Hello, good evening. We're now going to call the regular meeting to order. It is now 7 o'clock. Requirements of the sunshine law have been met. The meeting was advertised. The Brunswick County Times electronic was given to the NJAC
539-1.5. We will now start with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
all. We will now have a moment of silence. Roll call. Committeewoman Dr. Carwell here. Committeewoman Maddox Canteen present. Commissioner Carr here. Committee woman Mayor Henley present. Also present. Township
solicitor. Township clerk. Township administrator. Township deputy administrator. Police chief. Fire mask chief. Approval of minutes. April, sorry, May 13, 2025, regular meeting minutes. Is there a motion?
So moved. Second. Any discussion? Roll call. Dr. Carwell, abstain. Max Canteen, yes. Mr. Carr, yes. Mayor
Henry, yes. Motion passes. Three zero. Department reports. There's a court, tax collector, construction, fire/ EMS, public works, and police. We'll now have a presentation of our police department
awards. Police chief award 2024. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, sir. Good evening, everybody. uh chief person couldn't make any prior engagement that he had to attend to and I apologize cuz I took my
class um so it's still there so we see it again tonight. So uh I'm here toh present two special awards uh to two fine officers here with our police department. Um I can go on and on about these two.
Um, I have a couple of great things to say about the brief for the uh for the matter of time here. Um, but Chief Erson also wanted to uh extend his gratitude for these officers. Um, he also came up
with a little speech uh as well, but um I'll be also um just this past March we held our annual department meeting. Uh unfortunately it goes over a year and recap plans and goals and last but most
certainly not least a brief award ceremony to recognize the men and women who are out tirelessly day in and day out and who continue to meet and exceed the expectations of what it means to be a West police officer. two special
awards tonight. Uh recap that the chief of police had at the department meeting and those two awards will be reissued tonight at this catch game for all public. So it's my honor and privilege to present the 2024 core chiefs award to
go Uh, a little bit of black um on the chief award says, "The West Police Department recognizes you for your exceptional service and commitment to the public and dedication to upholding you all. With great honor and appreciation, you are hereby awarded the 2024 Chief of Police Award for your
commendable and dedicated service to the Weston Township Police Department. So Chief Ferguson, uh during the 2024 uh year, our department has gotten going and has shrunk in size actually. Uh I've had uh my hand in many of our hiring
processes. And I'm proud of this department and uh what we are and what we have to come. Overall, this award is not only a recognition of individual excellence, but also a symbol of the department's appreciation for the officer's contributions to the community
and dedication to upholding the law. This officer has demonstrated on a daily basis that he understands what is expected of him. He has accepted the role of shift supervisor and is gone out of his way to fundra for his canine unit. Therefore, the 2024 chief
police. And then last but not least, uh it's again my honor uh and privilege to present uh the 2024 uh officer of the year award. again for everyone. Uh patron alley once again police department recognizes you
for your exceptional service and commitment to maintaining public safety and service to the community. With great honor and appreciation, we're here toward the 2024 officer of the year award for your commendable and decent police department.
Overall, police officer of the year award is a prestigious recognition that underscores the recipient's exceptional service and commitment to maintaining public safety and serving the community. It serves as a source of inspiration for fellow officers and highlights the positive impact law enforcement
professionals have on society. This officer continually receives public praise and accolades throughout the year. This award is given for consistent outstanding performance that has reflected great credit upon the department and council award.
He had some pretty good stuff. So congratulations guys. Thank you. We now have a discussion for the 2025 capital budget. Thank you. I'm sorry. Let me give you guys a moment to exit.
Got lonely in here. Now, can we have a discussion for the 2025 capital budget? You're doing it. Oh, yeah. I feel better. Am I up? You're up. All right. Thank
you, Mayor. Thank you, sir. Committee members, I'd like to uh first start off by saying that um we are um I'm impressed. This is my first uh capital budget for West Hampton Township.
Firstly, I am impressed by the department heads and their reserve, I'll say, in submitting for capital. uh they have a uh keen ability to identify the things that uh the township needs in
order for their particular area of specialty to operate. Um and also at the same time um they uh refrain from uh overstepping uh they take the both in the operational budget as well as the
capital budget. Our department heads are uh should be commended for their um uh their focus on West Hampton Township taxpayers and the finances of West Hampton Township. Um this is as
presented in in the um um May 27th memo. Um the uh a revised version of which was handed out tonight. Uh thankfully the revised version is $97,000 less than the original version. So uh we are we are
happy to report that. Uh if you'd like I can go through uh what the items are. Is that uh preferred as to what So we broke it out into a few different uh areas. We broke it out into, as you see in the memo, the municipal infrastructure, department of
public works, our police department and uh emergency services, including our fire department and EMS services, and then a general administration area. So, I'll go through what on that list, the municipal
infrastructure, uh we are requesting, again, we do understand that this is all uh requests that we present to all of you. Um and certainly the department heads are here to answer questions as I I am myself and um you know for any
questions that you may have about these items but our municipal infrastructure which in this uh uh these requests include the annual road program and replacement of the township's uh fire department and EMS headquarters roof. Um
those two items total $560,000. the annual road program. These funds are used to support um and off not offset but uh to support to add to our annual New Jersey uh Department of
Transportation funding that we receive through the grant programs. Uh generally we get somewhere between 270 280,000 to 300,000 uh per job per uh roadway that we submit
per grant. Um, oftentimes those grants, as all of you have seen, the uh grants cover maybe about half uh if not uh less than half of the overall project. Um, we're also responsible for on our New
Jersey DOT grants, we're responsible for um requiring a uh an engineer to work the grant and to work the the project. So, that of course is an added expense as well. So, um the the annual row program funds would go to support not
only the uh remaining of the DOT projects or DOT grant projects, but also any other projects that may come up that uh the uh um that the the township deems necessary and then those funds are
available. Last year, there was no annual RO program funding in place. Uh we do have some money left in prior capital accounts. Uh but I assure you that um it it's not nearly enough as to what we do need. Uh we will be applying
again for another grant. Um we're waiting for the funding to um move forward with the 2024 grant um and award that contract. So these funds could last a couple years um maybe 3 years at the most and then
we'll be back asking for additional funds in in another capital. The number two item replacement of the uh fire department's uh roof, fire headquarters roof. Um it is uh 30 plus years old. It has issues. It has had issues. Um we're
beyond the point of replacement and uh we're at the point of um I'm sorry beyond the point of repair. We are clearly at the point of replacement. So um again the original amendment submitted did have um move on to public works did have a uh
$97,000 the number one item that has been removed which does reduce public works total um request at this point is 40,000. um the purchase of a new 72-in wide Turo Zmaster mower. Um our public works does
significant mowing uh both here and also um all of the township uh properties as well as including the sports complex. The replacement uh this will replace an existing mower. A mower that was purchased in 2011 has 3,000 hours of
use on it. I'm sorry, I'm in the wrong area. Uh was purchased in 2012. has uh over 1,700 hours on it. The new one would replace um we're not increasing our mowers. We're merely replacing it. We would expect the new purchase to uh
last somewhere between 10 and 12 years, if not more. The second item for Department of Public Works is a replacement of the K Cabota utility vehicle. Currently, there's one assigned, the oldest one is assigned to our sports
complex. Excuse me. The um the newest of the existing ones is uh public works. The oldest one again the one at sports complex is 2011. It was purchased has over three 3,000 hours of use. Uh the
plan would simply be if this is approved to purchase a new one. That new one would stay with public works. The oldest one would be taken out of service and the second oldest would be sent to the sports complex. Again, they operate about eight, nine months out of the year
versus uh our public works department operates, you know, 12 months out of the year. The police department total is $660,000. Uh I don't say that lightly. I understand the significant dollar amount
there as does our chief of police and Captain Berry. Um we've had significant discussion over the two items that we've requested funding for. Excuse me. The first is our general um replacement of the utility uh
vehicles for sorry the uh motor vehicles for our fleet. Um it is an aging fleet. Um the uh governing body has done a great job in recent years in replacing um you know replacing existing vehicles
with newer vehicles. They do take time so they generally don't come here within you know um a few months of ordering. Often times we have to wait and then there's upfit time. So in the mean while that's occurring we're running vehicles
that have significant amount of miles on them. Um not to mention other uh as you all know uh motor vehicle accidents. These vehicles are used um you know around the clock and uh do get a lot of wear and tear but also are exposed out there to
motor vehicle um collisions. The second item is the largest of the two which is a $510,000 request. Again not taken lightly. This item we would expect with upgrades to last a significant number of
years, potentially 15, 20 years. And this is um a system to go with what is called the Axon system, which would include um replacement of all of our body worn uh cameras, body
worn by our police officers. Um all incar video cameras would be replaced. Um the uh several of the station cameras that are situated throughout the police station. It has an evidence collection
module which would allow all of the evidence collection to be digitized and also a digital storage of our uh videos and then also replacement of the police tasers. Um, I go into some explanation on that
uh in the memo, but I will simply say that um our cameras, our bodywn cameras, our incar cameras were purchased from um Panasonic, I believe, and have been operating under their, you know,
equipment maintenance and it has uh gone um you know, too long to not be replaced. they are in um they're not supported anymore. Um the age of them has just you know the parts for them to
fix them. Um they've really just been trying to piece it together to keep the cameras going. Those two things are the most important part of this project. Um as I say the attorney general directives require that the police department have
their these cameras. Um I think that um in addition to that that there's an expectation both by our public as well as um all of you myself that these cameras are in operating order. Um and none of us would you know uh want a
worst case scenario, excuse me, to come up where they're not operational when they need to be. Uh the tasers again uh they are uh have become to the point that they're uh old and and antiquated um and and frequently
don't uh need to go out for repair. And similarly um sorry our um tracking for evidence evidence collection system and tracking is something that is utilized throughout the county by many police departments. It's kind of the standard.
Um and this would allow the department to modernize their evidence collection um tracking system and um come up to current current um you know current ability.
So excuse me. Um again we understand the significance. We do have uh Captain Gary here somewhere. Um and he has uh this is his project that he has taken on and could answer uh questions. I'm sure he's
prepared this evening to do so. Um, with respect to that equipment or that requested equipment and upgrading, uh, are there any questions that I could answer this time from anyone? I will say all you had to say was Panasonic
and I don't know the last time I seen a Panasonic system. Yeah, it's it's a struggle keeping the keeping this stuff running and they really have gotten everything out of the system, I think, that they could possibly hope for. Sorry. Um, move on to emergency
services. Fire EMS total is $125,000 request. Originally, um, the, uh, fire EMS chief uh, submitted a request to purchase a new ambulance um, which is approximating
$375,000. Again, to his credit, um, in our discussions, um, he reduced that to 75,000 with the idea to purchase the chassis for the ambulance this year. This will be a two-year project and that we would purchase the um the actual
ambulance for next year. This allows us to get uh the the order put in. This will help us speed up um production. And when um hopefully next year the funding is um authorized the remaining funding
that uh it is to complete the project that has already been started. Right now if we were to order an ambulance it would we would not see that ambulance in service until uh 2027 I believe. I believe that's
uh the estimate. So that's the kind of weight uh that we have uh for these larger items. I think we've experienced that in the past with ambulances as well as fire trucks. So this is uh this is no different. If um the ambulance does go
through and is uh ultimately uh arrives here in 3 to four years, um the ambulance that it would be replacing a 2016 Ford E450 would have in excess of 120,000 miles. So this is a um a request
for funding to um for future you know a a definite future need. And the second item under fire EMS is going to be the purchase of uh this is a kind of a a larger um multi-
uh whatever uh uh items that would come under uh emergency medical services equipment which is everything from the personal protection equipment um for both fire and EMS as well as other related equipment including um you know
um information technology technology and uh hardware to support those things. The overall um requested amount is 50,000. Again, this is an item that would would not be spent in necessarily in the uh
2025 year. It could, you know, uh it's an account that we need to have money available there to take care of the issues that need to be taken care of without having to go out and without having to rely on our operational budget. Um so that again both of those items are
very well uh planned out items I think which we've all become accustomed to with with our fire and EMS and uh once again it's um you know both scaled back to a point that you know and good planning involved. General administration is the last item. It's
$15,000 and that simply is for our computers. We have uh five computers that are out of um you know they're they're incapable of taking Microsoft 11 upgrade. Um they uh have issues in booting up. They're just old. So um I
know over several years we've replaced um you know office computers uh with laptops and um we're requesting that funding to support and again similar to a couple of these other items that's not necessarily something that would be
spent all this year. Uh we would spend what we need. the other remaining funds would be there in the event we have a you know a uh um you know a computer you know goes out we need to go purchase one we don't have to go to the operating budget we can just come to you
to to all of you with a uh capital request purchase so total uh is uh 1.4 4 million. The required bonding amount would be 1,330,000 uh which would be supported by um an
appropriation of 70,000 from the capital improvement fund. Um if you recall in our introdu uh budget that was introduced for 2025, our capital improvement fund is $100,000. So there's sufficient funding there
uh to cover that 5%. I do have a question. Yes, sir. And I I don't know because it's been a while, but does it make more sense or can we lease the computers if we're if we're going to every seven years? Like it seems
like not even seven years, maybe 5 years, everything's obsolete. But it seems like if there's a leasing program, then we can then switch those computers out without, you know, taking the full load of buying new ones. I don't know if it makes sense or if it's better if it's
money spent in a in a better way, but just an option. I don't know if anyone else. I think that's a good idea to explore that opportunity for sure. Okay. I'm not familiar with it. So, I will certainly look into it and get and uh let you
know. I think you should do a comparison. I mean, it's to see if it, you know, if it puts us in a better position because I mean, obviously, if we're we're going to get a certain amount of computers now, then next year we're going to need more and then next year we're going to be need more, etc. And then what that looks like if there's a program that that kind of helps us get
through that where we're not okay getting a bootload every year. But I don't have any other questions. Anyone else? Just a couple. Um, for the computers, are they laptops or PCs? Do we know yet? They are laptops. Yes, they're all laptops. Okay.
And um I'm really happy to see the uh fire roof being replaced. Really excited to support that financially. I recently had a situation similar. Um so I was going to ask you about the warranty, but I see right here you outlined it that was over 30 years. So any warranty we
had is pretty much done. Um and then my last question is about um the Kabota and the master mower. All I want to know is how would do we normally dispose of those? Has that has that been taken into consideration? Will they be auctioned,
sold, scrapped? They would be auctioned. Okay. Uh anything that's not auctioned would likely be scrapped, but we would first go out to auction. Um after the budgets are complete, I'll be coming back to all of you. There's certain resolutions that we have to pass in order to go out to auction. Um we'll get
that going and and award a uh a contract for an auctioneer. most likely doing online, but again, that's that's something we'll all talk about. Um, you know, what what we think is best. But, um, the auction is we have several vehicles out there. You know, we're
we're not going to uh you know um we're not going to hit the jackpot, but you know, it's better than um you know, letting them sit out there outside and agree. So, the $25,000 um estimate for the mower, did that take into consideration the auction
or that's just That's right. any auctioned items would be back just into surplus mer would be okay you know thank you very much I do want to add on to that I don't know if anyone else here but when we had we had cars out before
and there was a gentleman who would come and buy the cars and because he wanted to scrap them. So I don't know if that helps either. I mean I know how we can find out who that gentleman was. I don't know um if anyone else knows, but every time
we put those vehicles up or maybe even the mower, he's someone who always reaches out and says he'll give us a fair price for them. So, it may be better instead of unless we legally have to hire the auctioneer. It may be better money maybe money better spent if this gentleman
who's been a repeat customer comes in and buys it, right? And at a fair price and we're able to identify what that fair price is. Okay, just my two cents. Thank you. Anyone else? What happened to the funds? One from auction the disposition of the old. Yeah, I believe
they go into MNA which is just unanticipated. Thank you. Um just in closing the la uh the June 3rd meeting uh we will um present the bond ordinance for introduction. If between now and then something pops up
that you have a question, please reach out. Be more than happy to to discuss it or or talk through. So, thank you, Jim. Thank you, Jim. We will now open a meeting for public comment on agenda items only. Please remember to state your name and address for the
record. With no comment, motion to close for public comment. Second call. All in favor? I Ordinance second reading public hearing 4-2025 ordinance of the township of West Hampton amending chapter 88 of the
township code entitled animals. Do you have a motion? I make a motion for 4-2025 amending chapter 88. Um second Cwell. Any is open for public comment? Roll call. Dr. Cwell. Yes.
Uh, Miss Mantine, yes. Mr. Carr, yes. Mayor Henley, yes. Motion passes 40. 6-2025 calendar year 2025 ordinance to exceed the municipal municipal budget appropriation limits and to exceed a cap
bank. Motion. I make a motion for six point order. Mr. Mayor, is the the number right on this? We go from 4-2025 to 6-2025. I make a motion for 6-2025.
Second. Open for public comment. My comment would be on my paper. It doesn't have a five. Roll call. Dr. Cwell. Yes. Miss
Max Canteen. Yes. Mr. Carr. Yes. Mayor Henley. Yes. Motion passes 40. But I will add that that I have done that before. So that's why he did that. That has happened. Resolution 78-25 authorizing self-examination for the
2025 municipal budget. Motion. I make a motion for 7820, excuse me, 78-25. Second. Cwell. Any discussion? Roll call. Dr. Cwell. Yes. Miss Mattis
Canteen. Yes. Mr. Carr, yes. Mayor Henley, yes. Motion passes 40 80-25. Payment of vouchers. This resolution approves the payment of bills through 527 2025. Do you have a motion?
Motion. I second paying the bills. Any discussion? Roll call. Dr. Carwell. Yes. Miss Maddox campaign. Abstain. Uh Mr. Carr, yes. Mayor Henley, yes. Motion passes 30. Consent agenda
resolutions. Resolution note. Consent agenda items are considered to be routine will be enacted with a motion. A single motion. Any items requiring expenditure are supported by certification of availability of funds. Any items requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda. Do we
have a motion for our consent agenda? Mr. Mayor, I request to remove D delta accordingly. I make a motion for A through C. I second that motion. A through C. Any discussion?
Roll call. Dr. Carlo. Yes. Miss Madison Canteen. Yes. Mr. Carr. Yes. Mayor Henley. Yes. Motion passes 40 A through C. I would now ask for a motion for 82-25 resolution approving tax refunds
for totally totally disabled veterans. Do we have a motion? I make a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call. Dr. Cowwell. Yes. Miss Max Canteen. Yes. Mr. Carr. Abstain. Mayor
Henley. Yes. Motion passes. 30. Now open the meeting for public comment. Public comment. Please remember to state your name and address for the record. With no public comment, I ask for a motion to close. So move. All in favor? I. Days to remember. Recreation
committee meeting is June the 11th at 7 p.m. Next Town Committee meeting is June the 3rd at 7 p.m. Historic Commission meeting is May 28th at 7 p.m. That's it. Well, there should be
land development board meeting is the first Wednesday in June. What's the first Wednesday in June? The fourth I guess the that's why June 4th after the next meeting. Uh so it's the next meeting. Okay, fair
enough. Committee leazison reports and comments. I'd just like to say congratulations to patrolman lman woods. It's no small feat in achieving their those awards and such a busy department and the administration taking the time to make sure they do
that to to recognize those individuals. Uh we also had the opportunity to go to the memorial service. U Mr. Mayor said a few words. It was a nice nice solemn occasion to remember pay respects to those that gave the sacrifice and those
who did not return. Um thanks to the committee for approving the amendments to chapter 88. Um, it's a step in keeping our farm town feel here in West Hampton, also in supporting our veterans and and the reduced fees. And thank you to all our friends, family, and neighbors who are in attendance today.
Thank you. Congratulations to uh Patrolman Woods and patrolman Lai. um your efforts uh in the township of Westampton are very much appreciated and I echo uh the sentiments of uh
recognizing a job well done. We really appreciate that. Uh in terms of committee reports, um Timbuktu, we're looking forward to Saturday, June 14th, uh from 11:00 a.m. to 6 pm. Um an experience of a lifetime in terms of uh
reenactments, food, musics, um historical legacy, family presentations, guest speakers, a lot of dignitaries will be here on that particular uh site at 130 Church Street. And I want to thank uh our our guys um for making sure
that um the items were taken care of at the buildings that we needed to take care of on Church Street. Um I was at a meeting this past week and it looked really good. Thank you so much. We appreciate that. Uh getting that ready for um that event. Um, in terms of the
rec committee, there's a lot going on in terms of, uh, summer camp with multisports and dance and youth soccer and a number of different things. So, uh, that's very much, uh, top of mind for everyone as as we approach the
summer. So, we really appreciate that. That's it. Thank you. Nice. Just wanted to congratulate patrolman Woods and Lai. Um, I'm always so proud um, of everyone who works here. every time they are
recognized, I get very excited. And um just a quick update from the school district on Friday um will be the community basketball game where I believe our police and fire will be participating with the kids. I usually
go to that every year and I'm expecting great things again this year and that is Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 at West Hampton Middle School. All are invited to attend. Thank you. Thank you. So, one, I'd like
to openly thank public works. They last week was uh national public works week or something like that. But regardless of that, you know, they they can be celebrated every week. Um they always they answer the call often for when
there's something that's needed on the spur of the moment. Um so, I'm appreciative, Chris. I know it's not always easy, but I know you get them guys up and going and get a lot of things accomplished. And listen, thank you for everything that you guys do and and please, you know, share with the guys, you know, how we mentioned, you
know, celebrating their week last week. Um, congratulations to Patrolling Woods and Patroll Mali. You know, those are the feel-good moments when you get people to want to strive to do better because I'm sure that there's other officers that would like to have their names up here and to be able to see
reward, but also continues to push those guys to work hard, which ultimately affects our uh our area as far as West Hampton residents. Um, the Junth event that committee woman Maddox Canteen
spoke about um was something that I was at last year and you were at as well. um Dr. Cowwell and it's a fantastic event for anybody who can get out there. It's very uh they they take you through like a walk um and they talked about like the
walk through freedom and like different things that people you know that are looking for freedom had to go through. And the thing that I remember the most is is that they had like uh right before you get to Timbuktu, which was considered free land, they had like
trees and the trees like crossed each other, but it was like a path, right? So it looked like a path like you're walking and then you walk down and they have food trucks there and they have people performing. Um so it's if it's something that you can make and be able
to take the family out, it's definitely something that's that's definitely well worth it. Um, and last but not least, there's a b there's a basketball game going. I'm not even asking why I wouldn't be called to play, but you got a guy administration at 670. His phone
doesn't get rang either. Makes me feel like they got some ringers over there. So, um, you know, I just wanted to throw throw a little shot at the 67 guy call at all. I thought that was pretty funny. But uh with that being said, do we have a motion to adjourn?
Oh, and another 66 guy over there. I'm sure Craig didn't get called either. So, but I make that motion, Mr. Mayor. Second. Second. All in favor? I Thank you everyone. Have a good night. Good night. Oh, we had the two guys in town.