A significant portion of the meeting addressed the grievances of a Bamber Lake resident dealing with a neighbor’s unauthorized metal fabrication shop. The resident highlighted the ongoing disturbance and the lack of enforcement, even with a looming court date in June. In response, the council assured the resident that code enforcement officers had issued violation notices, and the prosecutor’s office was involved in addressing the situation.

Another resident brought attention to the speeding problem on East Lacey Road and queried the council about the implications of the potential sale of the Community Hall on traffic patterns and the functionality of the traffic light. The council took note of these concerns but did not offer an immediate resolution or detail potential measures to address the speeding issue or the future of the Community Hall.

The council also discussed labor issues, particularly the plight of the 28 Communication Workers of America (CWA) employees serving the township. A CWA representative highlighted the need for fair compensation, pointing out a decline in salaries over time.

On a positive note, the council celebrated the grand reopening of Vet Works, set for May 4th. Additionally, New Jersey Natural Gas took the opportunity to remind residents to practice safe digging by calling 811 before any yard work, aligning with National Safe Digging Month.

The council also recognized the town clerk for her achievements. This moment of recognition was accompanied by expressions of gratitude to department heads and a commendation of Lacey Township’s ranking as one of the top safest towns in New Jersey. The mayor underscored the importance of residents using the information provided in documents distributed to their homes.

Moreover, the town hosted a multi-agency emergency service training event at a local mining operation, emphasizing the preparedness of the township’s emergency services. This initiative included fire companies, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lacey Police Department, and focused on response measures involving compressed natural gas technologies used at the mining site.

The meeting also entailed administrative actions such as authorizing amendments to the interlocal services agreement for tax collector services, employing a permanent plumbing subcode official, and approving several refunds, including to a massage establishment for license fees.

As the meeting concluded, the council moved into an executive session to deliberate on confidential matters related to personnel, contracts, litigation, and real estate, which are standard for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring compliance with legal protocols.