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Council approves consent agenda items including temporary budget extension, fireworks permits and purchasing-agent authorization
Summary
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.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Township Council approved multiple consent-agenda items that council members and residents discussed separately before the roll-call vote, including a temporary budget extension, fireworks-permit filings and a personnel/purchasing-agent authorization.
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.
