Toms River Fire Dept Elections and Budget Approval: Saturday Feb 18th

The Toms River Fire Dept elections and vote for the annual budget and capital items will be held this Saturday, February 18th.

To vote in person go to the Ocean Beach Fire House at 40 Kittawake Ave, Lavallette, NJ between 2:00pm and 9:00pm.

If you have received a ballot in the mail, please mail it no later than Saturday AND it must be received no later than 48 hours later. Alternatively you can drop off your mail-in ballot at a drop box located at Toms River Library or at the Ocean County parking garage drop box on the 3rd floor.

A link to a copy of the ballot is HERE

A link to the budget is HERE

Of note, the 2023 operations budget total is approximately $8.7 million, approximately $3.5 million of which is salaries and benefits. In addition, approval total capital spending of $872,000 is being requested.

Toms River Share in Cost of Upcoming Beach Replenishment

Toms River has received their initial “estimate” of the cost for the upcoming beach replenishment by the US Army Corps of Engineers this fall, or next spring. Toms River’s portion of the cost is estimated at: $1,950,000 for both Ortley Beach and the North Beach. The breakdown is approximately $498,000 for the North Beaches and $1,452,000 for Ortley Beach. Mayor Hill is working with the barrier island mayors to request financial aid from the State as they have excess revenues this year of between $7-8B and also with Ocean County. The federal government is paying 50% of the total cost (approximately $31M) and the remaining 50% is split 75% for the State and 25% for the local municipalities. The State’s estimated cost is approximately $22.5M and the estimated cost for the municipalities is approximately $7.5M. Toms River, Bay Head, Mantoloking and Brick are paying the lion’s share of the costs with Toms River’s share the largest. Bay Head is paying approximately $1.45M, Mantoloking $1.3M and Brick $900K.