12-15-2025 - Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting

like to bring the Monday, December 15,
2025, Township of Hamilton Committee
meeting to order. Please rise for the
flag salute
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 Bolton 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 8th, 2025. Mr. Cheek
>> here,
>> Miss Thompson
>> here.
>> Dr. Witherspoon
>> here.
>> Deputy Mayor Patali
>> here. We have a moment of silence for
private reflection, please.
Thank you.
Uh, starting off, we have a
proclamation. William Davies Middle
School NSBHL 2025
um championship team. Guys want to come
on down and girls.
All
right, guys. Before we start, I just
want you to do one thing. Thank your
mother and fathers for getting you to
where you are. All the practices
[applause]
>> I didn't hear. [laughter]
>> I know.
>> Yeah.
>> How many quick dinners?
>> Huh? [laughter]
Whereas
on November 16th, 2025, the William
Davies Middle School ball hockey team
completed their undefeated season as the
NSBHL
middle school tier 1 New Jersey state
champions.
Whereas [snorts] the season concluded
with a shutout 4 to victory win in the
championship game. And whereas all the
players on the team are students at the
William William Davies Middle School and
excel not only in athletics but also in
their academics. [snorts] And whereas
the team spent many hours improving
their street hockey skills while also
ensuring they are great teammates,
students, citizens as they represented
their school and the township proudly.
[snorts] Now therefore, we the township
uh township committee of the township of
Hamilton, county of Atlantic, state of
New Jersey, on this day, December 15,
2025, do hereby recognize Whittle Middle
Diam Davies Middle School NSBHL
2025 team in [snorts] honor of their
remarkable accomplishments. The
achievement is not only a credit to
their hard work and dedication, but it
is a credit to the support they have
received from their families, coaches,
teammates, and teachers. We congratulate
the William Davies Middle School ball
hockey team for their incredible success
in 2025 and wish them the best of luck
for many years to come.
[applause]
>> [applause]
>> One thing I'd like to add is that their
entire season, not one team scored one
goal. Is that correct?
>> I was told something wrong.
>> Who's the goldie?
>> Oh, okay. [laughter]
All right. Forget that. Congratulations,
guys.
[applause]
>> [applause]
>> Good job.
[applause]
Very
good. Congratulations.
Um, I'm going to go ahead and skip over
uh guest presentation because it kind of
it'll work better that way. Okay. So,
we'll move on to number one, the
resignation of township committee member
Art Shanker.
Reed, is there anything we have to do
about this?
>> Not really. You can just recognize that
he did resign.
>> Uh, Art resigned [laughter]
because he won an election and now he's
a county he will be a county
commissioner. So, congratulations to
Art. Um so now we have selection of
township committee member to take arts
position.
>> Do I have a motion?
>> I motion for Eric Aken.
>> Second.
>> Rita, do we go to you for a vote?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek.
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Patali? Yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Now we will move on to the oath of
office. Administer to township committee
member Eric Aken.
Come on down.
And county commissioner Andrew Parker
will
give the oath.
Sure.
>> Um, we just have to speak into make sure
we kind of speak into that somewhat.
>> Mr. Eric Aken
There you go.
>> Raise your right hand.
>> Eric Aken, do solemnly swear.
>> Won't you repeat after me, sir? I, Eric
Aken,
>> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the United States
>> and the Constitution
>> of the State of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance
>> to the same
>> and to the governments
>> established
>> in the United States
>> and in this state
>> under the authority
>> of the people
.
>> I do further
>> solemnly
>> swear
>> that I will faithfully
>> impartially
>> and justly
>> perform all
>> the duties
>> of the office
>> of township committee
>> Well, let me say that again. Township
Committee Member
>> Township Committee Member
>> of the Township of Hamilton
>> for the term
>> For the term
>> December 15th
>> 2025
>> until December 31st
>> 2026
>> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God.
>> Congratulations sir. [applause]
>> [applause]
>> Here
we go.
One second.
[applause]
Congratulations.
>> Welcome aboard.
>> I say a couple things. [clears throat]
>> Absolutely. You could say something. Go
ahead. [cough]
>> I just want to say a couple things
first. Uh
um first thing I want to say is uh I
want to thank the Lord above for giving
me this opportunity.
Um, I also want to say uh my dad and my
grandfather are looking down on me right
now with smiles on their faces. Uh, and
they're very proud, I'm sure.
Second, I want to thank uh I want to
thank my wife and kids for their support
on this endeavor. Um, my wife knew that
something like this would come back
around and it is. But thanks for giving
me the thumbs up and I love you guys.
Third, I wanted to thank the Republican
committee for putting their trust and
faith in me to fill some uh pretty big
shoes left by art. So, I just wanted to
say thank you to them.
>> Very good. Welcome aboard.
>> Thank you.
[applause]
>> Okay, moving on. Addition, deletion,
late agenda items to be considered for
action tonight. I have
Yes. Presentation update of central
dispatch and regional jail by Atlantic
County and deletion of the proclamation
uh for retirement of detective Leo
Rudolph.
>> So move.
>> I have a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
Okay. So, moving on, we will go to guest
presentations and that would be Mr.
Commissioner Andrew Parker.
Give us a little update on county
dispatch and
situation with our county jail.
Good evening again.
>> I'll try to be brief. So, this time I'm
learning not to go off my head to write
some things down and it shortens the
meeting a little bit.
So, first on regional 911 dispatch,
countywide assessment, and regional jail
proposals. Good evening, and thank you
all for the opportunity to be here as
Atlantic County evaluates several major
proposals, countywide 911 dispatch,
countywide tax assessment, and the
regional jail concept. My responsibility
is to examine each issue with
transparency, balance, and a focus on
what best serves our residents today and
in the years ahead. First, a countywide
911 dispatch. Atlantic County is taking
a major step forward. A unified county
operated dispatch system strengthens
emergency communication, improves
response coordination, and positions us
to implement next generation technology
that will benefit every municipality.
This for me is a clear investment in
public safety.
Second, a countywide property tax
assessment system can bring fairness,
consistency, and fewer appeals, but it
must be implemented with care. Seniors,
fixed income homeowners, and communities
experiencing shifts deserve protection
and transparency. My support depends
depends on strong safeguards to maintain
stability for every municipality.
Third, the regional jail discussion
remains complex and deserving of careful
community centered evaluation for
Hamilton Township residents. Especially,
the future of the regional the future of
the facility directly impacts daily
life, land use, and economic
considerations. While exploring a
regional model may provide fiscal relief
from major capital investments, we must
fully understand the implications for
transportation, legal access,
governance, and the long-term safety of
our communities. I remain neutral at
this stage, focused on gathering
complete information.
After reviewing the facts and hearing
from the public, I will take the lead
and represent the voice of the Atlantic
County stakeholders, particularly
Hamilton Township residents who are most
closely impacted by the decision. Taken
together, these proposals represent
major structural decisions for Atlantic
County. Some enhance our operational
capacity. Others transition us away from
direct service delivery in areas where
modernization and sustainability demand
new models. My commitment remains the
same. We will modernize where
modernization improves public safety and
fiscal responsibility. and we will
implement transitions with care,
transparency, and strong protections for
the most affected people.
I will continue to work closely with
municipal leaders, residents, families,
and staff to ensure that Atlantic
counties values fairness, safety, and
responsibility, and responsible
governance guide every step of the
process. Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Have a question. Are there any
>> Yeah.
>> questions? [laughter]
>> Yes. A couple questions. Um, a few years
ago, the county tried to have a central
dispatch and there was some opposition
from all, not all, but from some of the
municipalities.
Has everyone bought into this?
>> No,
>> it's the same as it was back then.
>> I wouldn't say the same. So, here's what
we had a meeting at the English Creek.
uh fire station a few weeks ago. There
was over a hundred people that attended
uh county residents that attended this
meeting and so we gave an information or
there was a presentation presentation
that was given. Now
I'll just tell you what I've gathered
from the folks that have spoken to me um
from that meeting. Our men and women and
our fire companies, they're asking for
it. They're more in favor. This is
something that they want. They think it
needs to happen. uh for the most part
they're on their own on board where
there's some push back is from our uh
law enforcement officers. So our police
departments there is some push back
saying you know they're unsure about it.
Some folks some of the folks in Egg
Harbor Township that I talked to uh made
some statements um saying listen we're
already kind of regionalized. If you
know Egg Harbor Township, Egg Garber
Township's dispatch is already pretty
much a regional u operation as it is. So
my conversation with Egar Township, the
police department was just that. Well,
you're not against regionalization
because we're already there. We're
already regionalized in terms of what
we're doing. So there has to be
something more that we don't think is
going to be a positive. So that
conversation still is ongoing. There is
some push back. There are some people
that don't think it's going to be a
major thing. And there are some people
that are, you know, listen, let's let's
just call things what they are. Home
rule is important, right? And so we know
that a lot of municipalities don't want
to give up that home rule. A lot of
counties don't like to give up home
rule. But as we move forward and we look
at what's coming down the pipeline in
terms of our taxes, in terms of our in
terms of our budget, we have to do
things differently. And if you look at
what the other counties and
municipalities are moving to all across
the state of New Jersey, everything's
moving to a more regional system. So if
we can provide a better service by
regionalizing, you know, as opposed to
having each individual municipality or a
patchwork of municipalities that are
paying for upgrades to the system, which
is going to have to happen when we go to
911, the nextG, everyone's going to have
to improve the system that they have
because what we're using now won't it's
it's not going to make it. It's not
going to be able to uh be used with the
next system. So there's major updates
that are going to be coming down the
pipeline. It's going to cost the
municipalities a lot more to do
individually than it would cost if we
went into a regional system. That's the
positive. Now, there are all kind of
positives. There's pros and cons, and I
have a sheet of them that I won't bore
everybody with tonight, but I've drafted
a bunch of pros and cons that I will
share with you guys. I'll send an email
over and you can look over to help guide
your decision as you're making your
decisions of each of these uh
regionalized uh programs that are
proposals that have been put out.
>> Many been some municipalities I know
that we um do dispatch with at Carpa
City and so a lot of municipalities are
already doing this.
>> That's right. And then some of them are
very small like we have a very small
it's not like EHT or Hamilton Township.
So I'm not going to get into all of that
tonight but I do know because I had done
a complete study on this when this
happened a while ago uh about the
different people with the um dispatch.
Secondly, now tax did you say something
about tax assessor?
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Because that was not on our list. So,
you inserted that?
>> You said I inserted it.
>> Yeah, but we was only going to talk
about Central Dispatch and the jail.
>> Well, I'm not sure who made the list,
but
>> I didn't make the list.
>> Neither here nor there. These are the
these are the three things that I'm
reporting from the county.
>> I understand
>> that Hamilton Township needs to be aware
of because whatever decision the county
makes, we we won't make it without
Hamilton Township's input. So what I'm
coming here today is not to uh cheerlead
any of these programs. I'm coming to
inform that these are the major
decisions that have to be made and not
only to be made by you guys and by us,
but to be made by the people that are
sitting out here in the audience because
they're the ones that are going to make
the ultimate decision. So I'm going to
be very clear in terms of the jail. Um,
I've talked to Hamilton Township
residents, Hamilton Township, um,
elected officials and, you know, it
seemed to be some folks say that they're
for it, some folks say they're for it
moving. Uh, some are saying they're not
for it. What I'm here to say is make
sure that you get in touch with us at
the county so that we can give you all
the information that we have so that you
can make an informed decision. All
right? And because we do have that, if
you go to our website right now, if
anyone wants to go to the county
website, on our website, we actually
have all the information that you need
for the 911 dispatch. So everything that
we have, you guys have at your disposal.
You can look at the you can look at the
information, look at the data, say
whether you're for it, against it, why
you're for it, why you're against it,
you know, go line by line. And I'm and
and so I'm just what I'm here to do is
to engage everybody into that
conversation because this isn't a
conversation. This isn't a decision that
the commissioners or the executive needs
to make in silos on our own. This is
something that's going to impact
everybody. It's going to impact every
municipality. It's going to impact every
one of the taxpayers in here. So,
everyone needs to be involved in this
conversation.
>> I get it. And I'm I I appreciate you
coming and bringing this information to
Hamilton Township, but we would have to
do a further study and then find out
what our police department
>> wants to do and how they want to, you
know, move forward with this because we
can't do this. We want to make sure that
if you have a county dispatch, right?
And they don't know every street in
Hamilton Township, you know? So, we had
to call 911. I'll venture to say that
Hamilton Township dispatch doesn't know
every street in Hamilton Township.
>> Don't don't don't disrespect our town.
>> No, no, no disrespect. Egg Harbor
Township.
>> I got you talk about township.
>> Doesn't know every street in [laughter]
township. There's a lot of streets out
here. Every street's a lot.
>> Right. But I'm just saying. I'm just
saying. I'm not trying to be
adversarial. Commission. [laughter]
>> I don't know.
>> Okay. Well, I'm not being adversarial.
I'm just bringing up it. It was a little
humanist, but I'm just saying. No, I
>> uh you we want to make sure you know if
we go to a county dispatch,
>> people that you hire, what's going to
happen to our dispatchers?
>> What's going to happen? Are they going
to have to drop in salary? Are the
people that you hire, are they going to
know if they call 911? How long is it
going to take,
>> you know, for them to get to Hamilton
Township? We are very, very efficient
here in Hamilton Township. So, I know
it's something that we need to look at,
but you know, uh, you said that you have
a whole list. It would have been nice
that we would have been able to see that
prior to the meeting, and I have to give
it back over to the deputy mayor because
I know he wants to move forward, but I
just had to for the record, you know,
bring my comments to um on this issue.
So, I do appreciate you, Commissioner,
for coming and making us aware of it.
Mhm.
>> And I do know because we did have a a a
short conversation
>> that there's a regional jail. There's a
jail being done up in Gloucester or Ham
Camden County.
>> It's going to be in Camden County. So
for for folks that don't that aren't
already aware of what's happening. The
jail is there's going to be a regional
jail that's going to be built in Winslow
Township. It's going to be five at the
at the Anora U location. that's going to
happen whether Atlantic County says yes
or Atlantic County says no.
>> We can't stop that from happening. They
don't need our consent. It's not in our
county, right?
>> That's going to happen. So the only
question that we're being asked and you
know we had the commissioner chair for
Camden County came to our last meeting I
believe it was or the meeting our last
meeting
>> administrator
>> the administrator from the
>> administrator from Camden came to our
last meeting and gave a presentation um
on the jail and made it very clear the
state of New Jersey made it very clear
they do not need our permission they do
not need our consent and if Atlantic
County says no we're out we we're going
to keep our jail right where it's at
they're still going to build that jail
in Winslow. So the question is, are we
in or are we out? And if we're in, what
are the terms of us being in? You know,
and so those are conversations, again,
not something that I'm advocating for. I
want to be very clear. I'm not
advocating for any of these things to
take place. I'm bringing information
because we need to engage in
conversation about the facts. And so the
county right now what we have is we have
um I guess
if you're looking for facts the best
place to find them is to come to the
county to come to us. Call our executive
call our call our well the ones on the
website. Call our executive's office
call our administrators. Call the
county.
>> We'll share any information that we have
as we're looking into this as well
because we're doing the same thing that
you guys are doing. We're sitting back
receiving the information and saying,
"Well, what about this? Well, what about
that? Well, what's going to happen with
the people? What's going to happen with
pensions? What's going to happen with
travel time?" So, we're asking all these
questions. We're kicking in the process
of kicking the tires for for lack of a
better word as we speak. But, this
doesn't need to be something that
Atlantic County commissioners are only
kicking the tires with. This is
something that you guys need to be
kicking the tires with and every other
municipality needs to kick the tires
with us so that we can make a decision
collectively on what we're going to be
in and what we're going to be out of.
So, so it's not just this, like I said,
we don't want it to be a decision that
the county commissioners make and then
you guys find out about it.
>> You understand what I mean? We want you
guys to be a part of the conversation in
each of these municipalities. And I'm
going to make sure, as I as I told you
when I talked to you, I'm going to make
sure that Hamilton Township's voice is
heard. One, the jail is here. That's a
big one. So, we're talking about the
jail, the jail is here. So, whether it
stays or goes, you guys have to be one
of the leading voices at that table in
making that decision. And so, whatever
Hamilton Township decides, I'll take
that decision to the commissioner board
and I will champion that decision,
whatever that is, regardless to whatever
I may believe or think is in the best
interest. That's not what's important.
I'm one person. I'm one vote. I'm here
to represent the rest of the the the
rest of Hamilton Township. Sorry about
the the rest of Hamilton Township. So,
here's where I'm being told
with the jail. The reason I'm coming is
because and please, we'll talk more
offline. I don't want to prolong your
meeting. We'll talk more tomorrow, but
please get in touch with us as soon as
possible because what I'm being told is
that we don't have a lot of time to make
the decision. That's the other part of
it. you know, they didn't leave us a
whole lot of leadway in terms of time to
to choose.
>> So, we have to make a decision. We have
to make that one pretty quickly. The
other two decisions are not as pressing,
but the jail decision is. It's time
sensitive and we have to decide what
we're going to do.
>> How much time do we have?
>> I don't know. I don't have that. I don't
have that answer to be completely honest
with you, but from the conversation that
I had when Camden administrator left was
not much. I said, "Well, how much is not
much?" And he said, "Not much. They're
they're looking to move pretty quickly."
And and you know,
I'm not exactly
a fan of how this came to the Atlantic
County Commissioners Board. I'll say
that. But it's before us, right? So, I'm
not going to complain about how it got
there. Now, I'm just going to focus on
what decision are we going to make,
right? I wish we had more time. I wish
they came to us earlier. I wish they
engaged us in the process earlier. I
wish things had gone differently with
the state of New Jersey. There's a whole
lot of things that I wish on my wish
list for for the holidays that did not
happen. But it didn't happen that way.
It happened to as um just was told um
you have our solicitor sitting right
here who was in the meeting. You know,
our last meeting is when they came to us
and told us that this was the deal and
what we're going to do. We just recently
had these meetings. Now, we had heard
things that were coming down the
pipeline, but nothing officially done,
right? Nothing officially stated.
>> [laughter]
>> So, we know now this is what they're
doing. We don't exactly know that
timeline. I'll, you know, work with the
administrator tomorrow. I'll call the
executive tomorrow and see if he can,
you know, get closer to what that
timeline is that we have to make this
decision. But I do know and what I can
tell you is the jail will be built even
if we say no. So the question is, are we
are we going to go in and then do and
and and and come out of the jail
business or are we going to run our jail
locally here anyway while they're
running their jail that I think it's
Cumberland County, if I'm not Miss
Cumberland County and Camden County are
already in.
>> Thank you.
>> So the other the other ones are not uh
emergency decisions that have to be
made. You guys have some time to kind of
look over, look at it and see what you
think and get to the county
commissioners, get to your elected
officials here so they can you they can
let us know and we can let the
executives know and we can have that
conversation amongst the county and
decide what we're going to do as a
county.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay.
Early public comment on agenda items
excluding items listed for public
hearings. Do we have anybody signed up?
>> No one signed up.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Moving on, we have uh no discussions.
Public hearing adoption of ordinances
ordin ordinance 21-22-2025
an ordinance authorizing the sale of lot
3 block 659 as shown on the tax map of
the township of Hamilton
granting to the owners of contiguous
property the right to prior refus
refusal
to purchase such land 9.62 62 Acres
Youngstown Avenue.
>> Make that motion.
>> I have a motion.
>> Second.
>> Have a second.
This is
>> public hearing.
>> Anybody from the public wish to speak?
Motion to close.
>> Second.
>> Have a motion, a second to close. All
those in favor? I I
Any discussion?
No.
>> Rita, can we have roll call?
>> I have a motion.
>> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Motion to adopt.
I'm sorry.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> We have a motion to second.
>> Roll co vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes. Deputy Mayor Patali.
>> Yes.
And adopted.
>> Ordinance 2123-2025,
an ordinance authorizing the sale of lot
28 and block 656
as shown on the tax map of the township
of Hamilton, granting to the owners of
contiguous property the right to prior
refusal to purchase such land. 4.81
acres Youngstown Avenue.
This is a public hearing. Anybody from
the public wish to speak?
>> A motion to close public.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Motion a second. All those in favor?
>> I
have a motion to move.
>> So move. Second.
>> Have a motion and a second.
>> Any questions? Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken. Yes, Mr.
>> Yes,
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes,
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes,
>> Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance 2124-2025,
an ordinance of the township of Hamilton
County of Atlantic in the state of New
Jersey authorizing the acceptance of a
deed of dedication from Horizons at
Woods Landing Motors Association
Incorporated phase five.
Anybody from the public wish to speak?
Good evening. Uh, if I could digress for
a moment, I'd like to congratulate
Committeeman Aken and the entire
committee in this in the selection of
Committeeman Akin. He's a thoughtful,
intelligent, and considerate gentleman
and will be an asset to the township.
Um, Randolph Lafery 155 Lawful Court,
Maze Landing, New Jersey. I've been a
township resident for 25 years. I've
lived in this community for almost 20
years in Woods Landing. [clears throat]
Uh, and with me tonight is Joanne
Falconee, who is president of our
homeowners association. Um, the the only
comment that I would make is that,
[clears throat]
excuse me, uh, this township has been
exceptional in partnering with this
community and getting this uh, getting
this community done. Going back to the
administration, I think of Mayor Gascal,
uh we've had troubles in this community.
We had zombie homes that were incomplete
and and not completed. And without the
commitment of the the the government in
this township, uh we would not be where
we are today. This is the last step in
our completion. Uh you've accepted
phases one through four. This is phase
five. And I think the public needs to be
aware that and I said this last time I
was here and I'll say it again. Uh the
the the cooperation of of the governing
body and the administration in this town
has been exceptional and is is a model
to be followed in other municipalities
in in a public private partnership to
complete a community. And we appreciate
your support. We appreciate the
commitment of your professionals through
the years and uh we're very thankful for
your uh cooperation with us. Thank you.
Thanks, Randy.
Anybody else from the public?
>> Motion to close.
>> A motion to close.
>> Second.
>> Have a second. All those in favor?
>> I
um
>> motion to move.
>> I'll make a motion. Second. I
>> have a motion and a second.
>> Any questions, comments?
Rita, we have a roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Yes. And adopted.
>> Ordinance 212. 2125-2025,
an ordinance of the township of Hamilton
County of Atlantic authorizing and
approving a shared services agreement
for certain solid waste, yard waste, and
recycling services by and between the
Atlantic County Utilities Authority and
the Township of Hamilton. This is a
public hearing. Anybody from the public
wish to speak?
A motion to close public
Motion.
>> I have a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a second. All those in favor?
>> I
have a motion to move.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
Any comments, questions?
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Pat,
>> yes.
Ordin uh introduction of ordinances. We
have none.
Award of bids contract change orders
resolution authorizing purchase and
installation of a hail RSD 1250 gallon
per minute pump for a FAS 3000gal tanker
from F F1 Apparatus LLC. Amount not to
exceed $11,000.
>> So move second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Any
questions, comments?
>> Question.
>> Go ahead.
>> Um, these this tanker, which fire
department is this going to be with?
>> This is for We Fire Department.
>> We
>> Yes.
>> I didn't think we was a part of
>> Yeah. So, last year we purchased a a
tanker for their previous tanker went
out of service.
>> So, why are we purchasing one? pump is.
So I was this was brought to my
attention by the chief out John Carrian
out there. Um the original pump was a
thousand gallon. That's the uh pump
that's spec with the truck to maintain
our ISO rating for that area of the
township. Uh the minimum required pump
size is 1250. So we had to upgrade the
pump. We had to add 250 gallons capacity
pump is stay the same.
>> I I understand. And it's not that I'm
against way having a a tanker, you know,
we got one. I me and committee woman um
Thompson went to the fire company maze
landing. There was a tanker there.
They're supposed to go to MSPA, but I
thought that way was not a part of
Hamilton Township.
>> Way section of the township.
>> We a section of it. No, no, really. I
mean I know the beginning because when
you cross over right
they have their own mayor they own
everything you know so I just wanted to
make sure
>> with the township that's all
>> thank you
any other questions or comments
I have a roll call vote please
>> Mr. Aken
>> yes
>> Mr.
Yes.
>> Wisconsin.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Withersp.
>> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
>> Move on to the consent agenda.
>> A motion A through
H.
>> Second.
Have a motion A through H.
We have a second. Any questions or
comments?
>> All those in favor?
>> I I have it.
>> Moving on to personnel.
accept resignation of Linda Benner as a
class C member of Hamilton Township
Historic Preservation Committee 4-year
term expiring 123126.
>> So move second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I
have it.
B. Resolution appointing Dylan Horsey as
a full-time police officer for the
Hamilton Township Police Department at
the academy step of the CBA with a
salary of $55,867
start date to be determined.
>> So move second.
>> I have a motion in a second.
>> We have a roll call vote for that,
please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
And carry
>> resolution appointing Adam Burke as a on
call responder in the public works
department at $2,100 annually effective
1 2026.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second.
>> Um Rita, we have a roll call vote,
please.
>> Mr. Aken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Patali.
>> Yes.
>> Carry.
>> Approvals. Minutes. Regular meeting
minutes. December 1st, 2025.
>> So move.
>> Second. I have a motion to second. All
those in favor?
>> I
>> abstain.
Four. Yes. One extension.
>> Thank you.
Bills. Bill is total $2,922,83.73.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
>> Yes, we can.
>> Reports. Mr. Administrator,
>> we had our first snowstorm of the year
last night, yesterday. Hopefully the
last snowstorm of the year.
>> [laughter]
>> did a good job. Um, didn't get any comp
I didn't get any complaints. I don't
>> listen, the year ends in two weeks.
>> Yeah. Well, good point.
>> First snowstorm of the season. Um, good
job by public works. That's all I have,
>> Mr. Solicitor.
>> Nothing to put this on, Deputy Mayor.
Thank you,
>> Mr. Engineer.
>> Just like to welcome Mr. A board, but I
have nothing to add.
>> All right. Township committee members,
Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes. I would like to um welcome um Mr.
Eric Aikens,
part of our township. Um I attended the
Dickens craft which was very nice. It
was [clears throat] very nice over in
the library and um they had it at
various stations. It was a nice um
presentation and I really liked it. It
was my first time attending that. It was
my first time attending that. I didn't
get to attend all of the sites, but I
did attend the one in the library and
thought it was very nice. And I went to
Reese across America. That was well
done. Uh special shout out to Peter
Espot who done and worked tirelessly
uh to make sure that this was done and
they collected over 2500 wreaths. And
this year, um, the Reese went to Holy
Cross, Lincoln, and Union Cemetery, and
it was just well done. Um, I was glad to
be there, and God smiled on us because
it wasn't raining. It was a little cold,
but it wasn't raining. And I also want
to give a shout out to um, St. Vincent
D, um, D. Paul Church. Uh they had a
nice reception
uh when it was over with and I did
attend the reception um with the bishop
and pastor March and they done an
excellent job over there. The food was
delicious, hospitality was wonderful and
um I just wanted to say something about
that. Thank you. That's my report.
>> Thank you.
Committeewoman Thompson.
>> Yes. So there was a lot of uh holiday
spirit going on all around Hamilton
Township. We um I went to shop with a
cop and for the first time at local
Walmart and I was very excited and I um
met up with a co a couple of our local
um Hamilton Township U police officers
who were doing a good job with the
children and um the two that I did get
to speak with. We took pictures and
stuff um with the children and um talked
to Santa Claus. I also went to Dick uh
the Dickens of a holiday fair, a craft
fair and um spent a lot of money because
there was so many crafts there that I
was so excited about for Christmas
shopping. That was uh very nice. Um also
Dr. uh committee woman Dr. Thma
Witherspoon and I supported Hamilton
Cares. Um we um donated toys for the
children. I I also participated in the
Reef Across America which was very near
and dear to my heart. Um that was uh
when we went out there to put the reefs
on their veterans graves um the bishop
um had told us to say their name out
loud and that was very meaningful um to
to acknowledge them and to uh say a
prayer. I brought my niece with me and
we were doing it together and that was
very moving and touching, but I felt so
good about putting the greaves on a um
veterans um gravestones right there in
the cemetery. Also, um I visited um the
Miseland Fire Department where they said
they had the real Santa there.
[laughter] Um, and I just want to do a
shout out that they're also having
another um, cookies and hot chocolate
with Santa on um, December the 20th from
noon to 3:00. And I also want to welcome
committee man Eric Aens. Did I say it
right?
>> Akens. Yes, thank you.
>> And that's it. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much, Committeeman Chief.
I'd like to welcome Eric as well. And I
was at the Reef Across America myself
and it was very proud to put the reef on
my father's gravestone. That meant a lot
to me.
During the last two weeks, I did a site
visit at the dump and they have a office
trailer and they're progressing along
very nicely. I thank public works. I
myself didn't get any calls either, so
thank you very much.
And the last thing I have is the two
days ago, Atlantic County Special
Services had their Christmas concert.
And to see those kids, Thelma went, you
went as well. I went to the younger
ones. And to see all those kids with
nothing but smiles and having fun on
their face was very rewarding for me and
my wife. So that's all I have.
>> Very good. Very good.
>> Speak again.
>> All you buddy.
So, I just feel like I just want to say
I feel it's an honor to, you know, sit
up here and serve the community that I
grew up in. Um, it just feels it feels
real good. And, you know, I just wanted
to say it doesn't matter, you know, your
political affiliation, DR I, you know,
when you're up here, you're serving your
community. It's all about making your
community the best community. And I hope
we all can work together to, you know,
accomplish that, you know, to have a
better place to live, play, and work,
you know, in Hamilton Township. I said,
so I feel it's it's an honor for me to
sit up here, you know, growing up in
this town. So, thank you.
>> Glad to have you.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Um, I'll jump in
and congratulate Eric. Um he's been
sitting on the sidelines for a long time
and it's uh I'm really happy to see him
jump in and I'm sure he's going to do a
really good job. Um I attended a zoning
board meeting last week and it was very
crowded. Um I'm not going to mention
what was going on, why everybody was
there, but I saw something. Um,
about I'd say 45 minutes into the
meeting, I watched somebody get up and
she looked very upset and I watched her
and I didn't know what she was doing.
She was in scrubs, so I knew she was
nurse, dental hygienist, I don't know
what she was, but she ran over to the
back and there was a gentleman in the
back that was in a wheelchair. He was
passed out. Um, I jumped up. Brett was
there. He got up. other people got up
and she was asking where's the AED. Um
she was also asking please somebody call
911 while she started trying to help the
man. Um I ran out and called dispatch.
When I called dispatch I could hear in
the background they were already talking
to somebody who was on 911 with them.
They called 911. By the time I came back
through those doors, there were three or
four police officers already in this
room working on this man, this
gentleman. They had him on the floor.
They had the AED already hooked up to
him.
Um
maybe five minutes later, rescue squad
was here already. Um everybody filed
out, got out of the way, but it was just
um sadly
the man passed away. Sadly. Um but it
was just seeing people that were
concerned and um and how quickly our
police officers responded, how everybody
everybody did what they had to do, and
it was really a good thing to see. I
mean, people ran out, like I said,
needed the AED and it's out in the
hallway. Um, it's just it was
unfortunately things didn't
go the way we all wished it would have,
but knowing that there's people that
care, that somebody that saw something
was going on, it was uh it was it was
kind of nice to see. It was
heartwarming and then kind of broken
heart at the same time. So, I just
wanted to say that. Um,
Christmas is coming. So, like I say
every year, get out, support our local
businesses. Um, without our local
businesses, our taxes are going to go
through the roof. We got to keep them
alive. We got to keep them open. Um,
shop small on Main Street, shop large at
Walmart. Um, they all pay taxes. Um,
they all employ people in our community.
So, please um if you're going to go out
and do some Christmas shopping, please
do it locally. We really appreciate it.
And of course, public works, you guys
did a great job Sunday yesterday. I got
no complaints. I think the only
complaint I made was I texted Brett and
said, "My road wasn't plowed yet." And
he said, "Yeah, well, neither was mine."
And before uh about two minutes later, I
said I texted him back. I said, "Haha,
plow just went by." [laughter]
So, and that was that was uh that was
later Sunday afternoon. So, no
complaints for me at all. Um, hey, Woods
Landing, first time having public works
do your roads. How'd they do?
>> Great job.
>> There you go. Good job. Thank you. Um,
and that's uh that's all I have.
>> What's that?
I don't want to I'm not saying anything.
Um, so Reagan, I'll see you later.
Maddie, I miss you and I love you and I
hope to see you soon. So, we will go
ahead and open up to public comment.
>> Hi everybody. Jennifer La Hawk, uh, 5849
Cedar Street. Um, so I just want to
start and say that I came here tonight
for the Davies ball hockey team, but it
was an added bonus being able to see Mr.
Akens sworn in tonight. So,
congratulations and
can't wait. Thank you. Um, so I just
wanted to thank the township for um the
recognition of the Davies ball hockey
team. The fact that these kids were able
to win a state championship is a huge
accomplish for both the players and the
community. Um, the team has chipped in
to um to have championship banners
printed. The u we
um yeah, sorry, we wish they were ready
so that we could have could have brought
them here tonight. Um, one of the
banners is for the Davies gym and the
school is ready and willing to hang it
up with pride. Um, the other is a
sticker banner um for the courts and
leapsing and we were hoping that the
township would allow us to hang up the
sticker alongside other championship
sticker banners um on the boards
themselves. So, we were wondering if
there was anyone um on public works that
we could work with to have those bangers
hung up.
>> Right.
Yeah, we could we could work with you on
that.
>> Okay. Should I just reach out to you?
>> Yeah. You have my
>> Yes. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank
you.
>> I'm gonna go behind you. So that's why I
>> Okay,
>> there's a lady coming now.
>> I'm not calling the shots. I knew what I
knew what your issue is.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> I'm sorry.
>> No, I have a false shot.
>> Not jealous.
>> How do we lower this?
>> Is that good?
>> That's fine.
>> Good.
>> Hi, my name is Daniel French and I live
at 6815 Harding Highway. I know Mr.
Patel probably knows what I'm going to
talk about. Uh, maybe one other person
might know. I've had a three-year
nightmare
with a property, three properties away
from me with their 100 to 150 pound
guard dogs constantly
coming over to my property. I they
terrorizing my horses, attacking my cat,
charging my husband, growling at me.
Uh I came, this is I think my fifth time
here. The last time I was here, I told
you that when I went to court, how the
judge allowed hearsay evidence from the
person with the dog, which wasn't even
accurate hearsay. Uh, he also ruled I'm
no longer allowed to fire shots into the
ground to scare the dogs away. Uh, I
have to wait till I'm attacked. I'm not
even 100 pounds myself. These are 100 to
150 pound guard dogs, not hurting dogs.
So, I was told by the committee here
that it's all new people because the
person owns the dogs is personal friends
with one of the prosecutors. I found
that out the hard way. This is not me
guessing. This came out in open court.
I was told by the committee either you
said it was new judges or all new
people. Well, I filed another complaint
and I was in the courthouse just like
days ago to tell them I need to appear
live, not virtual. And I realized it's
right away I saw the same prosecutor and
another person who was a prosecutor
there and the same judge. So, what's
going on? It's not all new people.
I mean, I don't I don't get a fair shake
no matter what I do.
>> I
>> Mr. Solicitor, do you have anything? I
don't
>> I don't have any details on
unfortunately that's not your oversight.
We discussed this before it goes to the
administrative office. So, that would be
the county or the state court system who
you would direct your your complaints
and concerns to um and they would be the
one to follow that. But it it was this
committee who specifically said it's
it's like all new people. It's not
at least not as of the other day.
What am I supposed to do when these dogs
come at me growling?
I'm not allowed to even shoot one till
it attacks me. Attacks me. I don't even
think that's legal in the state of New
Jersey.
I have to wait till I'm I have no shot.
Not with a 100 150 a dog that's bigger
than me.
>> It won't leave. It will not leave my
property. Then we found out after the
last time, I didn't know this when I met
with this committee last time, but the
neighbors who have the dogs and the
neighbor they sold the house to right
next to them.
One or but one for sure, maybe both men
lied to the police. And I understand
charges were being filed and said that
we shot at their house. No such thing
happened. Thank God we had a video of
it. Thank God.
I mean, I'm up against it. I'm getting
no help from the committee and I feel
these people with the dog's friendship
with a prosecutor is working against me.
>> Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. uh
solicitor. I don't think there's
anything we can do about the judge and
what judge you're you're you are in
front of. I don't think we have any we
we there's nothing we can do about that.
>> Well, why was I told it was all new
people?
>> I I don't remember exactly what was
said. I would have to go back and check.
>> That's correct. You don't have the
recite that would go to the court system
directly. And all all I'm hoping that
every time you have a problem with these
dogs, what I tell everybody, I have a
problem with some dogs in my
neighborhood. You have to you have to
call the police every time.
>> Well, the police have been pretty
helpful, don't get me wrong, but the
time before I was here when um the
police came actually quite a few.
They're it's a waste of police resources
at this point because I I can't even
fire I used to just fire a warning shot
in the ground, the dogs would take off.
I can't do that now. So last time it it
took like an hour and a half of the
police's time between my house and the
neighbor's house and then I found out
that they one of them lied. I actually
think both of the neighbors lied but for
sure in the police report one of them
lied. Uh it uh it it just doesn't end.
And uh I found out later that the people
with the dogs was had a fine in the
past. The prosecutor in the beginning of
all this re when they found out how many
times this has happened and that they
attacked the cat went after my husband.
The prosecutor who didn't wasn't friends
with these people recommended $1,000
fine. Now the people when the police
charged them got a $25
fine. $25. These dogs now I believe have
been at my property 16 times. I have to
be on guard every day. I have to have a
gun somewhere handy just in case. Just I
have to know I have a gun somewhere
where I can get too quick. I I'm not a
gun person. I don't want to have to
carry a damn gun. I shouldn't have to.
But this is how my life is with this.
>> But I was Mr. Solicitor.
>> I was told the last time it was all new
people and that's why I went ahead and
filed. And
>> right, you have you have all of her
information, correct? We have all of her
information. All right.
>> I can give it to him again.
>> The solicitor and I will reach out to
the prosecutor's office and inquire and
we will get back to you. I mean, that's
that's the best I can say. That's I I
don't know what like I said.
>> Well, who do I give my information to?
>> Brett says he has it, but you can give
it to him again if you if that makes you
feel comfortable. But I know that we've
been, you know, Brett's been in contact
with you. I'm sure he has your
information. I said this once before and
I'll say it again.
If I get hurt because of these dogs, it
won't just be the dog owner sued. It's
going to be the township as well because
that judge ruled I can't do anything
till I'm actually attacked. That's not
even legal.
>> Okay.
Anybody else?
>> Good evening. Good evening.
>> Yes, Mr. Eric, I like your opening your
statement that you made about unity and
working together. Appreciate it so much.
Congratulations. Um Ethel um Braxton
from the Metropolis of Mispa and uh I
know y'all laugh, but from Mispa. Um
>> yes, it's a metropolis.
>> Yes, the Metropolis of Mispa. Yes.
[laughter] Um I somewhat have a question
and this is under the Small Cities
Recapture Fund.
And I'm not really clear on it of when
these [clears throat]
when this um funds these funds were
available. I know in in the MISPA area
they were called they called them grants
and people were all excited about them
because they were told that you didn't
have to pay anything back long as you
stayed into the property a number of
years. and um an incident came up and I
don't know like I said I don't have all
the information or clarity on it maybe
you can help me but I didn't know that
even after 30 years that you have
received this these funds or these
grants you still have to pay back um uh
upwards of 50% or 100% back to the
township and I'm not clear on under this
where is their cut off because um this
partic in this particular incident it's
been 30 years. Okay. Now some
uh was forgiven it says uh after six
years a 50% forgiveness.
Another after six years a zero
forgiveness.
Then another one is after six years um
of 50% and another one 50%. So, you
know, I'm I'm not clear on like
understanding and I don't think many
people understand what is it. So, now
it's 30 years later, you go to you have
leans on the house after 30 years later
um from the township that you have to
pay back. And then they're not like
descriptive of what specifically they
did do um like was it the roof? Was it
the septic? So you don't have any
information of what was really done but
I'm just asking even after 30 years you
still have to pay back a 50%. What is
the criteria when you and when there's
some you have a 100% forgiveness. Um, so
people, um, you know, a lot of the
people that I know of, I shouldn't say a
lot, but people that I know of, they
were seniors. Um, and you don't read all
of the fine print that's there. All they
were hearing is, and I don't have to pay
it back, but I don't think that people
know even after 30 years, you still have
to pay something back. But then in some
incidents, you don't have to pay any
back. So what is, you know, some
clarification on this?
Can you go ahead?
>> We're gonna have to look at the specific
program that you're enrolled in and then
get back to you on details.
>> But do does the township still are we
still involved with the small cities
recapture?
>> We are we are still involved with it. I
just have to see specifically what you
know what program you're speaking of.
I don't have
>> Okay. When you asked what program, what
do you There's different programs under
that fund.
>> Yes. Yeah. Specific.
>> I don't have
>> You had mentioned that you weren't sure
if you had your roof replaced or some
some other repair on your home.
>> So, yes, but some of them it doesn't say
what was replaced. It doesn't say. So we
what I'm saying is we may have a file on
your specific your your specific
application that we could look back and
see
the re the payback and all those
different details. I don't have them
right.
>> Right. Okay. But there is a criteria
that is specifically written for
everyone of how you pay this back. If
it's 50% or 100% on any of them.
>> Yes. So the program I again if it was 30
years ago we'd have to go back and see
exactly you know what kind of
get back to
>> okay
>> so give give our administrator your your
contact information yourself your phone
number or email however you want to
contact give him
whatever information he needs to track
it down and and he will get back to you
>> okay all right I appreciate it and I
just wanted to say I was at Reese across
America And it was a a excellent turnout
and I think it was a question asked on
um Dr. Witherspoon's um Facebook. How
can we top this? So I'm hoping we can
top it next year. Um we ran out of reefs
over at the Lincoln Memorial um Veteran
Cemetery. We ran out for it was a uh I
know I counted at least 10 or 12 maybe
even more that did not receive reefs at
that time. But I thank um Dr.
Witherspoons for making that effort over
her radio station and doing that and
bringing that forth and everyone that
was involved in doing that. It was a
really a touching um experience and I
hope that we do top it so we'll double
the number next year.
>> Yeah. Every year we do more.
>> Yes. I I know that. So, I'm sure we'll
top it next year.
>> Okay. Double.
>> At least we'll try.
>> All right.
>> That's going to be the plan. Thank you.
>> Bitten by the county again. Huh? I'm
going to lean, you know, my back.
Let's talk about the jail. And I got I
got my little classmate friend here who
also walked the streets of Maze Landing
in the area of the jail. Remember the
jail?
Nine years I walked past the jail to get
to school down Second Street. Barbara
came from the other side because she was
on Fifth Street.
Then they added on to the jail and that
was the big building out on Second
Street. And then they decided, we're
going to build a new jail in the
industrial park.
If I had known this was a topic tonight,
I should have looked at the deed to find
out, did the county pay Hamilton
Township taxpayers for the land that is
the jail?
Because I I don't know that off top of
my head.
So then they get brainy ideas at the
county and they do a great big expansion
to the jail and they're renting out
state prisoners
and there's like a like maybe as much as
900 to a thousand is the capacity.
So now you're being told, and I've
deliberately taken the time so you have
some kind of an idea
because none of you were here with what
I'm talking about when Barbara and I
were here.
Now the county wants to do something
else.
What in God's name would become of that
great big lockup facility?
Would we suddenly get harbor fields over
here so we could put the under 18
accused
I don't I don't know what word to use
the accused the juveniles who are
accused who are incarcerated are we
going to now park them over right next
to our
ACIT right next to special services
right next to H school.
No, you need not to be backed into a
corner and told, "We're only giving you
two weeks or six weeks or whatever."
Look at what she's saying about the
county
municipal court. Look what she's saying
over and over and over again. And you
people, some of you, one of you maybe,
tried to get out of it. And I still hear
on talk radio saying, "And if you don't
like it, you can get out." No, you can't
because the administrative office of the
court, as Ken can verify, if the
administrative office of the court
doesn't agree to let you out, you're
stuck. And there's only nine of the 23
towns that are in it.
So, watch out we don't get another pig
in a poke because Hamilton is deadent
against the Anor State Hospital becoming
the county or the statewide lockup or
whatever they want to put over there.
They're dead set against it. This half,
Carl, you and I and Richie and Eric, we
are in district five of the freeholders.
I believe Andrew is district three,
which is Thelma and Tracy's
representative.
So, we need all these voices to make
sure we're not going to get another pig
and a poke shoved down our throats
because the government seems to do
whatever they want. But, god forbid if a
developer is trying to do something,
they go through all kinds of hoops and
maybe never get it done. So, that's the
best thing I can tell you about the last
a lot of years of the
You're in agreement, Barbara. you're so
far you're in agreement. Nelson's a
little further behind because he didn't
live in town all the all the nine years
of Maze Landing School that Barbara and
I did. So what's going to happen to it
is is the issue and what are we going to
allow to happen? Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Good evening. My name is uh Nathan
Lewis.
I came back here once I retired from the
Marine Corps. 20 plus years active duty.
Standing here in front of you
of a cons of a veteran's concern.
Couple years ago.
>> You don't have to move. Is somebody
having a problem hearing me? I can
always sound.
>> I do. [laughter]
>> I do.
>> Here. Come on. I want I got to aim it
now. Come on.
>> All right. As a matter as a matter of
fact, can you say your name again, sir?
>> Nathaniel.
>> I can hear you.
>> Okay.
>> All right.
>> Thank you, ma'am.
>> Hear about a veteran's concern.
A couple years ago, um, I went and
applied for a veterans vendor's license,
was told that
the plan was going to happen rather
quickly.
A year went by. I turned in the
paperwork. A week later, I was called to
come and take my picture. I was told
it'll be him.
Year later, I go in and I'm told, "Oh, I
gave it to you."
So, I asked, "Is this some type of
tracking mechanism, credentials shown,
something, a log book taken to
this happen?" Didn't
trust me, I've never lost one thing in
my entire life.
So with that uh ended up talking with uh
Mr. Campbell
and uh pretty much he handled it in a
week's time. I like to thank Mr.
Campbell. I like to thank Mr.
Geraldo as well because they both made
contact with me and
got back to me. As far as what uh Mr.
was told
he was told that the machine was broken
for two years.
So how many veterans went stood there
and was told yeah we gave it to you.
Sounds to me like that person shouldn't
have a job.
Period. I know what it is to stand and
defend. You don't just tell oh yeah I
got to go to lunch because that's how I
feel.
I also called Mr. No, left a message.
Never got a phone call back.
I know what it is to be in harm's way.
I'm sorry. You I'm standing here for
real and
if this is how we're going to be treated
as veterans, where we supposed to go?
Where's the
veterans advocate I'm supposed to pick
up the phone and call to say, "Hey, I'm
having a problem."
Mr. Bob Campbell took care of it along
with Mr. Guerilla who called me on
Friday and said, "I got a brand new
machine.
Going to have people getting spun up on
it.
I'm going to be the first one to get
this vendor's license. I don't feel I
should get that vendor's license first.
I think all those other veterans who
have been waiting and got nothing yet
should get it." But he was adamant about
it. So he said he's going to call me
back when it gets done. The problem I
have is with people in a place that are
occupying space and not being proactive.
That's a problem. Anybody here got voted
in.
So that's a lot.
Didn't come in to try to have an
attitude, but I didn't get the option to
defend. I did it because that's what I
wanted to do. So everybody in here could
have an opinion and have a good attitude
or have a bad attitude and just run
their mouth whenever they feel like it.
They're supposed to be taking care of
each other. At least that's what I was
taught.
Not after retiring. Let me make a break
right here. I'd like to congratulate
that officer right there. That's one of
my recruits because after I retired from
the Marine Corps, also retired from law
enforcement.
So again, what is it? I wasn't smart
enough not to keep giving, but I get
nothing back in return for people who
sit in the spot and don't give back.
Don't pick up the phone.
So, I'll just leave it at that.
Thank you very much. And want my number,
I'll give it to you. I'm easy to find.
Half of Hamilton Township knows it.
Thank you. Thank you.
Evening. Uh Nelson Gascoll, 508
Farragate Avenue. Um being the youngest
of the group here, I didn't move here
till 1958, but my grandparents were here
long before that. Um I just want to talk
about a couple things. First of all,
congratulate Eric. Uh he's been a friend
of mine for a long time and he's a good
person. He'll be good for the community.
uh on Woods Landing. Uh I was the mayor
when the uh they came to us and um
wanted to build the development and
they've been a great asset to uh the
township of Hamilton since they went
there and I'm sure they will continue
with uh any improvements they want to
make and additions they need to make. Um
I want to address a little bit what uh
Commissioner uh Parker talked about a
little bit. I'm not so sure. I I didn't
quite like what he said about taking
over. I think there's a whole plan to
take over our township police and our
rescue squad and all that. And we have
one of the finest departments in the
state. Uh they've been for a long long
time been a great police department. I
think we need to uh be very careful of
going into a county situation like that,
a whole group like that. There's no need
for that. We have great dispatchers. Our
police for years have been the best
around. So, I think we have to be very
careful considering a county uh police
force or whatever they want to do. So,
um I just want to congratulate everyone.
I wish everybody a merry Christmas and a
happy new year.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Jason Hell, 7611 Road. Just want to
congratulate Mr. Mr. Aken. Um and I I
get to go to a lot of township meetings.
I I have to say Hamilton Township is one
of the the best that I get to go to
because um it it's it's a well-run
township people and it speaks to the
quality of the people on the on the on
the committee and the quality of the
people that help put them there. Um I
also was compelled just because I'm I'm
from the way section of Hamilton
Township to just give a little bit of a
history lesson. So, the Weaimoth tract,
it's an old, it's an old historic name
for what, uh, now we call Mispa,
um, Falsome, um, Weimoth Township and
and the southern end of Hamilton
Township. So, that was part of the old
iron industry. So, the Weimoth tract and
the Weimoth Fire Company, that's that's
that historical name. So, that's why
some people get that confused. Um, but
if you ever go to the Wayoth Furnace,
there's little nice little plaque cards.
But, yeah, I just want to congratulate
Mr. Aken and thank you all for your
service.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
Anybody else?
[laughter]
>> Actually,
>> I just want to congratulate
>> you. You state your name.
>> Yeah. [laughter] Greg Samron, uh, Maize
Landing. I think I'm I'm still under Dan
Daniels Law. I'm not going to [laughter]
give you my address, but I just wanted
to congratulate uh, Eric. And I think
key point like Mrs. Gaylord brought up
that I don't care if you're a D and R or
whatever. It's about this township and
it's about us. So, you guys all have to
work together and do what's right for
the township. And I think that's very
important. And I'm glad that Eric
brought that up. I'm glad that Mrs.
Gayler brought it up as well. So,
congratulations. I wish everybody the
best of luck.
>> Thank you, Greg.
>> Thanks, Chief.
Anybody else?
Going once. going twice. I have a motion
to motion to close. Got a motion.
>> Second.
>> Got a second. All in favor?
>> I
>> We have a motion to to adjurnn.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion. I have a second. All
those in favor? I
>> I