Hill Honored In Toms River As Mayoral Term, Political Service Ends

TOMS RIVER, NJ ? Toms River Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill was honored Tuesday night as his term as mayor and his 20 years in Toms River government come to an end.

Hill, who served on the Township Council from 2004 until he ran for mayor in 2019, highlighted the accomplishments and challenges of his mayoral term, which began 10 weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

He cited the township's three years without increases in the property tax rate, and the open space purchases to prevent development, totaling 100 acres with property in all four township wards protected.

"We've added $10 million in our township's account balance going forward," Hill said, noting the township also cut $2 million in payroll and minimized the impact of health insurance increases.

One of Hill's favorite achievements and pet projects was the work he and township planner Dave Roberts did in convincing the Veterans Administration to put the new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on Hooper Avenue ? something he advocated for as a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy for 40 years. Hill gave the bulk of the credit for securing the clinic site to Roberts.

Hill said he's hopeful Rep. Chris Smith, who represents the 4th District including Toms River, and Rep. Andy Kim, who represented Toms River for four years when it was part of the 3rd District, are able to convince federal officials to name the clinic in honor of Leonard "Bud" Lomell, the U.S. Army veteran from Toms River whose heroism at Normandy on D-Day during World War 2 saved countless lives.

"If they don't I'm going to stand out in uniform in front of their offices and protest," Hill said.

Hill said the 2021 reassessment, ordered by the state, was never going to make residents happy but resulted in about 500 tax appeals ? about 1 percent ? with just 180 of those appeals resulting in reductions.

The settlement with the federal Department of Justice over its religious discrimination charges prevented the township from paying out millions of dollars, Hill said. He drew a contrast with Jackson Township and Howell Township, both of which have faced multimillion-dollar penalties.

He called it an honor and a privilege to have served the town's residents, though he said he did not support the change of government that led to his election as the first Ward 3 councilman in 2003. He was concerned the ward system would lead to divisions within the township.

He served two terms as the Ward 3 councilman before being elected to an at-large seat in 2011. He was elected mayor in 2019 when Mayor Thomas Kelaher retired, winning a bitter Republican primary. It was a glimpse of the rancor that awaited in the 2023 Republican primary won by Daniel Rodrick, who won election as mayor and is scheduled to take office on Jan. 1 with his council running mates, Lynn O'Toole, Tom Nivison and Craig Coleman.

Hill made note of the personal attacks that were leveled at his family members in thanking his wife, Roseann, his daughter and his grandchildren for their support over the years of his service to the township.

Council members Justin Lamb, James Quinlisk, David Cicozzi, Josh Kopp, Kevin Geoghegan and Matt Lotano all thanked Hill for his service to the town, as did several residents who stepped to the microphone during public comment.

Rodrick applauded but limited his council comment to wishing everyone happy holidays and merry Christmas.

Hill closed his comments addressing Rodrick directly, saying, "I want to wish Dan and your council coming in all the best.

"We're handing you the keys to the town and I hope you continue to do what's best for the residents of this town. I know you will. I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm a resident of this town. I'm not going anywhere. I was born in Jersey and I'll die in Jersey," he said.

The 2024 Toms River reorganization meeting is set for 3 p.m. Jan. 1 in the L. Manuel Hirschblond Meeting Room at town hall, 33 Washington St.