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Lacey committee faces sharp public questioning as YMCA plan moves toward a referendum
Summary
Residents at a Lacey Township Committee meeting pressed officials for clearer financing, operations and public-safety details about a proposed YMCA and the likely November referendum; the committee adopted the 2026 municipal budget and said more information will be released before voters decide.
Mayor Stephen Kennis and township staff told residents the township is still negotiating the scope and financing of a proposed YMCA on roughly 10 acres adjacent to Gilly Park and that any finalized plan would be placed before voters in a referendum.
At public comment, residents asked whether the project would raise municipal taxes and how operations would be funded. "If you vote yes, your taxes are going up," said Kevin Flynn of Fork River, summing a frequent concern among speakers. Municipal staff said an illustrative debt payment would be about $3.2 million over 30 years and that how the cost affects taxes depends on the financing structure and any offsetting grants.
Several speakers asked whether the YMCA…
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