TOMS RIVER TWP: The Township is taking a number of steps to prevent and contain COVID-19 and to address public and employee safety.

As of today, Town Hall is open to the public. Tomorrow, March 17, 2020, the Township will institute the following procedures to limit public access to Town Hall.

• The public is encouraged to conduct business by phone, e-mail, text, and fax with Town Hall employees. Critical information is listed on our website, www.tomsrivertownship.com You can pay your taxes online, file an OPRA (Open Public Records Act request) online and

utilize SDL (Spatial Data Logic) to get information on tax lot data, zoning, property owner information and more. The portal is available on our website.

• There will be a sign in at the lobby entrance and a very limited number of the public will be admitted to each office.
• There will be an extension to the pre-season beach badges from April 1, 2020 to April 17, 2020.
• Job applications will only be accepted on line.
• Limited public access to Town Hall will include:
  • One entrance
  • Customers queue outside entrance
  • Each department determines the average number of walk in customers and number that can safely be serviced at one time, given proper social distancing
  • Encourage all visitors to make appointments; departments will have a protocol
  • Security will maintain a log and allow access (by destination) consistent with the limits proposed by the department supervisor

We have closed the Senior Center as of Friday, March 13, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. We are concerned about seniors in our community contracting COVID-19. We continue to provide transportation for food, prescriptions and medical visits. Call the center to arrange for these services. The Senior Center is closed to the public until further notice.

Our recreation programs at Toms River Schools are also closed along with the Toms River Youth Center. We are currently keeping both the Bey Lea Golf Course and Winding River Skating Rink open. The locker rooms are closed at both facilities and attendance at the two rinks are limited to 50 skaters.

The Municipal Courts are closed. The Court office is open but will require appointments and the public will be limited with total occupancy at any given time.

Public bathrooms at our three parks that are open year round will remain open for health reasons so residents may use these outdoor recreational facilities.

The Public Works convenience center will be closed on Saturdays. Reduced collection schedule for sanitation for Good Friday week is being implemented.

We are currently reviewing necessary meetings. While Town Hall is open to the public, we are conducting most meetings in the Hirshblond Room where seating is separated at six foot distances. Should Town Hall be closed to the public, we will broadcast live through our website with electronic communications allowing the public to call in and listen.

We thank everyone for their patience and cooperation. We know that the resiliency of our residents and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis will be needed as we move forward to a brighter day.