like to bring the Monday, February 2nd, 2026 Township of Hamilton Committee meeting to order. Please rise for the flag salute. Pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided pursuant to the New Jersey by posting a notice of this meeting on the municipal building and by transmitting notice of this meeting city
and county record on January 6th 2026. Mr. Aken >> here >> Mr. Ch >> here >> Miss Thompson >> here >> Dr. Witherspoon >> here. Mayor Patali >> here. We have a moment of silence for private reflection.
Thank you. Proclamations. >> Black History Month. Dr. Barbara Gaba. >> Gaba. Okay. >> Dr. Witherspoon. Thank you very much. >> Whereas we would like to recognize Dr.
Barbara Gaba. During Black History Month, Dr. Barbara Gaba was appointed the ninth president of Atlantic Cape Community College in January 2017, becoming the first female and the first
African-American president in the college's 50th year history. With extensive experience in higher education, she is deeply committed to the mission of the community college to provide affordable educational pathways
for student success. Whereas prior to joining Atlantic, Dr. Gaba served as provost and associate vice president for academic affairs at Union County College. She also served as
dean of academic and student support services at Camden County College and associate director of the office of the board affairs and government relations at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.
Whereas during her 40-year career, she has served as a teacher, researcher, and administrator and has been devoted to working with underserved, under reppresented students, empowering them to obtain a
college education. At the national level, she serves on the board of the chair ac academy for leadership development and higher education research and development institute advisory board. She is also a
member of the executive board of the president's academy summer institute of America association of community colleges. Whereas Atlantic Cape Community College announced the upcoming retirement of Dr.
Barbara Gaba, whose contract concludes on June 30th, 2026. Dr. Gaba, who has led the college for nearly nine years, will retire following a distinguished 40-year career in higher
education. As the first female and the first African-American president at the college's history, Dr. Gaba's leadership has transformed Atlantic Cape Community College in lasting ways. Under her
direction, the college secured millions of dollars in grant funding to support student success initiatives and infrastructure improvements, expanding academic programs, and deepen community
partnerships across Atlantic and Kate May counties. Now therefore, we the sworn members of Hamilton Township Committee in Ma's Landing, New Jersey, do hereby honor Dr. Barbara Gaba during
Black History Month in peruity as established this second day of February in the year of 2026. And you were my pick to honor. of course is the entire uh Hamilton Township
committee, but you was the one that I selected to do this. We're going to miss you, but we thank you for everything that you have done in our township and Atlantic Kate Community College.
Dr. Gab, would you like to have something to say? >> Oh, absolutely. >> First of all, I want to thank the Hamilton Township Committee for this recognition. I'm very humbled and honored to receive this and I'm very very honored to be here and although
I'll be approaching retirement after almost 10 years at Atlanta Cape the time has gone very very fast but we have been from the very beginning committed to serving the residents of Ma's Landing Atlantic City Atlantic County as well as
all those in Kate May County as well and I think it's appropriate that during Black History Month we recognize the diversity of all the students faculty faculty and staff that come to our college and we appreciate the support support of the township committee and we
will continue to do the work. Although I will be stepping away from Atlantic Cape, I don't plan to be out of the spotlight. >> I will continue to do what I can to contribute to higher education because I do a lot of mentoring of young people who aspire to leadership roles. I also
plan to be involved in committees and commissions and I will be still remaining here in Maze Landing. I live across the street from the college. I'm a resident. My heart is here. I love being here. So again, I want to thank you for your support of the college and for recognizing Black History Month and
the contributions that African-Americans have made to this country and to this city. Thank you. Oh, yes she does. >> Thank you for everything you've done. >> You're welcome. Congratulations. >> Okay, we have uh no guest presentations.
Addition, deletion, late agenda items. We have none. >> Uh early public comment. Do we have anybody signed up? >> No one signed. >> No. >> Excuse me, ma'am. I don't have that. >> Yeah, that's in the agenda. >> That's in just put these. >> Okay. Thank you.
Um, moving on discussions, formal action may be taken. Uh, enhancing compliant management and enforcement operations. Uh, Mr. Goodman's going to give us a presentation on this.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh, I'd like to introduce uh Stephen Hartzell who is uh our zoning officer and who I've worked with in the last year to improve uh enforcement of zoning violations in that department. He'll be a key element if
this plan is approved. Uh I had been approached by the administrator last year um about a way to possibly better centralize complaint management as well as uh find a way to you know move code
enforcement more from a reporting mechanism of violations to one that would better engage with the courts and then have an ability to you know the overall goal is always to try to gain compliance. But yeah, if we have to go to the courts and uh if necessary issue
fines to get people's attention and move them more towards a path of compliance go where it's been uh in operation today is that uh the complaint handling system seems to kind of come in from many
different channels and uh it causes a number of inefficiencies. you know, and there's fragmented enforcement across several departments for things that are, you know, basically municipalwide. Uh we've also had very inconsistent communications with the municipal court
and a lot of that is due to the fact that we don't have a municipal court that many other jurisdictions do. We share this with the county and um you know to say that they're under resource to handle these type of violations would be an understatement. Also, I was just
kind of recognizing that although we have a pretty good uh systems management uh platform for managing this from a software perspective, uh the ability to you know track this information coming out of that system is somewhat limited and we need better ways to uh to report
it out and manage it and monitor it. That being said, you know, the the goals are simply just to create a consolidated unified enforcement process. uh the departments involved would be, you know, code enforcement, zoning, uh noncriminal
petty offenses that occur, you know, where to require a police officer go out and call it out. We can go talk to to violators. The idea is to uh basically start a new role of a municipalwide enforcement officer, an MEO, to oversee
that coordination, and I believe Mr. Hartzell is is well qualified to handle that role. We also want to standardize enforcement procedures. We want to be able to create a series of uh tools that we can send out to the community, you know, setting expectations about standards that are
set out in the ordinances. And we also want to find a better way to just improve enhanced inter departmental collaboration between the groups. First thing we would take is just to find a way to centralize complaint management. have all of these multiple
channels coming into one central office and ideally this should be through the administrator's office. We would like to set up the creation of a new email address called citizen report which would then route complaints or concerns directly through there. It's
centralized. It makes sure that the administrator is aware of uh any complaints coming in and then they would get routed down to our office um for basically subsequent action and movement. It would create a standardized process for logging and tracking this
information and um there is a capability we don't believe we would roll this out up front but we believe over time we would be able to add certain tools that are native to the SDL that stands for spatial data logic and that is our software uh that would allow people to
download a mobile web app that would allow them to you know submit a complaint they see something wrong they take their phone take a picture and send it out to us. It also would be able to enable us to just do better case management of all
complaints at once and having one repository for managing those. And we would incorporate much like we do today in zoning uh weekly enforcement meetings for progress tracking of all open violations. As I said, the courts uh are having to
deal with a very very difficult task of dealing with every single municipality here in Atlantic County. Uh they are ramping up resources, but it's been a big adjustment and we still see, you know, areas where it could improve. Uh nonetheless, in the last year, we've
improved communication channels with the court directly and the prosecutor's office. We also would like to standardize reporting for fines and expenses that may be associated with vi um you know with violations. And we would like the municipal enforcement officer to testify uh using deonian
witness affidavit. And what that means is just that someone else an inspector can go out into the field and you know gather the evidence of violation but it would be one person using that affidavit from that reporting inspector to go to
court and manage its uh path through the courts. We would again use SDL to report the enforcement side of this as well the progress and and subsequent outcomes. One opportunity that we're starting to take a look at and taking a look at the
reports is that many communities vacant and abandoned properties can be a source of violations. The good news here in uh in Hamilton Township is that many of those that are vacant and abandoned today are occupied, but when they do become vacant, uh maintenance is
neglected and it can become a problem. Uh in addition uh although we have an efficient form for you know managing the information around these properties and uh we would like to do an audit to ensure that all renewals are up to date and renewal fees associated with them. We'd like to be able to compare that
with the overall number of Liz pendants notice that are registered with the county and match them up to make sure that we're capturing all vacant and abandoned properties as well. The idea is that through this, if we implement these reforms, again, the benefits be that there'd be a
streamlined process for managing complaints and issues. There'd be faster complaint resolution times, increased compliant rates and improve tracking for monitoring and having tools in place and and basically standardizing on penalties and financial fines. Essentially, uh it
would improve accountability and transparency. We think in the long run if we are able to get that satis you know get that done there would be greater citizen satisfaction as well. Uh there are additional duties uh entailed with this. Uh these are the recommended
increases stipen to support this activity. Again just note that none of this would actually go into effect or impact the budget until council approves those changes and codify them in the ordinance. So what we'd like to do is obviously
obtain a commitment from stakeholder department head around the concept final project plan and timeline to support all this work. We believe we've set identified the uh you know how to
you know essentially fund for this and budget for it. There is some system upgrades that have to happen. there would be training that we'd have to put in place as well if there be leaning more heavily into inter departmental collaboration.
Uh we've already consulted with uh our township solicitor who's taken a look at this and advised that you know it seems to be compliant with existing standards and state statutes as well. We also think on rolling this out, we take we take time that we should probably have a public awareness
campaign that will be outbound to the residents and advise them that, you know, they have concerns, this is the way to to get them addressed. We would also just, you know, put in place a a management tool to just evaluate where we are on a quarterly
basis, see where we're succeeding, we need to improve things and make changes along the way. This is the end of my presentation. If there are any questions I can entertain on behalf of mayor council, please feel free to ask.
>> Anybody have any questions or comments? >> Just one with this um start. >> Uh you essentially have control over the you know the timing of this. nothing can happen until we codify and change
what's the name of the >> right that and um we would also you know if you're intending to go in that direction we would like to take that time and start working on some of the tools that we would like to get put in place so we hit the ground running. So before
>> before we do anything, you have to reach out to departments and discuss with them. >> We've uh brought this forth this evening to have a discussion first with town council and get their feedback first and that should follow.
>> Anybody else? >> I'd just like to say this is this is something that uh I don't have to tell Brett. hears from me all the time. Um when I take my rides around town and see things going on and um different businesses that aren't taking care of
their properties, uh trash issues and uh I don't people remember I guess about a month and a half, two months ago that video that that popped up about the
Hamilton Mall and it showed uh trash and things and uh there signs that had people spray painted on their signs and then they go by and there's 50 shopping carts in the back and those are all things that I,
you know, that they would get written up for and it kind of goes nowhere. Um, sometimes they get on it quickly, sometimes it just kind of sounds like it kind of lingers. uh central municipal court doesn't really do anything to move
these things along, get them cleaned up. And it's just frustrating to me knowing that something was said about this. Um letters were sent or violations were sent uh to these properties. They didn't do anything and then somebody comes along and takes a video and if they did
what what we asked them to do, it wouldn't have looked as bad, you know, and it just it's it's a black eye for the whole township. So, this is something that I think we need to do. And it's not the township or or me coming after, you
know, the resident, but there are residents out there that um you know, they they let their property go and it does become a hazard because um you'll get rats, you'll get mice, um cats will start living there, and then somebody who lives next door has to put
up with this. So, this is just a way to to try to get things cleaned up. you know, the one on uh Mammoth Drive, it took us years to get that cleaned up and that was just, you know, an eyes sore for that for that neighborhood. And this is I think this is something that will
help streamline this. It'll put somebody more um responsible for making sure that things get done. And then also I think it's going to be a stepping stone towards us um maybe sitting down with the county with the county municipal
court and finding a way to move these things along the way they should be. Um I know committeeman chief here had had talked to a Farbor Townships mayor >> and they have the same problem. I I've talked to other municipalities. You know this is a problem with getting this
stuff cleaned up. So maybe this is a way to to get this stuff moving. So, um I think kind of what we're looking for from committee is is this something we want to move forward with and get this ball rolling everybody?
>> Yes. >> Very good. We'll uh we'll get working on this immediately and coordinate through the administrator on time. >> Thank you, Robert. >> Steve, thank you very much. Moving on. B. Vacation of a portion of
Penny Lane. >> Mayor, if I may, Township received a request for a vacation of a small piece of Penny Lane. In front of Township Committee is a colorful drawing of a map we provided in your packet. Um, and upon reviewing that, we had our team put
together. We met with the township engineer as well who went out to the site, took a look at that portion. Um, and a large portion of Penny Lane that's developed is in the wetlands. Part of it's in the great Egg Harbor. And the recommendation committee is may
be beneficial to the town rather than just vacating a small portion, vacate a much larger portion. Based on the map, the way Penny Lane runs, uh, there are adjacent property owners on one side, the alternate side
that street is township property. on the flip side. Uh so what we'd like uh this evening if the town committee wishes to do so is give us authorization to reach out to the adjacent property owners
to see if there's any objection because we're going to do so. We'd like to do so all at one time. We'd like to be able to send out letters to those adjacent to see uh their or >> questions or comments?
>> Sure. I have a question. So, um will the property owner pay taxes on this portion of Penny Lane if it's vacated? >> It's a good question. So typically on the vac of a street uh when the portion's vacated half the street goes
to one side there's a mechanism that we did a lot of research on that property with a case like this. So the answer is yes. Thank you. So what do you need from us just to
>> it's only one for discussion permission authorization move forward to be able to send out letters just to gauge interest to see if there's any objection so I would ask for a motion >> um if just one property owner doesn't want
to do this does that will that kill it >> that might be something that we would discuss based 13 property owners. >> Yeah, there's there's more than >> this is just moving forward, not vacating, >> correct? It would come back in front of
township committee with >> So the 13 owners haven't been notified. >> Not as of yet. Okay. Basically with this they would be not >> it would put them on notice so that we have the feedback from one of the property owners. >> I think it would be your best interest.
And for the record, you're not making a decision on whether or not we're just sending it out just to be able to send the letters to gate interest. Thank you. >> So, do I have a motion to move forward with the property owners? Have a motion
to second. Can we have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Aken, >> yes. >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Patali, >> abstain. >> Four. Yes. One. Motion carries. >> Okay. Moving on. Establishing a rent
leveling advisory committee, updating short-term rental ordinance, and creating a lease registration program. >> Mr. Solicitor. >> Thank you, Mayor. So, on this topic, uh it was Committee Thompson that brought to our attention as to look into a the
possibility of a rent control board here in House Township. Uh so myself and the director of community development, Mr. Goodman, who just gave a presentation, uh who has a lot of experience in this area from prior employment, worked alongside of me to start doing some of
the initial research and what rent control, rent leveling may look like here in Hamilton. Had a subcommittee meeting uh a few weeks ago and we discussed a lot of different aspects of what it may look like, legislation that has been passed, legislation has pending
on this issue. Uh we pulled a lot of the ordinances and looked at a lot of neighboring municipalities that have rent control ordinances or boards all throughout the state and a lot of the different complexities and the pros and cons of what rent control may look like
in a municipality. And that includes everything from the process of enacting it, some of the steps we may take that fall short of rent control board as well as the substantial cost along with establishing a rent control. Uh and because of the
complexity, uh the subcommittee had asked a pointing question of how do we get the residents here at Hamilton more involved in that decision- making process and the way to do so if committee would like to is through what's called an advisory committee.
advisory committee is something like a subcommittee but allows uh the township put together a group of individuals where the specific residents would have the ability to participate in process other words the footwork or leg work in moving something like forward um in
giving a report back to committee they don't have decisive power which means they don't decide whether it's going to move forward but they put together all the information so that can be presented in one uniform package back to township Um and if committee decided to create an
advisory committee uh that would be put in place the round of how many people would be put on there would be decided by committee appointed for some of the different subjects we looked into would be things like updating our short-term rental or
something that we're taking a look at or creating lease registration program all the way up to the establishment. So it's on before committee for discussion as well as whether committee wants to move forward with establishing a rent.
>> Okay. Anybody have any questions, comments? >> I have plenty. Um so doing our discussion um I have a question. Um why are we updating? We were just we were discussing about inspections. So, uh,
one of the questions I have is why are we updating the inspections that will require a five-year review period? >> The, uh, the inspection period, that was one of the issues that we discussed here, uh, in Hamilton Township. Uh,
rental properties under a current are usually inspected upon turnover or the sale of the rental properties. One of our concerns that uh, we discussed was uh, with long-term tenants. So if an individual lives in the rental unit for
a period of time, they can go years without being that centered around safety and a lot of issues. >> Thank you. Um, another question is, um, what's the thought process behind requiring the registration of leases
with the township? We had talked about some of the new legislation that has come down from New Jersey and there's a lot of other pieces of legislation sitting the assembly in the Senate level and thought process behind a lease registration would allow
if committee uh chose to move forward with an advisory committee having a uh a bank of some of the leases here in Hamilton County allows us to be able to do due diligence and any of the new legislation that state has proposed comes out. It would give us a footwork
of moving forward so that we weren't scrambling at legislation how it was amended or or enacted. >> Another um final question is um how do you believe this proposal would make
code enforcement more efficient than it is now? >> We had a pro presentation on code enforcement. It's always any municipality's goal to make code enforcement more efficient, streamline. Purpose is obviously behind code enforcement is to make sure presence
here in town should have uh safety and that would be the goal behind doing this um and being able to potentially review control making sure that uh it's affordable here. >> Thank you so much.
So, what other municipalities in this county have this? >> So, in terms of a rent control board, Pleasantville was one that we looked at. I believe they just acted their rent control board believe in 2024. I had the opportunity to speak administrator out
there and they're just getting underway. Atlantic City has a a portion of it. Um, Edgar Township had a rent control board that they just dissolved. I believe back in December of last year in 2025. Um, some other municipalities do have
some sort of quasi rent control board that's not in but I would say the effect where it's not being forced to pass are humans here. >> So why would egg arbor township dissolve? final
>> there. I had some initial discussions with the solicitor out there as well. My understanding is dissolved it because of legislation that had just came down here in New Jersey that put a rent cap.
Um, one of the difficulties that we have with rent control boards is jurisdictional issues. and to kind of not go through a very long story about jurisdictional issues, but uh there are different mechanisms proposed throughout the state of New Jersey that has
friends. We had an HOA issue come up not long ago here and uh DCA something that although we could mediate or help facilitate a resolution, people that wanted to come and participate, we
won't have Um that being said also landlords. So it's my understanding that without knowing the nuances a lot of those difficulties that came along after having a a very large administr
>> yeah so with that that cost I guess it would it would have to have its own solicitor and own correct >> that's correct so depending on the how the right control Typically you would have to have that as secretary there is
administrative cost comes along with it and it can be substantial. Now, do we follow anything here now? Like I know we don't have a rent control board, but do we follow anything with rent? Does the state say something or mandate something or
>> there there are so there isn't a a blanket legislation that's proposed out there specific registration specific except for a legislation manufactured Anybody
else? have a question, but I know we've had a couple people come here and talk about they wanted the township to do something in reference to the prices, but what I'm understanding a lot of
times people own the property, but they don't own the land. So there's a different, you know, element here that we're dealing with where the people are
um I'm not saying being forced out, but we have no control over it because they don't own the land. How would this board would we have any regulation with that? >> So you mean like for example mobile
>> like a mobile home? So that was a piece of legislation. legislation. >> That's by the state though. >> So it wouldn't be regulated by us because it's already done by the state. >> And my second question, how much would
this cost if we were able to if we were to go along with this? >> Oh, it's hard for me to set the prices, but in terms of research, cost, it could easily worked in the past in another
municipality. So he might be able to speak a little bit more direct. Is that accurate? >> And who would pay for it? And you feel and you feel kind of that's why egg barber township dissolved. I mean in
your opinion >> sure that was the res. And also from from what I've heard and correct me if I'm wrong a entity comes forward wants to increase rent
control board would approve or shoot it down u that entity if it's larger entity is not just going to walk away and say, "Okay,
they would then file suit or what would be the next step if they didn't if they weren't happy with the with the what the rent control said would they
always decision any old decision litigation That's always concern always inherent. >> Would that make the rents increase or would the rent control
advisory board be responsible for how because the rents here are expensive >> everywhere. It's not just Hamilton Township. It's everywhere. >> That's a good point. That was a discussion we had where why it's called a rent leveling rather than just rent control. So there's a misconception that
rent control I know here today obviously living rents are obviously chance especially across municipality individuals where leas is under what the
norm is and then rent go up rather than longterm. There is a chance. Just one more question. We have a lot of homeowners here and it's different from like said urban environment.
Um I'm not saying it's not needed. I'm just saying what is the home ownership versus the rental property? I had compiled data from the American census survey uh to rely on data to
figure out you know based on the number of identified household units that's inclusive of homeowners as well as rental units and then the number of rental units. We're we're closer to the area and it depends on what point of time you take a look at
it. It's anywhere from 20 to 30% of all households here are are rentals. I think the one thing that kind of surprised me at least and then I shared that with the subcommittee was how many of these are self-reported short-term rentals and the
impact of that is that it it means that there's housing available but it's not available on an annual basis. Obviously with more supply, you know, it's more moderating on on rental prices. So, it's kind of creating a structural impediment uh for
moderation in rental prices and that's one of the reasons why we started taking a look at possibly looking at our short-term rental ordinance for revisions and reforms. But in terms of how getting back to council's
question, um there's a significant rental population here and it's in a very narrow band number of units. We have 2021 residential rental units here in the township uh that are what we consider UCCC class um rental
enterprises. You know, there's anything that's one to four units can come under the discretion of individual home ownership and we wouldn't have much jurisdiction there. But those that are commercial enterprises, if this is the direction council wants to go, it would
apply to those type of units. So if it's 20 to 30%, you're saying about 70% of um Hamilton Township or homeowners, the other 30% rentals. >> Yeah, I don't want to split hairs, but that's a that's a good general way of
putting it. But there are distinctions even within that class which impact the total number of units. And I don't want to belabor it here. It's more workshop type stuff, but >> I can certainly walk you through it >> and what it means. encourage your question. >> 40% homes,
>> 40% rentals, >> 40% rentals. >> Earlier you stated that the state basically has jurisdiction over say a mobile home park. In the case of just say the fairways where they own the house and not the lot, does the state
have oversight on that? >> Something have to be. >> That was a good question because a lot of those people who own their homes >> don't own the lot. They don't own a lot >> and they're paying excess of like $1,000
for the lot and they're going up all the time. So, they paying for the the mortgage and then there's a separate fee. >> They told me that every transaction it's a 55 plus community. So, every time the
house turns over, the lot rental goes up substantial. >> That's what they said. But they blame the township. >> Yeah. >> Why don't they look into that? Yeah, that's something that needs to be looked into because they're blaming us for the taxes for for the amount that's going
up. But I do know people who live in fairways and they're telling me that they're paying $1,000 for their lot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's what I was told. >> I'll coordinate with administrator and Mr. Goodman as well. >> Thank you.
So, I guess what we're what we're looking for here is kind of it's it's a couple of things. We want to create an advisory committee. We want to look at and update the short
term rental ordinance and we want to create a lease registration. Is this wrapping all this into one? >> I don't know that we would wrap it all into one. We kind of gave examples of what the if you create an advisory committee what would be essentially the
first task we should consider moving forward I guess for this evening's level. I just have one more question. I know that there's legislation out there that we have to um build more lowincome
housing. >> Affordable housing. Thank you. Sorry. Because that's a difference. >> Yeah, >> there's a difference. Affordable housing. Would that regulate that as well? >> That's a complete process.
>> That would be a separate issue from from the affordable housing. >> Yes. >> To the rentals. So one other so the creation of the committee so they would bring back information to us >> correct
>> on how the field is out there with the rental properties and >> so the advisory committee essentially is a vast different degree of of stakeholders members from council
committee uh and then you have a set of member amount of members from here. The suggestion is to be able to diversify homeowners ren
so we have the opportunity to have this discussion setting whatever information workshop uh to be able to present back numbers facts suggestions we make decisions. So for example, uh the the
lease registration uh program might be something we look into that say this would be our suggested process and this would be administrative aspects that are involved with it. So you have a report in front of you saying yes here's the complete picture
that we do not obviously control said there's three very small issues in a big field of this that are today too much. So the we done this the rents that are
now like would they be grandfathered or is this going forward with new rents or how would we regulate rents that are already established? >> Those are a lot of the issues. what may be appropriate or what might
have a loading question or because I know people that live in Hamilton Green and live in different places depending on what size unit they have is what they're paying. So, I know people who pay like $3,500
for their rental unit and then for one bedroom it's like 1,700. So, if we had this advisory board, would we be able to control a private own um you know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. So, I just want to make a a
clarification. What we're creating research not for itself, >> not the board. >> Yeah. They're two separate entities completely. But the advisory committee is just a committee of uh like I said two uh committee members and five to
seven individuals or residents here in township that kind of represent the different aspects of one comprise of a rent control board be able to do the homework here leg work of saying these are the issues these are the issues that the community is facing here's our
recommendation moving forward to what might be done working with the administrator team here they will come back and present to you and say example we think you should update your shortterm rental we believe that a full-fledged rental board is appropriate
here's why here are the the specific numbers here are the percentages working with the administrator and director of community development is putting together a proposal if a rent control board is something that the advisory committee recommends here would be the costs that are involved there's a lot
here that allow you allow committee It's a large >> Now we can't really be compared to different. >> So do we have any other municipality like us that we know just found out Township just got out of it? Does do we
have any other municipalities similar to us that have been controlled by >> Great question. That's one of the things we discussed in front of the subcommittee. I thought Egro Township was probably the most similar municipality here
in terms of demographics size mirror and the percentages. So if it was something that we create an advisory comm we like to do is kind of branch outside some of the other South Jersey uh municipalities
they have rent controls where they had rent controls. This is what worked and this is why it didn't work. >> David Neptune Township has a um something that's similar to Hamilton Township. >> Who was that? Neptune Township.
>> Neptune. >> Yes. Like they have a 30% rental rate, >> 28,000 residents similar to us. >> Now, would this committee bring back like hard numbers >> of how much this is going to cost?
>> It looking at the administrative. So if we propose whatever >> I know you said 100 but >> and that was kind of a very ballpark but if it was something where it was proposed that this obviously like any other presentation
like Mr. chose to designate us. >> We really can't make a decision because we don't have hard numbers. >> Why would we need hard? Why would we need hard numbers to make a decision to create an advisory? >> The committee,
>> not not the committee, just the advisor. >> So I thought your assumption was for a rental control, >> right? >> There would be Outside of the research, the administrative journals legal fees again the advisory committee is
something. So if the advisory committee comes back and said okay this is this this is this the committee then could say you know what we're not going to go any further >> it would be up to committee >> right that's how far they didn't go it
would just be reports and again committee uh committee has what happens >> the advisory committee I'm going assume is going to lean on certain paid professionals and people that work
for the township >> going to steer it >> that's going to cost money and are you going to do this a favor to us or are you going to charge >> honesty comes along down the pike so the professionals get paid per hour that's correct
>> mayor we're uh we're you know we're advising that it'sic official members, non- voting, but experts in their field would uh would participate and that would also include our affordable housing coordinator as well. >> I also want to note that Mr. Goodman did
this in the town he came from and he said it was very successful. So, I want to put that on the record. >> Understood. >> Yeah, I'm not I'm not against I'm not against it. I'm just ask this is new. I didn't know this was coming. So, I'm just asking questions and doing my due diligence. I'm not saying it's nothing
that shouldn't be. I just want to make sure that I'm asking the right questions >> forward. >> And I would just simply clarify, you know, uh my statement was based on I I I showed up at that job two days after they passed it and they said, "Go get it." So we were able to craft it from
the very beginning and do exactly what they envisioned. So in that sense, it was a qualified success. Nonetheless, what you're talking about is something that's not just passed or formed. You're talking about something where you're really looking for more information. You want this advisory group, a representative of the community to tell
you what they think about it, you know, and even then they're only in gold deliverables just to give you a report what they think is the right thing to do. And even then, you can choose to do something different. You accept some, reject it out of whole, embrace it
wholly. Discretion is entirely with the elected body. with the advisory committee. Would they give a percentage or a breakdown on what landlords are basically privately
owned? Other ones that are national accounts that will be taking us to court and doing everything else as far as our recommendations we got. the ownership was based on the information that we >> from what little I can say so far
there's no s u there are no super large institutional owners of the 2,00 units that are here today >> probably fairways is the probably >> there are certainly ones that are organized and well funded and you know they can represent a challenge if they
wish but I would just advise those are the people you want to invite to the for an advisory group. >> Yeah, I know the one on Clone Avenue, there's 475 apartments, >> right? >> They have a lot at stake. >> They do.
>> So, is there a Okay. Is there a limit or can we set a number of how much it's going to cost using our professionals to do this? Just number out there
>> for the advisory committee. Yeah, for the advisor because like you said, they're going to lean on some of our professionals is you know it can't be like pumping thousands and thousands of dollars saying like if we can establish it
>> not to exceed >> not to exceed >> we can at >> and when we have to >> if I may offer a practical um suggestion um giving a time frame in which the report must be done would automatically limit
the number of resources that could be applied. >> Okay. >> And also it'll make us move. >> Well, people can argue endlessly. I'm not trying to say that >> to be funny, but you know, people feel strongly about things. They can carry an
advisory group like this out into months, if not years. >> That's not the objective. I think if you put a time bound on when you expect to see a report back, that in itself would limit It would keep us all very focused on what we bring to the table, including
>> completely honest, I'm concerned about finding people to even get on this advisory committee. that that might be a little bit of a >> so if I may committee decided to create advisory
committee I would suggest maybe seven members able to appoint uh potentially two landlords three other residents here homeowners have represented landlords
represented as well along with two members Yeah, but that 11 all together, I guess we can Yeah, >> what's your uh pleasure here? Create this advisory committee.
>> I I would like to create the advisory committee. I would like to be a committee woman on it. I think it's um good and um for Hamilton Township has one of the highest rates of rent in the whole Atlanta County. And um to me, we're talking
quality of life. We're talking people um that are living in apartment dwellings that might need these inspections. We were talking about just um we're saying once every five years. We're we're also saying that we're sharing information. We're bringing the landlords, developers
to the table and we're trying to um bring the whole community to the table to give people a better quality life and then we're also saying that it's information gathering and then we'll put it in front of the committee and then if we don't want it then we don't have to accept it but I don't think it hurts to
talk. This was brought to us before I don't if I remember correctly it was uh it was discussed I don't think up here on the dem and uh there was a lot of
at the state level that looked like it was going to move and obviously a little bit dead but otherwise >> or they are I mean they're not dead >> for the record there's at least three or four that I'm aware of that are very
substantial >> control board >> three assembly one senate and then they would have to be harmonized >> even if they made it out >> let me ask this question Um would it be something I mean as I know
that we've we've passed resolutions in support of various bills maybe we look at these bills and see if it's something that we would like to pass resolution in support of the bill send it to
the Senate and assembly about that way speaking for everybody something we can look at and vote on if we want to do something like that. Obviously, that's not what we talk about here, but I'm just saying that's something that maybe could help things
out if it's something that we think would uh would help move those bills forward and make it so that we don't have to have a rent control board that's going to cost our taxpayers all this money. We'll spread the costs out over
the whole state. Our tax will still go up, but only this much instead of this much. Unfortunately, I would just, and forgive my cynicism, but it's born of experience, but if the state passes legislation, it will operate as an unfunded mandate down onto the
municipalities in terms of administration. So, just something to keep in mind. >> Wow. Thanks. >> Well, didn't mean to, you know, it's a it's just a reality and we've seen enough of it. >> I was a little more optimistic. >> Yeah. Yeah. Me, too. Me, too.
Yeah. I I don't disagree. You're you're right. You're absolutely right. >> If they done that because that would give >> several times >> that would give us the impact of what we would have to do. >> It it would and when we met in committee, we really painfully worked
together to identify those things that we could do outside the scope of that legislation that could impact us, you know, eventually. And who knows if it'll ever get out of we don't even know if it'll ever really get out of committee. These are just proposed bills. But there were
things that we could take if this is the direction you want to go in. And really that's kind of the scope of what I mean the the advisory group should consider the greater legislation. But we looked at things that we could do if you wanted to do them that aren't really included
in that those proposals. So and may have an impact. So I know woman for it. Anybody else? >> Something we should do a roll call vote on to see if we want to
>> move forward with this. >> Wanted to move forward. Yes. My assumption is >> before we do a roll call, can we have a do not exceed number? I think like Rob Robert said make it
>> time bound >> time bound >> and that will automatically >> say uh the timeline starts after the advisory committee is >> established because it may take some time to get people
>> to commit to do this. >> It's not that I'm not it's just that when you get something like this today It's not like that you had a lot of due diligence to research or ask additional questions.
It's like a brush, you know, and I would just like to see some of the I'm not against it. I just would like to see what some of the legislation that was coming down, you know, that's out there. How would that impact this if we did this? You
know, that's all I would want. >> Respond. So, like I can one of during the subcommittee one of the things we had was four or five pieces of legislation that were coming down. obviously put it together in the pack provide committee with full legislative summaries as well.
Um and some of the history some of those bills have been what I would call stale that have been around for a year or two session they impact. I would like that. I like that because you said that the
legis some legislation did come down that impacted Ear Township to back out. >> I can give you a copy of that as well. >> I would like to have just to look at it just before we make before I make it for decision. >> We do it to the next meeting.
>> How long do you think it would take? >> Table it. >> Table it. for the next meeting. >> Yeah. Till we get the information. You think that's enough? >> Anybody want to make that motion? >> I would like to table it until the next meeting to get the information to make sure
how we would be impacted if at all. Just be clear next. >> What's pending and what was passed? >> Okay. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion in a second. All those in favor of tableabling this.
>> I >> against you have your marching for free, right? >> For the record. No. >> Thanks, Ken. Thanks, Robert. He has a >> the information can back the information for that EHT is going to be in that
information too. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Good. >> Okay. Moving on. Uh public hearing adoption of ordinances. We have none. Introduction of ordinances. We have none. Award of
bids, contracts, change orders. We have resolution for change order final bid 2025-02 Old River Road Stormwater Improvements to M Excavation LLC for an increase in the amount of $16,000.
Um, our engineer is not here. He is sick. He apologizes. But, uh, Brett, you want to go over this a little bit? I mean, I I have an email that I that I saw. The original contract was
for $86,915. Project was to install a storm water pipe from Old River Road out to the title portion of River. uh contractor while when he was digging within the
roadway u two additional gas be the type of material that they were going to place in the roadway crossing had additional backilling
because of a recently I looked at this. I think >> Motion. >> I have a motion. >> Second. >> I have a second. >> Can I just You absolutely can. So, I just looking at the the bids um for this
actually the 16,000 increase is still under the second bid. >> We got our >> Yes, it is. >> Excellent pricing. >> Yeah. So, you're you're still under what the second bid? >> Yeah. >> Anybody else? >> Roll call vote, please.
>> Mr. Aken, >> yes. >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Miss Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. Patali, >> yes. >> All yes and carry. >> Oh 6B. Resolution authorizing the annual maintenance contract with Pro Phoenix
Corp. Not to exceed $70,11741 for software maintenance and support for the period 1126 through 123126. >> Make the motion. >> I have a motion. We already voted on this.
>> Second. >> That's a revised, right? >> Yes. >> What? Yeah, it's a revised um resolution, but >> this has votes already on, >> right? >> Oh, on the on
>> Yeah. So what are we revising? >> We were revising the amount. >> So this is we renew this contract every year. There was an amount, >> right? So they left. >> Yeah. Because >> they just put the instead of changing
the name. >> No, I got that part. >> So we were revising. So, so >> because I'm trying to compare, right? They gave us the 6B, >> right? So, I had Sorry if I answered say >> so my comment.
>> So, I had contacted Brett about a number here. >> I see. >> They had to change it because this is the old number. >> That's the old number. >> Yes. This is the new number. >> Okay. >> But we did vote on this before, but we're revising. >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Gotcha. You voted on it last year. So this is an annual. So this is for this year. They >> they just added the last year's >> Okay, I got it. >> Okay. >> All right, that's good.
>> Okay. Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Aken, >> yes. >> Mr. Ch, >> yes. >> Miss Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Patali, >> yes. >> All yes and carry. >> 6C. Resolution
to increase the not to exceed limit from 10,000 to 15,000. Special counsel Archer and Grinder. >> Correct. Give us a little uh background on this. This is part of a settlement agreement that we uh from a couple years
back where the township is obligated to create future parcel for the extension of avenue if the development behind gardens is ever built.
The township is supposed to get reimbursed by the developer if built up to $10,000. Anything beyond $10,000 is college responsibility. We've exceeded $10,000.
I spoke with the attorney. They think we'll be under $5,000 more, but we want to do the same. Why is this taking so long and um so this was an eminent domain matter going back and forth with the two
property owners that this is going to actually it's not that Honest. >> Okay. What's your pleasure? >> I have a motion. >> Second. >> I have a second. >> Questions, comments? >> Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Bacon.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Patali, >> yes. >> Oh, yes. And carry. >> Next consent agenda. Not much. A make a motion.
Move A through D. >> I have a motion. >> Second. >> I have a second. >> Questions, comments? >> All those in favor? >> I against >> personnel.
Uh, resolution appointing members of Mount Laurel subcommittee. So that would be town committee member the planning zoning liaison that's uh
Mr. Aken Mr. chief planning board chairperson or their designate, the township solicitor, director of community development, the municipal housing liaison, affordable housing council,
and affordable housing planner. Do I need a motion? Is this something that I just uh >> You said this is Okay. I was on >> the list.
>> I can read you the names. >> Sure. >> Why don't you read the names? >> Oh, the new Right. >> This is last year's >> Rita will read the names for us. >> I'll read the names for you. >> Okay.
>> Okay. So, it'll the uh township committee members planning zoning leaison are committee member chief and Aken. Planning board chairperson is Harry Bicki. Township solicitors Ken Warren. Director of community development Robert
Goodman. Municipal housing leazison is William Johnson. Affordable housing council is Eric Nolan and affordable housing planner is Vince Py. >> And how often do they meet?
>> It's as needed. So last year we met twice. >> They talk about our housing affordable housing requirements. Basically try to see some of our requirements. >> Oh.
Who did you say to planning board chair person? Okay. >> I have a motion. I have a motion. >> Second. I have a second. All those in favor? I >> approvals
>> minutes regular meeting minutes January 21st 2026 >> second I >> have a motion to second all those in favor >> I against >> bills bill list total 4,759,681 >> pay the bills
Second. >> I have a motion to second. Roll call vote. >> Question. >> Oh, question. >> This page three, >> the enramm tax attorney special. I'm not just sure what it's a lava.
This is our um for our attorney. We go through. We have right now we have three lists of properties. Basically taking the properties doing the title searches making sure
the township possibly resell back on. The reason why I was asking is because seems so low. But maybe that's those are
just the fees for the >> property. And many of these are really small properties that make Not the tax. That's just what it cost for someone's like $12. I'm saying I know we
not taking advice probably $12. >> They didn't pay their taxes. We will >> for $12. I'm about to >> Good. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Thompson, >> yes.
>> Dr. Wither, >> yes. >> Mayor Patali, >> yes. >> All yes and carry. >> Reports. Mr. administrator. >> Uh that last snowstorm that we had um
that's that's the type of storm that in public works that's that's the storm you don't want. That's the nightmares where it starts off as snow and you get a couple of, you know, six, eight, 10 inches of snow, 12 inches of snow and then
starts to sleep and it rains for an hour and it turns single digits at night. We have 12 public works employees. Full disclosure, we had six contractors out plowing
around, you know, went around township. We Galloway Township. I met with several different administrators. Some point talked about their roads out there
based on our manower. Did have to close down. We had to do Galloway and Eggpar Township has upwards of 50 and Galloway has
I know it's at least 30, but I think they guys probably do. That's that was a very long storm. guys out the shifts. 12 guys out the shifts section.
Very tough. 20 inches of snow. That in addition to a statewide salt storage or salt shortage, just a just a tough storm. I think all great job.
And I just asked a question with salt shortage. I saw your email. When will we get any more salt? We got we don't have >> We were supposed to get more salt today. The ship that's bringing the salt into the
facility can stop Delaware River sitting there since Friday. As soon as that ship uh docks, we're hopefully begin to get some of the 900 tons. We have >> We have it on
>> We have three orders. We actually ordered salt after the first. That first snow. It's not It's not that weed. We just have And we're not the only ones that are
experiencing this. Every municipality, the DOT, um, all, you know, I reach out to the county to see if they can spare us all. They said they would if we absolutely needed it. We don't have we have enough for another.
I will reach back out if we have solicitor. engineer >> project committee members Dr. Winners. >> Yes. Um I want to say the re across America the pickup for the um the
wreaths that were put on the veterans raise on December the 13. Um by the time I got there they had already picked up all of the re they were fast. It was 14 degrees outside. It was cold, but the
dedication of those who went to um pick up the reefs I thought was good. And um ACUA donated a dumpster for all of the reefs to go to. So that was nice. They partnered with um us. I
thought that was very very good. I also attended um Atlantic Cape Community College. Um there was Senator Nick Asselta and his wife Nancy Asselta. Uh they
received the um Atlantic Cape Community College Athletic Recognition Excellence Award. It was very nice. I didn't know that he coached for years and she was a cheerleader for years and all of that good stuff. And you could watch the game, you know, you know, a little bit
of the basketball game. So I did watch a little look a bit of it, but it was um very nice to see people get honored while they can see it.
And um I was very happy to be there to see them receive the award on it. They for recognition for the years. They've been doing it for years. I never knew how many years they did that. Sometimes you have so many people doing good things in your community that you don't
really know anything about. It doesn't mean that they're not doing it. It means you don't know it. And um so I was happy to be able to and good again say thank you to Peter um Esar and to all of the volunteers who came
out on that cold day to pick up all of those reefs off of those graves because I mean it's cold. Uh so I wanted to say thank you to all of them. That's my uh my first I want to give a shout out and congratulations to Reverend John Ash
who um >> is retired now. I attended his last church service and his retirement party. Um and we had a surprise guest. Congressman Van Drew showed up with a proclamation and a a challenge coin it
was called again. So it's very nice. Uh Reverend Ash was uh he was my pastor growing up. Baptized me. I went through the church there and Sunday school and yes he's a great person, great community person, always involved. Um and you know
he'll be around. He's not going anywhere. But that was a great event we had. Um, second, I wanted to thank our public works. Um, I was not actually here for the storm. I headed up north to Vermont where they got 20 inches.
But I hear I I heard from peeps out there that, you know, for the storm being the way it is, you know, one-two punch with that, you know, snow and sleet and rain, it was tough, >> you know, so they did what they had to do. I I know, you know, you can't make
everybody happy, you know, but you made everything, you know, safe as best as you can. So, I want to give them kudos and props. Um, also to our police, fire, and rescue squad. I'm sure they were out there also helping, you know, out with the storm and accidents and stuff like
that that was going on. So, I want to give them a shout out also. Um, I want to uh wish everyone a happy Groundhog's Day. >> Oh, yeah. >> And let you know that he saw his shadow today. So, there will be six more weeks
of winter. Just want you to know if you didn't know. Um, I'd like to acknowledge our public works crew. um they did a a good job removing the snow that um under the circumstances. Um I heard good stuff about them compared to the other
township. So I really wanted to acknowledge that and it's still a lot, you know, more that we have to do, but we have to um keep them in prayer because they're coming up against the shortages of of thought and different things that we really don't have everything equipped for. So um I just
want to say that what they've done has been very good. Um, I would like to report that I attended um ACIT JV basketball game where the coach is uh Ma Landon resident and I want to give him a shout out. Um, so this good job to
Nasier Khalil Tucker. Um, I also went to the William Davies school where the elite basketball team was playing and I want to shout out to uh Coach Wheeler of that team. Um, good job. Both of these
gentlemen are doing a great job with the youth here in our community here in Hamilton Township, Maze Landon. I also want to wish my son, Michaelel Thompson, happy birthday. He was a groundshog baby, so today's his birthday. And peace
and blessings to everyone in the community always. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Happy Mayor Chief. I have nothing to report after surgery. I've been stuck on the recliner for two weeks
and uh I can't wait to get out and move around. You didn't you couldn't trouble any snow. >> My wife did a heck of a job. >> She did. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Wow. >> Oh. Um echo what uh what Eric said about
Reverend Ash. Over 60 years he was at that church. uh longer than I've been alive. Um great guy. Uh he did say that he is going to still be involved with hometown celebration and uh the 911 uh
ceremonies. So that's really good news because uh he does a great job with that. It's it's hard to find people that'll pick up that ball and run with it and uh he's still willing to do that. And uh it was amazing to see so many people at the VFW
uh for his lunchon and he's he's a really humble guy and uh when he talked about all the things that he did between Yes, I went to church too. It didn't burn down. I'm still here. Um I went to the service. It was
great service. And uh I didn't know all the things that that man did. Um he was huge. Uh he he he walked down in Selma. He was down there for that walk that back in the 60s. He
um he was just so instrumental in so many things with uh just with with everything. It's just I was I was I was I was I was shocked. I had no idea that that man did these things. Um all the different jobs that he had just just
overwhelming. So, he really deserves this retirement, which I don't think is really going to be a retirement because he did say that I believe he's going to be given the sermon uh on Sunday. Correct, Denise? Because uh yeah, because it's snow day.
So, he's retired, but I I kind of I figure it's kind of like the Rolling Stones their 15th uh retirement tour. He's he's gonna keep coming around and uh I don't have a problem with that at all. He's a fantastic guy. So, um,
same thing, public works, you guys did a fantastic job. I'll tell you what, I got I got more complaints in the years past than I did this storm, and this was probably the hardest storm you guys had to deal with. Uh, seriously, you really
you really did a good job. um came by my house at 9:00 at night. So, I quickly had to run out there and clean off the end of my driveway so it didn't turn into big giant ice boulders.
Uh which we did. And um I drove around town, took a look at things, and then as as the week went on, you know, things just got better. And I'm sure this week with the with the warmer weather, you guys will be out there cleaning up a few things here and
there. So, you guys really did a good job. Um, I want to give a shout out to I know that there was a a big upheaval about Wrangler Road in 322. Uh, made a phone call to Brett. Brett called the chief. The chief sent somebody out
there, looked at it, made contact with the DOT. Next thing I know, a couple hours later, there's loaders out there cleaning that up. So, it's just um I know this the state was behind the the eight-ball just like everybody was. Um I I travel out to Swedesboro every day to
go to work and I saw so many spots on 322 where the del lanes weren't weren't allowed. They didn't get hit until Thursday. Um in fact, there's still one one spot where it's um an exit onto the the bypass is still a mess. Um, so for
them to come out and take care of that out there. I know Brett reached out to the county today about the county's responsibilities over there in Wrangler Road. I'm sure they got out there and and cleaned it up. And uh, so you guys you guys really did a good job. Um,
police, fire, rescue, everybody. Great job. I really it's it's great when you go through that and you get more com more out of boys than complaints. So, thank you all very much for making our township look good. You guys, guys and girls, did a great job. Thank you very,
very much. Um, just want to touch on that the the salt situation. I know the state puts out saying that there is no salt storage. Well, guess what? I'm in the business. I called my truckers that I know all salt. They said, "Carl, they haven't had salt since two Fridays ago."
And that's in Camden. There was no salt. So, um, Brett and I talked a couple times today. I reached out to a couple of people that I know to try to get salt all the way down in Baltimore. Um, salt over in, uh, Delaware. And, um, I think
Brett's still working on it to see if we can get something if it's an emergency and we really need it because it's going to cost a lot of money to get salt from all the way down to Baltimore. But, if we need it, we'll figure out a way to get it. And you know, Brett did a good job reaching out to the county and hopefully uh getting a hold of some salt
if needed there. But let's just hope that we don't have any snow or ice we get through this. And and Chris came up with the idea of using some sand. Help some people out there that that uh still have some ice issues. Um and I just want everybody to understand we
have what 168 miles of emergency route, correct? 168 lane miles of emergency route that gets hit first. And that has to be taken care of first before we get to the secondary roads. And uh like I said, I'll say it again. You did a great job.
So, thank you very much for all that. And it's really all for me. Reagan, I'll see you later. Maddie, I miss you and I love you and I will see you soon. We'll open it up to public comment.
Let everybody rush down at once. Hey. Yes. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Time. >> Just one second. >> Sure, please. >> Just >> No, no, you can. >> No, no, no. Come on down. Come on down. This is new to us. We're trying this >> this clock. You got five minutes, but
there's really nobody else. So, I'm sure if uh you need more time, we'll take a vote. >> We're going to try it out. >> We're going to try it out. You're going to be the first one, >> right? >> I'm a trends setter. >> All right. Good evening everyone. My name is Aila Davis. I am a Hamilton Township
resident. First, I would like to say Mayor Patal Lee, thank you so much for no matter what time of the day I reach out to you, you are always on time. We're reaching back and whether you can do something or you can't, you just you
don't ignore. And um so many phone calls I've been getting about seeing you in the community and just being present. So on behalf of people who have reached out to me, on behalf of my family, on behalf of AWish, I want to say thank you for all the work you do in Hamilton Township.
>> You're very welcome. >> Um I do want to speak about the about the rent um leveling advisory committee. Um that's why I came here tonight. I wanted to speak on behalf of that. Um over the past few years, we've seen rent rise much faster than our paychecks,
right? Um, as a result, too many hardworking families are being pushed out of the neighborhoods they've called home for years. Teachers, seniors, single parents like myself, and essential workers shouldn't have to choose between paying rent and groceries.
Rent leveling is about stability, fairness, and protecting the people who make this community what it is. When residents can afford to stay in their homes, our schools stay stronger, our local businesses survive, and our neighborhoods remain connected. I'm not asking for anything
unreasonable, I would I would think. But to put together a leveling committee um to bring forth more connections in the community, I think would be a great idea. Um so I just wanted to speak about that and that's all I wanted to say. See, I'm not
even past my five minutes. Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Five minutes. >> Uh, good evening, mayor and committee members. Uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Uh, my
name is Juan Carlos Belmonte. I'm a homeowner and resident of Hamilton Township, and I'm here to voice my support for the establishment of a rent leveling advisory committee in our community. As we all know, affordability has been an urgent topic of discussion throughout all levels of our government among both political parties and most
importantly a topic that is discussed within the families here in New Jersey and Atlanta County. For years, township committee has worked to deliver quality municipal services while keeping property tax increases low, helping to provide financial stability for homeowners. Establishing a rent leveling
advisory committee would be a continuation of that same commitment to stability and extending the security security to some of our friends and neighbors who rent in this town and call Hamilton Township home. Housing is the foundation of stability for families,
for seniors, for veterans, for students, and for working people. When rent increases are sudden, excessive, or unpredictable, the consequences ripple outward. People are forced to move away from their homes. Children are displaced from their school district and long-standing community ties are broken.
When renters do not receive the appropriate services that were expected within a lease agreement, this too can create instability and stress. A rent loving advisory committee is a practical balanced tool to address these challenges. While owner occupied housing unit rates not a perfect measure of rent
renter population, census data still provides us some useful insight. Egg Harbor Township has a 15.6% 6% non-owner occupied housing unit rate. Galloway Township has a 20.2% rate and Hamilton Township has a non-owner occupied unit
rate of n of 29.3%. In other words, nearly one-third of Hamilton Township's housing units are likely occupied by renters. Renters pay more compared to a Harper Township and Gall. While H while Hamilton Township likely has about twice as many renters
by percent of total housing units than An Harper Township, the median monthly gross rent of Hamilton Township is $1,691 according to census, which is greater than both a Carpar township at $1,456 and Callaway Township at $1,619.
My takeaway from these numbers is that Hamilton Township by percent of total housing units has significantly more renters and they pay more. This makes the creation of rent leveling advisor committee not only reasonable but prudent in pursuit of housing security. It is also worth noting that municipalities with similar
characteristics have already taken this step. Ne Neptune Township in Mammoth County has a similar total population as Hamilton Township at 28,000 residents and a nonowner occupied rate of 29.8%. Other comparative towns which have um advisory boards are Lawrence Township
and Euing Township in Mercer County. Hamilton Township would not be an outlier in in establishing an advisory committee. As we've heard here tonight, New Jersey's approach to renters and landlords um is pretty decentralized. Rental units are exempted from municipal rent ordinances for the length of a
mortization of an initial mortgage or 30 years after completion of construction, whichever is less. The state also applies an exemption for units receiving section 8 housing as they are already regulated through federal and state mechanisms. A rent level advisory committee at the municipal level still provides the residents of Hamilton
Township with multiple benefits. Provides a seat at the table for homeowners, tenants, and landlords to collaborate with the city to develop a balanced and stable approach to housing for renters within our town. A rent level advisory committee ad uh committee's advice can help ensure that
landlords receive a fair return on their investment while also ensuring renters who are eligible do not experience excessive increases on their rent that are unrelated to capital improvements or inflation. A rent leveling advisory committee provides an organized and structured body where the township can discuss what works best for Hamilton
Township. And a rentleveling advisory committee does not lock us into a specific approach, does not immediately determine a specific path forward. simply provides the benefit of community input so stakeholders of this community can continue to work together like we do on so many issues and consider how to
strengthen the security of the people who call Hamilton Township their home. Um, thank you for your time and all the work township committee and the township workers put into making Hamilton Township safe. >> Anybody else? Hello, mayor. Hello, councilman. Hello,
council men and woman. My name is John Wheeler. I'm the president of Hamilton League basketball program. Um, I want to take the opportunity to thank Councilman Tracy for attending our game the other day as well as Dr. Dr. Weatherspoon for
the continued support. I hope you know that we continue to uh help the community. Um, unfortunately I missed the opportunity to personally uh give uh Dr. Weatherspoon a token of appreciation last time we uh was in
front of each other as want to come tonight and express give her a gift as a token of appreciation a shirt for my program. >> Thank you. You got to go down and get your shirt. >> Put it on. Got to go down and get your
shirt. >> Okay. I got to go get my shirt. That is so nice of you. >> Nice of you. >> Welcome. Thank you. Okay. Can I show everybody my shirt?
>> Got to put it on. Now that I'm not going to do >> Oh, >> and I hope that the rest of the council men, if you ever have the opportunity, we are near our program, end of the season, but I hope y'all can make it as well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Coach Wheeler, when when is your um the
next uh home game? >> Next home game is tomorrow um at the bar the JV play at 6 PM. Varsity plays at 7:15. Uh and it's against Atlantic City at Davies Middle School. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> And thank you for for being a coach and volunteering your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Anybody else? >> Motion to close. >> I have a motion. >> Second. >> I have a second. All those in favor? >> I
>> I >> Motion to close meeting. >> Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Second. I have a motion to second. All those in favor? I I