First Ward Councilman Justin D. Lamb today voted against approving the 2023 municipal budget saying “Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill and his cronies on the Township Council are “selling snake oil” in portraying the new budget as fiscally responsible.”

“Mo Hill and company are playing a shell game with our tax dollars,” Lamb said. “While they boast about keeping taxes level in an election year, taxpayers are going to be on the hook when the massive debt they’ve incurred comes due.”

Lamb cited numerous instances of “wasteful spending” including:

– A tripling of salaries in the code enforcement office to impose burdensome MCCUO regulations on Toms River homeowners.

– The transfer of prime waterfront real estate for two 10-story towers in a sweetheart deal to one of the state’s most prolific Democrat donors for pennies on the dollar.

– Mayor Hill’s six-figure, election year newsletter created to peddle campaign propaganda at taxpayer expense.

– Mayor Hill’s praetorian guard of dozens of confidential employees soaking up millions of dollars in salaries and benefits.

– Mayor Hill’s use of Township Attorney Greg McGuckin in an ongoing, multi-year court battle to get Hill pension benefits he’s not entitled to.

“Mayor Hill has spent the last 20 years driving Toms River into the ground,” Lamb said.

“This budget is one big cynical attempt to save his political career. We desperately need a mayor and council who will put Toms River First.”