TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Township Council will hold its Jan. 31 meeting via Zoom, rather than in person, the township announced.
A notice distributed by the township clerk’s office announced the change Wednesday afternoon.
Council President Craig Coleman, in a statement distributed with the notice, said the change is the result of what was anticipated to be a very large crowd at the meeting that had the potential to exceed the meeting room capacity.
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“The Toms River Township Council has been made aware of the very large number of individuals and groups desiring to participate in its regular meeting on January 31, 2024,” Coleman’s statement said. “To ensure the safety of its participants and to give those who wish to speak the opportunity, this meeting will be conducted via Zoom and telephone, as was the method used during the Covid 19 Pandemic.”
The meeting will include second reading and final vote on a controversial ordinance that would eliminate two captains’ positions, a police officer and the media relations position from the police department roster. Read more: Plan To Cut Police Positions Sparks Outrage In Toms River
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Mayor Dan Rodrick has said the removal of the positions is needed to fund the addition of eight community service officers to increase the town’s ability to respond to medical emergencies.
Coleman’s statement said the township had heard from both the union that represents community service officers statewide and the Fraternal Order of Police that they would have a large presence.
“This creates the potential for the current meeting room to exceed its capacity and could also make it difficult for individuals to speak and be heard,” the statement said.
Toms River has frequently held meetings where a large attendance was expected in the auditorium at Toms River High School North, which accommodates 1,200 people. The school district also has the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena, which accommodates at least 3,000 people.
It was not immediately known if those venues were considered or pursued.
The meeting is set to be held at 7 p.m.
The full notice reads as follows:
“PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-8b and N.J.S.A. 10:9-1, the regular meeting of the Toms River Township Council scheduled for January 31, 2024, at 7 pm is changing formats. The meeting will be held virtually via ZOOM and telephone. It will not be held in-person.
Members of the public who wish to participate may do so on-line or over the phone at 7:00 pm.
The ZOOM link for the meeting is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8950… (click here for the link)
Meeting ID: 895 0815 9869
Participants must have or obtain the ZOOM app in order to use this option.
The access information for the video conference/call-in option for public comment is:
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,89508159869# US
+13092053325,,89508159869# US
Meeting ID: 895 0815 9869
Public comments can also be e-mailed to the Township Clerk at [email protected]. E-mailed comments received by 12:00 noon on January 29, 2024, will be placed into the record.
As usual, the meeting will also be livestreamed via YouTube at
The agenda shall include (1) final readings and public comment on ordinances pertaining to the restructuring of Township departments; (2) the introduction of various traffic safety ordinances; and (3) a consent agenda consisting of various purchases and other routine items of public business.
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