Direct from the Source

Councilwoman Explains Beach Badge Pricing

Pre-season prices in effect through May 28th

Column as submitted by Councilwoman Maria Maruca: Our senior beach badge ID was a success last year and we will continue the program. Residents ages 62 and older living in Toms River are able to receive a township issued photo ID card enables them to visit Toms River Township beaches for free.  The lifetime senior ID and beach pass provides access to Ortley Beach and Shelter Cove Beach, and there is no need to renew the card each year. The pass is available now at the Senior Center and the Recreation Department in Snug Harbor. Ortley Beach South Beach House for the remainder of the summer season. For all other adults and non-residents, beach badges will be available at the pre-season rate of $35 per badge until Monday, May 28th and …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

Direct from the Source

Councilman: Full Inventory of Toms River Stormwater Basins' Effects Needed

Councilman Wittmann discusses his hopes for 2012, and projects of note

Column as submitted by Toms River Councilman George Wittmann: Happy New Year to All! The township council held its reorganization meeting on January 3, 2012. The meeting was the last for Councilman Greg McGuckin who served on the council for the past 8 years and is moving on to the NJ Assembly as one of the two assemblyman in our 10th District. Greg will be missed by all as he represented the township very well and served as our council president for 7 ½ years. The township council wishes him well in his new endeavor. On another note, the water quality of Barnegat Bay is an issue due to the nutrients that are draining into the bay from the various storm drains in the watershed. I have asked the township council to consider authorizing a …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Election Guide

Kelaher Begins Second Term as Mayor; Councilmen Hill, Sevastakis to Lead Council

Annual reorganization meeting sees parting words from Councilman McGuckin

2011 is over, but many of the same issues, projects and faces will be around in 2012, officials at the annual reorganization meeting of Toms River said this evening. Sworn into his second term, Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher laid out the agenda for the coming year. He said he expects the 2012 budget to again be challenging to put together, in that state aid levels have fallen off dramatically over his last term. However, the mayor pointed to 2011 as a year of great cooperation and hard work in spite of financial obstacles. Kelaher said that they literally weathered the storm in 2011, facing the additional cost of blizzards while being forced to keep budgets under a 2 percent cap. 2012 Kelaher said the significant financial hurdles of 2011 were …

• Photos (2)

Toms River Reorg Meeting Set for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3

Swearing in of new terms, announcement of annual appointments

It's time to start a new term and set all the appointments for the coming year. At 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3 the Toms River Township Council will hold its annual reorganization meeting. The meeting, which will also be streamed live on the township website, will be held in Toms River Town Hall on Washington Street. Having won the election, incumbent councilmen Maurice Hill, John Sevastakis and George Wittmann will be sworn in to start their new terms. Mayor Thomas Kelaher will be sworn in to his second term as mayor. The council will vote on the professional appointments for the township, such as township attorney and engineer. Vacancies and annual appointments to the township committees and boards will be established, as will the calendar of …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

orlando

5:10 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012

so what job will the township give him ??   more ›

Manforti Completes Temporary Term, Departs Township Council

Councilman Alfonse Manforti completes prescribed council term, expiring December 31

Councilman Alfonse Manforti, who was appointed to the Toms River Township Council in July to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of former Councilwoman Melanie Donohue-Appleby, participated in his final council meeting on Tuesday evening before departing the governing body. At Tuesday’s night meeting, Manforti’s colleagues on the governing body praised his service, though brief, and expressed interest in working with him again in the future. Manforti also was presented with an official proclamation at the start of the meeting. “We would like to recognize Councilman Al Manforti for his service on the town council. Tonight is his last official meeting,” said Council President Maurice “Mo” Hill. Hill continued by saying that Manforti is …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Paul Trent

9:21 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011

Martin, Just Ward three and Ward four thats it.   more ›

Opinions Heat Up On Today's Fire Referendum

Downtown Business District supports project, residents raise concerns, fire district decries "misinformation"

Response has been heating up to a fire referendum that is in the hands of voters today. The Mayor and some council members are supporting the vote, along with the Toms River Business Improvement District. Opponents to the proposed land buy are flyering and posting lawn signs, while the fire commissioners warn of widespread misinformation. The $1 million purchase of land at Hooper and Hadley Avenues in Toms River is the focus of today’s referendum, with voters in Fire District 1 asked to go to the polls at the West Water Street firehouse between 2 to 9 p.m. today. The purpose of the land buy, said Toms River Fire District 1 Administrator Brian Kubiel, is to move the two downtown fire companies into a fire house to be built on Hooper and …

•  15 Comments
• Photos (3)

Ken G

7:15 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2011

I was referencing both of them because they both have the same problem, and if you drive down Hadley or Hooper there has a been a "Future Home of Discovery Collagates" for several years   more ›

Election Guide

Letter: Thank You For Your Support on Election Day

Councilman Mo Hill weighs in as Republican campaign closes in Toms River

Letter to the editor as submitted by Toms River Council President Maurice Hill: I would like to thank the more than 15,000 Toms River residents who voted in Tuesday’s election.  One of the most important freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this great country is the right to vote.  We vigorously debate issues and then express our opinion peacefully via the ballot box.  On behalf of the Mayor Thomas Kelaher, Councilmen at Large George Wittmann, John Sevastakis and myself I want to thank the people who voted for us and supported us.  I also want to thank all those who worked tirelessly on our campaign.  No one wins an election by themselves.  It takes grass roots supporters and a team effort.  Finally we pledge to continue to serve the residents…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Direct from the Source

Council Corner: From the Desk of Greg McGuckin

Council President discusses legislative impact

Submitted by Toms River Council President Gregory McGuckin: Sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder! Last year at this time, the Democrati-controlled state Legislature promised the 565 towns in this state that they would pass the governor's "Tool Kit," consisting of 33 specific items to help provide property tax relief.  Today they have passed just five of those proposals, leaving 28 still on the table.       New Jersey residents pay the highest property taxes in the nation, an average of over $8,000 per home.   Thankfully, here in Toms River, property taxes are more then 30 percent below the state average and the lowest of any large community in this state.  However, every resident should be asking the same question of …

• Photos (1)

Downtown District's Budget Approved for $377,500

New executive director outlines spending and revenue, hopes to revamp fall event into Harvestfest

The downtown improvement district’s budget sailed through the township council last night, approving $377,500 in spending for 2011. Kevin J. Mizikar, the new executive director of the Toms River Business Improvement District, outlined spending and revenues for 2011, including a 5.8 percent increase in spending over 2010. Mizikar explained the executive director position went vacant for nearly eight months in 2010, the reason why last year’s spending is lower than 2011. Mizikar, who joined the BID late last year, presented the budget to the township council: $225,000 raised by business taxes, $131,000 revenue from events, and $21,000 from the BID’s cash reserves. Township Administrator Paul Shives said the amount raised by taxes is exactly …

• Photos (2)

Council outlines 2011 agenda: financial challenges and capital projects

Council members discuss "dire" economic outlook, moving forward on recreation projects

In a year they admitted could be wrought with financial woes, Toms River council members also said capital projects such as open space acquisition, a softball complex and upgrades to the animal shelter were on their respective minds. The agenda for 2011 must figure out how to both be mindful of economic issues while advancing – not just maintaining – the level of service residents deserve, officials said during Tuesday’s council meeting. The council members also acknowledged that 2010 – which saw staff furloughs and dropping property values – was a difficult one. “2010 was a challenging year. But I think we came out in good shape,” said Councilman George Wittman, crediting the township staff’s efforts. “I believe we have one of the best …

• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)