Toms river gop primary could have big impact on downtown twin tower apartments

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Mo Hill Team for Toms River, led by incumbent Councilmen James Quinlisk and David Ciccozzi, has kicked off its re-election campaign ahead of a heated Republican primary scheduled for June 10.

The team’s victory in June, would solidify a November election win and revive a controversial 10-story apartment development in the township’s downtown, a project that was canceled under current Mayor Daniel Rodrick.

Rodrick’s Republican candidates, incumbents Council President Justin Lamb and William Byrne, joined by Anthony Matarazzo and Harry Aber, all are united in continuing to oppose the structure.

The township is currently being sued by the Hill-aligned developer Capodaglia after the township pulled the plug on the deal last year.

Running alongside Quinlisk and Ciccozzi are Robert Bianchini and Clinton Bradley. All four candidates are campaigning on a platform closely aligned with former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, who originally pushed the downtown redevelopment project spearheaded by Capodagli Property Company.

That proposal promised economic revitalization but drew strong opposition from residents wary of overdevelopment and a PILOT program that shortchanged much needed school tax funds.

The Hill-backed slate appeared in full force last week at the Ocean County campaign headquarters opening for Jack Ciattarelli, a frontrunner in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race.

While Ciattarelli did not explicitly endorse the local candidates, his appearance with Hill and developer Matt Lotano signaled tacit support for the pro-development faction.

Ciattarelli’s campaign later said the candidate has not made any edorsements and that the members were simply guests at the open public event.

Key points

Mo Hill-aligned council candidates launch re-election campaign in Toms River
Central campaign issue is the revival of a canceled twin t0wer downtown apartment project
Republican primary on June 10 will decide the future direction of township development

Mayor Rodrick, who unseated Hill in the 2023 Republican primary, has been a vocal opponent of the downtown tower plan, calling it a giveaway to developers.

His administration is currently entangled in litigation with Capodagli, which is seeking judicial permission to move forward with the project despite its rejection by township officials.

That process has Capodgalia engaged in a fishing expedition and witchhunt for evidence, despite a poll showing 70% of Toms River residents supported the township’s opposition to the project.

The Hill Team is also being supported by Phil Brilliant, a Toms River MUA Commissioner appointed during Hill’s tenure. Brilliant, a vocal Rodrick critic, is fighting to retain his post as his term approaches expiration and could lose his position without a council majority.

The upcoming primary will serve as a high-stakes showdown between two sharply contrasting visions for Toms River’s future: one of rapid downtown redevelopment versus a more restrained, preservation-focused approach.

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