TOMS RIVER, NJ – The twin tower apartment project in Downtown Toms River has been scaled down from ten stories to six, but will include the same amount of apartments, the Toms River council announced on Wednesday.
Speculations over whether or not the builder, Capodagia, has defaulted on its financial commitments and timeline were raised on whether or not those possible defaults could allow the township to revoke their agreement with the builder.
Instead, Toms River council members aligned with Mayor Maurice Hill pushed through an extension and a redesign approval that will see the building become shorter and more dense.
The new plan calls for six stories and eliminates public spaces in the building, including a pool and other amenities for renters at the buildings.
Councilmen Dan Rodrick and Justin Lamb, two opponents of the project, opposed the new agreement and asked Council President Matt Lotano, a downtown builder with property that would increase in value if the project is completed, to put the vote off for two weeks.
Rodrick said he wanted legal advice on whether or not Capodaglia is in default and whether or not the builder actually has the financial means to complete the project.
Mayor Hill raised that doubt in an Asbury Park Press article where Hill said the change came because of increases in building materials, the economy, and supply chain issues. Hill’s comments suggested Capodaglia could be experiencing financial issues related to the project’s completion.
Representatives for the building company were not present at the meeting.
Despite opposition, Lotano and his council allies, including recently ousted councilmen Josh Kopp and Kevin Geoghegan, voted in favor of continuing the downtown project.
“Nobody in town wants these towers,” Rodrick said. “The election was a referendum against it. 80% of voters voted against Hill and his team because of this project. They don’t want it. I don’t want it.”
Councilman Lamb had concerns over the financial viability of the project and reiterated that the township voters rejected the project in the June primary election.
In that election, Hill and his running mates received just over 20% of the total vote.
Rodrick suggested the actions of the council, and the mayor suggested there was something else in play regarding their firm stance on pushing the project through the process. Rodrick even suggested some council members have financial conflicts on the matter and asked if there were any kickbacks going on with the project.
Rodrick was likely referring to Lotano, whose company and family own property in Downtown Toms River. Lotano’s company also built Liberty Square, a controversial apartment building just off Main Street.
One Downtown land owner who is not a resident said the project is a good one for the town. When Rodrick asked him where he lived, he confirmed he did not actually live in town. He said he owns a commercial property that is adjacent to the complex.
The new agreement was approved by the town council and will now head for the township zoning board for approval of the new site plan. Rodrick and Lamb voted no on the matter.
“This was one of the biggest issues on the minds of voters in June and still is today,” Rodrick said. “Toms River residents don’t want to see apartment buildings all over downtown and that’s what Hill’s plan calls for. This is just the beginning and we need to put a stop to it now. These decisions being made by the outgoing regime could have lasting negative impacts on the town. Mo Hill said he is moving. Why does he care so much about pushing this project through the process?”
Later in that meeting, Hill retracted his threat to leave Toms River if Rodrick defeated him in June.
“My house isn’t for sale, I just refinished my pool,” Hil said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
In March, Hill fired an angry message to his neighbor, Scott Gartner, after he learned the Toms River Jewish Community Council was backing his opponent Geri Ambrosio.
“The TRJCC told us they were community leaders,” Hill wrote from his township-provided email account. “Booky, Michael and Sam [TRJCC leaders]. Well, vote for either Geri Ambrosio or Dan Rodrick, and I’m moving so you won’t have to worry about me. You’ll have a new neighbor, and Good Luck because with either of those two, you’ll need it.”
After the meeting, Rodrick told Shore News Network that he felt if the builder was not in compliance with the old agreement, why would the town give them a new agreement, especially in light of the possible financial concerns that were raised during the meeting and by Hill.
During the meeting, residents, along with Rodrick and Lamb, wanted to know who approached who about the new plan because it was announced during a political fundraiser held with developers and lawyers at a water front home owned by the lawyer representing the developer. During that high-paying fundraiser, Hill held up a new drawing of the project.
Those plans were never released to the public prior to the meeting at the Capogadlia lawyer’s lavish home.