After weeks of conflict, the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District (BID) has announced a partnership with Toms River officials to host five fireworks displays throughout the summer of 2024. The announcement came during a Township Council meeting on Wednesday night, where a resolution was introduced to set a date for a public hearing on the 2024 budget for the Toms River Special Improvement District, the formal name of the BID.
BID Executive Director Mairin Bennett revealed that the organization will host 68 permitted events, in addition to the five fireworks displays, which will provide “invaluable opportunities for community engagement, cultural enrichment, and joyful celebration.” Details on dates and locations for the fireworks displays have not yet been released.
The agreement marks a turnaround from a March 6 letter released by Robert Shea, president of the BID, stating that the organization would not allocate $70,000 from its operating budget for fireworks, as demanded by Mayor Daniel Rodrick.
Mayor Rodrick supports the agreement, saying that fireworks will “supercharge all businesses south of Route 37” and attract visitors from nearby islands and vacationers. Rodrick had previously criticized the BID for only benefiting a handful of businesses and sought 10 fireworks displays on Fridays from June through August.
