Toms River GOP chief hired as township judge, despite ties to losing side in primary

TOMS RIVER - The president of Toms River's official GOP organization has been appointed the township's newest municipal court judge.

Lawyer Anne Hammil-Pasqua, president of Republicans for Toms River, and also a member of the township's planning board, was selected for the judge's position by Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr.; the township council supported her appointment in a 4-to-1 vote, with Council President Matt Lotano abstaining.

Councilman Justin D. Lamb voted against the appointment, while Councilman Daniel Rodrick is away and did not attend the July 26 meeting.

Lotano abstained on the resolution because Hammil-Pasqua is his sister-in-law.

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"She's highly qualified," Hill said, noting that Hammil-Pasqua, a graduate of Seton Hall University's Law School, was the only Toms River resident among the three candidates who applied for the municipal judge vacancy. She will replace Judge Damian Murray, who retired earlier this year.

Hill pointed out that Hammil-Pasqua will become only the second female municipal court judge in Ocean County.

Hammil-Pasqua, a member of the Capehart Scatchard law firm in Mount Laurel, specializes in representing employers, self-insured companies and insurance carriers in workers' compensation cases, according to her biography on the firm's website.

"She's certified by the (N.J.) Supreme Court as a workers' comp attorney," Hill said.

"Does it also help that she's president of Republicans for Toms River?" Lamb asked.

Lamb is the only council member who remains part of the Toms River Regular Republican Club, which was the township's official GOP organization for more than 30 years until it was replaced by the new club in 2021.

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Republicans for Toms River endorsed Hill and his running mates, Lotano and Councilmen Josh Kopp and Kevin M. Geoghegan, in June's GOP primary. Rodrick, who belonged to the Regular Republican Club until he was thrown out of the group by former club President Geri Ambrosio earlier this year, defeated Hill, Ambrosio and Robert Bianchini in GOP primary for mayor.

He and his slate of council candidates are heavily favored to win in November in this deep red town.

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Under the township's strong mayor-council form of government, municipal judges are appointed by the mayor, with consent of council. Township spokesman Art Gallagher said Hammil-Pasqua is likely to make between $50,200 and $80,000 annually, depending on the number of municipal court sessions at which she presides.

The salary range for municipal court judges in Toms River is $50,200 to $134,500, and Hammil-Pasqua will join municipal court Chief Judge James J. Gluck in presiding over cases here.

Her appointment is for a three-year term.

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 39 years.  She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River GOP chief hired as judge despite intraparty fight