The meeting’s most contentious topic was the aftermath of the failed school referendum. A speaker voiced sharp criticism of the school board, accusing it of deceit and a lack of transparency, which they argued led to the referendum’s failure. They highlighted that the board spent approximately $130,000 of taxpayer money on promotion efforts that they believed could have been allocated to more essential services, such as student busing. The speaker shared their efforts to inform the public through social media initiatives and infomercials conducted without financial backing.

The speaker accused the school board of withholding vital information during the campaign, citing an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request denial that they labeled as deceptive. They mentioned eventually obtaining crucial documents from the State Department of Education just before a public meeting, which revealed detailed financial information absent from earlier disclosures. This lack of transparency sparked queries from community members, like Mr. Pinto, who discovered that other towns made their referendum financial estimates publicly available.

The speaker’s dissatisfaction extended to specific school board members, whom they accused of election interference. They argued that without transparency, honesty, and forthrightness, public buy-in for future projects would be unattainable. The speaker emphasized that the board’s handling of the referendum detracted from the educational needs of Lacey’s children, asserting that the lack of transparency denied them the education they deserved.

The speaker referenced past grievances, such as the “Johnson Controls nonsense,” to illustrate a pattern of perceived dishonesty and called for reform and greater transparency in governance. They concluded by urging both the council and the school board to learn from this incident to ensure future transparency in projects.

The council meeting also addressed community health issues, notably through proclamations for Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The mayor emphasized the importance of regular screenings and lifestyle changes to mitigate risks associated with colorectal cancer. Statistics were shared, indicating over 50,000 U.S. diagnoses of rectal cancer in the current year, with increased risk particularly for individuals over the age of 50. Personal anecdotes from council members underscored the disease’s indiscriminate nature.

Following this, the council reviewed a request from the Captain’s Inn for a noise ordinance waiver to extend music playing hours during summer weekends. While some council members advocated for an extension to midnight, others pushed for an 11 p.m. cutoff due to past complaints from nearby residents. The council reached a consensus to set the music cutoff at 11 p.m..

Additionally, the council addressed various routine matters, including the approval of a first reading of an ordinance concerning towing and storage regulations and a second reading related to capital improvements and equipment acquisition. These resolutions involved appropriations exceeding $3.5 million and the authorization of bonds and notes to finance part of the costs. The council also discussed upcoming projects, like road and park improvements and a bulkhead replacement project, all of which received unanimous approval.

Public comments included expressions of gratitude for voter participation in the recent school district bond referendum, which saw significant opposition. Some residents voiced dissatisfaction with the transparency of financial data presented during the campaign, citing inadequate public notice for budget meetings as a contributing factor. The council committed to maintaining involvement in school affairs, with members emphasizing their attendance at school board meetings and the importance of transparent communication and accountability.