Good evening everyone and welcome to Lacy Town Hall this evening. You read the statement. We'll rise and pledge allegiance to our flag. Township of Lacy caucus meeting. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the open public meetings act pursuant to public laws 1975. Said
notice was advertising as 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 this evening, proclamation for the 100th anniversary of the Ocean County Library. And I know we have our librarian here. I'll read a proclamation then ask her to come up to
the microphone. We're very appreciative that you're here tonight. You provide a wonderful service. You look good for a hundred. Oh, thank you. All shiny. Whereas the Ocean County Library was founded in 1925 with the mission to
connect people, build community, and transform transform lives through the power of information, imagination, and inspiration. And whereas for the 100 years, the Ocean County Library has provided free and equal access to books, technology, programs, and resources to
residents of all ages backgrounds, enriching their lives and strengthening communities across the county. And whereas the Ocean County Library has grown from a small system serving Ocean County communities into the largest and most respected public library system in New Jersey with 21 branches and reading
centers serving more than 600,000 residents. And whereas the Lacy branch of the Ocean County Library since its opening has been an invaluable resource for the residents of Lacy Township, offering not only books and research materials, but also innovative programs
for children, teens, adults, seniors, access to technology, and a welcoming space for learning and connection. And whereas the Lacy branch continues to support education, workforce development, cultural enrichment, and community engagement, fostering a love
of reading and lifelong learning while serving as a cornerstone of civic life in our township. And whereas 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Ocean County Library System, a milestone that reflects the enduring importance of public libraries
as beacons of knowledge, opportunity, and community spirit. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that I, the mayor and the township committee of the township of Lacy, do hereby congratulate and honor the Ocean County Library on its centennial anniversary and recognize the outstanding
contributions of the Lacy branch in enriching the lives of Lacy residents. And be it further proclaimed that the township committee expresses its deepest appreciation to the Ocean County Library's dedicated staff, trustees, volunteers, and supporters for their
service, commitment, and vision in ensuring that the library continues to thrive for generations to come. In witness whereof, I, Peter Curito, along with my colleagues here on the township committee in the township of Lacy,
County of Ocean State of New Jersey, do hereby set my hand and cause the seal of the township of Lacy to be affixed on this 11th day of September, 2025. Thank you, Mayor Crow, and thank you everyone on the Lacy Township Committee
for this honor. We are so excited to be celebrating 100 years at the Ocean County Library System. We have a lots of great events happening. Um, actually tomorrow we have our hometown heroes program in honor of Patriot Day where we have the Lacy Police Department along with the Ocean County Sheriff's uh K9
unit on hand to talk about the history of their departments and how they work together to protect the Lacy Township community. And it's an all ages family program. So the little kids can uh you know interact with the K9 unit and get to sit in the police vehicles and meet
their officers in town. Um our big event for the centennial celebration will be Saturday, September 20th. So come visit the Lacy branch or any of our 21 branches to celebrate with us our 100th birthday. On the 20th at the Lacy branch, we'll have a cake and
interaction with uh our patrons along with a scavenger hunt and some crafts and have a little bit of a Q&A history of the Lacy branch of the Ocean County Library System. So again, I thank you everyone, Mayor Kudo and the Lacy Township Committee for supporting the
Ocean County Library System. So thank you so much. Yes, sir. Please defer to committee man McDonald's as as the chairman of the Ocean County Library says I can tell you this that we are Lacy L I get all the stuff but all the bad stuff comes across my desk when
I go up and talk to Susan Quinn I hear it all I have never heard and I've been there for three years I've never heard anything bad about Lacy Township our library it's it's a good library and I will say this next Friday the 19th is
the gala which is the actual birthday of the Lacy Township, not of the Ocean County Library. It's actually the 100th anniversary. So, if you want to come to the gala, I guess you are you selling tickets down there? Oh, yes. We're promoting the gala as well.
Yeah, you can go there and get get your tickets. It's going to be a good time. I checked the people that are coming and it's going to be great. Um, business casual, but it's going to be a good time. So, but they do a wonderful job and I was just down there yesterday to check on something. So, and they took
very good care of me. So, they do a great job. Thank you. Committee, why don't you come down and take a picture? Sure. Why not? Why not? I did a picture. [Music] [Music] These days Yeah, because it balances
without the glasses on. It's really bad if I can. Let me do this. Okay, we're good. Good job. Thank you. Thank you everybody. Bye, sweetie. All right. Yes, Mr. Bender. If you move the microphone back
homely library. Thank you, sir. It's going to be positive stuff, right? Because if it's negative, the answer is no. When do I say negative? Not Mr. Bender. No. Congratulations to the uh the Ocean
County Library System, but there's a little bit of history here also. Okay. And I want to give Thank you. Thank you. In reference to that story, uh,
the Lacy Library will also celebrate its 100th anniversary this December. Uh, the following information was compiled from an article that Mrs. Grant wrote in the Lacy Gazette for the Historic Society in 1971.
The original Lacy Library was started by volunteers in 1925 and was located at the Fuche House. Did I say it right? You guys know um on the corner of Station Drive in Parker Arv. The library moved from home
to home until 1936 when it was moved to the Charles A. Smith Memorial Hall. In 1938, it moved to the Fort River Fire Company and then moved back to the community hall in 1955. Then in 1957, it was moved to a more
permanent location in the old Fork River Schoolhouse. In 1969, Mrs. Grant was named the L Lacy librarian, and she served in that position until 1972. On this day, I would like to acknowledge Mrs. Grant's continued civic-minded
dedication to the betterment of Lacy Township and all its residents. Thank you, Mrs. Grant, for all you do. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Bender and Mrs. Grant. You can smile. Let me take a picture.
Item number two, special use permit. Paison 9 South popup event September 21st, 2025. Um, Paison 9 South is seeking permission to host an outdoor pop-up event this Sunday. The event would take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. in their parking lot and it would include um one coffee
truck and two other vendors. Move it. Move it. Sec. Move it. Second. Second. All in favor? I. Item number three, special use permit. Trunk or treat trunk or treat event trademark dance academy October 30th,
2025. Trademark Dance Academy is seeking permission to host a trunk or treat event um on October 30th in their parking lot um from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Move it. Second. All in favor? I parking and use of a trailer item number four.
Okay. Okay. So, the residents at 1603 Beach Boulevard um experienced an unexpected flood in their home, and they are asking permission to temporarily live in their camper on the property. Um they're hoping that the renovations will be complete within a six-month time frame.
Does this does this camper have water and sewage? It is hooked in through the system via permission from the MUA. Okay. Yeah. It's not it's in an appropriate spot that it doesn't cause sight triangles. It's actually in the driveway. Okay. But they're, you know, they're trying to save as much money as
they can by not having to I have no I just want to be sure that the sewage and water they have that available. Yes, it's all properly taken. Don't we usually put some sort of time frame and then make them come back if they exceed the time frame? Well, that's why when we ask them um what happened is is uh they had received a notice of violation from the code
enforcement officer because she noticed that somebody was living in a trailer and some of the neighbors had had called in. So, they'd been there approximately two months already living in the trailer. So, when we asked her, "What are you seeking? What's what? And she asked for six months. Okay. So, as long as it reflects to come back
six months from this date. Yeah. From the issue date. Yeah. I move it. Second. All in favor? I have an add-on. Okay. It's good. The Fork River Fire Company is seeking permission um to post a sign
to promote their upcoming poker run event. Um they are looking to post their sign on the property at 124 South Main Street. Um because their building is set back and not along Route 9. They also are looking to add an additional sign in front of the old
digital sign at the corner of Lacy Road and Route 9 as well to promote their poker run. Move it. Second. Second. All in favor? I temporary. I have a motion to adjurnn. Move it. Second. All in favor? I
don't know if we should. Okay. Township Alacy Township meeting September 11th, 2025. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the open public meeting act persona public laws of 1975. Said notice was advertised in the Asbury Park press in the beacon was posted on
the bulletin board showing the time and place of the meeting without a salute to the flag and a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Item number one, first reading of ordinance 2025-15, authorizing the sale of block 2383, lots 1 through 6, 37 and 38 to the adjoining property owner. Ordinance of the
township of Lacy County of Ocean, state of New Jersey, authorizing the sale of block 2383, lots 1 through 6, 37, and 38 on the municipal tax map to Alisa and Ronald Spafford in accordance with the provisions of NJSA 4A 12-13b.
This is um selling um these lots to the original property owner um they reached out and requested and it was Township property. Second, Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Lay. Yes. Mr. Kenn, yes. Mr. Yes. Mayor Perto. Yes. Item number two, second reading of
Ordinance 2025-14 supplementing chapter 79 so as to create the position of senior public safety telecommunicator. An ordinance for the Township of Lacy County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, amending and supplementing chapter 79 of the township code entitled officers and
employees so as to create the position of senior public tele public safety telecommunicator. Second reading. Open the floor to public. This was um ordered by uh civil service due to desk audits. So we had no choice but to create the position and then eventually appoint two people to it.
Seeing none motion to close the floor. Second. All in favor? I. Motion on the ordinance. Move it. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kenny. Yes. Mrs. Julian. Yes. Mr. La. Yes. Mayor Kerat. Yes. Item number three, resolution 2025-245 authorizing a leave of absence
department of community development. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State, New Jersey, authorizing a leave of absence for Karin Venzi. Move it. Second. Mrs. Juliano. Yes. Mr. Lraine. Yes. Mr. Kennes. Yes. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mayor Kola. Yes. M. And number four, resolution
2025-246 accepting various retirements. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey accepting the retirements of various municipal employees. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kennes. Yes. Mrs. Juliano. Yes. Mr. Lay. Yes. Mayor Kerto.
Yes. I'm number five, resolution 2025-247 awarding a contract for professional services to hire and grl associates. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract to Malva Apta with Hire and Grul Associates as township
planner for the fourth roundousing element and fair share plan. We are continuing um our work with Miss Ay as she um changes firms for this specific project. Move. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Mr. Kennes. Yes. Mrs. Juliano. Yes. Mr. Laray. Yes.
Mayor Kerata. Yes. Item number six, resolution 2025-248 rejecting all bids received for the rental of John Deere loaders and authorizing the receipt of new bids. Resolution of the Township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey rejecting all bids for the rental of
three John Deere loaders 2025 or newer for the fall 2025 leaf collection and the 2025 2026 snow season and authorizing the receipt of new bids. We only received one bid and it uh came in and it exceeds the budget that we amounted for the service. Move it. Second.
Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Lay. Yes. Mr. Kenneth. Yes. Mrs. Luanna. Yes. Mayor Certo. Yes. M. Number seven, resolution 2025-249 awarding a contract for the purchase of bulk batuminous material. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey
awarding contracts for the purchase of bulk batuminous material. Our primary vendor will be Brick Wall Corp and our second vendor is Earl. Move it. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kennes. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Lay. Yes. Mayor Terto.
Yes. Item number eight. Resolution 2025-250 awarding the contract for the purchase of sand, gravel, stone, and screened top soil. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey awarding a contract for the purchase of sand, gravel, stone, and screened top
soil. This contract is being awarded to Brick Wall. Move it. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kenneth. Yes. Mr. Juliano? Yes. Mr. Laray? Yes. Mayor Kerto? Yes. It number nine, resolution 2025-251 authorizing the release of a performance
guarantee upon posting of a maintenance bond. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey authorizing the release of a performance guarantee for the renovations to the Gilly Park Pavilion project upon the posting of a maintenance bond. Move it. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes, Mr. Kennis.
Yes, Mr. Juliano. Yes, Mr. Laay. Yes, Mayor Kerato. Yes. Number 10, resolution 2025-252 authorizing premium pay payments on tax lean certificates 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.
This is in the amount of $25,100. Move second. Mr. McDonald, yes. Mr. Kenn, yes. Mr. Juliana, yes. Mr. La, yes. Mayor Ker, yes. Item number 11, resolution 2025-253, authorizing the tax collector to cancel taxes on properties acquired by Ocean
County. Resolution of the township county of Ocean, State of New Jersey, authorizing the tax tax collector to cancel taxes due for properties acquired by the county of Ocean. This is um the property um over near Dover Road. Move. Second,
Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kenn, yes. Mr. Juliano, yes. Mr. Lay, yes. Mayor Kerah, yes. M number 11, resolution 2025-253, authorizing the tax collector to cancel taxes on properties acquired by Ocean County. Item number 12, resolution 2025-254,
authorizing the refund of a building department fee. Resolution of the township of Lacy County of Ocean State of New Jersey, authorizing the refund of a building department fee issued by the Lacy Township Building Department. Move it. Second. Mr. McDonald, yes. Mr. Kennes, yes. Mr. Juliano, yes. Mr. Lay.
Yes. Mayor Kola. Yes. Item number 13, resolution 2025-255 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. Second.
Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kennes. Yes. Mrs. Juliano. Yes. Mr. Laay. Yes. Mayor Kto. Yes. Item number 14, resolution 2025-26 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 8,511,254. Move it. Second. Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Kenneth. Yes. Mr. Juliana. Yes. Mr. Lar. Yes. Mayor Kerat. Yes. M number 15. Mr. McDonald. Do you have an abstension? Oh, yeah. Correct. Correct. Correct.
Correct. What would I do without you? T5. I will abstain on T0035. Got it. Thank you. Yep. I was going to say it. Item number 15, month of reports. Municipal clerk's office for the month of August collected receipts in the amount of $7,382.
Municipal court for the month of July collected receipts in the amount of 15,84875. Treasure uh the road opening permits for the month of August were collected in the amount of $2,430. Recycling commodity in the amount of $1,625.
Truck parking in the amount of $350. and community development collected receipts in the amount of $79,868 for the month of August 2025. Motion to accept the reports is read. Second. All in favor? I number 16, motion to approve caucus
meeting minutes from August 14th, 2025. Move it. Second. All in favor? I number 17, motion approve township meeting minutes from August 14th, 2025. Move it. Second. All in favor? I. Item number 18, motion to approve executive session meeting minutes from
August 14th, 2025. Second. All in favor? I. Item number 19, motion to approve junior membership in a Lenoka Harbor Volunteer Fire Company for Victor Greco. Second. All in favor? I. Comments from the committee this
evening. Deputy Mayor Kennes. Thank you, Mayor. I prepared my comments tonight because every once every once in a while usually it's something important. So though be relatively short. Yeah. Right.
So um something that comes up occasionally, it came up at the last meeting was that we're always in agreement in uh 50 and that we never engage in debate from the deis. Um I've explained this at other times um in other places, but I'll do so again. On our regular township meeting dates,
there is little to debate or vote no on. This is typical of our monthly agendas. Last month's agenda, for example, we voted yes on renewing membership in the GIF, authorizing a leave of absence, authorizing placing a lean, and authorizing a new member into a fire squad. Not much discussion to be had.
The votes on some ordinances and resolutions on the township agendas are the culmination of sometimes weeks and months of discussions amongst the pertinent decision makers and advisers. I refer to these meetings as business meetings or liaison meetings and can be made up of no more than two of us plus Veronica. I can these are the decision
makers. Um they also consist of possibly attorneys, department heads, EMS chiefs, school officials, community leaders, etc. I refer to them as the adviserss. Typically, a lot of leeway is given to council members attending these meetings to speak on a committee's behalf since they're the ones in the room having the
discussions or trying to resolve the issue. Further, the number of business meetings that I have attended personally over the years, there's probably something like two to three meetings for every one of these township meetings. Our executive session meetings are the only meetings we have where the five of us are allowed to discuss certain issues
in um in a quorum. The topics we're allowed to discuss in executive session are limited to matters of real estate, litigation, contracts, and personnel. These are amongst the most sensitive and arguable topics with potentially the most repercussions and these issues are discussed at length. Generally, these
topics require the most information and can continue on our executive agenda for months. Over that time, opinions can change many times due to a change in circumstances or new information. For example, in real estate, the counterparty may back out or in contract
negotiations, one side may relent or um in other cases, state legislation changes. So to summarize, at any particular township meeting, debate over any ordinance or resolution has reached a consensus and likely long ago at that. That's my comments. Great comments. Thank you.
Committee McDonald. Thank um you know what? I don't have anything to say tonight. I'm good. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Committeewoman Julian. Sure. First, I'd like to thank Mr. Kenis for just what you just read to everybody
because a lot of times people think all we do is say yes and no up here and um it's not about that. We put a lot of time into everything that is brought up here whether you see it or not. We do put a lot of time into it. Um thank you Mr. Kenneth for doing that. That was
really informative. Very much so. Um I'd like to say that our volunteer fire companies went out on 94 calls this past month. Again, they're volunteers. They work very hard for this town. We should always show them a large
appreciation whenever we can support whatever they're running, whatever they're doing to raise money for their firehouses and for them. That's something that we should always uh put 100% into. Whether it's buying a raffle ticket, buying a plant, whatever they've
got going on, you should be involved in doing that because they're volunteers. So, it's uh it's important that they're there. The other thing I'd just like to say is that today is a very som somber day for a lot of reasons. Um, but one
thing we learned the day after 911 was that we were supposed to never forget. And I think sometimes people do forget. And I think that's our biggest mistake in this country is that we fight over some very petty things and
um cause heartache over some very petty things. We should get back to that feeling we had that day after 911. It was a beautiful feeling to be amongst people who cared about one another and I only wish we had that again.
That's all. Mayor, thank you. Thank you so much. Wonderful comments, Committee Loretta. Well, first I want to thank Steve because that was one of the things on my uh your list comments. You crossed it off. I watched him cross it off. Yes. Yeah.
Um, yes, because even though you don't think we listen to you, sometimes we do. We hear everything you say, whether we agree, not agree, or whatever. But the only one thing I did want to add to that, anybody that's interested in the uh theatrics
or the arguing back and forth that does take when we have these meetings, everybody gets an opportunity to get the to maybe have the ability to participate in these things. And it's coming up this time of year. You can get a petition, you can get it filled out, you can run for government
office, and if you win, you have the unique opportunity to sit with all of us, argue, debate, and make a decision. So, that's one one of the good things about this country. The opportunity is there. We are professionals. It couldn't
have been any better said than Mr. Kennes had uh spoken. And thank you, Mr. McDonald. I'm going to take your time, but it'll be quick. I actually wanted to start off with uh some good stuff. On uh
September 23rd, the Municipal Alliance had their 5K run. August. August. August. Yeah, I wrote September. Yeah, August. I should know because I Yeah. Yeah. But I wanted to thank Heather Scanland and her team for putting this
event together year after year. This was actually the 25th running of this event in this in the township. It raises funds, most people don't realize it, for substance use prevention and awareness program. They also been given about
$6,000 in high school scholarships and $1,000 donations made to the food bank. Also, we want to thank the combined efforts of the Lacy PD, public works, and the EMS. And this
year, they had just under 500 participants, and it was quite a few that actually travel from out of state to be part of this. 54 local business sponsors were there, four local food establishments donated food and water.
This is a great and it's a it's seen outside of Lacy. So, I want to thank everybody that was part of it and sometimes you go a little overboard when you when you love something like I love
this town. And for some ridiculous reason at the age of 69, I ran the 5K. And I was impressed I didn't have to use the EMS. Just a couple other quick things which
I'm surprised a couple of public works things Mr. Kenneth didn't hit. But one thing I want to make everybody aware in the community time of year started schools open. Drive safely. Be alert. Be careful. You know there's a lot going on in the morning
and the mid-after afternoons. Public works has been quite busy recently. If you've been over by Leno school, public works and the school did a combined project to put in a new driveway to increase the uh traffic flow and get more of the cars off the uh road
there on that curb uh during uh student pickup and drop off. Bamber Lake Park, get a chance to get out there. The final finishing touches are being done to that after quite a few years of renovation. The Gilly Park Pavilion, all the repairs
and renovations have been done to that. The Hebrew Park pavilion, which I was trying to find out exactly how long old it is, but I think in the early 80s it was put up. Yes, that was in deplorable shape. That has
been torn down, removed, and within I I think it's within the next two weeks, the new structure will be put back up. And the other big thing happening in town is right now the dredging is starting
pretty much from Lenoka Harbor all the channels Sty all the way down to basically the southern part of Stouts Creek. There's about five channels being dredged. And this is uh the phase we're
in now. It's starting out. They expected to be done somewhere around February 2026. And that's all I have. Mayor, can I just butt in? I forgot to say one thing I wanted to say. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I also just attended uh George McCree. I
don't know if anybody here remembers that name, but I attended his um viewing tonight along with Veronica and Steve. And uh he was a man of history from this town. uh when he had the Fork River House, it was uh it was quite the place.
So, uh with his passing goes a lot of good stories and um we we had a lot of fun there over the years. I actually got married in that place and um so I just wanted to make sure the family knows that we're thinking of them. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, sir.
This just came across the wire and this is unbelievable. Annapolis on lockdown as an active threat is reported. A former cadet was kicked out. He's back on campus with guns knocking
on doors where the these cadets live saying they're military police open the door and I'm assuming they're being shot. So again, this nonsense has got to stop somehow someway. We got to do something about it. Mayor, that's all
I have. Thank you. Um, we had some very poignant comments up here tonight. And again, I I want to reiterate to the people um, our town folk that put us up here. We have a a collective over 100 years of service
uh, between the the people I govern with up here and the different boards that they have served on. So, in that regard, to resonate and and to take in some of uh deputy mayor's comments, uh yes, uh when you see us up here, this is the tip
of the iceberg. There are meetings, there's Zoom meetings, there's vacation requests that go into employers. We come here, we talk about items of the day, and sometimes those talks turn into spirited debates. Uh but we do have respect for each other at the end. So,
no, we are not robots saying yes up here. a lot of thought went into a lot of different processes. So, when we're up here, um we've we've made these decisions and in accordance with the law and open public meetings act. I wanted I
often have said uh the people of this town have been good enough to place me up here and I for my 12th year and I hope that continues. um 911. I was at a service this morning with the ninth legislative district and
prosecutor Billheimr and uh several other mayors uh downtown Tom's River. We had an observance out there in front of the prosecutor's office and it's very touching. Um and not there, but what I heard on TV there, that was a very touching and and
very serious ceremony. But when I hear some of the uh people on TV and some of the newscast, they say, "We lost people. We lost 2,700. We lost 3,50. We continue to lose people from 911, first responders that have contracted cancer,
have to go back each year. We all know one or two of those folks from law enforcement or first response." And what I would submit to you tonight is you lose your keys, you might lose a pen. We didn't lose people that day.
People were murdered by terrorists and they were our best and brightest and they were our bravest. So when you hear somebody say that, you know, I'm sad we lost a lot of people. We didn't lose anybody. And I think it's
fair for all of you. Uh and I will try to stand up for this myself. Say no, we didn't lose people. people were taken from us in an act of violent terror in the largest act of terror that has ever be holding
us on our soil. So I think that's something to remember. Um and when you hear committee McDonald talk about you know we're going to go home and and just news story after news story tonight at nine o'clock we all get home and now we'll find out what happened in that beautiful wonderful campus with our
midshipman. So, I'm hoping that I'm hoping that that has a good ending, but I'm I'm afraid it might not. And I I talk about I'll close my comments with we we control what we can control. I reached out to our major utilities uh JCPNL uh New Jersey Natural Gas. They
were both good enough to meet uh the director of uh New Jersey Natural Gas, Government Relations, and Energy and Efficiency. met with deputy mayor and I downstairs and our senior association presidents. I said this a couple of nights ago at our club meeting. Um so
they will be meeting with anybody who wants to meet with them at our senior communities and if you reach out to me they will do a house call. They'll do a free energy efficiency audit and get your bills down for you. They also have programs people on a fixed income and you could have a moderate income. You're
still going to be eligible for some of these programs. On September 26th at Heather's Alliance lunchon, we are going to have uh Mr. Bryce from JCPNL. I reached out to him today to confirm. I initially invited him. I'll take no
credit for that because it's Heather who does Yman's work as Mr. Laray has pointed out with all those wonderful uh folks from the alliance. Uh and that lunchon is special. If you have questions at JCPNL, come on down to that lunchon. You'll get a lunch. They say there's no free lunch
thanks to our businesses and the German butcher. There is a free lunch that day. So, we want you to to come down. I know it's generally for seniors, but if you have questions, reach out to us at 6 uh 693100. I will put you in touch with or our colleagues up here will put you in touch
with JCPNL or NJNG and they're going to be able to get on the phone with you and talk with you to try to help you through things. Uh, I will be at the library tomorrow for Hometown Heroes. I received an invite. I want to be supportive of our police department and our sheriff's
office. So, uh, if you have an opportunity to do that, please try to stop by and do it. Could talk about Charlie Kirk, another senseless act of horrible violence. You know, let let's stop the hate and start the debate. You dis if somebody
disagrees with you, have spirited debate. That's how we were born in 1776. Our 250th anniversary. I don't care how sweaty and hot it is. I feel it. I'm want to be in Philadelphia where we were born. I'm going to do that. I'm I'm good enough. Thank God I'll be alive. God
willing. I want to be there. Um because those portraits and when I see those rooms and and that history, it's just it gives me chills. Those guys debated each other. They debated each other. They fought. ripped themselves apart so that women had rights. We all could vote.
Let's get back to some of that and leave the guns at home. Nobody needs to shoot anybody that you disagree with. That's more than unfortunate. That's an that's an embarrassment to our country. Thank you. I'll open the floor to public comment. Mr. Mayor, can I forgot just one quick
thing? Uh Barry, I want to thank you for coming up and speaking because Mrs. Grant, I'm glad he he he brought you up. You know, of course, I was fortunate enough
to grow up with a lot of your kids and during that time, but personally, I want to say thank you. You've been an asset to this community for many, many years. You've worked hard and you are a heck of a historian. There's not many of of you
left from that generation. I know some of them were in my own family, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done throughout your years for this community. Comments this evening?
Mr. Senza [Music] Regina Desenza, Sunset Drive, Sunrise Beach. I have a couple of questions and a couple of comments. Um, Charlie Kirk hit me really, really hard when I saw he was 31 because my son is 31. And what
you just said about Annapolis, Navy mom, that hit me like a ton of bricks. Oh yeah. I mean, that's just beyond sad. Um 911. Um the memorial at the Twin Towers is very significant. But if
anyone's ever had a chance to go to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, I've been out there twice. I was practically in tears. You look at that hole in the ground. You come into the museum, there's pictures of every single passenger. Not only are their photographs, but of all the people that
were able to make phone calls, you can hear all their phone calls while they were on that plane. And to me, that just it just gave me chills. It's an amazing amazing memorial. It's out in the middle of nowhere. Thank God for that. But um I
can't imagine how those people felt on that plane knowing they were definitely going down. They knew it. That was a sad day for everyone, especially here in Lacy because I really thought the power plant was a target that day and I really thought we were
all going to go. So, um that's Patriots Day and um I'm going to be hosting a school board referendum Q&A session at the Lacy Library in the meeting room on Tuesday evening, September 23rd from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
And all residents are welcome to attend. A lot of people keep asking me questions and there will be a second referendum Q&A session on Monday, October 27th as well. Also in the Lacy Library meeting room located at 10 East Lacy Road. With
six years on the board and all my NJSBA training, I am qualified to answer basic questions about referendum and bonding for big bucks. Never mind the fact that the school district has yet to post the new date of their referendum on their website. As of today, I did not see it.
I could not find it. This referendum question will appear on the general election ballot on November 4th, 2025. I'm told it's the exact same question as question one from the March 11th failed referendum. And that was from the NJ DOE, not the school district. And the
Lacy Citizens for Responsible Government will be holding a candidates forum on Wednesday evening, October 22nd at 7 PM at the Lacy Library. Also, all four candidates can meet again. 22nd. Okay. What month?
October. Thank you. I miss um at the Lacy Library. Um all four candidates running for school board are invited and the public is encouraged to participate and attend. This November 4th, people need to make informed decisions. Please see my Lacy
Patch neighbor news articles for more detailed information. Now, um there was a 25 question survey about a joint effort with the YMCA for a wreck facility that was very interesting and I encourage all Lacy residents to find the online survey and complete it
ASAP. How long is that survey going to be open for? October 7th. A couple of more weeks. Okay. Is there a link on the Lacy website? Because I only found a QR code and there should be a link to the survey for those that don't do QR codes and we have many seniors that don't.
I believe it's right in the flyer. um the link to it besides a QR code if I'm not mistaken on it. The flyer that you see I didn't see a flyer. All I saw was a QR code on the website. No. Well, we'll check into it, but I believe it was there with the because I'm not fond of QR codes myself.
That's the only reason I'm asking. Just for me because I some older folks can't open QR codes. Yeah. Yeah, that's true, too. So, um is there any information on how this new facility would be financed? Will the YMCA build it or is this a 50/50 endeavor? It made
it very difficult to honestly answer all the survey questions without knowing how this project would be paid for. Of course, a rec center is on everyone's wish list and a senior center, but is there any idea how this is supposed to be paid for yet? Steve, I'm going to defer to you.
Right now, we're just doing we're taking a survey and seeing the pulse of the public and we'll Well, if it's free, everybody's going to want it. Well, we're not that. So the part So it may So it may be something where they just run programs in the summer. We
haven't gotten that far yet, right? But like are you going to give them the property? Is it going to be a brand new building? Because a pool is We're running a survey on the with the YMCA. That's And how many have you gotten so far? Any idea? Nope. We won't know until um till the till the end. Yeah. Oh, so you can't check on a day-to-day.
No, we don't we're not controlling the background and the checking on that. Okay. Um one more. Save the date note. Nobody made mention of this. Next week on September 17th here in the municipal building, there will be a meeting about Oyster Creek and its future at 6 PM.
No, it's not its future. It's the post decommissioning meeting. It has everything to do with decommissioning, not SMRs. Well, that kind of its future. It's decommissioned. It's No, it's defunct. They're not going to discuss SMRs. They're discussing the decommissioning, but we'll be listening. Um, and one last
note about my signs. One was stolen, three were vandalized so far, and they will be replaced if they disappear. It is theft. I will report it each time it occurs. Please don't think for a moment that my signs are unattended. I have people watching them in key areas and I
drive by them myself almost daily. So, think twice before removing them. You're wasting time and you're taking a police officer off the street to take my report. Thank you. Regina, one second. One second, please. You're you're part of this uh forum for the uh the candidates. The what?
The candidate the school board candidates. Okay. You're part I mean you just mentioned Oh, I will probably go to that as well, but I'm doing Q&A. Have any of the school board members who are going to confirm that they will be attending? Not yet. Okay. We're trying to still reach a couple of
people, but one is definitely Yes. And and please, this is for the public what Regina just talked about. Everybody's got an opinion. Every and everybody has a right at certain time of year to put the signs out. So, please
leave them alone. Whether you agree or disagree if if it's on your if it's on your property, you have the right to touch it, but if it's anywhere else, you do not. And she's very good with picking them up after the event, so I can never complain
about that. Yes. But I'm not I will not leave the trash. Nope, you do not. and we we will assure that you can just click on that link. You don't have to scan a QR code. You can if you want, but some phones can't do that. So, we'll make that link and
then you can it'll be on Lacy Lacy Township.org. It's on our cover page in our Facebook and I sent it to CER community to put in the I just sent it today so I didn't get it yet. Yeah. Mayor Mayor, if I may. Yes, sir. Um, one last thing with
regards to the schoolboard forum, that room that they're talking about only holds 80 people and we're going to be very restrictive about that. Um, so I guess you got to get there early because after they hit 79 80, they're
closing the door and that's it. So there's two of them, but remember that room only holds 80 people. Thank you, committee. Any other comments this evening? Yes, sir. [Music] Come on, Barry.
He'll hurt. You know what it sound like when I get up? Barry Bender somewhere in Lacy Township. Um, comment to come la Laray. I used to run those. Um, and I had two goals when I
ran the 5K. Yeah, don't walk. Don't puke. That was it. That was my only You got to admit I walked some of it. One time I got It was a funny story because one time I got cramps in both of my calves as a I started out. I come back and one of the ladies from
the municipal alliance says, "Eat a banana 30 seconds. Cramps gone. Cramps." So true. I don't know. It's 3 weeks and stuff still hurt. Well, I didn't run it when I was your age. The NFL Thanks. No, last time I ran was like
2012. The last We're in the same We're in the same ballpark. Everybody accused me of being smart. Understood. Understood. Um 911 just a personal thing. Um there was a gentleman that I worked with uh for a
number of years. He was a former school teacher. I'm been in it for over 40 years. And he came he changed his career and he came and worked with me and I worked at a service bureau up in Tene New Jersey. I used to do Casey Kasm's American Top 40. I ran the charts. Oh, wow. Anyway, but uh you know, we worked
together for a while. We went our separate ways and then I uh caught up with him again. It was after 911. He was in the World Trade Center uh when things started coming down and he made his way down to Battery Park and tried to get into a phone booth and he couldn't get into the phone booth and
he got coded. So, they had to burn his clothes and and whatever. And then I worked with him again later on and for a little while and he told me the whole story about everything. And um so a couple years later I heard that he came down with like three or four different
kinds of cancer and uh and he passed. And I always remember when he when we worked together in Teneck, he would drop he had to get his car service. He lived in Montil. He had to get his car service at the Honda dealership in in uh on Route 17 in Paramis. And I used to go
pick him up every time I drive on the Garden State Parkway and I pass Route 17. I I say Yeah. I used to call him Ramon. His name was Ray. And I say I always say his name when I go past. That's my That's my That's your way of paying 911. Yeah. For my buddy.
Anyway, in regards to violence, okay, not only do we have it in this country, and a lot of people, you know, they see what goes on in this country, but I'll I'll speak and people can disagree with me. The genocide that's going on in Gaza is enormous violence. They're killing
thousands and thousands of people and those kind of things need to stop, too. So, thank you for your time. Thanks, man. Thank you, sir. Sir, 911. 911 was different. I was outside smoking a
cigarette unfiltered lucky strike and I see a puff of smoke coming out of the towers because I'm in Carterette right across from the Arthur Kill and uh I run inside and the vice president had a TV and that's when the first plane hit. I
went back outside. Second plane hit. There's smoke. Well, for the next six months, helicopters were dropping body parts in tent right across the Arthur Kill in Staten Island. And every once in a while, a seagull drop went in the
parking lot. It was not a nice six months. It was not a nice day. And to be any part of that and witness it is you never forget. You shouldn't forget. None of us. Never. Okay. It was something I didn't
want to live through, but I had firsthand knowledge of being there. Anyway, um back in the 90s, I came before this committee and I made a suggestion about doing something for kids after school and the thing I I mentioned was and I believe it's Mayor
Parker at the time and you know, he's like, "Where are we going to get the money?" Well, um, what I said was I came from a town that had a PLA and I was a product of that back in the 60s. I learned a lot of things at the PLA. Okay. I learned how to defend myself
because one of the guys that that was there was an exiddleweight from town and he was training high school kids for the Golden Gloves. We had one guy that went to the Golden Gloves and did pretty good. He was also the quarterback on a high school football team. But these are
after school programs that G gave kids things to do. Basketball, gym. They ran I don't know if you remember the word cantens. Yes. Okay. We're showing our age here, right? We certainly are. I'm 77. I'm not going to, you know, deny it. Um cantens.
It was a place where teenagers who, you know, maybe had to get away from their parents because some of their parents were maybe not really good parents and they could gather. And a guy like me who went to, you know, private Catholic schools and I was from the other side of
the tracks, not one but two sets of tracks. Okay. Before 287 came through, I was staking cows out at the end of an airport runway in Hadley airport where the first air mill in the country was flown out of by the way. Wow. Right.
So Oh, I am. You know, I used to jump on a horse bear back ride out there, move the steak and move where they dug the holes for the perk test is where I put the cow so that the cow had water. So that's really a long time ago. Okay. But uh the point is is that now it's the
most expensive property in the town. All right. Where I was raised, but two sets of tracks. But the PLA gave me an opportunity to meet kids from the other side of town that I never would have met because they went to public schools and those kinds of things when I was a
teenager. You know, I was a second graduating class out of St. Joe's in Matuchin. I had chemistry in chicken coops at that time before they built the school. But I was able to meet kids. I was able to interact with children my
own age. Yeah. Young teenage smart ass punks. That's what we were. But when we got together, we were able to interact. And and that's why I suggested a PLA back then. Now you're talking about a YMCA
or YWCA or Y not a CA. And I'm wondering is there any way to combine it? You know the program back in the 90s and it did not take off and it was not successful. they did do it and that's one of the reasons why you know the Y is looking to expand their services just
for some of those reasons whether it's intergenerational for the youth you know and to run those programs and they have a very robust program as it is now in many of their facilities and that's one of the reasons why we were willing to join up with them because again they already do it they already have the
staffing they already have the programs so how it's the best way to do it without us having to hire additional staffing and to create the programs they already about it. I know, but the PALS are already established in a lot of parts of of the state and how they got started. There's
history in many, many townships. And I'm just wondering if maybe we can include the police department or the police department's influence on our younger people. We do a lot of programs. We do a lot, but there's a gathering place. You know what I mean? There's a place to go to.
Well, we could combine those programs. Sure. That's what I'm talking about. Gathering place. Should we go forward with the YMCA? they'll have a place to gather. I know. And the other thing is is we do have a very active uh community and fundraising like the municipal alliance.
Okay. And maybe it's not all te clutches, you know, with senior citizens. Maybe it's them showing up to mentor people in this program to include these kinds of organizations at the YMCA. Can I just tell you that we
have a generation intergenerational group that we run through our school system with uh a lot of ladies seniors from uh pheasant run a b with our um municipal alliance. Heather runs a program where we actually bring a student in with and they have an
individual person that they meet with once a month. Kind of like a big brother, big sister. Big sister, but it's an elder and they're getting real experience from that elder. Real experience and and it's great. The programs like that are really great. Tony, what I'm what I'm seeing I
I haven't been involved in in this stuff that long, but this new way we're looking at this is more this is almost like a research project. No, I understand. And that's why this assessment went out because in the different uh information
sessions, meetings that we all attend at different times because we can't go together. Um even myself, I'm blown away at the amount of programs somebody like the YMCA
uh has. Mental health, all kinds of things. I grew up thinking it was a gym with a swimming pool. And that's where we all sent our kids to do high school swimming.
And in the last I don't even know how many months I've been up here now, but seven, eight months. Nine. Nine. Okay. Nine. Oh, it is September now. It's not August. Um um it's really amazing what they do do
have experience in type of programs they have around the country how they interact with school systems, athletic leagues, rec departments. So, this is a uh pretty big best way I could put it is it a
research product process project and like Steve said we're just in the beginning stages because it may only be programs it may grow into something else. I'm only up here saying I know it's in the very beginning. I did answer the survey myself but don't have tunnel
vision. Think about maybe you can be all inclusive and take all the ideas. Let me their their ability to adapt to each community is amazing. Oh, I know. And I'm going to say ask this to you. They are going to be at Lacy Day.
So go talk to them. The candidates for board of education are going to be at Lacy Day also. I understand. They're going to have a booth. I would hope so. So they don't only have to go to Citizens for Responsible, but they can go to Lacy Day and talk to the candidates, too. I would hope they would have I would
hope they would have on Brower. Well, I did see something online about they're going to be there and I hope people come out and question them. I I do know these two gentlemen will be there at Yep. All day shaking hands all day. it it's a good opportunity for the community to
come out speak to the people who are running for these jobs and also speak your mind to you guys about don't have tunnel vision think outside the box all the time try to think outside that box we are okay and I think that's it thank you very much for your time thank you Tony thank you any other comments this
evening seeing none motion to close the floor second all in favor I resolution 2025- 257 resolution of township County of Ocean State, New Jersey, authorizing the convening of an executive session in
accordance with the open public meeting act discuss matters of personnel contractual matters and pending anticipated litigation matters. Move it. Second, Mr. McDonald. Yes. Mr. Penn. Yes. Mr. Juliano. Yes. M. Yes. Maya. Yes. Motion to
move it. Second, please. All in favor? I. No further business. That's