Home Care In Toms River, NJ

The Toms River municipal animal shelter will not reopen under township control, Mayor Daniel Rodrick pledged Thursday, a day after the township council narrowly passed a resolution severing a shared services agreement that would allow the Ocean County Health Department to take over the now-shuttered facility under a lease structure.

The council voted 4-3, reflecting the balance of council members aligned with and opposed to the mayor, to pass the resolution. Resolutions, under Toms River’s form of government, cannot be vetoed by the mayor. A previous council, in 2024, passed an ordinance – which can be vetoed – authorizing the shared services agreement but later repealed it after a public petition campaign. While the resolution passed Wednesday night notionally cancels the existing lease agreement that would allow the county to access the shelter, the jurisdiction of the council to carry out other facets of the resolution, such as directing the business administrator and township employees to develop a budget and maintenance plan to reopen the facility, remained questionable.

The shelter was opened as the only municipally-controlled shelter in Ocean County; all of the other municipalities utilize either county facilities or nonprofit shelter organizations, such as the Associated Humane Societies. The unique arrangement drew criticism from some members of the public several years ago, with a number of advocates arguing that there was insufficient space for animals and dog runs had not been installed. Shelter employees, who defended the facility and said it met codes and operated with the welfare of the animals as a top priority, were laid off after a plan was announced by Rodrick to transfer the facility to the county. The facility has remained closed ever since as the county conducted studies looking into what repairs, additions and maintenance was necessary to bring it into parity with their other two facilities in Manahawkin and Jackson.

The county health department received bids from architectural and engineering firms Jan. 5 that estimated the cost between $5 million and $6 million, though some of that amount would be required only to allow the facility to be operated in line with county-distinct specifications.

“We certainly see that there’s a need for the additional facility and shelter,” Daniel E. Regenye, Public Health Coordinator for OCHD, told Shorebeat. “If Toms River is planning on not operating it, we’re able to do so, just from a need perspective. If they want it back and they can operate it, we have no problem canceling it out and letting them do their own thing again.”

Regenye said the county has spent some funds on the facility since the lease was executed under the previous shared services agreement, which would have to be reconciled at some point.

“We had to go in, clear it out, and kind of organize it,” he said. “We’ve been working with some architects and engineers, and we’re keeping the building operational with utilities, security, and allowing our employees to access it within our system. Those are the costs that we have incurred.”

Regenye said the facility is in need of modifications in order to operate within the county system, referring to the bids that were received earlier this month.

Rodrick said even if the shared services agreement is canceled, he will not allow the facility to be operated at taxpayer expense when the county is willing to bear the cost of upgrades. He also accused his opponents on the council of wanting to staff the facility with political allies.

“I’m not going to take it on, I wouldn’t attempt to do it,” said Rodrick. “Why would I look to invest $6 million into something the county is willing to invest in? I could probably pave 80 roads for that price.”

Rodrick said he began investigating the shelter’s operations after hearing concerns raised by some residents. He said that the facility was not sufficiently open to the public for adoptions, animals were kept there too long, and there was a need to install upgraded ventilation, larger holding structures and new dog runs. Some of the concerns, he said, were acknowledged in a court decision linked to the petition to overturn the lease ordinance.

Reopening the shelter under municipal control is “about getting their friends jobs and a place to put their friends again.”

At the meeting, several residents – including some animal rights advocates from Toms River and elsewhere, some political opponents of the mayor, and some with ties to former employees – called for the shelter to be reopened.

“The county is not working on it, it remains empty, and in the mean time there are less places for our animals to go,” said Dawn Nivison, the wife of Councilman Thomas Nivison, an Rodrick opponent. “Popcorn Park is closed for renovations … and I believe the county has a shelter that is closing to be redone.”

Meanwhile, she said, about $1 million in funding from a previous donation willed to the shelter remains available and could be used to make any necessary improvements.

“We’re talking about God’s creatures,” said Councilman David Ciccozzi. “We have to reopen it.”

Another resident opined that Toms River, as one of the largest suburban municipalities in New Jersey, should have its own shelter.

Regenye said he will respect the decision of Toms River officials.

“If they want to continue with it, we’re fine with that, and we’ll walk away,” he said. “But there is a need and we’ll look to handle it the best way we can.”

The competition was fierce across the lanes at Lucky Strike (formerly Bowlero) on Saturday during the 43rd annual Ralph Fech Central Jersey Winter Classic in North Brunswick.

Both Jackson Township (boys) and Toms River South (girls) delivered impressive showings to stand atop their respective team standings in a tournament that featured a total of 23 ranked teams in the NJ.com boys and girls bowling rankings.

Led by sophomore Michael Fogarty (220 average), No. 13 Jackson Township tallied a team total of 2,939 pins to edge out No. 2 St. Joseph (Met.) to win the boys team crown.

The Falcons came into the Central Jersey Winter Classic having won the team title the last three seasons.

Along with St. Joseph, Jackson Township beat out No. 1 Woodbridge, No. 4 Bayonne, No. 5 Montville and No. 6 Howell to win its second tournament of the season.

Fogarty led all boys at the tournament with a high series of 715, marking the fifth time this season that the sophomore has recorded a 700 series.

At last weekend’s Brick Bowling Tournament, Fogarty topped all competitors with a high game of 288 and a high series of 780.

Kinnelon junior John Sprague (206 average) rolled a high game of 279 at the Central Jersey Winter Classic and finished with a 674 three-game set.

Woodbridge senior Michael Gurovich (210 average) tallied a three-game set of 681 to help the Barrons place fifth.

On the girls side, No. 6 Toms River South edged out No. 13 Central Regional, 2,644-2,614, to win its third tournament of the season.

Freshman Taylor Morris led the Indians with a three-game set of 567. Sophomore Christina Scibetta finished right behind Morris with a 566 three-game set to help Toms River South take home the team trophy.

Central Regional senior Morgan Hawks (192 average) recorded a three-game set of 630 to help Central Regional beat out No. 2 Brick Memorial by 11 pins for second place.

Individually, New Egypt senior Hailey Kraemer led all girls at the tournament with a high game of 256 and a high series of 673 to lead the Warriors to a fifth place finish.

Barnegat senior Jamie White (211 average) had a great day on the lanes as well with a three-game set of 667.

Boys Top-10 Team Scores

1-Jackson Township (2,939); 2-St. Joseph (Met.) (2,887); 3-Howell (2,883); 4-Bayonne (2,851); 5-Woodbridge (2,801); 6-Brick Memorial (2,754); 7-Colts Neck (2,747); 8-Ewing (2,732); 9-Monroe (2,722); 10-Kinnelon (2,695).

Girls Top-10 Team Scores

1-Toms River South (2,644); 2-Central Regional (2,614); 3-Brick Memorial (2,603); 4-Brick Township (2,528); 5-New Egypt (2,452); 6-Burlington Township (2,451); 7-Manchester Township (2,428); 8-Barnegat (2,365); 9-Howell (2,225); 10-Edison (2,198).

Mayor Daniel Rodrick called for the special meeting to address township insurance; council members said they had not seen enough details.

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A special meeting of the Toms River Township Council called by Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick has been canceled.

The meeting had been scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to a notice on the township website posted before Christmas. The meeting was to address "circumstances requiring immediate action regarding property, casualty and liability insurance coverage," according to the public notice of the meeting published Friday in the Asbury Park Press.

The meeting had been called by Mayor Daniel Rodrick, who wanted the council to vote on a potential change in the township's insurance carrier. Rodrick in September announced his plan to shop for other insurance coverage than what Toms River was receiving through the Ocean County Joint Insurance Fund.

Rodrick said at the time the township had saved $6 million in employee health benefits costs by withdrawing from the Central New Jersey Health Insurance Fund — a claim that was challenged by Conner, Strong and Buckelew, the brokers who manage the Central New Jersey Health Insurance Fund.

Rodrick had expressed frustration with the coverage offered to the township by the Ocean County JIF for lawsuits, with $1 million in coverage.

"We believe our coverage limits for lawsuits should be $4 million," he said at the time, adding that the $1 million cap was "limiting our ability to settle" two lawsuits filed against the township under the Hill administration.

In a letter to council members that was shared with Patch, business administrator Jon Salonis said the change would save the township about $500,000, and that the council needed to act to make sure the township was protected until the reorganization meeting, which is set for noon on Thursday.

Justin Lamb, the outgoing Toms River Council president, said Rodrick had not provided the council members with full details on the new proposed insurance coverage.

"No one has cost comparisons," Lamb said Monday by phone. He said the council was not going to have quorum, which forced the cancellation of the meeting.

In addition to Lamb, council members Tom Nivison, Jim Quinlisk and David Ciccozzi were not going to attend.

Nivison, Ciccozzi and Quinlisk issued a statement on Dec. 23 criticizing Rodrick's attempt to call a meeting, calling it "an apparent disregard for the procedural requirements set forth in the Toms River Code, an action that undermines the integrity of the governing process."

They called the special meeting, two days before the reorganization, "a manufactured crisis" and "self-inflicted," saying Rodrick failed to timely take action for the renewal or joining of a new Joint Insurance Fund (JIF).

"The mayor's lack of due diligence to address this crucial issue is incomprehensible and should have been addressed months ago," Nivison said.

"It is deeply troubling that the Mayor failed to do his job; the Mayor has instead demanded a last-minute meeting and has not even provided any information to address the issue," Ciccozzi said.

The Ocean County Joint Insurance Fund agreed to extend the township's coverage into 2026 to allow Toms River time to address the issue.

"This extension, while a temporary relief, serves as a stark reminder of the serious administrative breakdown that created the need for it," the council members said.

The council will have three new faces and will have a shift in power after the reorganization, as Robert Bianchini, Clinton Bradley and Harry Aber join the council. Bianchini and Bradley are allied with Nivison and Ciccozzi, who have opposed many of Rodrick's controversial moves since the summer. Aber joins Lynn O'Toole and Craig Coleman, who have supported Rodrick's many changes in the first two years of his term.

Lamb said the new council should be the ones to make the decision about the insurance, and should be given all the information for a thorough review and decision.

"The new council taking office on January 1 will have ample time to review all options and make the best, most informed decision for the taxpayers of Toms River," Lamb said in an emailed statement.

"This never should have happened," Lamb said. "But when it did, the Council acted responsibly, fixed the issue, and protected the Township. Residents deserve facts — not manufactured crises."

"The citizens of Toms River deserve a government that follows its own rules and manages essential services competently." the statement from Ciccozzi, Nivison and Quinlisk said. "The residents should be concerned about the Mayor’s mishandling of both the special meeting process and the critical municipal JIF matters."

Toms River East junior Ricky DeLorenzo II made a huge leap as a sophomore as he went from a region sixth-placer to a fourth-placer in the state tournament.

Saturday and Sunday’s action in Morristown would tell you he could be primed for more in 2025.

DeLorenzo won the 132-pound title at the Sam Cali Invitational with a 5-2 decision win over Pope John two-time state medalist Dalton Weber. The bout drew a large crowd around the mat and was the last of the night at the Morristown Armory.

Weber, an App State commit, defeated DeLorenzo in a 6-3 decision in the third round at the Beast of the East.

It’s an enormous avenged loss for DeLorenzo, who knows what it could mean later in the year.

“That match meant a lot,” DeLorenzo said. “He’s really funky and I didn’t expect that the first time. He’s pretty long and a good wrestler overall. It was good to get revenge, especially in the finals at the Sam Cali. It’s going to be important in Atlantic City later this year.”

After a scoreless first, Weber chose bottom and DeLorenzo got a four-point turn in the middle of the period to provide the cushion he never surrendered. It was his first trip to the Sam Cali after missing it last year due to injury.

Toms River East head coach Mark Gray saw a lot of things from DeLorenzo that made him a different wrestler in his latest matchup against Weber.

“In that first match, he [Weber] was able to get a score at the end of the first period and when he’s ahead, he’s very hard to get after,” Gray said. “The adjustment this time was being on top and not putting a leg in because he reversed us last time. Ricky kept wrestling. At the Beast of the East, he stopped wrestling. Four or five scrambles could’ve went either way and he kept wrestling this time.”

On his path to the title, DeLorenzo defeated strong competition.

He beat Conor Raveis of Green Farms Academy (CT) by 20-2 technical fall, Paramus’ Dmytro Bohdan by second-period pin (2:58), Delsea senior Greyson Pettit by 11-8 decision, and then Delbarton junior state medalist PJ Terranova by 7-6 decision before the final.

With it, DeLorenzo adds to a long list of impressive wins on the young season.

To take fifth place at the Beast of the East, he defeated two-time state medalist Colton Hagerty by 7-1 decision. In a dual against St. John Vianney on Dec. 12, he beat another two-time state medalist in Matthew Gould.

More valuable matches lie ahead for DeLorenzo as he will wrestle at the Shore Conference Tournament and at many high-profile dual meets, including a home tri vs. St. Joseph (Met.) and Seton Hall Prep in February.

DeLorenzo’s skill set gives him the chance to put together an incredible year in the lead up to the postseason.

“I have to wrestle through every position so I can get my scores in,” DeLorenzo said. “It’s all about getting takedowns and scoring as much points as possible. It’s good to get these tough matches in because it gets you prepared.”

“He can get to the legs and keep pressure well,” Gray added of DeLorenzo. “It’s all about his belief and it’s all mental. If he can believe in himself, he can win a state title.”

Toms River has secured a 10-year affordable housing deal that limits new construction to 186 units while locking in affordability for hundreds of existing apartments, avoiding what officials called a “building boom.”

On Wednesday, the township council approved a settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center that resolves a lawsuit over the municipality’s obligations under New Jersey’s affordable housing rules.

The settlement resolves Toms River’s affordable housing commitment for the next 10 years.

Mayor Dan Rodrick’s administration had challenged the state’s latest calculations, which set housing targets for all 564 municipalities through 2035.

Those figures, released in October 2024, call for more than 146,000 low- and moderate-income units statewide. Toms River was among 160 municipalities contesting the numbers.

Under the settlement, the township will allow construction of 186 new affordable units: 48 at Jamestown Village Apartments, 134 on the Lakewood side of Route 70 West and four from converted office space on Route 37.

The office conversion includes 20 additional market-rate apartments likely to become summer rentals, Rodrick said.

Rodrick praised the settlement as a way to prevent overdevelopment.

To avoid a larger building boom, Toms River will also preserve affordability in existing apartment complexes.

While the township’s initial plan proposed 470 deed restrictions, the final deal requires 448 extensions on current affordable units plus 70 additional deed restrictions, for a total of 518.

A deed restriction is a legal agreement that keeps a property designated as affordable housing for a set period, preventing it from being sold or rented at market rates.

The township will use about $9 million from its affordable housing trust fund to finance these restrictions.

“As many of you know, our town faced a daunting affordable housing demand for 670 units from the State of New Jersey,” Rodrick said to council members.

“We took that challenge head-on with a unique and comprehensive plan that initially submitted 470 new deed restrictions on existing apartments,” he added. “This plan was not just about meeting state requirements; it was about protecting our community from a continuation of the overdevelopment that has plagued our community.”

The settlement also resolves a dispute over the “gap period,” when Fair Share claimed Toms River owed 1,095 extra units. Instead, the township will add 70 deed restrictions to cover that obligation.

Without a deal, Rodrick said, Toms River could have faced requirements for 1,765 affordable units—potentially triggering thousands of market-rate apartments under builders’ remedy lawsuits.

The Fair Share Housing Center praised the outcome, saying it will create new homes and preserve existing ones.

The agreement includes a clause that excludes the Meridia tower project, which remains tied up in separate litigation.

The calculations follow a law Gov. Phil Murphy signed last year in an effort to curtail New Jersey’s affordable housing shortage.

The law standardizes obligations for municipalities throughout the state to build more housing units while further protecting them from lawsuits that aim to stop affordable housing from being built.