04:47The council meeting began with deliberations over the 2025 municipal budget. The budget set general appropriations at $40,210,665.71, with a reserve for uncollected taxes amounting to $1,653,352.29, culminating in total appropriations of $41,864,018. Anticipated revenues were estimated at $18,930,121.92, leaving a total amount to be raised by taxation of $22,933,896.68. This budget translates to an approximate $91 increase per year for an average assessed home valued between $288,000 and $300,000. Concerns were raised about the impact of the budget on residents, particularly in light of financial difficulties faced by the Board of Education, which had missed a deadline to extend a 2% cap, thus leading to uncertainty about a proposed 14.24% increase. Regina Desa, a resident of Sunset Drive, urged the council to maintain a tight budget, noting the increasing number of for-sale signs in her neighborhood.

05:57Amidst these discussions, Mayor Peter Curatolo briefly left the meeting to attend a press conference concerning a major fire event. He expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of fire departments and the Office of Emergency Management, emphasizing that there had been no loss of life or property damage despite the extensive area burned. Mayor Curatolo thanked mayors across the state for their support and praised the community’s resilience.

22:33The meeting also featured a discussion on the communication challenges during the fire emergency. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of emergency notifications, as many residents did not receive alerts on their mobile devices, especially when service was spotty during power outages. There was an emphasis on the importance of residents signing up for emergency notifications through the police department’s website. The reliability of hardwired phone lines during the event was noted, contrasting with the failure of internet-based services.

17:21Another topic was the outreach efforts by Ocean County Social Services, which plans to deploy its mobile unit to Lacey Township on several dates in May. This service aims to provide essential resources and support to the community, with scheduled stops at the Lacey United Methodist Church and Ocean Medical Center.

18:26The meeting also included a moment of reflection on the passing of Teddy Hutler, a former mayor and long-time warden, with expressions of gratitude for his service. Additionally, appreciation was extended to volunteer firefighters for their response to the fire, comparing the community’s resilience to the spirit of “Jersey Strong” seen during Superstorm Sandy.

Further discussions touched upon the issue of local taxes and school board meetings. There was dissatisfaction with the dynamics of school meeting attendance, with a sentiment that taxpayers, who financially support the schools, should have priority in attending. Clarification was sought regarding the additional revenue to be collected from ratepayers compared to the previous year.