The Toms River Township Council meeting on November 13, 2024, focused on a new ordinance aimed at improving road maintenance and utility company accountability. Council members discussed the financial disparities between utility companies and the municipality, highlighting that utility companies generate significantly more revenue than the township does from taxes.

A key point of discussion was the impact of utility work on newly paved roads. Councilman Roderick expressed frustration over utility companies damaging roads shortly after they have been repaved, often leaving poor repairs. To address this issue, the proposed ordinance mandates that if a utility company cuts into a road that is less than five years old, they must restore it properly. Additionally, any patches made by utility companies must extend curb to curb, ensuring a more uniform and durable repair.

Councilman Lamb and Councilman Lowman supported the ordinance, emphasizing its potential to protect the township's investment in road infrastructure. They noted that similar regulations in other towns have helped maintain road quality and prevent unnecessary damage. The council unanimously moved to adopt the ordinance, which aims to enhance communication between the township and utility companies regarding infrastructure updates.

This ordinance represents a proactive step by Toms River Township to ensure that road repairs are handled responsibly, ultimately benefiting residents by maintaining safer and more reliable roadways.