NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 7:00 P.M.

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IN PERSON

CALL TO ORDER Mayor DeBaecke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

FLAG SALUTE: Led by Mayor DeBaecke followed by a moment of silence

INVOCATION: Mr. Wayne Voorhees offered prayers for the Township Committee and to guide them during the election process. He lifted up the Community, Country and State.

ROLL CALL: Mayor DeBaecke

Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

Committeeman Doyle

Committeeman Forsyth

Committeeman Kocubinski

Absent: None

Also Present: Township Clerk Mary Picariello and Township Attorney Roselli

SUNSHINE STATEMENT: “The provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act have been met. Notice of this meeting has been transmitted by email to the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Trenton Times as well as given to those having requested same and posted on the Township bulletin board located in the foyer of the municipal building”.

PUBLIC COMMENT AS IT RELATES TO AGENDA ITEMS

Mayor DeBaecke opened the meeting to the public. There were no public comments this evening.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Committeeman Doyle

Seconded By: Committeeman Kocubinski

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence this evening.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer Hirsh stated the SPPP was approved by the NJDEP on September 17^th and stated the second portion of grant funding will be issued. He noted the FY24 Local Recreation Improvement grant project specs have been revised and bids will be due October 10^th. He noted that would also apply to the Municipal Building door project. He stated the FY23 NJ DOT project will begin the second week of October and the FY24 NJDOT project will begin the end of next week. He stated the FY25 NJDOT grant awards have not been announced yet.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR AUGUST 2024

1. Tax Collector

2. Construction, Zoning & Mobile Homes

3. North Hanover Court

4. Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company

5. Fire Official

6. Police Department

MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

• September 5, 2024 – Regular Meeting

• September 5, 2024 – Executive Session

BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR APPROVAL

ORDINANCE – INTRODUCTION

2024-12 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2023-06 Amending Ordinance 2021-03 Entitled “An Ordinance of the Township of North Hanover, Burlington County, State of New Jersey, Appropriating $275,000.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund to Provide for Various Capital Improvements”

MOTION TO INTRODUCE

MAYOR SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR OCTOBER 3, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.

ORDINANCE – INTRODUCTION

2024-13 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2020-07 Entitled “An Ordinance of the Township of North Hanover, Burlington County, State of New Jersey, Appropriating $275,000.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund to Provide for Various Capital Improvements”

MOTION TO INTRODUCE

MAYOR SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR OCTOBER 3, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.

ORDINANCE – INTRODUCTION

2024-14 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, §2-060 of The Revised General Ordinances of the Township of North Hanover by Establishing a New §2-060.25 Entitled “Special Law Enforcement Officers”

MOTION TO INTRODUCE

MAYOR SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR OCTOBER 3, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.

CONSENT AGENDA DEFINED:

All Resolutions listed on today’s consent agenda are to be considered as one vote by Township Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.

2024-149 Resolution Authorizing Person to Person Liquor License Transfer Plenary Retail Consumption License No. 0326-33-001-007

RESOLUTION 2024-149

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PERSON TO PERSON LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE No. 0326-33-001-007

WHEREAS, Route 616 Group LLC has submitted an application for a Person to Person license transfer of License 0326-33-001-007; and

WHEREAS, the submitted application form is complete and the required fees have been paid to the Township; and

WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has reviewed said application and is satisfied from all information submitted on behalf of applicant, Route 616 Group LLC; and

WHEREAS, a Tax Clearance Certificate has been received from the Division of Taxation; and

WHEREAS, it is now the desire of the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover to act upon the request for the transfer of said alcoholic beverage license.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover, in the County of Burlington and State of New Jersey, that it does hereby authorize the Person-To-Person transfer of Plenary Retail Consumption License No. 0326-33-001-007, from Tara D. Bruni Tavern LLC to Route 616 Group LLC, effective September 19, 2024

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of the Resolution and Application be provided by the Office of the Township Clerk to each of the following: New Jersey State Division of Alcohol Beverage Control, North Hanover Township Chief of Police and Route 616 Group LLC.

2024-150 Resolution Authorizing Refund of Overpayment of Taxes

RESOLUTION 2024-150

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REFUND OF OVERPAYMENT OF TAXES

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover that, as requested by the Tax Collector, it hereby authorizes a refund of overpayment of 2024 taxes, in the amount of $1,925.82 to CoreLogic, for Block 501 Lot 32 commonly known as 10 Jacobstown-Cookstown Road.

2024-151 Resolution Urging Congress to Allow Expiration of the Deductibility Cap of State and Local Taxes (SALT)

RESOLUTION 2024-151

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLTUION URGING CONGRESS TO ALLOW EXPIRATION OF THE DEDUCTIBILITY CAP OF STATE AND LOCAL TAXES (SALT)

WHEREAS, our tax obligation is an issue that concerns all residents in every municipality in the state of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts of 2017 imposed a $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions; and

WHEREAS, this cap is set to expire after the 2025 tax year; and

WHEREAS, the deduction for SALT has been a fundamental feature of the tax code for more than 100 years, with the first federal income tax form in 1913 allowing taxpayers to deduct state and local taxes, one of only six deductions allowed at the time, and even the federal Civil War tax in 1862 included a deduction for SALT; and

WHEREAS, this important provision ensures against double taxation and reflects mandatory tax payments, which support public services that benefit all citizens, such as K-12 schools, law enforcement and public safety, transportation and infrastructure, and vital community and public health services; and

WHEREAS, the SALT deduction is one of the few provisions in the federal tax code that recognizes the burden placed on states like New Jersey, which provide significantly more in federal tax revenue than they receive back in federal services and grants; and

WHEREAS, many New Jersey families relied upon the full federal SALT deduction to ensure tax fairness, and capping the SALT deduction has placed an unfair burden on New Jersey homeowners; and

WHEREAS, the SALT deduction cap presents a barrier to affordable homeownership in New Jersey, impacting the ability of new, young families to prosper in the future and seniors to remain in their homes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Congress should allow the expiration of the SALT deduction cap and provide more equitable taxation once again to residents of New Jersey; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to U.S. Senator Cory Booker, U.S. Senator George Helmy, Member of Congress for North Hanover Township, Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senator and Assembly Representatives for North Hanover Township, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

NON-CONSENT AGENDA

NONE

DISCUSSION

Committeeman Forsyth noted the recent work done at Township buildings to the water system. He noted the pricing to install filters at the Bowers Building and the Fire house. There was a general consensus to allow but Mayor DeBaecke stated he would like to see another quote.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE “COMMENTS”

Committeeman Kocubinski stated Movie night and fireworks are tomorrow at dusk. He noted it was bit of a challenge due to the unavailibity of the senior members of the Committee. He noted a new member would be handling it and stated Township Committee members should attend. Mayor DeBaecke stated he would be there. Committeeman Kocubinski noted the Saturday morning games would need to be canceled due to the Fireworks company cleaning up the fields.

Committeeman Doyle stated the Senior Club picnic went well and thanked fellow Committee members for shopping and cooking. He noted everyone worked hard on the SLEO III agreement and he acknowledged all those involved with gratitude. He thanked the Mayor for participating in the interview process. He noted be believes, in todays times, this was a wise decision to ensure the safety of the school population.

Mayor DeBaecke was happy the Senior picnic was a success and thanked Deputy Mayor O’Donnell for shopping. He noted not only do the Seniors enjoy the picnic but the entire Township Committee enjoy it also. He stated Movie night is one of the biggest and well attended events of the year. He is looking forward to it and noted the fireworks are always spectacular. He thanked Committeeman Kocubinski for his work. He stated he was happy the school agreement has been worked out. He noted it was explored 3 years ago.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Questions, comments or statements from members of the public in attendance.

Mayor DeBaecke opened the meeting to the public. There were not public comments this evening.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Committeeman Doyle

Seconded By: Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION

2024-152 Authorizing a Closed Session Meeting to discuss the following matter(s) pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 and N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 Contract Matter, Personnel and Litigation matters

RESOLUTION 2024-152

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

AUTHORIZING A CLOSED SESSION MEETING

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 and P.L. 2001, C. 404, permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of North Hanover Township wishes to go into a closed Executive Session and is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist which should not be discussed in public, and

WHEREAS. the Open Public Meetings Act pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 and N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 permits the Township Committee to discuss certain matter(s) in private, and in this case for the purpose of the Township Committee to discuss contract negotiations, litigation and personnel matters in this regard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Township Committee of North Hanover Township that it will go into an Executive Session for the purpose of the Township Committee to discuss Police Personnel Matter, Contract Matters, Litigation and Personnel matters.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of such discussion may be revealed at such time as the matter(s) are resolved and/or a contract(s) is signed and/or the negotiations are formally settled. Interested parties may contact the Township Clerk anytime during normal business hours for periodic updates as to the availability in this regard.

MOTION TO ADJOURN TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION 7:20 pm

Proposed By: Committeeman Kocubinski

Seconded By: Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

Respectively submitted,

_______________________

Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC

Township Clerk