01-05-2026 - Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting

I call this meeting 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.
>> [clears throat]
>> 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 8th, 2025.
Atlantic County Clerk Joe Geralo will
now swear in Mr. Carl Patali as township
committee member.
ready to be
>> right
so they can get nice pictures of him
>> with him. Raise your right hand, sir.
Repeat after me. I state your name. I,
Carl Patali,
>> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the United States
>> and the Constitution
>> of the State of New Jersey
>> 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
>> under the authority
I do further solemnly swear
>> I do further solemnly swear
>> that I will impartially
>> faithfully
>> and justly
>> perform all the duties
>> of township committee member
>> of the township of Hamilton
>> for the term
>> beginning January 1st
>> 2026
>> until December 31st
2028
>> 2028
>> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause]
[applause]
I want him to sign it and you to sign
it.
Judge Billy J. Moore will now swear in
Dr. Thelma Witherspoon as Township
Committee Member.
I, Thema Witherspoon,
>> I, The Thelma Witherspoon,
>> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States
>> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey
>> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey
>> and that I will bear true, faith, and
allegiance and that I will bear true
faith and allegiance
>> to the same
>> and to the governments established in
the United States
>> 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 member
>> perform perform all of the duties of
township committee member
>> of the township of Hamilton
>> for the term of January 1, 2026
>> until December 31st, 2028
.
>> According to the best of my ability
>> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God.
[applause]
One more here.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Nice.
Okay, now we'll have the roll call. Mr.
Aken
>> here.
>> Mr. Cheek
>> here.
>> Mr. Patali
>> here.
>> Miss Thompson
>> here.
>> Dr. Witherspoon
>> here.
>> If we may now have a moment of silence
for private reflection, please.
I call now for nominations for the
permanent chairperson also known as our
mayor for the year 2026.
>> I nominate Carl Patel.
>> Second.
>> I have a nomination for Carl Patali. Are
there any other nominations?
Any other nominations? Any other
>> close
>> nominations? Is there a motion to close
nominations?
>> Move to close.
>> Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second to close
the nominations. All those in favor?
>> I.
>> Anyone opposed?
I call now for the vote for the
appointment of Carl Patali as the
permanent chairperson for the year 2026.
Mr. Aken. Yes,
>> Mr. Chef.
>> Yes,
>> Mr. Patali.
>> Yes,
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes,
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Congratulations, MR. [applause]
[applause]
>> WELL, thank you very much.
I call now nominations for deputy
chairperson. also known as deputy mayor
for the year 2026.
>> I nominate Richard Cheek.
>> Second.
>> Any other nominations?
>> Make a move to close.
>> Second.
Move to close. All those in favor say I.
>> I
>> against.
I have a motion and a sec to close
nominations.
Uh I call now for the vote for the
appointment of Richard Cheek as the
deputy chairperson for the year 2026.
May I have a roll call, please?
>> Mr. Akin,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patelli?
>> Yes.
>> All yes and carried. [applause]
>> [applause]
>> Thank you all. [clears throat]
Okay, moving on.
Appointments of professionals for the
year 2026
or until a successor is appointed
for township solicitor.
I'd like to make a motion for Ken Warren
with Leonard Warren and Leonard.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. We have a
roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chef,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patel,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carry.
>> Uh, alternate conflict solicitor. Uh,
I'd like to make a motion to readvertise
for that.
>> Second. I have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
>> I
>> against
C. Township auditor.
>> I'd like the motion. Leon Castello from
Ford Scott Associates.
>> Second. I have a motion in a second. We
have a roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carry.
>> Uh, next is bond council.
>> I'd like to motion for John Canal Rupo
with Archer Grinder.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Can we have
a roll call vote, please?
>> Mr. Aken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson? [clears throat]
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon? Yes.
>> Mayor Pati?
>> Yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Township engineer. I'd like to make a
motion for Robert Watkins of Modz
Watkins Associates.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. We have a
roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Um, alternate township engineer.
I would like to have that readvertised.
We have a motion for that or need a
motion for that. Readvertise
>> motion. I'll second.
>> Okay. Motion in a second. All those in
favor?
>> I
against.
>> Tax appeal attorney.
>> Make a motion for Tom Smith. The law
offices of Tom Smith.
>> Second. Have a motion in a second. Roll
call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali? Yes.
>> Oh, yes. And carry
>> inrem tax sale foreclosure attorney.
>> I like the motion.
Rebecca Baldwin of Baldwin Ross Roy and
Bodori.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> I'm sorry. Was that yes?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes. Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Uh, special projects engineer.
>> Make a motion for Nicholas Maner.
>> Is that Collier's engineer design?
>> Second. I have a motion to second. Roll
call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Certified New Jersey General Appraiser.
I'd like to motion for Richard Carabelli
with Martin Appraisal Associates.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second. A roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. And carry.
>> Financial advisor.
>> I'll make that motion for I think it's
Asia
Cena Financial Group. Kim Whan
>> second. I have a motion in a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheat,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carry.
>> Labor council.
>> I'd like to motion for James M. I'm
sorry. William Blay with Blay, Donnie,
Hugh, and Weinberg.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Akin,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Ch,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes. Mayor Pati,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. And carry.
>> Redevelopment attorney.
>> Uh, motion. James Mi with Mali Given.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Yes. And carried.
>> Risk management consultant. I'd like to
motion for Derek Valente with Hardenburg
Insurance Group.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Pati, [clears throat]
>> yes.
>> All yes.
>> Tax map maintenance engineer.
>> Make a motion for Robert Smith with
Remington Verdict.
>> Second.
>> Have a motion to second. Roll call vote,
please.
>> Mr. Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chi,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Pati,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Traffic engineer.
>> I'd like to motion for Steven Maer with
CME Associates.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. Incred. Alternate traffic
engineer.
>> Make a motion for Christopher Null.
Environmental resolutions.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Akin,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chef,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. And carry.
>> Affordable housing administr
administrative agent. I'd like the
motion for Aaron Or or Ross with
Rehabco.
>> 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 Patelli,
>> yes.
>> Or yes and carry.
>> And affordable housing koa council.
>> Make a motion for Jeffrey Shane. Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Ch,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Oh, yes. And carry.
>> Four. Authorize the administrator to
prepare formal fair and open
professional services contracts for all
appointees for 2026 or until a successor
is appointed and authorized the mayor
and township clerk to execute same.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Akin,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes. Yes. Mayor Pati.
>> Yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> You have appointment of township
physicians for the year 2026 or until a
successor is appointed
to be compensated on services as
rendered basis.
Atlantic Care Occupational Health
Services, Atlantic Investigations,
Wayimoth Wellness Center.
>> So move second.
>> I have a motion to second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson. Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali.
>> Yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Moving on to Hamilton Sustainability.
Uh Township Committee appoints. I'm just
going to go ahead and read these names
and we'll do them all together. We have
Suzanne Marx, Denise Applegate, Susan
Lazeric,
Carol Dupra,
Ryan Gretch, Francine Sarapia, Melody
Kirby, Pam Schaefer, Beth Morardi,
our municipal official Luan Mardle, and
Township Committee Representative Eric
Aken.
>> Motion second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor? I against. Eyes have it.
Historic preservation commission
appointments. Township committee
appoints
class A member.
not hear any
believe that's a vacant
>> vacant position. Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Nobody
>> motion to leave it vacant.
>> Have a motion to leave it vacant.
>> Second.
>> All those in favor? I
>> I
>> against
class C member.
>> I'd like to motion for Lisa Margaro.
>> Second. Have
>> a motion to second. All those in favor?
>> I
>> against.
>> Um
class C member, it's an unexpired 4-year
term. Expires 123126.
>> No one applied. I'd like to leave that
vacant.
I have a motion to leave it b vacant.
Have a second. Second.
>> All those in favor? I.
>> No.
>> Oh, you talking about this one right
here?
>> Class C unexpired fouryear term.
>> Okay.
Sure.
>> Um, moving on. Alternate one, two-year
term expires 123127.
>> Make a motion to appoint Jim's [cough]
Jim Carrian. [clears throat]
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. All those
in favor? I against.
And then we have alternate number two,
unexpired 2-year term, expires 123126.
>> A motion for Stevenson Malo.
Second. I have a motion and a second for
Stevenson Malloy.
All those in favor?
>> I I
>> against
eyes have it.
Lake Venipe Dam Advisory Board, Township
Representatives,
Township Committee appoints
uh the position township administrator
and these are all one-year terms.
Township administrator obviously is
Brett.
My motion.
>> Okay. Do we have to make a motion for
that since it's
>> it's an
>> Yeah.
>> A second.
>> A motion to second. All those in favor?
>> I against
Um, township committee member
>> motion Richard Cheek.
>> I'll second that.
Um, all those in favor
>> I
>> against eyes have it. And citizen at
large, we didn't have anybody apply so
we will leave that vacant.
Hamilton Township MUA.
>> A motion Janet Nichols. Second.
>> Have a motion, a second for Janet
Nichols.
>> All those in favor?
>> I
>> against.
Okay. Planning board appointments.
Class three is a committee is committee
appointment. All others are appointed by
the mayor. Class one, mayor or his
designate. I will go ahead and and take
that.
Class two, township official.
That will be Tom Kohler.
Class three.
I motion Rich Cheek.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> I
against Rich has it.
>> Class four, I appoint Harry Belicki.
And alternate number two, I appoint
Terrence Malloy.
Moving on to property maintenance code
appeals board.
>> I'll make a motion for amendment.
>> Absolutely.
>> Cecilia Davis.
>> I have a motion in a second. All those
in favor? I against.
>> And then we have no other applicants.
Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
We have These are all one-year terms.
>> I'll make a motion for Silia D.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I against
you.
>> Have a
>> Are we doing it individual?
>> Yeah, we can do it individual.
>> A motion Diane Fox. Second. I have a
motion and second for Diane Fox. All
those in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
>> I have a mo a motion for Ethel Gaylord
Braxton.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second for Ethel
Braxton. All those in favor?
>> I
against eyes have it.
>> Make a motion for Jim Carrian.
>> Second.
>> Good.
>> I have a motion and a second for Jim
Carrian. All those in favor?
>> I against.
>> Eyes have it. A motion for Vivian
Reagan.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion, a second for Vivian
Reagan.
>> All those in favor?
>> I
against eyes have it.
>> And that is all we have.
So there's there will be two empty spots
in senior citizens advisory committee.
Veterans Advisory Board. We had no
applicants.
and then
zoning board.
We have uh one member 4-year term
expires 123129.
I make a motion William Chrisman.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion, a second for William
Chrisman. All those in favor?
>> I
>> against
eyes have it.
Alternate one and expired 2-year term
expires 123126.
>> Make a motion.
Joel Brides.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second for Joel
Brides. All those in favor? I
>> I
>> against
alternate two-year term expires 123127.
>> I nominate Stephvenson Mali.
>> Stevenson Malloy Malloy. I'm sorry.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second.
All those in favor?
>> I I against
[snorts]
15. Emergency Management
Coordinator appoints mayor confirms all
one-year terms.
Um, coordinator is
Mr. Tilly. Correct.
>> Yes. [clears throat]
co-emput coordinators Michael
Brandenburgger, Michael Verga, emergency
management staff members
Deborah Fielder, Brett Null, Dennis
Baker,
Greg Clayton,
John McCin, Sher McCarthy, Chris Debias,
Wade Smith, Susan Gerson,
the mayor, and the deputy mayor.
Moving on. Local emergency planning
committee. I appoint all members as
listed.
Emergency services advisory board.
I appoint all
all members as listed including James
Patterson as a resident member.
Mayor's announcement of 2026 department
co-chairs administration and finance
will be Dr. Thelma Witherspoon and
Deputy Mayor
Richard Cheek public works Dr. Thema
Witherspoon
and Tracy Thompson.
Public safety will be myself and Tracy
Thompson. Planning, zoning, community
development,
Eric Aken and Deputy Mayor Rich Cheek.
Special events, Eric Aken and myself.
Designation of holidays for full-time
salaried employees for 2026.
Do I need to read these all off?
>> No. As listed on
>> as listed.
Do I have a motion?
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Motion and second. All those in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
Designation of official newspapers for
municipal legal advertising for 2026.
The Press of Atlantic City, Star Ledger,
Courier Post, Daily Journal, Mainland
Journal, and Hamilton Gazette.
>> Move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor? I
>> against
it.
Establish regular township committee
meetings, dates and times as listed.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I
against
eyes have it. And the meetings begin at
6:30 p.m. with exception of reorg
meetings which begin at 6:00 p.m.
Certification of memberships
[clears throat] for year 2026.
Atlantic County League of Municipality
Municip Municipalities. Thanks.
Will be five. Atlantic County Mayor's
Association one. Atlantic County
Association of Township Officials. Five.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. All those
in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
>> Moving on to comments.
We'll start with Dr. summer winter
school.
>> I would just like to thank everyone for
um believing in me and reelecting me for
this position and I'm very honored to
serve the residents of Hamilton Township
and I look forward to working with all
of my all of my colleagues here and
we're looking for a great year in 2026.
Thank you.
>> Thank you,
Mr. Aken. So, I want to wish everybody a
happy new year. Um, I want to
congratulate
Mr. Patali and Dr. Witherspoon on their
re-elections. Definitely uh going to all
work together up here. Um, couple
things. I know we're going to have
comments at the end of the day.
>> Yes.
>> So, I just wanted to say uh thanks to
Brett, Rita, the IT team, and HR for
setting me up. I came in right before uh
Christmas, I think it was Tuesday, and
they, you know, showed me the procedures
and got me all hooked up with my emails
and all that. So, I just want to say
thank you for that. Um,
also, I want to congratulate the tax
collection team for uh over 99%
collection rate once again. So, I just
want to give them a shout out. I read
that an email was awesome. So,
uh I think that's all.
>> Very good. Thank you.
Tracy.
>> Um, I want to wish everyone a happy new
year. Um, I just wanted to say as we
step into 2026, I extend my heartfelt
privilege of serving as a your committee
woman. I'm grateful for the everyday
acts of kindness I get throughout the
township. I would like to thank um Dr.
Dr. Thema Witherspoon and Mayor Carl
Patel um on their reelection and your
and your actions inspire us to dream
more, learn more, do more, and become
more. You both are great leaders.
>> Good. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Chief.
>> I as well echo everyone else as far as
congratulating
Mayor Patel and Dr. Witherspoon
and I look forward to moving on for this
year. It should be a prosperous year
we're all hoping for and I look forward
to working with everyone. That's it.
Very good. Thank you. And um
like to say thank you for for the people
that voted for me. Um it's very
humbling. And then now having my uh
fellow committee members um have faith
in me to to vote for me to be the mayor.
Um once again, that's also very
humbling.
Um, and I'd like to thank all the people
who uh who are on these boards and
committees. Um, they they donate their
time. They're volunteers. They don't get
paid. U, it's a big responsibility and
they really do a lot of things in this
town that that make a a big difference.
Zoning board, planning board, um,
historic preservation, all all of them.
They're uh they're very important and
kudos all to all of them who who donate
their time, volunteer their time to do
that.
Um looking forward to a good year. It's
going to be uh you know, as always, our
budget's going to be challenging. We
have challenging things ahead of us. Uh
we'll all work together. Um, I
pushed very hard to have all committee
members have full access to to look at
the budget. Everybody, all you have to
do is ask and you'll get in there and be
able to look at that budget and try to
figure out uh what we have to do to keep
things affordable in this town and uh
and still provide everything that that
we are used to seeing. Um, and try to do
it as as cheaply as possible. Um, and
that's going to be very challenging
going ahead. But, um,
that's it for me. Thanks, T, for uh, for
holding the Bible for me at the last
minute. I appreciate it. Um, my fiance's
at work, my daughter's at work, my
stepdaughter is at EMT class. So, uh, my
goddaughter came through. I appreciate
it. And that's that's really all I have.
So, we'll have a recess for pictures. Do
we need a a motion for recess? Motion.
>> I have a motion. I have a second. All
those in favor?
>> I
recess.
>> January 5th, 2026 regular meeting order.
Um
addition, deletion, late agenda items.
There are none.
Early public comment.
discussion. Formal action may be taken.
A resolution establishing rules of order
and conduct for township committee
meetings.
>> Mr. Solicitor.
>> Yes, Mayor. Thank you. Uh there wasn't a
resolution that was previously passed
especially detailing public comment. A
lot of the municipalities and counties
throughout the state of New Jersey have
a specific set of rules allow everybody
equal participation
in the meeting and sets expectations. Uh
those rules regulations need to be
applied formally. Uh that has been in
place
which is to reinforce. My suggestion
would be allow me to reddraft it and
repass it. So something that is on the
municipal website that's accessible by
public. summary. Uh it allows the public
five minute period for people to be able
to concerns
if someone wishes to work above and
beyond five minute period. The
resolution now
that would be in place.
>> Okay. Do we need to
do anything with that or just go ahead
and have you
>> It's already saying resolution, but if
you would like me to direct you to work
on that next
>> Yes, I would like to do that. Do we need
a motion to do that?
>> Motion discussion
>> committee.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Can I just follow?
>> So, I know that uh the school board, the
um board of education does something
like this. They [clears throat] actually
do a um I think they call it open public
meeting statement where they make a
statement to the you know the community
about public comment and you know who to
steer it towards and stuff like that. Is
this something similar that would be
done?
>> Something typically in the
chor
Okay.
>> Yeah, I think we could that'd be
something that we could state before
early public comment and before
>> um
>> Okay.
>> So, this this resolution that we have in
front of us is from 2004.
>> It's an older ordinance.
>> Yeah, I see that ordinance. Okay.
>> Or no, excuse me, an ordinance. It's a
resolution.
>> Resolution.
>> Okay. Yeah. 2004. That's pretty old.
That's why my suggestion is redacted. So
it's something
>> are we I have a question. Are we
limiting people's comments?
>> So it would be something that would be
standard. Yes. public comment be
that's a committee as long as
it varies throughout the municipalities
right now that can be something
>> and I know that the school board was
three minutes
>> right
>> so this is this is five
>> right which has been working pretty
good. And I haven't seen it where it's
been I think it's I I don't see where we
should make that change, you know,
because we want the public to come and
voice their concerns. Sometimes you
can't say it all in two minutes, you
know, but nothing over five. But I think
it should remain the same. That's my
opinion. Whatever pleasure the board is,
I think it should remain the same. I
don't think it's really been issued.
No, I don't believe it's been an issue.
Um, but I just want to it's it's a
resolution that's that was already in
here and um we can easily with uh
the vote of the committee to extend time
with, you know, without a problem.
somebody needs extra time, you know, and
obviously it's it's more just if if
there's a an issue that's going on in
the township when there's a lot of
people here and some people, you know,
they don't have the time to sit here and
wait in line to speak if somebody's up
there and talks for 20 20 minutes or so.
I think this makes it so it's everybody
has that chance to speak.
>> Again, you're you're correct, mayor.
It's not a purpose, but everybody
may want to participate. participate in
meetings. It also addresses certain
issues like uh sort of conduct and
things like that so that everybody has
the ability to safely
>> I agree.
>> Are we um that we're on a are we also
doing the the rules of order or is that
a part of the Robert rules of order
>> that's actually in this resolution? It's
I believe that I believe the resolution
says that we follow Robert's rules of
order
>> in this whole
>> Yes.
>> Well, I'm saying were we voting on that
or we waiting to for you to come back
with the recommendations?
>> I can I can draft all of that for you.
>> All right.
The meetings do follow.
>> All right. Okay.
>> Thank [clears throat] you.
>> Sounds good. Thank you.
Uh B, quarterly landfill redevelopment
update and lease agreement between HIPP
Renewal LLC and the township of
Hamilton.
>> Jeff, how you doing?
>> Come on down.
>> Here so I can
all my visual aids here.
>> Uh good evening everyone. Thanks for
having me. Happy New Year.
Congratulations, I think, to everybody
up there. Um, and, uh, thanks for having
me. Uh, so this is our quarterly update
as we agreed we'd be coming in each
quarter. December was officially the
quarter, but here we are. Um, I did hand
out a larger scale uh, GR Gant chart
with the schedule because you can't read
this the 8 and 1 half by 11 versions.
Uh, so I apologize for that. Uh, make
sure I got the There we go. Um,
so tonight I'm going to go over some of
the same stuff we went before. We do
have some new committee members and some
new members of public may not have been
present. So we'll go over some of the
same information and then update uh the
status. So uh discuss about the status,
discuss about our schedule for the
remediation closure, discuss the solar
development that's going to occur at the
site, and also address the lease and
what that's all about uh this evening.
So as you I've got this
Okay.
Supposed See, it's supposed to show up
on the screen, doesn't it?
>> All right.
>> 20 bucks that. [laughter]
All right. Anyway, it does show up on
the computer screen, but Oh, there we
go.
Um
Okay. So, here's the landfill uh proper
lot as we know it. And we have these
other four adjacent lots. We'll talk
about these a little bit tonight. Uh
these first three lots all had uh
landfill waste on them just on the edge
here. You can see this uh the heavy
dotted line. So, they need that need
that small portion of those lots need to
be remediated. when we grade it out,
it's going to intrude further on those
lots and that's all all uh been
established. We have access agreements
with the township uh right now to do our
work on those lots. And uh this one lot
here is private and we have a agreement
with the owner there and are moving
towards actually acquiring that lot um
uh from the private owner. Um that's
going along fine. So that's basically
the and this is the uh what you're
looking at is the as built or the
existing conditions before we started
the work plan with these other outlines
on uh you also see this shaded corridor
around all these lots. I'll talk about
that in a minute
and a minute is right now
we go uh what you're looking at in the
figure here this is the design this is
the grading uh design for the completed
uh closed landfill. Um you can see uh
that we have uh as I said the grading
comes out uh to cap the all the waste
and then the grading comes over onto
these other lots. Uh these little things
that you see around here are the basins
uh the detention basins for storm water
and then you can't really see them so
much but sorry
there's uh swailes where the water
initially goes into the swailes and it
gets then it finally gets diverted to
the basins. uh our new storm water
regulations at the state and in the
Pinelands. There's 27 storm water
features here for this uh pile of sand,
if you will. Um I like to joke about
that. I apologize. Um the township
commission uh uh sorry, pardon me. The
Pineless Commission required this 100
foot corridor uh which is this shaded
area around all these lots as a
protected uh forested corridor for the
redheaded woodpecker. I know we've heard
a lot about the redheaded woodpecker
township and uh that was a requirement.
We fought against it and we finally gave
up the township uh uh added this lot 15
to the project area so that we could
have the corridor and maintain it uh to
the to the maximum extent we could. We
actually encroach on a little bit here,
but this was approved by the Pinelands.
Um and then we can fit all our basins
in, particularly these three here. The
basins used to be further down here and
a couple larger ones. Uh but that uh and
we stayed away from lot 15, but since we
had to put the corridor around anyway,
we couldn't fit the base or we had to
quarter around, couldn't fit the basins,
that's what required this 5815
lot to be added to the project.
Uh so our schedule uh what has it been
and where is it? image is uh a drone
image uh from uh December 18th. Uh and
the threedimensional overlay is the same
design you saw there. Just kind of a
little different feature, but you can
see where it lays out on the site. So,
we got our final Pinelands Commission
approval on June 13th. Our solid waste
approval from the D came on June 26th.
Uh the LSRP uh reviewed all that those
approvals and updated the remedial
action work plan and certified that
submitted to the D on July 15th and we
initially mobilized to start clearing on
July 23rd. U our construction timeline
is between 9 to 12 months. That's the
construction for the landfill closure.
This grading you see these detention
basins and the seating and all that. Um,
and we're looking, if we look at the
project schedule, we're probably going
to be right around between 10 and 11
months is what it looks like right now.
But the schedule does change around.
Some things get a little shorter, some
things get a little longer, but we're
pretty confident we'll be be starting to
actually wrap up more towards April,
May, and then finish up with demobing of
the heavy civil contractor out there.
Then that's then going to be followed by
what they call post-traded groundwater
monitoring. And that is uh something
that you do on every remediation site,
state of New Jersey. Uh because we are
uh taking advantage of the hazards
discharge site remediation fund or HDSRF
grant program uh that the regulations
require that we follow both the solid
waste which is the landfall closure I
talk about and the site remediation
rules which is the remediation. So uh
the remediation rules require this post
remedial monitoring once you complete
your remedy. In this instance it's a
landfill and the remedy is a landfill
closure consistent with the solid waste
rules and then you have post remedial
monitoring of your groundwater network.
We had uh three or four three or four I
think that's right uh wells uh
immediately adjacent or in the landfill
area. Those were closed by New Jersey
well driller. Some of those will be
reinstalled at the direction of the LSRP
uh at the end. And then there's we have
30 some odd wells around the
neighborhood. A lot of those as we move
to this the towards completion of this
project will be closed out. Most of
those are clean. We won't need those for
the long-term monitoring. basically just
monitor a couple of your source area
wells and two or three uh downgradient
and then what we call sentinel wells
which are wells that are far enough down
gradient where they should ever be
impacted. I think we'll still be uh
within uh a couple hundred feet of the a
few hundred feet of the landfill at that
point because that's where the extent of
our plume was when we first started
investigating back in 11 and 14 and
still is as of last year when we did our
our two rounds of monitoring before we
started the closure. So uh but that is
the reason that extended period to get
to the remediation and the final
remediation document and site
remediation the rao that extended time
frame is the reason for the lease
because the we don't have lease rights
under the current redevelopment
agreement redeveloper doesn't um with
this lease that's uh first reading
ordinance tonight that gives us the
ability to lease to the solar developer
they can get out there once we have the
landfill closure approval from on the
solid way
they don't have to wait for the
remediation component. We need to wait
for that to take title. So in this
interim period between completion
landfill closure being able to to get
the permits back from D and the final
RAO issuance by the LSRP
uh that enables the construction and
installation and believe an operation of
the solar uh activity to happen benefit
the residents as we talk. So that's the
reason for the lease to keep get the
solar uh moving as fast as possible and
not have to wait for
four possibly eight quarters of
groundwater monitoring after physical
work is complete.
We're cautiously optimistic. It has in
the schedule right now we're going to
start groundwater monitoring even a
little bit early and only do four
quarters. Sometimes the state requires
eight. Uh we're pretty confident we
won't have to do that. That's our LSRP
is going to be discussing that with the
PPP over the next few months and seeing
where see where what their thoughts are.
They usually don't usually don't do
anything until you actually submit the
application which requires the data. So
anyway, that's the purpose for the lease
uh that we talked about. So as it says
once closure uh is completed the solar
uh um construction they've got to get
all their approvals from BPU etc.
Pinelands. So there'll be some some of
that process going on and uh they really
can't start all that until we get the
lease executed with them. So that's the
other reason so they can they have
standing and can move forward and spend
the money they need to spend to get
their approvals uh and get everything
lined up to be shovel ready for the
closing. This is another view of that
that same uh imagery uh from the drone
from December 18th. And you can see a
little bit of the the work that's uh
been been done out there. Uh as of
today, there's like an area down here
and over here that's actually at uh
rough finished construction grade.
Finished construction grade is 2 feet
below final grade because we've got 18
inches of clean fill cover and six
inches of top soil on top of that.
That'll be what the what's completed.
those some of those areas are already at
the grade where we're ready to bring in
the the c or use the cabin material with
the top soil in. We won't obviously do
all that until we get uh finished
throughout, but they're moving around
the site in the different areas. Uh
right now they're working over in this
this area right here and they've done a
bunch of work along here. But this rough
grading process, rough grading, finish
grading, it's all going to get a lot of
grading going on. U you got two
bulldozers out there, a large end dump
and an excavator. Um, one of the, uh, I
was asking you before, how's it going?
It's going fine. We're on schedule. We
did run into a couple of, uh,
interesting things. Anytime you open up
the landfill, you always find some
interesting things. Um, we had, we had
noted that there was some pretty some
areas with a three, four, five, six foot
uh, before we hit trash with our initial
soil borings, which is the case. But
when we did our test pits and started
moving that material, there was a little
bit of trash, I'll call, within those
zones. Plastic here, a piece of metal
here, half a tire there. So, it was 80
to 90% soil and a little bit. And we
didn't catch that. You know, when you're
doing the borings, it's a it's a boring,
right? It's not. So, in abundance of
caution, we worked on an arrangement
with ACIT. uh the pile of soil that they
have over there, which some of you
probably know about. Uh that from the
construction of their new uh building,
which I think is part of the school now,
right? Uh they need to get that out of
there. So, we they had already had some
sampling. It wasn't quite enough. We did
additional sampling. It's all clean.
It's Jersey certified clean material.
So, we can bring that over and use that
for final cover. Um depending on how
this grading of the existing of the
rough grading goes and how much uh
actual
debris is what I call is mixed in with
some of that top upper material, we may
actually raise the uh the final
elevation grade on the closure eight six
to eight inches to and bring in
additional material to that's what the
ACIT materials for. If we don't need it
all, we have other options to take it
and ACT needs to get that out of there
to uh We're building a athletic field in
the same area, I think. And uh so
they're anxious to get it out of there.
This is a benefit for us because they're
not charging us anything for it. We just
got to get it over there. It's a benefit
for them because you're not have to pay
anybody to get rid of it. So it's a
mutually beneficial arrangement that
we've made with them. And uh uh it's
been great. They've been very
cooperative and the board approved that
and our agreement uh
a little bit right before the holidays
started.
um what's up with that
uh schedule um which again I also can't
read
so I apologize for that. So the green
line in the middle is about where we are
as of the end of December. Um
we are in the in the uh rough grading
stage uh which is which is continuing on
and uh we'll go in phase one and then go
into rough grading phase two. Uh we'll
start to excavate the basin areas etc.
those those tasks are kind of all
intermixed if you will uh with the
contractor but but that works uh
beginning now and going well. We
probably are going to be uh active in
different areas of sites in different uh
components of that and again as I say
digging the basins they already have
some of the basins all marked out and uh
may may begin excavation of those just
based on their schedule. I have a
we'll we have a meeting with them later
this week to get a little bit further
now that they're into the fully into the
grading for the last 30 plus days. Um we
have a h handle with them on how what
they think the schedule's going to look
like for each of the individual
components. We're still on the track to
to get so you can see the blue line here
if you will. Um,
so this right here is when we finish the
closure, the solid waste components of
the project and then we still have this
groundwater monitoring going on out
here, right? So that's why so once we
get to this point and get this certified
um and the theoretically the solar guys
could start their solar construction if
they have all their agreements in place
and everything with BPU etc. and they
will start in on all that activity. Now,
once we get this lease finalized, we'll
sign their lease with them and then they
can uh the interconnection applications,
the point of interconnections that we've
talked about before, uh they got to do
their own Pinelands application. God
bless them and uh we will support them
with that to the extent that we can.
Um that's kind of the mediation uh
components.
the uh solar aspects here. We'll go
through solar array. Again, this is the
uh the the same graded image without the
grading. This is where the the rough
panel layout looks like. Uh I mentioned
they'll be applying for their own
approvals. They'll come in for site plan
approval at the township. So, uh
engineer will have a lot of ability to
review and comment all that. Luckily,
most of the our storm water calculations
that we did included all these panels
here. So we hope the storm water process
with with Pinelands has those skids have
been greased if you will. Uh and uh
they'll have two points of
interconnection. Uh the the concept is
is two uh solar uh community solar
projects and it provides a nice benefit
for the township. A little more detail
on that. Um
two points of interconnection. You see
the one red line running up the page uh
goes out to Route 40 and then uh that's
the second interconnection point. The
first interconnection point is right out
to Nakqua therewa.
Um and that'll probably be the first one
and then the the second one is is
running up 19th Street. Uh community
solar projects are limited to five
megawws. Uh we think that based on the
capacity of the grid and the size of the
site that we can fit uh about seven and
a half megawatts. It'll be two soon
community solar projects and the two
points of interconnection give us that
capacity.
One of them ties into one uh
substation the other ties into another
component of the grid to another
substation I think that but um that's
also the reason two points. So the what
you see down here in summary is
basically what the benefit is. It's a
it's a mandatory of uh 20% savings. So
the uh monthly
that says uh 3281 a month, right? Uh and
then the yearly number and then the comm
cumulative number and then uh 1,200
households I think we're talking about.
So that's what the uh total program and
community the the total savings are per
month. Uh and that's a sign up. We'll
have meet have we'll be in these
meetings and have other meetings for the
residents to walk through how you sign
up for that when we get a little closer
about how you how you go for that. And
uh that's uh basically what
we're excited about.
That's uh all I have as far as for
presentation. Happy to answer any and
all questions that I can.
>> I have a question. Yes.
>> So, you said the signups, I know you
said you'll get to them. Let us know as
the time comes. Is that going to be
something that's be a first come, first
serve situation?
>> The township residents are are
first
shot at it, but I'm not sure exactly how
that works.
Yeah, I'm trying to see how specific
you'll be with that.
>> Yeah, I mean if it is it does work that
way. I'm sure there is a limited number
is a good number of
>> Okay, thank you.
could not accommodate what the community
did. Has there been any improvement on?
>> Yeah. So this this information is from
so the way that the process works for
these these interconnections these solar
solar systems to the grid is there's an
initial interconnection application. So
this information came from Atlantic City
electric
um as far as the seven seven and a half
megawatts
on the different
two circuits. That's why we have two
different things. So that's them, but
you never you don't know until you
actually go through the formal process.
And that's why the police will us to get
that to develop over there. They'll file
all that and
there's fees that are
more than a dollar to get those
applications and then they do study and
they do a second study and then that
study comes back and says okay your
interconnection is this you can go
here's how much it costs because they
don't pay for the upgrades
the solar developer pays for that
it's millions of dollars
Thank you.
>> Yeah.
>> So, I don't know [clears throat] if it's
a typo just looking through it. Um
20. It doesn't have a page number. It's
right after page 21 and it's exhibit E.
Like I said, it's probably a typo. It
It's Township of Hamilton County of
Atlantic. It says Burlington on there.
>> I'm not sure what we're I don't have
that many pages and what I have.
>> Okay. Just checking out. That's all.
>> Not in Burnley County. I that that I
got.
>> Yeah, it says uh Burlington. Just it's
>> apologies for that.
>> That's all.
>> I have a question on your uh schedule
here.
Last week you were going to start moving
ACIT material. Is that where you're at
now?
>> It hasn't started moving yet. Um the as
of today when I was out there talking,
we're thinking we're going to delay that
a little bit. So that's what moving we
were having this week.
>> Okay.
>> They want I mean they want us to start
moving yesterday. Um contractor I think
what we
>> the Eagles played yesterday. They
couldn't move. You're right. You're
right. Um but they would like us to move
as soon as possible and the contractors
now thinking that so they were concerned
when they found this this debris
material in there was going to be more
of a problem. We were like we don't
think it's not as big of a problem. So
they're able to move the stuff around a
little bit easier than they thought. So
they don't quite quite need it just yet.
>> But you're right in that time frame.
>> We're ready to go.
>> Yeah.
>> Ready to go with it. And we have the
approvals and then
>> good.
>> All right.
>> Thanks, Jeff.
>> Thank you. Hang out
other questions on these.
Okay, now we don't have to do anything.
That'll come back up later in the
>> Oh, okay.
[clears throat]
Introduction
of ordinances
public hearing to be held January 21st,
2026. [snorts]
4 A. the introduction of ordinance
ordinance to exceed the municipal budget
appropriation limits and to establish a
cap bank in accordance to NJSA4-45.14.
>> Brett,
anybody need any info or
hear a motion?
>> Second.
Motion in a second.
>> Any questions, comments?
>> Can Brett, give us an overview on
>> Sure. Pratt, you want to give us an
overview?
>> This is something that we do every year.
We establish a cap bank. This enables
the township in the event of an
emergency.
This year it's
I'm sorry, last year was 2 and 12%. This
year it's 2%. because it's an extra 1.5%
in case we have emergencies such as
emergency our health insurance rates go
up unexpectedly our pension payments go
up
fuel goes up our solid waste costs go up
just gives the township flexibility to
increase
budget
thank you
have a motion to Second.
>> Second.
>> Oh, I don't need a
>> need a roll call. Roll call, please.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chef,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes. Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
And introduced.
[clears throat]
>> So, now we go back to 3B.
>> [clears throat]
>> Ordinance 2127-20226,
an ordinance authorizing a ground lease
between Hamilton Township and HIP
Renewal LLC for block 994, lot 57.
>> Motion second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Any
questions or comments?
>> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief. Yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali.
>> Yes.
>> All yes. And introduced.
>> Award of bids and contracts.
Professional property appraisers
incorporated residential inspection and
measurement service.
[clears throat]
>> Motion.
>> Have a motion and a second.
Any questions or comments? Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken, yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson, yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon, yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> And car.
>> Resolution authorizing interlocal
services agreement between the township
of Hamilton and Hamilton Township Board
of Education for solid waste removal and
recycling services for the period 11 126
through 123126.
Motion.
>> But wait, I Right. Can you um explain a
little bit more in detail for the
benefit of the public?
>> So this is an local agreement that we
have schools
upycling
school does not have the ability to
directly contract
services that we get
saves that money.
We're just basically asking.
>> Thank you.
[clears throat]
go back to school.
>> So this these are for extra pools. So if
they need their dumpsters dumped extra
time, they build the dumpster
before the summer
public works.
>> Any other questions or comments? I think
I had a motion. Do I had a second?
>> You did not.
>> Second. I have a motion in a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali?
>> Yes. All yes and car.
>> Consent agenda
>> motion move items A through I.
>> Have a motion to second for A through I.
All those in favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
Personnel
resolution appointing Rita Martino
Township Clerk as municipal improvement
search officer for the year 2026.
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second.
>> All those in favor? I against
>> eyes have it. Resolution appointing
Renee Dalvo, tax collector as municipal
tax search officer for the year 2026. So
>> moved.
>> I have a motion in a second. All those
in favor?
>> I
>> against eyes have it. Resolution
appointing William Johnson exemption and
abatement officer for the year 2026.
>> Second.
>> Motion and second. All those in favor?
>> I. Hence eyes have it.
Resolution appointing Renee Dalvo
exemption and abatement billing officer
for the year 2026. So move
>> motion to second. All those in favor?
>> Eyes have it.
>> Resolution appointing Carol Picket Young
as volunteer senior police chaplain for
the police department for the year 2026.
>> A motion.
>> Have a motion in a second. All those in
favor? I against it. Resolution
appointing GIF fund commissioner and GIF
alternate fund commissioner.
>> Second.
Have a motion and a second.
And that would be uh fund commissioner
Chantel Pollock and alternate fund
commissioner Brett Null. I have a motion
and a second.
All those in favor?
>> I against.
>> Resolution appointing Gregory Blo as
police sergeant. The salary of $134,66
in accordance with the CBA.
Effective date January 8th, 2026.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in the second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Akin,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chef,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali,
>> yes.
>> All yes and carried.
>> Resolution appointing Gary Cloon as
acting sergeant at a salary of $134,66
in accordance with the CBA. Effective
date, January 8th, 2026.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon,
>> yes.
>> Mayor Patalia,
>> yes.
>> All yes and car. Approvals, minutes,
regular meeting minutes of December 15,
2025.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion, a second. All those in
favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
>> Payrolls and bills. Bill list total
$962,525.73.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion to second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon. Yes.
>> Mayor Batali.
>> Yes.
>> Reports. Mr. Administrator.
>> Congratulations everyone.
>> Looking forward to working with you
2026.
Um wanted to um congratulate Rene's
office on that collection. That's that's
it. Just I've been doing this for three
years now. It just keeps getting better
and better. Um
not only collects the taxes, but she's
collecting leans for it anyway. Sure.
She's getting for them.
Saving saving everyone
money. The township tax collection. Um
25,000 cubic yards. How many trucks is
that?
>> A lot.
>> You're going to make me You don't make
me do math, right? Where's my I don't I
don't have my calculator.
>> 25. That's how many
yards of material.
So just think about the you know
I buy filter pay around $600 for
>> and most of that is the hauling effect
right so ACIT doesn't have to haul
that's that like think about the savings
right around
>> not just that you're not going to have
all those trucks on the road coming
through town beating up our roads and
>> causing traffic. Jeff kind of skimmed
over that, but that was that was huge.
Or he had um trying to get some
dredgings that deal.
I mean, this is a win-win. Taxpayers
don't have to pay all that material. So,
>> technically, our county taxes should go
down
>> technically.
>> All right. So,
>> I'll talk to Denny,
>> please.
>> I just thought that was that was known.
>> You wouldn't take Michael.
>> I just sent Jeff a text asking him how
much material because I I know it was a
lot, but that's all I have.
>> Very good.
>> Mr. Solicitor,
>> congratulations.
[clears throat]
>> Good.
>> Hey, Bob. Mr. Engineer, at least it's
easy to remember the name.
>> Thank you. Uh, congratulations, board
members. Um, thank you for the
appointment again this year. Look
forward to working with you and uh
hopefully this year's a prosperous year
for everybody. Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir,
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Again, uh, congratulations,
mayor and deputy mayor,
>> great board. We're looking forward to
doing a lot of great things
in Hamilton Township.
I want to say I did over the Christmas
Eve I went to visit Well Springs
for their um Christmas Eve service very
nice and then I went to Mount Calvary to
watch night service
that was late but it was very nice start
visiting some of the churches in the
area.
I did not uh go to the plunge,
[laughter]
but I saw how great it was and what a
great job everybody did. Whoever put
that together, I can't take cold like
that, but it was it was very successful.
And I put that on my Facebook page so
everyone who was not able to attend
could see how successful it was and
people look like they had a great time.
I will be attending the um county legal
municipalities meeting and that will be
on January the 16th. I believe it's
going to be at Remote Winery. Um I will
be attending
that meeting on 16th. So um I believe
that's all that I have at this time.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. A.
>> So I did take the plunge. [laughter]
>> What what a wonderful event.
Great event. Cold, cold, cold. But it
was awesome. There had to be over a
hundred people there. And
>> for them to put that together, the first
annual in, you know, in the township
instead of going out to Atlantic City,
Margate, all that right there at the
Cove, awesome. I can't wait to do it
again next year. It was, it was great.
Like I said, they'll work out the kinks
and bumps. I know I had an issue with
the ordering of my shirts and stuff like
that, but I know the first year it's all
going to, you know, work out. But it was
great. It was it was a fun time. Um,
[clears throat] and I want to give a
shout out to Aelia Davies. Um, she
invited my wife and I to a Christmas
event over at Oakrest Estates. Um,
giving out um, toys to the kiddos and
uh, food. It was a great event. Um,
committee Yeah. Committee woman uh,
Thompson was there in her uh, elf
outfit. It was a great time and I just
want to say thank you for, you know, the
invite. It was it was awesome to see the
happy kids getting their gifts and their
prizes and stuff and eating food. So, um
that's all.
>> Very good.
Th
>> Oh, is it me?
>> Yeah, we'll go to
>> We skip over. [laughter]
>> So, I just want to let my constituents
know I am never taking the plunge.
[laughter] I'm never taking the
>> I can go out there hot chocolate. I am
not I I can [laughter] see me if I touch
the water. I'm just going to freeze
right there. I cannot do the plunge. I
cannot I'll do other stuff but not the
punch. Um so on Friday, December 19th,
what
a was talking about we did elves not on
a shelf
>> and um it was December 19th. I
co-sponsored a holiday party with a wish
and sid youth ministry nonprofit
organization. We gave out toys, bikes,
food, essential items, and played
numerous games with the children at the
Oakrest Community Center. Um, I want to
give us also give a special thanks to
Ailia Davis who spearheaded the event
and who has always given back to our
community. Um, thank you again,
Committee Manor Eric Akens for attending
and your wife and also extending your
support and sponsorship.
let that be nuted. Um and then on
Saturday, December the 20th, I attended
um the Christmas popup market at the
Hamilton Mall. Um it was a great time to
support local businesses and vendors.
This event was spearheaded spearheaded
by Miss Aquil Aquilla Davis who's right
there. I want to give her a shout out.
She's right there because she also owns
the Director's Inc. creative arts center
inside the Hamilton Mall. So, if you
need rental space and parties, she does
a lot of activities with the kids. She
does a lot of painting, which is
therapeutic for the children. She has a
beautiful place and location, plenty of
parking right in the mall. Giving a
shout out to our local vendors. We have
support all our local businesses. And
thank you.
>> Thank you, Deputy Mayor.
>> As I said earlier, congratulations to
everyone. And I look forward to working
with everyone this year and then making
progress like we always do. And I was
out of town for the plunge. So I stayed
dried myself. That's [laughter] all I
had. Very good. I was also out of town
for the plunge.
Um but I did uh uh I know there's Taylor
Fi and Adrian. Um they're the ones who
kind of put it together. And uh Taylor's
my goddaughter. So, I got a phone call
and uh I was going to attempt to change
my plans, but my uh my ex-girlfriend, my
current fiance, she uh she would not
have any of that. So, I was not able to
attend, but it did look like it was a
really good time. And I think that's
this is the start of something that's
going to last for a long time. It's
really good. Um gets people out and
something fun for the town. And I know
the uh the Main Street food pantry was
the recipient of an awful lot of food
because you had to bring some food if
you want to jump in the water. So, all
good. Great job, uh Taylor and Adrian.
And uh I want to say thank you to Carol
Pikyong for doing what she does as the
uh
Yeah, I'm looking for it right now. Our
our police chap. So, thank you very
much. Appreciate that. Uh
congratulations to our um officially
he's a he's a sergeant now because he
was acting correct and and now we have a
new acting uh and hope I'm sure he's
going to do a great job. So um
that's really all that I have to say. Uh
like I said earlier looking forward to a
good year here. Got a lot of work to do
and uh a shout out to public works
again. We had a little a little winter
event and uh I didn't hear any
complaints at all this time. So, good
job. Thank you. Um taking care of that.
And uh
I do know I also uh
Miss Alien Dick, she always posts when
she sees the fire trucks go by. I think
they were visit very busy today. I heard
there was an accident on Route 40. So,
want to say thank you to our volunteers
as always. Um,
>> yeah, they were busy today. So, shout
out to them. And that's really all for
me. Reagan, I'll see you soon. Maddie, I
miss you and I love you and I hope to
see you soon. And we'll go ahead and
open it up to the public.
Would everybody jump up at once?
>> Motion to close.
Do I have a second? I
have a second. All those in favor?
>> I
against. Okay. Okay. Do I have a
motion to adjurnn?
>> Second. [laughter]
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> I against