[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6200054,"mediaKeyId","3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858","parentId",3819687,"title","Homeowners and township spar over Elks’ lagoon subdivision, quitclaim-deed plan","audioSeconds",1399,"startMs",2329000,"endMs",3728000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858&start=2329&end=3728","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858/thumbnail_2329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200054/New-Jersey/Homeowners-and-township-spar-over-Elks-lagoon-subdivision-quitclaim-deed-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200054-7df1b7f5f703287776c4c32355239aaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143332&Signature=bqclPN4wPC~tRCMjAk0akwAFQZ5WVmuRMq7MaFC3WMsKIF~tqL0G8ZNLRafCUp7JJUghQrh9ypQZsNKhhRUoY7PKJt75GyFPVQlNru3lFt7Q6axaK1fnui7qHIOoY8Sa77iCR4LbnqbuZeCEkcNwgiuRVewJXaRZNiDSc2LAH-ptDvsZyycOlup~iQ9lkMlL-4Ri3JxNC7ez37~bZ6kSg2Yl2So7fBdC3vsiZ0wkfGnZlzfZT-V-7m4yU3rl~35sQbB5q2QerCkp533bDEKRn7trVIGh7Iyp7FuJlo8~x80nzK~1KKNXMSR4YQpUuHUUVpXbJYzN58Tn5K7rSRxsqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-13T16:14:45Z","article","Nina Mendelson, a homeowner on Sunset Drive, told the Lacey Township Committee she and hundreds of neighbors were surprised and upset when the Elks sought and received planning-board approval to subdivide waterfront property that serves multiple homeowners.

\"They went too fast,\" Mendelson said. \"The township never notified any of the homeowners, letting us know that they were gonna do a subdivision.\" She said homeowners were offered quitclaim deeds and that the Elks have a debt they intend to recoup by charging the lots' purchasers.

The planning board approved a subdivision that, as described at the meeting, would convert a small number of larger parcels held by the Elks into many smaller conveyable lots. Planning-board members and township officials said the board added conditions meant to favor adjacent upland property owners. A planning-board member told the committee the subdivision was intended to make the lots available first to the adjacent upland owners, with other safeguards intended to reduce the chance that a third party would buy large blocks and then charge upland owners for riparian access.

The township attorney explained why the Elks were offering quitclaim deeds rather than warranty deeds. \"The only thing that they're comfortable in doing is offering a quitclaim deed, which simply says that any right title that we have, we're happy to convey it to you,\" the attorney said, adding that chain-of-title questions are not typically within the land-use board's remit.

Homeowners raised specific concerns about title certainty, insurance, and the practical effects on dredging and dock rights. Mendelson said homeowners had pooled money to hire a forensic title company to research ownership and asked the township for assistance in pressuring the Elks and the planning board to re-evaluate the approvals.

Town officials and planning-board members repeated that the land-use board's authority is limited to subdivision and land-use issues, not private title disputes. Officials urged homeowners to pursue title searches and private legal remedies where chain-of-title questions arise.

The committee did not reverse the planning-board action at the meeting. Officials said conditions added by the planning board include giving adjacent upland property owners the first right to purchase and a mechanism to recover the approved price if an upland owner later acquires the lot and the Elks seeks reimbursement obligations on transfer. The township attorney noted that if the Elks do not in fact own particular parcels, they cannot convey them.

Homeowners asked the committee and the township attorney what recourse they would have if a forensic title search shows defects. The attorney advised that title problems would be a private legal matter between the buyer and the Elks and not a municipal enforcement action.

Residents asked the committee to press the Elks to convey warranty deeds or to slow the process while title issues are resolved; the committee said it will review any written submissions and noted that the subdivision approval included conditions intended to protect upland owners.

Members of the planning board and the township committee encouraged homeowners to pursue title searches and to bring written complaints or evidence to the township attorney and to the planning board so they can be considered in any future actions.

Mendleson and other homeowners said they will continue private efforts to research title and said they want warranty deeds rather than quitclaim deeds if parcels are conveyed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Meeting 6-12-25","oneSentenceSummary","Nina Mendelson, a lagoon homeowner, told the Lacey Township Committee she and hundreds of neighbors were surprised and upset when the Elks sought planning-board approval to subdivide waterfront property and offered quitclaim deeds to residents.","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},6200040,"Residents criticize repeated school tax hikes; committee says it has limited authority",1838,2078000,3916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858&start=2078&end=3916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858/thumbnail_2078000.jpg","/articles/6200040/New-Jersey/Residents-criticize-repeated-school-tax-hikes-committee-says-it-has-limited-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200040-a85927274b4b03bea105617dcd4a2848/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143332&Signature=cN~vvEYdEKZuLQWfB3zGpgen0PCSbPi6VamEjLlNcKOth7hfzytanCcvzPWmWXIz2LmhsAmb1HeWgt0htSTH03fHobQsnYY~wPWpPbH8bFuHM9a9g2oRQI~CFBQGcgjCz2bw1Ieu3ts2t6shle9CxCtu6b3hQ3IZP1whhyFy1F~KgaLRsG5F6iPedzWf8AvoaweBUls8lRzUvu0Eln5yGUqS7gfx9gZA2~fNqZjL2HA5ZJPTPALXaJHLuCDEEqAE3zGVdU47o8D3qABJtpeMa22n3J3rBJAzaYzANMUZNDRzL7616yR-xFu516CIdxjCZfMXY8RtreQrarTQI4Symg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public-comment portion of the Lacey Township Committee meeting to criticize the recent school-district tax increases and to urge township officials to take action.

Regina DeSenza, of Sunset Drive, said she was \"very disappointed\" the mayor did not attend a recent school-board meeting to oppose a 10% tax increase. \"I thought for sure that you would come in person to tell the school board and district administration how a 10% tax increase 2 years in a row was unconscionable,\" she told committee members, and she encouraged residents to run for school-board seats.

Linda Miller, a resident of Cedar River, told the committee that taxpayers were paying the price for the school board's fiscal choices. \"All for the teachers, not for what they profess, the children,\" she said, describing a \"20% increase in 1 year\" and calling the result a burden on local homeowners.

Committee members responded that the township committee has limited authority over school budgets. The mayor and other members said they and some committee members do attend school-board meetings and have offered suggestions, but they reiterated that the board of education controls school spending and that the township cannot unilaterally prevent a board-approved budget from taking effect.

The mayor told residents: \"Nobody up here is doing nothing. We're working. Nobody up here is sitting still.\" Committee members said they have met with school officials and attend some school-board sessions, and they pointed to state-level funding changes and rising insurance costs as pressures complicating the district's finances.

Several residents warned of political consequences at the ballot box if they felt the township or school board had not provided adequate fiscal oversight. Other commenters raised related concerns about seniors and tax relief programs; one resident summarized forthcoming stateary changes to the senior/Anchor programs and urged eligible homeowners to apply.

The committee did not take any formal action on school-district budgeting during the meeting; members said they will continue to engage with the school board and encouraged residents to attend school-board meetings and to contact individual school-board members.","Multiple residents criticized recent school tax increases and urged the township committee to intervene. Committee members said they have advocated for taxpayers at school-board meetings but reiterated that the township lacks direct control over school spending decisions.",{"_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},6200045,"Lacey committee endorses fair-share amendment, members clarify unit counts",122,1126000,1248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858&start=1126&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858/thumbnail_1126000.jpg","/articles/6200045/New-Jersey/Lacey-committee-endorses-fair-share-amendment-members-clarify-unit-counts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200045-ad6f31d3b90a55cd696bf659cb09b4a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143332&Signature=RPlhq5FdAGfji~~UrHNRfalPwvy~xSYTfL1otisrqpsBpUXLwXf3lHjGDgAbILgGGFsxUIKMd5QiMbTRujrUk5AvvQ2egJI6CI3MaOkhOYyE1ASR4VzI41saHdg7CQJy4c8Rchrhw0LXCkFfvT~L~EjCLi4OQ0b6EQfwQSxHCB0wwo0bIbKZKaMdJ1GldMLu4QnTioAfWNnXD92lH8wbjdfgc8YexRaPiauUzbCQzGb5fxI5ed69jxoJpGCUWaqg~lsMpMEz8qMIuChDHgV82gIWktlPqqrkJjj8rbAKTClkZbEi8VEh-n0EczOQxu7gTU~8UkOWC9MsQjVv9r7Iaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Township Committee voted to endorse the round housing element and fair-share plan amendment to the master plan, a resolution the committee said accounts for the township's affordable-housing obligations for 2025–2035.

Deputy Mayor Kenneth explained the process to the committee: the state initially indicated a requirement of 172 units; a vacant-land adjustment prepared by township staff and consultants reduced that number. \"We got it adjusted down to 52 units of affordable housing that are owed from the years 2025 to 2035,\" Kenneth said during the meeting, describing a line-by-line review of vacant parcels.

Committee members and staff immediately flagged a discrepancy in the records. Another participant said the ordinance should read 82 units, not 52, and the discussion concluded that the correct adjusted figure is 82 units. Deputy Mayor Kenneth later reiterated that the 82 units are accounted for through the adjustments made to the plan.

Committee members emphasized that, if the state accepts the township's report, the adjusted units are already accounted for through normal development and the township would not need to acquire property to build new affordable units. The committee approved the resolution endorsing the amendment; members said the endorsement formalizes the approach and transmits the plan to the relevant state agencies for review.

The committee asked staff to correct the ordinance text where necessary and to ensure the submitted document accurately reflects the corrected unit count before the file is forwarded to the state.","The township committee voted to endorse the round housing element and fair-share plan amendment to the master plan. Deputy Mayor Kenneth described a vacant-land adjustment that reduced the township's 2025–2035 obligation; committee members corrected an apparent discrepancy over whether the adjusted number is 52 or 82 units.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6200050,"Lacey committee approves contracts, seeks state road grants and adopts county hazard plan",52,698000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858&start=698&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3819687-8028d177e1330e1d4e66d9c0b407e858/thumbnail_698000.jpg","/articles/6200050/New-Jersey/Lacey-committee-approves-contracts-seeks-state-road-grants-and-adopts-county-hazard-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200050-7f51c11709d594e4cc83795a9aca12bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143332&Signature=A~2W1b-rU31H9e0dfffhO3QFeivo-2OuAxeydUQGk1TyQ-6NXNsGDVpoFMdeRnjyplkUsoGv4xYvHJf17Aw81wuFwiRyVGM9Tw7AeoV1X9BjGSE4-Tf~f8Q4VWVGsNPjf0aaeY-bKdnCRwSBlwiNpRGxzpWZO3k53ScXRiRhdbyg4W3yrkVMp0OHLut72-c4OesWyrY-oKFo8a5NYYqFoA6onMV4jzxm25YfLsMAXMj36ceUgoAUYyVAu0RQjGHhdcDZH5w9NP1Ef~EeIFAdGLEkqeCOUWZE0U1uSkkFPlB8x563UxR46p48cJ-IVc9f4fa-WXt3Fv4ginxgLQ3o5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Township Committee voted to award a contract for renovations to the Gilly Park pavilion and authorized related construction work and funding actions at its June 12 meeting.

A resolution awarded the Gilly Park Pavilion renovation contract to Capella Construction. The committee also authorized a change order to a contract with R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors LLC for Lakeside Drive bulkhead replacement; the cost cited for the Lakeside Drive bulkhead project was $1,006,182.66 and committee members said the work was funded through ARP monies routed via Ocean County.

Committee members encouraged residents to view the completed bulkhead work, saying it made a visible difference in the lakeside area. The committee also authorized release of performance guarantees for the Lakeside Drive bulkhead phase 1 upon posting of a maintenance bond, and similarly released a performance guarantee related to the Covered Bridge Sportsplex Corporation upon posting of its maintenance bond.

The committee approved two municipal-aid grant applications under the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Act: one for the Cranberry Hill Phase 2 road improvement project and one for the Southwest Barnabas Pines Phase 2 road improvement project. Officials said authorizing the grant applications is the first step to seek state funding for those local road improvements.

Separately, the committee adopted the 2025 Ocean County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan, a FEMA-requested plan that helps the township qualify for hazard-mitigation funding and outlines potential projects to reduce natural-disaster risks.

The committee also approved the payment of township bills, listing a total of $8,259,905.02. Members recorded typical motions and votes to move forward with seasonal hiring, license renewals and other routine budget items during the meeting.

Committee members said the Lakeside Drive bulkhead work has created noticeable improvements and indicated plans to pursue remaining phases as funding and approvals allow. The NJDOT municipal-aid grant applications will be submitted as required by the Transportation Trust Fund Authority process; the committee must await state review and award decisions before moving into design or construction phases.","The township committee approved a contract award for Gilly Park pavilion renovations, a change order for a Lakeside Drive bulkhead project funded with ARP/county funds, authorized municipal-aid grant applications for two road projects, and adopted the Ocean County multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan required by FEMA.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Homeowners and township spar over Elks’ lagoon subdivision, quitclaim-deed plan

Residents criticize repeated school tax hikes; committee says it has limited authority

Lacey committee endorses fair-share amendment, members clarify unit counts

Lacey committee approves contracts, seeks state road grants and adopts county hazard plan