NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

REORGANIZATION MINUTES

JANUARY 2, 2025, 7:00 p.m.

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IN PERSON

CALL TO ORDER Township Clerk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

FLAG SALUTE Township Clerk leads the salute to the flag

INVOCATION Mr. Wayne Voorhees offered prayers and well wishes for the up-coming year. He lifted up the new Committeeman Elect and to look upon the new Mayor and new Township Committee as the year progresses. He asked for blessings for the emergency responders, North Hanover Township, State and our Country.

SUNSHINE STATEMENT: “The provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act have been met. Notice of this meeting has been transmitted by email to the Burlington County Times and Courier 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”.

OATH OF OFFICE FOR TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELECT:

Township Clerk called for Committeeman Elect John Giberson to be sworn into office. Assemblyman Alex Sauickie administered the Oath of Office. Everyone extended a round of applause.

Township Clerk called for Committeeman Elect Benjamin Palombi to be sworn into office. Assemblyman Alex Sauickie administered the Oath of Office. Everyone extended a round of applause.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman DeBaecke

Committeeman Doyle

Committeeman Forsyth

Committeeman Giberson

Committeeman Palombi

Absent: None

Also Present: Township Clerk Picariello

CLERK CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR 2025

The Township Clerk called for nominations for Mayor 2025:

RONALD DEBAECKE JR FOR MAYOR

Mayor DeBaecke came forward to be sworn in by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie. Everyone extended a round of applause.

NEW MAYOR CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS FOR DEPUTY MAYOR 2025

Mayor DeBaecke called for nominations for Deputy Mayor 2025.

CHRISTOPHER DOYLE FOR DEPUTY MAYOR

Deputy Mayor Doyle came forward to be sworn in by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie. Everyone extended a round of applause.

NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY

Mr. Mark Roselli, Esquire

PUBLIC COMMENT: Members of the public wishing to address the Township Committee must state their name and address for the record.

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

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Mayor DeBaecke

Seconded By: Deputy Mayor Doyle

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE LIAISON POSITIONS FOR 2025:

• Appointment of Police Commissioner Christopher Doyle

• Appointment of Public Works Commissioner David Forsyth

• Appointment of Landfill Commissioner/Recycling Commissioner David Forsyth

• Appointment of Recreation Commissioner Ronald DeBaecke

• Appointment of Mobile Home Commissioner Benjamin Palombi

• Appointment of Sub-Standard Housing Commissioner John Giberson

• Appointment of County Land Use Office Liaison John Giberson

• Appointment of Liaison to Jacobstown Fire Company Benjamin Palombi

• Appointment of Liaison to Small Cities Grant Matters John Giberson

• Appointment of Military Liaison Christopher Doyle

• Appointment of COAH Liaison John Giberson

• Appointment of Administrative Liaison Benjamin Palombi

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS

Mayor DeBaecke made the following appointments:

Joint Land Use Board:

• Class I Ronald DeBaecke - Mayor Designee – Term ending 12/31/25

• Class II Joseph Greene -Township Official – Term ending 12/31/25

• Class IV Patricia Mellor – Term ending 12/31/27

• Alternate #2 David Huron – Term ending 12/31/26

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT CLASS III-JOHN GIBERSON

CONSENT AGENDA DEFINED:

All matters 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.

2025-01 Resolution Appointing Various Members of the Township Professional Staff and Authorizing Professional Service Agreements for the year of 2025 Under the Fair and Open Process

2025-02 Resolution Providing for the Appointment of Certain Officers, Appointees and Employees

2025-03 Resolution Fixing the Date, Time and Place of Regular Meetings and Board of Health Meetings of the Township of North Hanover Committee making Provisions Relative to Scheduled Holidays, Special and Emergency Meetings and Adopting Certain Procedures and Forms

2025-04 Resolution Establishing the 2025 Temporary Municipal Operating Budget

2025-05 Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds and Investing Funds

2025-06 Resolution of the Township of North Hanover Fixing the Rate of Interest to be Charged on Delinquent Taxes or Assessments and any other Municipal Charges/Fees

2025-07 Resolution of the Township of North Hanover Authorizing the Filing of Tax Appeals by the Township Tax Assessor to the County Board of Taxation

2025-08 Resolution Naming Legal Depositories

2025-09 Resolution Naming Legal Depository for Certificates of Deposit

2025-10 Resolution Designating Legal Newspapers

2025-11 Resolution Adopting a Cash Management Plan for 2025

2025-12 Resolution Authorizing the Tax Collector to Conduct a Standard Tax Sale in 2025

2025-13 Resolution Authorizing the Tax Collector to Process Property Tax Refund and Cancellation of Refund or Delinquency of Less Than Ten Dollars ($10.00)

2025-14 Resolution Appointing a Risk Management Consultant – Burlington County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund

2025-15 Resolution Appointing Labor Attorney to the Burlington County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund

2025-16 Resolution Authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to Pay Certain Bills in Advance of the Regular Township Committee Meetings

2025-17 Resolution Approving the use of Roberts Rules of Order for Township Committee Meetings for Parliamentary Procedures

2025-18 Resolution Appointing Fund Commissioner and Alternate Fund Commissioner to the Burlington County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund

2025-19 Resolution Appointing a Claims Coordinator for the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund

2025-20 Resolution Appointing a Safety Coordinator for the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund

2025-21 Authorizing the Municipal Clerk to Execute all Bingo and Raffle Games of Chance Applications that Meet All Provisions Pursuant to Statute for the 2025 Calendar Year

2025-22 A Resolution Authorizing an Exchange of Construction Code Services

2025-23 Resolution Authorizing Prosecutor Christopher Koutsouris with the Authority to name an Alternate Prosecutor in his Temporary Absence

2025-24 Resolution Adopting Rules and Regulations Governing Members of the North Hanover Township Police Department

2025-25 Resolution to Affirm the Township of North Hanover’s Civil Rights Policy with Respect to All Officials, Appointees, Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers, Independent Contractors and Members of the Public that come Into Contact with Municipal Employees, Officials and Volunteers

JACOBSTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY (Administration of Oath of Office)

Mayor DeBaecke asked the JVFC members present to come forward to be sworn in. Attorney Roselli swore in the members. Everyone extended a round of applause. Mayor DeBaecke thanked the members and wished them well.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE COMMENT

Committeeman Palombi stated he was proud to serve and was looking forward to working with everyone.

Committeeman Giberson stated it was a privilege to be elected. He hopes to serve the residents well.

Committeeman Forsyth welcomed Committeeman Palombi and Committeeman Giberson on board. He thanked all of the North Hanover volunteers for their work.

Deputy Mayor Doyle expressed his appreciation for Clerk Picariello. He stated the Committee was hoping she would change her mind about retiring, but that they have to let her move on to the next phase of her life. He stated she would be supported 100 percent. He noted she has been the ultimate example of professionalism. He noted she cares deeply for North Hanover and its residents. He stated she cares deeply about her work along with the Township Committee. He stated he wanted her to know how much they all appreciate it and thanked her. He noted she would be missed. He also thanked the professionals and staff of North Hanover. He welcomed Committeeman Giberson and Committeeman Palombi. He noted he feels they will all do tremendous work for the citizens of North Hanover. He also expressed appreciation for all the volunteers. He was proud of the job done in North Hanover considering it is a small Town. He thanked Assemblyman Alex Sauickie for attending this evening. He noted 2025 began with horrific events in New Orleans, New York and Las Vegas. He noted in the United States of American, we are free. He noted we will not live in fear. He asked every resident if you see something not right say something. He offered prayers to those effected by the tragedies and prays it will stop. He stated we need to stand together.

Mayor DeBaecke thanked all of Emergency Services for their work. He noted Clerk Picariello was a godsend. He noted residents are always asking what are we going to do when she is gone. They are always stating how much she helps them and how she goes above and beyond for the Senior population. He noted she was handed multiple duties and we are going to have to hire multiple employees to take her place. He stated she just a tremendous job and often saves the Township Committee a lot. She sends constant reminders. He noted he would have missed a few meetings without those reminders. He stated she will be missed. Mayor DeBaecke congratulated Committeeman Giberson and Committeeman Palombi and stated he knows they will do well. He stated they both have the skills and assets. He noted 2025 presents a lot of challenges as far as budget constraints and things that come from Trenton. He noted we always have to find ways as they try to keep North Hanover affordable. He thanked the Assemblyman for his support and attendance. He offered prayers for the lives shattered in New Orleans. He hoped everyone had good holidays and wished everyone a Happy New Year. He thanked his fellow Committeemen for entrusting him to be Mayor.

MOTION TO ADJOURN 7:28 pm

Proposed By: Deputy Mayor Doyle

Seconded By: Committeeman Forsyth

Respectively submitted,

___________________

Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC

Township Clerk