Toms River opening town hall, Brick opens Construction Office to public

Slowly, gradually and day by day, step by step the Jersey Shore is getting back to normal.

The amount of cases in Ocean County is dropping in totals each week and as such restrictions are being eased and access beginning to get granted.

Toms River Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill announced on Sunday morning that Town Hall, which has been closed to the public since March 22, will be reopened on Monday May 18 with similar hours of 8:30 am until 4:30 pm.

All Toms River Township employees and visitors are required to wear masks or CDC recommended face covering while inside any building until further notice.

Each public counter has partitions to protect workers and residents and all counters will also be equipped with hand sanitizer.

“Residents should expect that the reopening of Town Hall as well as other facilities will be a very careful process that ensures we are doing all that we can to protect the health and safety of our employees at the community at large," Mayor Hill said.

Limited public access to Town Hall will include:

· One entrance, Customers queue outside entrance, controlled by security

· 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

Even though Town Hall is opening back up, you're encouraged to still conduct business by phone, e-mail, and fax with Toms River employees including SDL.

As of now, job applications will only be accepted on line.

“We are limiting the number of people allowed to enter the building and individual departments, rearranging furniture, requiring masks be worn at all times, and sanitizing all offices and counters in an effort to keep both employees and the public safe,” Mayor Hill said.

In neighboring Brick Township, Mayor John Ducey announced the reopening of their construction department.

Ducey said that in light of Governor Murphy’s executive order permitting non-essential construction to resume effective Monday, May 18, their Construction Department staff will be available to meet with customers by appointment only beginning Tuesday, May 19.

Residents and contractors who need to meet with the Construction Department regarding permits and inspections should schedule an appointment by calling 732-262-4604 or emailing permitstatus@twp.brick.nj.us.

Appointments must be made at least one day in advance and you're asked to include as much information regarding the project as possible.

You will be required to have a temperature scan upon entering the building and must be wearing a mask or face covering.