Residents press school district referendum questions and urge Army Corps action on Forkett River Beach

Dozens of residents and several committee members used the public‑comment period at the Feb. 13 Lacey Township Committee meeting to raise two recurring concerns: the school district’s $92 million referendum scheduled for March and urgent shoreline erosion along Forkett River Beach and Barnaget Bay.

School referendum concerns: Regina Desenza, a resident who spoke during public comment, criticized the proposed $92 million referendum slated for March 11, calling the proposal “a little out of line” and arguing it would not restore prior cuts such as courtesy busing or guarantee air conditioning in all six buildings. Desenza described the district’s 2008–09 solar project and subsequent shortfall in anticipated solar‑renewable energy credit (SREC) revenue as background for her distrust of large bond proposals. She urged taxpayers to “stand up and show up” at the referendum.

Committee responses on school finance: Several committee members addressed school financing during the meeting. Deputy Mayor Kenneth and Committeeman McDonald both raised concerns about state school‑aid problems and broader budget pressures. McDonald cited reporting of a “$3,000,000,000 hole in the New Jersey budget.” Committee members urged public attendance at upcoming informational sessions (the transcript lists a Feb. 20 session and additional community meetings) and emphasized the local consequences of state funding decisions. Committeewoman Giuliano and others reminded residents of planned public information sessions and the referendum date.

Coastal erosion and Army Corps petition: A second major set of comments focused on coastal erosion and a supplemental Army Corps “Back Bay” study with a public comment deadline. Speakers including a resident identified in the record as Ben and a group organized by Kelly Smankowski urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include Forkett River Beach and the adjacent lagoons in remediation plans. A prepared letter read into the record from Kelly Smankowski outlined scientific concerns and local erosion, recommended beach replenishment, groins and marsh restoration, and urged “explicit inclusion of Forkett River Beach” in the Corps' plan. The speakers said they are collecting a petition of residents and planned to submit signatures to the Corps before the comment deadline.

Why it matters: Residents said the referendum would affect taxpayers’ finances and that coastal erosion threatens homes, property values and local tax revenue. Officials and speakers linked both subjects to the town’s broader fiscal health and long‑term planning.

What officials said about engagement: Several committee members noted low public turnout at prior informational events and urged residents to attend upcoming sessions. Committee statements stressed the importance of informed participation; one committee member observed that public engagement often reflects a small, vocal group, and called for broader attendance so policy decisions reflect community preferences.

Next steps: Organizers of the coastal petition said they will submit signatures to the Army Corps and continue outreach; the transcript lists a Feb. 20 public referendum session and a March 6 community group meeting at the library for additional information about the school referendum.