Community Corner

Issues 2013: Stories to Follow in the New Year

Continue to follow Lacey Patch for updates on the following issues

The year may have come to an end but certain issues have not. Lacey Patch will keep you updated on some of the town’s most pertinent issues.

Hurricane Sandy Restoration
Two months after Hurricane Sandy swept through the region, the Jersey Shore and Lacey Township continue to work toward restoration. Homes in Lacey are still uninhabitable. Some continue to flood with storms. Expenses that are accumulating as a result of damage could also pose a problem in 2013. This issue will be in the limelight for much of 2013.

Replacement of Retiring Chief of Police
After serving the Lacey Township Police Department for nearly 28 years, Chief of Police William Nally has retired. The township Committee is looking into options to replace Nally. Mayor Mark Dykoff said everything’s on the table—a new chief, public safety director, restructuring and shared services.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Oyster Creek
Anticipating the closure of the oldest operating nuclear plant in 2019, the township had a feasibility study done to assess land for the possibility of replacing Oyster Creek Generating Station’s generation with a new facility in Lacey.

It was announced that a natural gas facility would by far be the least costly option to replace Oyster Creek. A new facility would adequately make up for lost taxes and power generation but fall far short of providing the jobs currently offered at the nuclear power plant. 

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As always, environmental and safety issues will continue to arise as advocates protest for plant modifications and even its closure. Most recently, those advocates have shown concerns over complications that came up during Hurricane Sandy. 

Drug Problem
The increasing use of drugs in Lacey Township and throughout the region is a cause of concern. Within the last year, an anti-drug task force has been formed to tackle drug and alcohol issues in the township. In 2013, workshops will be held for residents on substance abuse and a prescription drop box will be installed at the Lacey Township Police Department.

The Lacey Township School District
With Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower on the job a year now, she’s moving into the second phase of her transitions—Listening and Doing. New public forums will begin in the new year.

In the past year, the school district has made many changes from restructuring administration to technology upgrades. More changes are to come, Brower previously said. The district is currently looking into extending its full day kindergarten program throughout Lacey as well as considering drug testing its students. Safety policies and procedures will also be assessed following the shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Forked River Beach 
The Forked River Beach has been eroding for more than 15 years but the issue really came to the surface after Hurricane Sandy. The shoreline continues to approach the homes. Two local residents pleaded to the township Committee to take action and address the erosion. The township Committee showed interest in fixing the problem, although it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

White Castle
White Castle has sued Lacey Township for the restrictions the Planning Board placed on its hours of operation. White Castle’s application was approved to be built at the intersection of Route 9 and Sunrise Boulevard but rather than being open 24-hours, as the company had sought, the Planning Board restricted the hours of operation to 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Lacey Rail-Trail
The debate of building a bypass road along the old Central Railroad of New Jersey has been in the planning stages for more than a decade. The township continues to wait on permits from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here