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Lakehurst council approves consent agenda; residents raise speeding and retail security concerns
Summary
On Dec. 4 the Lakehurst mayor and council approved a consent agenda including payment of bills, awards and membership approvals, and heard public comments urging action on speeding on Manapaqua Avenue and a review of cannabis retail security requirements.
The Borough of Lakehurst mayor and council on Dec. 4 approved a consent agenda that bundled routine resolutions — including payment of bills, the 2024 Citizen of the Year award and approvals of volunteer department memberships — and heard public comments about neighborhood speeding and retail security.
Municipal Clerk Capasso read the public-notice statement required under N.J.S.A. 10:4 before the meeting began. The council then reviewed the regular meeting agenda and moved through a work session before taking the consent agenda during the regular meeting.
The consent agenda included Resolution #25-183 (payment of bills); Resolution #25-184 (awarding Citizen of the Year to Mary Early); Resolution #25-185 (a professional services contract for engineering services to inspect and evaluate the borough’s emergency service contract); Resolution #25-186 (current fund and water-sewer utility fund transfers); Resolution #25-187 (release of a performance guarantee with no maintenance bond required for the Lakehurst Presbyterian Church subdivision); Resolution #25-188 (approving membership in the Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department for Jessica Boccelli); Resolution #25-189 (approving membership in the Lakehurst First Aid Squad for Shawn Konoske); and Resolution #25-190 (approving raffle licenses for the Historical Society). The council also noted an ordinance approved on first reading amending Chapter VII (Traffic), Ordinance #2025-19.
A motion to adopt the consent agenda passed on a roll-call vote with council members recorded as voting in the affirmative. Earlier in the meeting the council approved the Nov. 6, 2025 regular meeting minutes by roll-call vote.
During committee reports Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan said Public Works is awaiting stormwater grant approval, that concrete work has begun on Pine and Myrtle streets and that funds are budgeted to upgrade the yard camera system. Councilman Brian DiMeo said Youth and Recreation closed out its meetings for the year; Councilman Robert McCarthy reported progress on police accreditation and work with the finance committee, the CFO and a grant writer to pursue funding options. Mayor Harry Robbins announced a children’s bingo at 5:30 p.m. and the annual tree lighting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12.
Members of the public used the general comment period to raise neighborhood concerns. Lakehurst resident Chris Chillemi thanked the council for installing a sign near his home, asked when street painting would occur and raised speeding on Manapaqua Avenue. Mayor Robbins said he would petition the county for rumble strips and would inform the police chief of the complaint. Paul Hass, identifying himself with "Just Believe," introduced himself as a new neighbor. Lewis Cohen, representing C3 High Profile, urged the council to reevaluate store security requirements for cannabis retail. April Chillemi spoke in support of High Profile as neighbors.
The council voted to enter a closed session citing personnel matters under the Open Public Meetings Act and reconvened after a short closed session. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
What’s next: there was no further scheduled action on the pulled Ordinance #2025-18 at this meeting; Council President Oglesby said he would consult the chief financial officer before it is rescheduled.
