Lacey Township introduces 2025 municipal budget; committee approves multiple routine resolutions and contract awards

The Lacey Township Committee on Monday introduced the township’s 2025 municipal budget and approved a series of routine resolutions and contract actions that the committee said are part of the municipality’s normal annual and capital work.

Township finance staff presented the first reading of the 2025 budget, which the committee formally introduced. The presentation listed general appropriations for municipal purposes of $40,210,665.71, a reserve for uncollected taxes of $1,653,352.29 and total general appropriations of $41,864,018. Anticipated revenues were listed at $18,930,121.92, leaving $22,933,896.08 to be raised by taxes. Using the township’s examples, the presentation said a homeowner of a house assessed at $300,000 would pay about an additional $91 annually in 2025 (about $7.50 per month). The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 24; the committee said the hearing will be at 3 p.m. that day to preserve the required 30‑day interval between first and second readings.

Alongside the budget introduction, the committee voted to approve multiple items by roll call, most of which were routine and carried on unanimous or near‑unanimous votes. Highlights approved at the meeting included:

- HUD Economic Development Initiative (EDI) application: The committee authorized the township administrator to sign the application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community project funding grant tied to the south‑side railroad right‑of‑way extension road project. The grant award cited in the meeting record is $6,000,000; the project is in environmental review. The committee noted the congressman’s office helped secure the funding during 2024.

- CDBG housing rehabilitation program contract: The township awarded a contract to Solecki Contracting LLC for housing rehabilitation work under the Community Development Block Grant program and separately authorized a change order under the same program.

- Lakeside Drive bulkhead replacement: The committee authorized a change order to the contract with R. Kremer & Sons Marine Contractors LLC for the Lakeside Drive bulkhead replacement project; members said $1,500,000 of that portion of work is funded by county American Rescue Plan funding granted to the township.

- Adoption of routine budget resolutions: The governing body approved the self‑examination resolution permitting the township to conduct its annual budget review, an emergency temporary operating budget resolution, and the annual equal employment opportunity compliance certification tied to federal guidance.

- Other routine items: Resolutions authorizing municipal alliance grant execution, a recycling tonnage grant application to the NJDEP, turning tax‑lien premium payments to the township treasurer (citing NJSA 54:5‑33), reappointing Benjamin H. Mabee III as municipal court judge, appointing Al Don Pierri as alternate number 1 on the Board of Health, refunds of facility deposit monies, and payment of township bills (the bill list presented totaled $994,654.60; one member abstained on vendor T0035).

Most motions were moved, seconded and adopted by roll call; where roll calls were read on the record the minutes record a majority of “Yes” votes from present committee members. The ordinance vacating a portion of Plumstead Avenue (first reading) and the annual cap‑bank ordinance (first reading, NJSA 48:4‑45.14 referenced) were also read into the record as part of the annual budget/ordinance cycle. A second reading and public comment on budget and some ordinances were scheduled per state municipal timing requirements.

Why it matters: The introduced budget sets the township’s spending plan and tax levy framework for 2025. The HUD EDI grant and county recovery funds earmarked for docks and bulkhead work represent multi‑million dollar capital investments that, if cleared through environmental review and procurement, will fund local infrastructure projects.

What’s next: The public hearing on the 2025 budget is April 24 at 3 p.m.; the committee will return for a second reading and votes on ordinances at the next scheduled meeting. The HUD project remains in environmental review before federal funds can be spent.