A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the contentious appointment of a new township attorney to fill the unexpired term of the previous attorney, Matthew Good. The proposed candidate, Kevin Starky, from the law firm Starky Kelly Canelli Cunningham Turnbeck and Yanon, was discussed at length. The resolution to hire Starky was met with strong opposition from a council member who argued that the tradition of nonpartisan hiring in Ocean Township was being overlooked. They emphasized the township’s historical focus on appointing professionals based on skill and experience rather than political connections. The council member noted Starky’s affiliation with a political action committee supporting Senator Gopal and questioned his suitability given a past reprimand from the New Jersey Supreme Court’s disciplinary review board. They urged the council to reconsider the appointment, arguing for the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism over political affiliations.

In response, another council member defended Starky’s appointment, refuting claims of unilateral decision-making and asserting that the appointment was a collaborative effort. They highlighted Starky’s qualifications, including his education from Georgetown Law School and experience with various municipalities. Starky himself addressed the council, downplaying the significance of partisanship at the local level and emphasizing the focus on practical governance issues such as budget management and infrastructure development.

The council moved forward with the appointment, welcoming Starky to the position. However, the debate underscored ongoing tensions within the council regarding transparency and adherence to nonpartisan principles in township governance.

Beyond the attorney appointment, the council reviewed several infrastructure projects and updates. The 2023 road program was put on hold due to weather conditions, while authorization was given to proceed with the 2024 program. The Kepwell project was awaiting quotes for asbestos inspection and demolition, and the Whale Pond Crossing project required additional funding for a flood hazard area permit. The council also discussed the Fireman’s Pond project, with permits for fish lowering expected soon, and provided updates on the Lollipop Pond and Terrace Pond projects.

In addition, the council deliberated on the nearly completed project on Logan, agreeing on the need to form a committee to advertise the project for bids, focusing on engineering aspects. They aimed to offer flexibility for developers, potentially reducing costs by allowing final approval in phases.

Traffic management in the Bimbler area was another focus, with a proposal to make Bimbler a one-way street to alleviate traffic issues. This proposal followed previous unsuccessful attempts to manage traffic with stop signs, and the council hoped the new plan would be more effective.

The meeting also addressed community concerns, including persistent issues with JCP&L regarding power outages. A council member suggested that Ocean Township could consider litigation against the utility company if necessary, similar to actions taken by a town in North Jersey.

In procedural matters, the council discussed the urgency of passing a resolution by January 31 to maintain the town’s legal immunity and debated the timing of upcoming meetings to ensure compliance with legal requirements. The council also acknowledged the resignation of Councilwoman Kelly Terry, commending her contributions and commitment to the township.

Public comments played a role in the meeting, with residents expressing concerns over time limits for public comments, the open space tax, and the need for better communication regarding property selections for new developments. The council clarified that funds from the open space tax were still utilized for maintaining existing parks and recreational facilities, despite a perceived lack of new open space for purchase.