Toms River Township Council Meeting - April 22, 2026

The Toms River Township Council met on April 22, 2026, to consider a series of ordinances and resolutions, including affordable housing mandates, a mayoral vehicle use policy, and the appointment of special counsel. The meeting featured public comments on a proposed affordable housing development and a future liquor license for a bar with a shooting range. Multiple votes were taken, with some items passing along party lines.

Consent Calendar

• Item F: A resolution authorizing the township to join the Cranford Police Cooperative Pricing System and purchase 15 four-wheel-drive vehicles from Axis Chevrolet at a total cost not to exceed $841,875. Approved unanimously.
• The consent agenda (Items A through F) was approved without any items pulled for separate discussion via a motion by Council Vice President Iverson, seconded by Councilman Coleman. Vote: all in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Lower (119 Walnut Street) spoke in opposition to Ordinance 8, which creates a new affordable housing zone (EMF-23) at Jamestown Village, citing concerns about density, parking, trash, stormwater runoff, and the removal of open space. He noted that Walnut Street already hosts 676 apartment units and argued that 42 additional units would exacerbate existing issues. He requested transparency on zoning variances and stormwater mitigation plans. Council President Sickozy and the mayor responded, explaining that the development was a settlement with a contester and that the number of units was reduced from what could have been built. They also noted that final engineering plans would be reviewed by the planning and zoning boards.
• Mark Mutter (53 Mana Road, former mayor and township clerk) spoke about an upcoming liquor license activation request for a bar and restaurant combined with an active shooting range at the intersection of Hooper Avenue and Fisher Boulevard (the old Biomontes site). He urged the council to give the highest level of consideration due to safety concerns, noting that alcohol and guns are a dangerous mix, and that the property is near an elementary school, intermediate school, county college, and church.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 7 (Final reading): Authorized a renewed lease agreement with Docksider Marina LLC for a kayak launch. Approved unanimously after a brief public comment period with no speakers. Councilman Biancini initially confused the item with another but voted yes after clarification.
• Ordinance 8 (Final reading): Implemented the EMF-23 multifamily zone at Jamestown Village to generate 42 affordable housing units. After public testimony from Brian Lower, the council approved 6-1, with Councilman Biancini voting no, citing overdevelopment in the area. Council Vice President Iverson and Council President Sickozy noted the town's legal obligations under affordable housing mandates.
• Ordinance 9 (Final reading): Created the HBMF highway business multifamily zone to add four affordable housing units atop an existing retail structure at 2008 Route 37. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 10 (Final reading): Amended the Hooper Claudina redevelopment plan to generate six additional affordable housing units by increasing density from 10 to 18 units per acre. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 11 (Final reading): Authorized exceeding municipal budget appropriation limits and establishing a cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14. Mayor Rodrick explained that spending was down $1 million this year, and the cap bank allows the town to retain the ability to increase spending at 3.5% annually for future contracts without raising taxes. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 12 (First reading): Amended the township code to define "official business" for municipal vehicle use and establish restrictions. Extensive debate ensued. Councilman Biancini opposed the ordinance, arguing the mayor should not use the vehicle for personal trips outside town. Mayor Rodrick offered to give up the car if the council eliminated health benefits for MUA commissioners and council members. The council voted 4-3 to move the ordinance forward, with Councilmembers Iverson, Bradley, Biancini, and Sickozy in favor, and Coleman, Aber, and O'Toole opposed. The ordinance will return for a final reading.
• Resolution 13: Authorized a professional services contract for special counsel to the township council. The mayor argued the appointment was not legal under the Faulkner Act, noting that both attorneys contacted had acknowledged they could not serve. The council voted 4-3 to approve, with Councilmembers Iverson, Biancini, Bradley, and Sickozy in favor; Coleman, Aber, and O'Toole opposed.
• Resolution 14: Authorized the retention of special affordable housing counsel. The mayor again stated the appointment was legally improper and that the attorney had agreed not to perform any work. The council voted 4-3 to approve, with the same split as Resolution 13.
• Poppy Day Proclamation: The council unanimously supported a proclamation designating May 22, 2026, as National Poppy Day, presented by American Legion Poppy Chair Elizabeth DeBecca.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes from the April 8, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 7 (kayak launch lease): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 8 (Jamestown Village affordable housing): Approved 6-1 (Biancini dissenting).
• Ordinance 9 (Route 37 affordable housing): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 10 (Hooper Claudina redevelopment): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 11 (cap bank): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 12 (vehicle use policy): Moved forward on first reading by a 4-3 vote.
• Resolution 13 (special counsel to council): Approved 4-3.
• Resolution 14 (affordable housing counsel): Approved 4-3.
• Consent agenda (including police vehicle purchase): Approved unanimously.
• Departmental reports and bills were approved unanimously, with Councilman Aber abstaining on purchase order 26-01578.
• Public comments were heard, with no further action taken.