LACEY, NJ — In a few short days, Lacey residents will be heading to the polls to elect new representatives. At the local level, only one Township Committee seat is open. Republican incumbent PeggySue Juliano and Democratic challenger Kaitlyn Triano are running.
In a short video done by the Lacey Township High School Close-Up Club, Juliano and Triano both had the chance to answer some questions about issues facing Lacey. Here are some highlights.
Proposed New Municipal Complex
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The Township has been entertaining the idea of entering into a public-private partnership with Johnson Controls to construct a new municipal complex that would combine town hall, the police department and an indoor recreation center. This has drawn controversy in town, with many opposing the project as a waste of taxpayer funds. Read more: Officials & Residents Clash Over Proposed Lacey Complex
When asked about the complex, Triano expressed her opposition.
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“The taxes in Lacey are already very high,” she said. “And my goal is to keep them as low as we possibly can.”
She also said there has been “a lot of secrecy surrounding the deal” and that allowing a private company to profit off the municipal complex would be “privatizing public lands.”
“I think that it’s best to renovate the existing facility that we have and not build a new municipal complex to save taxpayer dollars and do what is ethically right for our community,” Triano said.
Juliano emphasized that the committee has not made any decisions.
“We’re looking into all the ventures we could possibly go into,” Juliano said, adding that a new police station is “priority number one” as it is outdated.
She said she needed to speak to more people in the community and “find out what they have to say.”
Finances
When asked what she would do if the township received a $1 million grant, Juliano said she would put it towards their three fire departments.
“They’re all volunteers, and they work very hard for this town,” she said. The money would help them with new equipment and fire trucks.
She also said that her first order of business, though not really that as she has been working on it for the past year and a half, would be continuing to make sure the they have more police officers.
“We have to get our priorities together,” Juliano said. “And to me, the police and firemen are our priorities right now.”
Triano said she would use a $1 million grant to purchase a building for the nonprofit Vetwork to operate out of. The nonprofit currently is housed in the historic Worden House, but the property has been sold to a developer by the township.
“Vetwork is an essential organization in town and I want to be able to keep it running,” Triano said.
After the property was sold, it was announced that the township would move Vetwork into the Lacey Food Bank building, where the two will share the space.
Triano also said her first order of business would be to review the budget and determine where cuts and additions need to be.
“I would review the budget and see if we can allot any more money to our police officers,” she said.
She said she would provide an electric vehicle fleet for the police department as they allow for greater energy efficiency.
Children And Young Adults
Candidates were asked if they had any plans or ideas regarding programs that could be implemented for children and young adults.
Triano, a young adult herself, said she would like to implement mental health clinics so that members of the community can get the help they need.
“It’s very important that we stay on top of mental health issues and address this within our community,” she said.
Juliano said that a new municipal complex would address programs for young people.
“If we do go ahead with that, we will be building a complete sports recreational building with that,” she said.
Often times buildings for basketball practice or other sports are booked up, so having a new facility would help, Juliano said. It would handle other events like dances and things for senior groups too.
You can watch the full video here.
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