Hill, huryk, turnbach, geoghegan, maruca close to two acre synagogue deal in toms river

Hill, Huryk, Turnbach, Geoghegan, Maruca Close to Two Acre Synagogue Deal in Toms River

by
December 21, 2020
··

TOMS RIVER, NJ –  The Democrat-Republican alliance in Toms River Township is close to solidifying a deal with the Orthodox Jewish community to change their 10 acre religious zoning ordinance.  Behind the scenes, Hill has been working with Councilwomen Laurie Huryk and Maria Maruca, along with Councilmen Terrance Turnbach and Kevin Geoghegan to allow 2-acre zoning in the North Dover section of town. This comes after Hill and Geoghegan received thousands of dollars in political campaign contributions from resident Scott Gartner during their 2019 campaign.   Gartner once threatened to sue to the Township of Toms River if the town did not lower the zoning ordinance to allow for residential shuls within neighborhoods.

This proposed zoning ordinance change, pushed by Hill and the above councilmembers is expected to be approved in the very near future, according to sources within Toms River.

Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill is working with federal authorities for guidance on how to reduce Toms River’s 10 acre minimum for houses of worship.  There is no lawsuit and no charges have been filed against the township, but Hill, who made a campaign promise to his Orthodox constituents in North Dover has been hard-pressed to find a way to make it happen.

Last summer, Hill tried to sneak a two-acre zoning ordinance into the mix last year, then once it became public denied any knowledge of it.  He was called out by Toms River Councilwoman Laurie Huryk for lying about the ordinance, according to a report this week in the Asbury Park Press.

Toms River Councilman Daniel Rodrick remains the only elected official in Toms River that has opposed Mo Hill’s two-acre proposal.  Rodrick said he felt that law was on the books for ten years and wasn’t designed to target any religion.

After the Department of Justice dropped its lawsuit against the township without ordering a two-acre minimum, Hill asked the Department for guidance on the 10 acre law.  Hill is now in negotiations with the Department of Justice to try to get a formal request to lower the cap.

One of Hill’s largest financial donors, Scott Gartner, had threatened to sue the township if the ordinance was not changed.

Phil Stilton
Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

  1. New Jersey Town Where ICE Agent Was Run Down Passes Resolution Urging Repeal of Sanctuary State Policies
  2. New Jersey Dem Lawmakers Move to Expand Assault Rifle Ban As Court Rules Existing Law Unconstitutional
  3. FIFA Is Now Selling World Cup Grass Paid for by New Jersey Taxpayers
  4. Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Risk, and Possible EF2 Tornado Threat Across New Jersey Today