Toms River Council Approves Limits on Mayor’s Use of Township Vehicle
A divided Township Council in Toms River has voted to place new restrictions on how Mayor Dan Rodrick can use his township-issued vehicle, following concerns from council members about the car being used for commuting outside the township.
During a tense public meeting held Wednesday, the council approved the ordinance in a narrow 4-3 vote. The new rules prevent the mayor from driving the township vehicle outside Toms River for personal use, including travel connected to his full-time job in North Jersey.
Rodrick, who also works as an assistant principal at Irvington High School in Essex County, has defended his use of the vehicle and argued that he is allowed to use it because it is considered a taxable fringe benefit. He also pointed out that other senior township officials have similar vehicle privileges.
The dispute has added to growing political tension inside Toms River’s Republican-led government, where disagreements between the mayor and several council members have continued for months despite belonging to the same political party.
Council members said concerns were raised after Rodrick was reportedly seen driving the township vehicle on the Garden State Parkway while commuting to work. Supporters of the ordinance argued that township vehicles should be used strictly for official municipal duties and not for personal travel.
Under the newly approved ordinance, the mayor is barred from using the vehicle for activities such as shopping, personal errands, doctor visits, or commuting outside township boundaries. The rules also prohibit family members and friends from riding in the vehicle unless there is an emergency involving life-saving circumstances.
The ordinance further states that violations could result in fines reaching up to $25 per mile and may also lead to the loss of access to the township vehicle altogether.
The debate during the meeting became heated at several points, with exchanges between Rodrick, council members, and residents attending the session. Some residents questioned whether taxpayers could face liability risks if the vehicle were involved in an accident during long-distance personal travel. Others suggested the vehicle should remain parked at a township facility whenever it is not being used for official government work.
Council President David Ciccozzi defended the ordinance and said the goal was not to remove the mayor’s vehicle entirely, but to reinforce existing rules governing municipal vehicle use.
According to Ciccozzi, the council simply wants the vehicle used only for official township responsibilities. He added that if the mayor needs to travel outside Toms River for municipal business, he can document the trip and maintain a vehicle log.
A major part of the disagreement also centered around the township’s Municipal Utilities Authority. Rodrick has repeatedly pushed for the authority to be dissolved, describing it as wasteful and criticizing the health benefits provided to commissioners.
At the meeting, the mayor said he would agree to give up the township vehicle if the council supported removing health benefits for the utility authority commissioners. However, council members delayed discussion on a proposal that would have reduced those benefits rather than dissolve the agency entirely.
Council Vice President Tom Nivison said the proposal needed more review and had been introduced with limited notice, leading council members to table it indefinitely.
The latest vote highlights ongoing political divisions within township leadership as disagreements continue over spending, benefits, and the use of public resources in Toms River.
Sources:
Official Toms River Township government materials and public council meeting information.
