LAKEHURST – Borough officials voted to switch health care coverage for its employees during its most recent council meeting.
In a move to save money for the borough, council members passed Resolutions 25 and 26. They noted that a number of public entities in the state have joined together to form the New Jersey Solutions Joint Health Insurance Fund, which was approved to become operational by the Department of Banking and Insurance and the Department of Community Affairs.
Lakehurst will be a member of the Fund for an initial period outlined the Local Unit’s Indemnity and Trust Agreement, subject to approval of the Fund Commissioners, and shall not exceed three years as prescribed by state regulation. The coverage offered includes health insurance and/or prescription insurance and/or dental insurance and/or Medicare Advantage/Employer Group Waiver program as defined by the Fund’s bylaws and plan of risk management.
Borough Clerk Maryanne Capasso told The Manchester Times that the borough will see $20,000 in savings in its first year and more in the years to come.
Councilman Brian DiMeo said the change would “give employees more stability.”
The Mayor and Council also voted to appoint Brown & Brown as Broker of Record for the Borough’s employee benefits program. The firm was authorized to act on behalf of the Borough in all matters relating to the procurement, renewal, and servicing of employee benefits insurance policies, including but not limited to negotiations with carriers, plan design consultation, and compliance support.
Council President Jeffrey Emmons ran his first council meeting in the absence of Mayor Harry Robbins. Former Council President Steven Oglesby was also absent during the meeting.
Other business of the governing body included authorizing a shared services agreement for municipal court with Manchester Township, approving the lease of a Borough police vehicle under a state contract, authorizing 2026 salaries for non-contractual employees, and an addendum to the revised 2025 Personnel Policies & Procedure Manual and Employee Handbook.
Resolutions to authorize stipends in connection with shared service agreements with Manasquan River Regional Sewage Authority for Wayne Sibilia, Renee James, Kori Brennan, and Pamela Heinzman were also approved. Matea Castoral was approved to join the Lakehurst First Aid Squad. Maria and Thomas Sroczynski were approved to do fundraising for the Borough’s Fire Department.
Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan announced that there were no current plans for the Lakehurst Historical Society, which she is president of, to host a car show during this year’s Fourth of July Celebration activities which includes the annual Independence Day Parade.
Councilman Robert McCarthy reported that the application for the “LRIG grant also known as the Recreational Improvement grant” is complete. “The Green Acres grant we will review it and have a Q&A and have a public session next month.”
McCarthy also noted the need for volunteers for the fire department and Borough EMS. Under new state regulations fire department responses have jumped from “100 to 500 calls a year. It is very taxing and their equipment is not made to make that number of calls.”
He noted that the LRIG grant would be used for playground equipment replacement. The existing equipment would be moved to another area of the borough.
Councilwoman Patricia Hodges noted that a basketball court would be moved to the other end of town from the lake. Additionally, regarding lowering the water level of the lake, “the state is allowing us to do it every three years instead of every other year. Some tree removal will be needed if the playground equipment is installed.”
Emmons noted that borough employees would be issued photo identification and lanyards to wear. He also reported that a borough fishing derby was also in the planning.
