If everybody's okay, start the uh meeting for the Township of Hamilton for Monday, June 2nd, 2025. Could you please all rise for the flag salute? Wow. I don't know. I pledge algiance to the
flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided pursuant to the New Jersey open
public meetings law by posting a notice of this meeting on the bulletin board in the municipal building and by transmitting notice of this meeting to the press of Atlantic City Star Ledger and Atlantic County Record on January 8th, 2025. Mr. Cheek here. Dr. Nelson
here. Mr. Patali here. Dr. Witherspoon here. Mayor Shanker here. Could we have a moment of silence for private reflection, [Music] please? Thank you. Uh we have guest presentations
which we have none until later on. uh additions, deletions of uh late agenda items to be considered for action tonight. 6D would be an addition resolution approving the execution of a shared services agreement between Atlantic County and Hamilton Township
for the use of portable traffic lights for the period of 4125 to 53130 and authorizing the mayor to sign same. Second one, second edition is
7A4, business registration for Tot Fun Factory, 4403 Blackhorse Pike, Hamilton Mall, Play Center, and Event Space. So moved. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions, comments? Hearing none. All those in
favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, eyes have it. Uh let's move on to number two. Early public comment on agenda items excluding items listed for public hearings. Brett, we have anybody signed up? No one signed up. Thank you. Uh number three, discussions,
formal action may be taken. A presentation of Atlanta County Central Municipal Court regarding bail reform. Uh we have several members here if you'd like to come up. We have Judge Jim Grimley who's coming up now and Judge Linda Goff. Uh prosecutor Ryan James is
here. Assistant County Council Art Murray and our very own county clerk Tony Tummens. How you doing, Tony? Good to see you as always. Uh good evening. Thanks for having us. Uh any information that we can provide
to you or your citizens regarding the central court. Uh we're always here. Uh anytime uh you need us at a meeting, we're here. Um so I did bring Judge Goff with me. Tony Tumman is our chief court administrator. with Chief Prosecutor Ryan Jones and County Council Mr. Murray. I'm Judge James Grimley. I'm the
chief court chief judge uh for the central court. Um I was asked to come tonight to talk about bail reform and what it means, how it works. Um because I think there's questions regarding uh individuals uh not being held in jail,
uh warrant issues, things of that nature. So hopefully I can address those issues and answer any questions you may have. Prior to 2017, we had bail. So, if you commit in a certain type of offense, a judge would look at a bail schedule, depending on the offense, and set a
bail. Um, after a lot of study, it was determined that it was unfair to to to folks who didn't have the finances to get out of jail even for the minus offenses. So, it was restructured. So, there's no more bail as you know, as we knew it growing
up uh in our uh judicial system. Essentially what occurs and the best way to do it is to walk it through a police citizen encounter. Um police officer uh sees or arrests someone for a crime uh or an offense. The first determination is whether or not to issue a summon or a
warrant. Um and that's important. If it's issued on a summon, summons are usually your lower-end offenses, thirdderee, fourthderee crimes, disorderly person's offenses, petty disorderly person's offenses. They would just get a notice to come to court. they would go to court if the
offense goes on a warrant. Now, there's certain offenses that are mandatory warrants, murder, aggravated assault, sexual assault, things of that nature that are no-brainers. Uh that those folks would get an automatic warrant. Then there's presumed warrants. Presumed warrants are for cases of the first or
second degree that are violence or gun laws or or drug offenses. The gray area are third and fourth degree offenses where um a warrant can be issued or a summon depending on the situation. If and the
importance is this, if it it's issued on a warrant, that person has to be detained. That person must go to jail. Within 48 hours, they're entitled to a hearing. Uh we've called CJP court, first appearance court. And that judge will make a determination. Number one, should that person be released released
on none of recgnissance, which means they're just released or released on conditions, no bail, just conditions, electronic monitoring, reporting to court weekly, phone calling the court on occasion, but uh or it could be again electronic monitoring. Um and that's how
that ca those those folks are handled and monitored. The other exception on the warrant is if before the CJP hearing, a county prosecutor can make the decision, we want this person detained for whatever reason. Uh they would then file a motion
for detainment within three days. They would have to have a hearing before superior court judge on whether that person that should be detained. The analysis typically goes to the seriousness of the offense. Uh are they flight risk? Um and are they a danger to the public? And if those uh are met,
that person most likely gets detained. As part of that process, there's something that's usually called a public safety assessment. And that assessment is a a log I call colossus. Uh you throw in some information. It comes out with a score on whether or not that person
should be detained um or released on conditions. And it really goes to are they a safety public risk or are they a failure to appear risk. Uh it'll also give a recommendation uh and it will also indicate if that person is an issue of violence or the there's underlying
crime was a violent crime and then it'll give you a or the judge guidance on whether or not to release that person, detain them um or release on conditions. So that's essentially how it works. Um as it relates to our court,
um we typically don't first off we don't have detention. uh we only deal with disorderly person's offenses, petty disorderly person's offenses. So we really don't get into the uh analysis that I just reviewed with you regarding detention hearings. Um and most if not
all of the cases are on summones as it relates to issues that you folks deal with. For example, shoplifting. Um I can tell you that the prosecutor, if let's say the amount in controversy is $500, uh that could go on a warrant. Um, I can
tell you based on my communications with the county prosecutor, they are not going to indict or ask for detention for shoplifterss. Uh, they'll just go right to the CJP hearing and that judge will make a determination whether or not to release on recgnissance or release on conditions. Um, I can tell you that
there's been a high influx of cases being remanded back to our court, shoplifting cases, regardless of the amount. So, the county prosecutors made the determination that in terms of what they want to prosecute, not prosecute, shoplifting isn't high on their radar.
Um, so our court's getting a high influx of warrants uh for uh shoplifting cases. So, we handle a vast majority of those in our court. Um I know when I met with some of the folks here at at the at here that we reviewed that we have
alternative um um air we have at risk initiative. In other words, if if folk folks need help, uh we have services at the courthouse to provide those folks help. Whether it's financial assistance, substance use and abuse issues, mental health, uh we get
those folks geared in that direction so they get the help they need. Um so they're not back on your streets committing further offenses. So if we get people in our court and we feel that that person could use that that assistance, that's where we gear them and we send them in that direction to get them the help they need to get them
off our streets and get them all hiding and get them again the help that they need. Um does anyone have any questions, issues? Yes, ma'am. Hi, Judge. I just have a couple questions. one
um I remember before the bell reform but it has I want you to talk about how has it impacted the marginalized community I'm sorry ma'am was how has it impacted the marginalized community bail reform
well I think one of the main reasons that they got rid of bail was because of that um and I agree with it wholeheartedly um I I you would person who commits a serious offense, has a high bail, has money, gets out of jail. You have somebody who commits a low end
offense, has a low bail, has no money. They sit in jail and they're detained. And by the way, there's a difference between jail when you get sentenced, your case is adjudicated, and you get sent to jail versus pre-trial detention, which means you sit in jail until you you get before a judge and your case is tried. There's people are sitting in
jail for a year before they get before a judge. And to your point, ma'am, you're right. marginalized folks are are in my opinion the most victimized in that in the old scheme of things because they're the ones who are sitting in jail for six months to a year even longer just to get
to a judge just so they can go forward with their claim of innocence. So I think it's it's it was a game changer and I I back it 100%. I it's I just feel that some people that I've experienced has had prior offenses, right? So they
may have been good for years, but based on prior convictions, they sometimes are detained longer. Do you know what I mean? It's Yeah, I do. And ma'am, it's case by case. So we talk about the detention hearing. Um I call it
Colossus. It kicks out a score. Um and the score ranges between a one and a six. And there's two scores. Failure to appear history and um criminal whether or not they're going to commit another offense probability. and that's a one to six score. So, it'll kick out two scores. Could be a four and
a five, a six and a six, or one and a one. Uh, it'll then give a recommendation. And then it's not over there. The judge, the superior court judge then has to use that as a tool, the public safety assessment score, right? Um, and then they will hear from
the attorneys. They'll hear from the prosecutor. And the prosecutor is going to argue, "This person's a flight risk. This person won't come to court. This person's got a horrible history. he'll he'll commit another offense while on the street or they'll obstruct justice. The defense attorney on the other hand will argue the opposite that they're not a flight risk. This these charges or
these prior convictions are 10 years old uh or something to that effect. So the judge ultimately makes that call and it is really case by case basis. It's not it's not blanket. It's not blanket. I can tell you that. But maybe I just happen to know I see the judge has
another something you want to say. I I want to say the good thing about now please please speak in the in the mic so we can I'm sorry at the CJP hearings now the defendants are immediately represented by the public defender's office so the public defender is there representing them in most cases almost
all of them maybe here and there they haven't filled out their application yet when they were taken into custody so there are represented and what's good now is they have immediate representation so when the prosecutor's making their pitch the public defender is making their pitch and then the judge really has a better view now of what to do whether to release them, release them
with conditions. And the only time they're really being detained is if the prosecutors filed a detainer motion. Most times people are getting released where before we had people sitting for minor drug charges a year in jail because they couldn't get bailed. So, it's it's definitely better for for
everyone and particularly the marginal. Okay. Well, thank you so much. Um maybe just a few people that I've known is maybe it's like you say it's a case by case basis and sometimes people that if they're in there any length of time they're not able to obtain their own
attorney. Correct. Right. They have to accept the as you said they're appointed an attorney. So and they can't get out to work to get an attorney. So now I did criminal defense work right for a long time. And to your point you're exactly
right. It's not only that the person can't get out of jail to assist the defense attorney in their defense. Um, you know, talking, get getting witness addresses, getting information on people who uh could provide information. Um, and unfortunately, the way it used to work, the longer these folks sat in
jail, the more likely they would take a plea deal just to get out, even though they were innocent. True. So, I saw it a lot, ma'am, and it's uh I'm just glad there was change. And this is my last question. Sure. the the New Jersey Constitution was amended. Yes. You know,
for this, do you think it should be um the law should be eradicated for it to go back? Absolutely not. I I like the system the way it's going now. I think it's fair. It's evenhanded. Um and by the way, if a superior court judge says, "You know what? I'm going to order you detained." That person has a right to
immediate appeal. So, it's not like that they have to wait six months or or 18 months. They have an appellet division a ruling. uh it's immediate and it's quick. So, um I feel it's a lot fairer now and
these folks are getting a better shot uh of not having to be detained pre-trial. Thank you, your honor. Thanks for um coming today and thank you honors as well. So, um I'm I'm probably coming from a different angle on this cuz uh I'm I'm my family's very involved with
the police departments and I would say and I don't want to speak on the behalf of the police departments, but I would say that they say this is a failure and it's because that we have a revolving door where we have now I mean you go to YouTube and you watch people walk out of Walmart as if it's okay to just steal
because the police department is not allowed to do anything or if they are then they're just going to be released on the street and they're going to pivot And there again false information the police officers there is no leverage anymore to get them to in front of you right ultimately the idea is to get them in front of you and uh I hear you saying
it's equitable what I would say is knowing from the other side that it's not working um what what are your thoughts as to keep it as equitable as you have it but yet somehow get the leverage over the individual to actually one give you true information and two show up.
Yeah. Look, it's no system's perfect. Yeah. Right. We know that. Um but to the doctor's point, I I'd rather not have a person sit in jail when they shouldn't be sitting in jail. To your point, yeah, there's going to be uh recidivists out
there um who will continue to offend, who will continue to get in trouble. That's why I think with our court, we offer those social services to hopefully fix that problem. Uh because there there's a problem, right? If they're committing shoplifting over and over, if they're a public nuisance, public safety
problem, there's usually a mental health component tied into substance abuse component. If we can tackle that in our court, I know prosecutor Reynolds does it in the superior court. Um, that's trying to attack a problem or deal with an issue, not just find someone, send
them out in the street, and, you know, hope keep our fingers crossed that they don't reaffend. And I do get your point. I Yeah, it almost seems like bail reform is a band-aid, right? and we're not getting to the root of the problem. And if and if it's the idea that they're going to sit in jail for 6 months waiting to see you, maybe we have to feed speed up that process and that
means make more judges or maybe put, you know, I don't know. But I'm I'm just saying is that it's it just sounds like we still have a problem and we've traded one thing for another and um as as people that go out to Walmart and Target, we're paying for it. Um you're
paying for it due to higher costs, right? So absolutely. and you being real close to it. I mean, I I would be ignorant to say that I know how to fix it. I'm just saying that it still seems like there is a problem. And I feel your sense this frustration because I I was the prosecutor at the central court for three and a half years. Mr. Mr. Jones is
the current prosecutor. Uh look, we we we saw it every day, right? Officers would come in, I'd hear from I hear it. I I I sense their I heard their frustration, sense their frustration, and I get it. Uh they feel like, you know, it's catch them and catch catch and release, right? That's that's kind
of the phrase. Um and I I do it's I I do appreciate um that situation, but I got a balance, right? It's not a perfect system. It's the system we got. We just got to try the best to make it work. That's all I can ask. When you indicated reference to
shoplifting, which is one of the biggest things that we see right now, are you indicating when you said the officers can't do anything about it, is it meaning that they're getting called after the fact to the stores and then the complaints or the stores resource people are coming in and they're filling out their complaints? That's what's happening. Correct. Yeah. So, thank you
for the question. like what what what it usually is is that uh that it certainly this is driven by policy as well from the commercial perspective is they can't you know go after the people because they're afraid of litigation get in trouble for pursuing but I I think it is once the police officers are actually
able to get involved um and they necessarily can't compel to get the correct information from them right because you can't throw them in jail for not giving you the information um you're not going to put them you're not going to lodge them for that so they they know I mean they're smart they know they can give fake information. I know I'm not
going to show up and they're back at it the next day, maybe in a different Walmart. But, you know, um it's not that the police officers, you know, can't do anything, but I I from their perspective, I think they're pretty frustrated where they know they're lying to them. There's nothing they can't they can't escalate the situation to do
anything more other than what they're allowed to do by bail reform. And I think that kind of is a demoralizer and, you know, probably contributes to the idea that why we're having problems on police officers. Yeah. And I can understand that particularly with the shoplifting because like he was the prosecutor. I was the public defender
over in Central for three for three years the court was there and then I did uh defense work all my career. Um with the shoplifting is right now that there's such a problem with the stores. They don't pursue them because there's a safety issue. Y people potential weapons
employees getting injured. So they have these like internal policies saying listen let them take what they want let them do what they want. And that's what happens. they flee out the door and they don't like get the license plate or you know with the cameras and it's a problem. Yeah. I'm not I'm not saying that this is the only reason but I agree with you that there's that's a problem
right now is the stores. I mean you can go in any Waw Wa any day and stand there and watch people walk out the doors. They're just walk out the doors. It's horrible right now. Yeah. But again, I mean the police are tied to where they can only do what they can do. And when the people give the wrong information, they do it on a traffic stop. Yeah, I
agree. It's just unfortunate right now. But hopefully they'll get connected with the services because most of those repetitive shoplifterss are there because they do have issues, you know, but we're over in the courts dealing with the adjudication of them and you know they're pretty stringent. Shoplifting is a pretty serious thing. First, second, third mandatory jail and
you know um and from the prosecution standpoint while the county prosecutor takes whatever position we take a serious position of it over in the municipal court. So we deal with it once we get them in there. But listen, we get people that come in how many years later? And then 10, five, six, eight, 10 years and they got these tickets and
they're in there complaining and why am I here? And I'm like, well, because you should have taken care of your business back then and you weren't here or your bail is now here and they did have bail and then we're holding it, not giving it to them until they come back. That's what we do. So when they show up because they haven't showed up and they picked up on a warrant and they come before us,
if they don't resolve their matter that day, they want their bail money back, but we hold the bail money until their matter gets resolved, which gives them either resolve their matter that day or come back quickly and resolve your matter. Yeah. And so I I you know, I appreciate the you guys are, you know, dealing with the same kind of issues.
And I that's what I mean like the money is a leverage, right? And unfortunately some people don't have money but you know that's always been like I'm just kind of saying there might be something in between like you know I hate to say it but maybe you put electronic devices on the people that don't have the money but you know you know I don't you know I
but then we'll you know then we really do deal with the uh tag and release which is not a good idea but so I appreciate it and thank you very much. No problem. I wasn't specifically talking about criminals that had to be I was specifically talking about people that on child support that was falsely
arrested. Mhm. Yeah. You know, and it takes a long time, especially if the person lied, the other party lied cuz they're mad at them and said they violated and then they go because they live out of county, it takes a long
time before they found out that what the other person said wasn't true and they don't lock that other person who lied up because they just have to verify it wasn't true with the person who got locked up. So, that's it's It's not
perfect. It's not perfect, but I've seen people sit in jail for a long period of time because it was a different county. You know, they got arrested in Atlantic County, but something happened. The person made the complaint and gloss the county, you know, so it takes a while
for that to be found out. They eventually were let out, but they could have lost their job and all of that. So, that's the reason why I was bringing that up. Okay. All right. So what happens when you release somebody and
they don't show up to court? All right. So we have directives um from the administrative office of the court how that happens. So depending on the level of offense and we're strictly talking about our level, not superior court. So I can tell you if it's a DWI, if it's a
simple assault, uh even harassment depending on how how serious it was. uh if they fail to appear on their first appearance, warrant gets issued automatically. The cap for municipal court warrants is $2,500. Um if it's any other type of offense,
for the most part, you get two shots. So, if you miss the second time, depending on what type of offense it is, we can issue a warrant in those circumstances. If it's a low-end offense, um it would just be closed out. if it's a a traffic case, if it's a quasi criminal case or a code case, code
violation case, it's just going to get an FTA and it's going to keep getting relisted. And I'm glad you brought that point up because I wanted to address that with everyone is look, I I get it. One of the most important things you guys deal with is um ordinance violations. Um because they're the
people that are calling saying the neighbor's house is falling apart, the lawn's not being mowed, the dog's running wild. Uh they're the calls you folks are getting in real time and that's important to you. Um and we get it. And my policy is depending on the
ordinance violation will dictate whether or not I issue a warrant on the second FTA. For example, dogs running wild, that gets a warrant. Um if there's a house in disrepair, I call that an attractive nuisance. Young kids could go in there, get hurt. Uh the building could collapse. There could be a fire
and your department's out there and it's not up to code. Uh firemen could get injured. So if I have situations like that, I issue warrants. Um high grass, um not having your trash receptacles out too early, I'm not going to issue warrants on those. Uh but
anything where it's a public nuisance, public safety risk, we will absolutely issue warrants and we'll get those people into court. I know we I was we've had a couple issues here where it's not that they haven't showed up. Well, they just keep delaying it for some reason, right? They always come up with excuses
why they can't show up and the the the court seems to be okay with it to the point to the tune of five, six, seven times and then we're still getting those phone calls and they and it's a game, right? Everybody knows it's a game. It's delay delay. You get it? Um, usually what happens is the folks
who know that how to quote unquote game the system, um, I'm getting an attorney. They show up the next listing. I'm still looking for an attorney. All right. You have to get an attorney or apply for a public defender. When they show up, I got an attorney. Attorney gets involved. I need discovery. I need more discovery.
Oh, by the way, I want to give you discovery. Um, which is a delay, delay, delay, delay until they're finally in a position to try to work the case out. So, uh, yeah, there are those outliers that just drag it on, um, forever. Uh,
one thing we're going to start doing, I've done it already, is trying cases in abstencia, which means if a corporate defendant as an ordinance violation and they fail to appear, assuming proper notices were sent, uh, we're going to try them without them there. And that's
how we're going to get stuff off the books and that's how we're going to wake them up because here's what happens, right? Uh, I've tried a couple of them. I hit him with a high fine. All right. Now all of a sudden they wake up. So they're like, "Oh, oh, wait, wait, wait. I was uh, you know, he overslept." Um,
and then they come to court and the case gets resolved. I'll vacate the heavy fine that I did initially. They come to court. Um, they talk to the prosecutor, they work something out, and whether it's they fix the issue and we take some money off the fine. Um, but that's that's how you wake them up. That's how
you have to get them into court. When we say corporate, are are you refer like what a landlord qualifies as corporate? Well, it depends. When I say corporate, a corporation, LLC, any type of business? Okay. How many times in a year if someone was
picked up for shoplifting, would you deny them to go basically just give them a summon? How many times would it take for you to put them in jail and wait for the bail? Well, so I guess you're
talking about your officer picks a arrest someone at at at Walmart and a decision has to be made or not it's going to be a summon or a warrant. Yes. All right. So, first off, it's got to be over a certain amount of money for it to go a warrant. Not certain amount of times. No, but that that'll go in the
analysis on whether or not he gets detained or not. The first step in the analysis, summons or war. All right. If it's less than $200, that's a summon because it's a solely person's offense multiple times because we're only dealing with the one window. All right? We're just dealing with the one case. So, in that case, the officer must issue
a summon. He's got no choice. All right? Now, if the amount is over $200, it could be a third or fourth degree offense. Now, the officer could say, "You know what? I'm going to issue that. I'm going to contact the judge to see if that could go on a warrant or not." But contact the judge. And the judge will
ask, "All right, first things first. run what is known as a public safety assessment and that's done by their fingerprints. They put it on a scanner, it runs it, boom, and it's the public safety assessment we discussed earlier where it gives you a score, failure to appear score and risk of reaffending
score and also give you a recommendation whether or not that person should be detained uh or released on conditions. So that really is for the judges anyway at that juncture tells us where we're going. So, if the public safety
assessment comes back on a shoplifting case, I can tell you the recommendation is going to be uh released on conditions. Uh 99% of the time, um rarely is it the recommendation that person should be detained. Um and even if they are detained, they'll be before
a CJP judge within 48 hours and more likely than not, that judge will release them. So, in the the long run, shoplifting cases, for the most part, uh they're not going to be detained. And that's just look, it's the
policy, right? The state of New Jersey, somebody somewhere said shoplifting is not high priority for us. We're not going to have these people sit in jail and we just follow what the legislature tells us to do. And that's I just wish they understood that there's I understand there's levels
based on how much money something's worth. But somebody shoplifting at a Walmart is way different than somebody shoplifting in a local store in the middle of town where that person is, you know, and any
little bit's going to hurt. And it might be that person might be the only person in the store or they might have one other employee. and now they're they're scared. It's like what, you know, what's going on here? So, I just hope that you as judges take that into consideration. Think about that and think about how
that is. I I I'll give you another example. This is going back several years. My house was broken into. All right. There was a guy who was literally let out of jail that day, walked into town, smashed my back window out. There were some kids playing out back and they
heard it. They saw him start to climb in my window. They yelled and then they chased him and they all got um awards for what they did. They chased him. The police came. They knew exactly where he was. They got him. If they
didn't do that, me and my two young daughters were on our way home. We'd have walked in and that man would have been in the house. So, my two young daughters when they saw all this commotion, police everywhere, everything going on, they were scared to death. they were, you know, and I just want you guys to and that would be a different
analysis. That that would be a crime. That that absolutely. Yes. That's different, but I'm just trying to let you guys know and I'm sure you know, but I just, you know, I have the chance to say this to you and I want to use this chance to say this to you. Please be mindful of the people, the victims.
Yeah. You know, and I I understand the bail reform. I hear that. I understand that. But there's also somebody else who who's now scared and worried and they may have lost money and stuff like that. That comment is not lost on us. This is
uh it's it's very this whole thing is very complex. You know, it's not an easy thing. We're here for you and your constituents. We get it. We get like again, we we talked about your ordinance violations. We take those very seriously because I know you take them seriously
and so do your your citizens. All right. We take um offenses that occur in stores within your confines of this uh township. We take those very seriously because it's quality of life. Um um and you know, I can speak for all the judges. We take these cases very
seriously. Um and it's just not we we just don't rubber stamp them. So and they get an opportunity to speak to the prosecutor. So when they bring a charge like their small business owner and they come to court that day because it happened and they finally get then they got the opportunity to meet with
the prosecutor put their position giving very good consideration and I think that's another problem too is getting the victims to show up too and say hey we have big notice I mean we give notices and they have to come if they don't come cases are getting dismissed you have a percentage of cases that have
to get dismissed because we can't bring them back when the defense attorneys and make emotions to dismiss because the victims and the people who make the complaints are not showing up. They need to show up the court. That's a big thing. And then we can help them help
themselves. Thank you so much for coming and andbody else. Thank you. If you guys ever need anything else, uh more information, if your if your citizens want uh a meeting with us at any time toward the courthouse, let us know. Let us know.
We're here to serve. Mayor, may I make a brief comment? Sure. First, Chief Doug Grimley gave me a promotion. Assistant County Council, Arthur Murray, not County Council. Muse would be upset if uh I took the title. Um as it relates to the county, just so everyone's aware, the county prosecutor
is a constitutional officer. He gets to make all decisions as it relates to prosecutions of criminal cases in Atlantic County. Neither the county executive nor the elected commissioners can tell the county prosecutor what to do as it relates to any case. The same
goes with the uh superior court judges and the judges at the central municipal court. Neither the county executive nor the elected uh county commissioners can tell those judges what to do in any case. And likewise, we cannot tell the municipal prosecutors what to do in any
case. They have absolute discretion. What the county does do though is staff the court at the central municipal court. And the reason I'm here is because if you have a specific case or a specific question on a specific case and you want to know what happened and you
need an answer on that case, all you have to do is ask Mr. Warren to contact me. He has contact information 24/7 and the people at the court, both the superior court level and the municipal court level are more likely to get back to me in a timely fashion for me to get back to Mr. Warren and get the
information to you. Mr. Warren also knows that he can share my contact information with any of you should you need it and you can get me 24/7. I can at least get you an answer as to why that person was not detained or was that person released on a warrant or why is that case been adjourned six times so
you at least have the information to share with your constituents so you at least know why it was done. And that's why I'm here on behalf of the county to make sure that you know that that's our job is to get that information to you so you can get the information to your constituents and go from there. We just
can't control the court and say detain that person, don't detain that person, etc. They have absolute discretion or they have their policies they have to follow that are not promulgated by the county executive and not promulgated by the elected commissioners of Atlantic County. Those are promulgated by the
Attorney General's office of New Jersey and the state of New Jersey. Okay. Very good. Thank you. Thank you very much. Yes, mayor. Yes. Just to piggy back off of that, I think Mr. Murray, but I I do want to give a personal thank you to everyone who came out. But the convey to
township committee that when these issues were raised and they came to me, I reached out to Chief uh Judge Grimley and not only was he responsive, but his response was, "Let me know when your next committee meeting is going to be. I will appear there with my team in person to answer any questions they have. So, I
want you to know that's how the process was. There was no hesitation from him or his team. Um, and both Chief Prosecutor Jones as well as Mr. Murray indicated that not only do they want to be here, but if there are any specific concerns, as you know, we sometimes have residents that appear at township committee
meetings that they would act as liaison to the central municipal court. So, if there are any issues, as Mr. Murray indicated, please do reach out to me and then I can convey that to them as well. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you. Uh I just want to say thank you very much personally and and this is uh you know
we do have special circumstances here because the court is in our town. It's the you know it's part of being the county seat. Everything's here uh good or bad and and we deal with that. And you know, unfortunately, there's sometimes there's things that happen that um I want to thank you for being
here because you're giving the public some reassurance that not only are you on top of what's going on, but you're here to answer their questions. And though there's not a lot of folks here tonight, there's a camera behind you that goes out to a lot of people. And you'd be surprised how many people watch
these meetings on video and and really it's a it's a very good learning tool for them uh where to go if they have questions or something they they can come to us and we now have a mechanism to come to you and and it's more open communication. I think that alone is a
big big help. So thank you all very much for coming out and taking time out of your your night to be here. Appreciate it. Thank you. [Music] Okay, we have um number four public hearing adoption
of ordinances. We are looking at ordinance 211052025, an ordinance superseding ordinance 2098-2025 amended chapter 144 of the township code to provide and amend fees for a certain for certain construction
permit applications in the township of Hamilton County of Atlantic. This is a public hearing. Anybody in the public like to speak? Move to close public. Second. We have a motion second to close public portion. Uh any questions? Hearing none. All
those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. Chair will entertain an adoption of this ordinance. Motion. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions or
comments? Jane, can we get a roll call vote, please? Mr. Cheek. Yes. Dr. Nelson? Yes. Mr. Pati? Yes, Dr. Witter. Yes, Mayor Shank. Thank you. And Jane, I apologize now because sometime during the night I
will call you Rita. Okay. Sorry about it. I'll do my best, but I can't promise you anything. Number five, introduction of ordinances. Public hearing to be held June 16th, 2025. A, ordinance 21106-2025, an ordinance authorizing the
sale of lot 10 in block f 656 as shown on the tax map of the township of Hamilton and granting the owner or owners of se said real property contiguous to the same right of prior refusal to purchase such land in the township of Hamilton County of Atlantic
State of New Jersey. And this is located on Pittsburgh Avenue. I'll move the ordinance. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions or concerns? Uh, all those in favor? You
want to roll call this, mayor? Okay, Jane. Mr. Cheek. Thank you, Dr. Nelson. Yes. Mr. Pati, yes. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Mayor Shanger, yes. Oh, yes. B. Ordinance 21107-2025, an ordinance amending
article 2, attachment A of chapter 66, an ordinance 1947-2021 to transfer oversight authority of youth services and protection coordinator protection coordinator to the township
administrator. Motion second. A motion to second. Are there any questions? Was this previously under the chief of police? Yes. Yes. Any questions, comments? Well, I do have a comment.
We talked about this some time ago um that everything is it appears to me is going to the township administrator and he does not have a contract. and I just don't think that it is right
to continue to give him. So, he hasn't complained to me. I'm just looking at the the different services that are being transferred to the township administrator and I think when we have people that work as hard as township
administrator Brett No, that we need to make sure that we take care of people who's taking care of us. So, at some point, it is June. Everybody has a contract but him. And I don't think that that's right. When are we going to get a contract? When all of this paperwork is done. What
do you mean? All of the things that we must transfer. As you noticed, we just transferred the fire. We're now transferring the wreck. Right. When that's done, then we will put it all together. We can always retroactive.
Okay. I just wanted to for the record I appreciate what you understand the comment but I just wanted to make sure I was saying something about it. Mhm. Thank you. We didn't forget. Um any other questions comments? Jane roll call please. Mr.
Cheek. Yes. Dr. Nelson abstain. Mr. Batitali. Yes. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Mayor Shanker. Yes. Four yes. One abstension. Motion carried. Six, award of bids, contracts, and change orders. A is a resolution approving interlocal services agreement
between Township of Hamilton and Hamilton Township Board of Education for solid waste removal for the period of 1125 through 9:3025 and authorizing the mayor to sign the same. So move. We have a motion. Second.
We have a second. Any questions or comments? Mr. Mr. Lisser, do I need to abstain from this one because I did approve the school board budget in your discretion? Yes. Okay. All right. Jane, can we do roll call for this too,
please? Mr. Cheek. Yes. Dr. Nelson, abstain. Mr. Patali, yes. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Mayor Shanker. Yes. Four. Yes. One abstension. Motion carries. B. Resolution authorizing continuation of interlocal services agreement 63025 to
62928 with Atlantic County Improvement Authority also known as the ACIA for housing rehabilitation program small cities and authorizing mayor to sign same move. We have a motion second. We
have a second. Any questions or concerns? Hearing none. Jane, roll call, please. Mr. Cheek. Yes. Dr. Nelson. Yes. Mr. Patali. Yes. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Mayor Shanker. Yes. Oh, yes. C.
Resolution awarding a contract to all vinyl fencing Hamilton, New Jersey for fencing of Leapy Field Hockey Court. Amount not to exceed $34,700. So move. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions or
comments? Hearing none. Jane, roll call, please. Mr. Cheek, yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Pati, yes. Dr. Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Shanker, yes. Oh, yes. Thank you. Uh 6D, resolution approving execution of
shared services agreement between Atlantic County and Hamilton Township for use of portable traffic lights for the period of 4125 to 53130 and authorizing the mayor to sign same. So move
second. We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions or comments? Jane, roll call vote. Mr. Cheek. Yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Pati, yes. Dr. Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Shanker, yes.
Oh, yes. Thank you. Seven. We'll move on to the consent agenda. We have items A through J. I'll motion. Second. We have a motion and second for all the items between A and
J. Uh, any questions or comments? I just have one question on the as I am for um the writer for the hometown's heroes banners. I just wanted to know is it possible that any of the veterans um can
pay for some of the some of the banners. What's this? I don't B. Yes. I don't understand. What was your question? resolute position director of division of local government services for a dedication by writer for hometown.
I was just asking a question on the banners. I know I'm for the banners but I'm saying are there any other groups I know that may not be related to the question that can help with the banners? All the banners are paid by the individuals. This is just establishing the account for us to put
the money in. I I understood that the mayor said that the other day. I was just asking because I was talking to a couple of the veterans. Mhm. And um I was told that they had money to help pay for banners.
So I was just wondering or should we just or should we just be paying for it? I just wanted to know what's their I believe it's going to be paid for by the individual's family or there are multiple people have come to me to look to give donations. Okay. So either way is fine. Either way. Yeah. Okay. I just
want to know. And and listen, you know, we're just getting started with this. Anybody who wants one, please come forward. Uh financial is not not an issue here. We would want to have everybody that wants one to get one. Um there has been multiple people um who
want to help out with this and make sure that everyone who wants to be honored will be honored. So, but thanks for bringing that up. I appreciate that. Okay. Any other questions? All those in favor signify by saying I.
I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. Um, we're going to move to eight personnel. A resolution to appoint Michael Vera as chief of police effective 7125 and authorize the township administrator to negotiate an employment
agreement. So moved. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Uh, any questions, comments? Hearing none. Jane, roll call, please. Mr. Cheek, yes. Dr. Nelson, abstain. Mr. Patali,
congratulations. And yes, Dr. Witherspoon, yes. And congratulations. Mayor Shanker, yes. Four. Yes. One extension. Okay. B. Resolution to appoint Christian Morales as a part-time record staff clerk for the police department at an
hourly rate of $2045 effective 63 25. So move. We have a motion. Second. We have a second. Any questions or comments? Hearing none. Jane, can we do
a roll call vote, please? Mr. Cheek, yes. Dr. Nelson, second. Mr. Pati, yes. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Mayor Shanker, yes. Four. Yes. One extension. Uh, number nine, approvals. First, we have the minutes of the regular meeting
minutes of May 19th, 2025. So moved. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions, comments? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. B minutes special
executive session meeting minutes of May 27th, 2025. Motion second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions, comments? Hearing none. Jane, roll call, please. Mr. Cheek, yes. Dr. Nelson, abstain. Mr. Patali, yes. Dr.
Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Shanker, yes. Four, yes, one abstension. C bills. Bill's total 1,139,32.78. So move. We have a motion. Second. We have a second. Questions, comments. Hearing none. Jane. Mr. Cheek.
Yes. Dr. Nelson. Yes. Mr. Pati. Yes. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Mayor Shanker. Yes. Oh, yes. Move on to reports. Mr. Administrator, I just wanted to congratulate Mike Berga on his appointment. He's done. He's going to do
a great job. Congratulations. Very good. Mr. Solicitor, I echo what the administrator just said. Congratulations. Thank you. Nothing else. Mr. Engineer. Nothing unless you have any questions. Nice to see you. Like what? Uh, township committee. Dr. Witherspoon.
Yes. I would just like to um say I attended the Memorial Day service in Memorial Day Park. Um it was a very very nice service on that day and I just think it's wonderful that we continue to honor those heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice for all
of us here in America. Um and I also want to announce on um June 19th which is Junth uh there will be a celebration in Gasill Park. a Wish Foundation um organization, nonprofit organization
will be um sponsor will be having that event on June the 19th and I believe it starts at 3 or 4:00. I'm not even looking at my phone, but it's on that day and it's in Gasill Park. And I want
to thank everybody who has um supported this effort uh because it's very very important uh to our community. Thank you so much. That's it. Okay. Deputy Mayor. Yeah. Um, Memorial Day services. Want to thank everybody that that did everything
to to make that happen. Public works, um, veterans advisory board, uh, fire department, police department, everybody. It was really nice. Park looks great as always, Chris. Great job. Um, this Friday, downtown Maze Landing,
first Friday, it's uh from 5 to 8:30. Um, it's come down support our our local small businesses. There'll be live music. There'll be vendors. Some food food will be I guess food trucks will be there. We're going to have any food trucks. You don't know.
Mas will be open. The pub's always open. So, Domino's. Go get yourself some Domino's pizza. Um, no. But seriously, uh, come down. There'll be music. Um, take a walk down Main Street. I'll be at the pub, so but I I'll make my way out
there at some point. Um, congratulations, Chief. Um, glad to have you aboard. And I also want to say uh congratulations to uh Anthony who who has retired. Um, so thanks to him. He was a big part of our of our department.
All of our police officers are are very important, but Anthony is captain. Um, he was great to work with. Um, so sorry to see him go, but glad that he's retired and moving on. So, good for him. And, um, that's really it for me.
Uh, Reagan, I'll see you later, she gets married on Sunday. So, uh, been kind of busy with that lately, getting all that squared away. And Maddie, we miss you and we love you and we really hope to see you soon. Excuse me, ma'am. Can I say one
more thing? Sure. Um, I just forgot to say that on yesterday it was um our CFO's birthday, Nick Amato. Hey, happy birthday, Nick. Happy belated birthday. I wrote it down. I just forgot to say
it. Sing or not? Yeah, let's sing. No. No. Oh, about singing. I I got to hand it to Dr. Witherspoon here. She sang those songs at the Memorial Day services and she's does a fantastic job. Thank you.
So, got to give her props. Committeeman Cheek. I was at the Memorial Day services also. And Carl, you stole my thunder. I was ready to say how Dr. Witherspoon did a great job singing. You can say it again. I just said it. Yeah, that's all right. But the
whole facility, the whole place was very nice and it was a nice nice day at the park and the weather was perfect. Also, a couple of weeks ago, the public works had a Posh and OSHA inspection out of that they weren't expecting. All
their paperwork was perfect. Their MSDA sheets, everything was great. Being a contractor for so long, when you when you have OSHA in front of you, you get nervous. You never pass without any problem whatsoever. and public works
passed with all their recordkeeping and everything without one citation. That's perfect. That is unheard of. Great job. Yeah, good job. Also, the recreation field watching grandchildren. All the fields are looking very, very, very good. It's nice to see. And then also I
congratulate our new chief, Mr. Vera. Thank you. And that's it. Dr. Nelson. Yeah. Thank you. Um, I wanted to say I was also at the uh veterans um event. I wanted to say via a third person to say Dr. Witherspoon I
was very impressed. Thank you doctor. You sound great. And uh I can see why uh they look at you to do the chorus. So at all the events you do very good. And then whoever played taps I it was very quiet but it was very good. It was hard
to hear but they had very good sound. So I don't know who that was but that was great too. And then uh I just want to reiterate about the banners. I think it's really neat. I've got a lot of people that are very interested. Um I do sit on the veterans board and um we're excited about this. And
um again, as the mayor said, if anybody, regardless of how much it is, if you know anybody that wants it and deserves it, um please just bring their name forward. We'll find somebody to help sponsor it. Um it's more about celebrating our people and the veterans and the time they put in other than
whether then not they can afford to pay for it. Um the school is getting ready to wrap up their years uh this year and um it's looking to be a uh another successful year. You knock on wood that we don't have anything coming up the
last minute. Um I also wanted to say thank you to Brett. I've called him a couple times on people complaining about things as that's our job to receive the complaints and he's already on top of it. By the time I call him, it's uh he's pretty much cut me off and saying I've already fixed it. So, thank you for
being on top of it and um one of these moments I'm going to find one that's going to catch you by surprise, but I'll work on that. Um so, thank you for that. And then I want to say and properly say congratulations to Dr. Michael Verga for uh being uh our new chief. So he has his
doctor. It's pretty impressive. I read his resume. I wasn't part of that. So I'm going to call him chief though. Yeah, I'm calling him chief. I'm not chief doctor. Chief doctor. Dr. Chief. So I congratulations. I I'm looking forward to all the great things you're going to do. I know you will do
it. And um I think the uh it'll be you know I I know it's hard right now with uh with with the unfortunate truth of how many people we have out for various reasons, but I know you will be able to rise to the occasion. So, congratulations and good luck. And that's all I have. Good.
All right. So, um you know, everybody mentioned Memorial Day. Um I can't say enough about the Veterans Advisory Board, the public works, the fire department. They're always there. They do a great job. Um they're right there to help out when things kind of change a little bit.
Um, it was uh especially uh good good for me to be able to stand up there and once again announce the banners that uh we have been waiting a long time to get this moving. Uh it's pretty exciting. It's going to look great. Uh when we get them up there as soon as we get I think
we need 39 to place the order. So once we get the 39, we're going to place the order and get them up as soon as possible. And I I can just picture it now of all those planners up and down Main Street. Uh like I stated then and I'll state again, we are trying to
utilize the poles on Route 50. That's a bigger lift right now. So, uh Brett has informed me that he's already started that process and uh we'll see how quickly we can make that happen because I'm pretty sure we're going to see more than 39 people wanting to do this.
Um I'd like to say a few words about uh Captain Anthony Alcott. Um he has been a a a great part of our police department for a lot of years and especially at the time when we needed
him most when co was around he stepped up and really uh took over some key roles. Uh that was a an extremely as you can imagine extremely difficult time and certain people stepped up and did the little extras and and Anthony was uh was
definitely one of those people. I I liked working with Anthony on budgets and stuff like that. He was very uh very good with the numbers and and understanding on what it took uh for us to do what we need to do and help them get what they need. So it it's when you
have that kind of understanding, it's much much easier uh to do that kind of work. And last but certainly not least, congratulations, Chief. U I will not call you doctor. I will not call you Dr. Chief. You will be Chief Michael Verga. Uh welcome. Uh we I look forward to
working with you. Um I think you're going to do a great job. Uh your resume was, you know, impressive and I'm and I listen, I've known of you long before you stepped into this position, so I'm sure you're going to do fine. And I'd wish you luck, but I don't think luck is anything to do with this. It's all about
the work. So, uh that's all I have. Anybody in the public like to speak? [Music] [Music] Teresa D. Rose from A Laurel. Um, first I wanted to ask Carl Patali, can you repeat the date of which that um event
is happening where there's going to be the food trucks and party? I'm not sure about food trucks, whatever you're doing. It's this Friday night. This Friday night. This Friday night. Yeah. June 6th. Shops on Main Street. Okay. Thanks. And then um as far as the
flags for the veterans, how who exactly do we go to to make sure that people we want their flags to be up there? You can go through the website. It's on our website. Um if there's special
circumstances, you can contact Brett's office and we'll make sure it gets taken care of. Okay? And that goes for everyone. you know, if if there if you want to speak about this and don't want to do it through the internet or the website, Brett's office is more than willing to. Yeah. Uh
listen, we all want this to be successful. We want everybody to be included. So, yeah, we'll do whatever we have to do. Because if you're looking for 39, I know of a couple I want to add. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Thank you. Anyone else in the public like to
speak? Motion to close. Second. We have a motion and a second to close. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? You guys have it. We will now adjourn executive session uh to have discussion on the ACUA solid
waste and recycling contract negotiations. I do not believe we will be coming out with anything. No, mayor. We don't anticipate formal action. No formal action. So, um, I need a motion to exjourn to executive session. So, moved. Second. All those in favor
signify by saying I. I. All those opposed.