like to open meeting of the township of Hamilton committee Monday, October 6, 2025. Please stand for the flag. Pledge allegiance 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 the star ledger in the Atlantic County record on January the 8th 2025. Mr. Cheek here. Dr. Nelson here. Mr. Patali here. Dr. Witherspoon here. Mayor Shanker here. We have a moment of silence for
private reflection. Thank you. Um if no guest presentations, number one, addition, deletion of plate agenda items considered for action tonight. Number 12 is part of the executive session 2026
salaries and healthc care personnel. So move second. We have a motion. We have a second. Are any questions? Hearing no questions. All those in favor signify by saying I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. Number two, early public comment on
agenda items excluding items listed for public hearings. Okay, we have no discussions. We have number four, public hearing and adoption of ordinances. A, ordinance 2114-2025,
an ordinance authorizing the sale of lot 2, block 651, 3.6 6 acres on 17th Avenue as shown on the tax map of the township of Hamilton and granting to owners or or owners of said real property contiguous
to the same right of first prior refusal to purchase such land in the township of Hamilton County of Atlantic State of New Jersey. So move second public hearing. Anybody in the public like to speak? Motion to close.
We have a motion to close public hearing. We have a second. Second. Motion to second. Are any questions or concerns? All those in favor signify by saying I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. I'll entertain a motion for adoption of
this ordinance. I move to adopt ordinance 2114 2025. Second. A motion. We second. Any questions, concerns? Rita, could we do a roll call vote, please? Mr. Chef, yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Pati, yes. Dr. Witherspoon.
Yes. Mayor Shanker, yes. All yes and adopted. Thank you. B. Ordinance 2115 2025. An ordinance authorizing the sale of block one, excuse me, lot one, block 652, 9.23 23 acres on Hunter Avenue as shown
on the tax map of the township of Hamilton and granting to the owner or owners of said real property contiguous to the same to same the right to prior refusal to purchase such land in the township of Hamilton County of Atlantic
State of New Jersey. This is a public hearing. Anyone in the public like to speak? Move to close public. Second. We have a motion and second to close public portion. Any questions? Hearing no questions. All those in favor signify by saying I.
All those opposed. The eyes have it. Move to ordinance 2115 TAC 2025. Have a second. Second. Are there any questions, concerns? Hearing none. Read a roll call vote,
please. Mr. Chief, yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Yes. Dr. Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Shanker, yes. Yes. been adopted. Thank you. Number five, introduction of ordinances. Public hearings will be held on October
20th, 2025. A ordinance 2116-2025, an ordinance authorizing the sale of lots 1 through 8 in block 318 uh459 acres on Falton Avenue as shown on the tax map of the township of Hamilton
and granting to the owner or owners of said real property contiguous to the same the right of prior refusal to purchase such land in the township of Hamilton, County of Atlantic and state of New Jersey.
I move to introduce 2116 TAC 2025. Second. We have a motion and a second to introduce. Any questions? I do. Uh, real quick, these uh on the petitions, they they state that they are continuous, but they are there's large chunks of land between them. Do does the
owner or the petitioner already own these the ones in between? If any if Uh just real quick, I'm sorry. Um the petition says that this is a continuous uh so they get first right or refusal and my my only question was that these
three plots or these three section of the properties are have I don't know if they already own the ones in between and maybe I can ask that later on if it takes research. I I don't know that the owners of the property next property take a look at that.
Okay. Thank you. No further questions. Uh, Rita. Uh, roll call vote, please. Mr. Chief, yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Patali, yes. Dr. Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Shanker, yes. All yes. And introduced. Thank you. B. Ordinance 2117,
2025. An ordinance authorizing the sale of lots 15 through 20, 27 through 33 in block 318. There's a total of 91 acres on Mobile and Trenton avenues as shown
on the tax map of the township of Hamilton granting the owner or owners of said real property contiguous to the same right of first prior refusal to purchase such land in the township of Hamilton County of Atlantic in the state of New Jersey.
Motion to introduce ordinance 2117 tax 2025. Motion. Second. We have a second. Any questions, concerns? Read a roll call vote, please. Mr. Chief, yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Patali, yes. Dr. Witherspoon, yes. Mayor Shanker, yes.
All yes. And introduce. Thank you. C. Ordinance 2118 2025. An ordinance authorizing the sale of lots 36 37 in block 318.51 acres on Trenton and Market as shown on
the tax map of the Township of Hamilton. granting the owner or owners of said real property contiguous to the same the right of prior refusal to purchase such land in the township of Hamilton County of Atlantic in the state of New Jersey.
Motion to introduce ordinance 2118 tax 2025. We have a motion. Can we have a second, please? Second. Second. Are there any questions or concerns? Read a roll call vote, please. Mr. Chief, yes. Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Yes.
Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Hair shanker. Yes. Yes. And introduced. Thank you. Number six, awards of bids, contracts, and change orders. A resolution authorizing the CF CFO to execute an agreement and award to a
contract to Bowman and Company LLP of Vorhees, New Jersey to provide professional services to the township for administration of section 125 criteria cafeteria plan for the 2026
plan year amount not to exceed $2,000. Motion. We have a motion. Second. Second. Any questions, comments? Read a roll call vote, please. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. B. Resolution authorizing the purchase of bulk road salt from Atlantic County Co-op for the 2526 season from Riverside Construction Materials
Incorporated at $77.15 per ton not to exceed $380,600 40,000 tons of salt or 4,000 tons of salt, excuse me. So moved. Second motion. We have a second or any questions or concerns hearing none.
Rita, can we have a roll call vote, please? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. C. Resolution authorizing option year one extension of
the township dog warden and general animal control officer services. It's from RFP 2024-09 to Animal Control of South Jersey, Egg Harbor Township, Egg Harbor, New Jersey
in the amount of 300 3,200 per month not to exceed 38,400 for the period of 1126 to 123126. So move second. A motion. We have a second or any questions or concerns? Hearing none, Rita, can we have a roll
call vote, please? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. D. Resolution authorizing year 1 extension of tree and stump removal and tree trimming services bid
2024-10 to Rich Tree Service Incorporated, South Planefield, New Jersey. Amount not to exceed $12,000 for the period of 1126 to 123126. So move. Second. Have a motion. We have a second. Any
questions or concerns? Rita, roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. E. Resolution authorizing the first extension of janitorial services bid
2024-11 to offshore carpet cleaning LLC from Lynwood, New Jersey for the amount not to exceed $61,828 and as needed bioho biohazard cleaning $300 per visit for the amount not to
exceed $2,000 for the period of 1126 to 123126. So move second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions, concerns? Hearing none. Rita, roll call vote, please. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. F. Resolution authorizing year one option of extension of electrical repair, maintenance, and service bid 2024-12
Northeast Electrical Services LLC, Williamstown, New Jersey. amount not to exceed $10,000 for the period of 1126 to 123126. So move. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions,
concerns? Hearing none. Rita, can we have a roll call vote, please? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. G. Resolution to award contract for Old
River Road Storm Water Improvements. bid 2025-02 to M Escavating LLC amount not to exceed $86,915. So move second. We have a motion. We have a second. Um
questions, concerns for what uh what did we budget for this? The engineers estimate was 250,000. Yeah, I thought this was a little low. Okay, that's good, I guess. Rita, roll call vote, please. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Thank you. Consent agenda items A through F. Like to make a motion to move items A
through F. Second. Motion. We have a second. Any questions, concerns? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed. Guys have it. Let's move on to number eight.
Personnel. A resolution to appoint Jesus Cardona Jr. as a part-time class 2 special officer for the police department at an hourly rate of $23.86. effective date to be determined contingent upon successful completion of
a background investigation. So move second. We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions? Hearing no quaring. None. Rita have a roll call vote, please. Yes.
Abstain. Yes. Yes. Thank you. B. Resolution to resend resolution 2025-032 resolution to hire Robert Caulfield as a
regular full-time truck driver labor for public works department. So moved. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions or concerns? Hearing none. Roll call vote. Rita. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Uh C. Resolution amending resolution 2025-0291. [Music] Uh resolution to authorize additional on call responder compensation for James
Jensen at $200 per shift. Work to cover leave of absence not to exceed 10 pay periods effective 81125. So moved. Second. We have a motion. And we have a second. Any questions, concerns? Go ahead.
On on um we had previously uh approved this on August the 11th for $80.77. And now we are amending for an additional and I understand it was
miscalculated, but I want to to know why it was so much. So we we calculated the compensation based on 26 pays instead of 10 the 10 10 weeks that the gentleman was be out on the medical leave. So it's less divided
up four weeks pay periods. So divide it up month 10 $200 per per pay period per shift work. It's a full week. So they get compensated by the week.
By the week. Yes. Okay. Okay. Mhm. Rita, could we roll call vote, please? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
D. Resolution amending resolution 2025-0292. A resolution to authorize additional on call responder compensation for Charles Wilbert at $200 per shift work to cover a leave of absence not to exceed 10 pay
periods effective 98 2025. So moved second motion second. Any questions or concerns? Hearing none. Rita roll call vote please. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Number nine, approvals. We have the minutes, the regular meeting minutes from September 15, 2025. Motion. We have a motion. We have second.
Second. Any questions, concerns? All those in favor signify by saying I. All those opposed? The eyes have it. I abstain. You're abstaining. Yes. Get that, Rita. Sorry.
Uh minutes v minutes minutes executive session meeting meeting minutes from September 15, 2025. So move motion second. Second. Any questions, concerns? Rita, could we do a roll call vote, please?
Yes. Yes. Abstain. Yes. Yes. Thanks. C bills. Bill list total 5,869,46420. So move. Second.
We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions or concerns? One question. Go ahead. Page 19, purchase order 25-00 9990. And it's for the access swipe cards. Um
we ordered 375 cards. And um I just wanted to know when will those cards be distributed? We we ordered a 100 cards at $3.75 a piece. Um it buys in bulk just cheaper
to purchase that way. So we keep them. If we every time we lose or gain an employee, we get card program card. Can you repeat that? You said it was how much?
We bought a 100 cards at $3.75. Okay. Is that what this says? Mine reads. The question was on page 19 of the bills list. purchase order 29-0000990.
Access the swipe cards. And it appears that we ordered $375. That's amount of cards 14,295. And I I didn't have a question with the
cards being ordered. My question was how are they going to be distributed and when? Because this was done in August. You can get back to that was my question. When are they going to be distributed? We don't we only have 130 employees. So
through the years it's going to take years to distribute that cards. But you just see what I'm talking Well, this is $375, right? So at 100 cards. Okay. All right.
They didn't break the math out. card on the bill list. All right, that's fine. Thank you. I just wasn't sure if we were going to be changing our swipe cards, getting new ones. No, we just we go through
probably 20 or 30 a year. It's just cheaper to buy 100 at a time. Okay, thank you. Any other questions? Rita, roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Thank you. Reports, Mr. Administrator. I have nothing tonight, Mr. Solicitor. Nothing reported this time. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. Engineer. Mayor, nothing bad. Report you.
Township committee. Dr. Witherspoon. Yes. Um, I would like to report that I attended the Atlantic County League of Municipalities meeting in Bowen and on the 19th. It was a great meeting and he was talking about the reval in the process of revaluations of
municipalities on um and the next meeting will be October the 17th at Smithville uh in and Dr. Gunther will be the um guest speaker on I want to say I went to the ribbon cutting for the dam. I
thought it was beautiful. It was well organized. Um I didn't realize it had been broken for so many years about five decades I was saying three but it's about five and it was a very good day in the township. It was a proud
moment in the township and I was excited to be there um for this and it was just something I'm just glad that we didn't have a Katrina although before we've had water to rise but thank God it never broke to that point. So, that was a very well organized event and I was happy to
be there. Um, I went to Coffee with a Cop. I was excited about that at Wawwa. I was over there and um I bought a shirt to support the K9 unit um and to support that. That was very nice
to see our law enforcement out um in the community with um and talking to the community. So, I thought that was very nice. I attended two ribbon cutings. Um, Carmela Lucina restaurant where Joann's used to be and
Zen Landon Wellness Studio. Both of them was very nice and we have a lot of things going on here in Hamilton Township and I'm very proud of that. I want everyone to keep in mind um there's an announcement coming up October the 11th there will be the Hispanic
Heritages Flag Raising Ceremony and that's going to be on October the 11th. It's going to begin at 12:00. It's going to be from 12 to 4 and it's going to be at the Memorial Park and um that's going to be a very very nice event and it's the first time we've had this in
Hamilton Township and I'm very excited about that. And last but not least, uh the Jewish family services on the 4th Wednesday of every month, uh from 100 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. they are at the library and they're giving out
information um for services at the library. And I think this is so important. Um I believe the police done this, but I'm not sure. So I don't know who done it, but whoever did it, thank you. because there is a
lot of um concern about homeless people in our township and a lot of people or I which I didn't know I don't know why I didn't know was sleeping out at Walmart and they're intense and there are a lot of people walking around with a lot of
clothes you know at the f Fiesta mall and different places but we do have a process in place and um I I tried it. I called and a officer went to Kuma Square
and recommended some type of help for the individual. So, people were asking me, "What are you doing? What What is Hamilton Township doing?" Yes, Atlantic County does have a um program for the homeless, but how do we
get them to Atlantic County, you know, but we do have things going on here in Hamilton Township. So, I just wanted to say that and I'm very happy that JF JFS is coming the fourth Wednesday of every month from 1 to 3:00 p.m. at the
library. That's my report. Thank you, Mayor Talent. Yes. Um the uh ribbon cutting at the dam, very successful. Great job by everybody. Public works, the police department, various police departments that were all involved for the safety
and uh um our fire companies, Maze Landing had the flag up there and and Laurel was there. All the work from everybody to keep everybody safe and to celebrate something that's been a long time coming. Um it's a beautiful new new
spillway and uh hoping to get many many years out of it. Uh hopefully I won't I won't be around to see the next time it has to get uh replaced. So I also attended uh Zen Zen Landing and Carmela's uh two new well not really
new. Um Carmemella's taking a place at Jo-Ann's. Food was excellent. I've eaten there twice now. And uh Zen Landing's moving from over on Main Street, which kind of stinks, but uh going to give us an empty empty space on Main Street, but
move into a much bigger building because they just outgrew it, which is a great thing. Um Jess and her crew, they do a fantastic job. So, um couples massage, massage, yoga, all kinds of stuff. Uh check it out if
that's if that's something that you're looking for. And um that's really all I have there. Reagan. Oh, I'm sorry. Reagan, I'll see you soon, Maddie. I miss you and I love you and I hope to see you soon. Mic,
I was also at the damn ribbon cutting and it was a very, very nice ceremony and as a township, we represented ourselves very well in all aspects, police, public works, everything was just very, very nice and the fire companies as well.
Last couple of weeks I vi visited the landfill. They are still dempumping everything but they are making very good progress on that. It's very nice to see after so many years of standing still that we are moving along with that. Then also it's football season. I've attended
both the MLA and the Knights football game. So need to do something go take the grandchildren or the kids and go watch a football game. That's all I have. Thank you, Dr. Nelson. Yeah. Um, I appreciate it. I was able to
attend Carmela's. That was uh a fun time. The huge family supporting them out of Washington Township. They seem to be uh pretty tight-knit. So, I look forward to bringing that family here. Uh, Zen Landing and uh that was a very popular opening. There was a ton of
people there, including um support for uh the retail side done by the sage lady. Um I wanted to say congratulations to the township for the dam. I wasn't able to make it. I was real sick. But I heard fatality did a great job. The GC
unit and Coast Guard was there. So I'm sorry I missed that. And the police department did a great job and our schools did a great job with uh the band. Um, I also wanted to I was had the opportunity to meet our new inspector, our electrical and plumbing inspector today. Uh, it seemed like a really good
guy. Uh, he's in his last day of, uh, attorney review of buying a piece of property in our town. So, he's looking to uplift his family and bring him down here. So, best of luck to him. And I want to say thank you to Chris Tilly for uh, continuing to help me with uh, random requests for speed signs and
whatnot throughout the neighborhood. he gets right on it and u makes people very happy. Upcoming events would be the trunk and treat on the 18th at the test school. If you're interested in going, uh tickets are I think there's a few left. Uh but if you contact PTA, you can
get tickets, right? There's some left. And then um I think the ghost watch is on 18, right? So, um I don't know if there's any tickets left for there, but somebody sign me up, do something. Um, and then, uh, I also want to say if you
get an opportunity to look on Facebook, we have a couple of young high school students doing bakery goods on Sundays. It seems to be very popular. You have to get there earliest. You'll miss it. But I want to take a shout out to Brexton who's on Nor um,
Pickery. Thank you. And a young kid named Matt who's on North Street. Both high schoolers and they are young entrepreneurs. That's what we need in our town. So you seem to be very successful and it was very good. So thank you very much. Okay. Um yeah, it seemed like we had a
lot of grand openings and dedications. The first of all, the damn dedication was uh was wonderful. The damn dedication. Uh it was very nice, very wellrun. I can't thank our congressman enough for not just being there for the dedication, but the money that he was
able to bring to us to uh lessen the burden on us and the county. our county executive was there, our state assembly woman Claire Swift, but uh the bell of the ball was my friend Carl Patali who was with all his hard work and and uh he
was the master of ceremonies and really helped to bring this to fruition and get the get the money here and make it happen. So, I want to thank him personally for that. Uh I don't know if you had a chance to go see it, but it is unbelievable. Really, really a lot nicer
than I thought it was going to be. Um, so again, just a really good uh highlight for our town. Zen Landing and Carmela's like everyone has said, they're they're great businesses that Zen Landing continues to thrive in our town and Carmela's is just they're just
great people. My wife and I were there Saturday night and just really wonderful meal. If you're looking for good Italian food, that's a place to go. Um, other than that, um, I'm going to turn it over to the public for public comment. Anybody in the public like to speak?
Ailen No, there's a drought. That's what I was told. Yes, I looked across the lake and I see stuff in the assume that Yes.
I understand. To me, I want to buy the lot right next door to you. Mhm. May not be that cleared up. That means people are Yes.
The answer is yes. That's correct. Yes. So, I'm gonna speak to Dr. Nelson and take a look into it and I can respond back before it's on for public hearing next meeting and give the answer. Well, I would hate to see that
an ordinance is being But it's not I don't know who these people are. This is just strictly question. So our zoning officer and our tax assessor looked at these applications.
They are contiguous. So the person that's applied to purchase the property owns one of the lots that is touching. Yeah. So it's No, no, it's So I didn't I probably should have spoke up when it came up earlier, but they were reviewed
and they they the lots are right. Brett, I don't want to disagree. I don't want to disagree with Brett, but I think you're talking about a different one. Okay. So, the ones that are up for public hearing tonight, the gentleman that put in for the application happens
to be contiguous. Okay? But that's what Dr. Nelson was talking about. The gentleman may or the applicant may or may not be contiguous. That doesn't stop you from starting a contiguous land sale. All it says is that I have to
offer it first to the contiguous owners. If nobody wants it, that's contiguous. I'll come back to the governing body and then I'll put it for public sale. That's correct. They're talking about two different ordinances. And anybody can always call me.
Yes. Generic. I understand. That's correct. Anyone else in the public like to speak? Jimba. [Music] Yeah. different. Um, Hunter Avenue, I believe, is out in
the airhead section. [Music] Mhm. Oh, yeah. It's a very welltraveled road. Okay, Jim. All right. Thank you.
Anyone else in the public like to speak? Move to close public. Second. A motion. Second close public portion. Oh, somebody just placed their hand. All right, hold on. He's sleeping. access
with what? Mr. Okay. Mhm. I think it was five years ago, right? I'm not uh they're two totally different situations. Same thing.
Okay. I'd like to know what's going to happen with MSPA or Maze Landing. Well, Maze Landing is an ongoing investigation which we really can't comment on. And MSPA's been shut down for five years.
Anybody? Four years. It's been turned into a public safety annex. Yes. Mhm. Anyone else in the public like to speak? Move to close public.
Second a motion. We have a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. We have to adjourn to executive session. I need a motion, please. So moved. Second.
We have a motion. We have a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. All those opposed. The eyes have it. We will not be coming out. Any questions, comments? All in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. The eyes have it.
All right. So, we uh of all the things we did, we have a resolution. Rita, could you read it, please? This is a resolution to join the statewide insurance fund. Yes. Whereas a number of local units have
joined together to form the statewide insurance fund, a joint insurance fund as permitted by NJSA4A 10-36. And whereas the township of Hamilton has complied with relevant law with regard to acquisition of insurance. And whereas
the statutes and regulations governing the creation and operation of joint insurance funds contain elaborate restrictions and safeguards concerning the safe and efficient administration of such funds. Whereas the local unit has determined that membership in the fund
is in the best interest of the local unit. Whereas the local unit agrees to be a member of the fund for a period of three years after January 1, 2026, terminating January 19 at 12:01 a.m. And
whereas the local unit has never defaulted on claims inured and has not been cancelled for non insurance premiums for two years prior to the date of this resolution. Now therefore, be it resolved that the local unit does hereby
agree to join the wide insurance fund. Be it further resolved that to the extent required by law, the local unit shall provide notice of indemnity and trust agreement to the office of state controller. Further resolved that the local unit will be afforded the
following coverage as workman's comp. Compensation and employer liability, comprehensive general liability, automobile liability and physical damage, public officials and employment practices liability, pollution liability, property inland marine boiler
and machinery. crime faithful performance and fidelity cyber liability non aircraft vehic commissioner and is authorized to execute the application for membership and the accompanying certification on behalf of
the local unit and Brett null is hereby appointed as the local unit's alternate fund commissioner be further reinsolved that the local unit's fund commissioner is authorized and directed execute the trust agreement as such documents signifying the membership in the fund as
required by the fund's bylaws and to deliver same to the administrator of the fund. The express reservation of said documents shall become effective only upon the local unit's admissions to the fund following approval of the local unit by
motion second. So move second. Any questions, concerns? Backwards. Uh, that would be a no. Rita, roll call vote, please. Mr. Chief, yes.
Dr. Nelson, yes. Mr. Yes. Dr. Witherspain. Mayor Shanker, yes. Or yes once. motion carries. Okay, that's all the business we have.
Have a motion for journment. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. Those opposed. Eyes have it.