I'd like to call to order the meeting of the township of Hamilton for Monday, August 4th, 2025. Could you please stand for the flag salute 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 and the Atlantic County Record on January the 8th, 2025. Mr. Cheek >> here, >> Dr. Nelson >> here. >> Mr. Vitali, >> Dr. Witherspoon >> here. >> Mayor Shanker
>> here. Can we have a moment of silence for private reflection? Thank you. Uh we have no guest presentations until a little bit later. Additions, deletions of late agenda items to be considered for action
tonight. Uh we have an addition 3C discussion declaration of an emergency sinkhole on Gravity Run Road due to collapse stormwater infrastructure. Number one, resolution to declare emergency. Number two, resolution
accepting the proposal from Lambert Construction LLC for replacement of 275 ft of drain pipe not to exceed the amount of 6, excuse me, $61,295. Another addition we have is 6B,
resolution to increase the not to exceed amount for bid number 2022-10, Licensed Plumbing Services to Northeast Plumbing Services LLC by an addition of the amount of $10,000 for a period of 1125
to 123125. Uh we have also 7K. There's a change to 7K. We're inserting the award amount to read resolution supporting the 2025 drive sober or get pulled over statewide labor
grant in the amount of $8,750. The campaign will run from August 15, 2025 through September 1st of 2025. Uh this was added since we just got the grant amounts today.
>> So move. We have a motion. We have a second. >> Second. >> We have a second. Are there any questions, concerns? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
We have early public comment on agenda items excluding items listed in public hearings. Is there anybody in the public like to speak or is anybody signed up? I'm sorry. >> We don't have anyone signed up. >> Okay. Very good. Uh three discussions formal action may
be taken. Uh first we have a landfill redevelopment update on 2025 grant award up to 1 $1,774,3553. Uh Mr. Jeff Day going to come up and give us an update. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. So on right. Yep. Uh good
evening. Thanks for having me. Uh so uh going to go over a little bit of administration, talk about the project accounting and the grant, uh go over our approvals we've obtained, talk about the project schedule for uh the closure, and then talk a little about our solar uh
activities that'll happen after the closure. So administratively, this is not my formal quarterly report. That'll be in writing and have a lot of uh information in it. I was planning on giving that at the 18th. Uh Robert and Brett asked me to come in today because we've started activities out there and
give uh committee and public an update. Uh so here we are. So I'll have a uh formal written report submitted before the 18th. It'll have some of the information or documents for some of the information I'm presenting here tonight and uh I actually have my wife has informed me I have a conflict on the
18th, but I can either have someone else present uh or come on the 2nd of September or both. So whatever your pleasure, we can accommodate all that. Um but we will have the report in before that meeting for uh uh the staff and professionals to take a look at. Um so
uh project accounting the grant award you hear is the two is the last grant uh from HDSRF that we're uh looking to receive. Um that is uh provides the balance of the budget, the 75%. Uh there are a couple other uh
opportunities for some additional funding to support uh some of the other activities in the postclosure care uh with the EDA. They're not open yet. They'll be something we'll uh look at next at the end of next year. Uh the grant documents are in process. That uh
uh letter you have in front of you uh with the asking for the mayor's signature is just the approval of the grant and the acceptance of it. Uh that'll go back to the EDA. They'll then send a whole grant package. I'll be back in front of you with two resolutions that have to go in there and and the contract paperwork, etc. that goes in
just like the prior grants we've had. This is a supplemental >> uh remediation grant for the landfill closure. Um uh approvals. So, uh at long last, we got our Pineland's uh approval uh on June 13th, which was a Friday. I thought
that was appropriate. Friday the 13th um >> from the pilot's approval that then uh allowed the other approvals to take place. We got the uh NJD solid waste landfill closure plan approval on June 26th and the LSRP was then able to take
those documents incorporate them into an update in the remedial action work plan and that was certified by them and submitted uh on July 15th. uh project schedule. We mobilized our uh or or uh the GC mobilized their
subcontractor Stella uh for clearing. They are the pre-minent clearing company in South Jersey. All the big contractors use them uh and they do a pretty good job. As of uh Friday, they were about 70% cut of the site. Now, that doesn't
mean clear. That's just cut. uh they still would then then they've now mobilized their it's like a I don't know what you call it's a grabber picks up their logs and takes them to a central place and then they chip them and take care of that and then that the last step will be uh pulling the stumps out and
clearing those etc and getting those out of the way. The original bud estimate for them is 30 to 45 days. It looks like they're going to finish far ahead of that schedule. Um the quarterly report will have an updated Gant chart from the schedule that was amended to the uh redevelopment agreement. Um, and all
those approvals I mentioned before will be in there. Uh, and that updated schedule. We're still anticipating about 9 to 12 months for the landfill closure construction. I should have indicated that in the beginning. All of the these updates are for the landfill closure, not the solar. The solar is going to
happen very quickly after we finish the closure, but it's kind of a separate project. Uh, and we'll talk about that in a in a moment. Uh, well, right now, actually, um, they'll uh they have to go for their own Pinelands approval. that's a a private development application that
they'll file and they also will come in for an formal site plan submitt and approval uh with the township. So that's when you'll get a look at all their uh information and uh all the professionals will be able to look at all of the equipment and talk to them about their uh their activities and that that
information. Um we have a uh a signed LOI and hopefully we'll have our lease agreement terms all ironed out um this week. I mentioned their their uh their PC app and the site plan approval. We are currently working
on easements for their interconnection. Uh there's they've now identified they've done preliminary work with Lenny City electric uh points of interconnection POIs. They've identified two and the benefit of two is that two benefits. One is since this it's very
strange to me, but since the project is not uh completed, the landfill is not closed. It's an uncapped landfill. The BPU for some strange reason allows two community solar projects to be approved on on uncapped landfills. Only one on capped landfills. Makes no sense. Uh but
that benefit that provides a benefit that they can install a greater uh amount of solar which can produce a greater amount of electricity. And so there could be if everything gets approved except up to 7.7 megawatts of community solar installed here which
will benefit uh you know the residents and the businesses in in the community. So um in in in Hamilton and I'll we'll have details about how that all works and present it in in subsequent updates uh from the solar uh developer and again that's CS Energy is our is our solar
developer. um the easements and the points of interconnection. One would be out the exist not the existing but the roadway that we're going to construct out uh lot 58.12 which is our access point off the guacqua and there's a point of interconnection right there. Uh the
other one which is a little trickier is up 19th Street out by Route 40. U their interconnection process is poles. Um the utility companies and the other companies don't let them use their poles. They got to put their own poles in. That doesn't make sense to me
either, but uh one of the one of the hurdles with that 19th Street is they got to go through the uh corridor we established for. So that'll be part of their submission to uh to Pinelands. Uh Pinelands, if if that doesn't work, they'll go out the same way on 58, get
access down the road back behind the schools, and go out 19th Street that way, which is uh not the most efficient way. Um, but that that's uh that's exciting. Some of the things that you may have read about that have changed in the solar
world with the passing of the latest uh uh uh federal legislation is that the investment tax credit is suns setting at some point. Nobody knows exactly how that's going to happen because uh there's variations in uh in the IRS tax
rules and there was an executive order after the bill was signed that asked them to further shrink that time frame down. So, but worst case scenario is that the solar needs to be installed and operating by the end of 27. So, they're in a hurry, we're in a hurry, we're all going to make that objective happen,
even if it's the worst case. And the worst case is whether they can get this uh words are escaping me now. The uh it's an IRS safe harbor provision in the IRS. The executive order asked the department of treasury to reduce that for these solar ITC credit this 30%
solar ITC credit and shrink it up and make it not available under that safe harbor provision which depend on who you talk to it seems like that's tough because it's such a precedent on that that safe harbor has been in place with the IRS for years and it's been used many many times so if that doesn't
happen they would have until the end of 29 but we're all incentive to get this going quicker and not have to worry about that So, uh, that's quick summary of my update, uh, for today and I'm happy to take any questions. Um, we I should have mentioned, uh, Robert's
here. We've got a couple of applications in for the fence and installation of construction trailer and a road opening permit, etc. U, uh, with the township. So, there's some minor u applications that are in for that. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Anybody have any questions?
>> Fine. Good. All right. It's good to hear this is moving along. >> See what we can do to keep it going that way. Right. >> I agree. Yes. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Jeff. >> Thanks. >> All right. Committee, we have a resolution before us authorizing the mayor to sign the grant award approval
letter that Jeff spoke about. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions or concerns? Um, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed. The eyes have it.
All right. Uh Rich, we have a couple cannabis things we need to clean up here. So, >> hi Emily. How are you? Good >> to see you. >> Okay, so the first one is the cannabis licensing ordinance amendment. If you
could explain this so that everybody understands. >> Yes. Um, just for the record, Emily Given, uh, redevelopment council. What the ordinance amendment proposes to do is really address the potential for
an amended application during the middle of a year. Mhm. >> Uh you have an annual renewal license and um there are certain we've been renegotiating um an amendment to a a current redevelopment agreement um which
made us take a good look at well what would happen after the redevelopment agreement is done and you were in the middle of a year and production needs to increase or production decreases. Uh so we went through the licensing ordinance
um to determine what would be the triggers for an amended application where the township should be seeing what's changing and whether or not that's acceptable to the township. And so we went through um and uh Erin in our
office drafted um the ordinance that you have uh for discussion and potential introduction this evening. um and she will be here for the public hearing on that. Um but it it really details um the
requirements for when the township should be reviewing. So um most changes of ownership if during the year something changes with regard to um equity partners or a reallocation of assets, something that's going to
actually impact who is operating the facility. Um the idea here is that the township needs to have a certain not level of control over the operator but um an understanding of who you're
working with. And if a background check establishes that that's not a person or or entity group of people that you want to deal with, you have the the right and responsibility to deny that application. So, um, the other
piece of what's going on with, um, Fresh Cut is that they are changing the square footage of their proposed facility. That's due to Pineland's constraints, but that still necessitated township committee, you're going to have to take another look at that. We're going to
have to take another look at that. The planning board is going to have to take another look at their application. Um, and so if that were to happen outside of the scope of a redevelopment agreement, this gives you the authority to take another look at it and ensure that it's what the township wants to see. So those
are the basics. Um if there are any specific details of the ordinance, which you've had a chance to read all the way through it, um you know, we can certainly address those, but but that's the intent of the ordinance is to ensure that once the redevelopment process is
over and the redevelopment uh agreements are complete, uh that the township has the mechanisms in place to basically protect itself and its residents. >> Okay. Personally, I think it's it's good that we do this. This is not much different than a liquor
license. If they change ownership or partners or anything like that, we would do this anyway. >> Correct. >> Uh right now, the way it's set up, we only get to to deal with these licenses once a year. >> Yes. >> So, this is going to put us basically in the same format as we would with the liquor license.
>> Yeah. I I mean it's it's got to be um a change in in ownership, for example, that would necessitate an application to the CRC. >> Um any CRC application amendment the township gets notified of.
>> Um but the way the ordinance was previously written didn't require township review. So not everyone is going to get reviewed in the same way. You have to you reach a certain level. Um, but for example, if they are losing money, uh, you know, greater than 25% of
their overall balance sheet, >> they need to come back to you. You want to make sure that, you know, that they're operating appropriately and that they are handling this particular um, facility correctly. So, those are
the types of changes. Um, investors, those are are investors who hold 5% or less. um if they change a little bit, you don't really need to approve that, but you will get notice of that, >> right? Okay. This gives us more
oversight, which >> I think um that that was the intention of, you know, limiting the number and making sure that they went through that with the redevelopment process to begin with. >> Yeah. Can can we make sure is it possible for us to put a schedule a fee schedule in there? Especially since
we're going to be doing reertification and our people will be working on stuff. Uh would it be reasonable to put a fee in there to cover those kind of costs? >> So I think annual there is a license fee. >> I'm I'm not talking about annually. I'm saying that these in between fees
>> for any license any amendment or license there is a fee associated with it. >> And will it be enough to cover all that people were talking about? Cuz last time we were looking at the fees, they were like $30 and we're throwing, you know, >> three or four people at it for two days. >> I think Yeah, I think it's a $500 fee.
>> Is that enough >> currently? Um well, the So our office from a professional perspective doesn't review the license application. Um I would have to defer that to um township staff. >> Yeah, I'm just saying it might be a good opportune time to correct for that as
well. Um because I know that we're sometimes working in the deficit when it comes down to these fee schedules. Thanks. >> There's nothing you need to answer now. I would just for consideration. We need a um >> and just for the record in the proposed
ordinance section does call for section. Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? >> Okay. So, I'm going to go a little out of order here tonight so we don't have
uh Mr. Cheek coming in and out of the room. Um, I would like to jump down to number five. It's an introduction of this ordinance. Public hearing will be held on August 18th, 2025. It's ordinance 2111
uh-2025 and ordinance amending chapter 135 cannabis relating to cannabis licensing and providing for an amended application process. So, I need a motion. So, move >> to move that ordinance or excuse me to
put introduce that ordinance. We have a motion. We have a second. >> Any questions? >> Hearing none. >> Rita, could we do a roll call vote, please? >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> All yes and introduced.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> We're ready. >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Emily. >> Okay, welcome back, Rich. >> Thank you. We're going to move on to 3C. 3C is a discussion declaring an emergency for uh declaration of
emergency for a sinkhole that has shown up on Gralun Road due to a collapsed storm water infrastructure. Um so before we get any further with this, uh Brett, could you give us a little
background on this and how we got to this point of the decoration? So, we had a a significant rain event about a week and a half ago and public works was called out to Gravity Run to investigate a sinkhole. Uh we contacted
the MUA and we didn't know at first that it was a stormwater structure. We contacted MUA. They came out, they confirmed it wasn't their facility leaking. >> Uh MUA came out and videoed the pipe for us. We did locate a storm water pipe in
the vicinity of the sinkhole. They did video the pipe for us and identified collapsed pipe about 250 ft of not collapsed at the at the moment. There was only a section of the pipe that actually collapsed. But uh 250 ft of
this pipe are actually is actually corroded to a point where we can't repair it. >> Okay. Um that's basically um the emergency is to get us through to get it repaired so that way when we go out to bid for road paving we
the cut and the road. >> So basically we don't I mean you know the road program is a little ways off yet. So >> yes >> we don't another good rainstorm and we could have some more serious problems.
>> Absolutely. So, at this point, it's still it's plated. The hole's been plated, but if it does rain again, we get another significant rain called back out there to make temporary repairs until the place.
Okay. All right. So, first we have to uh at your pleasure um pass a resolution to allow this to become a declaration of emergency. Um in your packet you see the letter from our
public works director about the urgency of this and you've heard from our administrator Brett Null. Um so the res resolution is on the table. What's your pleasure? >> So move. >> Second. >> A motion. We have a second. Any
questions, concerns? All those in favor? >> I. >> All those oppos. >> You want to do roll call. Okay. Rita, let's do a roll call. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Cheek. >> Yes. >> Dr. Nelson? >> Yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon? >> Yes. >> Mayor Shanker? >> Yes. >> Oh, yes. And carried.
>> All right. So, the second part of this is a resolution accepting the proposal from Landberg Con Construction LLC for the replacement of 275 ft of drain pipe not to exceed the amount of $61,295. >> I will motion.
>> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions, concerns? >> Rita, can we do a roll call, please? >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. Mayor Shanker. >> Yes. >> Oh, yes. Merry.
>> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Number four. Right. I'm all good on three. Four. Public hearing. Adoptions of ordinances. A. Ordinance 2110-2025. An ordinance of the township of
Hamilton, County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey, providing for the acceptance of a deed of easement conveying real property dedicating a portion of block 8, excuse me, 980, lot 8 to the township of Hamilton for purposes of
constructing, improving, operating, and maintaining a 15 foot wide storm water utility easement. This is on Old River Road. This is a public hearing. Anybody in the public like to speak? >> Motion to close.
>> We have a motion to close. Second, please. >> Second. >> We have a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> All those opposed. >> Okay. Uh the next step is to adopt this ordinance so we can get this repaired.
So moved. >> We have a motion. >> Second. >> We have a second. Any questions, comments? Hearing none. Rita, roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> All yes and adopted.
>> Thank you. Uh, let's see. Six is award of bids, contracts, and change orders. A resolution authorizing award of contract for professional services for special counsel affordable housing COA to Saran
Edwards Musk and Nolan LLC. amount not to exceed $35,000. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Are there any questions or comments? >> Hearing none. Rita, roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Cheek, >> yes.
>> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> Yes. And carry. >> All right. 6B. Resolution to increase the not to exceed amount for bid 2022-10 licensed plumber services Northeast
Plumbing Services LLC by an additional amount of $10,000 for a period of 1125 to 123125. Um just forformational sake, this is to repair a water line that's out back here that go that services our fire uh for
the building. So, it's pretty important that we go ahead and do this. >> So, move. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any questions or concerns? >> Hearing none. Rita, could we do a roll call vote, please? >> Mr. Chef, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson,
>> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> All yes and carried. >> Thank you. Consent agenda. We have items A through L. Unless anyone has one they would like to pull out. No.
Motion. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Any questions or concerns? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed. >> The eyes have it. Um we have nothing on
personnel. Number nine, approvals. A minutes regular meeting minutes of July 21st, 2025. So move. We have a motion. >> Second. >> We have a second. Any questions or concerns? Hearing none. All those in
favor signify by saying I. >> All those opposed. The eyes have it. B. Bill list. Bill list total 8,852,33.91. >> I like the last one better. >> Yeah, me too. So move.
>> I'll second. A motion. We have a second. There any questions, concerns? Rita, roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Chief, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Dr. Witherspoon, >> yes. >> Mayor Shanker, >> yes. >> Oh, yes. And carry. >> Thank you. Um, reports, Mr.
Administrator, >> we had a situation today out off of Cage Road in the fairways. Um, our police and fire departments were dispatched out. I just want to thank our fire departments and police departments for great job. That's all I
have. >> Very good. Mr. Solicitor, >> nothing to report this time. >> Thank you, Mr. Engineer. >> Nothing to add. >> Thank you, Township Committee members. Dr. Witherspoon. >> Yes. I just wanted to report that I will be attending the uh National Night Out
on tomorrow and I'm excited because it's at Lake Lip, so it's something different. Yeah. >> And I think that'll bring a lot of people. out. That's my report. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mic. >> Yes. This week, Brett and I went to the
dam and the landfill. The dam is looking really, really good. And everything Jeff said about the landfill. He's 100% spot on. They're making great progress on that. Tomorrow night is National Night Out at Lake Lenipe East. So, if anyone can
attend, please do. Next Monday, the sustainability team is having their third annual commemoration of the 1880 train wreck at the Trussell Bridge. It's 5:00 at the library and 5:30 at the Trussell Bridge if you can
make it. And then I have to thank everyone that's involved for putting up the road signs for the Hamilton family. It means a lot to their family as well as mine and my family. Thank you. That's it. >> Very good, >> Dr. Nelson. Yeah, I I had the
opportunity and the um pleasure of attending the promotions today for the police department. Uh Chief Berga has been doing a great job and I've actually heard that morale is improving and um uh Lieutenant Wade Smith was promoted. Uh he's I I uh over the last few years I've
been experiencing when we were going through the dispatcher shortage, that guy would be called at midnight and uh he would drive in as a police officer and sit in that chair as to cover for dispatching. So it's well he's he's earned it and he truly is somebody that
will go above and beyond uh to service our community and so we're lucky to have him. And then also Nicole Nicole I spelled wrong so I have problems with the name Nicole for some reason, but >> I can't understand why. Liked ord
she got promoted to sergeant and again another great officer and I don't think you could have picked two better people for those promotions. So, congratulations and uh those two are going to do great in their new roles. Um the PTA wanted me to announce on October
25th. I know it's a ways out. Uh that uh they will be putting on the first Hamilton Halls of Hore. I uh visited the superintendent's old school district. And this was like a huge community thing. There was thousands of kids lined up to come through this and they essentially take one of the schools and
turn it into a big haunted house uh for three nights, a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. and uh certainly raised a lot of money to go back into the schools, but it's a huge event and uh we've been working at him to try to bring that here locally. And um so this will be the
first year of it and every year it gets better because they take the money and they turn it right back into more props, more things for the next year. Um, additionally on top of that, uh, he wanted me to say that, uh, this Hamilton Township schools, the police department,
um, and, uh, some of the communities, they will be going out and traveling into different locations, uh, prior to school on August 27th and have popup, uh, supplies, uh, and be providing supplies free of charge to, uh, our
kids. Last year, we did it at uh, the school, >> Dr. after this room was there and she saw how many people and we ran I say we cuz I was on the school board at the time we ran out of supplies um real quick uh to the point where we were running back out to Walmart and buying
more stuff uh for the kids so everybody got something so I think we'll be better prepared this they they will be better prepared this year and uh they're actually taking it out because we also found out that some of the kids that really need it um unfortunately the parents don't step up and they wouldn't
even bring their kids to get free stuff so we will be taking it to them. They will be taking it to them. And then um they're going to have a huge presence tomorrow at National Night Out as they always do. And I wanted to say thank you to Chris and your public works. The Hamilton Township hometown heroes look
great, >> especially one by a little. It's a picture, you know, it's a great picture. Um but, uh look, they look great and I I'm glad to see they went up and you guys executed excellent on those. So, thank you very much. >> Excuse me. Um Dr. else. You said they're
going to be taking it to the schools or >> Oh, the supplies. >> Yes. >> No, they're going to like they'll go out to like some of our neighborhoods where there's lots of kids and have popup um >> like a popup >> like I don't know popup uh supply tent or something and the kids will be able to they'll bring the supplies to the
kids in that in that fashion so the parents don't have to drive them to the school. >> So, it'll make it harder for people like you and I that have to go out and try to visit these places, but um it it'll get supplies to the kids where they need it. Okay. Is there any dates with that? You said
>> uh yeah, right now he's planning for August 27th. >> August 27th. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> And that's all I have. All right. Thank you. >> Thanks. Um I'd also like to comment on the hometown heroes. I I can't believe how fast this happened uh after it
taking so long to actually get it together. Uh I want to thank Brett and Mr. Tilly and all of public works and anybody else that was involved getting it up quickly. They look great. Um, it's everything I thought it was going to be and hopefully we can expand on it in the
future. Um, national night out is tomorrow night and I will be there. Chief, a lot of pressure on you. It's your first one. It better be good. That's all I can >> I think he's always been running them though. >> Now he's just going to get credit for it. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's true. True that. >> In the dunk tank.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Um, so this past weekend we had uh First Friday was supposed to be uh a night up on Main Street where all the vendors came out and it ended up turning into First Saturday because the weather was
not cooperative. Uh I was there it was very well attended. Uh quite a few vendors really brought a lot of uh focus on on Main Street and um I think that they you know of course they want to continue to do this. it really I from the business owners I spoke to, they did
very well that day. So I think it's a good way to just keep pushing attention to Main Street and and it's uh I'm glad it worked out for everyone involved. Uh that's all I have. U I'm going to open it to public comment. Anybody in the
audience like to speak? >> Hello. Hello. My name is Michael Ryan. I live out on Driftwood Lane. have a few comments about uh the Atlantic County Park at Weimouth. A few factoids going back six, seven years ago, this uh
township committee passed a uh resolution, I think it was asking the county to make the bridge road no parking, which the county did. Uh and there are no parking signs on the Atlantic County Bridge at Weimouth. Now, uh couple weeks ago, I want to let you
all know the uh situation out there. A couple weeks ago at noon on a weekday, I come by and I drive by and I get a picture of the gates closed of the entrance to the Atlantic County Park at the Waymouth Furnace. Behind the
gate is a um park ranger car and a number of cars behind the gate. And according to Eric Husta, he has to assign uh a park ranger there in order to count the parking spots and he will only let
somebody in when somebody leaves. I want to say there's 14 parking spots. I don't recall. Um but that's the situation of how the Atlantic County Park at currently operating in the summertime. Uh the grounds that it operates on is
essentially a 2.3 acre owned area that sits on top of the historic ruins. Uh adjacent to that is a township rightway. I think it's called Dosta Road or something like that. 50
foot wide or something like that. and that Dcasta road which I believe is a right ofway owned by this township separates 2.3 acres from a about 9.5 acre total which is owned by the county.
So uh what I would like to throw out there is the idea of whether or not the township would ever consider uh releasing the DASA road 50 foot rideway. I don't know if it's 50 foot, 60 foot to the county
so that they could look comprehensively at the 9 and a half acres and perhaps develop it a little bit more fully. So that's my comment. >> Okay, we can look into it because I I couldn't tell you off the top of my head whether we own it or whatever. Can you look into that, Brett, and we'll go from
there. Are you are you referring to Springerlane the rightway in between the Wayoth Furnace and the parcel adjacent to 322? >> Springer Lane is a non-existent legal entity. It is uh nothing more than a couple signs put up by residents. If you
look on a tax map to look at the legal name of it, I believe it's called Dcasta Road. I have if you if you look at Google Maps and zoom into a particular zoom level, you will see that Springer Lane is non-coincident with the township
owned right ofway called Dcasta Road. Uh I have a more detailed briefing that I gave to the Atlantic County Parks Advisory Committee last fall if somebody wants to look at it. And I will say that you have to look at like five different
tax maps to figure out who owns what. So I would be willing to work with uh anybody that's curious about that area. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Anyone else in the public like to speak?
My name is Harry Rogers. 1069 Morningside Drive here in Maze Landing. In response to a proposed bond ordinance last week, last meeting rather, I stood up and spoke how I thought that was an
extremely poor idea. Uh before I expand on that more, I I want to look back a little bit. I first became interested or motivated to participate in township business about 1998.
Between 1995 and 2008, taxes on the municipal portion of the our tax bill tripled. And at the same time, by by 2008, we were borrowing $3 million a year because on top of all that taxing,
we had this irrational spending program that left us with a $3 million structural deficit and $25 million in the whole uh in total indebtedness, which was very near our what what's called our bond cap. You're very
familiar with that. At the last meeting, uh, when I asked to speak on my opposition to the bond ordinance, the, uh, solicitor, I'm sorry, the solicitor, the administrator gave me a
copy of the budget presentation, which I assume came from your financial officer. U, it was about 10 pages of pictures. There wasn't a single number in it. It was a promotional u pamphlet that told
absolutely nothing of where the money was going, what was coming in. It was uh whoever prepared that I I hope they're not on the payroll because that was really less than helpful.
Anyway, the bond ordinance at last meeting was for $3 million. The ordinance was touted to be part of uh capital improvements,
police cars, not police cars, police trucks because we can't bond police cars. So, we're going to spend more money for trucks because we can't buy cars. And we're going to we're going to be repaying this money over a 20 to 30year period when those when those
vehicles will have been sold on uh gov I forget what it's called. Um >> gov deal. >> What? >> Gov deal. Deal. >> Gov deal. Yeah. They'll they'll be but by the 10th year they'll they'll be they'll be fully depreciated and out on gov deal and we'll still be paying for
them for another 10 years after that. This is This is It's my turn to talk. Excuse me. I approached several of the members of the township committee recently uh in between these two meetings and asked that someone put
forth a resolution to resend the bond ordinance. didn't happen. It's not on the agenda tonight. I would ask you to consider doing it because we're we're spending oursel into the same hole that we had
back in 2008. We have diminished prospects for revenue. And if you remember back in 2008 was the beginning of the end of the of the mall. We had diminished prospects then and we had a $3 million structural deficit. our
prospects for increased revenue are at least one, two, maybe three years out. There's been very aggressive uh lobbying to to bring in new ratables. That's commendable. That's what you're supposed to be doing. But spending turning around
and spending $3 million that we don't have and we have no prospects of replacing in next year's budget is is irresponsible. It's just irresponsible. It was a unanimous vote in favor of it
and I I think it was extremely irresponsible. I'm repeating myself. I'm sorry. But I would once again ask the committee as a whole to consider submitting a resolution for the next meeting to resend the bond ordinance and to live
within our means because our means are not getting any fatter for at least several years. That's if it doesn't go that's if it happens at all. So we're we're we're spending our way into a hole. We're we're spending oursel
into a bigger hole for next year and a bigger hole for the year after that and we'll be paying on this for between 20 and 30 years. I I'm finished. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate your comments. Anybody else from the public
like to speak? Jim up. I guess um I I agree with Harry 100%. Actually um it was 2011 when people got laid off. Not not 2008. >> Correct. >> 2011.
Um far as pay as you go. That was my idea when I sat on on a fiscal vitality committee was headed by Bruce Stride. Remember that? >> Yes, I do.
That's what we have to we have to get back to. I can't wait until January when uh Jack gets sworn in. >> All right. >> Did you see my picture on Facebook? >> Yep.
>> Jack and I together >> side by side. >> See that? >> Yeah. He we'll do the same thing with with the state. >> Okay. Thank you, Jim.
>> Uh Department of Government Efficiency. >> Thank you, sir. >> Anyone else in the public like to speak? >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> We have a motion second close public portion. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> All those opposed? The eyes have it. Uh, German for adjournment is in order. Any motion for a German? >> So move. >> Second. >> A motion second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed. The eyes have it.
Thank