TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Newly elected Ocean County Commissioner Shmuel “Sam” Ellenbogen is drawing renewed criticism for continuing to receive free, high-value health benefits from the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority, where he serves as a commissioner.
Ellenbogen, who was sworn in last week as the county’s first Orthodox Jewish commissioner, remains listed on MUA records as receiving a comprehensive health insurance package valued at tens of thousands of dollars annually. The benefits are provided to members of the MUA’s governing board, which meets once a month, and have long been a source of public debate in Toms River.
Ellenbogen is a leading figure of the Toms River Jewish Community Council, Toms River’s version of the Lakewood VAAD. He also serves on the Ocean County Utilities Authority.
The five-member MUA board, which oversees the township’s water and sewer services, has faced repeated criticism from local officials, including Mayor Daniel Rodrick, who has labeled the commissioner benefit packages “wasteful” and called for dissolving the authority to save taxpayer and MUA ratepayer money.
MUA commissioners, including Ellenbogen and fellow member Phil Brilliant, former President of B’Nai Israel, and others who were political appointments, friends, and families of local political leaders, attend just one meeting per month. Each meeting lasts about one hour.
In return, they receive a salary and free healthcare.
According to township officials, each commissioner’s health plan can cost ratepayers up to $45,000 per year, depending on coverage.
Online, irate residents argued that the benefits are excessive given that commissioners attend one short monthly meeting lasting about an hour. Supporters, who are limited to anti-Rodrick protesters counter that the responsibilities include financial oversight and decision-making on contracts and system maintenance, which require preparation and accountability beyond meeting attendance.
Phil Brilliant is also leading the charge against Rodrick politically. Brilliant knew Rodrick wanted to abolish the MUA and cut the free medical benefits, now he is petitioning the change the form of government in Toms River, an effort that is expected to fail before its deadline next week.
Brilliant wants to change the government to a form of government that is more controllable by political parties and appointees and less controllable by elected officals, where an unelected business administrator would wield more power than the township’s elected leaders.
Ellenbogen and Brilliant have both voted on routine MUA matters such as hiring backup inspectors and administrative staff. However, their continued participation in the health benefits program remains a flashpoint as residents question whether utility fees should be used to fund what some see as disproportionate compensation for part-time service.
Mayor Rodrick has said he plans to revisit efforts to fold the MUA into the township government, while MUA leadership maintains that the authority’s structure and compensation comply with state regulations and show no sign of terminating benefits for political appointees.