LACEY, NJ — A “clerical error” of missing documentation means that the $1.5 million sale of property in Lacey that housed two historic buildings has been voided, according to the township.
At the end of March, a Lacey resident requested missing legal documentation that was required to be filed before the GovDeals auction of the property on May 25, 2023. The property is home to the historic Worden House and the former community center, which some said selling was a violation of its original purpose. Philanthropist Charles A. Smith had left the property to the township in his will 100 years ago for the express purpose of building a community center. Read more: Residents Hope To Save Historic Building In Lacey
Then, at the April 11 Township Committee meeting, officials admitted that they had failed to file a resolution or publicly announce the sale, which entirely voided the contact awarded to the buyer, Michael DeGeorge.
A clearly upset DeGeorge addressed the committee, saying that “I’m basically being told to kick rocks.”
“I purchased this property in nothing but good faith a year ago,” DeGeorge said. “I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, and now I’m in a position where you guys are taking the property away from me after nine months.”
The sale of this property had been controversial to residents, who claimed it was destroying township history and feared for the loss of the Worden House and former community center.
Township officials had previously indicated that these buildings could be destroyed by the developer. But DeGeorge told the committee that he was willing to work with officials to keep the buildings.
Between the caucus and township meetings, the committee went into private session to discuss the manner. This resulted in a resolution being added last minute to the agenda which announced the sale of the property again.
DeGeorge asked why this was happening so suddenly, frustrated over the financial burden this would cause him.
“The township could have a windfall of money, and I lose all of my money,” DeGeorge said. “Other than unethical, it almost seems illegal. And I’d like to know why it was chosen so quick, that you had to have this resolution added today.”
“We cannot ignore the fact that the law is the law,” said Township Attorney Christopher Connors, who acknowledged that the township erred by not publishing advertisement of the sale in a local newspaper.
Connors and the Township Committee were unable to speak much about the topic, as there is the possibility of a lawsuit.
