Toms River Council approves move into executive session, handles consent items L, W and X amid debate

The Toms River Township Council opened routine business with a motion to enter executive session and later returned to the public meeting to approve executive-session minutes and several consent-agenda items.

A motion to move into executive session was made by Councilman Bianchini and seconded by Councilman Coleman; roll-call votes were recorded in favor of entering closed session. After deliberations, the council reconvened and approved executive-session minutes from Dec. 10, 2025, with eligible members voting by roll call.

During the consent-agenda period, the council removed items L, W and X for separate consideration. Item L prompted an abstention from a councilor who said the property bordered their son's property; the item otherwise passed on roll call. Item W returned to the agenda after being tabled at a prior meeting; councilors debated whether additional review with the mayor and township attorneys was necessary before acting, and a roll-call vote produced a majority in favor with several 'no' votes from council members Coleman, Aber and O'Toole. Item X was also moved and recorded with a roll-call tally that included multiple 'yes' votes and several 'no' votes.

The council approved the bills for payment on a motion by Councilwoman Bianchini and a second from Councilwoman O'Toole. No new ordinances were adopted during the meeting and no formal direction to solicit outside counsel was recorded; councilors repeatedly urged legal review and internal discussion before pursuing contract solicitations or litigation.