TOMS RIVER – An ordinance to acquire several properties – which includes Christ Episcopal Church – has been set for second reading at the Township Council’s July meeting.
The ordinance would allow the town to acquire – through purchase or eminent domain – the church property as well as a few small waterfront properties.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick told The Toms River Times that the July meeting will give him time to talk to the property owners.
The mayor has said his plan for these properties include recreation. The church land would be a playground and other amenities. The waterfront lots would be municipal marinas.
The town would negotiate in good faith to purchase the property, he has said.
Toms River council meetings are usually the fourth Wednesday of every month but the July meeting is scheduled for July 30 at 4 p.m. in town hall.
An ordinance needs to be read twice. The first time is when it is introduced. The second reading is when it is adopted. Then it goes into effect 20 days later.
Most ordinances have their introduction and adoption back to back, leading most people to assume that the May 28 council meeting was going to be the second reading. Rodrick told The Toms River Times that it was not the intention to go one right after the other, and that time was needed to do the work.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick (left), seated with Business Administrator Jon Salonis (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
At the introduction in April, there was a large backlash against acquiring the church. No one mentioned the river properties.
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.
Leadership of the church have said that the building and the land are not for sale. They have been using it for a number of support programs, including a food pantry.
The church is currently applying to the town to host a 17-bed overnight homeless shelter on the property. Critics of Rodrick have said that the mayor wants to take the property in retaliation of the church wanting the shelter, but he said this purchase was in the works for more than a year.
The law firm Novins York Jacobus & Dooley has been representing Christ Episcopal Church in their attempt to open a shelter. Attorney Michael B. York wrote a letter from his law firm to the town stating that all testimony has been concluded for the shelter and the board is in the process of hearing public testimony which is expected to continue on May 22. They expect a vote at that time. He also noted that Rodrick’s public statements against the homeless could cause a legal issue if the shelter is denied.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment is a land use board that oversees how property can be used in town. The church is asking for permission to open the shelter before the zoning board because it would mean a different use than what it is currently doing.
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