03-02-2026 - Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting

March 2nd, 2026. Township of Hamilton
Committee meeting to order. Please rise
for the flag
to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
Adequate notice of this meeting has been
provided pursuant to the New Jersey open
public meetings law by posting a notice
of this meeting on the bulletin board in
the municipal building and by
transmitting notice of this meeting to
the press of Atlantic City Star Ledger
and Atlantic County Record on January 6,
2026. Mr. Aken
>> here,
>> Mr. Cheek
>> here.
>> Miss Thompson
>> here.
>> Dr. Witherspoon here. Mayor Patali
>> here.
>> We have a moment of silence for private
reflection.
Thank you.
Uh proclamation
for National Women's History Month. I
have a proclamation for Pastor Ethel
Braxton. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes.
Good evening. Everyone, first I want to
say I would like to thank um the mayor
and township committee for allowing this
to go on. This is the third year that we
have honored women during Women's
History Month. And this year, I'm so
very proud to honor Pastor Ethel Elena
Braxton.
Whereas Pastor Ethel Elena Braxton of
Mispa, New Jersey, a born leader with a
heart for people, was educated in
Hamilton Township school system. She
earned her bachelor's of arts degree in
elementary education from Glboro State
College and later obtained a master's
degree in human services from Lincoln
University.
Whereas in 1983,
Pastor Braxton moved to Nigeria where
she served as a teacher and later as
deputy acting principal of Sacred Heart
Elementary School and Kanda
Kaduna. Upon returning to the US, she
poured her heart into community work
across Cumberland and Atlantic counties
as executive director of MISPA Inland
Human Services Incorporated for over 23
years. She has launched several
transformative programs and I just want
to add that she's also participated and
had junth and misspa and also
participated it here in maze landing
whereas pastor Braxton's later served as
the unit director of the violin call
author center boys and girls club of
Cland County after 15 years of dedicated
service. She officially retired in June
of 2025.
Whereas a powerful woman of faith,
Pastor Braxton was ordained in the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
in 2006.
Her ministry includes preaching,
teaching, and pastoral care,
disciplehip, and community outreach.
Whereas in addition to her pastoral
leadership, Pastor Braxton is a
certified life coach who offers
faith-based life coaching to individuals
seeking spiritual growth, personal
development, healing, and purpose-driven
living. Whereas, Pastor Braxton is a
devoted mother of two daughters, a
loving grandmother, and a beloved wife.
Now therefore, we this morning members
of the Hamilton Township Committee in
Maandon, New Jersey, do hereby honor
Pastor Ethel Helena Braxton during
National Women's History Month in purity
as established this second day of March
in the year of 2026.
I just
just want to say thank you of course to
the township for this honor. Thank you
all so very much. But I just stand here
um representing all women, especially
the women that work in the kitchen and
their households, the ones that don't
have titles and names, but they keep
their families together and they keep
the community together and they keep
this Hamilton Township together. So I
stand here and representing all of them
and I just thank all of you. My family
that's here, my daughters and my husband
who's having my husband and um Way Court
Outreach Ministry. I really thank you
and our township uh Democrat club and
Bob Campbell and Judy. All of you. I
just thank all of you. My uh sister and
in-law, my cousin, all of you. Thank you
all. so very very much for this honor.
Thank you.
>> The family I think they're trying to
bring you gifts. They can come up and
take pictures.
>> Husband and daughters want to bring you
something.
>> Okay. Stretching out.
Take pictures. Take pictures.
Shane, great.
LET'S
SEE.
OKAY, we have no guest presentations,
addition, deletion, late agenda items to
be considered for action tonight. We
have 7 A3
business registrations. Funny Farm
Rescue 6908 Railroad Boulevard craft
show permit.
Um for 5326
7 A4 business registration business
registration Jack Lion transient vendor
license equipment auction at ACRC
326 through 48
and 75 business registration gap number
7152
Consumer Square Shopping Center Retail
Clothing.
>> So move second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> I against.
>> Eyes have it.
>> Early public comment. Anybody signed up?
>> No one signed up.
>> Nobody signed up.
>> Discussions.
Formal action may be taken. Vacation of
a portion of Penny Lane.
>> Mr. Solicitor.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Town Committee
remembers. We had this one for
discussion approximately two meetings
ago. We had a request by a property
owner that went uh alongside Paper
Street Penny Lane as indicated. Uh we
took a look at it, had the opportunity
to look at it with the township
engineer. This is a paper street that
runs along greater river. Some of it
marshlands waterway. Uh it was our
position that it's not at this time in
the township's interest to maintain or
to uh keep that paper street. Uh it's
our position and recommendation vacated.
Uh we did reach out to the adjacent
property owners. Uh the paper street
runs on one side is a property. It's a
solid piece of property that township
owns. The other there are individual
parcels. We did get nine responses. We
had eight that were uh substantially in
favor of vacating it. We did get one
objection back from one of the property
owners reviewing an objection. It was
just that they live there for a long
period of time. Change our position that
vacating the street does not change this
property itself. So that would us being
able to vacate that street if you'd like
to do so. So at this point the next step
would be making the initial deposit
working on getting the meets and bounds
reviewing that and then we'll come back
before township committee if you wanted
to move forward the vacation by way of
ordinance. So at this point in time we
just ask any questions that you may have
and if you want to move forward with
vacating the street or not.
>> Questions coming.
>> Sure. I have a question. So um if we
vacate this will we be landlocking
anyone?
No one
>> there's access to all the property based
on the alternative.
>> Yeah. The only property that's uh let's
say vac would be uh landlocked would be
the township property which is out in
the great egg harbor river. It's a
portion of the property in the water.
>> Oh the the water's right there.
>> It's surround It's water is over top of
the property.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. So there's there's no use of that
property either.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> Well I I have one question. Would you
notify the person that objected that
whatever the results was after this
vote?
>> Yeah. Yes, we could. And as we move
forward, uh the ordinance would
obviously go up for introduction public
hearing as well before final. So the
individual did want to come out
addressing
it would have an opportunity.
>> Thank you.
>> Question.
>> And the little bit of land that is going
to be given to them is going to be
taxed.
>> It's going to add to their taxes that
little bit. What is it 12 or something
like that? It's it's based on review of
the map portions of it may vary a little
bit but it's approximately that
typically when you're vacating a street
just
one side
but it was the
bigity
of
So that would be
>> anybody else any other questions
comments?
>> So what are you looking for us to do
from here? direction if you want to move
forward to vacating the paper street if
we're going to turn over the entirety of
the paper street to the properties that
are not owned by the municipalities in
other words
property
go
looking at the map I would think that
the entire street should go to the
property owners there's not another
property owner on basically the west
side of the street. It's all mar.
>> Yes.
>> Anybody wish to move this forward to go
ahead move forward with the
>> vacation process?
>> Vacation process. And do we want to do
it for the whole street or just
>> would it make sense to just do the whole
street?
Make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Okay.
>> I took my motion.
>> Sorry,
>> you're not fancy.
>> I have a motion.
>> I have to I was getting my wording
together.
>> You know, I'm trying to have proper
etiquette.
>> And uh can we get a roll call vote,
please?
>> Mr. Aken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chef?
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Abstain.
>> Okay, moving on.
Public hearings. Adoption of ordinance.
We have ordinance 2128-2026.
Ordinance of the township of Hamilton
repealing and replacing chapter 203-187,
article 15 of the land development
ordinance entitled affordable housing.
This is a public hearing. If anybody
wishes to speak.
>> Um, so for clarification, oh, I'm sorry,
dear.
>> Let's open it up to the public.
>> You're joking.
>> I was ready.
>> Anybody close public?
>> Second.
>> Motion in a second to close public. All
those in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
>> Um,
what's our pleasure?
A
>> motion to move to close.
This will be a motion.
>> Yeah, this will be a motion for Pardon
me.
>> We are a motion to close. So, this will
be a motion to motion
>> to adopt it.
>> Yes.
>> Second.
>> Motion a second. Any questions,
comments? I believe
>> I was just going to say for
clarification, how many affordable units
are we required to have?
>> Jen
Jen Heler from Palestina and Associates.
I authored the um amended housing
element and fair share plan. Our
obligation in the fourth round is 68
units. Your obligation in the prior
rounds I off the top of my head was like
342. So we're working into the fourth
round right now.
>> What was the part about the 342?
>> That's the third round. So that went
from 2015 to 2025.
>> Every 10 years they go back and give
each town an obligation. So, we're in
the fourth round process and that's why
we're here tonight for um amending the
ordinances so that they're compliant
with the fourth round rules.
>> So, in our fourth round, we're obligated
to provide 68 affordable units,
>> additional units,
>> additional units on top of every prior
round and third round, it's cumulative.
So, this round and it's 68 units, but
it's really credits because you get
bonus credits for um municipally
sponsored affordable housing projects,
supportive needs housing. So, you get an
extra credit for certain types of
housing. So, it's not really 68 units as
much as it's 68 credits.
>> Okay. Thank you so much.
>> You're welcome.
>> So, in the paperwork it says it was 65.
So, the credits would make it
Oh, I'm sorry. I had It's 65 for
Hamilton. I I do eight other towns,
right?
>> So, my numbers are
>> I just wanted to make sure that we had
that for the
>> for the record.
>> Yes. So 65 units for the fourth round
and the but the ordinance that we're
looking at for affordable housing, just
so it's clear, that ordinance is setting
forth the not the township's obligation,
but the way that the township is going
to handle the affordable housing. It
sets forth the mechanisms and it
codifies the state rules that are
standard across the state for affordable
housing, how they're monitored, how
they're maintained and deed restricted.
That's what this ordinance is setting
forth. It's the model ordinance that was
adopted and certified by the DCA and
signed off on by Fair Share Housing
Center. So, it's all the U-Hack rules
that all the towns are to comply with.
So, we can't deviate from a lot of the
requirements in here. We tailored it to
meet the mechanisms that the township is
putting forth to meet the obligation.
Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> Any other questions or comments?
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes.
Uh B, ordinance 2129-2026,
an ordinance of the township of Hamilton
repealing and replacing chapter 167,
article 11 of the land development
ordinance entitled mandatory affordable
housing development fees.
This is a public hearing. Anybody from
the public wish to speak?
Motion to close.
>> Second.
>> Have a motion and a second. All those in
favor?
>> I
against eyes have it.
>> What's our pleasure?
>> I make a motion. Move.
>> Are we doing questions? Are we
>> second?
>> Questions are coming.
>> Thank you so much. Um, was the planning
board okay with both of these
ordinances?
>> Yes, they did have the opportunity to
review them. I believe in your packet
there is a memo uh that both of them
were found and deemed appropriate with
the master plan. So yes, they met on
February 19th, 2026.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Yes.
>> And this will make us compliant with the
state the DCA with the
fees that are already set.
You have fees in place. Now, we are
repealing and replacing this section of
the ordinance to comply with the new
fourth round rules. So, this just
updates that we did not change any of
the mechanisms or any of the
requirements for the fees. It's the same
fees apply. It just they added language
in to be consistent with the fourth
round rules.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other questions or comments?
>> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Patal.
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> And moving on. Introduction of
ordinances. Ordinance
2130-2026.
An ordinance amending chapter 66 article
2 A. Section number one, subsection
regular dual positions of the code of
the township of Hamilton and the
township of Hamilton's chart of
organization to provide for the creation
and amendment of certain positions and
maximum salaries.
>> Mr. Solicitor.
>> Yes, Mayor. Thank you. Township
committee recalls Mr. Glman came before
township committee meeting or two ago
and gave a presentation on the creation
of these two positions. This simply
amends the salary ordinance to allow for
the addition of these two positions and
also takes away the uh duplicate
position of property maintenance
enforcement officer. So it just updates
both those positions as well as updates
your organizational chart for the
municipality to include both positions.
>> What's our pleasure?
>> Motion second. I have a motion to
second. Any questions, comments?
Hearing none. Have a roll call vote,
please.
>> Was my second? I'm sorry, I didn't hear.
>> Second,
>> Dr. W.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor,
>> yes.
Uh, award of bids, contracts, change
orders resolution approving ACUA rider
to shared services agreement for solid
waste collection services and
authorizing mayor to sign the same. No
additional costs.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Any
questions or comments?
Hearing
none, we have a roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patel,
>> yes.
>> 6B. Resolution to increase the not to
exceed amount for bid number 2024-10
tree and stump removal services Richtree
Services Incorporated, South Planefield,
New Jersey for an additional amount of
$12,000
for the period 112026
through 1231
2026.
>> Second.
>> Have a motion and a second. Any
questions or comments?
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patel,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> 6C. Resolution to increase the not to
exceed amount for bid 2023-11
snow plowing services Warner's
construction or incorporated a Garber
Township New Jersey for an additional
amount of $50,000 for the period 1012025
through 4:30 2026
>> second I have a motion and a second
questions or comments
>> yes
um how much did we spend with them on
the last snowtorm.
>> Uh, looking at the report from public
works, looks like.
>> Okay, thank you so much.
>> Any other questions or comments?
>> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patel,
>> yes.
consent agenda.
>> A motion for items 7 A3 to 7 A5 and then
7B to 7H.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
Questions or comments?
All those in favor? I
>> I
>> against eyes have it.
>> Yeah. You didn't
>> I didn't go through that.
>> Okay. So, we got to do 7 A1 and two.
>> Yes.
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion in a second. I have questions as
far as nine canvasing permits for
Anderson windows knocking on your doors.
Did we do a background check or anything
of that? And or what happens if we have
a problem of nine people hitting one
development, knocking on 55 plus doors?
>> Was there a solicitor?
Mayor, my ass is it went through the
registration process.
Does the township ordinance have a
background check on the individuals that
will be knocking on a 55 plus woman's
widow door?
You told me what? I didn't catch it.
>> And I believe it's inside of the packet.
Each person had a u fill out
the permit application and then it's
asked if they are
>> yeah they show
>> they have any records or you know
anything of that nature was checked at
that point.
>> Are they required to wear some kind of
ID or a badge or something?
Not only
this time,
>> can we require them to wear ID because
how would we even I mean we know who
they are?
>> They do we do have a copy of their ID,
but how would the residents know if uh
someone did something dysfunctional and
try to report them? They wouldn't even
know who they were.
>> So, is it something we can do about
that?
Yeah, just a badge, you know, just some
kind of name.
>> Even if it's the first name, it doesn't
even have to be the full name.
>> Understand?
>> Change
the ordinance.
>> We can look into it.
So that everybody's aware, you can go on
township website, go to the clerk's
page, and there's a list there of the
approved canvasers. Um, also, um, if you
have a sign out front saying no
soliciting, they're supposed to adhere
to that. Correct.
And uh if they do come to your door and
you ask them to leave, they are supposed
to leave and not say anything. Leave
immediately.
So if there's any problems, you can
contact the police department on the
non-emergency line. And they will do
their best to get somebody out there as
quickly as possible, take care of any
issues.
>> On a personal item, I have a 90
yearear-old mother that would invite you
in for lunch.
>> Where' she live?
>> Morgan Town.
>> Okay.
Uh looking on a website's fine, but when
you have so many 55 plus communities and
a criminal is not going to see a no
soliciting sign and turn around.
Just my opinion.
>> It's been my experience. Um,
this is not the first group that's
coming to the township,
>> but they've worn like shirts from the
company that they were from and it
identified them. But I do agree, you
know, for name or something like that.
That
>> be something that we can look at too.
But it's normally from the company
there's a t-shirt
>> or a lanyard
>> or a display in a bag or something.
>> Yeah.
>> Right. So, it can be both. I just wanted
to say that's been my experience.
>> You can look into that and see if we're
allowed to do that.
>> So, can I ask are 55 uh communities are
they automatically like not solicit? You
can't solicit in there like when you go
into one of those there isn't a sign.
>> No.
>> You're saying you're saying you can't
solicit in 55 and
>> No, you can't. I thought maybe it was
like a, you know, blanket for the, you
know, let's just take Tavistock for a
one. There isn't a sign out front. It
says no solicit.
>> And as far as the number, there's no
like we can allow as many as we want in
the ordinance. So, back to the
ordinance, there's no like set number
like Rich was saying, nine from this one
company.
>> Nothing that limits the
>> number from a company.
But it's not nine people coming up to
the door. Maybe.
>> No, I know that. Nine in our town
>> in our development and like in say like
in well Victoria Cross.
>> Yeah.
>> Is nine spread out. I could that that
would be you know disturbing to me if
nine people came up to my door.
>> Yeah. No, I don't expect that
>> at one time.
All right. But well that is true.
Another thing, um,
Mr. Mayor, when you were talking about,
um, if they have a soliciting sign, can
it be any type of soliciting sign?
There's not like a specific soliciting
sign where they know that I can't knock
at this door.
>> There's not a statement.
So I can just take and draw it and mark
it and put it in my window
as well as clear as straightforward
>> and they can see it and it's clear
that's acceptable that's legal that's
good
>> without knowing specifics but if it's
clear it's pretty straightforward
objective person would be able to
understand what
>> okay thank you
>> thank you
>> any other questions or comments
All those in favor?
>> I
>> against
>> I.
>> You're against.
>> I'm against.
>> Get that chain.
>> So,
moving on.
Okay. Personnel appointments to
sustainability.
Two vacant one-year terms.
I believe we have two
applications.
So, I'll go ahead and I'll make the
motion
to appoint Audrey Palumbo and Sierra
Duffy.
>> Excuse me.
>> Audrey
Palumbo and Sierra Duffy.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion, a second. All those in
favor
>> I
>> against eyes have it.
>> 8B. Motion to accept resignation of
Jerry Nelson from HTMU.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second.
All those in favor?
>> I
against
>> 8 C. appointment to fill unexpired term
of Jerry Nelson
as an alternate one member of HTMU
unexpired 5-year term to expire 2127.
Um,
if I may ask our solicitor,
can we move the current alternate two up
to alternate one now and then backfill
alternate two?
So we would have to make a separate
motion to move alternate two up to
alternate one.
>> Yes, you would point
Not to complicate things even more, I
feel as if we just took his resignation
should the whatever position one or two.
I feel like we shouldn't appoint
basically Jerry's seat give the public a
chance to apply for that position
to next meeting or whatever.
We haven't we haven't had we he didn't
resign till two minutes ago.
>> Wow.
>> Well, according to this um
>> someone's on here, isn't it?
>> It looks like he resigned in January,
>> but we didn't accept it. And was it open
to the public? So, the public knew it.
>> That's all.
>> Oh, that's what you're saying.
>> Yeah. It just give it's an alternate one
or alternate two position. give the
public two weeks for other people to
apply for that position.
>> So, you're saying this never went
public?
>> I don't know.
>> Well, we just I
>> now we just accepted it.
>> We just accept Well, we also have it.
Well, we have it.
>> But he applied that.
>> But did the other public know that he
was we were accepting the application,
the resignation on
Well, I don't know what happens at the
um because I haven't been to a
a meeting at the U MU way in in a minute
years, but I it looks like this happened
January the 18th, 2026 at 6:50 p.m.
>> Was it was it announced to the public
and we just and we just accepted it
right now?
I thought that it was announced in the
meeting as a at at the MUA meeting in
the public. I thought that's
>> but we assigned him and we didn't accept
it until a couple minutes ago.
>> Well, we didn't get we didn't get it.
>> Exactly.
>> I kind of like the guy that applied.
>> Well, that's fine, but it's also there's
27,000 other people that may want to
apply. It just gives somebody the
opportunity during during uh reorg.
There's other applications.
>> That's all. I'm just I'm not saying I
would vote for the guy, but
>> you still have to leave it out. In my
field, you leave it out for the public.
>> Okay. So, you want um two weeks of
public.
>> Yeah, that's all. Just give somebody
else a chance now. They know.
>> Where do we go from here? If you wanted
two more weeks, you can do a motion at
table.
>> Motion table.
>> So you would have to motion it.
>> I'll motion the table
>> to move to just determine that
>> you say AC. You have to say that
motion table.
>> I'll motion to table 8C.
Okay. So, I'll second it.
>> Okay. I have a motion and a second. All
those in favor of tableling it
>> I
>> nay. Okay.
>> Yeah. I just I'm a little I say
confused, but it looks like
I was just looking at the the
application of the person that submitted
it
>> as an alternate two, but we have an
alternate one
appointment. So,
>> what's your vote for tableing it?
No.
>> No.
>> Okay. And I'm a no. So
>> So I'd like to make a motion.
I'd like to appoint Robert Frink as
alternate one.
>> What's his name?
>> Robert Frink.
>> Bob Frink. He's the one who's already
there.
>> Okay.
>> I'd like to move him to alternate one.
MUA.
Are we are we doing that now? Are we
doing the movement? Can we do the
movement now? What we were just talking
about?
>> Yeah, you can.
>> Okay.
>> So, I have a motion to move Mr. Frink to
alternate one from alternate two. Do I
hear a second?
second.
>> Are we This is
>> So there's an alternate one.
>> Yeah, cuz it it looks like we're doing
an unexpired.
Is that the one we're doing?
>> Yeah. So for for the public
opening with resation, just accept that
there is a opening vacancy for alternate
one. My understanding there's motion on
the floor take the alternate two move
them up to alternate one which will then
create a vacancy for alternate two
rather than appointing a new member to
alternate one tonight you're appointing
that member alternate two
>> and the motion is for Robert Frink
>> right
>> yes Robert Frink to move to more
alternate one
>> for the unexpired term
>> the unexpired term for alternate one is
2127
the unexpired term there's vacancy for
alternate two would be 2128. Is that
correct?
>> Okay. But I don't see an application
attached. So,
>> there is no application that's already
on the board.
>> Already on the
>> So, you're taking the one from that's
already on the board as opposed to the
one that's attached. Correct. Are we
moving that one up?
>> We're moving Bob Think who's already on
the board at alternate number two,
>> right?
>> Into alternate number one.
>> And then this other person can decide.
>> Yes.
>> Oh.
We just need two separate resolutions.
>> Two separate resolutions.
>> Two separate votes. And the reason being
is because there's two separate
expirations.
>> Okay.
>> That's why you're not doing as one.
>> Okay. So, we're doing the unexpired term
right now
>> for alternate one.
>> For alternate one.
>> Is that correct?
>> Yes.
>> Motion. Yes. Yeah.
>> All right. Okay.
>> And then we're going to do alternate
two.
>> Then you can address alternate one.
>> Then we can address alternate two and
move that person. Yes.
>> Okay.
We have did we have a vote?
>> We had a motion and we had a second. We
haven't had second. All those in favor
>> I
against eyes have. So now we have
appointment to fill unexpired term
of Robert Frink. Correct.
>> Correct.
>> Yes, ma'am. I make a motion
>> just for clarity appointment to
alternate to for an unexpired five-year
term to expire on 2120.
>> Make a motion.
>> Make a motion to appoint James House.
>> Second.
>> Alternate two.
>> I have a motion in a second.
>> All those in favor? I
>> against eyes.
resolution appointing
Jane Bash as an agency redactor for the
township of Hamilton in accordance with
Daniel's law implementation.
>> So move
>> second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I I against eyes have
Approvals, minutes, regular meeting
minutes of February 17th, 2026.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. All those
in favor?
>> I
have it. Minutes executive session
meeting minutes of February 17th, 2026.
>> So move second. Have a motion, a second.
Roll call vote, please. Mr.
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Withersp.
>> Yes.
>> Bills. Billless. Total 4,119,696.31.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in the second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Yes.
>> Reports. Mr. Administrator. So, we had
another tough snowstorm last week. Um, I
just want to give a shout out to our
public works department, our police
department, and more importantly, our
OEM office. Uh, turns out the storm is a
reimburseable event because if the
governor declared a state of emergency,
possibly get some of those funds back.
Uh, kept good records during the storm
working with our coordinator
department.
hopefully recoup 75 up to 75% of the
cost of the storm. You guys uh some of
the not to exceeds tonight tree removal,
snow removal. So that would be response.
That's all I have. Thank you.
>> Very good. Mr. Solicitor,
>> nothing to report this.
>> Mr. Engineer,
>> nothing to report.
>> I want to committee members. Dr.
Witherski. Yes. I first want to say that
um public works I felt done an excellent
job u with this storm that came up. It
was
a monstrous storm and um there was a
street that maybe a couple that were not
done but as soon as I called it was
taken care of. So I wanted to say um
thank you for the wonderful job that
you've done. I also had a meeting with
public works
and um it was a very productive meeting
um with um the director Chris Tilly and
is it Sue?
>> Yeah. And um it was very very good. Um,
I was able to we went over budgetary
things and we also they took me on a
tour
of all of the um
different uh recreational buildings and
the sites recreation sites that they are
responsible for and that was good for me
to see. I I knew some but I didn't know
all. So I was very glad and I did go to
the firehouse way.
I had to say that part because I was
riding up and down the black horse pike
and I didn't see it but I didn't know I
had to drive up into it.
>> But um it was a very very good tour and
we spent a couple of hours together and
um I was very very pleased with what I
saw. Um, there was some geese that died
um at the Hamilton Mall, but I don't
know if they starved to death. I don't
know if they had the bird flu because it
was just so cold and they just couldn't
eat. I don't know what really happened
with that, but we were out riding and it
was so many geese at the soccer field.
I never seen that many at one time. So,
I thank God that I heard that we have
the geese chases.
Oh my lord. Um, but it was it was a very
very good um meeting and a very good
tour and I'm so thankful to um director
Tilly and Sue for taking me on the tour
to see everything in the township of all
of the um the various sites that they
are responsible for and they have a a a
huge responsibility
and everything is clean and everything
is done. And I'm not bragging. I I rode
all over this county, but Hamilton
Township,
um the streets were very drivable, you
know, and we could get it was one of the
best in the county. That's my opinion.
That's my opinion. But it looked very,
very well. So, I was very thankful for
that. So, thank you so much um for that.
And then on Friday,
I was at Reno Winery and I got sworn in
as the second vice president of the
Atlantic County League of
Municipalities. So, I was very excited
about that. And then I will be attending
the meeting on March the 20th. And I
didn't look at where it's going to be,
but I will
absor
I will be going to that. And also the
Atlantic County officials
um meeting is on the 13th and I plan to
attend that meeting as well. So, I
believe that is the end of my and I want
to also give a shout out to the police
department because there's been a lot of
deaths, auto deaths, and we just had one
another one. And for them to see all of
this, you know, it's it's a lot. It's a
lot on
our police officers, but they've been
doing a fine job. um you know and doing
the best that they can do in those type
of situations. It's never easy when you
do something like that. I retired from a
Lang City Police Department. I retired
from the city after 35 years, but I've
done my last 15 in the Lang City Police
Department. So, I know what it's like,
not so much as an officer, but to see
what they go through. And um I want to
thank the chief and your men for and
women uh for doing a fine job. Uh, I
understand the last one we had was with
Mr. William Busy. His son plays on the
Hamilton POW Police Athletic League. And
I know that because my grandson plays on
the Police Athletic League for Hamilton
Township. I haven't been there yet. My
daughter was like, "You got to show up
at um I was like, well, they only
practicing."
But um they do have a Hamilton Township
Police Athletic League and I believe
that they practice at the Hes at the Hes
school. So I really didn't know that
until my grandson applied and uh he made
the team. So I was really proud. I don't
think he didn't have my last name, but
um he made the team. So I was really
excited about that. He made it on his
own merits. He's he's at practice now.
And um so I wanted to thank the the
township for that because sometimes
people are saying what we do not have in
the township and we have so much here in
the township. I did receive a text
um that the grocery store
uh the grocery outlet
and United for I'm not looking at I put
mountains for boot RS for roots and they
had given out food over at the memorial
park in the parking lot
>> and I told them that it was a great job.
I didn't know about it. I believe it's
for Hamilton Township, but I don't know
how to get the word out. I I did ask for
a scheduled list so that we can add that
to the list and there's no um questions
asked. You just show up and get the food
and they take it. They have a whole big
trailer and everything. It's really is a
nonprofit. I didn't I didn't I never
heard of this group, but I got to check
them out so I'll know all about what
they're doing. But I'm thankful that
they are doing something in uh
additional in Hamilton Township which
I'm very proud of. And I also want to
say as I in my closing
um the pantries that we do have Main
Street Pantry, St. Vincent D. Le Paul
that and at the Alfred Lundy Center and
the um Harvest Church they do a
fantastic job every week giving out food
and um that's a lot to be said. It's a
lot of work. It's a lot of work to do
that every single week. I think Alfred
Lundy Center is um
um the third Thursday and then every
Sunday, but the Main Street Pantry and
St. Vincent Dep Paul is every single
week. So, if people that you know that
need food, they can go to the pantry of
St. Vincent Dal and pick it up. So,
thank you. And that is my report.
>> Very good. Let's drink it. So, first I'd
like to thank uh or um thank I'm sorry,
congratulate Dr. Witherspoon on her
appointment. Um that gives our township
a little juice.
Second, um thanks again to the public
works. This storm was, you know, tons
and tons of snow, but it was wet, heavy,
trees everywhere. Phenomenal job. also
with our contractors that we hired out.
Phenomenal job. You know, I go down the
streets the same way and, you know,
they're pretty they're pretty clear and
I was I was much impressed. Um,
also, I know we're, you know, a little
upset with electric bills, you know,
being increased, but I think the
electric company held their own. I mean,
they had a lot of trees and down wires
and everywhere, not just here, but all
our, you know, communities, Egar
Township, Galloway, all them. So, I
think they, them and their contractors
also did a good job. I know I was out
for three days out in the Bears Head
section. I waited, but you know, they
they came through. So, kudos to them
also. But again, public works phenomenal
you you guys cuz this this this storm
with the weight of that snow and the
trees everywhere was it was it was wild.
So kudos to you guys.
>> That's it.
>> Very good.
Committee woman Thompson
>> before you let him go.
>> Okay. So, um I want to start by
congratulating Miss um Pastor Ethel for
uh National Women's Month. I I think
that was a welldeserved um honor for
her. She does so much in the community.
So, I wanted to acknowledge that. Also
want to acknowledge our own uh committee
woman, Dr. Thelma Witherspoon, who's um
second vice president from League of
Municipalities
um here for our county representing
Hamilton Township.
Um the snow, like we all said, we have
to acknowledge the snow storm was um
crazy. Um but I got phone calls also. Um
Victoria Point, Victoria Cross Carson
uh called and
called I think I called you right about
a street bad or something like that. I
want to say that your department Chris
Tilly was right spot on. Um, I even had
other people call and they said, "Oh,"
they came right out the next day. I
mean, there was really literally no
complaints basically just from that
initial of something that they might
have saw and wanted to let us be aware
and then you were there um or the whole
public work somebody was there um the
next day. So, exceptional job. I also um
went out with uh our director Chris and
Sue for my tour and was very pleased
with how big Hamilton Township is and um
the all the parks. You know, we got a
lot of parks out here in the woods and
the cubby holes and I said, "God, we we
we got a lot of um Smokey the Bear
little side um parks over here." And
everything was beautiful. He was
especially um wanted me to know how much
work and things they do to keep the
community to look the par. And um it's
so many things that he was just saying
that was too much to name because he has
um a whole plan every day where he sends
out so many workers for um you know they
might be clipping trees or it's it's so
many um things that he was saying about
cleaning during the summertime which I
didn't know how we keep Harington
Township so clean during the summertime.
So, you know, this was this was good to
know and I was so pleased to hear that
um the public works department. They do
all of that and um that was um a great
meeting. It was a great tour and I was
very pleased with the director Chris
Tilly and I want to put that on the
record. Um yesterday I had the pleasure
of attending a championship game for our
Hamilton Elite JV basketball team and we
won. We're backto back champions. So,
they brought the championship home. Um,
I want to do a shout out to the the
young lady. She's the only young lady on
that JV team and her name is Aubrey
Williams. Um, she was doing her thing
and um playing basketball, keeping up
with the boys on this championship team.
And, um, one of the little young fellas
I call myself. It's my little boyfriend
cuz he is such a baller. Oh, he he
reminds me of Steve Nash. and um his
name was Alex and his brother plays also
on the team. Um there was a local
cheerleader. I saw her on the social um
one of the social media networks. They
didn't say her name, but there's a local
cheerleader at the New York Avenue
School. She was the cheer leader of the
month and she was raising funds for her
competition. So, she makes handmade
bracelets. I don't know if anybody
knows, but I just want to shout shout
out to this the cheer cheerleader of the
month at the New York Avenue school.
This cheerleader, she's raising funds
selling handmade uh bracelets. They
didn't have her name, but I thought that
was so nice. Um if somebody knows her
name, I'll I'll I'll shout it out. And
um you know her name?
It's at the New York Avenue School.
>> Is that
>> here?
>> No, that's a lame city. Oh, well she was
Oh, well they had her posted at the um
the Maze Landing grocery store that she
was doing handmade. So that's what threw
me off. But she was a cheerleader here
at our Maze Landing grocery outlet and
she had handmade bracelets that she was
selling. I wasn't They didn't say that
she wasn't from here. I'm sorry.
But that was um that's during the time
that they also was doing the food
distribution and um they were putting
all their uh information on their social
media at the same time and they went to
the uh park and they gave out food for
our residents. Um I think that's it.
>> Thank you.
>> Deputy Mayor Chief.
>> Yes. Uh back to Snow. First of all,
congratulations Dr. Witherspoon. Thank
you. Committee
>> position the snowstorm. The mayor and I
have attended quite a few meetings and
it was my first time going through
something like this. And in layman's
terms, what a welloiled machine our
township has. Everything was had to tie
together. The police, the rescue squad,
public works, subcontractors.
As a plumber, I was amazed that
public works had to have a plow with the
rescue squad, which you don't even think
of, but yet they do in case they have to
plow their way down the driveway. It was
just a learning experience. And the
mechanism and everything that goes
together to put something like that and
the way we ended up at the end of that
storm was just unbelievable. Like I say,
it was a welloiled machine and thank you
to everyone that was involved in that.
Then also this weekend, a student at the
at the ACIT Maze Landing resident,
Brianna Growall, is now the group four
state champion for the 55 meal hurdles.
So that's quite an accomplishment to be
a state champion in an individual sport.
So congratulate to her. And that's all I
have.
>> Very good. Thank you.
>> And I'll start off Dr. Witherspoon.
Congratulations
>> and uh I know you'll you'll uh you'll
serve us well there. It's good to have a
voice
with that with that group.
>> Thank you.
>> Good job. Thank you.
>> Um
and I'd like to say uh congratulations
to uh Pastor Ethel Braxton. Pretty
impressive resume. Uh it's great to have
people like that in our community doing
good things the way she does. That's
that's really awesome. So, get right
into the the whole thing with the with
the snowstorm. Thanks to Tilly and his
crew, guys, guys and girls, everybody
did a great job. Um, the police
department did a fantastic job. You guys
were really busy. And then, of course,
these uh last couple days we had some
pretty bad accidents and that's uh
that's really rough and sad when
somebody loses their life. You guys
really uh step up as you always do. Um
the fire departments I know they had
people there on standby. Um I used to do
it years ago snowstorm and you're there
for 10 12 hours so that you don't have
to try to get to the fire station
through all the snow and everything. So
thanks to all them whoever did that.
Great job. Rescue squad. They were busy.
Uh my stepdaughter runs with the rescue
squad. She was busy. She come home and
tell me how busy they were. So, it's
just like uh Deputy Mayor Chief said, it
was a welloiled machine and everybody
did a really good job.
Very, very few complaints. Um, and
unfortunately, when we did get a
complaint and send somebody back out
there, then I'd get five more complaints
that you just plowed their driveway back
in. So, it's uh it's it's a it's a fine
line you have to you have to plow, but
you guys did a really good job uh the
whole time. with everybody out with the
with the electric being out. Uh Brett
was on the phone, I was on the phone.
There were conference calls every day
with Atlantic Electric. Um our liaison
with Atlantic Electric, she was really
good. She kept us informed on where they
were going and whenever we would tell
her where somebody was, uh she would
check make sure that they were on the
list. Um, and I hope everybody
understands that that they they compile
a list and it goes down and it's they
look and see um
who needs to get turned on first. You
know, it's you got to remember there's
there's
municipal buildings, there's fire
departments, the police department,
stuff like that. Although we have backup
generators, some places they may not
they might not be working. They want to
get their electric on first. And then of
course it it goes to um a problem where
the the most
residents are out. So, get them turned
back on. Um, I had quite a few people
where they were the only person on their
street that had no electric and they
couldn't understand why they weren't
getting turned on right away. So, you
got to explain to them, you know, you're
on the list, you're there, it's coming,
but you have to understand there's some
there's a street where there's 15 people
that are out. They're trying to get them
on first. Uh, but I I think everything
went really well. because Eric said, you
know, everybody's beating up on the
electric company for their for their,
you know, how expensive it is, but they
did a good job. Um, they brought in
outside contractors and, uh, they were
great. I ran in, uh, I believe it was
Tuesday morning, I was at Wawwa, ran
into a friend of mine. He said, "Yeah,
my my street's on, but I'm off." And
there was a guy standing there and he
said, "Uh, what's your address?" and he
told him what his address was. He says,
"I'll look into it and see what I can
do." And he was a contractor. It wasn't
from Atlantic Electric. He was just a
contractor. And I checked with my buddy
later on. He said, "Yeah, he showed up
at my house and turned my electrical on.
It was just a you know, the breaker up
at the pole was out." So, it was real
simple. Um, that's just shows, you know,
people listen and they they hear and
they want to try to do good. That's that
was really good thing to hear. Um, shout
out to Asphalt Appeal. They did a good
job. I heard good things about, you
know, I saw the asphalt appeal truck
come down my street. You know, it's a
great Durks Dirks Auto, I guess they
gave us three loaders and helped out a
lot. So, these local businesses really
stepped up and helped out. And um not
only do you know,
I'm sure they do things and they they
don't charge us for it either. You know,
they they they help things out. They you
know, it's neighbors helping neighbors
and that's what it's all about. So,
>> they didn't get paid. Oh, no. They got
paid. There was times when I'm sure they
did stuff that uh because I was going to
say on that work, they they got paid.
They got paid. They deserve it. Um
so just shout out to everybody that that
did that that had their hands in it. It
was it was a lot of work. Um,
I also know that our um I think it was
Chris Tilly went out today and went down
to different roads and got a list of all
the trees that are leaning on telephone
wires, electric wire, whatever. Um, made
a list, sent it to the NJ DOT, sent
another list to the county. So, just so
everybody knows, we we've told the
county and the state where the problems
are. So, that's the best we can do.
We're not allowed to touch that stuff.
So hopefully they get out there and they
fix what they have to fix. I know um I'm
sure we have a few more things we got to
get cleaned up, but for the most part,
we're in really really good shape. So
good job. Um coming up, the the fourth
annual Gail Lutteritz PTA basket
auction. It's on Saturday, March 14th.
Doors open at 4. Raffle starts at six
and that is at
I don't know if it's at Davies or Hess.
I guess I should have checked that.
>> Is it Davies?
>> Yeah. Okay. It's a Davies. How's that?
We'll roll the dice and say it's at
Davies.
Um
and I think that's that's all for me. I
talked enough. Um so Reagan, I will see
you soon. And Maddie, I miss you and I
love you and I hope to see you soon.
So with that, we'll open it up to
>> Sorry.
>> So I I just want to comment about the uh
contractors.
So we we were short on contractors this
storm. So we did reach out to the
appeal. We reached out to Durks. Um they
showed up and they they treated us very
fair. They could have hit us because we
were very much in need. They did. They
treated us very fair with the pricing.
Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't
recognize our code enforcement staff.
Four of them jumped in public works
trucks and plowed. Um, some of them were
in trucks for over 16 hours plowing
because we were short-handed. So, I just
wanted to uh recognize them as well. So,
that's all. Thank you.
>> Go ahead.
>> You know, we did make channel six.
>> Yeah, I I saw that. We were they
happened to be there today. I I showed
you.
>> Yeah, I saw this. I saw it, too. At the
public works. I mean, I didn't We didn't
>> You wanted to take a video of our giant
pile of salt that we had.
>> Yeah, we made the newspaper, too. So, I
was really excited about that. Very
good. So, I just wanted to say share
that little piece of information. And
one more thing about our fire
department. I did not know what our
volunteer, our firefighters are
volunteer. We all know that. But I did
not know um maybe over 25
six 25 years ago when my parents did
have a property here in Hamilton
Township that Chris Tilly was a teenager
and was at the house
when um my father and mother had a fire
and I was I was pointing to the property
and I was saying you know I said the
fire department was so good they came
and tarp down.
>> You know, they put tarp down to keep
from things from being destroyed. And he
looked at me and said
I was there, too. I was a teenager and
it's just going full circle. So, I just
want to say that about our fire
department. They they don't Well, they
getting a little something now, but they
don't they're not paid paid um staff and
the jobs that they do is phenomenal. So,
how how would I know 26 20 over 25 years
later, I'm going to be working with on
on the township committee and Chris
Tilly is going to be the director of
public works who helped my father and
mother 25 years ago. So, I just couldn't
let that go. I just had to say something
about that. Thank you for allowing me
that space.
>> Absolutely. And uh I was reminded to say
one other thing. As of March 1st, legal
notices will be published on the
township website only,
not in the newspapers.
So with that, I will now open it up to
public comment.
>> Hi everyone.
>> Hello Graham, chair for the MUA. I would
like to say congratulations Dr.
Witherspoon. Um, with regard to the
snowstorm, I do want to point out that
we also lost electricity to all of our
properties. We had backup generators. No
one lost their water. No one lost their
sewer services. And I think the township
as a whole did a really, really, really,
really, really good job. I didn't have
water. I suffered for three days.
>> But everybody else did really, really
well. And I'm glad. Um,
>> you did tell me that you didn't get
plowed either. So,
>> no, we didn't. But we had somebody plow
the driveway and they did a one pass on
the whole street. So, we got out. Um, I
do want to thank Mr. Solicitor for
straightening out the issue with respect
to our newest member and I do want to
congratulate Mr. Jim House and welcome
him aboard. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Make a motion to close.
>> Have a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a second. All those in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
>> We will be going into executive session.
So we have um will we be coming out?
>> Yes, there will be formal action there.
There will be formal action.
>> So, do I hear a motion to
>> adjourn to executive session?
>> So, so move second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
Close executive and come into open.
>> Motion to close.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor? I
>> have to make a motion to come in to open
now. Or did we did we already did that,
right? Okay.
>> Okay. So, we have
a resolution authorizing the execution
of a memorandum of agreement between
Township of Hamilton and Teamsters Union
Local 331.
Blue and white collar.
So that's that's the first one, right?
Then I have and then a memorandum
agreeing between Townro Hamilton local
331 communications officers. So we got
to do both separate.
Okay. So the first one is
for blue and white collar.
>> So move
>> second. We have a motion in the second.
Do we need a roll call vote? Roll call
vote, please.
>> Okay. Mr. Aken. Yes,
>> Mr. Cheek.
>> Yes,
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes,
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes,
>> Mayor Patali.
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> And memorandum of agreement between
Township of Hamilton and Teams Local 331
communications officers.
>> So move.
>> Second. Have a motion in a second. Roll
call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witter,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Pat,
>> yes.
>> All
>> and that's it. So now motion to close to
adjurnn
>> to adjurnn. Motion
>> second.
>> I have a motion in the second. All those
in favor?
>> I against.
And thank them.