Toms River Council Demands Answers, Puts $1.65 Million Toms River Funding Request on Hold

A request for $1.65 million in emergency funding has been put on hold by the Toms River Township Council after council members raised questions about a proposed settlement and said they were unable to obtain the financial information needed to approve the expenditure.

During Tuesday evening’s council meeting, November 10, officials considered a resolution seeking $1.4 million to cover property tax appeal refunds and an additional $250,000 for a legal settlement. However, the proposal encountered opposition when council members requested clarification about the settlement and the township’s available funds.

Township Chief Financial Officer Dorothy Gallagher initially declined to answer questions, informing council members that she had not been authorized to provide the requested information.

Council Vice President Thomas Nivison questioned why emergency funding was necessary and sought details about the settlement’s intended recipient. With those questions unanswered, he moved to table the resolution.

The township’s meeting documents reportedly included a $250,000 settlement payment to Ashland Construction, a company that had filed a lawsuit earlier this year concerning bidding requirements for municipal road paving projects. However, the connection was not explained to council members during the meeting.

The disagreement also brought renewed attention to the township’s financial reserves. According to the municipality’s 2026 budget, Toms River entered the year with more than $64 million in surplus funds, with approximately $17 million designated for use in the current year’s budget.

Before the council completed its discussion, Gallagher indicated that she had received authorization to respond to questions. Council members nevertheless proceeded with their decision to postpone the funding request.

The latest disagreement reflects ongoing tensions between Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s administration and the Township Council over municipal spending and financial oversight. Earlier this year, council members also rejected an $8.55 million bond proposal after raising concerns about the lack of specific project information.

For now, the $1.65 million emergency appropriation remains unapproved, leaving the administration and council to resolve their differences before the funding can move forward.