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Council approved a temporary budget extension that the administration said is a statutorily required mechanism to run government until the full municipal budget presentation is scheduled. The administration said the extension uses a percentage of the prior year’s budget to cover operations, and that the full budget — which a speaker said will show a $11 million decrease from last year’s $146 million to $135 million — will be presented at a later meeting. A council member noted a line item for legal fees in the temporary budget and asked that the full budget presentation address high legal spending.

The council also approved administrative filings to obtain state fireworks licensing for a slate of seasonal dates; those filings do not commit the township to contract dollar amounts but are required for permits, administration said. Council members discussed the number and cost of shows planned for Shelter Cove and other locations. Recreation staff estimated a pyrotechnic show costs about $4,000–$5,000 per display and draws 600–1,000 attendees, and said police, fire and EMS remain on duty during events. The council approved the fireworks permit items by roll call; one council member abstained on an item dealing with fireworks.

Separately, council approved an item authorizing a municipal employee who holds a Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) certification to serve in name as purchasing agent for other municipalities part time. Administration said legal counsel advised that the township cannot prevent a certified employee from taking eligible outside part‑time work as long as hours do not conflict with township duties. A few council members abstained on that item citing conflicts or lack of information.

Council also approved a benefits/insurance-related consent item; administration said the township is self-insured and uses a broker to assemble plans, and that collective bargaining contracts determine final employee healthcare terms.

All consent items were approved as presented, with the exceptions and abstentions noted. The administration said it will present the complete municipal budget at a future meeting and will provide more detailed contract and cost information for large items when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting 04/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","On the consent agenda the council approved a temporary budget extension, permits/licenses tied to summer fireworks displays, and authorization allowing a township purchasing agent to hold outside part-time appointing roles; some items prompted questions and a few abstentions.","taxTitle","Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey","taxId",2757,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060865,"Council approves spending plan to extend expiring affordable-housing deed restrictions using trust funds",184,3254000,3438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287941-700c6feef9db123bfd8a43231387e9a4&start=3254&end=3438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287941-700c6feef9db123bfd8a43231387e9a4/thumbnail_3254000.jpg","/articles/6060865/Toms-River/Ocean-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-spending-plan-to-extend-expiring-affordable-housing-deed-restrictions-using-trust-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060865-61a6c96f4e7196522407e0933be18fc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140503&Signature=W~Gw26kTadSe09ROAM9SeXP5A8neA9rcSYGHZmqtyqz3qB0Nti6-65nITiESWV2SYNTUqghUyrrasrczCzUam0j~pTK8bExxePdNeZMdW1Eeq-q5dbvuIbcgaEVgTO-XTHkw6nG096JuJ-Qjamfs3nGgK4eBGxlpiiZJZv8GJuvQBMV4KflxhtU63IuCJoOXUk0oVbbjN9i7SLro0z8lKNb4dJepz~0MzYIeGKqc5vA5FOtLDq-vASB1yQjoi~dI~QgdytlP-~tWp~Q6LvXdBFIneN~~ej2JzDcaC8OCUgjl0Hddt8tpMCWUfSxSDQe8NyrO1WqKfJ~xllAiGS6gaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Township Council approved a spending plan to deploy funds from the town’s affordable-housing trust to extend deed restrictions on previously created affordable units, a step the administration said would preserve affordable units without building new developments.

Town officials explained the mechanics at the meeting: deed restrictions tied to developer-created affordable units typically expire after a statutory period (commonly 20 years). Township counsel and staff told the council the municipality holds roughly $9 million in its affordable-housing trust and can use some of that money to negotiate extended deed restrictions with property owners to keep units affordable for additional decades.

“After 20 years, all of those deed restrictions expire,” a township official said during the meeting, noting earlier large rounds of developer-built units. The spending plan would, officials said, buy extended affordability and reduce the township’s near-term new-unit obligation with the State of New Jersey.

Council President Lamb moved the resolution for approval and councilwoman O’Toole seconded. The motion passed on roll call after debate; several council members said they needed more time to review the packet for the agenda item and voted no or abstained. One council member who spoke against the motion said he had been inundated with constituent communications in the 24 hours after the agenda was posted and wanted more time to study the supporting materials.

Proponents said the approach would preserve existing affordable units without overbuilding or consuming more open land. One administration speaker said that if the township were able to extend expiring deed-restricted units, it could receive credits toward state obligations equal to the number of extended units — an outcome the administration described as “money well spent” if negotiated successfully.

Opponents said they wanted more time to understand the full packet — council members referenced 65–70 pages of supporting documents — and at least one member voted no to allow additional review. The council approved the spending plan with a majority of votes on the consent agenda roll call.

Administration and legal staff said details — the number of units to be extended, proposed per-unit payments and negotiation processes — would follow in the implementing documents and that the council would be briefed further before any specific purchases or agreements were executed.","The council adopted a spending plan that uses money from the township’s affordable-housing trust to extend deed restrictions on existing affordable units; the measure attracted debate and several council votes against the plan pending further review of materials.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060870,"Council approves first reading to acquire multiple downtown parcels; eminent-domain plan draws public outcry over church property",267,2179000,2446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287941-700c6feef9db123bfd8a43231387e9a4&start=2179&end=2446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287941-700c6feef9db123bfd8a43231387e9a4/thumbnail_2179000.jpg","/articles/6060870/Toms-River/Ocean-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-first-reading-to-acquire-multiple-downtown-parcels-eminent-domain-plan-draws-public-outcry-over-church-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060870-79e34cfd655af21ff86b18185a296411/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140503&Signature=mgFfa~giWu5uPh3u0aZEFpJdyyLSHKzKi1oWWWqGGjrupAR0a3XG4wHeMYvRuwxvfS5dqXD1NlKghRadwdeNUEkBeThBaliK-vLfXwFDWafx4LySVgT4wUPcOH3re~W2FaxC0qhSrBoaC3Iz-3yUal5M6GjVu5XHDsXfsaJSQTF8C7L-G2KokwW8evaZeB4GP8-m1bJ8Z5vu-hm1QubtohyA2kBuAg9m6r~nQFKgxd5XYufXLnnURnNRUsD4uPB9i9~8u~CxLuwZvGHQzXHWZdKGS~36da82vIMDBldcjy2sP8qqJsfbz2NlpW~DHsjpOTfGAVTSalXUUcDGwDAqiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Township Council voted on a first reading to authorize acquisition, either by purchase or eminent domain, of multiple parcels in the downtown waterfront area, including 415 Washington Street. The measure drew extensive public comment and sharp criticism at the meeting.

The ordinance on first reading listed several tax-map parcels in downtown Toms River, and council members debated a motion to table the item before ultimately moving forward with the first reading. Councilman Nievesen moved to table the item; the motion was seconded but did not carry, and the council proceeded to a formal first reading vote.

Dozens of residents and representatives of nonprofit groups used the meeting’s public-comment period to oppose removing or repurposing the property at 415 Washington Street, which speakers said is an active Episcopal church that provides meals, meeting space and outreach to people experiencing homelessness.

“I just want to say for the life of me, I find it absolutely appalling that we can sit here and talk about wheeling and dealing $9,000 fireworks displays but we can’t deliberate” on homelessness solutions, said Robert Pinero, who identified an address used by a re-entry program. “Some of you should feel absolutely ashamed of yourselves.”

Speakers who described themselves as church members, volunteers or clients urged the council to preserve the Christ Episcopal Church’s programs. Miko Huggins, who said she was homeless two years ago and received support through the church’s affiliated programs, told the council, “They helped me… I have a wife, two beautiful boys, a house in Toms River.” Scott Susich, a longtime resident, said the proposal amounted to “political retribution” and warned of legal exposure under religious-land-use protections.

Council discussion was heated at times. A motion to table the ordinance was introduced and received some support; the audio of the roll-call exchanges became contentious and at points was difficult to follow. Council President Lamb moved the ordinance for first reading, and the item passed on a roll call. Several council members said they had not had time to review large packets of materials tied to the ordinance; others said they preferred to proceed with the first reading schedule and promised a fuller second-reading public hearing next month.

Mayor and administration officials said the ordinance is a first step and that the council will hold a second reading and further opportunities for public comment at a future meeting. The council did not adopt a final order of acquisition at this meeting; the first reading authorizes the process to continue toward a possible later purchase or eminent-domain action.

For residents concerned about homeless services, several speakers urged the council to sit down with county officials and nonprofit providers to find alternative locations or cooperative solutions. “We gotta move forward with this because it’s getting out of control,” said Carlos, identifying himself as a local resident and volunteer; “stop wasting time.” Other commentators said the town should partner with neighboring municipalities to share shelter capacity and services.

Council members acknowledged the volume of public concern and said the item will appear at the statutory second reading when the public will have another opportunity to speak before any final adoption.","On first reading the Toms River council approved an ordinance authorizing acquisition — by purchase or eminent domain — of several downtown parcels including 415 Washington Street. The proposal prompted lengthy public comment, with dozens of residents and service providers urging the council not to displace a church that hosts homeless services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060875,"Toms River council adopts several traffic-code changes, including lower speed limits and new flashing stop signs",235,1527000,1762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287941-700c6feef9db123bfd8a43231387e9a4&start=1527&end=1762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287941-700c6feef9db123bfd8a43231387e9a4/thumbnail_1527000.jpg","/articles/6060875/Toms-River/Ocean-County/New-Jersey/Toms-River-council-adopts-several-traffic-code-changes-including-lower-speed-limits-and-new-flashing-stop-signs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060875-3380259dc55ae07d330b90cd8d2f9154/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140503&Signature=hEAFNzITK0vY6N8IklFt396GiIzf0LzY4DVnbLyvphlF3ZjNbioePZtIxwwJzkA2NVoMmqB4mH94M4vKUCbKN--kXqGGa5lvAnEt6ZfVGOZNHsQCdZQXuuhOpLug6kq7TPeD8eQsOXmINQLfS-FTY4Mhc9LATfSLESyp-hti4GD1QdzrpEYpT7uIm0pFA3LI8IpvL7U-dweugjHLt5sSJ7m5KObXs37MaIn3S71G8GHeDpxtlJ2zoq60G7Zb6At0wfx3hSKbOrjMGJHu5M4D~9VJ9zyBqwiwsiFT18qt0QvNUxqU1IIXfiHmGr2q3MSvLqcgnY2MO8-Fcqezkq7f~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Township Council on Wednesday approved a package of ordinances that lower speed limits on several streets and install or change stop controls at multiple intersections to address crash and pedestrian-safety concerns.

Council members voted in favor of final readings for ordinances that amend chapter 4-77 of the township code, reducing posted speeds on segments of Windsor Avenue, Grand Avenue and Lexington Avenue and authorizing new flashing stop signs or stop bars at several intersections.

The measures target multiple corridors: Windsor Avenue was reduced in three segments (from 30 to 25 mph, 40 to 35 mph, and 30 to 25 mph in different stretches); Grand Avenue will drop from 35 to 25 mph for its full length; and Lexington Avenue will drop from 30 to 25 mph for its full length. Council also approved removing yield signs and installing flashing stop signs at two Indian Hill Road intersections, and adding a flashing stop sign and stop bar at Guilford Avenue and Anthony Avenue.

The council opened several items for public comment before voting. Resident Catherine Galewski asked for clarification about the Indian Hill yield-sign changes and received confirmation that the flashing stop signs are intended for traffic approaching Indian Hill Road. Julie Adamek and Diane Shiller, who live near Guilford and Anthony avenues, urged the council to vote against installing a flashing stop there, saying traffic volumes are low. “I’ve been on this street many times… I’ve never encountered a car,” Adamek said.

Council President Lamb thanked Police Chief Sundak and township engineer John Meeley for their work on the traffic changes, calling the affected areas “dangerous, accident prone.” Council members repeatedly cited police and engineering recommendations before casting their votes. Council Vice President Coleman said the changes are intended to “reduce the incidence of traffic crashes and to promote pedestrian safety.”

Several ordinances were adopted by roll call. Council members who spoke in favor included Lamb, Vice President Coleman and Councilwoman O’Toole; some council members noted the changes were concentrated in multiple wards and thanked staff for prompt work.

The council and administration said new flashing devices are often installed initially with the flashing feature enabled to increase driver awareness; that feature can be turned off later if appropriate. The changes will take effect as provided in each ordinance once administrative processing is complete.

The ordinances cited chapters and schedules in the township code (chapter 4-77, schedules addressing speed limits, stop intersections and yield intersections).","The Toms River Township Council approved multiple amendments to the township vehicles-and-traffic code in a meeting that included public comment on several specific intersections and brief thanks to police and engineering staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda items including temporary budget extension, fireworks permits and purchasing-agent authorization

Council approves spending plan to extend expiring affordable-housing deed restrictions using trust funds

Council approves first reading to acquire multiple downtown parcels; eminent-domain plan draws public outcry over church property

Toms River council adopts several traffic-code changes, including lower speed limits and new flashing stop signs