Help Toms River Buy More Open Space, Mayor Says, Urging Tax OK After Boy Scout Land Buy

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The approval by the Toms River Township Council last week to buy the Ridgeway Road property from the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts became a plea for residents to vote on Toms River's request for an open-space tax.

The agreement for Toms River to purchase the 3.85-acre property that butts up to the Camp Albocondo property that already is partially owned by the township will create more open space that won't be touched by developers, township officials said.

Mayor Maurice B. Hill said the town was able to spend $1.1 million to acquire the property from the Boy Scouts, who have had to divest themselves of all property they owned due to lawsuits at the national level over allegations of sexual abuse.

But that purchase depleted the open space funding the township had, and he urged Toms River residents to vote on the issue in November if they want more open space protected.

The township's request is for the approval of a 1 percent tax on property to be dedicated to open space purchases. It would mean 1 penny per hundred dollars of assessed value.

Here are headlines you may have missed last week.

No COVID-19 Outbreak In Toms River Schools, Superintendent Says: Strict adherence to quarantine rules has led to dozens of students being quarantined under the state's COVID-19 rules, numbers that sparked media attention and some criticism. MORE

Teacher Accused Of Faking Doctor's Note To Avoid Masks In School: A teacher in the Woodbridge schools who lives in Toms River was arrested on charges she faked a doctor's note to get out of wearing a mask in school. MORE

Downtown Toms River Added To Main Street New Jersey Program: The township's application to joint the Main Street New Jersey program was approved, opening access to grants and other programs for the downtown revitalization efforts. MORE

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Toms River Vitamin Store Teaches Student Owner Real-Time Lessons: Brandon Lombardo created his chance to build business experience by opening the shop while he studies business management at Kean University. MORE

Work Underway To Replace Huddy Park Gazebo In Toms River: The triple gazebo that was brought down after strong winds severely damaged it last year is in the beginning stages of being rebuilt. MORE

Halloween 2021: Submit Your Toms River Home To Patch's Scare Tour: Have you decked out your house for Halloween? Share it with your Patch neighbors. MORE

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