Lacey Township Committee advances salary changes, capital improvements and backs school bill

The Lacey Township Committee on April 20 moved forward a package of ordinances and resolutions affecting municipal salaries, fees and capital projects and formally signaled support for Assembly Bill A4860.

Mayor Stephen Kennis said the town also closed a successful bond/note sale and noted a top rating from Standard & Poor’s, which he described as indicating "superior financial security and minimal risk." The committee then approved a series of motions to advance ordinances and adopt resolutions.

The most substantive item was Second Reading of Ordinance 2026‑06, a capital improvements measure appropriating $3,265,929 and authorizing the issuance of $2,867,350 in bonds and notes to fund emergency services vehicles and equipment, Cranberry Hill paving, Deerhead Lake dam design and permitting, Veil Park walkway lighting, a Police Department generator, Railroad Avenue north extension and security cameras for municipal buildings. Clerk/administrator comments listed those projects when a resident sought clarification of the vague term "various capital improvements." The administration said engineering and permit work is underway for the dams and that the capital ordinance funds design and permitting rather than actual dam replacement.

On personnel and compensation measures, the committee advanced:
- Ordinance 2026‑11 (first reading) to set CWA union wages, applying 2% increases for 2026 and 2027 and a 2.5% increase for 2028; and
- Ordinance 2026‑08 (second reading) setting salaries for nonbargaining employees, court attendant and a class‑1 officer.

Clerk/reader passages and roll calls on the ordinances show the motions were moved, seconded and advanced by the committee. The meeting record shows the committee voiced affirmative responses during each roll call; no formal roll‑call tallies with member names and counts beyond the recorded "aye" responses were included in the transcript.

The committee also approved routine but consequential items on the consent/resolution calendar: certification of receipt of the 2025 municipal audit (Resolution 2026‑133), ratification of a memorandum of agreement with CWA Local 1088 tied to the salary ordinance, and personnel actions including leaves of absence and appointments. The body approved Resolution 2026‑134 supporting Assembly Bill A4860, described in the read text as the "fairness for school districts in development restricted areas act."

The administration said more detailed financing information and a memorandum of understanding related to larger facility proposals (discussed elsewhere during the public comment period) will be worked on and posted for public review. The committee placed renderings and an economic report on public display and said financing details will follow.

What happens next: the advanced ordinances will follow the normal next steps (future hearings, formal adoption votes where required) and the administration will publish supporting materials — including the capital‑project descriptions and financing details — as they become available.