NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

May 1, 2025 7:00 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 7:00 p.m.

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

INVOCATION: Mr. Wayne Voorhees lifted up Committeeman Doyle and the family of the individual who passed away in a recent motorcycle accident. He asked for blessings for North Hanover Township, our County and State.

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 Attorney Roselli and Township Engineer Villacis

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 The Courier Post 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

OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Mayor DeBaecke

Seconded By: Committeeman Forsyth

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE

• New Jersey Department of Military Affairs Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

This correspondence was carried over from the previous meeting due to several members not in attendance. Mayor DeBaecke summarized the event for the new members of the Township Committee. It was agreed that Mayor DeBaecke, Deputy Mayor Doyle and Committeeman Giberson will attend the event. Clerk Beyer will RSVP on their behalf.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer Villacis reported that the 2024 Annual Stormwater Compliance Report was filed. She noted there were a few areas of non-compliance that will be addressed once mapping is 100% complete. The FY20 Municipal Parks Development project has begun closeout and the closeout documents for the Replacement of Doors at the Municipal Building project were received earlier in the day. Engineer Hirsh will forward the closeout documents to Clerk Beyer for Township Committee review and approval. Grant applications were opened for the FY25 Municipal Parks Development and FY26 NJDOT Municipal Aid projects. Committeeman Forsyth and Mayor DeBaecke suggested resubmitting the park improvements project that was not awarded through the Local Recreation Improvement Grant earlier in the year. Members of the Committee were in agreement. Committeeman Forsyth inquired if catch basins could be improved with the FY26 NJDOT Municipal Aid Project Grant and Engineer Villacis confirmed, so long as the catch basin is a part of a larger road improvement project. The grant cannot be used for multiple catch basins throughout the township. Administrator Bellina will reach out to the township’s roads contractor for a suggested list of roads that are in need of improvement. Mayor DeBaecke recommended confirming with Engineer Hirsh if the current stretch of road improvement projects are complete, prior to moving to a different location. Engineer Villacis additionally reported that the construction plans are being finalized and anticipate going out to bid by the end of May for the FY25 NJDOT Municipal Aid Jacobstown-Arneytown Road Project.

MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

• April, 2025 – Regular Meeting

BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR APPROVAL

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.

NONE

NON-CONSENT AGENDA

2025-84 Resolution Approving Memorandum Of Understanding Between The North Hanover Township Police Department And Legacy Treatment Services To Establish Joint Participation In The Arrive Together Program To Enhance And Support Response To Certain Behavioral Health Crisis Calls

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-84

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION APPROVING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LEGACY TREATMENT SERVICES TO ESTABLISH JOINT PARTICIPATION IN THE ARRIVE TOGETHER PROGRAM TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT RESPONSE TO CERTAIN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS CALLS

WHEREAS, pursuant to NJSA 30:4-27.1, et seq. (“Screening Law”) and NJAC 10:31-1.1, et seq. (“Screening Regulations”), it is the policy of that State of New Jersey to provide for a public mental health system that delivers treatment consistent with a person’s clinical condition, and that screening services be developed as the public mental health system’s entry point in order to provide accessible crisis intervention, evaluation and referral services to persons with mental illness, to offer persons with mental illness clinically appropriate alternatives to inpatient care, and, when necessary, to provide a means for involuntary commitment to treatment; and

WHEREAS, Legacy Treatment Services, 1 East Stow Road, Marlton, New Jersey (“Legacy”) has been designated by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (“DHS”) to provide screening and other medical/health services in accordance with state law and regulation within Burlington County and contracts annually with Legacy for the provision of screening services and other services; and

WHEREAS, DHS contracts annually with Legacy for the provision of screening services and other services, pursuant to NJAC 10:31-10.1(c), or the Community Mental Health Services Act of 1957, as amended and DHS Contracting Policy; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to improve the outcomes in law enforcement’s response to emergency behavioral health crisis calls, to divert individuals in crisis from unnecessary entry into the criminal justice system, and to more efficiently employ the resources of both the Township’s Police Department and Legacy as they respond to calls for service, that parties seek to establish a pilot program; and

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety and the DHS have executed a separate agreement which will provide for funding for this program; and

WHEREAS, to participate in the pilot program, the North Hanover Township Police Department has been requested to enter into the attached “Memorandum of Understanding between Legacy Treatment Services and North Hanover Township Police TO ESTABLISH JOINT PARTICIPATION IN THE ARRIVE TOGETHER PROGRAM TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT RESPONSE TO CERTAIN BEHAVORIAL HEALTH CRISIS CALLS” ( hereinafter “MOU”); and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of North Hanover Township desires to approve of the MOU and authorize Police Chief Richard Mellor to execute said MOU on behalf of the Township of North Hanover Police Department.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover, County of Burlington, State of New Jersey, that it does hereby approve of the “Memorandum of Understanding between Legacy Treatment Services and North Hanover Township Police TO ESTABLISH JOINT PARTICIPATION IN THE ARRIVE TOGETHER PROGRAM TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT RESPONSE TO CERTAIN BEHAVORIAL HEALTH CRISIS CALLS,” a copy of which is attached hereto.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Police Chief Richard Mellor be and is hereby authorized to execute the MOU on behalf of the Township of North Hanover and Township of North Hanover Police Department.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this Resolution and the Memorandum of Understanding shall be available for public inspection in the office of the Municipal Clerk.

DISCUSSION

Administrator Bellina discussed with the Township Committee upcoming cybersecurity courses Township Committee and Township Staff are to complete through the Burlington County JIF. He brought to the Township Committee’s attention that the employee personnel policies and procedures manual is to be updated every two years. He will present any suggested changes to the Township Committee at an upcoming meeting. Finally, he reported that the cost of healthcare for an employee has risen on average, 11% per year.

Mayor DeBaecke reported to the Township Committee that their float for the annual Memorial Day Parade will be utilized by the Recreation Committee. The Township Committee will need to secure a different float and puller. Deputy Mayor Doyle will ask a resident who may be able to assist them.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE “COMMENTS”

• Committeeman Palombi requested the American Flag at Town Hall be replaced in time for Memorial Day. Administrator Bellina will look into securing a new flag.

• Committeeman Forsyth reported on his attendance at the JVFC appreciation dinner with Mayor DeBaecke and thanked their volunteers.

• Deputy Mayor Doyle thanked Chief Mellor, officers of both the North Hanover Police Department and Chesterfield Police Department for their professionalism and support during the motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a family friend. He thanked members of the Township Committee and staff for checking in and for their prayers and support. He noted the family of the victim additionally appreciated the support received from both police departments.

• Mayor DeBaecke reported on his attendance at the JVFC appreciation dinner with Committeeman Forsyth. He is very appreciative of the volunteers that serve the Township. He reiterated Deputy Mayor Doyle’s comments and offered his condolences to the family of the motorcycle victim. He thanked both police departments for their professionalism.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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

There was no public comment.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Mayor DeBaecke

Seconded By: Deputy Mayor Doyle

EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION

2025-85 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 2025-85

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 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 AND ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION 7:36 pm

Proposed By: Deputy Mayor Doyle

Seconded By: Committeeman Forsyth

Respectively submitted,

Scout Beyer

Scout Beyer, RMC/CMR

Municipal Clerk