Community Corner

T.R. Councilman: Take Advantage of Local Parks in September

ALSO: 7 new police officers hired at TRPD

As submitted by Councilman Jeffrey J. Carr

Labor Day weekend signifies the unofficial end of summer. The children are back in school, kids go off to college and summer vacations have all but ended. Let’s not be too quick to pack away the bathing suits and beach gear. There are still plenty of beach days left.

If sun and sand isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other things to do in Toms River. 

Take a visit to the Ocean County Historical Museum on Hadley Avenue. See what life used to be like on the Barnegat Bay by visiting the Toms River Seaport Society & Maritime Museum located on the corner of Hooper Avenue and Water Street. Take a trip down the Toms River aboard the River Lady on an old fashioned paddle wheel boat. Do you like bugs? Check out all things creepy and crawly at Insectroplis, the Bugseum of New Jersey located on Route 9.

Whether it is a quiet stroll on the beach, a picnic in one of Toms River’s many parks, a visit to a museum or dinner at one of the many fine restaurants located in town, there’s always something to do in the township. There’s never a need to drive more than a couple of miles from your home to find shopping, activities, fun or adventure.

I’ve always said that Toms River is a great place to live, work and play. We on the Township Council strongly believe it is our responsibility to keep it that way. That begins with keeping our community safe.

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At our last Council meeting we had the privilege of swearing in seven new patrolmen to our police department.  We also had the privilege of promoting three of our Township’s finest. The best part of this ceremony was watching the faces of the families; the parents, the spouses, the children. These are families that are proud of their daughters, sons and spouses. You can’t help but to feel great to be part of Toms River Township.

Often the Council’s agenda is filled with items that are required as part of the normal business of the Township. They include such items as approving the bill list, authorizing refunds of overpayment of taxes and approving reports issued by the various departments. While these items are important to keep the Township functioning, they are more or less routine in nature.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There may be one or two more significant items of business on the agenda that have a bigger impact on the Township and our residents. Last week’s agenda was no exception. One notable item was the approval of a contract to construct the dunes at the North Beaches. Dune construction will be completed on those beaches that have provided the Township with easements. This brings me to the next item on the Council’s agenda. At the August 27th meeting, Council approved a professional services contract to provide legal services for land acquisition and eminent domain proceedings.  This is an important continuing step in the process to have the Army Corp. of Engineers construct the necessary dunes and beach replenishment to protect our barrier island as well as our back bay communities. The approval of these items reinforces the Council’s commitment to protect our Township from future storms.

Council meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. This is a public meeting in which the Council votes on agenda items. Much of what appears on the Council agenda begins at a committee level.  Each member of the Council serves on several committees.  Each Committee is represented by no more than three Council members.  If a Council member cannot attend a committee meeting, another Council member often takes their place.

Our Township Engineer, Robert Chankalian, P.E. recently released the fall paving project list as part of the capital improvement projects. The Council Capital Improvement Committee meets to discuss future capital improvement needs of the Township. Once that has been reviewed at the committee level, the budget is adjusted accordingly and then approved by the full Council. Once approved by Council, the Township Engineer and his staff are responsible for getting the projects completed. This often includes project designs, preparation of bid documents, award of projects and inspections during construction. The Capital Improvement Committee is just one example of what the Council members are doing to serve the Township. Council committees are an important function in serving the needs of our residents.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that there is plenty of great outdoor weather ahead. Take advantage of our beaches and parks. Remember that school is in session. Drive safely and watch out for our children. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.  Please feel free to e-mail me at jcarr@tomsrivertownship.com.


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