Midday Reorganization Meeting Set For Toms River Council

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Township Council is set to hold its 2025 reorganization meeting at noon Tuesday in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Meeting Room on the second floor at town hall.

The public notice of the meeting, published Jan. 2 in the Asbury Park Press, says the agenda will include "establishing Regular Council Meeting Dates for CY2025, establishing rules and regulations for 2025 Council Meetings, designating the Township's Official Newspapers and Online Publications, and certain Mayoral and Council appointments of Township Officials."

It does not provide details and an agenda for the meeting was not posted on the township's website as of 3:15 p.m. Monday.

The reorganization meeting also will include the council choosing a president and vice president for 2025 from the seven members: William Byrne, David Ciccozzi, Craig Coleman, Justin Lamb, Thomas Nivison, Lynne O'Toole, and James Quinlisk.

Byrne, who was elected in November to fill the remaining year of Mayor Daniel Rodrick's Ward 2 council seat, was sworn in as councilman at the Dec. 18 council meeting.

Council meeting rules changed a few times over the course of 2024, with public comment reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes and speakers permitted to return to the microphone after others had spoken, for 2 minutes more, and the time limits enforced for most speakers, with some allowances made when Rodrick or other council members responded to speakers.

Public comment on resolutions, which had been permitted for years, was eliminated, much to the chagrin of residents who were accustomed to asking questions about them before a vote was taken.

The designation of official newspapers usually is for the purposes of advertising public notices required under the law, such as for special meetings, information on ordinances, the township budget and other similar actions that require public notice.

Town hall is at 33 Washington St.