Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick on Tuesday slammed newly adopted Toms River Township Council rules, arguing they undermine transparency, accountability, and the constitutional rights of elected officials and residents.
Rodrick said the rules were approved shortly after he took office, despite his administration’s stated willingness to work with all members of the governing body. He referenced prior comments by Councilman Dave Ciccozzi, who had publicly said he would not work with the new administration.
According to the mayor, the council majority’s initial actions included removing the mayor’s ability to speak during council meetings and adopting a rule that makes it a criminal offense for any elected official to leave a meeting early, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
“This is not about decorum or order. This is about control,” Rodrick said in a statement.
He contended that the rules are intended to compel council members to remain at meetings during what he described as prolonged and politically motivated commentary, rather than to promote orderly public participation.
Rodrick also warned that limiting the mayor’s opportunity to speak during meetings could prevent residents from receiving information about township decisions involving contracts and public spending. He argued that such restrictions weaken public oversight.
The mayor pointed to the council’s decision that evening to award the township’s insurance contract to the Ocean County Joint Insurance Fund. He claimed that alternative options could have resulted in taxpayer savings ranging from $900,000 to $1.5 million over three years, though no comparative analysis was presented during the meeting.
Rodrick announced that he has instructed the township attorney to seek injunctive relief and a declaratory judgment in Superior Court challenging the legality of the new rules.
“These rules will not stand,” the mayor said.