06-15-2026 - Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting

Bring the Monday, June 15th, 2026
Township of Hamilton Committee Meeting
to order. Please rise for the flag
salute.
>> I pledge allegiance [clears throat] to
the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
>> [clears throat]
>> Adequate notice of this meeting has been
provided pursuant to the New Jersey Open
Public Meetings Law by posting 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
6th, 2026.
Mr. Aiken?
>> Here.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Here.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Here.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Here.
>> Mayor Patella?
>> Here.
>> Have a moment of silence for private
reflection.
Thank you.
First off, we have a proclamation
for the retirement of Rita Martino.
>> [laughter]
[laughter]
>> Whereas, after a successful career in
accounting and marketing for both the
casino industry and the American Red
Cross, Rita Martino began her 34-year
journey within the public service in
1992,
serving as the city clerk
of the city of Port Republic.
She later served as the deputy township
clerk of Galloway Township. In 2005,
Rita was selected to serve as deputy
township clerk of the Township of
Hamilton.
And finally, in 2016, she was promoted
to township clerk of the Township of
Hamilton. And
whereas Rita has dedicated 21 years of
exemplary service to the Township of
Hamilton,
serving with professionalism, integrity,
and an unwavering commitment to public
service. And
whereas throughout her tenure,
Rita has been a steady and knowledgeable
leader and mentor whose contributions
have left a lasting impact not only on
the Township of Hamilton, but also on
colleagues, elected officials,
and the residents she has served so
faithfully.
And whereas Rita's institutional
knowledge, attention to detail, and
dedication to excellence will be truly
missed.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that
we, the Township Committee of the
Township of Hamilton, County of
Atlantic, State of New Jersey, on this
day, June 15th, 2026,
proudly congratulate Rita Martino
on a highly successful career and
well-deserved retirement.
Be it further resolved that this
proclamation is presented to Rita to
serve as a lasting token of our our
gratitude. With our warmest wishes for
health, happiness,
and continued success.
>> Thank you so much. Thank
>> [applause]
[applause]
>> Oh, jeez.
Oh, jeez.
>> I didn't know I had
>> [laughter]
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Thank
you to the Township Committee. Um
>> [laughter]
>> Thank you.
I'll be shorter than that. Um what a
wonderful career I have had. Uh thank
you much very much for honoring me this
evening. I probably made some notes in
case I got nervous. I don't know. We'll
see. Um I would like to thank the 32
Township Committees that I have served,
the two City Councils, the 15 Mayors,
one Council President, and two Municipal
Clerks it's been my honor to serve with.
I would also like to thank
the long-term employees of the Township
of Hamilton
for their dedication, friendship. It's
wonderful to see so many of you come out
tonight. I really appreciate it. I would
have never been here without your
support. And mostly I'd like to thank my
son
for his constant support,
his sacrifices that he made, and his
encouragement so that his mother could
have this career.
And
absolutely the most thank you to the
taxpayers, residents, and business
owners of the Township of Hamilton. It
was an honor to be your Municipal Clerk.
Thank you. Have a good night.
>> [applause]
[applause]
>> So I I just like to say
um I've been up here now for 7 years.
And
Rita was a wealth of knowledge to help
somebody who didn't know anybody,
probably any any committee member who
came in here. She was there to help out,
answer questions.
Gave me her cell phone number. You have
any questions, doesn't matter when,
Saturday, Sundays, she would answer.
Maybe not right away, but she'd get back
to me. Um but losing Rita is is losing
that that wealth of knowledge that she
has.
And uh I'm sure Jean's going to do a
great job. Looking forward to working
with Jean. So far, so good.
And uh but
best of luck. Do some traveling, I know
you will.
And thank you for your service. Really
appreciate it.
>> [applause]
>> Okay, additions, deletions.
That?
Alex.
Agenda late list, June 15, 2026,
deletions. 12A, PBA contract
negotiations.
Contract negotiations.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
>> Aye.
Against? Eyes have it.
We don't have the
the updates that we're giving us, we
don't have to add them.
Don't have to do anything with that.
There was several that we had some added
information.
No, it's just added information.
>> wanted to make sure. Thank you.
>> Early public comment?
>> We have Frank Roby signed up for 3B and
3C.
Frank Roby, 309 Farragut Avenue.
Um
the Duberstein property has some
beautiful trees on it.
>> Yeah, we can't hear you. I don't can't
hear you.
>> Uh I'm the Duberstein property has some
beautiful trees on it. I hope
that the owner [clears throat] can be
convinced to keep some of them.
Um because the especially the there's a
giant tulip poplar on the south side um
that's just a it's it's a gorgeous
gorgeous tree. We need trees.
We got too many automobiles and people
and all that, but we need trees. Um
so that's all I had on that one. On the
other on Amazon
a couple numbers. 2.65 trillion dollar
market cap. 77.7 billion
uh
They made a lot of money. They made a
lot of money. Um sales of 716 billion
dollars in 20
25. So, that income is what I was trying
to say. So.
Thank you.
Anybody else?
>> It.
Okay.
Discussion for more action may be taken.
3A.
This is uh personnel within the tax
collector's assessor and construction
offices.
Brett?
>> I met with the personnel committee last
week to discuss our ongoing search for a
deputy tax collector.
It has been
unsuccessful. We've had to
the ad up on leave since the end of
March.
We did interview a few people, but they
mostly weren't weren't certified and we
did actually make a few offers, but they
uh
candidates turned down the offers.
This time I'm looking to possibly raise
the salary max from 70 to 75,000 to
hopefully
get some more candidates
somebody in here that is certified.
Fill the position.
We have past quarter coming up.
As you can see further down in
personnel, we are bringing back a
part-timer to help out in Renee's
office.
I'd like to get somebody in
as soon as possible to fill the
position.
Um
historically the collect the deputy
collector and the deputy assessor have
had the same salary. I'd like to
request that that salary be, you know,
if we do agree to raise the max for the
collector, I'd like to raise the max for
the assessor.
>> Okay.
>> And again, that's only if the person's
is certified, has the CTC.
They don't have that certification, then
obviously we're not going to offer the
max.
>> And obviously that'll be in the job
description requirements.
>> Absolutely.
The other thing so since Amazon is
coming in
um we took a look at the part-time
salaries for the part-time inspectors.
Those Those Those uh positions still
exist, but they're not held at the
moment.
In the event that we do need to fill
them in the future, I'd like to
do that. Um the salaries seem low, $35
an hour. I'd like to raise that up to
$45 an hour.
Um
hopefully we
place somebody to come in and work
part-time, at least for the duration of
the project.
Looking to raise the maxes for the
collect deputy collector, deputy
assessor, and the three
uh
part-time building inspector, part-time
plumbing inspector, and part-time
electric inspector.
>> Okay.
Any questions, comments?
>> We thought it was um great idea
because we are being proactive and we're
not waiting until the project starts and
we need it. So, I think it's a great
idea. I think um Richie I mean,
Committee Man Cheek and I thought it was
a great idea.
>> And yeah, we could start networking
around for
you know,
a lot of these part-time guys work in
different towns.
Um there's a lot of them.
Start
you know,
gauging the interest of
some of these
inspectors to come here and work
part-time
you know, in the next couple months if
we if needed. I'm not sure right now if
it's going to be needed, but I'd like to
have it I don't want to come back to
committee when
when it is. I want to be proactive.
>> Okay.
>> I could comment. There was a lot of
discussion on it and we felt very
strongly that this way we're ready. If
you have to call next week, we're ready
to do that.
>> The goal is to not have to go out third
party cuz that's even more expensive.
We can use our
our that's better cost effective.
Obviously more personalized than a
contractor.
In the office.
>> Understood.
So, you're looking for us to give you
the okay to
>> Just draft
>> Draft the ordinance.
>> amendments to the ordinance for the time
being.
the ordinance and
>> Everybody okay with that?
>> Yes.
>> Good.
All good?
Uh-uh. I'm sorry.
>> If if just for a clarification, if
committee would like to move forward
that because there were simple
adjustments, that is on for
introductions. It's part of the
ordinance that's later down the agenda.
Those are the salary maximum changes.
So, we already took the initiative to
draft that and put it in front of you if
you so choose to introduce that this
evening.
>> I I'm just commenting um I know you said
SCTC, but you also
in further other meetings you told me
also CTA.
>> That's the certified tax assessors.
>> Isn't it for both that we're doing it?
>> two different certifications.
>> I know. I'm saying aren't we giving both
of them the ability to get a raise?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. That's what I'm saying.
>> Okay.
Moving on.
>> [snorts]
>> 3B, approval of resolution to enter into
an escrow agreement with Odin Properties
as a conditional redeveloper.
And this is for
the Doverson property.
Yep, you guys ready?
>> Good evening, mayor, committeemen,
persons, ladies. I'm Nick Talvacchia on
behalf of Odin Properties. We're pleased
to be here tonight to talk about a
complete rehabilitation of the old
Doverson school into residential units
and some additional units. It's a
69-unit total project.
The property is going to be restored.
We're applying for historic tax credits.
Odin is very experienced in this area.
They're actually undertaking two
historic rehabilitations as we speak in
Atlantic City.
Um they're well-known developer in the
Philadelphia market.
Uh, so with that kind of background, I'd
like to introduce uh,
Phil, um,
Balderson. He is the CEO and founder of
Odin. Phil, if you can come up here.
You can see on the board we have some
renderings of the project.
Phil, if you could uh, talk about your
company and the project.
>> Sure. Sure. Uh, hi, Phil Balderson. I'm
the founder and CEO of uh, Odin
Properties.
We're a Philadelphia-based developer of
uh, multi-family.
And uh, we do specialize in historic
rehabilitations. So, uh, when we
first saw this building, it was clear,
uh, you know, we we thought it was
incredibly special.
And
uh, it was important for us that
as part of the redevelopment that, you
know, we retain the historic character
of the
uh, the property itself. Uh, and and do
so in a way that's, you know, respectful
of all the historic elements, but also
in a way that, you know, we can kind of
make the project work. So, we have our
our whole team here today.
Uh, our architects and engineers and our
historic consultant,
um, who will tell you more about it, but
uh, I can say that
um,
of course the the building's incredibly
important to us, but but also the entire
site and how the site uh, interacts with
the neighborhood. Just in that, you
know, rendering, you can see you know,
the building itself,
uh,
brought back to its former glory, but
uh, and and the uh, kind of pump house
structure there that that's existing.
Uh, and then
further in the background,
um, the townhouse-like structures that
again will,
you know, our our design intent was
to
wed those to the to the nearby homes.
So, they'll look like they're part of
the fabric of the existing community
while also
making sure that we have a beautiful
landscaped
campus
and
you know, the required parking spaces
that were incredibly important. They
were you know, it was made clear to us
it was incredibly important to the
community that we had ample parking
there as well as yes,
the trees are also important to us. So,
our goal with the project is really to
to make sure we're respectful of all of
those
uh
elements and we incorporate them into
into our plan.
Uh but we have I guess our architect
here if you want to
uh take us through it. That'd be great.
>> Uh no, you really need to be in front of
the mic.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
Can you guys hear me? Yeah, oh there we
go. Perfect.
All right, well I'll I'll go over the
boards. It's a little easier to just
talk through. Um first board here we
have some of the existing current
condition of the the Duversity School.
Uh I think as everyone knows it's been
vacant for quite some many years now
after spending a a full day inside it
does have substantial repairs that are
needed on the inside but there are a lot
of elements um that we're able to
historically restore and keep within the
building. Uh I'll briefly touch on
those. Kyle can go through some of the
intricacies of the historic renovation.
Um but the great news is on the outside
of the building
uh the bones if you will are in
fantastic condition and it's a beautiful
looking building. Uh so, we're going to
be retaining that in its fullest form.
Uh
the site plan if you guys can see that,
I'm not sure if anyone can flip here.
The existing building
will stay. Uh and then these blue
rectangles here along Linwood and Third
Street are the proposed town home like
developments Phil was talking about.
Again, super important to keep the brick
um component in those so that they fit
in with the surrounding character. Um
and they'll be up along these street
faces. We do have substantial parking.
There'll be an ingress on Third Street
and Linwood Street that will serve the
majority of that parking. Uh for the the
new town homes. And then we do have some
auxiliary parking lots
that are accessed down here by from
Farragut. And then the corner of Linwood
um one occupying some of the old
recreational sports in this one. Uh some
of the front of this building. Uh to
obviously meet that parking requirement.
We do have a large plaza which you could
kind of see in this
rendering here at the corner
of Farragut right on the school. So,
we'll be proposing a plaza, new
landscaping, an area for the campus as
Phil kind of described it for the
residents to have some outdoor space
that's not just for the parking. And
obviously the building will be
landscaped around.
Uh what you're seeing up on the screen
here which is easier to see is the floor
plans.
Um
the the school obviously was a school so
there's a large gymnasium, there's a
beautiful theater
although in disrepair that's in the
school.
We are going to be keeping the volumes
of those spaces and the architectural
details within those spaces and we're
creating uh bi-level units that
basically occupy that volume.
So, everything that we're doing fits
inside that volume. We'll have stairs
that go up to the kind of balcony
mezzanine, if you will, that will all be
encapsulated into one of those units.
And then we'll we're basically over
framing another
floor structure to create accessibility,
ADA access,
for all the entries for any visitors or
anyone that's in it. There's proposed 30
total units that are within the existing
schoolhouse,
proposing no additions to the exterior
of the building. The exterior of the
building will remain the same. We are
proposing a few windows
that go around the backside of the
building.
On this little one-story addition back
here,
which was used by maintenance in the
past, and it's like off the gym area.
Those windows will be kind of
symmetrically around the buildings, so
that they fit into character. And
obviously, Kyle can talk more about
that. Those will meet the strict
guidelines of historic preservation
that we need to.
This rendering, you can see this is on
the lower level, which is the old
gymnasium.
So, we have some bi-level units, which
are seen to the left there.
And then the right,
you don't have any windows at this this
area.
And there's stairs that currently
cascade down to the gym, so we're going
to provide a gym here, some amenity
lounge for the residents, just some
auxiliary space
outside the units where people can kind
of congregate, utilize that space for
whatever they need.
But really, again, utilizing that space
and just putting a few walls in so that
the fabric of the building stays the
same.
And historically, you know, we can keep
those those in mind.
The other interesting part about this
building is it was a school, so we have
large corridors.
Those will be retained. There's
beautiful woodwork doors in there. All
of those moldings, entryways will be
retained.
There'll be some areas that we'll
probably try and restore some of the
lockers that are there. They'll be pin
shut.
But they'll be really a nice wide
entryway for all of these units. They'll
be very unique.
Um,
and and really uh accessible and
inviting kind of going into them.
Uh, and then again, this is just the
site plan. So, briefly I can talk around
the the duplexes, the town homes that
are there. Uh, there's 19 proposed
structures. Uh, they're a mix of two and
three bedrooms.
Um,
I think that two bedrooms are 1,400
square feet and three bedrooms are 1,600
square feet. So, they provide a nicer
mix for families to come in and just
larger amenities. The schoolhouse um has
a little bit of a different mix. They're
smaller uh one bedrooms. Some of the one
bedrooms are more large with those
bi-levels though. Uh, but they're
actually one bedrooms through the the
windows and configurations. Um,
but really a good mix across the site of
one, two, and three bedrooms. Uh, so
there's like a good mix mix on the site
for the
Uh,
do you want to John talk a little bit
about the civil stuff?
Sure.
Uh, I don't think we have any plans up
on that maybe.
Okay.
>> Can I ask Can I ask a question on the
rendering?
>> Yes.
>> I don't see from looking at the
rendering, and I'm sure you have it,
anything that's ADA compliant.
>> It's a good point. So, on this
site plan here,
see as you see here, this back entry
here at the building, there is an
existing ramp and elevator that was in
the school. So, that'll be all
retrofitted. The entire school building
will have ADA access available to all
levels. And that elevator goes to all
levels. So, the whole building will be
accessible.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep, no problem.
Sure. Um,
so it was basically described already as
far as the site uh layout is concerned,
but I'll just run through it quickly. Um
the site itself, you heard the
discussion on the building position,
um and the the balance of the site was
developed to make sure that we have all
of the services, all of the parking, and
all of our needs on our property so that
we do not create a burden on the
surrounding community. So, um as was
already described, we have a we have a
full access driveway in off of Third
Street. Uh we also have a full access
driveway in off of Linwood, um which
which covers the majority of the parking
on the site with a couple of other
little auxiliary or accessory parking
lots, one off of Farragut and then one
off of the corner of of Linwood uh
Street, which meets all of the standards
of the state of New Jersey and galley
Sorry, um
Hamilton Township ordinance. Um
uh with regard to RSI as the state
standards and also local local
regulations.
Um the other services that are on the
site, the site will be will have a full
trash enclosure structure, so uh trash
will be
taken care of uh completely on
site. Uh the parking, because of the of
the way that the parking lays out, the
anticipation is that parking will be um
will be assigned uh based on the the
proximity or location of the unit that
you uh that you would be renting. Um and
then as was described, um there are a
couple other amenities on the site.
There's a little There's what we call
like a little pocket park uh that that
celebrates the main entry on the corner
of Farragut and Second. Um we're talking
about a little uh small little area for
a dog park, anybody that has a pet at
this location um would have have
location to uh to
uh run their run their animal. Um and
you know, all in all, the the goal as I
mentioned when I started is to is to
create a solution on this site um that
does not create a burden for the
residents, but fits in well with them,
does not interrupt any of the any of the
vehicular circulation, does not
interrupt any of the pedestrian
circulation, uh uh, respects the
setbacks of the exist of the streets uh,
as compared to some of the surrounding
development um, and just really fits in
with the fabric of this area.
Um, there will be a full landscape plan
as we move as we move forward with the
application process
uh, and and develop these plans further.
Uh, obviously these these buildings the
existing buildings are already serviced
by uh, your municipal utilities. Um, the
the new structures will have to uh, you
know, make those required applications
and work through the process uh, for
sewer water and other utilities uh, for
the the uh, the duplex and townhouse
style structures.
Um,
really that's all I have, Nick.
>> Sure. So, as Nick said, I'm Kyle Toth.
I'm an architectural historian with PS&S
and for this project. Uh, so I review
the designs with the team and I also do
a lot of the coordination with the
preservation agencies that will be
reviewing this project. So, in addition
to the townships commission preservation
commission, this project goes through
four different agency reviews to to
review the designs and make sure they're
up to preservation standards. So, that
goes through the New Jersey Historic
Trust, the New Jersey Historic
Preservation Office, the Pinelands
Commission actually has a say in the
preservation aspect of this and the
National Park Service reviews this as
well. And they of course discuss amongst
themselves, but the main point of all of
that is to make sure that we're
protecting the historic character of
this building. So, several of the
representatives of these agencies have
walked through the building with us with
the design team to identify those key
areas, those key features that we're
really intent on keeping and that make
this building what it is. And then those
areas that there's more flexibility and
where we can put those new units and and
there's more wiggle room like putting
new windows on the back of the building
or how the relationship of the new
buildings don't have an effect on the
historic building as much as if you were
to put it right attached to or behind.
So, there are several different parties
uh, involved in that process, but at
this point they're all moving along
together to make sure that this this
project meets any standard that any of
them might have for historic
preservation.
>> Mayor committee
committee persons, we conclude our
presentation. This is still early in the
process obviously. There is a long road
at some point go to planning board
public hearing for full design details.
There's going to be redevelopment
agreement before that
redevelopment plan. So a lot of work
coming but design team under Phil and
Justin they've been putting a lot of
time into this in the last eight or nine
months.
We've already met with subcommittees
twice.
Um
Robert has helped guide us through the
process. You have the longest checklist
I've ever seen for redevelopment any
municipality.
Um
but it's helpful to us to forces us to
focus on what you're looking for. So
we've tried to take the input that we
received from the professionals
and your staff and from our meetings. So
we hope we're going in the right
direction and we will continue to work
with the township to get this right and
we think we're going to make it right.
We think we're going to do a great job.
I've seen what they're doing in Atlantic
City and some of their other projects. I
think this is going to be a project
everybody in this township will be proud
of.
>> Very good.
Jim
can I have you come up?
>> Sure.
>> You just kind of give us a
explanation of what we're doing here
with an MOU so that everybody
understands where we're at and and how
this is moving forward.
>> Surely and and I'll I'll I'll try to tie
into Nick's comments. I'm Jim Maley I'm
our firm Maley Gibbons is redevelopment
council for the township. Uh
what just to tie it into Nick's
comments, tonight what you're doing for
most towns is the very first step that
they would ever take, which is an MOU is
is here for your consideration, which
establishes an escrow for the
negotiation that will take place in
terms of finalizing these concepts,
getting them in getting them in a
position to move forward with a site
plan, with a redevelopment plan as Nick
Nick touched. You've You've already,
because of the process you have, you've
already done a few steps on the concept
and and there's a comfort level already
of moving into that process. So, tonight
is simply a first step. All you're
agreeing to tonight is that you will
negotiate exclusively with this
developer. They'll post an escrow for
that, and then we move forward.
>> It does It This doesn't mean that we're
accepting these plans as they are. This
is just a start. This is what what This
is what their vision is.
And it makes it as Jim said,
now the taxpayers aren't paying our
professionals to look at this. It's the
developer through their escrow.
And it just it it makes it so that the
burden is on isn't on the tax isn't on
the taxpayer.
So, hopefully
anybody have any questions about that?
>> No no questions, but I do like what I
see.
>> So,
>> I [clears throat] I do like it.
>> Um can I ask how much are they putting
into escrow? Can I actually can or
Huh?
10,000? Okay, thank you so much.
Okay.
>> So, moving forward, the procedure after
this is planning board?
>> In in time.
Not right away. What will happen in the
beginning is is more as they flush out
their plans more, they'll they'll I
presume make requests of us to make some
zoning changes with respect to your in a
in the form of a redevelopment plan,
that zoning will adapt to fit their
project. And and there'll also be a
redevelopment agreement that'll be
negotiated that'll flush out any any
terms that arise during this process
that the Township wants to be sure that
it's protecting itself on. If there's
certain things that you the Township
wants to see, wants to make sure
happening that are outside of that
planning board site site plan process.
We'll address them in a redevelopment
agreement. Then when that is set, this
will move forward to to the planning
board for site plan review to cover all
the technical issues in terms of storm
water management, you know, traffic,
parking, all that stuff still happens
after that.
Good?
Anybody else?
Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> So,
I hear a motion
for a resolution to enter into the
escrow agreement with Odin Properties.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
Roll call Roll call No.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chief?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patalian?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> And hopefully this is the beginning of
something good with Duberson School.
It's been a long long time coming.
So, best of luck
and we will be working with you very
soon.
Okay.
3C
Ordinance for Amazon financial agreement
pilot.
Um
Jim, you might as well have a seat.
>> Well, that's why Well, then
>> Or you can stand and talk if you feel
better.
>> I'll stand here. I The stand up I do
much much better.
I'll I'll just start things off if you
want to go into any more detail. Jen
Edwards, your financial advisor from
Acacius here.
But I want I want to just to cover
some of the general things with respect
to the pilot agreement. So
So a pilot agreement is here for your
consideration. It's a It's a financial
agreement that that provides
an abatement for the Amazon project.
That abatement has been negotiated out
for some period of time. It does not
mean that the project pays no taxes. It
reduces the amount of taxes that are
paid. And just to touch on the
gentleman's comment at the beginning of
this because obviously what's on a lot
of folks' minds is, you know, why would
you ever have to give Amazon a tax
break? And the the reality of
development in New Jersey is that the
There's two different pieces of this.
One is development in New Jersey
in order to attract this project which
is a million square feet of a building,
is 750 full-time jobs, 300 construction
jobs, is an impact on the long vacant
racetrack, kind of the stable area,
okay?
Which is the most contaminated area of
of the the racetrack.
But the reality is that in order to
attract a a developer to to that site to
this township, to that site
you're going to need to provide an
incentive.
Because
your neighboring towns, your towns
throughout this state
will do that in order to entice this
project to come into their township.
That is just the reality of the
marketplace. That's one piece of this.
The second piece of this is
while Amazon Global may be, you know,
one of the one of the biggest companies
in the world, Amazon's review and
through this entire process, which has
gone on for some time now, through this
entire process, each project is
evaluated on its own. And so, this
project from the developer side is being
viewed that it has to make sense
economically, has to be financially
feasible for them. And
and and that that's a reality of the
project. So, just because Amazon is
making a gazillion dollars in China does
not mean that they move forward with
their project in Hamilton Township.
Um So, tonight tonight is your is the
first reading of an ordinance to adopt a
pilot. Um there will be a second a
public hearing and second reading. Is it
July 6th? Is that what it's going to be?
July 6th. Okay, July 6th. Um the pilot
tonight, I'll tell you what, I'll let
Jen go through a little bit the
financial terms.
Um it has been negotiated hard. It has
been vetted
25 different ways.
Um we've your professional team is
making a recommendation to move forward
with it.
And I'll let Jen kind of run through
>> I'll run through a little bit.
>> Good evening. Jennifer Edwards with
Acacia Financial Group. I'll just give a
general overview of how the financial
agreement is set up. Um basically, it is
set up with a greater of test. So,
there's several different formulas
involved, and the township always gets
the greater of all of those formulas.
So, the various tests include a minimum
annual service charge, which is always
the prior years conventional taxes
before the project is built,
10% of their annual gross revenues,
which is the rent that Amazon pays for
the facility.
Um
then there's some statutory stage
adjustments, which look at the
conventionally tax method, and then
there's a certain percentage of
conventional taxes, and lastly, which is
the most important and the one that
really gives you the set for 29 years
is on a a basis of a square foot dollar
per square foot on the building.
So, with that, the the agreement is
going to be set up that it's a $1.69 per
square foot for the ground floor, and
then 80 cents per square foot on the
mezzanine.
So, what that does is it brings in
approximately 2.9 million
in gross pilot that then is shared with
the county at 5%, and then you keep the
balance. There is a land tax credit.
They pay land taxes to the county, to
the school, and to the municipality, and
then the pilot receives a land tax
credit. Ultimately, the first year
estimated net is about 2.4 million to
the township, and that's going to
escalate at 2.25%
a year.
So, the financial agreement is going to
set up this calculation, and you're
really going to have a good calculation
for knowing what this amount is going to
be for 29 years instead of it being a
guessing game.
Um the the developer is has to submit an
annual audit showing what the revenues
are of the project are, and then the
township gets to review those and
double-check the calculation to make
sure that they're paying the appropriate
amount. I think it's also important to
mention that we looked at what
conventional taxes would be
if they were conventionally taxed, what
the municipality would collect. Right
now, your tax rate is about 28% of the
total tax rate for the municipal taxes.
Under this agreement, you'd be keeping
about 55% of that
total conventional tax. So, you're
getting about 1.2 million more than if
this was conventionally taxed under the
pilot.
That's directly coming to the
municipality.
Um there's also a 2% administrative fee
that gets paid separately from the
pilot, and that's calculated on the
pilot payment, and that's about 58,000 a
year added extra um onto that.
>> Very good. Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> So, so that that's that's in a nutshell,
you know, months and months of work, but
in a nutshell, that's what the pilot is
for your consideration. The process here
is um an agreement's been drafted up and
been been um the form of it has been
finalized. Um the ordinance would be if
it your if it meets with your approval,
would be introduced this evening. Public
hearing on that ordinance would be at
the July 6th meeting.
>> Okay.
>> Very good.
>> Any questions or comments?
I hear a motion.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken.
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek.
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Pataki.
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> And another step closer.
Thank you.
3D, governing body certification of 2025
annual audit.
Any questions, comments?
>> I just one question. Will we be getting
a copy of the audit like you did last
year.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
Thank you.
>> I have a
motion. Albert, you have anything to
say?
>> No, I don't I don't
>> You sure?
>> [laughter]
>> I I was just I didn't wasn't sure if you
heard the answer.
>> She said yes.
>> Okay, she said yes.
>> There were no There were no findings in
this audit, so that's important to note.
>> You have a motion?
>> I don't know, do we?
>> I'll motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Roll call vote,
please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patalano?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> 4A, public hearing ordinance 2137-2026,
an ordinance of the Township of
Hamilton, County of Atlantic, and state
of New Jersey amending chapter 163
titled excavations and chapter 264
titled streets and sidewalks. This is a
public hearing.
Anybody from the pi- from the public
wish to speak?
Greg, you coming down? No?
All right.
>> Motion to close.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor?
Aye. Against? Eyes have it.
So, what's our pleasure?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Any
questions or comments?
We have a roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patalano?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> And thank you for your work with that,
Bob and Ken. Thank you very much.
>> You're welcome.
>> 4B, public hearing, ordinance 2138-2026,
an ordinance amending chapter 60 titled
officers and employees of the code code
of the Township of Hamilton.
This is a
public hearing. Anybody from the public
wish to speak?
>> Motion.
>> I have a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a second. All those in favor?
>> Aye.
>> Against? Eyes have it.
What's our pleasure?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Petrone?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> 4C, public hearing, ordinance 2139-2026,
an ordinance of the Township of Hamilton
imposing a moratorium through 12/31/26
on the development of any future data
center in the Township of Hamilton and
to amend chapter 203 titled land use and
development of the code of the Township
of Hamilton. Ken.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
>> have something to say?
>> Yes. If I may If I may jump in, as the
committee knows, any ordinance that
comes before the Township involving
zoning matters has to go to planning
board to make sure that is consistent
with the Township's master plan. Um this
ordinance, after introduction the last
meeting, went up before the planning
board. There was some substantial
discussion. They did find that the
ordinance was consistent with the master
plan, but in your committee packet,
there was a memo from the planning board
solicitor,
uh and there was a recommendation for an
amendment to the ordinance regarding the
definition of a computer center that was
included in the initial ordinance. And
the concern was that that definition
which was separate and apart from the
data center
definition
may be applied to other facilities or
other businesses for example a hospital
or a professional offices that has an
internal server to operate their
computer systems. Which is outside of
what the intention was regarding this
ordinance in relation to data centers.
So I had the opportunity to take a look
at that and what may be has in front of
it is an amended ordinance and it would
be my suggested suggestion to tonight
approve that amendment and because it's
a substantial amendment from what was
introduced it would have to be on for
adoption again it would have to go
through publication and would be adopted
at the next hearing which would be in
the July 6th if committee does approve
that amendment. And again what has been
removed from the body of that is the
computer center because we don't want it
to be erroneously applied outside of
what we intended with the ordinance.
>> Understood.
So
the what ordinance the number will stay
the same.
>> The number will stay the same as already
been introduced but because it's a
substantial material change it has to be
re-published.
>> We have to re-introduce.
>> Or or it will be
publicated again and the adoption will
and the
public hearing will be at the next
meeting so the opportunity for the
public to review the full amendment and
participate.
>> So we're re-introducing it now.
>> Essentially yes.
>> Yes.
>> Right.
>> Everybody understand?
>> I understand. I have a question.
I can tell.
>> Um on the
in the amended resolution we were always
just saying data centers but they were
there are other names
that also means data center even if it
doesn't say that like internet
data centers or cloud
data centers. So I just wanted to make
sure that everyone understood
that
data center
is has another other names. If you hear
other names, it means the same thing.
>> Correct. That's correct. So, both of the
names are synonymous. We didn't change
any of that for you. It was just a
computer center portion of it. The
definition for data centers that was in
the initial ordinance will remain the
same.
>> Thank you.
>> And so,
there was two recommendations.
>> That's correct.
>> second one.
There's two recommendations. The The
other concern was that there wasn't a
sunset clause in the ordinance itself.
That has not been changed. That's still
in there. We didn't specifically put a
sunset clause in there cuz we do
anticipate, obviously, it becoming back
in front of the committee before the
expiration at the end of the year so we
can address any have the ability, as we
initially discussed, to follow
legislation or litigation or anything
that's going on because this remains an
emergent issue. Um obviously, as this
went to the planning board, there was
another concern based on the discussion.
So, for your professionals and your
internal staff, we're going to stay on
top of this. We're going to report back
to you as this goes along with
recommendations of any adjustments that
needs to be made, but just like other
emerging issues that have come before
the township, we do anticipate that this
will need to be amended whether it's
before the end of the year or at the end
of the year, but we will be addressing
this portion again in the near future.
>> Thank you.
>> Ready, woman or which screen? Thompson.
>> Look at me.
>> [laughter]
>> Just a minute.
Um
so, I'm just concerned about
what um committee woman um
Dr. Witherspoon was saying about how the
data centers are very flexible with
naming what they are because everything
is so broad.
You know what I'm saying? Like how do we
How can I say How can we say that we're
specifically honing in on cuz they can
get like a smaller unit
and then try to name it a computer
center and but it's actually a data
center, but it's just named something
where it's smaller and it's a computer
center because I was reading up on that
how they, you know,
change the names and based on the square
footage and different things like that.
So,
>> That's a good point, committee woman.
And this is what
the purpose of the moratorium is is
because as this is an emerging issue and
this continues to develop, we're going
to be designing
regulations and restrictions and
specifications based on the research
that our professionals and the internal
team are doing, which is why this
ordinance and this part of the code is
going to evolve before the end of the
year. We obviously tried to encompass
everything that would be synonymous with
names could be or what makes a data
center, but we don't want it to be over
broad where it attaches to other
businesses that is necessary to the
town. For example, some businesses and
maybe an urgent care and maybe an
example might have an internal server
based on their computers. If we draft
language that erroneously attaches to
them, that would be disastrous for that
business and actually the township. So,
that's what we're attempting to avoid by
taking out that definition, but to make
sure the data center is as encompassing
as possible. And again, as we continue
this process through the moratorium, as
we do our due diligence period, this
will evolve to be as specific as
possible based on what the township
would like to see happen or not happen.
So, this will evolve as we're going
through it.
>> Yeah, cuz this has to be extremely
specific cuz to me a data center is a
computer center.
So, I'm just saying like
how specific
>> Under under the definition, it's
it's a balance of what is specific
enough and what is too broad. And that's
what we're trying to do here, but again,
it's going to be very specific as we go
through, but the concern from planning
board and as we discussed it internally,
we could see how the definition that was
included for a computer center in the
initial ordinance was overly broad that
could impact businesses where it wasn't
committee's intent to be able to
prohibit or preclude them from the
township because it would apply to
businesses that you would think that
would never be a data center or you
would never categorize as a data center.
That's why we paired it back slightly,
but again, that's why this is evolving
and adjusting as we go through and do
the due
diligence period.
>> And we paired it back because we are
anticipating one day there might be a
building with a a computer center in it
or they might use computers in a section
or
>> And I don't I don't want it to be
confused between computer center and
data center because the way that
computer center is set, it could be an
internal server. There may be buildings
located that are very small servers for
internal computer and networking uh that
could be construed as being a computer
center under the definition that we had
here and that wasn't the purpose of it.
So, it's very small in-house servers
rather than a large data center or even
a medium-sized data center or a small
data center, which is what we are
prohibiting here. We didn't want to
prohibit internal small server um that
we see in other facilities.
>> I'm just very concerned about this. I
mean
>> And that's the purpose of why we're
going through it so that we have the
ability throughout this due diligence
period to create specifications that
work here for the township
um and evolving and following the
process.
>> Okay.
Which is which is good because
we have a computer
here at the township
and we wouldn't want to prohibit
um what we're doing here.
Or in the school.
>> Those are examples.
>> Correct. It wouldn't be applicable
obviously to the municipal or the
government buildings, but that would be
an example of something where it was
overly broad that it could attach to,
and that was the concern. Yes.
>> I think
what what kind of would happen here kind
of shows why we can't just
pass an ordinance that says no data
centers.
You know, there was this was something
that somebody on the planning board
brought up, caught, and said, "Wait a
minute here. You know, we got to look
into this." And that was
um the reason why we did the resolution,
which hopefully
has enough to stop anybody to come in
before this ordinance
is passed.
And as as Ken said, you know, this is
this ordinance is going to evolve. It
sunsets at the end of the year. So, we
have to
do whatever changes that we want to make
before then. Obviously, between now and
then, I'm sure we're going to learn some
other things from other municipalities
and how another developer who wants to
do a data center might come in with a
different angle that we didn't know, you
know, wasn't thought about, and we can
adjust to that.
Um I think a good example is what's
going on at Monroe, though it's a little
bit different, but Monroe now has a $300
million lawsuit against, right? 300
million?
>> Substantial.
>> $300 million lawsuit against Monroe
Township from the developer that wanted
to do that data center.
>> And
>> So, we we need to,
you know,
cover all of our bases.
>> That's correct, Mayor.
>> And get this get this right as right as
we can. It's obviously it's we're going
to make changes. I think we're going to
It's It's going to evolve.
>> That's correct, Mayor. And as you
mentioned the committee, the point of
getting this out ahead of this was to be
proactive rather than reactive. Monroe's
a very substantially different
circumstance, but that is something
obviously we'll be following as long as
well as other legislation and proposed
legislation. Um some of the other things
the municipalities throughout the state
are doing.
Your your team is obviously going to be
well ahead of this so that we can report
back. Mr. Goodman's has doing a lot of
work on this as well. Um there will be
reports to come back to committee and
we'll evolve it based on uh your
direction as necessary between now and
the end of year, I'm sure going forward
after that as well.
>> Well, let me ask you a question.
Do we have any inquiries on trying to
come here and
uh
have a data center?
>> We do not.
>> We do Okay. All right.
This is just us being very, very, very,
very proactive.
>> Proactive and this is something that is
such an emerging issue. You're seeing
this from
>> Right.
>> the tip of the South in New Jersey all
the way to the north.
>> Absolutely.
>> Obviously because of the expansion of AI
throughout not only the
state, but the world at this point.
>> Right.
Okay.
Thank you so much.
>> So, do I hear a
>> motion
to amend
>> amend
>> Yes.
>> the ordinance
>> Motion to amend the ordinance.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. We have a
roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheeks?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Again, Mayor, that will be on for public
hearing and adoption uh before the
committee on July 6th.
>> And I I'd like to thank Ken and Robert
and and uh the planning board for their
work.
>> Got you. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Got you now. Thank you very much.
Okay. Moving on, introduction of
ordinances.
Introduction of ordinances 21-41-2026
What's that?
>> He didn't raise his hand to talk,
please.
>> He's not talking.
>> It's not It's You have to wait for
public comment.
>> Yes.
>> No.
>> Uh Mayor, just address that. Mayor, that
I'm assuming it's being talked on on 4C,
not 3D. 4C the amendment because it was
substantially amended.
The public hearing will be on July 6th.
It will be the next
Correct. It will be on for the July 6th.
>> Yeah, we basically just reintroduced the
amendment.
Okay?
>> Um introduction of ordinance 2141-2026
an ordinance amending chapter 70
article 3 titled extra duty employment
of the code of the Township of Hamilton.
Right?
>> This is increasing the extra duty for
the police officers when they do traffic
details for companies like Verizon,
Atlantic Electric. Um from $85 to $90
paid for by the contractor not the
Township.
This is part of uh the
the police contract.
>> This is updating the code based on the
contract that was previously approved.
It's just updating it to fall in line
with that contract and
>> Good.
Pleasure?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chu?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali?
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> 5B introduction of ordinance 2142-2026
an ordinance amending exhibit A and
exhibit B
to article 2 of chapter 66 of the code
of the Township of Hamilton and the
Township of Hamilton's chart of
organization to provide for the
amendment of certain positions and
maximum salaries.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chu?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patali?
>> Yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> 5C introduction of ordinance 2143-2026,
vacation of Penny Lane.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Costantini?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> Consent agenda.
>> I just had a question on C.
>> You want to pull C?
>> Right. Not yet. Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Motion on A through B, D through H.
>> Second.
>> Have a motion and a second on
A, B, and then D through H.
All those in favor?
>> Aye.
>> Against? Eyes have it.
>> So, let's see.
I just had a question on C.
>> What's your question?
>> On um page two
of the the list,
Cousin Mario's
is no longer in business, but do they
still hold the liquor license for the
new restaurant that is there?
That's my question.
>> I've got James.
>> Okay.
>> The liquor license still does exist even
if they are not in business. Um so, it
still is in existence and has to be
renewed and paid for every year just as
a an active license that is in business.
>> And I guess this
that would happen with the Atlantic City
Racecourse that's been
>> That's another one that's inactive as
well, yes.
>> Um,
that was it.
>> For pleasure with 7C.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. All those in favor?
>> Aye.
>> Against?
>> Eyes have it.
>> 8A, resolution to hire Keenan Bell as a
regular full-time truck driver laborer,
$20 base hourly rate effective July 6th,
2026.
Uh, employment contingent upon
successful completion of physical drug
screen, background check,
and this is to fill a budgeted position.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patalia?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> 8B, resolution to extend appointment of
Brooke
Sadean
as an as-needed hourly employee in the
tax collector department at the rate of
$25 per hour not to exceed 25 hours per
week effective July 1st, 2026 until the
position of deputy tax collector is
filled.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patalia?
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> Approvals.
Minutes, regular meeting minutes of June
1st, 2026.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have Have motion and a second. All
those in favor?
>> I.
>> Against? Eyes have it.
Minutes, special executive session
meeting minutes for June 8th, 2026.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Roll call
vote, please. Oh, sorry.
>> It's on. I have a question, but just a
correction. Uh in the minutes, um
Jim, is it May?
>> Jim Alley?
>> Yeah. His name was not included in the
minutes.
>> We can correct that.
>> So just to have that included.
>> So it would be a motion to approve the
minutes as amended.
>> As amended.
>> So I have a motion to approve the
minutes as amended.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second.
Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken?
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Cheek?
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson?
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Patel?
>> Yes.
>> August.
>> Bills.
Bill list total $1,691,233.44.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second.
>> This question.
Just one question.
>> Just one.
On on page 19,
um Timothy
Ton
I can't say his last name.
T O N C Z Y
C Z Y N L L C.
I was trying to understand
what that was for. It looks like an
escrow, but I don't know.
Does anyone know what that is?
I'm not against the payment. I just
wanted to make sure. And and I apologize
for not getting
sooner. I I read my packet late.
>> I have to check with community
development on this.
It looks like an escrow reimbursement,
but without their spreadsheet.
For $110.
>> It's a few of them and I just didn't
know
what that was.
It says escrow, but I just didn't know.
I'm not against it. I just wanted to
kind of
>> Yeah, they all say escrow.
All escrow, Chris?
>> Is it reimbursement?
>> Reimbursement.
>> Escrow reimbursement.
>> Is
>> To what?
>> Okay.
Yes.
I apologize for this because I normally
have my questions answered prior to the
meeting.
Oh, my rocking.
Okay.
>> [laughter]
>> I don't want to go with this.
>> All right.
All right, thank you.
That was that was only question.
>> Yes, cuz it's only okay.
She didn't want to pay you, dude. I
don't know what to tell you.
>> No, no, I did I did. I just wanted to
make sure
that I was on, you know.
I Yeah, I couldn't say it. I couldn't
say it, so I spelled it.
>> Consistently.
>> [laughter]
>> Did I have a motion in a second already?
>> I don't know.
>> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aiken.
>> Yes.
>> Mr. Chief.
>> Yes.
>> Ms. Thompson.
>> Yes.
>> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Castelli.
>> Yes.
>> All yes.
>> Reports.
Mr. Administrator.
>> I just want to congratulate Rita again
on her retirement. Her and I were hired
both hired in 2005.
And uh
she's great. Working up through the
ranks and helping me through
you know all the different positions
I've held in the township and she was
always the person I went to for
questions and help and
we'll miss her. I
think Jane's up for the job. That's all
I have.
>> Mr. Solicitor.
>> I echo what the administrator said and
as a professional dealing with Rita she
was a wealth of information as
uh the mayor said.
Um she was phenomenal to always deal
with so she'll definitely be missed but
I'll echo that Jane's been great so far.
So thank you.
>> Mr. Engineer.
>> Echo the same words.
It was a pleasure working with Rita and
miss her and Jane is filling her shoes
completely.
It's been a pleasure.
Uh I have no new
report this week.
>> Um unless there's questions. I just want
to mention about Olde Eagle Road being
closed from 40 to
>> I did hear that. Um there is a ACUA
force main leak.
So they are
under construction of trying to fix it.
They will be updating I know um
Officer Wade
Smith has been updating me on the
traffic control on the
on the roadway but as of right now it's
going to be closed
at least for this week and we'll know
more by the end of the week. I don't
know.
>> So they're supposed to be opening the
road up
actually find out what the problem is.
They hope to be able to repair it until
they can get the material to hopefully
it's not a larger
issue.
They have to replace more of the pipe
then
the longer the pipe is the longer the
road's going to be closed. So
right now they're telling us it could be
open as soon as tomorrow afternoon.
>> Mhm.
>> With the repair. [clears throat]
Um
but ultimately I'm not sure how long the
permanent fix is going to be.
>> Very good. Just want to get
>> out there.
>> for that out there so that people are
aware what's going on.
Yep.
Regroup.
>> Regroup.
>> Yeah, and also wanted to say that I was
happy about the set-aside design
assistance program and the fact we got a
grant for the bike plan.
>> Um
>> That's number
>> grant that we already received.
>> Received the grant
>> That's the what's on the
>> agenda.
>> Right, that's the reimbursement for the
engineering.
So, we get the the money and then
we get reimbursed. We have to pay it out
out front.
Then we submit for the reimbursement
from the state.
>> Yeah, it's the close out the project
with the grant money. Yes.
>> Right. So, I was happy about that.
>> Similar to what we do with the landfill.
>> Mhm.
>> Right.
>> That's good.
>> Mhm.
>> So, that keeps that project moving.
>> Yeah.
>> Slowly, but moving.
>> Right now, they're just trying to get
permits.
There's not much else going
>> Um
>> Committee members, Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes.
I uh attended the
Spirit of Halloween gave $100,000
to the Community Food Bank of New
Jersey.
I was invited to that.
And I did go because we have several
food bank food distributions of food
banks or pantries in Hamilton Township.
And we all benefit,
you know, from those. The people
benefit. It's very surprising to me cuz
sometimes I see on what's going on in
Mays Landing people are asking about
food.
So, I tried to post that we have that
pantry every Wednesday, Saint Vincent's
every
Thursday,
you know, the Harvest
not the Harvest, the African Lundy
Center.
So, we do have food here in um
Hamilton Township that is being
distributed for people that are in need
for this food insecurity. So, I just
wanted to make sure that I brought that
up. And um
I wore my Township's shirt
cuz um I was representing Hamilton
Township,
but I was also representing um my own
food bank and they had asked me to come.
So, but because we had food banks here,
I wanted to food pantries here, I wanted
to also be
there to represent. So,
that was a good thing that the Spirit of
Halloween had done. They had given them
approximately over $500,000,
but they gave $100,000 on that
particular day.
Um I attended a personnel meeting with
Committee Man Cheek
on last week and that was really good.
And I only have one more
announcement. There is going to be an
expungement
um
here in the Township of Hamilton
on the 26th
of
June and it's going to be held at the
library
on 40 Farragut Avenue
uh in
Mays Landing. Hold on, I'm just going to
my page cuz I'm
going to make sure I'm saying this
right.
Okay, yes. It's
a second chance expungement, a second
chance, a stronger future.
Friday, June 26th
uh 2026. Community resources they're
going to have from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. and expungement assistance from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They're They are
encouraging pre-screening,
but they will take um walk-ins.
All right. And what they're asking
people to do is to when you call in
or you can email your name, your date of
birth, the last four digits of your
social security number, and a phone
number.
And that's to ATL which will stand for
Atlantic X Sponge dot MBX
at newjerseyscourts.gov.
And any questions, you can call 609
402-0100
extension 47220.
Now, what they did put on here was if
you have an open
criminal charges
and or have been currently on probation
or parole within the last 5 years, you
will likely not be eligible to file for
at this event. So, I just wanted to put
that out there, but sometimes people
have little small things, tickets, and
or little things like that that they
really need to get off their record. And
to have it in Hamilton Township I was
very excited about that
um because normally it's in
Pleasantville or in Long City, but this
is the second one in Hamilton Township,
and I thought that that was very, very
good. And last but not least
there will be Juneteenth celebration
here and it's going to be at Lake Lenape
Park.
It's a A Wish and A Sword presents
celebration of freedom community
Olympics Juneteenth 2026.
Fun for all ages, a free event from 3:00
to 7:00
p.m.
Um I had noticed on one of the on the
flyer that it said that the Township of
Hamilton was one of the sponsors, but I
think they meant to say that some of the
our committee people were generous.
Um committee woman uh
Stacey Thompson and committee man Eric
Aikins, I understand gave a donation for
the event, so
we're glad that we're getting included,
but y'all gave the money.
>> [laughter]
>> I didn't want people to think that it
came from the Township of Hamilton. All
right, so that is and that's going to be
a nice event. That's all I have.
>> Very good.
Mr. Aikins.
So, first I attended a planning board
meeting on the 4th uh to discuss the
data centers. I want to give them guys a
shout-out for their due diligence
looking through that uh ordinance and
making the changes that I believe are
going to help us uh tremendously on
that. Um, for them to go through it and,
you know, pick out what needed to be put
in there taken out was was great on
their part and that's what they're
that's their job and I give them a
shout-out for that. Um,
I attended the first uh Friday again,
Main Street, a lot more busier there, a
lot different um vendors. It was a great
evening. Like I said, hopefully that
continues and flourishes and it's great
those businesses on that, you know, uh
Main Street. They're just pushing it and
pushing it. It's a great thing to see
that.
Um, on Saturday the 6th, our first
annual Casting Connect, I went over
police department and the PAL. I went
over uh Lenape East. It's Lenape East,
right?
>> Yes.
>> To check that out. I think they had like
50 uh kiddos and their parents out there
fishing and it was a great weather, a
little hot, but I think they all enjoyed
it. Um,
and I watched and helped a couple of uh
the kiddos uh fish and bait their hooks
and it was it was nice thing. Hopefully
that will continue into next
[clears throat] year, an annual thing.
It was a great thing for our community.
Um, on the 6th, I attended the uh,
First United Methodist Church of Mays
Landing pork uh pork dinner barbecue
pork dinner. Another great event for the
community.
Um,
a lot of people, a lot of chitchatting,
good food there. Like I said, it's great
for the community. Something like that
brings people in, helps the church out
with their functions and I guess
donations and stuff like that. Um,
on the 10th I did um,
uh, I did attend an MUA meeting. Um,
there was discussion with our um,
Amazon with the
approved Amazon that we approved. They
had to go through for water hookup I
guess and sewer hookup. And um,
attended that meeting. There was back
and forth and I believe they uh, pressed
on with that and agreed to certain
things and I'm sure they'll be back and
forth with them uh,
for different
different things at that at their
meetings.
Um, and on the 13th Saturday this
Saturday, I was with the sustainability
team for the road cleanup on Cologne
Ave. I did pull about six ticks off me
so
>> [laughter]
>> There was a lot of
ticks don't
Ticks don't scare me but it was uh, it
was a great event. That group um,
you know, they're all about keeping our
township clean and you know, keeping it
uh, nice and classy as you would say
mayor. So there was a lot of trash up
and down the road. I was surprised. But
we got it done within a two-hour frame
and it was it was a
it was a great great event. Um, one
other thing I do want to say shout out
to our professionals
um,
that helped us out, gave us information
on the pilot with Amazon. Very
informative meeting we had. It explained
a lot. You know, opened my eyes but it
it it really helped me
kind of settle with you know, that
pilot. Um, so I really appreciate that
what you guys did for us.
And again, congratulations to Rita. I
only got to work with her a few months,
but it was uh it was great. I know she's
done a lot for this township. Um
prior to, you know, me being up here on
the dais, I used to sit out in the
audience and watch her do her thing
before uh after
uh Mrs. Anderson, and she was great for
our township, did a lot of things. Like
I said, a wealth of knowledge. Um we're
going to miss that. Jane, so far, thumbs
up. Double thumbs up. Thank you very
much.
That's why.
>> Very good.
Councilwoman Thompson.
>> Okay.
So, I also want to uh congratulate um
Rita on her retirement. So, hopefully
she's going to be laying on a beach and
putting her feet up and relaxing
herself. And I welcome Jane. She's so
beautiful and does a good job.
Been very helpful.
Um I also attended First Friday
downtown.
Um so, that was always nice to uh be
supportive of the small businesses and
they're so crafty. I'm telling you,
there's so many different little
crafts and um items and stuff that you
can uh purchase and I'm
I'm so grateful to attend there and be
supportive.
Um I want to tell the chief that I'm
sorry I missed the children's community
with the fishing with the cops cuz I had
a family event. My niece had a baby
shower, but I'll tell you I do
want to shout out the winner,
Weston Baldwin.
>> [laughter]
>> Weston, I seen his picture. He caught a
17 and 3/4 in largemouth
bass. Yeah, so I want to give him a
shout out and um that must have been
really cool for him. Um
he didn't look like he was scared. He
looked like he was excited about the
whole thing, so that was good good uh
good job. Um
I also want to make an announcement
about our hometown celebration that we
have coming up
the 27th of this month at the Memorial
Park and also the Hamilton Sustainable
Team will be there. They wanted to
announce that they're going to have a
set up tent so they will be there also.
Um
After
committee woman Dr. Therman was
mentioned the expungement event which I
would encourage anyone that you know
feels like they have a situation and
even if you're not sure I would
encourage you to attend or call because
it definitely makes a difference and
second chances your career, your life,
you know, things you're trying to do
with your family and
anything to do with getting a job or
getting ahead in general. So I would
encourage that.
Um
Also I do want to thank
the lawyer Jim.
He definitely was a wealth of knowledge
when we were discussing the Amazon pilot
because I'll tell you I might I think I
even said it to you then I said I'm so
happy you were
explaining this pilot because you you
know, sometimes people say oh don't do a
pilot or you have an outside
sources that try to deter you from that
and you really don't understand
what the benefit was, you know, and so I
really appreciate you taking the time
and breaking it down, you know, the
whole team and explaining that so I
could expand and and realize that this
was a benefit for the township. So I
appreciate that. And it's um
I think that's it. Thank you.
Thank you.
>> That pretty much you're next.
>> [laughter]
>> First of all after well over 15 years
the landfill is capped, correct?
For quite a while but we finally got
that done.
And uh
shout out to Rita for all of us up here.
We were all rookies at one time and
leaning on Rita and she has come through
and we I'm sure we all appreciate it.
And now we have Jane and I'm sure we'll
have no problem with Jane as well.
On a whole complete different subject,
since our last meeting and before our
next meeting
D-Day, June 6th came along.
Never heard a word whatsoever on the
news.
In one day, 10,000 troops were killed.
6,600
troops were wounded from our country.
Last Sunday, yesterday
Flag Day
Never heard a word.
Unbelievable. Heard about the basketball
championship.
Nothing about our country.
This coming Friday is Juneteenth.
Still haven't heard anything.
The end of slavery.
June 21st is Father's Day.
Go out and celebrate it.
July 4th is 250 years since we signed
the Declaration of Independence.
God bless America.
I'd like to thank all the service
members and the veterans for protecting
our country for all those years since
two for the last 250. And that's all I
have.
>> Very good.
Good job.
Okay, I'm going to start off with happy
birthday, Deputy Mayor.
>> Wow.
>> Today is his birthday.
>> Happy birthday.
>> 57? 58?
>> Don't go there for 48, huh?
>> Not 48. I'm sorry. I said 57. [laughter]
I'm sorry about it. I'm sorry. I
apologize. So, happy birthday to you,
Rich.
>> Thank you.
>> Um
Once again, uh Rita, congratulations. I
really hope you enjoy yourself.
Um don't go get another job, I hope.
Just go do some traveling and and hang
out and have a good time. Um,
Yes,
already spoke about Juneteenth. That's
this Friday, Lake Lenape East, 3:00 to
7:00.
Um,
and then there's Pride in the Park on
the 20th at War Memorial Park. That's
11:00 to 3:00.
Um, and then there's Father's Day. So,
you're lucky enough to still have your
dad,
call him at least. Go see him. He'll
probably even buy you lunch, even though
you should be buying him lunch, but
he'll do it for you.
But, uh,
all you dads out there, enjoy your
Father's Day.
Um,
and then I'm going to give a shout out
to uh to um
a resident here, Connor Callahan.
Um, he is on the USA Ball Hockey team
representing the United States of
America
this year in the 2026 Ball Hockey World
Champions World Championships in
Ostrava, Czechia, which used to be
Czechoslovakia.
Um,
they're playing, I think their first
game is Saturday and they play a game
every day through Wednesday. Um, and
I'll be honest, I really don't know how
it works out after that. If uh if it
goes by points, but that doesn't matter.
Just the fact that he got there and he's
representing uh he came here, he played
hockey here his whole life with uh with
Hamilton Township and he's he's a great
kid and old kid. He's
he's I think late 20s now. So, uh
good luck to him and his family. They'll
be going out there
Czechoslovakia.
And let's see what else. That's um
Congratulations coming up to all the uh
seniors that are graduating high school.
Uh Oak Crest graduation is Wednesday.
Um, I'm not sure when ACIT is, but
congratulations to all them and uh
welcome to the world, and maybe if
you're lucky you're going off to
college, you can push things off for a
couple more years, and enjoy yourself a
little bit.
So, and then uh I want to give a
shout-out to our
um fire companies. They've been very
busy the past couple of days, past what,
week? Had a car fire, and then we had a
uh
mutual aid out in
Was it the Oaks?
Oaks of Weymouth. Um
So, especially those I know that those
days were pretty darn hot.
So, good job to all you guys and girls,
and thank you for what you guys do. It
was uh that was a tough one.
So, um that's really
it for me.
So, Reagan, I will see you later.
Maddie, I miss you, and I love you, and
I hope to see you soon. And we open it
up to the public.
Want everybody to get up at once. There
we go. Yes.
>> Hello. Uh my name is Ramon Mora Jr. Uh
I'm from Vineland. I'm resident or not
resident over there, your neighbor. Um I
care about what's happening to my
neighbors
um on a on a resident side. I'm also
running for Congress, and so I care
about what's happening in the district.
So, I come with three warnings to you
guys.
One is from Carney's Point. I found out
that you guys
are bringing an Amazon warehouse um to
the area.
I warn you of what's happening in
Carney's Point.
If it's jobs you're after, I I would
encourage you to look at what's
happening in Logan Township and in
Carney's Point, where Mayor Bomba um
publicly was boasting about how they're
replacing a lot of their workforce
powered by robotics and
that are powered by AI. Uh a powered by
AI centers like the one that's coming in
Vineland. That's That's the second
warning. Is the AI data centers, I
applaud you guys for at least talking
about a moratorium.
But
I would urge you to maybe be a little
bit expedient on it. And I understand
that the concern here about regular data
centers, they are different than AI
hyperscale data centers like the ones in
Violand. The The third warning is that
of Monroe. You brought it up about the
$300 lawsuit. That happened because they
were they had accepted a a application
for an AI data center to come to town
and they had no barriers to protect
their citizens.
So I would, you know, urge you guys to
not
make the same mistakes as Monroe and get
ahead of it
um
as as fast as you possibly can. And
again, I applaud you for at least even
talking about a moratorium. If you guys
have any kind of questions and would
like to look at other model ordinances,
you have Monroe, Andover, you have
Pennsville that recently passed one,
Deerfield that recently passed one, New
Brunswick. There's many places that have
passed one without any type of legal
lawsuits on on hovering above them.
Monroe is a special
special case because of that
introduction.
Um
I
Again with Carney Carney's point, I just
I I stress
protect your public, protect the people
who who are here, who have lived here
for a long time. Um you know, it's it's
it's nice that it'll bring temporary
jobs, it'll bring in some jobs, but for
how long
uh before they start to get replaced and
people start to go without because now
there's lack of jobs.
Um these AI data centers in particular
that are powering these robotics for the
warehouses,
um you know, you might have to have
certain mechanical engineers that are
nice high high-paying jobs,
um but they're replacing five people
maybe with, you know, replacing 50
decent paying jobs with five high paying
jobs where I have these warehouses. So I
would just implore you to when you're
when you're thinking about the
warehouse, you think about
how will AI affect those jobs.
When you're thinking about AI data
centers,
obviously there's huge
environmental concerns with all of these
hyperscale data centers, but also look
at what what is the result of AI data
center?
It's thousands of jobs locally, millions
of jobs nationally.
Um
And I applaud a lot of the events that
you guys are having here in Mays
Landing.
I actually used to live
right behind the Hamilton Mall and I
would see the racetrack. So I understand
the space that has been vacant for a
long time and um
a warehouse does seem appear appealing.
Just, you know, make sure you protect
your residents is what I'm imploring you
guys to do. Um
And for the flag guy, uh
I would Mays Landing has a beautiful
historical area. I would encourage you
guys to set up a program where you guys
can embrace that. Violent had one where
we we celebrated flag day. It was pretty
pretty nice. We had a a flag flag
folding ceremony. They talked about what
are the 13 folds and what do they
represent and stuff like that. It was
really nice turnout. We read the
Declaration of Independence
and I think with you guys having such a
nice historical center, it would be, you
know, nice to have you guys have an
event. I don't know if you if you guys
had one and it just wasn't covered or
what not, but it is an important event.
So
that's pretty much it. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your insight. We
appreciate it.
>> Hi, Teresa DeRose from Laurel Dale.
Yes, I am aware that Amazon does do a
lot of replacing
people with AI and robots,
which does take away our jobs and stuff.
But, the presentation that they had
tonight said that they're going to be
renting the warehouse for 20 years
[clears throat] or 25 years. What are
they going to do after that? Are they
going to renew their lease?
Um,
cuz they're just like renting it, so
are we going to just leave it a vacant
warehouse if they leave or don't renew?
>> It's so
Jim, stop stop me if I say something
wrong.
All right. Um, it's what a lot of
businesses do. They'll they'll put the
warehouse in a different name and then
rent and then rent the warehouse.
Um, it's not
I make no guarantees because I don't
anything can happen. But, that's that's
their business plan, am I correct in how
in how I'm saying that?
It's all internal to Amazon.
Yes.
>> All right, thank you.
>> Who are you?
>> I am one of the residents of [laughter]
Clark Road, former construction
official.
When it comes to the data center,
I guess a question came to my mind and I
figured someone else may have the same
question, especially those maybe viewing
at home.
Uh, the moratorium, is that based upon
the energy use
or
the actual data processing? Does the
fact that if my company
I don't have one, but if I had a company
that
processed a lot of data, I would
obviously be using a lot of energy.
However, I'm processing my own data
versus a business and my business is
processing, let's say, your data. So,
I'm I'm just trying to wrap my head
around the fact that what are we
controlling here? The use of the energy
or businesses that do data processing?
It's
>> I would say it's a
um
we're taking the time to to gather
information, to study
energy,
uh use of resources. Is this Is this a
good fit for our township? Is this
something that we want to accept or is
it something that we're going to say,
"You know what?
We'll pass on that."
>> Yeah. I know the energy use gets a lot
of headlines here, there, and
everywhere. So, that's why I was, you
know, was that what we're working trying
to not to cut down that the say the use
of energy that we end up all you know
paying for uh versus you know, the
actual me having a data processing
business, you know, for everyone's use
as Amazon and the other ones do.
>> Yeah, as as like as as as you see, it's
we're evolving.
You know, that's why we passed the
resolution
I want to say banning
>> prohibiting
>> Yeah.
>> data centers, but it's just a
resolution. So, we want to do We wanted
to do that because we knew it was going
to take at least at least 2 weeks
for
an ordinance. Now we're seeing it's
going to take three Now we're up to 3
weeks. And it it could be, you know, who
knows what we may find out in the next 2
weeks. We may find something else out
and say, "Uh-oh, we got to make another
change to this ordinance to make this
right."
>> Yeah. Well, I did I didn't come here to
pose that question, but as I was
listening, that's the you know, concern
I had is what is it we're trying to
regulate exactly. I actually came cuz of
Rita's retirement.
>> [laughter]
>> Worked with her for many, many years. I
have nothing but good things to say
about her. Same with Jane. She She
helped me out a lot in my last few years
here and as she was up-and-coming in
Anyway, thank you.
>> Thank you.
Anybody else?
>> Motion closed. Second.
>> I have a motion to second. All those in
favor?
>> Aye.
>> Against? Eyes have it.
Motion to adjourn?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> So moved and second. All those in favor?
Aye. Against?
Thank you.