The council’s resolution to support the hiring of CSOs was backed by the need to address the township’s shortage of ambulance drivers, which has led to delays in response times for emergency medical situations. Mayor Daniel T. Rodrick underscored the critical nature of the issue, stating, “We’ve had a number of very scary incidents so this is not defunding the police.” He also pointed out that the impending retirements of two police captains could offset the cost of the new emergency medical officers.

However, the funding for these new positions has been a focal point of contention. Councilman James Quinlisk raised concerns about the budgetary implications, particularly the $3.5 million shortfall equivalent to a 4% tax increase. He emphasized the need to balance the fiscal responsibilities with the addition of the CSOs, which could potentially lead to a 5% tax increase. These financial considerations sparked a broader discussion on the necessity of prioritizing ambulance services over other police department roles, with Councilman Josh Kopp questioning the comparative importance of certain positions and Councilman Kevin Geoghegan expressing frustration with the last-minute presentation of concerns by police unions.

The council’s decision aligns with the mayor’s stance on the urgency of prioritizing ambulance drivers due to the shortfall. Mayor Rodrick conveyed the difficult trade-offs involved, saying, “I’m sorry that it’ll impact some folks’ promotions…but at the end of the day, what we’re asking is the chief and the deputy chief to supervise six lieutenants.” This perspective was challenged by Jillian Missina, media relations specialist at the Toms River Police Department, who advocated for maintaining the current number of captains and suggested looking for alternative funding sources like grants.

The staffing and organization of the police department also came under scrutiny during the discussion. There was a debate over the police department’s operational structure and the allocation of resources to ensure the community’s safety. Concerns were raised about the staffing levels, with public safety officials, including police sergeants and captains, emphasizing the need for proper supervision and the potential impact of staff reductions on both efficiency and public safety. The officials stressed the importance of maintaining the current structure to ensure effective management and coordination with emergency response entities.

The meeting further heated up with discussions on the elimination of adoption fees for dogs and cats at the Toms River Animal Shelter, an ordinance aimed at alleviating the shelter’s overcrowding issues. Mayor Rodrick announced plans to address these concerns by extending operating hours, along with the fee elimination. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Another issue tackled was the repeal of the Municipal Certificate of Continued Occupancy (MCCU) requirement, which mandates a home inspection upon the transfer of real estate. This debate saw diverse viewpoints, with retired home inspector Chuck Lang raising safety concerns and emphasizing the importance of inspections in ensuring proper workmanship in transferred homes. On the other side, Bruce Shapiro, representing New Jersey Realtors, advocated for the repeal, citing delays and high fees as hurdles to home sales. Despite contrasting opinions, the council clarified that the repeal pertains only to real estate transfers and not rental housing inspections, alleviating some concerns about the broader impact of the ordinance.

The discussions also extended to the restructuring of the divisions within the Department of Administration and the repeal of the Department of Public Works. Despite Councilman David Ciccozzi’s dissent due to the haste in drafting the original version of the ordinance, the council moved forward with the first reading, which passed with Ciccozzi voting against it.

Additionally, the appointment of Laura Pako as the Municipal Alliance Coordinator was met with calls for accountability in fulfilling the role’s responsibilities, particularly in addressing substance abuse issues in the community. Speakers, including Mr. Williams, who shared personal experiences with the criminal justice system, urged the council to ensure that the appointee effectively tackles the issues of alcoholism and drug abuse.

Residents like Carlos Amur advocated for more paramedics and EMTs, while others like Paul Williams called for transparency and public input on police department ordinances. Mayor Rodrick acknowledged the range of concerns and reiterated his commitment to addressing the town’s needs, including public safety and municipal transparency.