def #131 07/08/09
OCEAN COUNTY LOOKS AT SPACE NEEDS
TOMS RIVER – Ocean County freeholders are taking a closer look at the county’s space needs when it comes to the
courts and affiliated services.
“As we look at changes in security requirements, and changes in the judiciary, it is becoming apparent that we
will need to provide additional space for state Superior Court functions in the downtown area,” said Freeholder John P.
Kelly, who serves as Director of Law and Public Safety.
Peppered throughout the downtown area, is a host of buildings housing court functions with the main courtrooms located
at the Ocean County Courthouse at 118 Washington Street and in the Ocean County Justice Complex at 120 Hooper Avenue,
here.
“Yet we know that in order to accommodate court programs, like probation and the family division, it was necessary to
find space beyond the courthouse,” Kelly said. “We want to take a closer look at our needs and determine a strategy
that will provide a better configuration of our court system and its related functions.”
In addition to a need for more space for the courts, there is also a need to make changes in order to meet state
mandated requirements for security.
Multiple entrances and exits pose a security risk and in accordance with state mandated requirements, require additional
sheriff’s officers to man those areas.
“If we can bring all the court functions into the same facility, additional security to meet the state mandates will
not be necessary which would also allow the county to save some money no longer needed for extra security,” Kelly
noted.
Ocean County will consider moving the County Clerk, County Surrogate and Ocean County Board of Taxation out of the
courthouse at 118 Washington Street, here, which will provide more room for the courts and also for these county
functions.
“These three agencies have outgrown their current locations,” noted Ralph B. Patterson, Director of Management and
Budget. “Moving them out of the courthouse and into a separate facility would provide not only additional space for
them but also the courts.”
Some short term recommendations to help ease the space shortage is to relocate some court functions now located at 3
Mott Place, 213 Washington Street and 100 East Water Street into rental properties and to use that space vacated by
court functions for some county services.
“We will be looking at the long term too,” said Kelly. “It’s important that we look at all options including the
construction of a Hall of Records to house the Ocean County Clerk, Ocean County Surrogate’s Office and the Ocean County
Tax Board.
“We continue to see growth in this county and with that is the growing demand for these services,” Kelly said. “We have
23 Superior Court judges sitting in this county. All of this needs space to function properly.”
Kelly said the county will update the Ocean County Justice Facilities Study to determine the best direction to take.
“When you build, you build for the future,” said Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr., noting the study will look
at long-range recommendations for the county.
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the county’s Department of Buildings and Grounds, said the county
will look at the current and future needs in addition to the economic situation to determine the best direction.
“We will work with the downtown businesses and all those in the area so we can provide the best answers possible,”
Vicari said.
