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Residents protest suspension of Silverton EMS dispatch; mayor cites prosecutor referral
Summary
Multiple residents accused the mayor and administration of abruptly stopping dispatch to Silverton EMS and demanded evidence of alleged financial irregularities. The mayor said legal counsel advised referral to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office; speakers warned of reduced coverage and job losses.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Dozens of residents used the public‑comment period at the July 24 township council meeting to press the mayor for details after the administration ordered a suspension of dispatching to Silverton EMS.
Kevin Gagan, a longtime critic of township EMS management, said the mayor “ordered chief Little to write a letter…to stop dispatching Silverton EMS immediately” and demanded to know what the alleged financial irregularities were and why the public had not been given specifics. “You as elected officials are responsible and liable for your actions and libelous accusations,” Gagan told the council.
Mayor Dan Roderick responded that legal counsel advised referral of the matter to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for possible financial irregularities, and that the administration could not comment further on an active legal referral. He also told the meeting that the administration had added ambulances and hired EMTs earlier this year and said legal counsel had instructed the town to limit public statements about the referral.
Public speakers described immediate operational impacts and personnel losses. “By that squad not being in service, we are down three ambulances 24/7,” one petitioner said, and other commenters warned of longer response times and job losses for EMTs. Some speakers said they had filed federal or state complaints (one speaker mentioned a Medicare complaint and a whistleblower filing) and signaled plans for lawsuits to challenge the administration’s actions.
Council members and the mayor traded sharp exchanges with speakers over timing and public notice; some council members urged the administration to provide clearer factual explanations while noting limits imposed by legal advice.
What happens next: The mayor said the referral to the county prosecutor is in motion and that the township’s legal counsel will advise on what can be disclosed. Residents and Silverton affiliates indicated they would pursue additional records requests and legal remedies.
