NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING/BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 13, 2025 6:00 P.M.
VIA CONFERENCE CALL: Dial In: 1-888-482-9769; Access Code 4493305#
OR
IN PERSON
CALL TO ORDER Mayor DeBaecke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE: Led by Mayor DeBaecke
ROLL CALL: Mayor DeBaecke
Deputy Mayor Doyle
Committeeman Forsyth
Committeeman Giberson
Committeeman Palombi
Absent: None
Also Present: Township Administrator Joseph Bellina, Municipal Clerk Scout Beyer, Township CFO Jack Bruno and Treasurer Joseph Greene
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: Members of the public wishing to address the Township Committee must state their name and address for the record.
Mayor Forsyth opened the meeting to the public. There were no public comments this evening
MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT
Proposed By: Deputy Mayor Doyle
Seconded By: Mayor DeBaecke
BUDGET WORKSHOP – TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE TO REVIEW BUDGET LINE ITEMS – NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN
CFO Bruno reported that he reviewed the list of requests by each department when preparing the budget and items have been accounted for by either budget, capital or special emergency. He noted that the levy cap is close to break even and that for 2025 the Township’s budget is to be reviewed by the State. He anticipates on the budget being approved by the State and explained the process should it need to be amended. There will be a two-cent increase for residents, resulting in $67 per household, which has been consistent for the past several years. CFO Bruno additionally reported on a spending cap of $400,000 – the majority of it comprising of the full-time EMS services. Other large budget items included a new documentation system for the police department, personnel matters, worker’s compensation, health insurance and an increase to roads and grounds services. Township Committee reviewed the different budget requests for each department and agreed to the purchase of a new police vehicle and computer technology equipment to be paid out of an escrow account. CFO Bruno recommended to Township Committee to consider financing future projects and improvements through Notes/Bonds. Treasurer Greene reported on a two percent salary increase in which Township Committee members agreed to. Township Committee members additionally agreed to introduce the budget at their upcoming March 20, 2025 meeting.
MOTION TO ADJOURN 7:13 pm
Proposed By: Deputy Mayor Doyle
Seconded By: Committeeman Giberson
Scout Beyer
Scout Beyer, RMC/CMR
Municipal Clerk