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May 14, 2022The Garden Club of Toms River
May 14, 2022
Maria Maruca, Former Toms River Councilwoman
The township has appointed former Councilwoman Maria Maruca as Director of Human Services, with a salary of $90,000.
JoAnn Benson, who retired after several years at the leadership of the department, will be replaced by Maruca, who departed the council in December after serving on the governing body since 2004. Justin Lamb, a Democrat, defeated Maruca in the GOP primary and now controls the Ward 1 council seat.
“We’re fortunate to have a person with Maria’s compassion, management ability and leadership join the administration in this very important role,” said Mayor Maurice B. “Mo” Hill. “Maria is uniquely qualified to fill the very big shoes being left by JoAnn Benson. No one works harder than Maria nor advocates as strongly for the people she serves.”
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Benson is retiring. She has worked in town for 36 years, the last 19 as the head of the department.
Hill chooses department heads with the council's advise and permission under the township's strong mayor-council form of governance. The setup is comparable to how the president of the United States picks his cabinet members.
Hill's appointment of Maruca was approved by a 5-1 vote at a recent council meeting, although Lamb, who voted against the appointment, criticized it.
“I am honored to accept this opportunity to continue to be of service to the people of Toms River,” Maruca said. “The Department of Human Service provides critical services to our seniors, those struggling with addiction through the municipal alliance, and the animal shelter. I pledge to continue to provide high quality compassionate services to the residents who depend them.”
Maruca served on the Township Council for 18 years, from 2004 to 2021. Last year, current Councilman Justin Lamb defeated her in a divisive primary race.
During her term on the council, she represented Ward 1, which includes seaside communities during Hurricane Sandy. The township has spared around 500 acres from development during her term. Some of this was accomplished by using the town's Open Space Tax revenue to make purchases. However, the municipality joined with larger organizations such as the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund, the Trust For Public Land, and state Blue Acres and Green Acres to increase its purchasing power.
She was the manager of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office on Hooper Avenue for ten years prior to her assignment. Maruca worked for her family's business, Maruca's Tomato Pies, before entering the public sector.
From 2000 to 2012, she was the Executive Director of the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District. Every Friday, she volunteers at the Presbyterian Church on Hooper Avenue for the Pop the Trunk food delivery.
She volunteered for or served on the boards of several worthwhile organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Toms River Chamber of Commerce, Ocean of Love, scouting, and the Toms River East Little League.
She stated “I will continue to work to make Toms River a place where everyone is welcome and a great place to live.”
