TOMS RIVER, N.J. — If your street is on the list to get paved this year, that project could now be delayed, or even in jeopardy long-term after the town council majority aligned against Mayor Dan Rodrick voted against approving a capital bond project that was supposed to pay for those repairs this year. That vote was part of the council’s larger strategy to “blow up” the town after the mayor rejected their plan to make the downtown tower project an affordable housing project.
Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick is accusing the Township Council majority of playing “reckless political games” after members voted Tuesday night to table a $9 million capital bond ordinance that funds road paving, infrastructure improvements, and equipment purchases. Rodrick says the council’s vote is part of their plan to continue causing chaos throughout the township.
Councilmembers Harry Aber, Lynne O’Toole, and Craig Coleman supported the mayor’s plan to repave the roads. Council President David Ciccozzi, Council Vice President Tom Nivison, Robert Bianchini, and Clinton Bradley voted against the ordinance to finance those repairs.
The ordinance would have appropriated $9 million for paving and other capital improvements while authorizing the issuance of $8.55 million in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the work. According to Rodrick, the measure is a routine annual ordinance that ensures the township can continue paving roads, repairing infrastructure and replacing or repairing critical public works equipment when needed.
Rodrick said this bond ordinance was part of the township’s budget, which the council also approved.
“If the town has to blow up, it blows up. Nothing gets done,” says Council President David Ciccozzi before stopping critical road paving projects in Toms River.
“This is a public safety measure, paving roads, our parks, and repairing and replacing equipment. That’s what they’re voting against?” Rodrick said. “Who does that?”
Township CFO Dorothy Gallagher clearly explained that the ordinance is intentionally broad to facilitate the financing of future road projects. She said every project would come before the council for approval before any money is spent.
Ciccozzi and the council still did not understand the township’s financial workings or how capital purchases work in a municipal setting. Even after explaining to the council that the ordinance does not approve any spending without council approval.
Instead, the council majority voted to table the measure, delaying any further action. They claim they want the mayor to outline spending in advance. The mayor says he has told Ciccozzi and the council several times that this bond is for road paving, unforeseen road-related costs, and maintenance equipment for Public Works to maintain those roads.
Rodrick said the consequences extend far beyond politics, warning that delaying the ordinance could affect residents caught in the middle of the council’s ‘reckless’ battle against the mayor.
“When roads don’t get paved, or salted before winter storms, or equipment breaks down and we have no way to quickly replace it, they’ll blame me for the problems,” Rodrick said. “These are problems they cause and they’re intentionally causing, all for political theater. The ones who are going to pay are the townspeople, just so they can put out campaign mailers saying we’re doing a bad job. Council President Ciccozi said he will blow up Toms River if he doesn’t get his way, and this is a great way for him to blow up the town and deliver on his promise.”
According to the mayor, the bond ordinance provides funding not only for paving projects but also for emergency repairs to township vehicles, snow plows and heavy equipment. It also allows the township to quickly purchase materials such as road salt if severe winter weather creates an unexpected need.
Rodrick said he cannot foresee the future, and the council’s request to itemize future repairs and maintenance is unreasonable and strictly political theater.
“I cut the budget $7 million,” he said. “This is not about saving money; it’s about fulfilling a promise to cause as many problems in Toms River, so they put out political mailers blaming me when we have no money to fix things. They want to stop all the park maintenance and park upgrades; they even tried to stop the boardwalk expansion in Ortley Beach, even though Dave supported that very project when it was proposed by the previous administration. This is not about fiscal responsibility. It’s about what he promised; he’s going to blow up the town if he doesn’t get those towers across the street from his own downtown commercial property.”
Ciccozzi owns a commercial building downtown. The development of the Twin Tower project would greatly increase the value of his property.
Rodrick said delaying the ordinance could leave the township with fewer options when critical equipment fails or emergency purchases become necessary.
The mayor also argued that the council’s actions are part of a broader political campaign designed to undermine his administration.
Rodrick pointed to what he described as nearly $7 million in budget reductions made during his administration, saying many of the eliminated expenditures involved political jobs, pay-to-play contracts and other spending supported by members of the current council majority and their allies.
“I got rid of all of that, and the political machine aligned with former Mayor Mo Hill will stop at nothing to regain control of our municipal budget so they can get back to dishing out jobs to their friends, contracts to their donors and building approvals for their developer friends,” Rodrick said.
The latest dispute comes as tensions continue over the township’s affordable housing plan and a proposed high-density residential redevelopment project in downtown Toms River.
Rodrick specifically criticized Council President David Ciccozzi, alleging the council president is using township business to pressure the administration into approving a redevelopment proposal commonly referred to as the “downtown towers” project.
During a previous council meeting, Ciccozzi publicly stated, “If [Toms River] has to blow up, it blows up. Nothing gets done. I realize the consequences.”
Rodrick contends Tuesday night’s vote marked the beginning of that strategy.
“On Tuesday, he began his campaign of blowing up Toms River to force the mayor’s hand,” Rodrick said. “I will not cave to the pressure and will continue fighting Ciccozzi and his team of lawyers, developers and landowner lobbyists.”
The bond ordinance remains tabled and could return for consideration at a future Township Council meeting. As of publication, the council majority had not publicly issued a statement responding to Rodrick’s allegations regarding Tuesday night’s vote or his claims about the motivations behind tabling the ordinance.
If the ordinance remains delayed, routine paving projects, capital improvements and certain public works purchases could be pushed back until funding authority is approved.
Key Points
- The Toms River Township Council voted to table a $9 million capital bond ordinance for road paving, infrastructure improvements and equipment purchases.
- Mayor Dan Rodrick accused the council majority of intentionally delaying routine government operations for political purposes.
- Rodrick linked the dispute to ongoing disagreements over downtown redevelopment and the township’s affordable housing plan while pledging not to change course.
FAQ
What did the Township Council vote on?
The council voted to table a $9 million capital bond ordinance that would fund road paving, capital improvements and public works equipment.
What does the bond ordinance pay for?
According to Mayor Rodrick, it funds road paving, road repairs, replacement parts for township vehicles and heavy equipment, and emergency purchases such as road salt during severe winter weather.
Why does Mayor Rodrick oppose the council’s action?
Rodrick says delaying the ordinance could postpone infrastructure projects and limit the township’s ability to respond to equipment failures or winter storms.
What is the mayor alleging?
Rodrick claims the council majority is using routine municipal business as political leverage and that the delays are intended to damage his administration ahead of future elections.
Has the Township Council responded?
The council majority had not publicly responded to Rodrick’s allegations at the time of publication.
Sources: Toms River Township Council agenda and bond ordinance, statements from Mayor Dan Rodrick, prior public comments by Council President David Ciccozzi.
Road paving projects and capital improvements in Toms River could face delays after the Township Council voted to table a routine $9 million bond ordinance.
Mayor Dan Rodrick says political infighting on the Toms River Township Council is delaying a $9 million bond ordinance that funds road paving, equipment repairs and other public works projects.
