TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River residents will ring in the new year on January 1st with a new mayor and possibly four new council members. The first meeting of the new mayor and town council will take place at 3 pm inside the town hall on New Year’s Day.
Mayor-Elect Dan Rodrick will be sworn in as mayor to replace Maurice “Mo” Hill. Rodrick easily defeated Hill in a hotly contested four-way Republican primary election in June. In November, Rodrick made history by defeating his Democrat challenger, Ben Giovine, by one of the biggest election victory margins ever recorded in Ocean County.
Rodrick won every single district, another feat that solidified his win in November.
Rodrick will be joined on the town council by his running mates Lynne O’Toole, Craig Coleman and Thomas Nivison.
When Rodrick is sworn in as mayor, the new council must select a replacement to fill his seat until the 2025 election. When the new council takes power, Rodrick and his team are expected to have a 5-2 majority on the council as all but two of former Mayor Hill’s political allies, James Quinlisk and David Ciccozzi, will remain in office.
Joining Hill in his departure will be councilmen Kevin Geoghegan, Josh Kopp, and Matt Lotano. The meeting will mark the end of Mayor Hill’s influence and control over the township.
The public is invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony and annual re-organization meeting.