04-20-2026 - Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting

bring the Monday, April 20th, 26 meeting
to order. Please rise
to the flag of the United States of
America, to the republic for which it
stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
Adequate notice of this meeting has been
provided pursuant to the New Jersey open
public meetings law by posting a notice
of this meeting on the bulletin board in
the municipal building and by
transmitting notice of this meeting to
the press of Atlantic City Star Ledger
and Atlantic County Record on January 6,
2026. Mr. Aken
>> here,
>> Mr. Cheek
>> here.
>> Miss Thompson
>> here.
>> Dr. Witherspoon here. Mayor Pati
>> here.
>> We have a moment of silence for private
reflection.
Thank you.
Proclamations. We have a proclamation
for Hamilton elite basketball team.
Congratulations.
>> Congratulations.
>> Okay.
Whereas the Hamilton elite basketball
organization is committed to developing
young athletes both on and off the court
through discipline, teamwork, and
character.
Whereas the junior varsity JV team has
demonstrated unwavering de d d d d d d d
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
d d d d d d d d d d d d dedication,
resilience, and elite performance
throughout the season, finishing with an
undefeated record and securing their
second consecutive Cape Atlantic Junior
Cow Championship.
Whereas the pee-wee team has exemplified
the true spirit of the game through
growth, determination, and excellence,
achieving an undefeated season and
capturing the March Madness
Championship.
Whereas these outstanding
accomplishments are the direct result of
countless hours of hard work,
commitment, and sacrifice by the players
along with the leadership, mentorship,
and guidance of their coaches. Whereas
the success of both teams reflects the
strength, vision, and culture of the
Hamilton elite organization, which
continues to develop not only
exceptional student athletes, but also
outstanding young individuals within the
community. Now therefore, be it
proclaimed that we, the sworn members of
Hamilton Township Committee in Maand,
New Jersey, do hereby proudly recognize
and celebrate the undefeated seasons of
both the junior varsity and PV teams of
Hamilton elite, honoring their
excellence, teamwork, and dedication to
the game of basketball and pertu as
established this 20th day of April in
the year of 2026.
coach up. I want to say thank y'all
Hamilton Township. I got a little note
here to read real quick. Take too much
of your time. We'd like to extend our
sincere appreciation to the Hamilton
Township Committee for recognizing
honoring our youth. We are truly proud
to represent Hampton Township and this
acknowledgement goes a long way as these
young athletes continue to grow. The
life lessons learned through sports
discipline, teamwork, respect, and
perseverance are values that will guide
them well beyond the game. Hamilton le
been a part of the this community for
the past 11 years, consistently making a
positive impact on our youth and their
families. We are committed to create an
environment where our players and are
supported both on and off the court
helping them develop not only as
athletes but young men and women of
character.
We are proud to serve share that our
program have achieved championships for
the second year in a row. An
accomplishment that reflects the hard
work, dedication and comm commitment of
our players and coaches. Our goal is to
continue uplifting and supporting our
youth while leaving a lasting impact
that reaches far beyond today. We strive
to inspire them to succeed in all areas
of life and to carry the values they've
learned with them into the future. Thank
you again for the recognition and
continued support of our program and the
youth of Hamilton Township.
our P our PE
our JB and uh PB players come up take a
picture of the committee if you don't
mind.
>> Yeah.
>> Come on players.
Good job.
Good job. Congratul
Oh, wow.
>> There's no calories in there.
>> Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> You got to take this
Look at this.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> You asked.
>> Thank you. Thank you so much.
>> Okay. Next, we have guest presentations.
Homeless initiative program in Atlantic
County.
>> Sodto.
Good evening all of you. Thank you for
having me here tonight. It's a pleasure
to be here. I recently became since
January the new CEO of the Spanish
Community Center. Um the center opened
back in 1969
when we were getting agricultural
workers from the island of Puerto Rico
and now the migrant workers are mostly
from South America. We have uh different
programs for the overall population, not
only Latinos. Everyone is getting our
services. And I wanted to let you know
that we're servicing Hamilton Township.
We started a food pantry mobile program,
which um committee woman Tracy Thompson
came with me the other day. We're
distributing uh different food
throughout the county. We are starting a
new uh homeless prevention program. We
have a couple um who are two case
managers who are working with the
homeless in our communities. Uh what
they're doing is providing uh basic
needs. Right now we do not have a
shelter, but we are referring people to
different shelters in the area as well
as if you get any calls, you can reach
out to the Spanish Community Center will
be more than happy to provide them um
mental health uh provide them food
distribution as well as any other case
management necessities that they need.
Uh we are very proud to say that we
started inh home therapy for older
adults. We have quite a few clients from
T Hamilton Township as well as different
families in the overall community as
well as parenting classes. And most
recently we just did a partnership with
Ideal Institute and we're giving
scholarships for youth between the ages
of 16 to 24 uh if they want to become an
electrician or HVAC technician. we have
that connection. We're very proud uh to
be able to say that we have five kids
from Hamilton Township who applied for
the scholarships. Thank you so much. Any
questions?
>> How can people contact you through the
um Spanish Community Center?
>> Yes, it's uh 8566972967
or 6093451249.
We have an office in Atlantic City, 3900
Bretner, and another office in
Landisville, 303 Sumar Avenue in
Landisville.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay, we have uh no addition or
deletions, no late late agenda items.
So, we will move on to discussion. Oh,
no. Anybody sign up for early public
comment? Sorry,
>> we have no one signed up.
>> Thank you. Uh discussion, formal action
may be taken.
>> We're going to go with presentation of
township of Hamilton watershed
improvement plan phase one
Remington and Verdict engineers, Mr.
Smith and Mr. Bogle from our office.
Good evening, Mayor Township Committee.
Uh we're here to present the watershed
inventory report that our office
prepared for Hamilton Township. It's the
first step in a multi-step process. The
next phase is the wershed wers I
apologize I'm talking funny. I just had
a tooth filled. It's the watershed
assessment report which is due January
1st, 2027. And then it follows up with
the watershed improvement plan which is
due December 31st, 2027. Um I provided
Mr. null with a copy of the fact sheet
and a copy of the report. I also
provided Mr. Watkins with a copy of the
the fact sheet and the report and I'm
going to leave a couple additional
copies of report and also the fact
sheet. I'm going to be submitting the
copy of the report to Mr. old to put on
the the township stormwater website so
that residents and constituents can
review it and then they provide comments
to the email address that's on the the
fact sheet and the comments will be
incorporated along with comments we
received from the D but Rich is going to
give you a little bit more in-depth
explanation of what the the report is.
All right. Good evening, mayor, members,
administrator, chair.
>> Uh, Bob covered a lot of what I was
going to cover. So, basically, this
report is a pretty in-depth review of
all of your assets in your community,
all your in it's an inventory of all
your outfalls, all of your
interconnections, all your inlets, all
your all your flows from and to other
entities such as the county or private
entities.
And it it defines all of your impervious
surface. It ini it defines all your
TMDLs which are total D daily maximum
limits which are impairments into water.
What what affects the water quality in
the community. There are 20 wheds in
Hamilton County or in Hamilton Township.
It is the most that we've dealt with at
least I've dealt with the next closest
17. Phase two will take a look at those
impairments predominantly phosphorus,
mercury,
fecal caulifform and what things can be
done operationally and engineering wise
to control the quality of the water or
improve the quality of water over time.
This report will be needs to be posted
for 60 days and we'll receive any
comment. The comments will go to the
public works department. We have an
email address which is on the fact sheet
and then we can either working with Mr.
Watkins or Mr. Watkins can answer them
or we can answer them have a second
follow-up meeting to to share what those
questions were and then you have to have
two public meetings during the remainder
of this year to talk about the phase two
which is a little more in depth. What
things can you do to improve that water
quality over the next m x number of
years?
You have to identify funding sources.
You have to identify what type of
projects and they can be either
engineering or operational. So
operational would affect your public
works department like street sweeping.
Say you're going to sweep more streets.
You have a requirement under the current
permit. But you may say, "Okay, we want
to improve it by getting X off the
ground. So we're going to we're going to
sweep four more times a year." I'm just
using examples. or you do engineering
controls like MTDs to control stuff
going into your outposts. That's capital
intensive. So, you're going to have to
plan for that. And in the third phase,
you actually identify an implementation
schedule of that.
In addition, there's two other things
you need to do with storm water under
the permit. You need to revise your
storm water management plan by January
1, 2028 or the end of this year or 27,
I'm sorry, January 1, 2027. your storm
water management plan needs to be
revised. And there is a template on the
state website that allows you to do
that. And you also, and you probably may
remember this, in 2024, you had to
revise your stormwater control
ordinance. It has to be revised again.
And that's in direct uh response to New
Jersey REAL, which is climate control
enactment that was put in last year. So,
if a anyone have any questions? I know
it's a lot of material. Uh the report's
pretty detailed. I worked with a team of
people to do it. Mr. Rocket, if you have
any questions, by all means, you can
give me a call, you know, give me a
shout or reach out to Bob. Any questions
about this at all?
>> Questions? Anybody?
>> No, sir. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you for having us.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
Moving on, we'll go to a land landfill
redevelopment update
from uh REN resource renewal, Jeff Day.
>> Good evening everyone, mayor, members of
committee.
Um I'm going to sit up here. So I got
Oh boy.
All
right. Anyway, apologies. Uh, so we'll
move through this quickly. Um,
last time, so everything's going pretty
well out on the site. Uh, we got a
couple challenges with paperwork uh that
we're dealing with, and we'll we'll
touch on some.
So, this is the design plan and uh as
you can see here, um this is just a
little bit of a refresher. Uh we've got
the main landfill lot, the four other
lots on the side. Working with uh Robert
uh and Emily on trying to get those lots
incorporated into the redevelopment area
and the redevelopment plan. Uh moving
that process forward is important for
us. and uh the slot 57 and the four
adjacent lots as we discussed before.
This also shows the uh corridor around
the site, the 100 foot corridor that the
uh pine is required for habitat
protection for the redheaded woodpecker.
We're to accommodate that and the change
uh the township added lot 5815 bottom
right hand corner.
This is one of the cool shots I was
talking about. Uh this is uh this is
actually from March uh to third week in
March. Um we're looking from the
southwest corner. So Ninth Street down
in the corner here. Uh you can see the
services. I didn't advance the screen.
I'm just looking at it myself. My bad.
Um so uh this is the southwest corner.
You can see the special services school
up in the up in the far corner there.
These are two of the basins in the
bottom area. The basins are now
installed
uh and uh cordoned off with with silk
fence. And the next step for the basins
uh once we finish the grading up top is
to install the inlets and the outlets
into the storm swailes that collects the
water running off the landfill and that
uh diverts through uh into an inlet and
through an outlet into the basin. So
this is from the other side in the other
corner. This is basically the lot 5815
down the bottom right hand corner of the
site plan and shows you from the other
side these basins here and you can see
uh let me see
so there's two basins here there's uh
three basins along the southwest
corridor here and then there other
basins are up in the top
next
here this is a more recent shot from
this month uh I believe it was last week
or the week before. The darker material
is the top soil. So that area is already
graded to minus 6 in and then the top
six inches of top soil goes on top of
that. Uh you can see the the
storm water structures uh inlets and and
outfall uh concrete pieces down there in
the bottom left hand side. So, uh,
making great progress, moving right
along, and, uh, um, we anticipate that
top soil import will be completed this
week, this this week. And, uh, then
we'll get to a final grading uh, of the
site. Uh, and then the storm water
infrastructure will start to go in as I
discussed before. That's going to be
take uh, during the next 30 days or so.
Uh, major construction act and as soon
as the storm water's installed, etc.,
Then we'll seed the entire site hydro.
Um the major construction work ought to
be finished by June uh with
demobilization follow then we're going
to wait for grass to grow. Um and
there's a lot of other activities. We'll
reinstall the monitoring wells, start
the monitoring wall uh program and
that's reflected in this schedule. Um, I
had uh some other issues I was dealing
with with my family today, so I didn't
get a chance to print out the larger
ones for you. But I'm going to update
this schedule and overlay the solar
tasks and schedule and in integrate that
into this. And I'll provide uh uh
Brett and uh Robert and everybody uh
copies of that probably toward the first
or second week in May. Uh we've got a
meeting next week.
So this basically shows you what we
talked about the the line there is
today. We've got the other construction
activities. Those other bars going out
in the sort of bottom third of the is
the quarterly groundwater monitoring and
we submit our reports etc to the D and
that last bar on the bottom is a D
reviewing the final reports the permit
applications and issuing those. And this
basically has us uh getting completion
and issue of an REO toward the end of uh
end of 27. Uh we'll be finished with
most of our construction as I mentioned
made a joke about the grass growing. U
the solar development activities and uh
engineering and planning is is ongoing.
They've submitted their interconnection
application with the utility. uh they
had a pre uh workshop meeting here with
uh township and um I anticipate that I
think they told me that the their
Pinelands application let's look at that
now this is the the draft uh storm water
uh sorry soil erosion control plant from
their application it's going to go into
Pinelands and we've talked about this
before you can see that shoot the this
is the actual panels and the layout in
the middle there is uh uh our our
equipment pads where the inverters and
uh interconnections and transformers and
stuff will will sit and then we'll have
the two projects, one running out towa
and the other going out to the corner of
19th Street like that. Um those are the
two interconnection points we talked
about in the past and this just gives
you I thought this rather than the other
one gave a clearer picture of exactly
where the solar being sold, how it's
going to connect to the vehicle. Um, as
we mentioned before, um, probably we we
got shaved down a little bit on our
interconnection. So, the the project's
probably going to be a seven megawatt
project or just under seven megawatts
with with five going to the to 19th
Street and the the balance going out to.
And again, we've got a summary of the
the benefit there at the bottom to the
uh to the individual household
total in savings in electrical costs. Uh
we'll have uh as I said workshops and so
forth as we get into probably toward the
end of this year, middle third part of
this year with uh how to sign up and how
to get uh sign up for the
community solar program
that I think that's when we'll have
that. It might be a little bit late. It
might be the beginning of next year once
this the U interconnection and uh
community solar approvals in place.
That's all the things that that we're
doing there. Uh site plan application.
I'm not sure exactly when that's going
to be. I'm not sure if they're going to
wait for Pinelands or come in during
that review process by Pinelands, but
that ought to be in the next couple of
months as well. So, that's all rolling.
So, they've got engineering planning
approvals. They're going to be getting
uh construction of the solar array
should start sometime between a year
from now and uh middle of next year. Uh
it's about a six-month project and
hopefully uh I think the plan would be
to have electrical uh finished with
electrical production toward the end of
next year into the first quarter
schedule that we're on right now.
Um that's all I had slides answering
questions.
>> Very good. Any any questions anymore?
>> Uh yes. Um do you know when the um solar
project will be coming in front of the
planning board?
>> Uh they're going to submit the
application sometime in the next two
months I believe.
>> Two months. Okay.
>> Could could be could be as soon as
sometime in May. I'm not sure if they're
going to wait for final review or come
in while that's going on.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> And the only other thing I'll add is a
this is the other paperwork I mentioned.
We're having a little trouble with the
clearing title on the landfill lot. As
some of you might know, tell me that
that lot used to have 500 individual
lots in the day. They've cleared like
370 of them. And so we're going to be
working I'm reaching out to Robert and
Brett working with
trying to find those records of when
it's obviously important to clear title
and get title.
We're challenging.
>> Any other questions or comments?
>> Very good.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you.
So moving on to 3C
Amazon presentation of redevelopment
agreement. Presentation of amendment to
redevelopment agreement.
>> Hi Emily.
>> Um Emily Given redevelopment council for
the township. Um, as the mayor
mentioned, we're here this evening um
for a presentation to committee of a
proposed amendment to the redevelopment
agreement that was entered into between
Amazon and the township. Um, the initial
agreement was for the redevelopment of a
portion of the former Atlantic City
racetrack. The project is still
anticipated to be there.
um
and the um area that the project needs
to encompass has increased. So minor
subdivision was was done um approved
already. Um, our agreement reflected
very specific
criteria for the project and so the
amendment is required because the
project parameters have changed and we
do have representatives of Amazon here
tonight to fully explain to committee
and to the public what those are. Um,
and um, I have provided a brief summary
to the committee of the changes so that
you can follow along um, that that are
reflected in the amendment. Um but
basically it is to um describe the
project as it is going to be presented
through their site plan application to
the planning board. Um defines um what
the overall project site is. Now that
area is larger um and gives um
parameters for uh the community benefits
if there is a substantial um development
impact from the from the project itself.
And there's a committee that's going to
be evaluating that um through Mr.
Goodman's office. Um when the
project is ready for construction
permits, that's when that impact um fee
will be paid. So, I'm going to turn this
over to Mr. Joe Papo and Danielle
Aristi. Correct.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you very much. Um could you go to
the first exhibit? There should be two.
The exhibit A.
Good evening, mayor, township committee
members. Uh Joe Pero from Porzio,
Bramberg, and Newman. On behalf of
Amazon.com Services LLC, I have with me
Daniellea Rristie.
>> Good evening, mayor and committee
members. Thank you for your time this
evening.
>> And and mayor, committee members, as
Miss Given stated, we are here for an
amendment to the redevelopment
agreement. and we wanted to take the
opportunity not just to talk about that
but to also give uh the township a
progress update status update on where
the project stands currently. So
approximately one year ago, as a matter
of fact, April 22nd of 2025, the
redevelopment agreement with Amazon was
executed, um immediately after the
execution of that agreement, the Amazon
team moved forward diligently with
submitting plans for the uh project to
the Hamilton Township Planning Board as
well as the county um for review of that
site plan and subdivision.
While those applications were pending,
uh, Amazon, it's always innovating, uh,
came up with a new and enhanced
prototype, uh, for this site. Um, that
prototype required modifications to the
the design. Um so in order to
incorporate those design changes and to
keep the project moving uh the team
separated the subdivision uh from the
site plan because the site plan required
extensive revisions from an engineering
standpoint allowing us to move forward
with the subdivision while those
revisions were being made. Uh we did
appear before the planning board of
Hamilton Township in February uh for the
subdivision of the parcel of the
Atlantic City Race Force into the two
parcels in question. Um the subdivision
that was approved by the planning board
uh provides a larger parcel for the
Amazon facility and that's due to the
design change. As you'll hear this
evening, the uh original prototype was a
multi-storied uh distribution and
fulfillment center. Uh that uh prototype
was replaced with a more traditional
one-story uh we'll call it um uh
facility. So instead of going more
vertical, it's now lower and it's taking
up more land area. So the subdivision
needed to be modified and the lot
configurations. Again, that was
submitted to the county and to the
township planning board or just the
subdivision and that was approved to
allow these two parcels to be separated
legally. Uh it was approved by both
Hamilton Township and County. Um after
the subdivision, the engineering team,
we do have representatives here this
evening. uh moved forward diligently
again with the revisions to the site
plan materials. Those were resubmitted
uh back to Hamilton Township and they
are currently under review by the
township's consultants uh engineers and
planners. Um and we expect to hear
shortly uh as to whether or not the
application the revised application is
now complete can be scheduled for site
plan review by the planning board. Um,
so that's just a quick progress uh and
status update as to where the project
sits. And as Miss Gibbons stated,
because the configuration and the layout
change, the redevelopment agreement that
we entered into with the township back
almost a year ago needs to be updated
and brought current so that it'll it
aligns with this new design. Um the
changes primarily in the redevelopment
agreement amendment that you have before
you are just that to refine the project
description to reflect the new footprint
to reflect the fact that it's no longer
a multi-story building. It's down to a
more traditional one-story building and
also to change some other terms of the
redevelopment agreement primarily the
project schedule. Uh in light of this
pivot that Amazon uh needed to uh
incorporate into this project the
project schedule had to be adjusted
accordingly. Um the good news is that we
did make progress with your planning
board on the subdivision. While these
details were being revised, the
Pinelands Commission also has seen the
uh revised concept and they have made a
determination that the changes are not
significant enough to require a new
certificate of filing. So the pilance
commission is allowing us to proceed
under the original certificate of filing
because again although in Amazon's world
this is significant change to the rest
of us it's it's not as significant when
it comes to a site plan review uh
position on what's needed to be done uh
to advance the project.
the
what you have on the screen uh before
you is the approved subdivision plan
from the planning board. And you'll note
in the upper uh portion of the screen
that larger parcel uh is the uh proposed
Amazon parcel. The remainder is shown at
the bottom of your screen. Um and so
again this reconfiguration of the
parcels was done again to accommodate uh
the changes in the facilities layout on
the site.
Um so in addition to the subdivision if
you wanted to
here it comes. We're going to go to the
next uh exhibit which is both these
exhibits are attached to your RDA
amendment. Uh the next exhibit,
this is the new conceptual site. Again,
it shows the uh one-story facility with
the associated parking and trailer
parking on the larger parcel that was
created by the subdivision.
The good news is that there are no um
new deviations or you know variances or
anything that uh would distinguish this
project from the redevelopment plan that
was put in place. Um, this project will
comply with the redevelopment plan goals
and objectives and the zoning guidelines
of township of Hamilton for this site.
Uh, there were some sign uh sign
variances or I'll call them deviations
that were originally requested as part
of the first application um for some of
the directional signs that weren't uh
contemplated when the redevelopment plan
was put together. Those directional
signs most likely will still be part of
this proposal, but again, no deviations
from any of the zoning requirements of
your redevelopment plan. Uh setbacks,
height, all of those things, parking
requirements, everything's still being
met. Again, this is really being done to
accommodate the new configuration. Um I
mentioned that the pilance has already
weighed in on this and feels like these
changes are not significant enough to
warrant a new certificate of filing. um
and all the other components of the
redevelopment plan such as sound
attenuation and screening and
landscaping are all still being
incorporated in this proposal. I'd like
to just have Danielle Aristi come
forward again just briefly to talk about
Amazon's pivot to this latest and
greatest uh prototype and to you know
just again confirm that nothing from an
operational standpoint is really
changing from what we presented to you
almost a year ago.
>> Thank you Joe. Yeah. So, while we're
considering, we call it a change. Um,
the way that these buildings work in all
of our program and all of our networks,
this is a first mile site, it is the
journey um of the package. That's where
it begins in our first mile site. So,
this will be what we call an ARS, an
Amazon robotics sortation fulfillment
center. That's the same facility that
was proposed um originally when we were
here roughly a year ago. But however, we
have rolled out a complete new design
template. Um, so because of where we
were in the project, we got caught up in
it. Um, and we had to pivot to that. Um,
the good news about it is the operation
that's occurring in this building, while
Joe said the prior version was more
vertical um, and this is more
horizontal, it's still the same
activities. It's packages, not packages,
I'm sorry. Product coming in typically
on pallets that'll be broken down, put
onto totes, um, moved through material
handling equipment, and then stored on
racking that gets moved around by
robotics, uh, or robots, that's what we
call them, um, an ARS facility. Um, and
then when a customer hits purchase on
the website or on the app, that will
trigger for that item to be moved again
by a robot over to a working station
where that is picked. Um, and the
customer order is fulfilled, put into a
box or a package, labeled, and sent
outbound. So, it's really the same um
activity occurring. It's the same exact
type of facility that was previously
contemplated. Um although we are
reducing the square footage for this
operation, we are still um going to be
creating roughly 750 full-time um jobs
for this facility, which was the same
under the the prior um application. So,
I'm happy to report that that's not
changing. Um and I think you know Joe
covered the more technical aspects, but
it's same thing just our latest and
greatest design.
Mayor, one thing I neglected when I was
going over the components of this
project that are the same and some of
the goals and objectives of the
redevelopment plan. Uh there is an
encouragement in the redevelopment plan
as everyone's aware to have Leipig
Avenue once it's improved to accommodate
this facility dedicated to Atlantic
County. That's also included in this
proposal and that's currently under
review by the township's consultants. So
that also is another component that's
been just carried forward. There is no
change access to the facility. All four
entrances on light will remain. Those
are the same. Those roadway improvements
that'll be constructed as part of this
redevelopment once they are constructed
and inspected by the county to their
satisfaction. That roadway will be
dedicated to county. Again, none of
those components change.
We we're happy to answer any questions.
Again, we do have representative Kimley
Moore. Again, this is planning board
meeting, so but we wanted to happen here
in case there's any technical comments,
but we can represent and I'm sure your
professionals weigh in on it that this
proposal in our opinion is consistent
with the goals and objectives of the
redevelopment.
>> Thank you.
>> So, I just this might be just an
overlook, but on your plans here,
>> yes,
>> it's it's saying proposed twotory
warehouse. Yeah, that's a great point.
It's not
>> changing to a one-story level.
>> No, I think the reference is inside this
building, and Danielle can speak a
little bit more in detail operationally,
there's actually a mezzanine level. Uh
there's a raised platform inside this
one-story building where the robotic
equipment and other technologies are
held and housed. Uh that helps the
package, you know, product process. But
Daniel, did you want to weigh in briefly
on the mezzanine? That's the reason why
from an engineering standpoint, from a
building code standpoint, they're
calling it two stories because there's a
mezzanine level inside.
>> Any other questions, comments?
>> Just want it's very a very well put
together presentation and I just see
that in 36 months it should be complete
with construction.
What is the date?
proposed date.
>> So, we don't have an exact date yet
because we still have to go through the
planning board um and get that approval
and they get the final Pineelands
Commission approval that would allow the
township to issue the the permits. Um
but yeah, there the redevelopment
agreement allows for 36 months from that
point um to construct.
>> Thank you. The good news is that again
we're a bit ahead of schedule because of
the fact that we did separate out the
subdivision from the site plan. We're
able to at least check that box while
the site plan technical engineering was
being revised. So we should be uh you
know again moving forward as quickly as
possible.
>> Any other questions, comments?
>> I just I'm happy to hear that you still
were able to keep about 750 employees.
So that was very good. I'm excited to
hear about that.
>> Thank you.
>> Bless you.
>> We're happy to keep that consistent.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes. Oh, good. Thank you. Thank you very
much.
>> Thank you very much.
>> And mayor committee, you do have a
resolution before you um to approve this
amendment. Um, and you are also making a
determination through this resolution um
that the proposal that you saw this
evening is consistent with the
redevelopment plan um and the amended
redevelopment agreement.
>> That being said,
make a motion.
>> I have a motion to second. We have a
roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken.
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek.
>> Just one item. Yes,
>> very good.
Moving on. discussion 2026
Cove staffing.
Mr. Administrator,
>> good evening.
So, at the last meeting, we hired a new
youth services protection coordinator.
Um, one of the things that we've been
discussing over the last couple months,
Carol's actually come in in May, is uh
de day manager and possibly adding a
deputy day manager to the code when the
day manager is
take a day off or pass unexpectedly
started looking at the existing staff
from last year that are going to be
coming back this year. And one of the
things that I would like to do is change
one of our current HVAC positions, HVAC
check positions to a deputy day manager
position.
It would keep the head count the same
ordinance
to create this middle management
position
absence of
any questions or comments.
So, we need a motion for Ken to go ahead
and prepare this ordinance.
Mayor motion.
>> Motion.
>> I have a motion, a second. All those in
favor?
>> I against eyes have it.
Next discussion enhancing township code
enforcement.
>> Brett and Robert
I met with the committee at the time and
one of the the marching orders
from the committee was to do a better
job with with code enforcement, property
maintenance,
um streamline line the process and be
more proactive
with code enforcement and property
maintenance enforcement.
Uh I three years ago I I've been
searching for an answer on this. Um our
our code enforce right now code
enforcement falls under the construction
office. They do a good job with it. Um
unfortunately they're very busy with um
they do mostly do fire prevention lead
inspections. um very busy with that and
we are very reactive over there. We you
know if we get a call we go and we we
deal with it.
The goal is to be more proactive with go
out, send send inspector out every day,
break the town out into five different
sections and each day hit a different
section and go through all the
neighborhoods and problem areas and
write violations and uh with the goal of
getting properties
back into compliance. The goal here
isn't to make this a money maker. This
isn't supposed to be a money maker. It's
supposed to get properties into
compliance.
Um, to do this, we need to move code
enforcement
over to the under under community
development. And we want to talk,
Robert's going to talk about the
creation of municipal enforcement
officer, which would basically dissolve
the existing zoning officer's position
and add several, I think nine new duties
to the position, new oversightes to the
position, and then having an
administrative enforcement officer
overseeing
uh this position as well as the as well
as the office and code enforcement as a
whole.
So basically uh we're going to we're
going to talk about the the creation of
the municipal enforcement officers
position. This is an integrative
enforcement and compliance role uh for
the township.
The overall purpose is to again
take what the zoning officer's duties
are and morph those into
position that is going to deal with
environmental issues in the township,
health, nuisance issues, quality of life
issues.
We talked about property maintenance
and we're going to take it a step
further and we're going to look at
redevelopment sites. Um, one of the
things that happens in the town,
we have projects come through, um, and
there's certain stipulations that they
need, they need to meet once they're
open. Right now, it's, um, who's
checking on that? who's who's going back
and making sure that um a business, you
know, after they open six months down
the road, uh part of their agreement was
to seal coat the parking lot or get the
parking lot striped or add this tree or
uh move this trash enclosure, redo this
trash enclosure. Really, it's it's um
I guess it would fall under the
engineering, but this is this is um more
of a a dayto-day where this municipal
enforcement officer is out on the road
and he's he's checking he's going out
and he's he's checking these commercial
sites. He's also checking on residential
issues and he's reporting back to the
administrative enforcement officer who
ultimately reports back to me and
you know
that's
>> correct.
>> So uh just as an int introduction my
name is Robert Gum. I'm director of
community and economic development
responsible for planning zoning and
redevelopment. I also want to introduce
my colleague Stephen Hartzell who is the
existing zoning officer and I've been
working with him over the last year and
a half in the time that I've been here.
I come from a background where I've done
a lot of code enforcement in the past
and working with the courts in a tightly
bound municipal system we got here and
you know the uh the court is handled
different because it's now been
separated out to the county. Uh I can
say that we've uh learned a lot in this
process and as a result we've also made
some great progress in terms of
enforcing uh zoning ordinances and
violations and gotten some great
successes and have been able to chip
away at at a number of long-term cases
that have been open. I'd also say most
recently we had a you know we've kind of
proven out that we've got a an improving
relationship with the local Atlantic
County court system and their officials
and they've been open to reforms that
we've been suggesting and uh we've we've
you know we've entertained this concept
with them and uh they understand you
know what the balancing act of being
able to streamline all this and in a
crossjurisdictional way and still be
effective.
Uh when we took a look at this last
time, we were just looking at uh kind of
having Steve do both zoning enforcement
and code enforcement. But the more and
more we looked at it, we also realized
that many times we were being asked to
take a look at uh complaints and
violations, which were often outside
that, but was certainly within the
purview of the, you know, municipal uh
domain for, you know, calling out
violations of behavior. a lot of them
often under the nuisance authority of
the township. But by going through the
ordinance itself, I actually discovered
a number of items where we've actually
called this out. Um, probably little
known that there's actually an
environmental enforcement officer
defined in our ordinance, which I did
not know about until we started taking a
look at this. And if we take a look at
the first block here under environmental
enforcement, what I've tried to do is
try to capture what those elements are
that the ordinance defines or at least
we fall under jurisdiction for uh what a
basis we have authority for enforcing it
and then what we would expect the
municipal enforcement officer to do in
response and uh it's unfortunately a
little cut off. I've also tried to
identify where I thought it was
important for us to define where there
are limits where we cannot act
jurisdictionally and understand what
those limits are so that we're you know
make sure that we're playing nice in the
sandbox with any other jurisdiction or
agency. I won't read through these line
by line but I would invite you to look
through them and if there's questions
after this presentation to please give
myself or Brett a call and uh we'll
certainly work through this with you. Uh
we've certainly dealt with environmental
enforcement issues. We last year we had
an incident where Intex was uh
generating a great deal of plastic dust
that was escaping their facility and we
were able to find the jurisdiction by
which we could send them a violation. We
did and thankfully they were very
cooperative and they were able to get it
fixed up in a very short time frame. Uh
we've also had complaints uh under the
uh domain of health enforcement uh
mostly during the great uh egg inflation
and everyone thought they'd become
millionaires by suddenly popping up a
lot of coups in their yard. It raised a
lot of questions about health and safety
especially in residential neighborhoods
and we were able to start working those
issues and it's thankfully calmed down
under nuisance and quality of life. Um
this is a general power of most
municipalities, but it's also one that
enables us to cover um a great number of
general complaints. Basically, the
general principle is if you're somehow
doing something which is violating your
neighbor's rights. It would normally
fall under the nuisance authority and
we'd have an opportunity to, you know,
at first speak to the potential
violator, give them a moment to try to
fix it if they can. If they don't, we'll
send them a violation. And if they
don't, they will end up in court with a
summon. Um,
there's the good thing about this is
that if it comes under this, if
someone's a repeat offender, uh, most
courts, uh, get very serious about
enforcement in terms of actual fines
that are imposed. They want to see the
behavior stopped as quickly as possible.
Property maintenance enforcement is
essentially what code enforcement does
today. And and generally the general
principles at top is that if you know we
have an opportunity to take a look at
scarier building conditions if they're
unsafe or they're not in accordance with
local ordinance we can act upon it. Uh
really the most important things is
structural deterioration. If we see that
visibly we'd be working with the
construction office to identify if
structure is potentially unsafe or unfit
and um coordinate on that. We would also
be taking a closer look at the vacant
and abandoned property compliance that's
currently outsourced in the township.
And I've taken a look at those reports
and they look they look they appear to
be accurate and the advantages is that
they are on top of all the renewal fees
uh for registration that come into the
township. But we're continue to take a
look and see if there's opportunities
for us to increase um basically the
accuracy of that as well.
Zoning enforcement is what we've been
doing since I've gotten here. Again,
we've made some very significant
progress. It's also caused us to take a
look at our own ordinances and where
we're at. And in the coming months, we
will be taking a look at uh we'll be
coming back to you with proposed
recommendations for changing those to
better align with uh where we'd like to
see the township go in terms of
performance. This comes in the areas of
sidewalks, uh, storage containers, um,
the tree ordinance needs a minor
modification, but we'll be coming back
to you to discuss this and and
strengthen and enhancing the zoning
enforcement that we're doing today. And
as Brett noted earlier, um, many
redevelopment and site uh, plan activity
that's been approved, we um, for the
most part, we see in the initial stages
that there is a great deal of
compliance. Uh, nonetheless, we do have
several notable cases that have been uh,
vetted with the planning board where
we're seeing people have given an given
an approval for a site use and their,
you know, their creeping use is
violating that that site plan. Um, we're
basically trying to get better eyes on
this. Uh, theoretically, one can revoke
a site plan. It's a very lengthy and
unpleasant process, but we think if we
have sufficient focus here, we'd have an
ability to mo get most of these u
basically swatted down or taken care of
or remedied before we ever get to the
point where we're going to have to you
see this is enforcement in court.
One uh specific thing is that cannabis
specific sites especially cultivators as
well as retailers as well have unique
requirements. Uh the most notable that
being around odor control. uh the
municipal enforcement officer would have
the authority to be able to go in and
ensure that all requirements are being
met by a cannabis specific site and we'd
be able to coordinate with local and
state authorities if there's any
violations as well.
Anyway, there as a result of this
there's a number of um cross functional
powers across this span of authority and
responsibility. Uh some general
principles around inspection authority.
Uh we can do any exterior inspections
without a warrant. Uh interior
inspections are subject to consent or
warrant. Um in our own experience, we've
noticed that just generally reasonably
talking it out, people will consent to
an inspection if there's a concern. And
uh we can schedule compliance and
followup as well. Um, our general
approach is to have a talk first with
most violators to see if they can remedy
it immediately. We give a reasonable
amount of time to take care of it. If
they don't, they get a formal notice of
violation
uh and a period to remedy it. If they
don't, it's followed with a summon and a
complaint for consistency and then is
heard in court.
We are making modifications to our data
and reporting system. um the way the
statutes are in there now. A lot of
complaints were being filed under uh
broader categories. We're trying to make
this more specific so we have a better
understanding of u you know which
violations fall into which bucket and uh
also creating u custom reports that
we've built around our platform that
allow us to track this better and
understand the pipeline of violations.
I'm going to hand this back to Brett at
this point if there's any questions
before he wraps it up. I'm glad I
entertained any questions.
>> Any questions for Robert?
>> Um, this is a lot. So, um,
when on on here you when you said the
cannabis specific enforcement and this
is
>> Forgive me, Miss Thompson, I'm having
trouble hearing you.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Um, I was just trying to
get clarity. Um, you have on here
cannabis specific enforcement. I think
it's number seven. And then it's saying
order control compliances. Is that just
directed to the actual facility or the
business or is that to individuals?
>> It is sight specific.
>> Sight specific. Okay.
>> Correct. It's for people that we license
to run a cannabis operation in the c
township. Regardless of the class,
whether it's a retail outfit or it's a
cultivator, they all have unique
operational requirements,
>> right?
>> And we're going to be there to ensure
that they comply with them.
>> Okay. So everything because it was a lot
of stuff. Everything under the sites.
>> Understood. Tried to be thorough.
>> All right. Thank you so much.
>> You're welcome.
>> Anything dealing with individuals would
be handled through the police
department.
>> Okay.
>> Anybody else?
>> Good. Brett.
Uh so
this position uh the municipal
enforcement officer would answer
directly to the director of community
development, Robert. Uh they will
coordinate with our construction
official, public works department. Uh
usually the public works department have
have a first eyes on some of this stuff
and a lot of people report these types
of violations to public works and we
found that a lot of the the code
enforcement violations are getting
reported to the zoning office already.
Same thing with zoning violations
getting reported to the construction
office. So right now uh it's you know
it's confusing to the public. So this
would centralize all of these different
complaints through the development
office. Um we also deal with the fire
official. They have again they're
they're in and out of a lot of
businesses in the all businesses in the
town. Um and many of our rental units
are uh visited by the fire official on
an annual annual basis. Uh we'll deal
with the health department and the
police department as needed for petty
offenses. Uh we're looking for an annual
salary for this position uh at 2026 be
$64,000
and increase to $72,000 in 2027.
Um, for the administrative enforcement
officer, uh, who will oversee the, uh,
municipal enforcement officer, we're
looking for one-time compensation,
$4,500.
And that is a, uh, standalone dual rate.
That would be a standalone dual rate
position. Um, that again, um,
it's not tied to the director of
community development, per se. Um, you
know, future if if position needs to be
moved somewhere else you have the
ability to do that with these two
positions. Um but again we are asking
for the creation of two positions and
dissolving the zoning officers.
>> Okay.
Any questions, comments for Brett?
>> Okay.
So
we will be looking for a motion for Ken
to prepare an ordinance. Have a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. All those
in favor?
>> I
against eyes have it.
>> Robert Brett. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Yeah. Wow.
>> Okay. Moving on.
>> Man,
sunglasses.
>> 4 A. Public hearing adoption of
ordinances
ordinance 2131-2026
an ordinance amending chapter 105
article 4 of the code of the township of
Hamilton entitled cats
>> Ken Brett
>> yes mayor thank you we discussed this uh
previously one of the meetings one for
introduction last meeting this is
enhancing the current pack ordinance
code allows deal with nuisance and also
the public health.
Motion second. Have a motion and a
second.
Any uh
questions or comments?
This is a public hearing. Anybody from
the public wishes to speak?
Motion to close.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion, a second to close. All
those in favor?
>> I
have it.
Uh so,
>> roll call vote, please.
>> Okay. So, that was a motion to close.
So the original motion.
>> Okay.
>> Motion.
>> Anybody? Motion to adopt.
>> Motion to adopt.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
>> Introduction of ordinances.
Public hearing will be held May 4th,
2026.
Ordinance
of the Township of Hamilton, County of
Atlantic, state of New Jersey, amending
chapter 137 titled canvasers, peddlers,
and solicitors.
Mr. Solicitor.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
137
focusing on public
the similar ordinances across the state
that are out there. We have our internal
team questions came up with
essentially seven.
Uh the first is the hours we discussed
last time
exceptions to
those
township that are appet
So those hours
for the application process
we also added a very detailed section
for police departmentation.
background search prior to
we also took the
opportunity to speak administrator.
Based on all of these
position,
Um, it also gave us another provision
based
where permit was granted.
because of all these.
So all those enhanced features.
>> Very good.
>> Here motion to introduce.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Hen,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Cheek.
>> Yes.
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
Yes.
Okay. Moving on. Award of bids contract
change orders.
Resolution authorizing assignment of the
professional services contract for the
township traffic engineer from Steven
Maer of CME Associates to Steven Maer of
Aron Incorporated and authorizing the
mayor to execute
the assignment addendum.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion in the second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Withers,
>> yes.
>> Patel,
>> yes.
>> 6B, resolution authorizing assignment of
the professional services contract for
the township solicitor from Kenneth M.
Warren Junior Esquire of Leonard Warren
and Leonard LLC to Kenneth M. Warren Jr.
Esquire of Warren Law Law Firm LLC in
authorizing the mayor to execute the
assignment addendum.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and second roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Hen,
>> yes.
>> Mr. Chief,
>> yes.
>> Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Withersp.
>> Yes.
Oh yes.
>> Consent agenda
>> A through E.
>> Mayor, could I pull B?
>> Pull B,
>> please.
>> Say, are you saying B or D?
>> B. B.
>> I as well would like to pull A.
>> Pull A.
>> We have C, D, and E left.
Oh yes, you're right.
>> Motion to move seven C D and E.
>> Second motion and a second for CD and E.
All those in favor?
>> I
>> against.
>> Okay, we'll start with 7A.
>> I have a question. I know there's
there's process in place. Does the
Hamilton Mall have any infractions
against them or anything
as that would cretail that we have in
place so that they take care of the
infractions before we get issue a
business registration.
>> This would
>> it wouldn't be part of that.
That's something.
>> Yeah, I thought I thought we had
something in place that would entice
them to take care of their infractions
so that they can have this stuff.
>> No, not this point. Not this point. Not
especially once it goes through.
>> Okay. Thank you.
So, is there something that we have to
do next time? Because I'm sure this is
the last time
>> we we didn't do that before.
>> No, not for not for this.
>> And if so, move forward with it.
>> Well, in this application, yes.
future
>> in future. Exactly.
>> So, do we wait until after B or do we
>> make a motion on A?
>> Motion on A.
>> Motion.
>> I have a second. All those in favor?
>> I against
7B.
Okay. So, mayor and committee, I asked
for this resolution to be put on the
agenda. Um, it's a resolution in support
of New Jersey Assembly Bill 3507,
Senate Bill S726,
establishing standards for determining
an unconsionable rent increase.
So, the reason I had brought this
forward is on I'm going to go back a
little bit. So, on our February 2nd
meeting, we had a discussion about a
rent leveling advisory committee um up
here, if you remember, we had lengthy
back and forth um on this and the
committee decided at that time to table
this and we asked for our solicitor, Mr.
Warren to um bring the committee some
pending New Jersey state legislation
that was out there for us to review and
possibly move forward with that. Um move
forward to the 17th meeting. Mr. Warren
provided the information um with the
legislation I'm sorry to the committee
for the review in which we could uh
adopt resolutions to um support support
them uh going forward. Um also at that
meeting there was a motion to um
establish an advisory committee and that
motion uh died because there was no
second.
So after a couple months um I decided uh
to look into the legislation that was
provided. Um, I talked with a couple of
um, friends
uh, that I know in the township that are
renters and I decided to do a little
research on it. Um, I asked Mr. Warren
um, I'm going to give him a list of
certain ones that I thought would
benefit our renters in the township. I
chose a few of them. I reached out to
Mr. for Warren to further discuss a
little bit on them and he gave me
information on the ones that I had
brought forward to him. Um the one was
sorry
A461
and that was uh
allows certain senior citizens to apply
for rent increase limits. Um that was
one that I asked them to look into. Um
he did and he said there wasn't really
any movement uh on this legislation. It
was still pending. Um then I had asked
him about uh
the next one was a
8 a2106.
It limits the amount of residential
property application fee. And it was a
thing that said uh cannot charge more
than $50 rental application um to the
renter. Penalty uh penalty is $1,500.
Superior court has jurisdiction. And he
informed me that that actually passed.
So that was one that passed through the
assembly and senate. Um that was one I
brought was going to bring forward, but
he like I said he informed me that it
passed. Um, the second one I asked for
him about was Assembly Bill A3
uh 350.
Um, and Senate Bill
S26.
Uh, and he had told me that that bill
actually got some legs and movement. It
passed the assembly and was headed to
the Senate. and he said that would
probably uh be a very good, you know,
choice to put a resolution forward to
move it um up to who it had to go to to
possibly, you know, get it pushed
through with our support. So, that's why
I asked them to draft this resolution uh
to consider tonight. Um and like I said,
it still needs to go through the Senate.
Um the other thing I just wanted to make
mention out there is
um for myself I just wanted to let every
know everyone know that uh I'm not
against any renters in our community.
You know myself up here our vision up
here is for the community as a whole.
you know when we look at our community
yes we have a portion I don't I think it
was like 29% of our was renters I think
it was you know we have them but we also
have to look at the whole picture is
what I'm is my opinion up here and I
think you know with this um resolution
pushing it forward it would help you
know move forward with some legislation
that New Jersey had um you know pending
so I I believe it's a good thing and
myself I'll continue to monitor the you
know legislation put forward you know to
see if it gets legs or it doesn't you
know and hopefully you know we can move
forward with ones that you know are that
was my uh decision why I brought this
resolution to the committee
>> question
because there was a lot of discussion
prior to this u Thompson had brought up
um previous meetings concerning
um
rent control review
um board. When I read this in depth, it
sounded close to control.
So I would like to know what is the
difference between she was talking about
what we discussed and what is being
presented tonight.
>> Thank you woman. A rent control board or
rent control at the rent leveling at the
m level as we discussed previously has
some drawbacks. Cost is a large one.
Cost on the creation of the board on the
professional services. Cost on
monitoring, regulating, and updating.
Cost on enforcement. That's a lot of
tax.
Some of the pieces of legislation that
we looked at were force mandates.
that forces the municipalities to things
and the cost
all those costs as you know just coming
out of the budget last meeting falls
back on the tax
there's obviously a balance in services
as well the resolution and the
coordinating assembly bill Senate bill
front is very similar to what terms of
uh making sure that rents aren't rent
increases
um but It doesn't force municipality to
put themselves in a position where they
have to those different mechanisms and
those costs. It places it on the uh
spirit court.
One of the other drawbacks we talked
about regarding rent enforcement or a
rent advisory board would be it doesn't
have a lot of teeth. Ultimately, if
landlord or a renter disagreed, they
ultimately be land.
Um so this says these are the guidelines
in reviewing those rent increases
mechanisms
ren
the current process is already in place
for what would be considered a
print. Um so it's not anything brand new
those rules regulations
but what this does is creates uniformity
attempts to create uniformity across not
only the county but the state as well.
One of the issues that you have in
superior courts in different regions is
one judge may say one thing's
unreasonable
say different. Um what might be
unreasonable in one town might be
reasonable another county we have a lot
of uniformity but not every like that.
So what this does is creates seven
factor system that a judge would have to
review and say if a landlord wanted to
raise rent for an individual
This is what you have to consider
whether that rent increase is
reasonable. So reer finds themselves a
position the rent growing up
substantially they have a mechanism to
go and find
that um it's important to note for
renters out there
it's not a renters
this is obviously out there help
passes of a little bit more clarity.
>> So basically it's no burden on the
taxpayers here but everything goes to
the superior court
>> to be truthful. Anything that goes
through there's a statewide burden but
it's not directly resil
without resources
put on
the same mechanisms you would have.
>> Okay, just for the record, I don't think
any of us were against renters. I think
what the issue was was the new
legislation that had came down
from the state which at that time was
taking the authority away from the
municipalities and that is the reason
why EHT
for their rent control but I think that
was previously reported. So I I mean I'm
I'm I am in support of this bill because
it at least it can go to the superior
court and the renter has a mechanism in
place if the rent is uncomfortable or
you know something like that. But for
most of the rents that I've checked in
Atlantic County is uniform. It's not
like you know you can live in Hamilton
Township but if you move to Summers
Point it's going to be cheaper. Most of
the rents in Lynn County are about the
same for a onebedroom, for a twobedroom,
for a threebedroom. This that's been
that's my observation. But I do
appreciate
um Committee Man
Aken um making sure that this is put so
there is something in place for people
who have these issues.
>> Thank you, Committee
standpoint, I appreciate you pulling out
pieces of legislation. As committee man
Akin mentioned, we have been moderating
some of them regarding this issues. One
of them was passed and signed by the
governor after our last discussion. This
one has passed through the assembly has
been approved. It's down in the Senate's
hands, but has been getting a lot of
sponsors. So hopefully this will be a
move in the right direction and
balancing both the renters's interest as
well as the landlords.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other questions or comments?
>> Yes, absolutely.
Um I I of course this is revolving
around me asking for um a rent control
committee and I um
am happy to hear that committee man
Akens
um did his research and wanted to put
this resolution in because this is just
a resolution um
17B and it says resolution in support of
NJ assembly bill 3507/senate
Bill S726 establishing standards for
determining unconscionable rate
increase. So these are still this is
still legislation that's going through.
Is it still going? It
>> is still pending. It has been signed by
the governor yet. It has passed these.
No, it is still pending. Is still going
through the process. Hasn't been signed
by the governor's office.
>> These are not signed by the governor's
office. They're still pending.
>> Correct. Yes. And what we're doing is
we're just sending a letter saying that
we're supporting what they're trying to
put through the state of New Jersey.
>> That's correct. Yeah. A positional
resolution. So, it's a resolution
support and then that resolution will be
sent and there's a list at the end of
the resolution. Everyone from the county
level all the way up to the state level
and the governor's office as well.
>> Right. And I and listen, I hear my
colleagues, you know, I'm I'm I'm still
standing on right here in Hamilton
Township. I think that we should still
have a ring control committee
and as I stated before
for all the above reasons for everybody
to come together and get different
information to advise on um what they
can do, what their rights are, you know,
inspections that need to be had in the
township, you know, and the cost for
those inspections. I mean, there's a
there's a lot there's a wealth of
knowledge that can be developed from us
having a committee. So, I'm still
standing on that, but I'm happy to hear
my colleagues express about this
resolution that we can support um going
forward. So, I really appreciate I
appreciate, you know, what you were
saying um Committee Man Akens and
Committee Dr. Thelma Witherspoon.
Thank you so much.
I'm fine.
>> Yeah, I I think this is like the the
50-50 shared parenting that I try to do
every year to show support of that. This
is the same thing. And it got this got
through assembly. So now
people,
our senators that are it's now in front
with the senators, they get this from
us, a resolution from us saying, "Hey,
Hamilton Township is in support of
this." um especially be good because it
looks like it's probably going to be all
five of us agree to this.
>> Um it puts pressure on a little bit of
pressure on them to say, "Hey, you know,
maybe this is something we really need
to look at and and move this through."
Um so I think this is a really good
thing. Uh good job, Eric, bringing this
up and and this through.
>> So
the motion
>> you can you can make the motion.
>> I make that motion for it. And there we
go. Motion in a second. All those in
favor?
>> I
>> against eyes have it.
>> Thank you.
>> Very good. Very good.
>> Right.
Okay. 8A personnel
resolution to hire Tyler Bennett as a
regular full-time truck driver
$20 base hourly rate effective April
21st, 2026.
>> So move 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.
uh appoint Isaac Clark to the position
of full-time police officer effective
May 6th, 2026.
>> So move
>> second motion and a second roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken,
>> yes. Mr.
>> Chief,
>> yes.
>> Miss Thompson,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Withers,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
Approvals minutes regular meeting
minutes of April 6, 2026.
So move
>> second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I
>> against eyes have it. Bills bill list
total $4,353,36.7.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote please.
>> Mr. Aken. Yes,
>> Mr. Cheek.
>> Yes,
>> Miss Thompson.
>> Yes,
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes,
>> Mayor Patel.
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> Reports, Mr. Administrator.
>> I have nothing to add.
>> I I just have a question on this report.
>> Oh, okay.
>> You're on the hot seat.
>> No, he's not on the hot seat, but I had
a question about the the trestle bridge
and the bike path. Where were where are
we with that? and I saw that there was
going to be design and permitting. And
who was responsible?
>> So, right now we're in the So, the
township's in the permitting stage for
the trestle bridge reconstruction.
Um, township is responsible for the
permitting expenses for the trestle. Uh,
the bike path itself, the extension of
the bike path from Atlantic County to
county. It's actually
we're in talks right now with
county and leadership of all the
municipalities between us and county as
well as
trying to figure out the most
appropriate route best route for the
extension
looking at the logistics of it. How how
can we get emergency vehicles into the
system in case of emergency
still in the planning phases? I think
it's years.
>> Yeah, it's it's quite a ways out. So
right now key piece of that puzzle is
that trust bridge. That's the connection
that this extension they may, you know,
they may choose to extend it in phases.
We're not sure yet, but right now
Hamilton's building the
connection
>> and and I understand that with the Trust
Bridge and we're doing the permitting
for that, but I just wanted to make sure
that the bike path that's going from all
the way to Camden,
>> we're not we're not involved
>> that we're not doing for permitting for
that.
>> I just wanted to be make that clear.
because we you know Hamilton Township
we're doing the best we can
you know with this budget and uh my
second question from your report is the
uh playground equipment at the cove when
will that be right now we're I have
public works looking into different so
we got a little bit more money than we
thought we were going to get for that so
we're going to look into
the equipment and uh having that
equipment installed has to be done by a
certified playground installer. Um, not
sure where we're at with that, but
three weeks ago we were notified
officially that we got the grantj
on your report.
>> I think it was
>> What's he asking?
>> I was I think it was 64,000. It was I
think it was 150,000. 150,000
>> off just a little bit.
>> Just a little bit.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So he
Chris just told me that
is it state contract or we Okay, it is
state. So playground equipment does fall
under state contract and
depending on if we do the soft surface
or not. So basically we could scale it
back on the equipment do the soft
surface get more equipment.
The my whole point is that I started
talking about this last year and I'm so
grateful that we got the CDBG funding,
but I would like to play equipment up
before,
>> you know, soon.
>> I hear you.
>> That's the point. But I've been patient.
I've been patient. And uh my last
question on your report was the the mun
municipal aid 2026 for the MISPA road
phase one. When will that start?
That's a
>> that's up to that's up to Bob. Um that's
up to
>> So we did get a grant for that, but
right now we're trying to fit that into
the phase two road. It's going to depend
on what we do with capital. We're going
to introduce that in the next couple
weeks.
>> Okay.
>> Um depending on what we do with road
paving and how much we allocate. Goal is
to put as much extra money out on this
road as we can because the road isn't in
bad shape and we're trying to look at
where it actually We do have we're going
to phase it out, but we're not sure if
we're going to start at the roadside or
start Shephard Avenue,
>> but the goal is to get it done uh in the
fall.
>> Thank you.
>> Very good,
>> Mr. Solicitor.
>> Nothing to add this
>> engineer. I'll be very quick. Um we do
have precon meetings this week for the
road program in Babcock Road. Um, so
next meeting I'll have a report to
provide to you with some time frames and
when the roads should be starting. Um,
our first priority is River Road.
Hopefully that will be completed before
Memorial Day is what we're pushing for
the contractor. Um, I'll know more by
Thursday. And then um, you were stating
the 2026 phase 2 road program as long as
well as MSP. Um, yes, we've been
discussing that. Uh, we're going to put
together um a road list in the next uh
couple weeks for that phase uh to go out
to bid probably
late June and be awarded sometime in
July and then be able to get them on
board sometime in August since the
budget passed early this year. So,
that's our plan.
>> Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> You said your first road is you said
which road did you say? So the road
program uh phase one of 2026 included um
gravity run river road mmouth Harley
Springer and Gale.
>> Um we would want to try to get River
Road done before Memorial Day to help
out with the businesses along River
Road.
>> So that's the key right now. Um I'm kind
they once they have the precon and we do
a notice to bid, they have to start. The
clock's ticking. Um, so I just have to
see how busy they are in the next 30
days, but we are pushing them to do
that. And we will not start Babcock
until school's done. So,
don't want anybody to be worried about
that, but that's a priority that we
won't start out there until after school
is done.
>> And we just uh also got approved from
DOT for Dennis Foreman Drive uh the
sidewalk along Hes I'm sorry, Davies.
Um, so we're going to be going out to
bid with that in the next uh next few
days.
We'll see how those bids come in.
>> Do you know how they made out on Kates
today?
>> Uh, they got it all done.
>> All done.
>> Yeah, I made sure of that.
>> I didn't want it to be to two days out
there.
>> Good job.
>> It was a little uh hectic in the
beginning, but everybody followed the
traffic control and it was uh ran pretty
smooth and contractor didn't hit any
utilities, so that was even better.
>> That's even better.
>> Yes. I think it was a good idea that it
was a good communication that went out
to the residents
>> uh between myself and uh Lieutenant
Wade. I think we did a good job trying
to get that all situated and on board.
So
>> absolutely.
>> Yeah. Good job. Good job.
>> Bob missed one road.
>> Oh yeah.
>> Yes.
>> That was it.
committee members. So why I don't how am
I going just two just I'm sorry just two
more things on the reports
>> go short. Um, I just wanted to say that
I was happy about the the police
department doing fishing
um with the Hamilton um kids ages 6 to
14 and this is going to be in June and
this is free and I'm really really happy
about how the youth has been engaging
with the police department. really
really happy about that. And um the
chief has been doing an excellent job
submitting this backup, but I was so
busy reading the murders and the
accidents
I had skipped the in the past the other
things that were coming along, but I
took my time to make sure I read every
line
that I knew exactly what was going on.
So, I just want to say I was really
happy about that. and for the public
works department.
I did like the new flyer that you put
out. It was very colorful. I I put it on
my page and got almost a thousand
clicks. So, I was really happy about
that. And the way this is is more
proactive with the
um positions that that are needed and
hopefully you'll get what you need.
That's all I wanted to say.
I I noticed it so I just had to make
sure I said something.
Thank you.
>> Okay. Um three minute
>> first.
>> Why not?
>> All right.
>> So, I attended the police department's
award ceremony on the 8th. A great
event. Uh again, congratulations to
everyone who received recognition. Um
all of us have to remember uh that our
officers put their lives on the line
every day. Uh they're out there
protecting and serving our township
residents. So, just keep that in your
minds, please. And like I said,
congratulations to all those uh persons
who were recognized. Uh second, the
mayor and I attended a grand opening of
one of our Main Street businesses. Uh
their second location, Crystal Hive
Chapter 2, they call it. Um another
great addition for uh Main Street. Those
businesses there, they're all working in
conjunction. It's great. Um, it's great
to see that connection with everyone
there. Um, while we were there, we were
very observant of traffic and the flow
there. And we questioned a couple things
and we decided to bring some information
to Brett to possibly look at um, and
hopefully it goes further. I know he has
to reach out to the county, stuff like
that. Um, so just because we were there,
it was observation. we kind of said,
"Okay, this might want to be looked at a
little further." So, that was a great
thing. Um,
what else did I do? I attended a wreck
meeting uh on the 15th. Uh, the
discussion was Leapy Fields. Uh, some
additions we're looking at out there,
cleaning some stuff up. Um, it was I
guess it's in the first stages, if you
will, of the project. And uh like I
said, youth sports in in our town is
big. You know, we have to like we had a
uh proclamation today, you know, we have
to definitely support our youth sports.
Um so they continue to thrive in our
town. You know, builds character and
kids and uh you know, makes the town
look great with uh great sports. So that
was a plus. Um, I actually stopped over
at the Leapy Fields on Saturday for the
our HT Falcons lacrosse tournament. Um,
lacrosse has grown leaps and bounds
since I was in school. It wasn't as big
as it is now. There's a lot of kids
involved, a lot of, you know, of course
with the kids, a lot of parents and
activities going on in there. It was a
great uh afternoon. and they had food
trucks and I think it was an all day
event where they had you know different
teams coming in and out and it was great
to see that and that place was packed
and I could see where some additions are
needed you know in there especially the
parking you know that's a that's a big
thing out there but it was a great to
see all the the kids uh you know out
there playing that lacrosse um the other
thing I did I stopped by uh Oakrest for
the Betty how ninth annual Betty how uh
softball tournament. Um, when I attended
Oakrest, Betty How was a staple there.
Uh, I know she was a staple when you
were there and Tracy, I think she was
there, too, back in the day.
>> Um,
>> and you know, they they honor her with
this event and it's it's a great thing.
Like I said, it's it's a two-day event.
you know, brings different high schools
there to play tournaments. And, you
know, again, since I was there, the the
softball area, the main softball area
has grown tremendously. They got
dugouts, they got signage. It's, you
know, it's I guess with the help of the
school and the volunteers, it's really
grown and it's nice to see that
tournament continued on um for Oakrest.
Um so, that's a great thing. And one
other thing, I just want to make an
announcement for an event that's uh
coming to our town uh June 20th. It's
called uh vets uh vets and vessels. Uh
it's sponsored by our Maze Landing Yacht
Club. Um they're going to take veterans
and take them out on um boats and do
fishing and some tours. So, I just
wanted to put that out there um to the
public. I know it's on Facebook. uh any
information you want, you can go to the
uh Maze Landing Yachub uh Facebook um
page um to get any any information, but
that's happening um June 20th. So with
that, that's all I got. Thank you.
>> First of all, I'd like to thank Thelma.
She answered all the Trestle Bridge
stuff
except one. The surveyors have been out
there. There's pegs, ribbons, and pins
out there for serving it.
>> That was item number one.
>> I was at the police awards as well, and
that was very nice. And it was very nice
to see the amount of awards that those
officers and detectives and everyone
earned.
Then there was the landfill that has
been quite a while. And it's very nice
to see that that's moving along after a
long, long time. and that'll have the
substantial completion the end of June
is very impressive. And that's all I
have.
>> Any more comments?
>> Okay. So, um keeping in support of us
supporting our local businesses, I
attended um Rick's backyard. He uh
hosted a bike blessings Rick's backyard
barbecue on Saturday in support of the
community. um which is right there in uh
Mispa. I had a really nice time. Um it's
so funny because when I first saw it, I
said um bike blessings. So I'm thinking
I'm going to like ride a bike, but I
didn't realize they were like
motorcycles. Like they were real bikes.
And I called him. I'm like, I can get my
son to put my bike on the back of our
truck. And he said, he said, "No, you're
okay. You're okay." He's like, "What
kind of bike are you bringing?" I'm
like, "Oh my god, they got real bikes."
Harley-Davidsons and motorbikes. Oh, I'm
in this a whole another league, you
know. But, um, I really had a nice time.
The food was delicious. I enjoyed
myself. I am not a bike rider. I'll get
on the back of one, but I can't ride I
can't drive a bike, motorcycle bike. Um
I also um attended uh the police
department award ceremony which I was
really proud to hear all the um historic
stories. Well, heroic stories I'm trying
to say um of the police officers um I
was really proud to see, you know, all
the tremendous work they do. You know, I
learned a lot from when they go out here
first, you know, for uh front line into
these streets and some of the things
they face. You know, the chief was
really like explaining the different
stories that they were getting awarded
for. And I was just like, "Wow." You
know, I mean, I know we I always think
that uh Maze Landon is, you know, we're
suburbs, we're suburbs, but no, this is
stuff going on out here. And the our
officers are really putting their life
on the line. And I really appreciate it.
I really appreciate the chief breaking
down the hero heroic stories and the
things that um our officers were doing
dayto day. So congratulations and I
appreciate also the hard work that they
do here in Hamilton Township. I also
want to ask that we keep um the family
of Nyrie Montford
and prayer. Uh he's an Oakrest High
School senior and athlete and his uh
father suffered a tragic accident. Um so
I ask that we keep his uh family in
prayer. Thank you.
>> Thank you Dr.
>> L.
Uh I was just I don't have too much to
say but just a little bit. Uh I
completed my financial disclos
disclosure form so so that I am
compliant
deadline coming up show off I didn't
>> I did mom
>> want to say that part um as I ride
around the uh township I was very happy
to see there's been a lot of some
cleanups cuz you see the little plastic
bags down volunteer road and things like
that. So, I'm happy about that taking
place.
And on
hold on, I have this right here. This is
my last little announcement.
On Saturday, on Saturday, uh there's
going to be the three-year protection
for your cat, dog, family, and community
free community rabies vaccination
clinic. And that's going to take place
for your dog or your cat at Hamilton
Township Parking Lot, 6101 13th Street,
Maze Landing, uh, New Jersey. And that
believe that starts at I I don't know
what time does that start.
>> Starts 9
>> 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
>> I'm sorry, I I had to click the my from
9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. So that is all that
I have um to report. me.
>> Very good. Thank you.
>> Okay. Um,
Parental Alienation Awareness Day is
observed annually on April 25th to
educate the public on the psychological
manipulation of children by one parent
to unjustly reject or fear the other,
often during divorce and or separation.
This is something that I have gone
through and still going through. Um,
it's recognized as a form of child
emotional abuse and it's a serious
mental health issue. Uh, the township
has previously recognized this day with
a proclamation. Uh, but I like to
mention this each year and, uh, that's
that's this Saturday. That happens. Um,
April 20th through the 24th is National
Work Zone Awareness Week. Each year
nearly 900 lives are lost in work zones.
So, please, when you're approaching
going through a work zone, slow down,
pay attention, be prepared to stop. Uh,
we workers, because I'm one of them, we
notice when drivers slow down, and it it
makes a big difference to us. Um, so we
do like to go home at the end of our
shifts, especially when you see them out
there at night. Please slow down. Um, I
also was at the police awards and every
year it's very impressive with
everything that that your team does. So
once again, congratulations to all the
all the guys and girls that did a great
job and the dogs and uh and to you for
for running a great department. Good
job, Chief. Um,
I'll get beat up if I don't do this. The
Hamilton Sustainability Team.
>> Yes. Earth Day Oak uh Oakfest is
Saturday, May 9th from 10 till 2 out of
Oakrest High School. They will also have
a cleanup on
Are they doing? No, Cologne Avenue.
They'll be doing I believe they're doing
Cologne Avenue
>> or Babcock.
Hold on. I think it might be on here.
Maybe not.
>> Oh, there we go.
meet at Park on Atlantic Avenue where
Babcock intersects. There you go. So,
that'll be at
Yeah, look at me. I'm definitely on the
ball here. 8 a.m. Um,
and since we were talking about the
Cove, I just want to throw in there, um,
get your beach tags now. So, if you get
them before May 1st,
the season tag family price would be $25
and it's 30 if purchased after May 1st.
So, come on down. I believe zoning
office is where we're going to get them.
Steve shaking his head no.
>> They're coming to the zoning office.
>> You found out now.
>> Yep. Not Not you. I think they're going
to see Amanda, right?
>> So, looking forward to a good year at
the Cove. I see uh public works is out
there cleaning up and they always do
such a great job out there. So, looking
forward to summertime.
And uh that's it for me, Reagan. I will
see you later. Maddie, I miss you and I
love you and I hope to see you soon. And
go ahead and we will open it up to
public comment.
Alen Dixs,
neighbor of the Cove.
Brett, I did talk to you months and
months ago.
I'm going to say it was long before
November because since November, I
started walking Park Road because of
going to the convention. I wanted to
make sure I could spend three days on my
feet at the convention floor.
Carl, I spoke to you just within the
week. I wanted you to go look at the
cove. I specifically wanted you to go in
the area of the child's playground uh
equipment, which has probably 2006,
the storage shed that's right adjacent
to it
>> because if the
you can't fight mother nature is what I
wanted to start with. The winds of Lake
Lenipe blow from the west
and the sand that you buy and have
trucks dump and then take the loader and
spread it across the three acre cove.
The winds come and blow it right all
back up to that playground equipment
which is sink. It's not sinking in the
sand. The sand is sinking on top of it.
It's mounded. We could almost start
sledding there again. I suggested that
the township have the loader go and
start scooping sand and driving it back
down toward the lake shore because of
what got said tonight and the
conversation I referenced that I had
with Brett a long time ago could be
close to a year ago uh when this CBDG
money was brought up and about the
playground equipment. Um, you can't
fight mother nature. And if you think
you're going to go put in, he said it
tonight, some soft fall. Well, that sand
is soft fall. And you go put more of
that rubberized stuff down and you're
going to have this much sand on it in
two years. You won't find it. In fact,
if you go over there now, and I'll meet
you. I have two shovels. I have a spade
and a regular shovel. We can go dig down
in certain places, and I'll show you
what's under the sand. It's that
rubberized stuff with the black
big thick padded. You know, you you know
what I'm referring to that is
surrounding that playground area. And I
could take you over by the trees in
front of that shed and go toward the
bathroom building and we'll dig down
probably two or three feet now. And what
we're going to see is 6x6 timbers where
they made Oh, it was going to look so
nice. They they made stacked timbers to
make a walkway from the bathroom to that
building. Well, it's somewhere under all
that sand. So, rethink what's going to
happen at the cove. We need stuff for
people to play on, not something that's
going to get covered up with the sand.
And I'm not criticizing Brett. Brett
knows how I feel because I I deal
directly with him. But this it it can't
happen. You cannot waste this money. it
it needs to be for equipment and if you
don't spend all the equipment right
there then maybe you could put it
someplace else but this can't happen. We
had a a a mother with the two little
kids because I was working in my yard
and and then an older man came. I guess
it was grandpa came down the sidewalk
behind them and they uh oh, I better
talk faster
that and they must have been at the cove
at least two hours and I forget if it
was Friday or Saturday. uh probably
Saturday that they were there and they
were real little kids so what was there
to play on was fine but we need more
stuff and I think the asked for it
almost two years ago. So my main reason
is don't put something the sand's going
to cover. Don't don't waste the money
with that.
All right.
>> Thank you.
Good evening, mayor, committee. My name
is Stuart Wolf. I live in Hamilton
Township. I have a few questions for
you.
Number one, there's been a lot of talk
over rent control and I'm a little
confused.
Do you all support rent control or you
don't?
I support what we did tonight.
>> I'm sorry.
>> Absolutely. I support what we did
tonight.
>> Okay.
>> There's five committee members I only
heard once speak. They're not you. Speak
to me.
>> I'm just asking an opinion, mayor.
That's all I was asking is your opinion.
Number two,
do we have a certificate of occupancy in
the township for renters?
>> What do you mean?
>> When you rent a unit,
does it need a certificate of occupancy
before you take tenency?
>> We do inspections. Robert, you want to
can you jump in here and tell me exactly
what it is?
Yes.
>> And are we up to date on those? Do we
know what I could I ask the municipality
to find out? Because I'm Moren and I
want to know if my place has been
inspected.
>> You could give you
>> It's not my office.
Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you. One more question if I may.
There's been some talk about putting a
fire truck in the Mispa Fire Station.
Are we making any progress with that?
>> We took delivery of the new truck three
weeks ago, correct? And from what I
understand, it went back to get some
work done on it because there was a very
large scratch on it.
>> Oh, that's not right.
>> Yeah. And uh there was a couple other
small issues that had to be taken care
of. When that truck is back and put into
service,
um then there will be um the old 18/19
will then move over to MISPA.
>> Okay. And have we
gotten people with certificates to come
out and volunteer to operate the truck
yet?
>> We have a lot of volunteers. So I I
don't want to speculate on I hear what
the I think I've heard what the plan is.
I will double check on what the plan is,
>> but yes, that truck will be out there.
That will be the tanker. I mean,
>> I'm sure you know that.
>> Yeah.
>> And um so that will be staged out there
at MISPA.
>> Okay. Thank you very much for your time.
>> You got it.
>> Hi, Alita Graham, Hamilton resident.
With regard to the rentals, I have a
question. I do know that there is some
oversight only because I purchased
properties that were prior rentals.
Usually if you go in the electric panel,
you'll find the the uh fur bits in
there. Um my question is well first of
all I want to say thank you for looking
into it. Um I recognize that we are all
having an issue with regard to cost of
goods and services within the township.
We have to keep control of that. We have
to keep the integrity of all of that and
I appreciate that we are taking the
approach that we're taking by trying to
spread it out with the state with
respons with regard to the
responsibility.
Um thank you for explaining all of that
so that it's concise and very relatable.
Um the question I have this applies to
regular rentals.
Has there been any consideration as to
the lot rentals
because that is very expensive?
>> I don't
>> I think that's out of control.
>> Yeah. I don't know. Can we look into the
>> Do you know if this if this Yeah. Can
you look into that and and we'll get an
answer?
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. That was the only thing I wanted
to bring up. Maybe somebody could.
>> Okay. you know, because I know that
there it it has been complained about
before during a meeting and the the uh
person I'm thinking of is not here
tonight. So, I just want to bring that
forward and that's it. Thank you.
>> Very good. Thank you.
>> Anybody else?
>> Motion to close.
>> Second.
>> We have a motion to second. All those in
favor? I against eyes have it. We will
be going into executive session.
Will we be coming out?
>> We will be coming out, but no formal
action.
>> We will be coming out. No formal action
will be taken. I have a motion to motion
to close.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion in a second. All those in favor?
I
>> I
All those against eyes have
>> I have a motion to come out of executive
session.
>> So move.
>> Motion.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> I
against
>> motion to adjurnn.
>> Take my
>> second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> I I
you two in this meeting or what?
>> She's she's cing my
>> All right. Ajourn.
What makes a good volunteer? um someone
who's very dedicated uh loyal um
somebody who understands that there's a
commitment involved and uh they have to
have the support of their family as well
to be able to come and go uh at the drop
of a dime when somebody else is uh in
need. My name is Glenn Warner.
>> Uh my name is Larry Burch.
>> I'm Frank Roby.
>> Hi, my name's Louis D. Martin.
>> My name is Christy Litzy. and uh I'm
recently the uh appointed as the new
fire administrator for the township of
Hamilton.
>> I've been with the department for almost
30 years and a senior captain.
>> I'm one of the safety officers for the
department as well as a firefighter.
>> I am the chief of the Meline Volunteer
Fire Company.
>> I am firefighter and secretary of the
way Volunteer Fire Company.
>> I started doing this when I lived up in
Maine where there's very few people. Um
the town I lived in was 230 people and
so that's they were looking for help and
so I I volunteered.
>> My biggest inspiration to volunteer is
to help other people um help the
community.
>> Back in October of 73 I uh I don't know.
I seen the fire trucks going around town
and everything like that and I was
really interested and then I joined and
it's been 51 years later I'm still here.
>> It's something I grew up with. My father
is 40some years with our company. Uh I
grew up with the ladies auxiliary as
well. And then uh five years ago I
decided to go through the fire academy
as well. It's just something that's
ingrained in me.
>> It's important for people to get
involved with their community because
this is where we live. This is
everybody. It's your your neighbors
helping neighbors. And uh if nobody's
there right now, volunteerism across the
country is down. And uh it's getting to
the point where if somebody called and
needed to help that nobody's coming out.
>> The volunteer
uh is is running very low. So we are
always looking for volunteers to help
out. I think everyone needs to do that.
There's not enough people right now
volunteering for whether it's fire
department or other things and people
need to get re-engaged into you know
helping out the community.
>> Well, anybody could be a volunteer if
they're willing to put the time in. uh
you have to be committed and it's a big
commitment you're going to take. Um but
it's very interesting and we have a lot
of fun.
>> Your local fire company, find out what
their meeting nights is. Ours are
Monday. Um each company in our our
township has a different night and you
just show up and you talk to them and
you meet with the chief and all the guys
and kind of get a feel for it and see if
it's something you'd be interested in.
So, you could go to the town hall over
here and talk to the fire administrator
and he'll set you up with an
application.
>> If you're uh want to become a member, uh
we also do junior members. Um yeah, come
down here Tuesday night and get an
application.
It's really important to uh step up for
your community and even if you don't do
it on the fire side, there's EMS,
there's all different services, you
know, public services that you can do.
Uh and we just we need we need the next
generation to come up and um you know,
start taking the helm.
>> We've had many impacts. uh motor vehicle
accidents where we help people get out
of cars, uh fires where we help save
property, animals that we pulled out of
houses.
>> You don't get paid for it, but the
payment that you get inside is worth it
completely. And it's one of those
things, you know, if I didn't volunteer,
who would be here to take my place? And
what if it was your house? You know,
growing up, it's always, well, what if
it was our house? And it just it's the
most fulfilling thing I've ever been a
part of.
If you were interested in becoming a
volunteer, you can go to any one of the
uh four firehouses. One's in Maize
Landing. The second one uh Weimoth
Firehouse is up off of the Blackhorse
Pike. Laurel Dale Fire Company is uh off
of Route 50 right by the expressway
entrance. And then Cologne is uh down um
on the other side of the expressway
behind the mall. Or you can come to my
office. some in the township. Uh the
main building there on 13th Street, uh
the fire administrator's office,
I'd say dedicated.
They're very Yeah, they're dedicated.