02-17-2026 - Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting

like to bring the Tuesday, February
17th, 2026 Township of Hamilton
Committee to order. Please rise for the
flag salute.
>> I pledge algiance 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, the Star
Ledger and the Atlantic County Record on
January the 6th, 2026. Mr. Aken
>> here,
>> Mr. Cheek
>> here.
>> Miss Thompson
>> here.
>> Dr. Witherspoon
>> here. Mayor Pati
>> here.
We have a moment of silence for private
reflection.
Thank you.
Okay, we have proclamations. Going to
change things up a little bit. We're
going to do a proclam proclamation for
former committeeman Rodney Gard first.
Come on up, Chris. Chris is going to
accept this for his dad. His dad's
retired down in Delaware. You hear us
down there in Delaware?
>> Marilyn, I'm sorry. Maryland.
>> There you go.
>> Yes.
>> Very good. Good to see you. I like that
shirt, by the way. I look sharp on you.
>> You wore a shirt.
>> Okay.
Uh whereas Mr. Rodney C. Gushard was
born in Orange, New Jersey and raised in
Brooklyn, New York. Rodney later resided
in Maze Landing from 1980 to 2022, 42
years, and was an active member in the
community. Rodney and his wife Helen
raised five children in Hamilton
Township and are the proud grandparents
of six grandchildren. Whereas Rodney
attended Brooklyn Technical High School
and Howard University, where he
completed his Bachelor of Science degree
in electrical engineering and later
earned a master of electrical
engineering degree from the University
of California, Berkeley's Institute for
Transportation Studies.
While at Howard, Rodney enrolled in the
Air Force Reserve Officers Training
Corps, where he was called to active
duty and subsequently deployed to
Vietnam.
He was honorably discharged with the
rank of captain. Whereas Rodney is a
trained commercial pilot and has
published several articles on
transportation and aviation
technologies. He later retired from the
Federal Aviation Administration after 33
years of service. Whereas Rodney was the
first African-American to serve on the
Hamilton Township Committee. He also
served on the Hamilton Township Board of
Education for six years, three of which
he served as board president and served
as an officer on the Hamilton Township
Education Fund. Whereas Rodney is a
member and officer of the National
Society of Black Engineers, a life
member of local VFW Post 220. Now
therefore, we the swarm members of
Hamilton Township Committee in Maisand,
New Jersey, do hereby honor Rodney
Gashard Senior during Black History
Month in perpetuity as established the
17th day of February in the year of
2026.
And from what I understand, Mr. Gashard
would like to speak, have some words for
us.
It was an honor to be voted
to serve the people of the township of
Hamilton
for my eight years as a cleanman.
I'd like to thank you for this honor
and for remembering me.
I'd also like to let you all know
that uh when I think of home,
in spite of all the places I've been and
the time
>> since I was last there,
>> I always think of uh
Mlanding,
Hamilton Township
as my home.
And we thank you for this. Go ahead.
>> Thank you for this honor.
>> Absolutely. You're welcome.
I'm happy to say that I served with
Rodney for a couple of years and uh he
he was he was a great guy. um spoke his
mind, definitely cared for the
community, and uh we're very happy that
you call this place home. And uh we call
you one of our I guess uh one of our
fathers. How's that?
>> Yeah.
>> You want to say anything, Chris, or you
good to your dad?
>> Yeah.
I'm I'm very proud to be Gashard.
Um
I've been privileged to have a male role
model like like my father with the
character that my father has. Um he's
been a leader in his community um
professional home life with a
determination to do the right thing
for his people with calm patience,
grace, and respect for others.
when it could be that the path
of the result of his decisions may be a
path of greater resistance and maybe not
in his personal personal best interest.
And also knowing that on occasion you
may not get the appreciation for your
efforts at the time of decisions that
were made,
he still did what was right.
Um,
and that's what good leaders do. They
lead by example,
um, direction and inclusivity.
>> Well, thanks for that.
>> It's my honor to accept this award on
recognition on behalf of my father and
mother
>> who
gave the support to allow my father
to do some of the things that he's done
>> over these years.
And uh I appreciate it. Um I know my
mother and father appreciate it and all
the gashards appreciate it.
>> Absolutely.
>> All right. Thank you very much.
>> Thanks again, Rodney.
>> Thank you guys. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay.
>> Bye everyone.
>> Okay. I'll have over here.
>> Bye.
All right.
>> And now, Committeewoman
Thompson
will give proclamations for Dr. Thomas
Dawson, Jr. and John Wheeler.
Okay.
Whereas as Reverend Dr. Thomas Dawson
Jr. has served as the senior pastor of
the sore church since 1998.
Prior to his call to pastorship for 13
years, Dr. Dawson held a data control
title as the Philadelphia stock market
and various management titles automatic
data processing brokerage division
providing client support to major
brokerage firms such as Merl Lynch Smith
Barney and Credential.
Whereas Dr. Dawson has a bachelor's of
science degree in computer science from
Beaver College. He has a master's of
science degree in theology from
Philadelphia College of Bible and a
doctorate degree in religious studies
from Trinity Bible College in Summary.
Whereas under the leadership of Dr.
Dawson, the Soore Church has become
multicultural and has grown from a
membership of 50 to over 300 and serves
residents in three counties. The Soore
Church has two locations in Woodbine and
Richland, New Jersey. His vision has
enabled the Soore Church to impact its
community by giving over $50,000 to
local schools for autism awareness and
thousands of coats and supplies to those
in need. Through the years, Dr. Dawson's
part partnership with the New Jersey
food bank allows the Soore Church to
provide food to hundreds of families
monthly through its sore food bank.
Whereas Dr. Dawson is president of the
Newark FBI
Citizens Academy, Coalition for a Safe
Community, Kate May Regional Health
Alliance, Kate May County Mental Health,
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board, Kate May
County Healthy Community Coalition,
Atlantic Kate May
Visage Diversity, Inclusion and
Community Engagement,
committee and a board of trustees member
for Atlantic Cape Community College. Dr.
Dawson has received numerous awards and
honors for his industry leadership
support of philanthrop
philanth oh Jesus
philanthropic activities and community
service. His greatest value is spending
time strengthening his bond with the
Lord. his family and his community. He
resides in Mazeand in New Jersey with
his wife Adrienne Adrien
and daughter Alexandria.
Now therefore, we the sworn members of
Hamilton Township Committee in Maandon,
New Jersey do hereby honor Reverend Dr.
Thomas Dawson Jr. during Black History
Month in peru per p per p per p per p
per p per p per p per p per p per p
peruity as established the 17th day of
February in the year of 2026.
First of all, I want to uh thank uh our
mayor, our committee men and women and
um so my glasses are talking to me. So,
I want to thank them uh for this honor
and this privilege. Uh on behalf of
myself, my family, and the Soore Church,
we just count it an honor uh just to be
acknowledged for all of our community uh
work and things we try to do to impact
the community. I know you heard a lot of
uh Kate May County on there, but I've
been living in Mae Landon for 21 years.
And uh and now as a ministry, we're
starting to focus in the Maze Landing
area with uh autism being one of our
biggest uh things that we focus on. Um
as we're moving forward, our theme is
better together. Uh we believe that uh
if we all work together, we can make our
towns, communities stronger, healthier,
and safer. So once again, thank you so
much. We count it a privilege. And uh my
message to Maze Landon is let's get
ready TO SOAR.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> MR. Coach Wheeler, can you please come
up?
I love this. Look at this. The coach is
in his suit.
>> Whereas John T. Willer was born in South
Jamaica, Queens, New York, where he
learned early that success is earned
through resilience, discipline, and
community. Those lessons shaped his
character and continued to guide his
mission of service and leadership.
Whereas after relocating to a Carpet
Township, New Jersey during his high
school years, John embraced new
challenges that helped define his
purpose, uplifting and guiding young
people who need structure, belief, and
opportunity. John is a proud father of
four daughters and being a devoted girl
dad has strengthened his commitment to
lead with integrity, compassion, and
accountability.
Everything he does is rooted in creating
a positive legacy for his family and his
community. Whereas in 2015, after more
than 10 years as a youth counselor, John
founded the Hamilton Elite Basketball
Program, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to mentorship, discipline, and
personal development through basketball.
Under his leadership as coach Wheeler,
the program has earned multiple
championship seasons, but its greatest
victories are the lives impacted beyond
the court. Whereas John also served as
an assistant for varsity basketball
coach at Oakrest High School,
reinforcing the values of hard work,
character, and consistency in young
athletes. His mentorship continues long
after the final whistle as he supports
past and present players in their
academic, professional, and personal
journeys. A lifelong New York Knicks and
New York Giants fan. I don't know how
far that's going to go here.
John remains deeply connected to his
roots while tirelessly advocating for
the youth of Mae Landon. His dedication
reflects his belief that changing lives
isn't temporarily. It's a lifelong
purpose. Now, therefore, we, the sworn
members of Hamilton Township Committee
in Mazeand in New Jersey, do hereby
honor John T. Willard during Black
History Month and perpetuity as
established 17th day of February in the
year of 2026.
Thank y'all. I wrote a little speech.
I'm going try to get through it.
I'm truly honored and deeply grateful
to accept this recognition. I guess it
was
>> take your time.
>> To be acknowledged not just as a leader
and a coach, but as a servant of the
community means more than just words can
express. Like history month is more than
remembering the past. It's about
honoring the sacrifice, resilience, and
the courage of those who paved the way.
True leaders don't just speak about
change, they live it. Leadership isn't
about titles. It's about service,
sacrifice, standing firm, and walking in
purpose. I stand here today because of
collective effort. My family, my
friends, and parents who trusted the
process, the young kings and queens who
showed up every day to grow,
the mentors and the coaches who poured
who cord out without hesitation. This
recognition belong to all of us. We are
building legacies. We are building
community. We are building a future. We
invest in our young youth
where we transform generations. We
uplift one another. We strengthen the
entire community.
Thank you, Councilwoman Tracy Thomas and
the Hamilton Township Committee for
believing in the vision and allowing me
to serve.
To everyone who trust the process,
together we will rise. Thank y'all.
>> Deserve it.
>> Thank y'all.
They know they don't have to stay.
>> You don't have to stay.
>> But unless you want to.
>> Please, you can stay. You can stay.
>> Did you tell him to turn out the lights?
I thought they were here for me.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Probably easier than
>> Yeah.
>> Long time since I seen Chris.
>> Graduate.
>> Oh, great. You know I need it.
>> Okay. Move on to addition deletion
changes 6 C. Change to read resolution
to award contract to VSSP Vision Care
administered by Gallagher Benefit
Services to provide insurance coverage
for a 2-year period beginning March 1st,
2026 not to exceed $20,000.
7 I change to read resolution accepting
public land sale bid for lots 15 through
20 27 through3 and block 318
mobile and Tmont for a purchase price of
$3,100
and deletions 12 termination
of employment of truck driver laborer
during the probationary period.
So move I have a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a second. All those in favor?
>> I
have it.
>> Early public comment on agenda items.
We have Stuart Wolf sign up for 3A.
>> Hold on one second, Jordan. So, we're
ready here. We're good. Okay.
>> Good evening, mayor committee. How are
you this evening?
>> Good.
>> I understand watching the last township
committee meeting that you've been
discussing possibly rent control
advisory in the township of Hamilton.
I don't see a big issue with con
convening an advisory board to look into
introducing
possibly rent control in the township. I
listened to a few committee members
speak about the possible cost of an
advisory board and I also listened to
how you could limit the expenses
and things of that nature
for the few dollars that it would take
to convene an advisory board to look
into rent control.
I think it's a very important issue. As
we all know, there's quite a few
thousand rentals in the township of
Hamilton.
Some of those rentals are substandard
housing.
I understand that possibly if rent
control was passed,
as I've looked into other municipalities
in the state of New Jersey
for inspections, a fee would be attached
to the landlord. As you know, the
average rent per unit in the township of
Hamilton runs roughly $2,300 a month per
average.
And it's something that we've long long
long in the community have discussed.
I don't think looking into it would
cause any harm. It doesn't make any
decisions for you, the committee. It
just gives you facts. And right now, I
think the best thing that we could do is
go out, receive the facts,
bring it back to your body, and from
there you, the elected officials, can
make a decision.
As you all know, because you've been
here most of your lives, some of you,
the township has changed quite a bit.
I don't want to discuss the other things
that are tied to rent control. I would
like to see you keep it to a discussion
of just rent control and the other
issues that were brought up during that
discussion are separate issues
such as
some discussions and I can't bring it up
off the top of my head.
The different issues that you all well
know aware that we're tied to it.
I think if we strictly keep it to a
discussion of rent a rent control
ordinance, it would benefit the renters
of this township. And I hope you'll take
that into consideration and move forward
with convening an advisory board within
parameters of not allowing it to go on
for a year and not costing the taxpayers
a fortune, but it benefits the renters
as well as the landlords. And I'm sure
there's quite a few landlords that would
like to be involved as well as I'm a
renter and I've spoken to many many
renters in the township.
It would benefit everyone. And to talk
about the cost in the end
if you take a simple number as well
roughly and I again I talked to many
municipalities in the state over the
last month used the number of $50
per rental property.
It wouldn't in the end it wouldn't cost
the taxpayers of Hamilton anything. It
would generate revenue,
not cost the taxpayers. It would bring
in revenue to the township. I hope you
take that into your consideration. And I
know we're not Pleasantville and I know
we're not Atlantic City. We're Hamilton
Township, but if you look at the
numbers, we have more rental units in
Hamilton Township than Atlantic City or
Pleasantville at this point. If you go
check the numbers, you'll find out I'm
correct.
But the renters need to be protected, as
I'm sure you're well aware.
Look at what's happened in the past 10
years in this municipality. There's been
quite a few problems with the rental
units. And if we address them now, the
problems will not grow. Thank you for
your time. And again, I'm I'd be willing
to again, I'm a renter. I'd be willing
to serve on an advisory board to bring
the facts back to you so you can make an
educated decision. Thank you for your
time, Mr.
Thank you.
>> We have David Reyes for 3A.
>> Yeah, he stepped out.
>> Um, quickly
>> Floor drops out.
down there.
>> You haven't been down there in a while.
>> No, I haven't a long time.
>> I would say it's yes, it's too late.
Okay, we're gonna we're going to go
ahead and move on. Anybody else? That
it?
>> That's it. Thank you.
>> Uh, so discussions?
Move on to 3A,
rent leveling update on current state
legislation.
So, everybody got quite a
thick item uh review sheet
and um
our solicitor went in went through
and found all the current
bills that are currently up in Trenton
between Assembly and Senate, I believe.
And one of the things that was discussed
was uh with all these different bills,
we can
introduce resolutions in support of
these bills. And that would hopefully um
give them some more merit,
a little bit more ammunition for the
assembly people or the uh the senators
that are pushing for this stuff to move
them forward. So that's that's something
that can be talked about.
So does anybody have any comment any
>> Yeah, I have
>> wish to speak.
>> Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. So, I
want to respectfully say that um
we need to stop like spinning this whole
situation around. Um I just want to make
some things clear. I am asking the
township committee to form a rent
leveling advisory committee so we can
exchange thoughts, plans, facts, and
hopefully produce some real content to
help the 29% renters in our community.
A resolution to support New Jersey state
legislation is not forming a committee
to give the people a voice. This is
passing the buck.
Respectfully, Mr. Mayor, you commented
in our last township meeting how you're
really worried about finding the people
to form the board.
And I just wanted to let you know that
I've spoken to several residents and
homeowners who are willing to sign up
um for for the board, for the committee.
Um, I also wanted to note that we have
on this agenda tonight a request to
obtain more funds for our township
community events and activities
committee.
So, um, God forbid if we have finances
put towards a rent leveling committee to
help advise families and residents on
how to obtain an ordinance for a
long-term lease versus a short-term
lease.
which is currently the case for many of
them right now. Um, we need to discuss
or work on seeing about amending an
ordinance that's on the books now for
the uh shortterm rentals. These
residents live monthto month with the
fear of being homeless with their
children every 30 days.
The purpose of forming a rent leveling
advisory committee is to have real
discussions about verifications of
report hazards in their home for the
fear of eviction or re uh retaliation
from the landlords.
Proactive inspections will encourage
landlords to address deferred
maintenance and secure safer living
conditions for the residents.
And um let me end by saying
all suggestions and proposals will be
reported to the township committee
members for review and consideration to
move on.
>> Thank you.
>> Anybody else?
>> Absolutely.
I can make Can I make a motion?
>> You make a motion.
>> I said that um I'mma make a motion for a
rent advisory committee to be appointed
tonight.
So, I guess this motion is dead because
nobody wants to second it.
Okay. So, where do we go from here?
>> That's it.
Any discussion?
>> Correct.
>> Mr. Yes. Motion.
>> Okay.
Okay. Moving on. affordable housing and
developmental fee ordinances.
>> So,
>> oh, we got to move it first.
>> Well, this is this is a discussion right
now. So, just want to open up to you for
you to explain this a little bit to us
so that everybody understands what's
going on.
>> Okay. The um the ordinance that you have
in front of you tonight is to uh repeal
and replace the current um affordable
housing ordinance. Eventually,
essentially that ordinance that exists
was adopted in 2006.
Uh so it really hasn't been updated
since that time. Um there's been a third
round affordable housing and now a
current fourth round. So this ordinance
will bring um the afford affordable
housing compliant with the state
requirements for that fourth round
housing element and fair share plan. Um
there's no zoning change at all. It
essentially just codifies
um the state requirements of that fourth
round housing element. Um
this is the introduction of the
ordinance. The uh discussion and final
adoption of the ordinance will happen on
uh March 2nd. Um and statewide the plan
has to be adopted by March 15. Um
but essentially
um the ordinance is intended to ensure
that uh very low low and moderate income
units or affordable units are created
with controls on affordability over time
and that very low low and moderate
income households will occupy these
units pursuant to statutory regulations.
Um the ordinance will apply to all
inclusionary developments including um
affordable units and 100% affordable
housing developments except where
inconsistent with the applicable laws.
Um the ordinance itself is a model
ordinance that was provided by the DCA.
Um it has um agreement or approval with
the fair housing center. Um and in
basely has just been uh modified and u
made applicable to the township.
Um it also provides protection um to the
township for builder remedies lawsuits.
So it's basically just bringing the
ordinance up to meet today's standards
for housing.
And the second ordinance um about the
development fees,
there really are no changes. The 2006 uh
ordinance um did provide
that for um for residential units, one
and a half% of the equalized assessed
value would be provided to the township.
And for um commercial development, two
and a half percent of the equalized
assessed value would be uh provided to
the township as well. And basically
those funds stay in the township and
they are utilized
um
essentially for affordable housing. I
mean the um
the funds are put into a um affordable
housing trust fund which was previously
established by the 2006
ordinance. So that will remain
unchanged.
um the spending plan for those pl for
those funds must be approved by the um
by the court and any expenditures
actually of the monies that are
collected have to be approved by the
governing body. So there really is no
changes there. It's just bringing kind
of like the verbiage up to date, but the
percentages as far as the one and a
half% and two and a half% for the
residential and then commercial
development remains the same.
Sorry, I didn't get your name.
>> I was just
>> Oh, sorry.
>> Yeah.
>> Um, Deborah Wall with Palestine
Associates.
>> So, in all reality, this is just the
upgrade of the CO requirements.
>> Exactly. And I don't have the affordable
housing plan in front of me, but the
township has met the third round Yeah.
>> obligations and also the now the fourth
round obligation. And this just brings
it up to date so that you're compound.
>> Understood.
>> So this was originally 2006. Is that
what you said?
>> The original or ordinance um the
township's original ordinance was
adopted in 2006. And this is just
bringing it up to date
>> from 2006.
>> Correct. Because for the third round,
the township did not update.
>> Okay. So this is kind of like bringing
it up
>> bringing it up two steps.
>> So being kind of new. So the residential
development fees are on anything built
in the township. Doesn't matter if it's
regular single family home or
development or
>> that
>> anything has that fee on
>> that. That's correct. It there's no the
township does not have a fee. Say
there's an affordable h um housing unit
and somebody puts an addition onto it.
There's no fee for that. But if it's a
new housing development, new units, then
there is the fee.
>> But also single family, too.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So, it's everything. Okay. I just
when I built back in 2001, I don't there
was never they didn't have this the fee,
I don't think
>> back in because I don't remember that
being on
>> Yeah.
>> any information. Okay. So, it's it's
mandated to us anyway. Right.
>> Correct.
>> Right.
>> Okay.
As a member of the planning board for
the last 20 years, I feel as if the
Hamilton Township has really
been very close to the COA requirements
and very very close to everything that
was required.
>> They they have, as I said, they did meet
the obligations for both the third
>> and the fourth round even though the
ordinance had not been updated.
>> And the fees, have they increased or
have they stayed the same since? They've
stayed the same
>> level.
>> So this would just this is going to roll
into A and B introduction of ordinances.
>> That's correct.
>> Correct.
>> So this is this was just all this was
was discussion kind of bring everybody
up to speed so that we all understand.
>> Yeah. March 31st, right? You have to
have it.
>> I believe it's March 15th.
>> March 15th.
>> Okay.
Any other questions? Move on from
discussion and actually roll right into
it and we can have more if anybody has
more questions.
>> So, we'll go to introduction of
ordinances.
We have ordinance 2128-2026,
an ordinance township of Hamilton
repealing and replacing chapter 203-197
>> article
50
>> 15. Yeah, I don't know my Roman numeral.
Sorry. of the land development ordinance
entitled
>> Yeah, it's very frustrating. They should
uh the rest of the world should follow
our standards and not us following
theirs. Um entitled affordable housing.
An introduction of of the ordinance.
>> Motion.
>> We have a motion. We have a second.
>> Any questions or comments?
Hearing
none. Uh, roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Ch,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. And introduced.
>> And the public hearing for this will be
March 2nd.
Uh 5B, Ordinance 2129-2026,
an ordinance of the Township of
Hamilton, repealing and replacing
chapter 160 7 article 11 of the land
development ordinance entitled mandatory
affordable housing development fees.
>> I'm very familiar with this as well and
the percentage isn't changing. It's just
the change of the ordinance. So I motion
>> second a motion and a second. Any
questions or comments?
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Akin,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chef,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. And introduced.
>> Very good.
Moving on. 6A,
selection of alternate conflict labor
attorney for 2026.
I have a motion
motion.
>> Yeah. Coveners engineering and design.
>> Now, this is for labor attorney.
>> Oh, this is a labor attorney.
>> Um, so I wish I want a motion. Andrew
Law Firm LLC.
Um, Adrian, I'm sorry. Adrian, I'm
sorry.
>> Adrian's Law Firm LLC.
>> Second.
>> Motion to second. Roll call vote,
please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Patel,
>> yes. All yes.
>> 6B. Selection of alternate township
engineer for 2026.
I would like to um motion for Coroners
Engineering Design.
>> Second.
>> Motion a second for Collier's
Engineering and Design.
>> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Yes. And carried.
Resolution 6 C. Resolution to award
contract to VSSP Vision Care
administered by Gallagher Benefit
Services provide insurance coverage for
a two-year period beginning March 1st,
2026
not to exceed $20,000.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in the second. You have
a roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Ch, yes.
>> Miss Thompson, yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes. Mayor Patel,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
6 D award engineering services to M
Watkins Associates for design,
permitting, and construction services
for Babcock Road phase 1 municipal aid
in the amount of $35,750.
>> So move second.
>> Have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Question.
>> Go ahead. Oh,
>> um how much um how much um grant funding
did we receive to page that cop?
>> We got a uh dot grant for this amount of
$26,000
estimated project cost 275.
>> You said the the est the anticipated
>> Yeah. So the anticipated
>> project cost is how much? It's 275.
So the grants cover.
>> Thank you so much.
>> And hopefully they come in a little bit.
>> This that estimate is pretty generous.
>> Okay. I'm hoping it does come in less.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other questions or comments?
>> No.
>> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chief?
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes. Yes. Mayor Pat.
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes. And carry
>> seven.
This the consent agenda.
>> I would like
>> I have a question.
>> Yeah,
>> I have a question. You got to move.
>> Uh D1
Fleet Reserve.
>> Well, we got him.
>> You want to pull that one?
>> Sorry. Pull that one. Yes.
Okay.
>> Do we have to make the motion?
>> Yeah.
technically
>> has been properly
>> right here. A motion
A through
J A through J but remove D.
>> Right. But any questions? I wanted to um
have some questions on J
>> so we can discuss.
>> Right.
Do I hear a motion?
>> Motion.
>> A through
>> Oh, sorry.
>> A B C E F G H I
>> Come on, sing.
>> Did somebody motion?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Did you follow that?
>> Thank you.
>> I I got motion kindergarten.
>> All those in favor?
>> I
Okay.
Uh D
>> D, I have a question. Oh, yeah. D uh
what what company and where are they
with Fleet Reserve? Are they a local
company?
>> They This gets brought up every year
they ask and I'll be honest, I can't
remember exactly what it is, but we we
looked into it and they are legitimate.
>> Yeah, they work with our police
department. Okay. That's the company.
>> I just looked at our at their
application. out.
>> So, you want to go ahead and move that
then?
>> I'll move that.
>> Second.
>> We have a motion, a second for 7D. All
those in favor? I
>> against
eyes.
I
J.
Okay.
So 7J, resolution appropriating 10% of
future cannabis revenue collected for
community and economic development. Uh
kind of the thought behind this was
we're getting this cannabis money. Let's
use a portion of it to try to move
things forward in the township. um
for such as um Main Street. We want to
look at doing things at Main Street and
we want to hire uh somebody to do a
study on Main Street. There's money
there that was already put aside for
that. If there's um talk about uh
redevelopment out at the mall and say
the owner of the mall wanted to
join up with us and do some type of a
redevelopment agreement and we wanted to
get an engineering firm to help us look
at different ways we could do the mall.
The money's there. Um also uh for
community development if there's um
mainlanding merchants wants to have an
event and uh they may need some uh they
may need police there and that would be
a cost that they wouldn't be able to to
cover. We could cover it. Um obviously
it's all stuff that would have to be
approved by us. Um, but it's just a
mechanism so that the money is there so
we don't have to go and try to find the
money somewhere else. And I I feel as
though this is something that um, you
know, a lot of people, not a lot, some
people didn't want cannabis. Well, this
is something that we're going to take
that money and not just plug it into our
budget, which we are doing, but we're
going to take some of that money and put
it towards trying to do things for the
town, trying to improve Maze Landing,
the historic district, trying to
improve,
>> you know, different areas in the town.
It's a mechanism to help us do that.
>> And I understand that, may I just had a
question because says 10% of the future
can revenue. So, how much revenue Are we
taking 10%?
>> How much is
>> um
>> we're we're collecting roughly $150,000
a year.
>> So 10% would be about 15,000.
>> 15,000.
>> That's what we're asking
>> based on last year's numbers. It's
higher this year.
>> It may be higher because we got other
cannabis.
>> Hopefully their sales are up.
>> Yeah. So
>> the sales are up and then we get to
>> 2024 we got 105,000 and that was just
hello high. Okay.
>> Right. And then we had another cannabis
retail open mid mid last year. So we
didn't have a full
>> last year we got 148,000
>> and then so far this year it says
44,000.
>> Right. That that's the only question I
had because we saying 10% but I didn't
know what the 10% represent.
>> I would 10% of our total
>> of the total but I didn't know what the
total
>> right
>> amount of
>> Yeah. We won't know what it'll be.
>> We don't know yet. Yeah, we don't know
what it'll be,
>> right? But roughly
>> roughly roughly 10% of 150,000 based on
last year's
>> we about 15,000. Thank you.
So um
with this money
um who decides like um
how much is going to the different items
you just listed? Like you know what I'm
saying?
Um
>> so it would get it would be placed so
somebody from committee places a project
on the agenda go on as a discussion
committee
discuss it
vote on whatever
>> over the for example over the years
there's been talk of I keep bringing up
Main Street there's been talk of hiring
a firm to come in and do a study on Main
Street and try to figure out you know
what can we do to bring in more
businesses? What can we do to help the
current businesses? Um, so with with
this mechanism, the money will be there
to do that. Whereas, if we didn't have
this, well, we'd have to you have to
budget it. Where are we going to pull
that money from? Um, it's just like
pretty much anything else in our budget.
You know, money is money is put there
and you pull from it at, you know, as
you need it for different various
departments.
put it kind of simply
>> that that was just an example, but if
any other project comes up, he could
give it to you or the township
administrator to put on the agenda and
we could discuss it
and perhaps some of that money could go
toward that project.
>> Yes. Correct.
>> Do we vote on every item that we discuss
and we put it be like are we voting on
every
>> Yeah. So it would just go up as a
discussion item and you vote on that
project for using that money. It could
be anything
you guys wanted.
>> It could be a bench. It could be
something as simple as a bench, a chair,
stuff like that. Okay.
I
>> make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion to second. All those in favor
>> I against. How's
>> that?
Personnel. We have nothing. Approvals
minutes. regular meeting minutes of
February 2nd, 2026.
>> So move
>> second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> I against
>> bills. Bill list total 2 million
$568,118.15.
>> Motion second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes. Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
>> Reports. Mr. Administrator.
>> I just want to congratulate everyone
that got proclamations,
especially Rodney. Rodney hired me back
public works director. Um, asked a lot
of good questions in the interview, put
me on the spot, and held me to it times.
Congratulations.
That's all I have.
>> Very good.
>> Mr. Solicitor,
>> engineer,
>> uh, nothing to report unless there's any
questions.
>> Um, I believe you said gas lines on Lake
Drive.
>> Uh, they're going to be out there
tomorrow.
>> Yep. Doing some work.
>> Are they going to go all the way down to
Tunny? Do you know? No, there just a
section uh between Rundle and uh I'm
sorry, the other side street that's
whatever.
>> Okay.
>> Yep.
>> Very good.
>> Um
council members,
Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes. I would like to report that I did
attend a game for Hamilton to lead at
Davy School. I guess Atlantic City POW
and we were the victors in both games.
It was very very nice um to attend that
game and I will be attending the uh
Atlantic County League of Municipalities
meeting which will be held on Friday and
it's going to be held at the Crab Trap
and Summers Point.
And that's my report.
Drake MO.
>> All right.
>> So, this past two weeks that we had, I
attended three of our uh board meetings
uh industrial commission, um historical
preservation commission, and uh planning
board meeting. So, I just uh those
meetings I just want to sit in audience
and then when I'm done meet and greet,
you know, some of the some of the
members I know, some of them I don't,
you know, so I just wanted to say hi and
see how everything goes. as I did back
in the day sit on the industrial
commission back in 2009. So, I kind of
know how that rolls rolls quick.
Um
on the planning board meeting, um there
was a couple things on the agenda.
You had Freddy Jay's, you had a solar
array at the um county building on Main
Street and the Amazon minor subdivision.
And um after the meeting, I kind of felt
warm and fuzzy when warm and fuzzy when
um
the developers, engineer, and their
solicitor
told the board and our professionals how
it was a pleasure to work with each
other. You know, everything seemed to go
smooth, you know, with what's going on.
there was no hiccups and it just you
know sitting in the audience when I
heard that felt real good because these
are the people that we put in place you
know to do the job for the township you
know and just to hear that like I said
it it felt good you know I was like okay
these guys are they're working together
they're trying to get things done in the
township so I just I I just wanted to
thank everybody involved in that
especially going back to every uh member
on the board you know they volunteer
their time so I wanted to give thanks to
them Um, the other thing I wanted to
say, an email we all received. Um, we
give a shout out to Thomas Kohler. I'm
unfamiliar with who he is, a public
construction official.
>> Yeah, he's right there.
>> Okay. My man Thomas. I did meet him
before. Now I do. I can't. It's hard to
put faces and stuff. So, anyway, a shout
out. um this resident sent an email that
you helped him uh when he fell on some
ice and you stayed there, you know, all
the time until EMT came and you know, so
I just want to say thank you. That was
when I seen that email, I was like,
"Wow, this this is a this is above and
beyond." So, I just Well, I would hope
so, but I just wanted to say thank you
because that resident sent us an email
and and really appreciated what you did.
So, I just I just wanted to say thank
you on that. Very
good. Deputy mayor,
>> I have a very short one. I was out at
the dump site and how impressive it is
for such a long time it took us to get
there. There were at least 12 pieces of
heavy equipment there. It looks to me as
if they're moving the dirt from ACIT.
And if you haven't been there, it's very
impressive to see where they went after
they stumped and grind everything to see
that where they are today. It's moving
along very good after a long and
frustrating time. So I have to give
kudos where kudos are deserved.
>> Committeewoman Thompson.
>> Yes. So I want to say I look forward to
um witnessing our committee woman Dr.
Thma Witherspoon to become the second
vice president this Friday because I
know she's going to be nominated. She
will definitely get the votes um for the
League of Municipality and that's that's
huge for our whole um you know Atlantic
County. Um so far this has been a
fun-filled month. I'm still focusing on
supporting our local businesses. Um, I
attended the Creative Collective's new
chapter grand opening on uh February the
6. So, their new location is uh 6002
602 Main Street, Maze Landon. So, in
this um store, they have so many uh
custom pieces. Um what she does is she
has different um creative people that
set up shop within the shop and then um
they come together and then you go in
there and you kind of like go to each
location and buy like one of a kind
pieces or different creative artwork
they have there. The owner's name is
Kate and she was very nice. I went there
twice cuz I did get something um custom
made for a friend of mine. Next, I was
uh so excited to accept um committee man
Eric Akens spread kindness like
sprinkles
challenge.
So, I had so much fun putting my video
together and getting my sprinkles poured
on me by doing my challenge, which um
this was a very a really uh beautiful
idea initiated by the uh Hamilton
Township School District and it's still
going actually still going in the
township. Um, so this is this is really
fun for for our I would say now they
outreach throughout the county now. Um,
so and we started it so this is cool.
Um, uh, so I thought I would look up the
definition of kindness for us. So
kindness is the quality of being
friendly, generous, and considerate with
voluntary actions without expecting
rewards. so everyone can spread
sprinkles of kindness in their own way
here in our community. So that would be
fun to do. In addition to keep it in
alignment with Black History Month, I
attended a Black History Literacy
program hosted by Mrs. Veronica Silvers
at the Director's Inc. Creative Arts
Center at the Hamilton Mall here in Ma
Landon. Uh, special thanks to Miss
Sophie, Minister Malik, and an amazing
step team performance by Oakrest High
School students where there were
powerful and historical facts shared by
Miss Monnique Gibson highlighting the
life and legacy of Harriet Tubman.
Also, I want to acknowledge our chief
Mike Verga and the Hamilton Township
Police Department who are now
participating
in the Atlantic Care Arive Together
program. Um I I saw the program on
Facebook and I said, "Oh, that's us."
So, I was so happy to see this program.
Um I always talk to Chief. I'm like,
"Oh, chief. I'm concerned about this and
that." You know, he listens to me. So,
this program connects law enforcement
officers with mental health
professionals to respond to calls
involving individuals experiencing a
personal crisis or a need for
professional care or assistance. And I
was so happy to um see the chief and our
police department were involved and um
created, you know, combined in
partnership for this this program
because that's those are the things that
I really like be concerned about. Um I
want to end by saying that February 7th
was my birthday and I celebrated it by
raising funds on my Facebook page for a
Hamilton Township nonprofit
organization.
Thank you.
>> Very good. Thank you. Um and I I'll jump
on what committee woman Thompson said
about the Atlantic Care arrive together.
Uh good job to our police department for
to our chief. Uh I think that's
something that'll take some pressure off
of the police department and hopefully
get people the help that they do need.
So good good job with that. Um,
I just and I want to say um
we lost we lost somebody um I believe
this morning or yesterday. I'm sorry. I
don't remember what it was. Jesse
Jackson. And uh he's somebody who um
through the years fought the fight for
civil rights going all the way back to
um Martin Luther King and and way back
in the early 60s. So, uh, he did a lot
of work. He did a lot of good things. He
moved a lot of things forward. Um, and I
I think I think things have gotten
better and I'm sure he's responsible for
quite a bit of that. So, we lost him and
uh hopefully there'll be somebody
that'll pick up that torch and keep
moving forward with it. Um, so I wanted
to say that and there was uh I did catch
something
on uh social media
William Davies Middle School was
selected to present at the 2026
Model Schools Conference in Orlando,
Florida. So, that's kind of a big deal.
It's good to see our town, our schools
are doing stuff like that. Um, that's
great. Uh, makes you feel good knowing
that our schools are are doing a good
job. Um, not never that I thought that
they were doing a bad job. I I really
believe we have good schools here and um
the sprinkle kindness I got roped into
that. So I roped our chief into it and
it was uh it was neat to see as uh as
Tracy said it moved throughout the t the
county.
>> It it really moved around. It went from
Oakrest to ACIT to Absigami to Cedar
Creek.
>> Um and that's spread kindness. um you
can't have enough kindness in the world.
So that's uh that's definitely a good
thing. Um
that's really all for me. I'm glad to
see the snow is almost gone. I'm not
going to say anything about what I've
been hearing about for next for next
Sunday. It seems we get snow every
Sunday.
>> Uh but hopefully those are all uh
they'll be
thuds. Let's hope. And we don't have to
to deal with that anymore. seen enough
snow this year to last me for a couple
of years. Uh but once again, our public
works has done a great job. So kudos to
them. And uh that's really all that I
have. Reagan, I will see you tomorrow
for dinner. And Maddie, I miss you and I
love you and I hope to see you soon. So
I will now open it up to public. Hold on
one second until our uh it Oh, we're
good. Our IT guy is on is on the ball.
What's this?
>> Trap door.
>> You got me.
>> Turn it back.
>> Reclaim your time. Reclaim your time.
>> Alen Dicks from the Park Road Glacier.
Hardly out of the house for three weeks.
I have three things I wrote down.
I'm hearing in the news
that the state may not be going to
continue that maybe they're not going to
fund the state New Jersey which is a
brand new program. These tax relief
programs are solely based on the state
budget and the state budget is July one.
That means anchor senior freeze and
state New Jersey.
I also saw on the news feed the governor
may be requesting
not to meet the statutory deadline of
the fourth Tuesday in February for the
state budget address
will have to approve that
if the if the state aid if they don't do
the budget timely
then you don't know what your state
aid's going to be nor does the school
districts the county or anybody body
else. It's all-encompassing.
And because of that, I think you need to
take both feet and jump on those brakes
and think about limiting pending the
decision on the state's budget into
March. Limit any spending that you
cannot do over the next six weeks until
you see where you're going to stand. I
did look at prior budgets from 2023.
You were at 300.
The number is three. Is it 300,000 state
aid and then it was down to 281 last
year? Is it's not it's not millions.
It's hundreds of thousands. So, we've
been getting less and less and less each
year that 2025 was 281,000.
So, I have to urge you.
It's going to be tough for everybody and
and looking for new programs to spend
money on. It's just not the right time.
And and that's the punchline. It's just
not the right time. And I have to urge
you, think hard about it. Put off what
you can put off. And if it means don't
buy a box of paper clips this week,
don't buy them. And I won't see WB Mason
speeding by my house.
>> That's a wrap. Save that for the next
time. Put that on my chart. I'm carrying
my time.
>> Anybody else?
Motion to close. A
>> motion to close. Second. I
>> have a second. All those in favor?
>> I against. Okay. We will be adjourning
and going into executive session. We
will not be coming out. Correct.
>> That's correct. There are no formal
action.
>> Okay.
>> I hear a motion to adjurnn.
>> Motion to adjurnn.
Second.
>> Motion to second. All those in favor? I
>> against. Motion to go into executive
session.
>> Motion to go into executive session.
>> Can I say one thing? I'm sorry.
>> Are you Am I still rolling?
>> Yes.
>> Starting March 1st,
we will no longer be advertising in the
newspaper meetings and
>> legal advertisements.
>> Legal advertisements. legal
advertisements will be on our website.
So, just so everybody knows, I'm sorry,
>> Rita.
>> Because of the state.
>> That's what Alen says. I don't I don't
know. I don't know if I believe.
>> All right.