The council’s decision to pursue changing the closing times for liquor establishments was driven by input from the police chief, who outlined the benefits of earlier closing hours. This adjustment aims to align more closely with state norms and potentially curb late-night issues that the township has been experiencing. During the meeting, no council members voiced opposition or further discussion on this matter, leading to a motion to draft the ordinance for consideration at the next council meeting.

In a celebratory moment, the council honored the 2024-2025 Hamilton Elite Basketball Team for its remarkable undefeated season and championship win in the Cape Atlantic Junior Basketball League. The mayor led the proceedings, inviting team members to the front to receive a proclamation recognizing their achievements. The proclamation underscored the importance of student athletes to the community and paid tribute to the coaching staff. Team members expressed gratitude, particularly acknowledging their parents’ roles in supporting their journey. The mayor highlighted this support, stressing, “It’s you that get them to the games, the practices and everything else,” reinforcing the community’s involvement in nurturing young talent.

The council also addressed several ordinances and resolutions. Two public hearings were held: one on Ordinance 2098-2025 concerning amendments to construction permit fees, which passed with unanimous support after no public comments were made, and another on Ordinance 2099-2025, related to the volunteer length of service award program for firefighters. This ordinance prompted a discussion on adjusting the point system for volunteer firefighters, particularly the points required for attending drills. An amendment to reduce the minimum points from 20 to 12 was proposed, seconded, and approved, with a second hearing scheduled for May 5, 2025.

Furthermore, the council introduced Ordinance 2000-2025, which proposed vacating a portion of the Avenue of the Pines. The township engineer provided background details, explaining that the request pertained to an unimproved road section amid a development project. The introduction of this ordinance saw unanimous support.

During discussions on bids and contracts, the council approved a resolution to adjust the not-to-exceed amount for a professional services contract with the township auditor due to a clerical error, raising it from $42,000 to $43,000. This resolution passed unanimously.

An intriguing topic involved an application related to Amazon, concerning expenses for materials like ticket sheets for events. The discussion clarified that these expenses were for supplies associated with games of chance and bingo, emphasizing the importance of proper supplier disclosure to comply with regulations. This conversation underscores the council’s diligence in ensuring adherence to legal requirements.

The council also extended the appointment of Bonnie Cherry to assist the finance department at a rate of $75 per hour through June 2025, with unanimous support.

Another moment in the meeting was the approval to move forward with a shared services agreement with Atlantic County, allowing the township to use county property for public swimming and riverfront activities at Lenipe Lake. The resolution included a grant request for $300,000 over five years to support these services.

The meeting concluded with public comments, including a tribute to former committeeman and mayor Anthony Platinella, and recognition of his grandson, a new rescue squad member. Upcoming community events were also announced, such as a senior citizens resource expo and the Hamilton Sustainability Team’s Earth Day Oakfest, featuring activities like document shredding and a cleanup.