There were contentious moments between the public, the Toms River Council, and the mayor at a meeting held on Wednesday night.

The fate of the township’s affordable housing plans hung in the balance ahead of a final vote from the council. The Planning Board met on Tuesday for a hearing on the ordinances that would amend the town’s land use rules, accommodating its fourth round of affordable housing agreement. The board voted to move forward. Town officials butted heads at the Wednesday meeting.

According to Mayor Dan Rodrick, if the township fails to adopt an approved housing strategy before the state deadline of March 15, Toms River could lose control over development decisions and be faced with builder’s remedy.

"Right now, we have memorandums of understanding from different developers that identify potential sites. You submit that plan, there are opportunities after to amend that plan should someone sell the land or a developer pulls out," Rodrick said.

Meanwhile, council members said this is the first they’re hearing of the plan. Residents like Michael Messina, who live in an adult community, say they are caught in the middle.

"Hopefully, with the help of those in power in Toms River, they will pick a more adequate area that’s safer, and that’s all we’re looking for. We’re looking for safety and our community to have an easy way in and out of the development and not be afraid to go on the road," Messina said.

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