Flooding emerged as a topic during the meeting, with residents and council members expressing concerns about the impact of rising water levels in the township. Resident Lucas Bernaldo highlighted the replacement of the bulkhead at Paradise Point, expressing relief that the work was finally underway but criticized the lack of a plan to address flooding. Bernaldo noted that the new bulkhead would be at the same height as the existing one, which he argued would not mitigate the increasing flood risks. He emphasized the practical implications of the flooding, including access issues to homes and the disruption of school bus services.

Bernaldo’s advocacy for a long-term strategy to address flooding was echoed by others. He called for raising the bulkhead, improving drainage systems, and adjusting road heights. Despite his detailed suggestions, he expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of engineering studies to inform these decisions, questioning why Lacey Township had not adopted similar measures to other municipalities. The conversation underscored a tension between resident demands for infrastructure improvements and the township’s planning limitations.

The council acknowledged the challenges faced by residents in low-lying areas and the absence of budgeted engineering studies. There were also discussions about the historical flooding issues at the Town Marina, with a council member expressing disbelief at the lack of prior communication about these concerns. The member emphasized the need for local engineering studies to effectively address the issues, as the budget did not include provisions for such studies.

Public commentary during the meeting included critiques of council behavior and calls for better communication with residents. One individual expressed disappointment in the conduct of previous meetings, urging council members to maintain decorum and respect with the public. The resident also highlighted unresolved issues in the Forked River Beach area and raised concerns about the Charles A. Smith Association’s legal involvement regarding property use conditions.

Additionally, the meeting addressed fiscal accountability within the local government. A speaker called for a balanced budget and emphasized the importance of minimizing biases and the influence of special interest groups. They advocated for transparency in government activities and suggested making meeting agendas and other documents accessible on the township website. The speaker also critiqued town services, including the Board of Education and police department, urging an objective analysis of their cost-effectiveness.

In response to public commentary, a council member acknowledged the township’s effective resource management, citing a reduction in personnel within the Department of Public Works. However, concerns about communication breakdowns between the council and residents were raised, with a council member pointing out a disconnect regarding community issues like flooding. They stressed the need for improved communication, highlighting the complexities involved in securing funding for community projects.

During the meeting, the council approved various resolutions, including the first reading of Ordinance 2024-26, which sets a 3% annual salary increase for non-bargaining employees for 2024 and 2025. The council also authorized agreements with the Ocean County Board of Health for using county animal shelters and approved funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for the Bamber Lake Dam project. Other resolutions involved the release of a bond after satisfactory improvements, mortgage cancellation for a property in the Community Development Block Grant program, and personnel changes within the Department of Public Works and Police Department.