U.S, Departinent of Jastice Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section SSuniansnat a ms Bee March 26,2018 By E-mail and U.S. mail ‘Anthony Mettino ‘Assistant Township Attomey Township of Toms River Division of Law 33 Washington Steet Toms River, NI 08753 smerlino@tomsriveriownship.com Dear Mr. Meine: ‘As you know, on April 28,2016, the U.S. Department of Justice (*DO1") initiated an investigation into the Township of Toms River's ("the Township's") comp iance with the Religious Land Use and Instituionalized Persons Act of 2000 “RLUIPA”, 42 U.S.C. §§ ‘2000ce, et 9, and requested certain documents and information. DOJ's investigation was cused, in pat, onthe Township's requirement that Rabbi Moshe Gourrie obiaina use variance in orde vo operate a Chabed house at 2001 Church Road We are aware that an order of judgment was recently issued, which resolved the private Javisuit between the Tovnship and Rabbi Gourarie and does not require Rabbi Gourare o obtain ‘use permit inorder to engage in certain religious worship and educational activity atthe ‘Chabed. In light ofthe resolution of that awit, and the other documents and information provided by the Township, and after considering the relevant facts and appicabe law, we have decided roto take enforcement action pursuant to RLUIPA against the Township. ‘Consequently, we have closed the investigation. ‘Should you have any questions can be reached at 202-305-0122 or ole Siegel Sincerely, ‘Sameena Shina Majeed Chief “Trial Attomey Housing and Civil Enforcement Sex