Lacey, NJ – A Lacey Township resident has taken legal action against the local government’s decision to sell two historic buildings, presenting a “Cease and Desist” letter to the Mayor over the controversial auction.
Barry Bender, a resident of Lacey, delivered the legal notice on February 22, challenging the sale of the historic Worden House and the Charles A. Smith Community Hall. These properties, integral to Lacey’s heritage, were auctioned on GovDeal, despite being gifts to the community over a century ago. The planned sale has sparked disappointment among residents, who criticize the government’s neglect of these historic sites, crucial to Lacey’s cultural and social legacy.
The Charles A. Smith Community Hall, bequeathed by Charles Arthur Smith in 1918, was meant to serve Forked River’s residents for educational and social purposes. Despite the clear intentions outlined in Smith’s will and subsequent legal documents, the current township committee’s actions have raised concerns about adherence to these stipulations. Similarly, the Worden House, with its deep roots in Lacey’s history and confirmed structural soundness for potential relocation, represents another significant piece of the community’s past that Bender aims to protect.
This legal stance comes amidst broader frustrations with the township committee’s fiscal decisions, including a costly aborted contract with Johnson Controls for a new municipal complex. As Lacey’s historical and financial issues come to a head, the community watches closely, hoping to preserve its heritage against commercial development pressures.