Yes,
>> I agree. I agree. I'm just backing you up there. >> I thought more people came >> and and if you remember last year, that was one of my first things I proposed and uh I was looking for it. But I have to say this, there's a lot I
learned this year and I almost have to agree with these gentlemen and I know and I know you your attendance at meetings in towns probably far exceeds everybody's. >> Yeah. >> So you do see the difference and it seems like as far as people being busy
and coming to meetings, there's even meetings way more important than ours and they're held at all different times. and we see the lack of attendance at these meetings. So I really come to believe if a person has a serious enough
issue or wants to be heard here, they will they will come here. I mean there are times yes I mean maybe one of the few up here that's retired but even a lot of the committee people have to shorten their days to come here also. So
if there is a important because you know I I see both sides of this but this last year I've really been utterly surprised at the lack of attendance no matter what time a meeting is. >> I I can I can tell you Jay from my own
personal standpoint I will get more phone calls tomorrow Saturday and Sunday after it's posted on uh channel 21 because the people will look at it they you know they don't want to come out to meetings. I for whatever reason I've said come come to the meeting but I will
I will get probably 10 to 15 phone calls. >> Last meeting I did speak about caregiver volunteers for central Jersey and they've been helping seniors age in place for over 30 years and assist with home visits and for the elderly with no
transportation and there is no financial requirement to use their service all completely free to anyone. The phone number apparently I said it may be too quickly last meeting was 732502273. They are in Tom's River 7325052273. Um you can visit their website caregiver
volunteers of central Jersey. They can assist with grocery shopping, maybe a doctor visit or just companionship. And there is also a music program available for dementia patients. caregivers who's also always looking for volunteers. If you're a retired senior who's retired,
mobile and board, this could be a rewarding experience. Most of the time you are asked to assist a neighbor right in your own area. Could be a couple of blocks away and caregivers trains all their volunteers. 732505227. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments.
>> Thank you. Anything else from the public? >> Seeing none, make a motion to close the floor. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Committee comments. Deputy Mayor Laray. >> I'm gonna keep short tonight. >> That That's impossible.
>> Don't say it until you do it. >> Uh just real quickly, I made a visit down to, as we've been saying, I know Mayor Ken's been talking about their on the final side of the uh municipal docks. They're actively putting that together. So, anybody gets a chance to
go down there and see the fine job they did on the one side, they are now uh finishing the other side. and they're well on their way of uh moving forward on that. Uh dredging a lot of it up of this uh St Creek area has been done. Um they're working on we're working on the
process with proceeding down to uh Bayside Beach. So just that's that's in process. The only other thing I want to mention is I was at DPW today. We are watching the news and at least
there's something different on it. We're getting a big storm. So, it is Ocean County. We don't know if we're getting one inch or three foot. Um, but they are ready and able for anything that gets thrown at us. So, they are up. They're already ready. They're watching the
weather. And the big thing I want to say is please keep your vehicles off the streets. And as you know, I don't do social media, but I will say the police
department is posting this all over Facebook. So when you see it about the vehicles on the street, please share that post so that we get more and more vehicles off the street. That's all I have tonight. Mayor, >> thank you, Bob. Committeeman Curello.
>> Thank you, Mayor. In that same uh regard as uh committeeman, excuse me, deputy mayor Laray, um I took the liberty today, as I often do before major storm events, regardless of the season, to talk to the presidents of the uh senior
communities because they are where most of our infirm or immobile or diialysis patients are. So, not only the chief of police is um you know infor informed keeps an active tally of that list uh but I I also reached out to like I said
the presidents Mr. Rom of uh Feeasantr run uh Wayne McMullen of Seabbze see what they needed. Um they have all of our cell phone numbers u just to make sure everything is is okay. Uh I know that our our chief of police as I spoke with him earlier is meeting with DPW
tomorrow morning. Already met with DPW spoke um it was a request from uh Feeasant Run on their major roads uh Joffrey etc uh for a little additional salt. I passed that on to um our department of public works and and
listen we have a wonderful police department, wonderful public works department. We're going to be on it. Um, one time uh in the past when I was mayor, and I don't speak for Mayor Kennes, but what he may want to do with a storm this size is inform people
through the reverse 911 not to park on the street because that could really when people park on the street jams us up. And you want an ambulance to be able to get by or an emergency vehicle be when talking about ice. Couple inches of ice on a tree. I saw in the weather
channel could be over 2,000 pounds. Tree will have come down that blocks access and egress. So, it is it sounds like a little thing. Like Deputy Mayor Laray said, it's really, really important. So, that'll conclude my comments and everyone stay safe and God bless you all. >> Thank you, Pete. >> Mayor McDonald.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I'm going to back up what these guys has said. I'm going to tell everyone to get out tomorrow and do their shopping. Don't wait till Saturday or Sunday. Get out and do the shopping. Be patient in the parking lots because they're going to be jammed. Okay? And, you know, be be courteous to
those people. Don't take the last two loaves of bread. Leave one for somebody. Okay. Uh also because of this storm now, I've seen numbers between 12 in and 30 in. Okay? So, take your pick. But those
of you who are elder, and I'm I fit in that category, be careful if you're shoveling. Okay? That's where a lot of heart attacks happen when you're shoveling snug because it does get heavy. So, take your time and do it the right way. Take some breaks. Nobody's going anywhere. get the cars off the
street. I just want to give you a little anecdote where my son is, my oldest son is in Germany and we were watching his truck. So I texted my other son who lives over in Bayville and I said to him, he's got a big piece of property. I said, "I'm bringing Ryan's truck over.
See, get it off the street because it's out in front of my house." He texted back, "$100 a day, Dad." So I said to I said to him, I'll take it off what you owe me. So, but no, we get to get them off. And even if you got to talk to a neighbor about getting it
getting in their into their driveway, that's a good thing because guess what? That's less they have to shovel. If the if the driveway is jammed, that's less they have to shovel. So, uh, be careful out there. Mind the cold if it's and be careful if it's wet snow because that's
real real heavy. So, Barry, that's all I have. >> Thank you, Tim. Um, just a couple things. Um, so I did mention JCPNL earlier. Um, JCPNL is doing approximately $12 million in upgrades in throughout Lacy Township through the
years 2025 through 2028. That right now they're currently doing or scheduled in 2026 is the Oyster Creek Circuit distribution upgrades. Um, that's approximately a $7 million project. Um, and that's and since it wasn't only
the geese when I spoke to the spokesperson, it wasn't just the geese that were causing some of the outages. Since they are doing upgrades, they have to be what he described them doing in layman's terms. They had to be extra safe. So, the circuits were easier to trip because they just I guess how the workers have to perform the work. They
have to make sure that I guess nobody's getting hurt there. So, the the circuits trip easier than they would normally. We had the tax sale on January 13th. Um, we collected uh 1.5 million in in tax
sale money. 1.1 million of that was premiums. That money goes back to the >> what's the word? >> The delinquent to the treasur >> goes goes into the treasury, but it goes back to the to the uh to the not to the homeowner. So, the person holders to the
lean holders if they fulfill obligation. >> So, we're not collecting 1.5 million. We're um we could we're our the taxes that were owed were approximately 200,000 um but we collected 1.5 >> and if those lean holders don't go through with the premium then we keep the money >> and do what they're supposed to do we
that money the township gets to keep after 5 years. >> Very very rare it happens but >> oh we just did a resolution tonight. >> I know but it was for a small amount. >> So that was for that was a tax sale. We've also been ordered by the county to do a uh uh revaluation order for 2020. We're not doing that anymore according
to our There's a letter here, revaluation order for 2020. >> Oh, well, we got a warning letter that we're getting close to that our that our property values are getting too expensive. So, um >> you can ignore the county.
>> Thank you. >> Um and just an out of out of town comment, the the the Lakewood school has finally been tidwood school districts finally taken over by the state, which is long overdue. So, those are my comments. And with that
motion to >> motion to adjurnn resolution for private >> resolution 2026-77 resolution counc authorizing the convening of an executive session in accordance with the open public meeting to discuss matters with personnel and pending anticipated litigation and matters of real estate. >> Move it.
>> Second. >> Okay. Wait. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Mr. Lay. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kola. >> Yes. >> Mayor Penn. >> Yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Move it. Second. >> All in favor? I