Eatontown council debates use of proposed $47 million; councilmember seeks November referendum on new municipal building

Mayor Anthony Talerico reopened discussion of a proposed drawdown of $47 million for borough infrastructure, listing priorities including Wampum Spillway repairs, downtown improvements, townwide paving, a new firehouse roof, basketball-court work, replacement garbage trucks and a tub grinder.

Escalante pushed back on how the list was presented, saying the initial listing read like a "wish list" rather than a detailed plan and formally requested a referendum on the November ballot to let residents decide whether to use bond proceeds for a new municipal building. Borough Administrator William P. Lucia and Attorney Yenicag answered procedural questions about timing and legal implications of a referendum, and Councilmember Danielle M. Jones asked the attorney to summarize pros and cons. Council President Virginia East emphasized that the items identified were needed improvements, while Escalante repeated the request for a cross‑benefit analysis before committing funds.

Residents raised transparency and planning questions during the public comment period. Kevin Gonzalez asked what steps the governing body would need to take to place the referendum on the ballot; Ali Mehdoui said the borough should present a plan with numbers before deciding; Bob English urged the council to get the work done but reconsider spending on the existing municipal building; Kathy Williams said residents were worried about dollar values and wanted council cohesion on the plan.

The discussion produced no final vote on a drawdown or a referendum at the meeting; council members requested additional analysis and legal guidance and indicated follow-up would be required before any bond authorization or ballot question was scheduled.