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Toms River council adopts new 2025 meeting rules after divided debate over 4 p.m. start and public-comment limits
Summary
The council approved a resolution setting meeting rules for 2025 that move many regular meetings earlier and limit public-comment mechanics; the proposal prompted several council members and residents to say the changes reduce public participation.
The Toms River Township Council approved a resolution establishing rules and regulations for calendar year 2025 after a contentious reorganization meeting that included a failed motion to table and extended public debate.
The adopted rules change meeting procedures, including a regular meeting start time moved earlier in the day and a tighter structure for public comment: a single 60-minute public comment period with three-minute limits per speaker, a requirement to state full name and address, and a procedural practice asking council members to cast roll-call votes before offering explanations. Council members and members of the public sharply disagreed over whether the rules would reduce public access.
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