Spent it on an illuminated sign at the municipal building

The Township paid 58,197.65 from the dedicated opioid account to replace the illuminated sign at the municipal building. 53,410.00 to a sign contractor on purchase order 24-02382 across checks 144004 and 144623, 3,200.00 and 725.00 to an electrical contractor on purchase orders 25-00308 and 25-00620 for wiring run from the building basement to the sign, and 862.65 in permit fees on purchase order 25-01415. The contract covers two digital message boards and a new double sided illuminated cabinet reusing the existing pole, with removal of the old sign. The governing body resolution adopted 10/08/2024 states the purpose in its own words, to replace the administrative and police department illuminated sign that borders the highway, funded from the National Opioids Settlement Fund. The Township also told the State what it wanted the sign to do. The FY2024 report says the new digital sign will run revolving displays and that every other display will be narcotics prevention related. The FY2025 report says the board advertises the straight to treatment program, narcotics anonymous meeting dates, locations and times, and a purple flag remembrance. The FY2025 report then books the sign package under the Steered Straight school drug awareness assembly program, which it is not. The resolution replaces a sign the building already had. No record documents an evidence-based prevention campaign that the board carries. Permanent signage at a municipal building is not among the uses Exhibit E lists, whatever is displayed on it. An open encumbrance of 450.00 dated 07/30/2026 for electronic sign repair carries the same sign onto the account again. Page 4 of the sign contractor's own proposal names that vendor as the service and warranty department for this sign. The FY2026 report, published 10/01/2026, counts the 862.65 permit fee a second time, as 862.50 under the Steered Straight heading.