TOMS RIVER
| the Ocean Signal | Friday March 15, 2013
Disaster Recovery Ombudsman to Assist Residents with FEMA Issues
by Phil Stilton TOMS RIVER—In order to help the thousands of Toms River residents who have been negatively impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the township council this week voted to create the position of Disaster Recovery Ombudsman. The position is an effort by the township to better assist residents and business owners while they are attempting to recover from the Hurri-
cane. The ombudsman will assist residents who have been having difficulties navigating through the various federal, state and local rules and regulations. Not fully understanding the rules and regulations can negatively impact a person’s ability to rebuild their home or business. Regulations might also have a negative impact to the availability of aid, if not followed to the letter. According to the ordinance passed, the job will be a part
Township Remembers Peter Zarestky TOMS RIVER - Toms River Township’s Director of Public Works, Lou Amoruso and the township council honored the life and career of Peter Zarestky at their February 11th meeting. Mr. Zaestky died while working on a project for the municipality downtown on January 25th. After collapsing in the street from an apparent heart attack, fellow workers called 9-1-1 and responding Toms River police performed CPR on him until paramedics arrived and rushed him to Community Medical Center. “Pete was a very popular and hardworking guy and
the department of public works was like his family,” said Mayor Thomas Kelaher. “Apparently, he hadn’t felt well the day before [and] they said it was alright to take the day off, but and he came in the next day to get a job done - that’s the kind of person he was,” he continued. “He only had another year and a half left before retirement.” At the meeting, Mr. Zarestky’s family was presented with a plaque that read, “Peter ‘Peetie’ Zarestky; Toms River Township Public Works Department; January 3, 1989 - January 25, 2013; 24 Years of Dedi-
time position and will work outside of normal business hours. The part-time position will carry a salary of between $30,000 to $40,000. There will be no medical benefits. The position will be active only at times when it is warranted such as natural disasters and other emergencies. “It’s a great idea, assuming we can find somebody who meets the criteria for the job,” Mayor Thomas Kelaher said. “A lot of people have problems, especially with FEMA, maps, construction and insurance. They work during the daytime and they can’t come to town hall for assistance except nights or on weekends, so we thought, let’s get a part time guy who can meet with people in the evenings, either at town hall or at their homes and those residents who can’t come during normal business hours will have a real human being to speak with instead of making countless phone calls and leaving voice mail. Kelaher said the ideal candidate would be someone cated Service to the Township of Toms River.” “There wasn’t anybody in public works who didn’t like Pete, he was just a decent guy and a guy who just came and did his job,” said Mr. Amoruso. “I just want to take this opportunity to present this retirement plaque on behalf of all of us in public works and the township.” He is survived by his sister Karen and her husband Tyler Peirson, his nephew Dylan Peirson and his special sister Penny Peirson, all of Jackson, his brothers, Bruce and his wife Judy Evans of Cincinnati, Ohio and Craig Evans of Trenton.
Teamwork Nets Quick Arrest of Burglar by Jeri Morris TOMS RIVER- A Bayville m a n i s f ac i n g mu l t i ple charges of burglary thanks to an alert resident, reported Toms River Police Chief Michael G. Mastronardy. "This case is a prime example of teamwork in that the alert neighbor was instrumental in providing information that communication personnel distributed timely to street officers who worked with detectives to make a quick arrest that resulted in being able to return property to the victims," he said. On Friday, March 1st, a Lester Road resident received a call from a neighbor advising that a strange truck was parked in their driveway. The resident rushed home and found that someone had broken into the rear bedroom window and removed over $800 worth of jewelry. Officer Eric Divone responded to the call and was able to obtain a description of the vehicle and the license plate number from the alert neighbor. Within one and a half hours after the information was broadcast to all township officers and surrounding police departments, Beachwood Detective Sean Langan located and stopped the vehicle on Route 9 along with Berkeley Township Police. As a result, police were able to arrest William Needham, 26, of Mystic Court in Bayville and recover the jewelry that was stolen from the Lester Drive burglary. While police were interviewing the suspect, Officer Jason Stallworth was dispatched
to a burglary on Brookside Drive where the rear door was forced open and $1400 in jewelry was taken some time between Thursday and Friday afternoon. “As part of the investigation, detectives contacted a resident on Cedar Grove Road to advise them that their home was possibly burglarized. As a result, the homeowner determined that an Ipod and jewelry she thought was originally misplaced was actually taken in a burglary on February 18th,” Chief Mastronardy said. An investigation by detectives Chris Fluck, Roger Hull, Glen Lucas, Mark Bajada, Thomas DiMichele, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and Berkeley Township Police is ongoing, but as a result of current results, Mr. Needham was charged with multiple burglaries and is being held on $20,000 bail with no ten percent in Ocean County Jail.
Police Blotter Chief Mastronardy further reported the following recent activity of the Toms River Police Department:
Suspect Caught After Fleeing Accident Scene
On Thursday morning, February 28th, shortly after midnight, police responded to an accident at Hooper and Bay Avenue. While responding to the accident, officers James Robertazzi and Nathan Williams observed a 2011 Honda disabled in the roadway at Chestnut Street, and
two men fleeing the vehicle on foot. Approximately 10 minutes later, Officer Scali located the subjects near Bay and Hooper avenues. During the course of the investigation, the officers found that the suspect turned out of a restaurant just north of the Ocean County Mall, traveled south in the northbound lane and struck a curb, causing the vehicle to launch and strike a traffic light stanchion. John Haig, 22, of Hudson Street, Stafford Township was charged with DWI, leaving the scene and reckless driving. There were no injuries in the accident.
Police Make DWI Arrest After High Spped Chase
On Sunday, February 24th, Officer Frank Moschella responded to a report of a minor accident on Hooper Avenue near College Drive at 6:30 pm. While responding to the call, dispatch advised that a blue Chevrolet Camaro had left the scene traveling south on Fischer Boulevard. Officer Moschella located the vehicle and attempted to make a motor vehicle stop on Fischer Boulevard when the Camaro hit a curb near Bay Avenue and came to a stop. As officers were preparing to contact the driver, the driver sped off at 50 mph south on Fischer and then hit another curb at the East Dover Shopping Center, coming to a complete stop again. As officers approached, the car once again drove off and sped farther south on Fischer Boulevard at 70 mph. Finally, at Route 37 and
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with an extensive construction background and experience with dealing with the public to field calls and inquiries. They would also be required to be proficient in dealing with FEMA issues, insurances claims and building codes. “He would be like a liaison between the public and the township’s various departments,” Kelaher said. “Instead of having to be transferred around departments, the ombudsman will know who to contact in the township and will have access to each of the departments in order to most efficiently answer the questions from the residents. The decision sparked political debate among naysayers in the community. Kelaher says the job doesn’t replace the daytime support that is currently offered as some have suggested, but is intended to extend the support after-hours. He said he doesn’t read local blog posts by anonymous users, but when questioned about comments being left in opposition of this position, he dismissed it all as being politically motivated. “I don’t pay attention to it. What I pay attention to is the thousands of people who have been calling town hall looking for help and answers,” Kelaher said. “We had to take a room in town hall and turn it into a phone bank and it has been manned with class one police officers to answer phones. If we can have somebody to help those people, it’s a good thing. Any opposition to this job is purely political and somebody trying to make a case out of it. Since I’ve been mayor, we’re down 44 jobs through attrition. Creating a part time job where the person doesn’t get benefits and can help thousands of people, I’ll do that all day. This is a good thing.” Fischer Boulevard, the Camaro struck another curb, causing the air bag to deploy. Officer Moschella and Sergeant Scott Moeller quickly apprehended the driver, who was not injured. Thomas Hagadorn Jr., 25, was charged with DWI, eluding and other motor vehicle charges as a result of the traffic accident and pursuit that took place less than 15 minutes from the original accident called in.
Woman Arrested for DWI After Striking Tree
On Sunday, February 24th at 1:15 am, police responded to an accident on Washington Street and Caldwell Lane. Adrianne Wilkinson, 44, was westbound on Washington Street when the 2008 Jeep she was driving left the roadway and struck a tree causing the vehicle to overturn onto its side. Ms. Wilkinson was not injured. Officers Joe Mastronardy and Steven Schwartz charged Ms. Wilkinson with DWI.
Toms River Community Calendar Historic Presevation Commission Meeting The historic preservation commission will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 18th at 3:30 pm in the council meeting room of town hall on Washington Street. Planning Board Meeting The planning board will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, March 20th at 6 pm in town hall on Washington Street. Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting The next meeting of the zoning board will be on Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30 pm in town hall on Washington Street. Easter Magic Show The Toms River Recreation Department will host its annual Easter Magic Show at the Toms River High School South cafetorium on Hooper Avenue on Saturday, March 23rd starting at 10 am. Free; includes magic show, treats and picture opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny On Sunday, March 24th, come join the families of Toms River Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 as the Easter Bunny sits down for breakfast from 9 am to 1 pm in the Toms River Elks Lodge #1875 on Washington Street. Breakfast includes French toast, eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, juice and milk plus a free Easter Egg hunt for all kids. Prices are $8 for patrons 12 and older, $5 for children ages 5 to 12 and ages 4 and under eat free. All proceeds benefit the fire company. Rec Committee Meeting The recreation committee will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 25th at
called 911 after hearing the smoke detector beeping. Silverton, Pleasant Plains, Toms River 1 & 2 and East Dover fire companies extinguished the fire, which apparently started in the garage and also damaged a 2011 Toyota pickup truck that was parked in the driveway. Investigating are Detective Thomas DiMichele and the Toms River Fire Prevention Bureau.
Burglary Suspect Caught
On Wednesday, February 20th, police responded to a burglary in which a witness reported that the suspect fled
Fire Damages Home on Ashlar Way Police responded to a structural fire at 212 Ashler Way at 9:25 am on Saturday, February 23rd. Officer Mark Nater arrived on scene and found flames and smoke coming from a two car garage. A 33-year-old resident reported that he and another person in the home
on foot from the Church of Nazarene on Route 37 West towards the Wawa store. K-9 Officer Stephen Eubanks and his partner, Boris, tracked from the church to the home of Christopher Camargo, 18, of 11 Oakridge Parkway. Detectives Mark Bajada, Chris Fluck and Thomas DiMi-
7 pm in town hall on Washington Street.
Toms River Library Programs & Events Super Storm Sandy Tax Assistance Outreach Event IRS and other state agencies will be available to help individuals and businesses prepare their 2012 tax returns and to answer questions on other Hurricane Sandyrelated issues on Monday, March 18th from 6 to 8:15 pm. Representatives from the State Division of Taxation, Governor’s Office, An Evening with Guy Davis Recently featured on the Late Show with David Letterman, Guy Davis is a musician, composer, actor, director and writer, but most of all – a blues man. Join him on Monday, March 18th at 7 pm for an enjoyable evening of stories and songs. Please register. Claiming Sandy Losses on Your Federal Tax Return Join Michele Sheft, Master Tax Advisor with H&R Block, on Wednesday, March 20th at 7 pm to discuss the forms required for filing losses on your Federal tax return. Ms. Sheft will answer questions with respect to recent changes in the tax law and also show you how to calculate and claim a loss from Hurricane Sandy. Registration is required. P le a s e c a l l ( 7 3 2 ) 3 4 9 6200 to register. The Toms River Library is located on Washington Street in downtown Toms River. Does your group or organization want to see its events listed here? All events that are free and open to the public or non-profit/charity fundraisers are eligible for free placement. Write events@ ocsignal today!
chele then following up on the investigation were able to sign complaints for the church burglary. Police recovered a computer stolen from the church and the detectives were also able to recover property from a residential burglary that took place on Foxwood Drive in the Silver Ridge section in January. Mr. Camargo was charged with burglary and is being held in Ocean County Jail on $75,000 bail, with no ten percent option.
Burglary Suspect Caught
On Monday, February 18th, the Toms River Police Department was notified by the New Jersey State Police that a vehicle was submerged in the waters of the Barnegat Bay, north of the Tunney Bridge. The vehicle was found in the water approximately one hundred feet east of the shoreline and Pier One, according to Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. Toms River Police Corporal Paul Burkhardt of the police department’s dive team inspected the vehicle and found it was unoccupied. Police later learned the vehicle was stolen on January 23 and dumped, not washed into the bay by Hurricane Sandy.
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