Lacey Committee puts $45 million YMCA bond question on November ballot after adding tax‑impact language

The Lacey Township Committee voted to place a nonbinding referendum on the November ballot asking whether the township should be authorized to issue up to $45,000,000 in general obligation bonds to build a new community recreation facility in partnership with the YMCA of the Jersey Shore.

Veronica, the township administrator, read the proposed ballot question and explanatory statement, which described an approximately 63,000-square-foot facility that would include pools, fitness and wellness spaces, childcare and senior programming and that the township would own the building while the YMCA would operate programming. The committee and residents pressed for clearer wording about tax impacts; the committee agreed to add language stating that the bond cost “would be financed through local property taxes.”

Town counsel, Mr. Connors, advised the committee the wording conforms to New Jersey statute authorizing nonbinding referenda on general-election ballots. Committee members emphasized the vote is nonbinding and said a finalized term sheet and contract negotiations would follow the referendum; they also stressed an August 7 deadline to submit the question to the county.

The resolution authorizing the county clerk to place the question passed in committee and the ballot language will now appear on the November ballot as a nonbinding question. If a majority of voters indicate support, the committee said it would continue negotiations with the YMCA but would not be legally forced to proceed.