Toms River Plans for Ortley Beach Building Department Location

Toms River officials are expected to vote tonight in favor of purchasing software that will allow the township to staff a building department office in Ortley Beach.

The resolution would authorize a purchasing agreement with the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Cooperative to obtain software licensing and technology supplies to staff the office, which would be located at the municipal annex building on Route 35.

Toms River will not seek bids for the equipment, though officials say buying the software from the regional cooperative will ultimately translate into savings for taxpayers.

The purchases will add up to $64,241.85, according to a copy of the agenda for Tuesday's township council meeting, where the matter will discussed.

Services provided by the building department include engineering, planning, zoning, conservation, community development, construction services, affordable housing and code enforcement. It also provides building and electrical permits to residents and administrative services to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Environmental Commission.

The Ortley Beach office will give residents of the area of town hardest-hit by Superstorm Sandy last year a local office to obtain help with rebuilding projects, officials said.

"As a civil engineer, I recognize the importance of this convenience to homeowners and that’s why I pushed so hard to get this done,” said Councilman Jeffrey Carr, in a statement.

"Having the Building Department in Ortley Beach will not only make it easier for residents to get their questions answered, but also help streamline the process for homeowners on the barrier island looking to rebuild,” said council Vice President Maria Maruca in a statement.

The meeting, which will be held at the municipal complex, begins at 6 p.m.