The most debate of the evening centered on a resolution authorizing a shared services agreement to reopen the Toms River Animal Shelter under the management of the Ocean County Board of Health. This topic sparked discussion among council members and residents alike. Councilman James Quinlisk voiced strong objections to the order of the agenda, arguing that the council should not vote on the shared services agreement before addressing the repeal of the previous lease of the animal shelter to the county. He insisted that failing to resolve this issue first was legally inappropriate and called for a public referendum on the matter. Despite his objections, the majority of the council voted against tabling the resolution, leading to a approval to advance the agreement.

Following this, the council moved to the first reading of an ordinance to repeal the previous ordinance related to leasing the animal shelter to the county. Again, Quinlisk reiterated his concerns about the legality and procedural correctness of the council’s actions. Nonetheless, the motion to approve the repeal passed with mixed votes.

Public comments also highlighted frustrations with the council’s handling of the animal shelter issue. One resident, Chris Raymond, brought up a petition with over 4,000 signatures aimed at addressing the shelter’s management. The council clarified that the repeal was solely about the lease, not the operation of the shelter, and that the shelter would remain under county management despite public concerns.

Another major topic was the appointment of a new municipal clerk, Steve Hensel. Council members were divided over Hensel’s lack of municipal clerk experience. One member pointed out, “from what your resume shows you have absolutely no municipal clerk experience,” questioning his readiness for the role in Toms River, New Jersey’s eighth-largest municipality. In contrast, another council member defended Hensel, citing his educational qualifications and organizational skills. The defense underscored that many clerks begin their roles without certification and that the township provides financial support for necessary courses. Ultimately, a motion was made to approve Hensel’s appointment, reflecting confidence in his potential.

The council also discussed a resolution concerning fireworks permits. Mayor Daniel T. Rodrick argued that fireworks were a beneficial community activity, noting high attendance at recent displays and claiming that over-budgeting on other events left sufficient funds for fireworks. However, some council members questioned the necessity of such expenditures, viewing them as an unnecessary taxpayer burden. This debate extended to concerns about additional costs for police and emergency services, with one member estimating an extra $26,300 for four shows.

Public comments were extensive and varied, reflecting deep community engagement and dissatisfaction. Residents raised issues about the subdivision of properties, transparency in council actions, and the scheduling of meetings at times that were inconvenient for working residents. One speaker, Ellen Davis, criticized current policies at the Snug Harbor pool, arguing that they restricted access and were not compliant with Green Acres grant regulations.

Concerns about the management and funding of local emergency services, particularly the decision to cut Silverton EMS, were also prominent. Residents accused the mayor of making unilateral decisions without sufficient evidence or transparency, and called for a more accountable and responsive administration. Kevin Gagan, addressing the Silverton EMS issue, accused the mayor of avoiding direct confrontation and demanded clarity regarding alleged financial irregularities being investigated by the Ocean County prosecutor’s office.

The meeting also saw discussions about the impact of zoning changes on neighborhood character, with residents expressing frustration over increased property subdivisions and their effects on community aesthetics and density. One resident lamented the loss of the “quaint” nature of her neighborhood due to these changes.