A major topic of discussion was the recent tax bill, which showed a notable increase. Resident Steve Barl from Forked River raised this issue, noting that many believed the increase was solely related to school funding due to a prior referendum vote. Barl sought clarification on the reasons behind these fluctuations, pointing out a 9.9% increase related to school funding and a November bill acting as a correction for previous underestimations. “There are a lot of unhappy taxpayers over that,” he stated, emphasizing the collective discontent within the community.

Barl also questioned the expenditures related to Johnson Controls, noting that the township had incurred around $310,000 in costs, including an engineering report. Questions were raised about the timeline of events and the legal advice received by the council. The attorney clarified that the law firm had reviewed the contract and provided advice without directing the committee to sign it.

The conversation shifted to the township’s financial strategies, with a resident emphasizing the need for better utilization of commercial properties along Lacy Road. This resident argued, “This building’s been here since 1969… think of all that revenue we have missed since then,” indicating a belief that there are untapped opportunities for revenue generation.

Discussions also touched on the separation of school funding and municipal obligations, with a council member clarifying that decisions made by the school district are independent of the township’s financial strategies. This was reiterated in the context of ongoing lawsuits regarding school funding, highlighting the complex interrelation of financial responsibilities within local governance.

The proposed establishment of a gas station near sensitive areas, including watersheds, schools, and community centers, was another significant concern. One resident expressed frustration at the perception that elected officials might prioritize their own agendas over community needs, emphasizing the importance of evaluating whether local government representatives are fulfilling their responsibilities to the community. This speaker insisted that the Warden House and Community Hall should remain under community control.

Another resident detailed the environmental hazards associated with the proposed gas station, particularly the potential for contamination from petroleum hydrocarbons. They referenced studies indicating that gas stations are known sources of pollutants that can contaminate both soil and water, leading to serious ecological and health consequences. The speaker urged council members to impose regulations on gas station developments to protect community health.

The fate of the Warden House, a historic municipal property, was also discussed. A suggestion was made about collaborating with a Civil War group interested in moving the house at their own expense, due to its historical significance. Carol Midor from Lino Harbor proposed that the application process for the Warden House and other eligible properties might be better directed through the Planning Board, given the dissolution of the Historic Sites Commission. Midor highlighted that the Warden House has some protective measures due to its municipal ownership and eligibility for the register, although not as extensive as if it were officially on the register.

Bob Lay from Lacey Township critiqued the public’s understanding of local taxes, noting that only about 20% of tax bills contribute to local services such as garbage collection and police, while the school board consumes about 60% of the total tax bill. Lay called for greater public engagement in school board meetings, urging residents to direct their concerns about taxes to the appropriate venues.

The council also discussed various resolutions, including the provisional promotion of Brian Wus to the position of investigator in the police department, pending the completion of promotional procedures. Additionally, the council appointed Heather Scanland and Carol Midor as regular members of the environmental commission, receiving unanimous approval.

The execution of a solar project was authorized through Resolution 2024-25, exploring a community solar project on a vacant property behind the public works facility. The council also passed a resolution authorizing the donation of a retired police vehicle to the Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s public safety program.

During public comments, residents raised various concerns, including the timeline for installing new benches at the beach and access issues related to the Warden House. The Mayor clarified that the property is currently under contract and the council is in the midst of a contractor agreement that includes those structures.

The meeting concluded with announcements about the Medicare open enrollment period, upcoming veterans’ events, and the importance of educating oneself regarding a forthcoming school board referendum. The Deputy Mayor and other council members emphasized the financial implications of capital projects and urged residents to be cautious about expenditures.