I'd like to open up the meeting of the township of Hamilton for Monday, December 1st, 2025. Would you please stand for the flag salute? 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. >> Mr. Patali >> here. >> Dr. Witherspoon >> here. Mayor Shanker
>> here. >> We have a moment of silence for private reflection. Thank you. Uh we'll get right to it. We'll start with the oath of office administered to township committee member Tracy Thompson. Tracy, did you come here? Here she is.
Okay. >> I, Tracy Thompson, >> I, Tracy Thompson, >> do solemnly swear do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States
>> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear truth >> and that I will bear truth >> faith >> faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance
>> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the governments >> established lished >> established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority >> under the authority
>> of the people >> of the people >> I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> and partially >> and partially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties
>> perform all the duties >> of the office >> of the office of township committee member >> of township committee member >> of the township of Hamilton >> of the township of Hamilton >> for the term >> for the term >> November 24th 2025
>> November 24th 2025 >> until December 31st 2027 >> until December 31st 2027 >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> so help me God
>> so Help me God. Come take a picture. Bob, come up and take a picture. Thank you so much. Take a picture. Thank you so much. Tracy, congratulations and welcome.
>> Good luck. Good luck on your term. Okay, so let's get moving here. Uh, next we have a proclamation for this football team called the Hamilton Knights. Coaches, can you come on up front and bring the guys with you?
All right. >> Go easy on me, guys. >> This is a really good team. >> Lot of telephone. >> We good. >> Line them all up, coach. Take your time.
>> He didn't go over this in practice. >> They were too busy winning. That picture right to me. Yeah. Come on up here, coaches. >> So, we have a little proclamation. We understand this football team did some great things, right? >> You won the taxi bowl.
>> Yeah. many many times so that as you flip through whereas the Hamilton Knights football taxi team is comprised of young men ages 5 to seven years old who live in Hamilton Township area whereas on 2025 the Hamilton Knights taxi team finished
the 2025 football season with a remarkable undefeated 13-0 record. and participated in the taxi jamberee held in Dennis Township on November 16, 2025, achieving back-to-back championships,
as they say, bringing home the chip, right? Is that what you guys did? That's good. Thanks to the 2024 taxi team. Whereas at the Taxi Bowl, the Knights were unscored on for all 13 games with
no more than 150 yards on them. Now therefore, we the township committee of Hamilton Township of Hamilton, Candy County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey on this day, December 1st, 2025, do hereby recognize the Hamilton Knights
taxi team in honor of the remarkable accomplishment. This achievement is not only a credit to the hard work and dedication, but it's a credit to the support that they received from their families, their coaches, Ed Gutierrez, Carson Days, Billy Hows, Farad Holmes,
Willie Jones, and their teammates and teachers. We congratulate the Hamilton Knights taxi team for their incredible success in the 2025 season and wish them the best of luck. The years have come and I just like to say that this township committee and this town is very
very proud of what you guys did. Very proud. Sure. Uh I just wanted to add, you probably hear I'm a coach. You can hear me. Um there's a there's a few uh players from last year. They moved up this year. Uh they also went 13 and0
last year. So the back to back it's special but it's really special cuz it was 26 and0 in two years. Um >> I'm hard on these kids. Anybody knows I I coach high school too and I I bring it right down to the seven-year-olds. Um I
believe in gota teach life. Got to teach hard nose life. So with that, the results are what it is. >> It's not because of the football. It's because they worked their butts off for a purpose. And uh if we can keep that going throughout the years, then we got
good men in this world. So that's MY >> YEAH, we'll do pictures uh right now and then we're going to do something before we leave. picture. >> Hey, no, >> hold on. Wow, that's pretty cool.
>> I know you are. Good. >> Might get a little loud. >> All right, real quick. >> Hey yo. HEY YO. WHO'S A DOG? >> WHO'S A DOG? >> WHO'S A DOG? >> THREE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
YEAH. OH, YEAH. They have to stay now. Yeah. >> We have a budget for the ACUA coming up. It's intriguing. Slide down forever. I first started because she had this hair. My wife's like, "Why are you way over by yourself when you
watch it on TV?" >> Yeah. Okay. >> She's like, "You're all way over by." I said, "There's a thing in between us." >> Oh, boy. >> You can do it at the end. >> He's leaving.
Pardon me. >> Uh, we really need to keep this moving soon as we can. You can do pictures after the meeting if you'd like. Or you know what? You want to run down there and grab a picture real quick? Go ahead. Go ahead. >> We're still clearing up.
>> Go ahead. >> As long as the flowers are for me. >> They're pink. You don't want to see. >> Good to see you, too. >> He said he's trying to take pictures. It's all right, you guys.
family. >> Good seeing you. Yeah, we will. >> Yeah. Yeah, I hear you. Let me introd. there. >> We love her. Sorry. >> It's okay. >> Okay. So, now that the documentary is
over, We have a guest presentation. Atlantic County Utility Authority budget. Woohoo. >> Sorry, you're not getting the applause. Yeah. WELL, come on. Give it up. Uh,
>> okay. >> Thank you, mayor. Getting a little complex here. I thought everybody was here for me, but I guess not. I'll try not to take the wind out of the uh meeting. >> That's a tough act to follow right there. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Mr. Null is just um handing out the
packet and we'll just kind of go through. There's a lot of information here. I'm not going to go through each one of them. Okay. You know, respect your time. Um at any point, stop me for questions or reach out to me afterwards for for you know, again, any follow-ups or anything that you see in that packet. Um thanks for having me tonight. We're
going through our our road show uh over the next several weeks. So, you're meeting number six out of 27. Uh we've had two earlier today. Uh congratulations to Councilwoman Witherspoon and uh Patalia on uh your election wins and and uh Mayor Shanker on your election win as well and welcome
welcome to the council. So, a lot of uh things to celebrate. >> Um we'll talk about uh wastewater here and there's always a story to talk about. There's always questions that kind of come up and I think that uh there was questions last last year when we kind of presented on this. So, we'll just start just with the uh information
documents that you have. The first couple pages are more for your information. So, when people ask you questions, you have the facts in front of you. Um, so last time I was here, we were talking a little bit about capacity. It's been a topic in the county for about three or four years now. What is the ACA going to do? How
much space is left in the landfill? Uh, there's no plan. I assure you, and I've assured you over the past couple years, there is a plan and there has been a plan. Uh, and that's what those first couple pro uh documents are. We've worked over the last three years to find additional capacity at our site. Uh so
we're currently permitted at 2029 and we have an additional 11 years on top of that that we're working through on a permit modification. Uh we're starting that process now with the county. We have a uh SWAC meeting which is the solid waste advisory council of um for Atlantic County. That meeting is on
December 9th and we're going through the process to grab 11 more years of capacity. The information on that capacity is in here. That brings us to 2040. That keeps our rates one of the lowest in the state. Uh there's two things that we're looking at. One is a small horizontal expansion. It's 5.74
acres of wasted space and there's some plans in there you can kind of look at at your leisure. And then there's a small height expansion. Uh this isn't unique to Atlantic County. There's 12 landfills in the state. 10 of the 12 have either gone for an expansion in the last year or in the process of expanding
or in the process of planning for that. Five of them are going for height expansions. We are the lowest landfill in the entire state heightwise as well. Uh so we'll be working through that over the next year to make sure that Atlantic County has a place for disposal for at least the next 15 years. Uh and also the
lowest disposal rates. So again, just a lot of information in there as far as frequently asked questions and just some you know charts and graphs information about what that process looks like for us. So, uh, the next sheet, um, that we usually go through is, uh, actually as
part of that, what I'm going to ask, and it's not a hard ask, but again, if you feel inclined to support the expansion of that, uh, there is a a sample resolution in there that we are going to each one of the towns for, this is a significant impact for Hamilton Township and every other municipality.
So extending the life of our landfill to 2040 is about a $25 million cost per year for the county as a whole. And that's and I know Hamilton Township has on the agenda right now an approval of a shared service agreement. That is one of those costs that would increase if you
saw our site close prematurely. Uh there's millions of dollars that come into our organization to go out to other organizations, out to other municipalities that starts to go away and starts to erode that that system. So the impact of closing that landfill prematurely if we have until 20 240
would be a significant amount of u cost borne on the municipality. So recycling costs you do not pay for the processing recycling. There's a chart in there that shows what Hamilton Township would pay if they had to incur that cost. Household hazardous waste uh collection
contracts trash receptive yard waste are all part of that. So uh there is a sample resolution in there. Again, if this council was interested in passing it, it would certainly help our cause as well. Last thing on the tip fee in there is there's a tip fee map just where we're at as far as the rest of the
state. So, there's a state of New Jersey map in there that just shows where our tip fee is. They're mainly 2025 rates except for ours and about two other uh counties. We are still the second lowest tip fee in the entire state. Uh we double handle our waste. We place our
trash from household household garbage at nighttime. So actually our expenses higher, but we're still able to keep that cost to be the second lowest in the entire state. Uh looking at our budget, so we are uh holding a 2% raise on our trash tip fee. Uh so even on that tip
fee map with the 2% increase, we are still the second lowest in the entire state only to Essex County. They have a incinerator up there owned by Cobanto Realorld. Um and they're under a lot of scrutiny right now uh for the Ironbound community which is an environmental justice uh neighborhood that is right
next to that. Um but they hold the the lowest tip fee uh in the entire state. We are the second um as far as our 10%. Uh there's there's a couple things to just point out in there. Uh the first one is our RNG project. So over the last
seven years we've developed a renewable natural gas project to help generate more revenue. And this is one of the reasons that we'll be able to keep rates as low as they are. They're the same on the wastewater side, one of the lowest in the state. It's projects like this is going to generate $1.3 million every year into our our operating budget to
help offset those costs. We cut the revenue on that operational October 1st. We'll realize that revenue next year. So that's helped us keep our revenue down, which keeps our expenses down by increasing our revenue and that gets passed on to the taxpayers, which are
rateayers for the solid waste side. On the other side of it, the expense side, we're looking at a a lawsuit right now. So, we have a lawsuit with a uh 55 and older community that was built in 2006, about 15 years after we started operating our landfill. Uh they've changed the zoning in that area. We are
P uh Prices Pit 3. Prices pit one is the super fund site. Crisis Pit 2 is right around the corner. We are an industrial area. Uh they reszoned it. Absin resoned it in the early 2000s. They built a 55 and over community. Uh unfortunately, we're not a chocolate factory. We are a
trash disposal site, right? You can stick your head in a trash can any day of the week. It does have an odor to it. Uh we do everything we can and we do a really good job with containing those odors. There was a hiccup in 2023 that the state was seeing across the board. Uh that issue was resolved April 2024
and since then we have contained u most of the odors. It'll never be zero. Again, this is still a solid waste site we're talking about. We're we're handling all the trash for Atlantic County for the last 30 plus years. It's over 100 feet deep, over 102 acres. It's it's a living, breathing uh, you know,
operation over there. The cost of that lawsuit is $1.5 million or $1.7 million this past year. We're budgeting $1.5 million to defend that for next year. Uh, it's a it's a significant cost for us that is now being offset by this
revenue that's coming in. So, that's one of the bigger reasons that we're seeing some of the um small increase that we are on the solid waste side of things. Uh the other thing is is our union contract has certain um raises built into it. So there's a 5% raise for our union employees, the guys in the back of the trucks, the guys that work at the
landfill working on the trucks, the fleet maintenance operations. Uh the last sheet for you guys on the solid waist side looks like this. It has a little graph on it. So this is really Hamilton Township centric for you guys. This is like your report card that we write to each one of the towns. This
just kind of shows a projection of what your costs could be or what your costs look like for 2026. So the um first table up at the top just shows the tip fee costs, what you guys spent in 2025 and what's projected through the end of the year. Uh and it shows like your
tonnage, it shows your yard waste and your recycling and the actual rate that's there. And then the second graph that's down there is kind of like the last line is that 2026. That's your projected 2026 rate. So you see the 8281 that's the new rate that you're paying.
You see the gate rate is 89.89. Uh the municipalities pay the cheaper rate. So every municipality pays that cheap rate because the goal is to make sure that the rateayers which are the taxpayers of Atlanta County pay the cheapest cost for their trash disposal. Um so you guys have been pretty flat when you look at
that tonnage. So that's the third column over. You're just looking at the tons and trying to figure out like are we generating more trash or not? Your trash is offset by recycling. So the more you recycle, the less you actually dispose of the trash. You're not paying for the processing of recycling. So the more you encourage recycling, the less you pay
for the tag of the trash. And that's kind of how to read that. But that's um really a snapshot of your um your solid waste site. I can go through wastewater. We do have a meeting with the MUA next week. It's totally up to you. Um kind of a flat
budget. We're looking at a 2% raise on that. U there's a couple things that have just been impacting us on the solid waste side. Electricity costs have gone up. We have a 20-year contract with our wind farm that's over there. We've had a fixed rate for 20 years, 0.079 cents a
kilowatt since 2006, March 14th. That 20-year contract is up. We're renewing that for another 5 to 10 years. So, that cost is going to go up about 20% on us. Uh it's about 60% of our power. So, that's really driving a lot of the cost associated with our wastewater side of
things. >> Okay. >> And that's it. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Anybody have any questions? >> Questions. >> Thanks for coming in. Appreciate the uh presentation. >> Yes. Thank you guys very much. All right. Have a good night. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Uh we have no additions or deletions. Uh early public comment on agenda items excluding items listed for public hearing. >> We do have Pardon me. >> This is I'm saying this information just goes with the >> That's just P. Yeah, I guess it's a
extra that came after >> supplemental. Thank you. >> Um number three, discussions formal action may be taken. Parking on Park Road. >> Um >> Mr. Solicitor, you want to handle this one?
>> Yes. Thank you, mayor, if I may. Uh, it was brought up to me to look into the feasibility of potentially allowing parking on Park Road, especially for certain special events throughout the year. I had the opportunity to break down, take a look at the code here in
Hamilton Township, uh, in my review of the code, uh, Park Road on the west side does not currently allow for any parking. Um the east side of Park Road does allow for parking from May 15 to September 15 of each year. Uh and it's
only limited one hour for parking. So from a legal standpoint, we can obviously draft an ordinance to adjust that um to allow for parking on one side. I had the opportunity to speak to the township engineer uh briefly
regarding it. The first step in changing if committee wish to do so would be to allow the engineer to take a look at the the road and specification to make sure that the road allow parking either one side or both sides the safety that comes along with that um to be able to report
back to council committee is feasible. Um I believe that we can do that a short turnaround but we wanted to get uh direction for committee as a whole of whether you wanted us to pursue looking into committee. What's your thoughts? I
>> think that's a good idea. Still looking into it. >> Okay, Rich. >> I agree. >> Yeah, Tracy. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Please move forward with that. >> Yes, mayor. With your authorization, I'll I'll work with uh township engineer and reach out to Chief Vera as well to get any concerns.
>> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. Move on. Number four, public hearing and adoption of ordinances. A is ordinance 2120 2025, an ordinance adopting sight specific redevelopment plan for block 42, lot 3
in the township of Hamilton, which is also known as the business Hello High. And this is to do with the drive-thru that they are requesting to be able to install. This is a public hearing. Anybody in the public like to speak? >> Yes.
Okay. Thank you. Anybody in the public like to speak? >> Move to close public. >> Second. >> Your motion. We have a second to close public portion. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed.
>> The eyes have it. >> The chair will entertain an adoption of this ordinance. >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion. We have a second. questions, comments. >> Jane, can we do a roll call vote, please?
>> Mr. Patali, >> yes. >> Miss Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> Four. Yes. >> Okay. Can we get uh Rich back? Thank you, Emily.
Great job. >> Welcome back, Rich. >> Thank you. >> Ordinance 2021 2025, an ordinance amending article 2, chapter 66 of the code of township of Hamilton providing annual salary increases and increases to salary maximums for
certain employees. This basically has to do with the yearly raises for our employees. This is a public hearing. Anybody in the public like to speak? >> Motion to close. >> A motion to close. We have a second. >> Second. >> A motion second. 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. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions, concerns?
>> Just one question. >> Go ahead. >> The maximum uh salaries and wages. That means it's is up to that amount that will we be budgeting to that
amount? That's what I want to know. >> No, we we don't budget that amount. It just we budget the actual amount. the actual amount >> based on so it would be what they make now. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay.
We have a motion. We have a second. Jane, could we get a roll call, please? >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Mr. Patali, >> yes. >> Miss Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you. Number five, introduction of
ordinances. A public hearing will be held December 15, 2025. A. Ordinance 2020 21-22 2025 an or an an ordinance authorizing the sale of lot 3 block 659 as shown on the tax map of the
township of Hamilton and granting to the owner or owners contiguous property to the right of prior refusal to purchase such land which in this case is a 9.62 acre piece on Youngstown Avenue. This is
a public hearing. Anybody in the public like to speak? >> No. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. First mistake I made all year. >> Uhhuh. Yeah. There it is. >> What's your pleasure
committee? >> Move ordinance 2122-2025. Second >> have a motion. We have a second. >> Jane, roll call vote, please. >> I have a question. I have a question. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. Now, I have no problem with
this ordinance at all, but on the back of the U application, it tells what the assessed value is and what the fair market value is. Which one are we selling it to, >> Brett? market value.
>> That's what >> That's what the assessment value. >> That's what we're selling it for. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patali. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes.
>> Mayor Shanker. >> Yes. >> All yes. >> B. Ordinance 2123 2025. An ord ordinance authorizing the sale of lot 28 block 656 is shown on the tax map of the township of Hamilton granting to the owner owner
contiguous property the right of prior refusal to purchase such land which is a 4.81 81 acre piece on Youngstown Avenue. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to
introduce this ordinance. Any questions, comments? >> Hearing none. Jane. >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patali. >> Yes. >> Miss. Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes. >> Mayor Shanker. >> Yes. >> Oh, yes.
>> C. Ordinance 2124-2025, an ordinance of the township of Hamilton, County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey, authorizing the acceptance acceptance of a deed of dedication from Horizons at Woodland Landings Homeowners
Association Incorporated for phase five. >> So move. >> We have a motion. >> Second. >> We have a second. questions, concerns. I'll just say one thing. This has been a long time coming. It took a lot of hard
work to get this done, but now Woods Landing has all their roads dedicated to the township of Hamilton. So, I'm very glad we're at this point. >> Jane, can we get a roll call vote, please? >> Mr. Cheek, >> yes. >> Mr. Patali, >> yes.
>> Miss Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you. D. Ordinance 2125-2025, an ordinance authorizing and approving the share services agreement for certain solid waste, bulky waste, and yard waste
and res and recycling services by and between the Atlantic County Utilities Authority and the Township of Hamilton. >> So move second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions, comments? >> Hearing none. Just one question. >> Go ahead.
>> Would the amount stay the same for the five years? This is a five years. >> I don't No. >> No. The amount changes >> every year. At least at least the tip fees go up. >> Yeah. So next year the ACA is going to have to be fully automated. So the price
for recycling is actually go down. >> Okay. >> So answer your question will change. >> All right. Thank you. We'd like it to go down every year, but see that >> cycle more. >> Mr. Cheek.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Patali. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes. >> Shanker. >> Yes. >> Oh, yes. >> Six. Award of bids, contracts, and change orders. A is a resolution to order award a contract to Licensed
Plumbing Services, which would be bid 2026-03 to Northeast Plumbing Services LLC, Williamstown, New Jersey, amount not to exceed $5,000 for the period of 1126 to 123126.
>> So move. >> We have a motion. Second. >> We have a second. Any questions or comments? Hearing none, Jane. >> Mr. Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patawi. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes.
>> Shanker. >> I'm going to abstain. One of the companies that bid for this was a company I work for. >> They didn't get it, but >> such as light. B. Resolution to award contract to turf
maintenance services bid 2601 to Bright View Landscaping, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. amount not to exceed $21,375 plus $95 an hour and material markup of
35 35% for additional work as needed for the period of 1126 to 123126. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions, comments? >> Comment. >> Go ahead. This is the third year in a
row that I have not voted for this contract because of the 35% mark up. I feel that that is excessive. I have a comment. I also agree with her. I think 35% compared to what was in 6A is excessive markup.
So we don't use the uh we haven't in the last since we started putting this project or this contract up we haven't used markup we haven't use the extra additional material or manpower so it's there but
we haven't used >> is 35% a standard >> that's yeah so this is this is a different contractor than last This is what they're this is what they're all bidding back, >> right?
>> Last year we had uh True Green. Looks like this year they they didn't get the contract, but they they bid 41%. That's the contract we had last year. >> But again, we haven't used we we it goes
above and beyond typically public works take from there. Right. Okay. >> And I and I appreciate that answer, but although, you know, we're coming up into a high budget year for the budget and in the event that they do have to use it,
you know, we vote for that, that's that's pretty excessive. >> Agreed. One thing I will note, uh, last year's bid versus this year's bid amount went down $1,500. Just just
>> Right. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I have a comment. I think people been doing this for probably the last four or five years with no extras. >> You said if it goes over, you're going to take that salary. So,
>> yeah. Okay. Well, we're still on the same page. Okay. >> Loud and clear. Okay. Any other questions? Jane, please. >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pati,
>> yes. >> Miss Thompson, >> no. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> no. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> Yes. To no. Motion carries. >> Resolution to award bid 2026-02. HVAC Services to Peterson Service
Company, Medford, New Jersey, and the amount not to exceed $99,552 effective January 1, 2026 to December 1st, 2026. So moved. >> Second. >> A motion. We have a second.
Any questions or comments? >> One question. >> Ed, >> what is considered overtime? >> There's one rate for, you know, >> anything >> additional work. >> Anything outside normal working hours. >> Anything over eight.
>> Eight hours. Yeah. And they're scheduled 7 to 3:30. Any other questions? Kane, please. >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pati. >> Yes. >> Miss. Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon? >> Yes. >> Mayor Shanker? >> Yes. >> Oh, yes.
>> D. Resolution authorizing and awarding a contractor Brown and Brown Metro LLC as health insurance broker for the amount not to exceed $50,000 for the year of 2026 or until successor is appointed. So
move. >> Second. We have a second. We have a motion, a second. Any questions or comments? >> Hearing none. Jane, please. >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patali. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Shanker. >> Yes. >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you. We'll move on to number seven, consent agenda. >> We have items A through T. I just have a question on one. So moved on to
>> go ahead >> on on end with the um stale checks and stale checks. Mhm. >> to that. >> I'm assuming, but you should never assume there are some that has the checks. Did
we pay them and we didn't to the vendors and we don't owe them or I didn't understand that. And then the grant receivables, that money that wasn't used, does it go back to the state or a grant? How does that work?
>> It depends um who the granter was, but yes, it would be canceled out. Typically, these are reimbursement grants. So, we don't we don't use it for it >> and we have to give it back. >> We just we just don't put in reimbursement.
>> We just don't put in for reimbursement, >> right? So, they just don't we don't reimbursement. We have to cancel it out. We have to cancel out >> because we have a resolution coming up tonight and so put in for reimbursement.
So because of this we wouldn't >> which well it depends on which one you talk about the opioid. >> Yeah. No, >> I I'll wait till we get to them. >> Not all grants are the same. >> Right. I got that. >> I was trying to say. So my my point my
question is do we have to give the money back? >> No, you keep it. So does it go into the general account? >> No. >> Where does it go? >> We don't get it until we spend it. >> We don't get it until we spend it. >> Right. >> But we're not spending. We're canceling.
>> All right. >> Okay. >> So your motion stands? >> Yes. >> A through T? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> I'll second. >> 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. >> We're going to go to number eight, personnel. A resolution to appoint Travis Martins, a full-time deputy tax assessor for the unexpired 4-year term
effective 1526 to 63027 at an annual salary of $67,650. >> So move. >> We have a motion. Second. We have a second. Any questions, concerns?
Jane, >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patali. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes. >> Mayor Shanker. >> Yes. >> All yes. >> B. Resolution to appoint Cove staff for
the year of 2026, effective 126. Melanie Barhana, returning dual row lifeguard at $18.50 per hour. Head lifeguard $19 per hour. And Wesley Rock, returning lifeguard 1750 per hour. If
anybody's wondering why we are hiring lifeguards in December, it's for the polar plunge which is coming up on New Year's Day. >> Motion. >> We have a motion. >> Second. >> Second. Any questions, concerns? >> Hearing none.
>> Jane, please. >> Mr. Cheek, >> yes. >> Mr. Pati, >> yes. >> Miss Thompson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> All yes. >> C. Resolution to reappoint Brett Null, Township Administrator, effective December 1st, 2025
through November 30th, 2028 at an annual salary of $167,500 and authorize mayor to sign employment agreement. >> So move. >> We have a motion. >> Second. >> Second. Any questions or comments?
>> Hearing none. >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vitali, >> you think about this? >> Yes, >> Miss Thompson. >> I'm still thinking too. >> Yes,
>> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes, >> Mayor Shanker. >> Welld deserved, Brett. Well deserved. We appreciate everything you do. For those who don't know, Brett is on call 247 whether he likes it or not. I'm a Yes. Thank you. >> Yes.
>> And Carl makes sure he is. All right, let's go. Let's move on. Approvals, minutes, regular meeting minutes, November 10th, 2025. >> So move. >> Motion second. Any questions or comments?
Hearing none. Uh, >> okay. I did not get the who was the motion in the second. I'm sorry. >> Who motioned? >> I did. >> Okay. >> Elma, Carl, >> and Carl. Thank you. Um, all those in favor >> I
>> I All those opposed. >> Yeah, you got it. Okay, good. >> Minutes. Executive session meeting minutes of November 10th, 2025. >> So move. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any
questions, concerns? >> Jane, can we have a roll call vote, please? >> Mr. Cheek? >> Yes. >> Mr. Patali? >> Yes. Miss Thompson >> abstain. >> Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes. >> Mayor Shanker. >> Yes. >> Four. Yes. One abstension.
>> C. Bills. Bill list total 1,147,486.111. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions? Hearing that? None. Jane, please. >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patali. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon? >> Yes.
>> Mayor Shanker? Yes. >> Oh, yes. >> All right. Move to number 10, reports. Mr. Administrator, >> I have nothing to add this time. >> All right, Mr. Solicitor. >> Nothing this time, Mayor. Thank you.
>> Okay, Mr. Engineer. >> Well, I never say anything, so I'm going to say something. >> Hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving. Welcome Miss Thompson aboard. >> Very good. We've trained you well.
Township committee members, Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes. Um, first I would just like to thank all of the residents that voted for me uh for this for my reelection and um
for everyone who didn't vote for me, I'm going to still support them as well and do my part here in the township. I love what I do and I thank you for having confidence in me and um voting me in for a second time. So, I wanted to start out
with that. Uh second, I want to say I went to the League of Municipalities uh 110th conference. I went to uh a class affordability for housing. It was very interesting. I think we're in a good space here in Hamilton Township. We
were not like other townships that they really didn't know what they were going to do. But I think we're in a in a good place here in Hamilton Township. It was a great conference. Um I enjoyed it and I was glad to be representing the the township. And I also want to say that
the uh tree lighting ceremony was wonderful. The uh historical preservation committee does an outstanding job every single year. And it was very nice this year to see the children out there singing and the crowd and the bands playing, you know, from
Davy School. It was very, very nice and well put together. That's my report. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. >> I just want to say um congratulations and welcome to Tracy. Welcome aboard.
Looking forward to working with you. Um, congratulations again to the Hamilton Knights. That's pretty impressive. I didn't know that they uh they went the whole season. I knew they were undefeated, but I didn't know that they didn't give up any points. That's uh that's pretty impressive. That's Yeah, that's that's great. So, good job to the
coaches and to the kids. That's awesome. Um and I also like to say congratulation to Cedar Creek football um state champion section three. Uh I believe 15 of their players are from Hamilton Township. So, congratulations to them.
And, uh, that's that's a big deal. That's, you know, another one that's a big deal. Um, South Jersey really stepped up this year. Um, I believe two of the sections were won by South Jersey teams. Normally, it's just dominated by North Jersey, so and Central Jersey does
not exist, so it doesn't matter. Um, Dickens of a Holiday is uh this Saturday. Uh, I guess War Memorial Park, Presbyterian Church, and I believe the library. Uh, hope for some good weather.
Um, always a lot of vendors there. Really good time. Uh, I forgot my cheat sheet, so I kind of got to use my phone here. Bear with me. There's another one that I want to mention. Uh, Christmas craft show on Saturday the 13th at
Oakrest High School cafeteria. Um, so I wanted to get that out there. Uh great job to public works and what they did at War Memorial Park for the tree lighting. Um looks amazing as it does every year. So great job to them. I'm looking I know Till's at a meeting
so he's not here. Um and I had to leave early. I'm looking at the Maze Landing Fire guys back there. Did you guys bring Santa in? Was that you? Thanks again as always. Of course I know. Just wanted to make sure it was you before I go and stick my foot in my mouth and it was Weimoth that I get yelled at. So now
good job guys. I we appreciate it. Um brings a lot of of happiness and cheer to everybody, not just the kids. We all enjoy it. So, really good job to everybody there. And um I think that's it. I'm I'm probably forgetting something. Like I said, I forgot my cheat sheet. >> Read across.
>> Oh, yeah. Read across America. Thank you. That's the 13th. >> Um yeah, so that's coming up. Um that'll be over at St. Vincent um church at 12:00, 11:30, 12:00. I know. I think I
got to be there 11:30. So, hope to see you there. Um they were able to get their 2500 wreaths for all the uh service members that are buried there at that uh at the cemetery. So, great job
by all of them. And um I think that's it for me. Um Reagan, I'll see you soon. and Maddie, I miss you and I love you and I hope to see you soon. >> Oh, I do have one more thing. I'm sorry. My bad. >> That's it.
>> No, no, man. Thanksgiving day, there was a water mane break on Pinehurst Avenue. So, I got to give uh props to MUA. They got out there, they got it fixed. Um I think they were back up and running by 4:00 in the afternoon. Um they were back out there the next day. I guess there
was they had some other issues, but the cold weather got them and they got out there, they got it fixed. I think our engineers going to go out there, take a look at things, make sure our road is put back the way it should be. But, uh, but they all got their, you know, it's suck to lose your water on Thanksgiving
Day. Um, but they got it fixed pretty quick. So, good job to them. >> Now, I'm done. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> For the first time, Committee Thompson, >> have any comments? >> Yes. I have a little speech. Oh.
>> Um, so um I went to the League of Municipality for the first time which I was very excited about that and I um represented Hamilton Township. Well, I took a course and um I also attended
um the Christmas tree lighting um which I thought was beautiful and the fire truck came up with Santa and then he disappeared and I was like where's Santa? because I thought he was going to climb up the tree and I was, >> you know, looking for Santa. But I was so happy to see the the um I think it
was the Dave School. They were singing and the uh choir and um all of the um children that were out there. It was so beautiful and they had a nice time. Was happy to be there. Um my speech, I wanted to thank God first for me. Um
because without his grace, I wouldn't be here. I want to thank my family for all their time, support, love, and hard work for me. I uh truly want to thank Dr. Thma Witherspoon for believing in me. I'd like to thank Lori and Diaz for all the time and efforts you invested in me
and the team. I thank you Sto for being a part of my journey and so many others who have helped me and pray for me along the way. Silly Davis, I see you there. Thank you for partnering and doing things with us. It is without a doubt that I am honored to have the ability to
serve the people of Hamilton Township. As I start this journey as your new committee woman, I must admit that I am not perfect and I'm not even Superwoman, but my heart will always be in the right place with the right intentions. I want
you to remember that we are all Americans chasing the same G uh dreams and that is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And thank you so much Thank you. Very nice. >> Okay,
>> that's it. >> That was good. Very good. Let's make sure. >> Wait a minute. >> First of all, to all my colleagues up here, I would not congratulate you until everything was official. And now I don't want to chase you. So I congratulate every single one of you. You're all
winners. So >> thank you. >> Secondly, I was out of town for the tree lighting ceremony. So I could not attend that. And then once again with the reefs across America December 13th and I'm having the privilege to place the reef
on my dad's grave. So I look forward to that. >> Very nice. >> That's all I have. >> Very nice. Thank you. Um I just want to touch on a couple things here. First of all, Carl is absolutely right. The MUA did a fantastic job getting out there on Thanksgiving Day and getting the water
turned off turned back on as quickly as possible. But I got to give a lot of credit to some of the board members of the MUA who went out and bought water and got water to these people in a gallon form and bottle form to make sure that they had water to prepare their
meal, not knowing how long this was going to take. But excellent job by everybody all the way around. Really appreciate it. Uh treelighting ceremony. I What can you say that hasn't already been said? Uh Maze Landing Fire Company, thank you very much. my grandson was having a fit because Santa Claus wasn't
coming. I I told him I knew somebody. So, I guarantee you he's coming. So, was a great night. Uh the weather cooperated fully. Um all the kids and and you know, this is what this is all about. All the kids having a good time and getting them
all hopped up on hot chocolate and candy canes and stuff like that and then sending them home with their parents. It's just it's a really really great event. Uh the last thing I want to touch on is that uh for those you don't know, I was involved with this little campaign over
the last 12 months. I ran for Atlantic County uh commissioner at large and I was successful um in doing so. The problem is tonight I sit here and it's a little bittersweet for me. It's it's always sweet when you win, right?
Winning's great, but it's a little not it's not as uh as exciting as I thought it would be because now I sit here tonight for my last time. I won't be the mayor tomorrow. I'm going to send in my resignation so the folks can put together a list of people and one of
those people will replace me up here on the deis. I can't sit here and say thank you to everybody who I have crossed path with because we don't have that much time. But, you know, going way back to when I first started with Roger Silva
and and John Curts and Judy Link who was here tonight, Rodney Gashard, they all taught me a lot and taught me how to do this and do it well. So, I appreciate all those. And here we are tonight sitting with a new group of people, people that I've worked with, someone who's just brand new, who will learn
just like I did that the important part is the people, not the party. It's what we do in this town to keep everybody happy, which is pretty much impossible, I'm going to tell you. So, it's a Tracy, it's a tough job. All right. No matter what decision you
make, 50% of the people will hate you for it and 45% will like you for it and 5% are undecided. So, >> he's being nice. >> I am. I am. I'm trying not to scare her off on her first day. So, I just want to say thank you very much. This has been a
great ride. I am not going anywhere. I'm for just because I want a large seat does not mean I'm moving. I will still live here in Hamilton Township. My wife assured me of that that we are not moving ever. Um I'll be a phone call away. I'll be here uh for anything you
need. Um this is a great town. I love it here and I want to continue representing this town at the county level and hopefully bringing some attention to Hamilton Township. >> So, thank you VERY MUCH. SO with that, I'm going to open it up to public comment. Anybody in the public
like to speak? >> Jerry, I want to say thank you very much, Art, for the last I don't know what it's been 12 years at least. That between being up there and being our director for the MUA and taking the seat back. I appreciate it. And uh it's a like you said, bittersweet. I guess
we'll loan you out for what, four years? >> Three. >> Three. Okay. We'll get you back then. But I want to appreciate. Thank you very much and good luck. And maybe you can uh uh represent us. Well, I know you will represent Ma's Lane well at the line county level. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Hello. I contemplated if I wanted to say anything, but I do want to give credit. Um, first congratulations everybody. Carpetali, he do a lot of work. I have a nonprofit in Maze Land and he do a lot of stuff behind the scenes that people don't know about that he don't brag
about. But um, we just fed over 200 families for Thanksgiving that our friends given and Orestates and Carl uh, he made a nice donation of food that he gave and we were able to give give away. So, thank you, Carl. And thank you also to Tracy, who does a lot of stuff behind
the scenes for my little nonprofit. Um, so thank you, too, for helping and going out of your way to do what we do for the community because like Art said, like he said, it's for the people. It does not matter the party, it matters the people. So, let's not get our P's mixed up when we out here doing the work that we do.
So, thank you guys. >> You did you didn't give your name. >> Oh, yeah. >> For those who don't know, I'm a Sila Davis. Thank you, Dr. I just want to real quick say congratulations to Thelma and Tracy. And I am not in this community, but you guys
have a very genuinelyhearted person who will listen to you guys who is a bonus sister. If you need her, she is the best. And I need some tomaze landing. >> Yeah. >> Can you >> What is your name? Can you give us your
name and address, please? >> My address, it's Maze Landing now. Um, Maria Ortiz and I'm from uh Absa, New Jersey. >> Thank you. >> Hi, Susan Lazaric. I came out primary primarily tonight to congratulate Miss
Thompson and also congratulate all of you. Um, but while I'm here, um, I am a member of the green team and I know, um, Matt came and talked about the ACUA tonight and just to remind you all that the green team is part of sustainable
Jersey and thank you. There are 15 actions and all these actions through sustainable Jersey are very well vetted by professionals. There's different questions related to waste management that if we had the township support, the
green team could certainly work on some of them. Um, you know, there's uh construction, demolition, waste recycling, um backyard composting, grass, cut it and leave it program. There's a bunch of them. Uh and again, you know, other
municipalities are doing them. Certainly, uh, sustainable Jersey is good stuff for all municipalities, but I just thought I'd mention it since I was here tonight. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, >> Jenny S. Um, 4812 Green Ash Lane.
Tonight's a little bittersweet for me because I know all of you and congratulations to all of you. But Art, it's been what 15 years we've been doing this together. >> So to not see you up there, I guess I have to go to the freeholder meetings now, right? Oh, wait. They're commissioners now. Sorry. But
congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Enjoy your vacation. >> We'll talk soon. God bless. >> How you guys today? >> Hi. >> This is my first time ever being here one of these. Um, my name is Natiqua. I live in the Willings in Maze Landing. >> Speak into the microphone. Thanks.
>> My name is Nati. I live in the Willings and Maze Landing. >> Um, I was asking my sister, I didn't know if this was like a little off topic, but like I've been living there like four years. Um, I have four sons and it's crazy. Okay. I mean, like, I don't know what we can do. Like, but I feel like we just
need to do a little more. Especially living the complexes like the kids there. Like, I don't know. It's just it's a lot. Like I lived there four years and I'm trying my best to get out of there. I'm not even gonna lie to you guys. And it's probably just the community. Like I don't know if it's the parents. I don't know what they got
going on at home. I don't know. But the kids is running crazy. Okay. It's like so crazy. And I mean I I was the chair coach and stuff like that. So like I be putting myself out there, but it's like we need more people. Like more parents for sure. Like I don't know. Like I'm
talking to these kids. I don't barely even know them. Like I mean I feel like we start holding the parents accountable the kids won't be moving the way they moving. Like it's so much going on. We don't hold any parents accountable. Like y'all can't do it by yourself. The cops can't, you know, be everywhere. We got
to start. I'm a parent. Hold me accountable. I'm not even being funny. Send it to my house. Come there. Not I don't these kids. I mean it's just too much. Like I'm I'm let you guys congratulations everybody. I don't want this to be the bad topic, but like seriously the Maze Landing is a nice
place. I moved here from North Jersey. So, like I know that this is a good place for kids to grow up and be, you know, try to be something, but it it's really turning out that these kids are just running the parents and the parents need to start putting their feet there. We got to hold them accountable. Y'all have a good day. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Again, congratulations to each and every one of you. Um, I just wanted to make a comment about the wreaths across America that this is the first time that Lincoln Memorial Cemetery would be involved in
this. And I thank the effort of Dr. Witherspoon for being part of that. And unfortunately, many of the graves of the veterans, uh, the tombstones are almost disappeared. And we did have someone go out there and
count. There were over 400 um grave sites of veterans out there that has never um received the recognition or the reefs um there and the the need I mean they almost
disappeared almost there. Um so I thank you for those efforts for for doing that. And um also I just want to mention I don't know if it's the township but I do know of a veteran who has applied for vendors license and it's been over a
year and has not been able to receive the vendor license nor um really a concrete clarification of why other than they said the machine is broken. Um, but he's been back and forth trying to get
the vendor's license um, here and so I don't know if the township here can do anything about it, but we greatly appreciate it. He's been going back and forth filling out the right applications. In fact, one time it was lost, so we had to fill it out all over again. So, I don't know if any of you
could be involved or can help with that. But again, congratulations to everyone. Looking forward to a great year. Thank you. I didn't say my name, did I? >> No. >> Okay. Ethel uh Braxton just remarried, but it's Braxton now. Okay.
>> Can you give the gentleman's name to Brett so we can look into this, please? Not out loud. >> You can give it right to Brett there. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> We'll look into this and find out what's going on.
>> Anyone else in the public like to speak? Motion to close. >> Motion to close. Public portion. >> Second. >> We have a second. All those in favor? >> All those opposed? The eyes have it. We uh will accept an adjournment. >> So move. >> Second. Have a
>> motion to second. All those in favor? I. >> All those opposed. The eyes have it.