Here's what happened to the last home purchased by the ocean county freeholders

JACKSON-Many in government have objected to criticism of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholder’s $1,000,000 purchase of a home in Toms River, but that criticism is deeply rooted in the past history of homeownership when it comes to the Freeholder board.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders has become delinquent neighbors in one Jackson community. Back in 2008, the county approved a project to widen Bennett’s Mills Road in Jackson. This widening affected several homes whose sloped yards had to be fitted with new retaining walls. All of the homes lost frontage along the road, but one home, owned by an influential Jackson Township employee met a much different fate.

The county purchased the home from Linda Nardo, a long-time employee of Jackson Township. Now it sits vacant, dilapidated and crumbling. Grass and weeds are growing out of the gutters, nearly the entire front of the home is covered in overgrowth and on many occasions, windows and doors have been broken into at the home.

We tried to gain some clarity on this home and called the Board of Chosen Freeholders. A receptionist at the office on Monday said it be looked at, but have yet to receive a followup from the county.

Now, if this was my house or your house, we would have township code enforcement officers issuing citations for the many code violations at the property, but since it’s owned by the county, it’s not likely.

Mayor Michael Reina this week said he was unfamiliar with the home, but also said he would look into it.

Residents online expressed their concerns.

“I’ve always wondered why it’s been empty and gone to crap all these years. I never knew the county bought it till now,” said one neighbor. “It’s an eyesore and a shame that it has been just left to rot.”

We’d like to know why the county purchased this home, which at the time, was also far above the appraised value and what their plan is for this home.

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.