TOMS RIVER - Property taxes, high-density housing growth and the ongoing recovery from superstorm Sandy are issues at the center of the race for a Ward 1 seat on the Township Council.

Democrat Anthony Colucci, 67, a retired accountant who served in financial management positions for several Fortune 100 companies, is seeking a four-year council term.

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His opponent, Republican Councilwoman Maria Maruca, 59, has served on the seven-member council since 2004. She works for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

All seven Township Council members here are Republicans, as is Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher. The four ward council seats will be up for grabs Nov. 7.

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Ward 1 includes Toms River's barrier island sections, like Ortley Beach and Ocean Beach I, II and III, as well as mainland neighborhoods like Shelter Cove, Snug Harbor and Silver Bay. These areas were hard-hit by superstorm Sandy five years ago.

Here are Colucci and Maruca on the issues:

Property taxes

"Ward 1 was hardest hit on both sides of the bay (by Sandy)," Maruca said. "Despite these overwhelming challenges I have worked hard to ensure a zero tax increase for the township budget this year. The biggest issue facing Ward 1 is property taxes."

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Maruca said the mayor and council have faced great challenges in trying to balance a budget following the devastation caused by Sandy, which led to a more than $2 billion drop in Toms River's ratable base.

The tax rate for municipal purposes here remained stable, at 63.3 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

But Colucci pointed out that the amount taxpayers contribute to the budget has risen from $43.9 million in 2007 to $82.5 million this year. The township has been controlled by Republicans during that time.

Housing development

Colucci said "special deals for developers" have led to overdevelopment in the northern sections of Toms River, which he said will lead to an increased tax burden for all residents of the town.

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Township Council members have strongly denied that any developers have received special treatment, and say that almost all of the housing being built in northern Toms River is the result of state mandates that require towns to provide affordable housing.

Toms River has agreed to provide 1,285 units of affordable housing through 2025 under a court settlement.

Colucci said he will support a moratorium on residential building in Toms River.

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Maruca said she has advocated for open space purchases as a council member, including the former JAMM Realty property, where 320 apartments were slated to built at Hooper Avenue and College Drive. and a site at the corner of Fischer Boulevard and Hooper Avenue where a Home Depot store was proposed.

Waterfront issues

Maruca said she will continue to push for completion of the long-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project, which will widen beaches in Toms River's barrier island sections.

Watch the video above to see residents of Ortley Beach talk about the rebuilding challenges there.

She noted that the council recently agreed to bond $6 million to repave all roads in the barrier island by next year.

Colucci said the township should work to improve its community rating under the National Flood Insurance Program, which will help reduce flood insurance rates for waterfront residents, and also encourage mitigation projects to prevent future flooding.

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, jmikle@gannettnj.com