Toms River, NJ – A bitter political battle over taxpayer-funded health benefits exploded again in Toms River this week after a divided township council voted to indefinitely block an effort to strip lucrative healthcare packages from part-time government board members — despite warnings from the township attorney that the practice could violate state law.
In a contentious council meeting, Council President Dave Ciccozi, Vice President Tom Nivison, Robert Bianchini, and Clinton Bradley voted to indefinitely table an ordinance backed by Mayor Dan Rodrick and council allies Craig Coleman, Lynn O’Toole, and Harry “Harrby” Abert that would have ended the benefits.
That vote will allow the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority commissioners, who meet once per month for approximately 45 minutes, to receive free top-tier healthcare plans for themselves and their families. The MUA consists of politically appointed members.
The ordinance targeted ratepayer and taxpayer-funded healthcare packages reportedly costing more than $40,000 annually per person for officials serving on boards and authorities that often meet as little as once a month.
Township Attorney Warned Benefits Could Be Illegal
During the heated debate, Township Attorney Jonathan Penney warned council members that the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office considers taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for part-time government officials legally questionable.
Former Governor Chris Christie made it illegal for municipal commissioners to receive health care coverage. All other MUA’s in the region abandoned the practice during the Christie administration; the Toms River MUA continues to violate that order.
Penney specifically cautioned that appointed authority members — including commissioners serving on the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority — could fall into that category.
Despite the warning, the four council members moved to table the ordinance indefinitely, effectively killing the proposal unless it is reintroduced later.
The vote immediately intensified an already explosive political war surrounding the MUA, which Mayor Rodrick has repeatedly labeled a “patronage pit.”
Toms River MUA using loophole to circumvent the law
Based on New Jersey laws and recent investigations, it is generally illegal for part-time municipal authority (MUA) commissioners seated after May 2010 to receive taxpayer-funded health insurance through the state health benefits program, but it is not certain which program the Toms River MUA uses. Municipalities are prohibited from using the state’s health plan (SHBP) for part-time workers, but some circumvent this by purchasing private insurance plans for their commissioners instead.
Key Points
• Toms River council blocked effort to end taxpayer-funded healthcare for part-time board members
• Township attorney warned state officials may consider the benefits illegal
• Fight tied to larger political war over the Toms River MUA and patronage claims
Mayor Says MUA Became “Patronage Pit”
Rodrick has spent much of the past year pushing to dissolve the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority, arguing taxpayers could save roughly $2 million annually by eliminating what he claims is a politically connected bureaucracy loaded with patronage appointments and unnecessary perks.
A major flashpoint in the battle has been healthcare coverage for part-time commissioners who reportedly work limited monthly hours while receiving benefit packages valued at over $40,000 per year.
The mayor and supporters argued the ordinance was necessary to protect taxpayers and align township policy with state legal standards.
Critics of the current system say residents are effectively subsidizing premium government healthcare for politically appointed officials serving in roles that require minimal hours.
Political Divide Deepens Inside Toms River Government
In late 2025, previous attempts to dissolve the MUA failed after some council members — including former Rodrick ally Justin Lamb — argued the plan lacked a clear strategy for handling the authority’s reported $8.5 million debt. At the time, Mayor Rodrick alleged that Lamb jumped ship because his wife, Ashley, a Toms River School Board member, was offered a job as an assistant clerk at the Ocean County government office.
Lamb denied that allegation.
Ashley Lamb was later appointed to the position by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
Rodrick has repeatedly accused political opponents of protecting taxpayer-funded benefits and entrenched political influence within township government.
Phil Brilliant, the leader of the failed recall petition against the mayor, has emerged as the face of the MUA scandal due to his political involvement, ties to former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, and a public business bankruptcy. Brilliant is an appointed commissioner who receives those benefits.
Public Anger Continues Growing
Online, residents are angry. They raise concerns over their own need to work full-time to receive healthcare while political friends and family members get healthcare for free, for an essential no-show job.
Opponents of the healthcare packages argue that private-sector workers and full-time taxpayers should not be funding premium benefits for appointed board members who serve limited hours each month.
For now, the council’s vote means the healthcare benefits remain in place indefinitely unless a future council majority revives the proposal, but Mayor Rodrick said this week that he will seek alternative methods to end the public waste and abuse.
All of Toms River Township’s councilmembers had the opportunity to speak on the matter, which they did and recorded into the public record. No councilmembers reached out to Shore News Network on this matter.
You can hear the council’s comments in full on the township’s YouTube channel.
