Toms River Township Council Meeting - January 28, 2026

The meeting was called to order with a flag salute and a moment of silence for a homeless woman who froze to death. Roll call was taken, and minutes from the January 14, 2026 meeting were approved. The council then moved into executive session and returned, approving executive session minutes from December 10, 2025. The remainder of the meeting featured contentious debate on council rules, a resolution to invite another insurance provider, and extensive public comment on homelessness, citations against Just Believe, a recall petition, and alleged misconduct by council members.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda minus items L, W, and X, which were held for separate discussion. The consent agenda included routine approvals and was passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several residents spoke about the homelessness crisis, including the death of a woman in her car. Speakers criticized the administration for issuing citations to Just Believe for helping homeless individuals in the municipal garage. Mayor Roderick responded that the citations were from the summer when cots were dropped off, not for helping people in the cold.
• A resident alleged that Councilwoman Lynn O’Toole was involved in an assault at a clubhouse meeting; she provided a written statement to the clerk.
• Phil Brilliant, a leader of the recall effort against Mayor Roderick, stated that the committee gathered nearly 17,000 signatures but did not submit them because the statutory minimum was not reached. He argued the effort was lawful and urged residents to vote in 2027.
• Dana Tormollin, another recall organizer, claimed the petition showed widespread dissatisfaction with the administration and criticized the mayor’s conduct.
• Several speakers expressed fear of retaliation by the mayor and called for a homeless shelter, noting that the county’s pick building is over capacity.
• A resident from the Presbyterian Church invited council members to a food distribution and a special needs prom.

Discussion Items

• Item L (Property Matter): Councilman Nivison abstained because the property borders his son’s property. The item was approved on a roll call with the remaining six members voting yes.
• Item W (Council Rules Resolution): Council President Siccozi argued the resolution should be tabled to allow further discussion with the township attorney to avoid litigation. Mayor Roderick stated the council cannot hire its own attorney and that the resolution is non-binding. The council voted 4-3 to pass the resolution (Nivison, Bradley, Bianchini, Siccozi yes; Coleman, Aber, O’Toole no).
• Item X (Insurance Resolution): The mayor argued the resolution was unnecessary and non-binding, noting that the council could have invited a different insurance provider without a resolution. The council voted 5-2 to pass (Coleman and Aber opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of January 14, 2026, and executive session minutes of December 10, 2025.
• Approved the consent agenda (minus items L, W, X) unanimously.
• Approved item L (property matter) with one abstention (6-0-1).
• Passed item W (council rules resolution) 4-3.
• Passed item X (insurance resolution) 5-2.
• Approved the bills list with one abstention on a specific purchase order (Councilman Aber abstained on PO 2600 215 but voted yes for the balance).
• Council members reported on snow removal, streetlight issues, and criticized the mayor’s administration for issuing citations to Just Believe.
• Mayor Roderick gave a closing statement defending his administration, claiming a 9% budget cut, reduced affordable housing requirements, and flat taxes. He called the recall effort a hoax and stated he hired a private investigator who found low turnout at signing events.