[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6304268,"mediaKeyId","2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814","parentId",2466914,"title","Residents press school board accountability, maintenance concerns ahead of March 11 Lacey Township school referendum","audioSeconds",1090,"startMs",1608000,"endMs",2698000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814&start=1608&end=2698","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814/thumbnail_1608000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304268/New-Jersey/Residents-press-school-board-accountability-maintenance-concerns-ahead-of-March-11-Lacey-Township-school-referendum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304268-dc8953a6b3915a7329f57bd7cd47f275/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168376&Signature=Niy65jjfD-YeVpXDlluGpl3Dj5D2f9TBRiPYOrJTjM6kX99vw716XbOt7T1uEiIpGmJi-HF7plSZ6ARsaCta6jkknG2lzEjOrsonrklYVDPBZPejdobwOHwsAJ8df37j414fwXSKfwpJ9tPiNSomtzRaXdJIfjJr67mAizKT1ATMV-7JWExTiKIKJUxHbiO8liagzLK8JrjIPumYoUG1WrGDJfLhQBM-qgHseMPnaoNYD07b6xVHqupIhx~UpDKzFbUFa6BdrC7LXVAnLsQDWUUFtwx75gHIczg2K6sNB82OtvWnzGx-tanDHO8CB~Q0cfVtJFBrfKoSVWRCugTODQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-28T17:18:26Z","article","Several residents of Lacey Township used the Feb. 27 caucus meeting public comment period to express concerns about the Lacey Township School District’s finances, maintenance of school facilities and the March 11 school referendum.

Speakers raised multiple themes: a complaint that maintenance funding for district facilities has been reduced over the past decade, specific references to aging high‑school boilers that went unreplaced for decades, and skepticism about the district’s financial stewardship. One speaker said maintenance spending across the district fell from about $1.9 million in February 2015 to about $700,000 in February 2024 and criticized long‑term maintenance as being deferred.

Several residents urged voters to research the March 11 referendum. One speaker described the referendum figure as $92,000,000 with an additional $46,000,000 in interest, and said they could not support further spending without clearer trust in the school board’s budget priorities. Another said the district’s state aid has declined to about $7,000,000 for the current year from approximately $14,500,000 in 2018, arguing that long‑term planning should have adjusted to declining state aid.

A community group (Lacey Citizens for Responsible Government) and other residents announced public meetings and resources: a recorded library event and an upcoming community meeting at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the library (as noted in the transcript) and encouraged turnout for the March 11 referendum.

Speakers framed their remarks as calls for more transparency and accountability by the Lacey Township School District and its board, and some urged piecemeal or prioritized projects rather than a large referendum. No actions by the township committee on school district governance or the referendum were taken at the meeting; the remarks were made during the public‑comment period and reflect citizens’ views recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Meeting 2-27-25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the township public‑comment period to criticize Lacey Township School District budgeting and maintenance, urged voters to research the March 11 referendum and cited falling maintenance spending and a $92 million referendum figure.","taxTitle","Lacey Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",53772,"location","New Jersey","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6304273,"Ordinance adds restricted areas in municipal buildings to 'safeguard public records,' public asks for specifics",53,248000,301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814&start=248&end=301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6304273/New-Jersey/Ordinance-adds-restricted-areas-in-municipal-buildings-to-safeguard-public-records-public-asks-for-specifics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304273-41e3cb55fe6962ac8035a08b5ee59406/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168376&Signature=lxTspvxsplh07a4PBOO37-49qnrVho1oMM9enAHeUHDVXCQA6KhBraBfGPPz1Y3GT-mFvRQtgUrwHn0s2EMDNQ~X7WU4jm7xPNNWTlugoIacZUZnPbI4uSQdgOC1FhuhDTs7il7tYvuCLyuGbxRu1Fbtat-ffcwoCTQXLZ~5gs7da0tVNC1gj2C-KnlG9~LmAQUW0uhJ2FgAxl4var2~p8T3-ljn8eNp7qvREYDZxoNpxDpXKViJrelf9hsz5NDR4CmZ5qmlQ2ZMEqpWj4stIi2VrqgT~UlDVTD7RPnsDRvehrsAOcyoxvRxsTBTnM7CDyyiUw8VDMA1uh~I62bftg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Township Committee voted on Feb. 27 to adopt Ordinance 2025‑03, which establishes Chapter 2‑41 to create restricted areas inside municipal buildings \"so as to safeguard public records.\" The ordinance was taken on second reading and approved after a short public‑comment exchange in which a resident asked what areas would be affected.

During public comment Regina Desenza (Sunset Drive, Sunrise Beach) asked for an explanation of which spaces would be designated restricted, how many areas that included and whether the change applied to public‑records storage rather than visitor areas. Township staff responded by reading the ordinance’s list: the clerk’s office except for the lobby; construction/zoning/land‑use office except lobby; mail and supply rooms; server room; employee break room and kitchen; chief financial officer/finance office; tax assessor’s office except lobby; tax collector’s office; conference rooms; court office; storage areas; recreation office except lobby; Department of Public Works (except main entrance); police department except lobby; and specified recreation huts (including the Whippet Hut).

When a resident sought confirmation that regular visitor entry areas would remain accessible, a committee member answered \"Correct,\" and staff clarified the intent was to restrict access to employee and records work areas while preserving public lobbies and entry points for visitors.

The ordinance’s text as read at the meeting does not list additional operational exceptions or enforcement procedures; staff indicated the rule of thumb is that work areas are restricted while common visitor entry spaces remain open. The ordinance will be implemented by updating building signage and internal procedures, and staff indicated follow‑up administrative steps will occur after adoption.

The public exchange occurred during the formal second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2025‑03; no amendment to the ordinance text was made on the floor.

The ordinance is intended to safeguard municipal records by limiting access to work areas that hold or process those records; it applies to multiple offices across the municipal complex.","At second reading the committee advanced Ordinance 2025‑03 to create Chapter 2‑41, identifying work areas in municipal buildings that will be restricted to help safeguard records; a resident asked for a detailed list and township staff provided one.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6304278,"Lacey Township committee approves capital budget measures, permits and appointments in unanimous votes",490,44000,534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814&start=44&end=534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466914-e6b2a7b8862702e720d393e7f570b814/thumbnail_44000.jpg","/articles/6304278/New-Jersey/Lacey-Township-committee-approves-capital-budget-measures-permits-and-appointments-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304278-85f881b585aa0fc85390ffa398c794e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168376&Signature=DsxcVHNQqGYbGMi045Sq1gkk0hkpKlrENkOyWOCVnxmQ3ohOMHzKhIs-mwYwhr54g6UMqqriQGgJhbUfWh3j0EAfcZBCWSud46y9vBeTIqbN~6~FL9-DzJedZwwqw1IP12YVNttSbu8LZQh81lc~r-MaNpfs0jDg2s4qbNNke1rx8mAaGpbnrQ3vOH0GF1KZChytZIL2~6NN29-9Vlgp-09sJOE~Ek6tVLATuk9bgGht5DPtvkZrgVviNctXPwlG4VLax0a3KcuGvXMiJtkMfSoUG4HQ8k7JD7vej7y5IucNNN5zgwIjeHoEgxhtMcMew-Q46hdZoMU7x-Yc~bEXqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Township Committee on Feb. 27 approved a set of ordinances, resolutions and administrative items including a temporary capital budget, two special‑use event permits for Lacey United Methodist Church, an appointment to a part‑time electrical subcode official and the payment of township bills totaling $1,368,984.30.

The committee voted unanimously on each item during the caucus meeting held at the municipal building. Items voted included first reading of Ordinance 2025‑04, which appropriates $3,538,500 for various capital improvements and authorizes issuing $3,121,000 in bonds and notes to finance part of the cost; a second‑reading ordinance (2025‑03) establishing a municipal buildings restricted‑areas chapter to safeguard public records; and Resolution 2025‑97 establishing a temporary capital budget under NJAC 5:30‑4.4(b).

Other approved actions included two special‑use permits allowing Lacey United Methodist Church to hold a “Blessing of the Cars” event on April 6 and a car show on May 10 in the church parking lot; Resolution 2025‑98 supporting publishing legal notices on official government websites; Resolution 2025‑99 appointing James McCormick as part‑time electrical subcode official; Resolution 2025‑100 amending a contract under the Community Development Block Grant for a housing rehabilitation program with Nick Lex/Lehi Construction; Resolution 2025‑101 authorizing an advertising and sponsorship sales representative agreement with Shore District Advertising LLC; Resolution 2025‑102 cancelling tax title lien number 25‑00054 because of an error with MUA balances; Resolution 2025‑103 authorizing refunds of deposits for municipal facility use; and Resolution 2025‑104 authorizing payment of township bills in the amount of $1,368,984.30.

The committee also approved routine minutes (meeting, executive-session and budget meeting minutes from February 13 and February 20) and a motion to convene an executive session (Resolution 2025‑105) to discuss personnel, pending/dispute litigation and real estate.

No motions failed or were tabled during the public caucus portion of the meeting; roll‑call responses recorded by the clerk showed affirmative votes for each item. Where roll calls were read aloud the transcript records committee members answering “Yes” in sequence; no “No,” abstain or recusal was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The capital ordinance (2025‑04) was introduced on first reading and will return for further action as required by law. The second‑reading ordinance (2025‑03) opened for public comment during the meeting and was then advanced by vote.

The meeting closed the public portion by approving a motion to convene the executive session; the committee adjourned afterward.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Ordinance 2025‑04 (first reading): providing for various capital improvements; appropriation $3,538,500; bonds/notes $3,121,000 — approved (roll call recorded as affirmative).
- Ordinance 2025‑03 (second reading): establishing municipal buildings restricted areas to safeguard public records — approved after public comment (roll call recorded as affirmative).
- Resolution 2025‑97: temporary capital budget (NJAC 5:30‑4.4(b)) — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑98: support publishing legal notices on official government websites — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑99: appointment of James McCormick, part‑time electrical subcode official — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑100: amend contract with Nick Lex/Lehi Construction (CDBG housing rehab) — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑101: advertising/sponsorship agreement with Shore District Advertising LLC — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑102: cancel tax title lien #25‑00054 (error with MUA balances) — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑103: refund of facility deposit monies — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑104: authorize payment of township bills — $1,368,984.30 — approved.
- Resolution 2025‑105: authorize convening executive session (personnel, litigation, real estate) — approved.

No detailed dissent or roll‑call “No” votes were recorded in the public transcript for these items. Several items (notably the capital ordinance) were introduced on first reading and will return for further public notice as required by statute.","At its Feb. 27 caucus meeting the Lacey Township Committee approved a package of routine and capital items including a temporary capital budget, two special-event permits, an appointment of a part‑time electrical subcode official and $1.37 million in bills; all recorded votes were affirmative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press school board accountability, maintenance concerns ahead of March 11 Lacey Township school referendum

Ordinance adds restricted areas in municipal buildings to 'safeguard public records,' public asks for specifics

Lacey Township committee approves capital budget measures, permits and appointments in unanimous votes