TOMS RIVER – History repeated itself as concerns of traffic safety and meeting rules were discussed at a recent Township Council meeting.
Kathleen Gabrielski, who moved to Ortley Beach permanently last year, said she was wondering why there wasn’t a crosswalk in a certain section of Bay Boulevard.
Council President Justin Lamb said she had a good point. They would look into that. He noted that they had previously worked to reduce the speed limit there.
In related news, the council passed an ordinance reducing speed limits on portions of Garfield Avenue. There have been several reduced speed limits passed this year.
Councilman Thomas Nivison said that he’s seen two or three people fly through red lights. He said he endorses reducing speed limits but there needs to be more enforcement.
Changing Times
The change of meeting times from the evening to the afternoon – and cutting the amount of public comment time to 3 minutes per speaker – remained controversial.
Councilman David Ciccozzi, who is part of a council minority because two groups of Republicans are at odds, criticized the time of the meeting and the shortened time each resident is allotted to speak. He said these decisions were made to prevent people from taking part in their local government.
“More people want to know what the hell is going on,” he said. “It’s all about control here.”
Resident Bob Tormollan said he didn’t like the 4 p.m. meeting times, saying that a lot of people work during the day.
Sometimes, when people bring up issues to the podium, Lamb would say he’d talk with them after the meeting. Tormollan said that other people would like to hear how certain issues are resolved.
Lamb said “I’ll meet with anyone after the meeting. I’ll be the bridge between the public and a busy administration and employees.”
Councilwoman Lynn O’Toole said that odds are, more seniors are interested in going to these meetings, and the 4 p.m. time slot is better for them than the old meeting time of 7 p.m.
Councilman James Quinlisk, one of the other Republicans in the council minority, took issue with receiving the meeting’s agenda and bill list at 4:45 p.m. the day before, making it difficult to give any important item the attention it deserves.
Finding Founder’s Day
Two local historians spoke of the return of Founders Day. J. Mark Mutter and R. Joseph Latshaw III, the latter of which was dressed in colonial garb, addressed the governing body. Founders Day had been held for many years, but at one point it merged with a downtown food festival. Between that and large gatherings being banned during the early years of COVID-19, Founders Day got lost.
It will return this year, on May 17. A parade will kick it off at 10 a.m. on Main Street downtown. There will be vendors for food, crafters, and local groups. Fire Company No. 1 will have a beer tent. Entertainment will include live music, inflatable rides, petting zoo and face painting.
Mutter, the township historian, noted while standing in the town hall: “We’re on hallowed grounds at town hall. The battle actually took place here.”
For more information, visit tomsrivertownship.com/551/Founders-Day.
