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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 would house transitional or congregate residential programs. Jim Latoya told the committee he had seen programs that include residential elements in other communities and urged the township to be explicit about allowable uses. Township staff and committee members said no agreements have been signed, that the YMCA proposal is at an exploratory stage and that program details (including any housing or shelter functions) would be addressed in future contract negotiations.
Richard Bidnick of Lacey Citizens for Responsible Government, who also spoke about historic-preservation concerns, asked for a precise tax-dollar impact; township staff later showed budget figures to the public, saying the municipal tax levy for 2026 is $24,786,703.95 and that the levy increased by $1,852,807.80 compared with last year. A township staff member also said the work-rate change is a 3-cent increase (about 7.66%).
Supporters and other committee members said a YMCA could create community and economic benefits, provide recreation and give youth alternatives to unstructured time in parks. "This is the last 10 acres the township owns where a community space could go," Mayor Kennis said, framing the decision as one about a town center rather than only a single building.
Committee members emphasized process: they said they do not yet have a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA, that exit clauses and other protections are being negotiated, and that full financial and operational details will be shared before the referendum. Several members said the final decision will rest with voters.
The committee also adopted the township's 2026 municipal budget at the meeting; municipal staff presented the budget numbers and the motion passed on a roll-call vote. The meeting record shows the committee will continue to release information and hold discussions before a referendum date is set.
What happens next: the township said it will publish additional documentation about financing, any proposed lease or MOU language, and program safeguards ahead of the referendum process, and residents will be able to vote on the proposal if the committee advances it to the ballot.
