LAKEHURST – The Borough’s delayed budget was introduced during the latest council meeting but further details about the spending plan will be presented in a few weeks.
Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan, who heads the council’s finance committee, said that the total value of property in the borough is up a bit and there have been some tax appeals. “The public hearing will be held on June 18. The CFO (Chief Financial Officer) will be here to answer any questions and it will be posted online with the breakdowns for the taxpayer and all that stuff.”
Last year, the municipal budget included a tax levy reflecting a 2.86% increase over the previous year.
Detailed line-item breakdowns for the 2027 Lakehurst Borough budget have not yet been published, as New Jersey municipalities formally introduce and adopt their local budgets in the spring.
You can access previous years and stay updated on the current proposed and adopted figures via the Lakehurst Borough Finance Department portal. To get the most accurate and up-to-date breakdown of the 2027 proposal as it moves through local review, you can attend the upcoming Borough Council meetings at Borough Hall or contact Municipal Clerk Maryanne Capasso to request a copy of the introduced user-friendly budget.
The spending plan had been delayed due to a shared services agreement that needed to be finalized with Manchester Township to provide fire coverage on a regular basis following the dissolvement of the Lakehurst Fire Company earlier this month. A tentative plan with Manchester is in place according to Councilman Robert McCarthy.
The 113-year-old fire company shut down due to issues of firefighter retention. Efforts to restore it to maintain reliable fire protection services were unsuccessful before a vote was taken this month to permanently dissolve the agency.
Councilman Steven Oglesby who is a long-time member of the Lakehurst First Aid Squad said that “a handful of members are doing their best to answer as many calls as possible, but it is a losing battle. Burnout is inevitable. And this is not unique to Lakehurst. Fire and EMS squads across the state are suffering the same problems.”
He noted that there is a strong push by the State to create paid EMS and fire companies “and while that may help provide 24-hour coverage every day, there are enormous costs associated with paid services. A typical ambulance runs $250,000 and up, and that doesn’t include the equipment. A new fire truck can easily top $500,000; again, equipment is not included in that price.”
Resolutions approved during the most recent meeting included the authorization, issuance, sale, and execution of a construction financing program note to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, not to exceed $2 million along with the appointment of Jean Verrier as a police officer.
A salary increase was also approved for Deputy Municipal Clerk Amy Lowe. Renee James was appointed permanently as a Clerk 3. Also approved for permanent appointment was Kori MacLean as Clerk 2 while Michael Rochelle was hired as a crossing guard.
Councilman Robert McCarthy reported the Economic Development Committee would be meeting with borough business owners at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on June 8 “to assist them in applying for low interest loans and grants and to help businesses.”
Also noted by Councilwoman Dugan was the annual Bicycle Rodeo at 11 a.m. on June 6 at Horicon Lake that will involve Lakehurst Elementary students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Activities include a warm-up lap around the lake and requirements include a bicycle with properly working brakes and a mandatory helmet.
The rodeo will also feature abicycle safety check during registration, a newly redesigned agility course, and a group lap around the lake with officers. There will be free food, snacks, and drinks provided. The event is sponsored by the Lakehurst Police Department and Lakehurst Youth and Recreation.
For further details about the event, you can contact Police Officer Joseph Ciaurro at 732- 657-7812 ext. 437 or email jciaurro@lakehurstpolice.org.
Council President Jeffrey Emmons and Councilwoman Patricia Hodges were absent at this meeting.
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