Downtown Parking Garage's Top Deck Now Open

Roof being installed now, structural repairs nearly complete

About 75 percent of the parking deck near the library and town hall is open after more than a month of closure for structural repairs. Township Engineer Bob Chankalian said the project is now progressing without delay. The upper deck reopened this week, allowing visitors to again use the parking garage's level. The upper deck had been closed since late April, when a roof was being installed and structural repairs were being completed. The closure of the upper deck pushed visitors onto streetside parking, or in the county's parking deck off Hooper Avenue. The two-way traffic around the parking deck changed to one-lane traffic for a duration of the project. The downtown farmers market held each Wednesday was moved to Irons and West Water …

• Photos (3)

Christie to Hold 'Town Hall' in Brick Tuesday Afternoon

Governor will host 'town hall' meeting at Lake Riviera Middle School as budget battle looms

Gov. Chris Christie will host a town hall meeting in Brick Tuesday, his office said last week. The meeting will be held at Lake Riviera Middle School off Beaverson Boulevard. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. and seating will be on a first come, first serve basis, Christie's staffers said. The event is open to the public. The governor's ongoing series of town halls, where queries from the public are taken in addition to the governor's statements, are often packed events that cover a range of topics concerning both state and local issues. Previous town halls held throughout the state have seen Christie go on the offensive against political rivals, promote his public policy agenda and, occasionally, survive some heckling. The Brick appearance could …

•  192 Comments
• Photos (1)

I'm Constipated

12:23 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Conservatives hate people. Especially ones that breath air.   more ›

Picture This

Underground Abandoned Tank Found During Town Hall Work

Tank removed Tuesday from property

A minor renovation discovered something big — an abandoned fuel tank — buried at town hall. On Tuesday, excavation crews removed the old tank from the property of Toms River Town Hall on Washington Street. The tank was underground near the northeast corner of more historic portion of the building, facing Washington Street. Town Hall, which recently began repairs to its HVAC and roof, saw construction crews with excavating equipment dig out the old, unused tank. Craig Ambrosio, Toms River's Director of Parks Buildings & Grounds, said the tank was specifically a fuel tank that was no longer in use, and abandoned. "This was a old abandon fuel oil tank that was discovered during a minor renovation," he said. "The preliminary findings show no …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)

Downtown Toms River Parking Deck Closures Scheduled Today through June

Some levels scheduled to close temporarily, starting this week

Though work so far has led to road closures and one-way traffic, the next phase of the reconstruction of the downtown Toms River parking deck will close whole levels to parking starting today. Installation of columns and steel will shutter sections of the parking garage, located between Robbins and Horner streets, through May 30. The parking closures mark a new set of inconveniences to township employees or downtown visitors using the parking garage. The upper deck, often used by library patrons, will be completely closed for about a month and see scheduled closures this week. Township Engineer Bob Chankalian announced the following closures: The project began this winter as construction fence encircled the three-level parking garage and …

• Photos (4)

Direct from the Source

Runyan Hopes to Schedule More 'Telephone Town Hall' Events

Rep. says it's another way to connect with consituents

Column as submitted by Rep. John Runyan: In our current age of technology there are many different ways for me to communicate with constituents.  But I have found one of the most effective ways to listen and discuss the issues is via Telephone Town Hall (TTH). One of the biggest reasons that I chose to use this method of communication is the multiple participation options it offers constituents.  At the beginning of the TTH, you have the option to ignore the call and not participate.  If you do chose to listen, you can ask a question or just remain silent and listen to the discussion.  There is also the opportunity at the end of the call to leave a message for me and my staff. The TTH is also an effective way for me to keep my finger on …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)

Township Tree Lighting Tonight at 6 p.m.

Toms River town hall will kick off the holiday spirit with a big tree and big fun

The spruce is strung up with lights, but they won’t be turned on for another couple hours. Toms River’s annual tree lighting (at 6 p.m. today) has used the tree in the esplanade outside town hall for as long as there has been a tree lighting, said Town Clerk Mark Mutter. Toms River Parks and Recreation staff need a lift to drape the evergreen with its strands of lights. There’s also a trolley track to lay, microphones to set up, and hot chocolate to brew. Toms River Fire Co. No. 1 will be helping Santa arrive by firetruck, said Carl Weingroff, of the department. The volunteer fire company will be offering pictures with Santa as a fundraiser for the firehouse, he said. “This is the second year pictures will be emailed to folks. It’s worked …

•  10 Comments
• Videos (1)

Toys for Tots Drop Off at Town Hall

Toy drive may start Thursday

Town hall will become a Toys for Tots drop-off site starting Thursday, said Council President Mo Hill. Hill said he asked for the Marines' annual charity drive of toys for the holidays to come to town hall, Washington Street, after resident Dennis Galante inquired whether it could be possible. Hill announced at this week's township council meeting that a collection bin would go up probably on Thursday in the town hall lobby first floor. Residents can drop off donations of new toys for distribution to needy children during the holidays. Hill said the drive will continue throughout December until sometime in the third week of the month. "I'm hoping everyone will bring a toy to the council meeting in December, and we'll have a nice full bin …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Occupy Wall Street Movement Coming to Toms River?

Meetup group hoping to bring national movement to local event

Occupy Washington Street? The Occupy Wall Street movement has begun to turn its attention to the Main Streets of communities throughout the nation, and local activists are hoping to organize one such event in Toms River this weekend. An "Occupy Toms River" event was posted on meetup.com on Oct. 9, as one of 1,925 "Occupy Together" organizations hosting events throughout the world and organizing through meetup. The meetup.com website as well as Facebook show an Occupy Toms River event in the works for this weekend. The event page has the protest beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday in Huddy Park, and aims to include tents, peaceful protests and distribution of information such as fliers and pamphlets. The event had 84 attendees listed at 9:30 a.m…

•  92 Comments
• Photos (2)

suz

6:49 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012

I have better things to do!!!   more ›

Toms River Municipal Budget

$12 Million in Bond Ordinances Up for Vote Tonight

Bond notes would pay for bulkheads, golf improvements, recreation upgrades and public works vehicles

Several bond ordinances before the council tonight will help repair aging bulkheads, buy new public works vehicles, and complete other capital projects, but the measures would also add a combined $12 million in bond debt to the township. Toms River Township Council will decide whether to approve the series of ordinances at its meeting tonight, 6 p.m. in town hall. There’s multiple bond ordinances up for vote: While several residents took issue with the spending, calling for leaner measures and less debt load, council members said they supported the measures. Council President Mo Hill said the projects are needed, and that as the township adds more debt it is also retiring $8 million in higher-interest bonds, which will cushion the debt …

•  20 Comments
• Photos (1)

S.A.V.E.

11:18 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Mike out of curiosity was anything mentioned about a new animal shelter? I will definitely read, but I can almost bet that once again the animals in this town are forgotten for some stupid rink or golf course. Do you know why? Animals cant vote! TYPICAL. But we can people, remember that in November! They are all immoral, corrupt, heartless politicians!!! Vote for Paul Brush!!!   more ›

Township To Hold Cablevision Rate Hearing

5 p.m. Aug. 23 in town hall

Cablevision customers and Toms River residents will get a chance to weigh in on the cable company’s rate structure to the township in a 5 p.m. public hearing at town hall Tuesday. Tomorrow’s hearing precedes the regularly scheduled township council meeting in town hall. The 15-year contract is a non-exclusive one, meaning Cablevision isn’t the only provider in town. However, the township must ratify its rate structure for cable services and hold a public hearing every time its contract comes up. Cablevision, whose local office is on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights, primarily serves the barrier island portions of Toms River, such as Dover Beaches and Ortley Beach as well as other towns on the barrier island. The franchise agreement on the …

• Photos (1)