TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill announced this week that he feels all township residents should bear the burden and cost of annual beach replenishment for barrier island communities. Hill called for township officials in the future, after his departure, to budget annually for spring beach replenishment.
While beachfront homeowners are among the highest taxed residents in Toms River, their property values are also significantly higher than most other parts of the town.
Under Hill’s plan, the burden of beach replenishment will be shared by all property tax payers.
Residents balked at the motion, saying if they are going to pay to replenish the beaches, they should be given free access to the town’s beaches.
That sentiment grew throughout the day where some called for free beach access to all Toms River residents.
“If we are going to be paying for the beach repairs, we should have free access to them,” one poster commented.
“You can’t tax your way out of a problem,” another commented. “Use the money paid to get on the beach.”
“The beaches had a banner year this year,” another said. “With the money they took in, just use of that money which you weren’t expecting that you didn’t make in the previous years.”
Others took issue with beachfront homeowners, saying it is their responsibility for building a home so close to the ocean and that they should foot the expense of beach replenishment