Toms River council approves consent agenda: budget transfers for salt, confirms in‑house liaison, and signs affordable housing consent order

The Toms River Township Council approved a series of consent‑agenda items that included year‑end budget transfers, the formal assignment of an in‑house liaison for affordable‑housing matters, and a consent order documenting the township’s plan to meet third‑round affordable‑housing obligations.

Budget transfers: At the meeting staff and finance officials explained certain departments required additional line‑item funding at the close of the 2024 fiscal year. The largest single transfer discussed was for road‑salt replenishment following recent storms; staff identified approximately $201,000 moved to cover salt purchases. Council agreed the transfers moved funds from appropriation lines with leftover balances and that the practice is used at each fiscal year close.

In‑house liaison appointment: The council formalized an in‑house liaison role by ordinance/action that names the township engineer and community development director as the township’s internal liaison with the K.O.A. (as referenced in the agenda). David Malan, the township engineer and community development director, told the council he had been performing liaison duties since his appointment last year and that the council action would record that fact officially. Malan said the role is unpaid: “Not a penny,” he said in response to a question about compensation.

Affordable housing consent order (third round): The council approved a consent order to document the mechanisms the township will use to complete third‑round affordable‑housing obligations. Special counsel on affordable housing explained that municipalities in New Jersey work through compliance rounds and that third‑round compliance can be satisfied through several mechanisms including new construction, and extensions of deed restrictions on existing affordable units. Counsel said one outstanding issue is that some developers who built required units have not executed deed restrictions that would lock affordability on title, preventing the township from counting those units toward compliance without further action. Counsel described one example of a development with 22 units for which deed restrictions had not yet been provided.

Council President Lamb and other members said they welcomed counsel’s explanation and that city staff will take steps — including, if required, court action — to secure deed restrictions and finalize the municipality’s third‑round compliance. The council approved the consent‑agenda item by unanimous vote; the record shows the motion was made by Council President Lamb and seconded by Council Vice President Coleman.

The consent agenda also included reappointments and routine administrative items (listed on the meeting agenda). Several consent items were considered separately by request before the council approved the remainder in a single vote.