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Toms River council approves county shared‑services agreement to operate animal shelter amid petition dispute
Summary
The council voted to authorize Ocean County to run the township animal shelter and advanced a related ordinance after residents and petitioners said the matter should have gone to referendum. The votes followed heated debate over process, statutory deadlines and alternative operators.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Township Council on July 24 approved a shared‑services agreement with Ocean County for operation of the township animal shelter and advanced a related ordinance on first reading, drawing criticism from residents who insisted a citizen petition required the matter to go to referendum.
Councilman Lamb moved to approve the resolution authorizing a shared‑services agreement with the Ocean County Board of Health; Council Vice President O'Toole seconded the motion and the measure passed 4–3. The council then advanced an ordinance on first reading to repeal prior lease‑authorizing provisions and authorize a lease under NJSA 48:12‑14b, with the same split of votes.
Opponents at the meeting and several public commenters said a petition to repeal the shelter lease…
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