TOMS RIVER – A petition was started to keep Christ Episcopal Church from being acquired by Toms River Township.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick said the land is part of a larger recreation plan to provide more open space and access around the downtown area.
The 11-acre church property would be used as a recreational center and community park. Other properties along the river were also being considered for either purchase or acquisition through eminent domain.
Critics have said the move is in retaliation to the church wanting to host a homeless shelter.
The petition was started by Rev. Lisa A. Hoffman of Christ Episcopal Church. She noted that the request comes from the Clergy and Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church, Toms River, New Jersey, with the support of the Bishop of New Jersey.
“This action is unjust. It comes while the congregation is seeking municipal permission to build a homeless shelter on their property as an extension of the church’s many ministries and programs that serve and support those in need in the Toms River community. If the eminent domain ordinance goes forward, Toms River will lose a vital source of support for vulnerable residents,” she wrote.
“Christ Church is a large and active congregation with a longstanding commitment to outreach and community support, especially for those in need. Together, the people of Christ Church participate in more than 20 essential ministries that support the Toms River community and beyond. These offerings include feeding and clothing programs, multiple 12-step groups, and more. Christ Episcopal Church has been part of Toms River for 160 years and has a long history of service and outreach,” she said.
She called on people to sign the petition “to tell the mayor and Township Council that people matter more than pickleball courts. Eminent domain should never be used to control a church’s ministries.”
Mayor Rodrick told The Toms River Times that the purchase of the church has been in the works for some time, part of a broader waterfront recreation plan. This includes open access, public areas and other ways for people to enjoy the scenery.
“It’s been over a year in the making,” he said.
The church property is the most controversial piece that is in the public’s eye. He also wants to buy a few smaller parcels that would be turned into municipal docks. Boaters would be able to dock and visit restaurants and shops downtown.
“There is no playground anywhere between St. Joe’s and Washington Street,” he said, in reference to Saint Joseph’s church on Hooper Avenue.
A park built on the church’s property “would serve 20,000 households and roughly a thousand or two thousand children who are playground age,” he said.
The town would negotiate in good faith to purchase the property, he said.
The Township Council voted to introduce the ordinance that would begin negotiations or use eminent domain. An ordinance has to be heard twice. The second reading is expected to be at the May 28 council meeting at 4 p.m. at town hall. An ordinance goes into effect 20 days after it passes on second reading.
The council is all Republican, but two camps oppose each other on controversial matters. The majority – Council President Justin Lamb, and council members Craig Coleman, Lynn O’Toole, and William Byrne – voted to introduce the ordinance to buy or otherwise take possession of the church and the waterfront properties. Councilmen David Ciccozzi, James Quinlisk, and Thomas Nivison voted against it.
Protests Planned
A “Voices For The Voiceless” rally will be held at 6:30 p.m. on May 17 in front of the Toms River library. There will be guest speakers and live music.
A group of residents who have held two petition drives to recall ordinances passed by the current administration have vowed to do so again if the ordinance passes on second reading.
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