TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police say that on Monday, November 21, 2022, at approximately 7:24 a.m., Trenton Police responded to 401 Bert Avenue, Mama Grifa Deli, on a Commercial Armed Robbery call. The suspect just robbed the store at gunpoint, relieving the establishment of their cash register and fleeing the scene. Detective B. Cook was assigned the case and took charge of the investigation. Detective Cook was able to identify the vehicle involved along with the suspect with the assistance from the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.
On the same day, at approximately 10:17 p.m., under the direct supervision of Major Crimes Commander Detective Lieutenant B. Suschke and Major Crimes Robbery Unit Supervisor Detective Sergeant L. Nazario, Detectives C. Ortiz/S. Gonzalez and V. Gribbin/C. Bustamante, while working the Robbery Task Force detail, were able to locate the vehicle occupied with the suspect. Boston was placed under arrest and subsequently charged with Armed Robbery and weapons offenses.
Hamilton police said that on the same day Monday November 21, 2022 at approximately 8:19 a.m., Hamilton Police responded to 1305 Nottingham Way (Sub Marias Sub Shop) for a reported armed robbery. Employees reported that two black males entered the business, one of the suspects brandished a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded all the cash from the register. The suspects then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
Two suspects were later identified.
Ryan T. Boston and Marshaun T. Bamble both from the City of Trenton were placed under arrest and charged with Robbery and Waeapons Offenses.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton police say that on Monday 11/21/22 at approximately 8:19 a.m., Hamilton Police responded to 1305 Nottingham Way (Sub Marias Sub Shop) for a reported armed robbery. Employees reported that two black males entered the business, one of the suspects brandished a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded all the cash from the register. The suspects then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
Two suspects were later identified.
Ryan T. Boston and Marshaun T. Bamble both from the City of Trenton were placed under arrest and charged with Robbery and Waeapons Offenses.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Russ Newborn of the Hamilton Police Division’s Criminal Investigations Section at 609-581-4027/ RNewborn@hamiltonpdnj.gov or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Arc Mercer, Mercer County’s premier agency providing resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over seventy years, held its annual gala on Friday, November 18th at 5:30 p.m., at The Stone Terrace in Hamilton.
Every fall at the annual gala The Arc Mercer seeks to raise awareness and support for the mission and to show appreciation for those who work on the front lines every day.
The Arc Mercer honored three Mercer County Mayors with the Mayoral Champion Award during the event. Mayors Jeff Martin of Hamilton, Bert Steinmann of Ewing, and Reed Gusciora of Trenton were recognized for their enduring partnership and support of The Arc Mercer and its programs throughout the county.
Mayors Steinmann and Gusciora are long-serving members of Arc Mercer’s board of Directors. Through contributions by their administrations and the mayors themselves, the three have helped The Arc Mercer to expand their community-based homes, offer employment to hundreds of individuals, and provide cultural and recreational experiences to the special needs community. Twelve of Arc Mercer’s nineteen homes are located within these communities.
Annual awards presented during the gala include: The Employee of the Year – John Strycharz, The Rising Star of the Year – Andrew Kesten, and The Dawn Carmosino Team Impact Award winner – Diana Parker. These three individuals have gone above and beyond expectations, and were selected from over 250 nominations submitted during the year by Arc Mercer employees.
“The Gala is our chance to publicly recognize those who support our mission and exemplify why Arc Mercer is the premier agency serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Executive Director Steve Cook. “This year, we are excited to announce that all proceeds raised in connection with this event will go towards LiberiArc, our project to open the first international chapter of The Arc of the US in Liberia.”
This year’s record-breaking fundraiser, which was simulcast to a sister-gala in Liberia, brought in over $200,000 which Mr. Cook has pledged to invest in the research, infrastructure, and staffing of The Arc’s most ambitious project to date. Announced to much fanfare in July of this year, “LiberiArc will bring our standard of excellence to the special needs population in Liberia” according to Mr. Cook.
The Arc Mercer is a non-profit organization that has provided support and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Greater Mercer County region for more than seven decades. The Arc Mercer provides over 1,000 individuals with special needs, access to their community, specialized pre-vocational training, readily available job opportunities, specialized medical care, friendships and oftentimes, love.
To learn more, or to support The Arc Mercer, visit www.arcmercer.org
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police reported that on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at approximately 8:01 a.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of Lamont Avenue and Klockner Road on a report of an unknown problem. A text message on the 9-1-1 emergency system was received by dispatch stating that someone was in need of help and they were sitting in a red Toyota. Responding Officers located the vehicle parked on the 1800 block of Klockner Road. Inside the vehicle was a fourteen-year-old juvenile who was reported missing from Trenton. The juvenile told Officers the vehicle belonged to her friend Andy and that she phoned him on Sunday to pick her up. She stated she was hanging out at the residence for the last three days and had been sleeping in the vehicle overnight when Andy’s wife is home. Officers identified Andy as Andrew Hoehn, 34, of Hamilton.
The juvenile was brought to Hamilton Police Headquarters to investigate further. An interview was conducted along with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office with the juvenile and found that the juvenile had been having sexual intercourse with Hoehn over the past two months. After further investigation complaints were signed against Hoehn who was taken into custody on Thursday, November 17, 2022 with the assistance of the Hamilton Police SWAT Team and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Hoehn was charged with Kidnapping, Luring/Enticing a Child, Aggravated Sexual Assault (four counts), Sexual Assault (four counts), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (two counts), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts), Distributing CDS (two counts), and Possession of CDS. Hoehn was taken to the Mercer County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Dan Inman of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 581-4035 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
Andrew Hoehn, 34, of Hamilton charged with charged with Kidnapping, Luring/Enticing a Child, Aggravated Sexual Assault (four counts), Sexual Assault (four counts), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (two counts), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts), Distributing CDS (two counts), and Possession of CDS. Hoehn was taken to the Mercer County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 4:00 p.m. Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Capital Health Paramedics were dispatched to I-195 West Bound near mile post 2.8 between Exit 3 and Exit 2. It was reported one person was trapped and had to be extricated and four total patients. One vehicle was on its side and another was in the woods. Three additional ambulances were called to the scene. No additional details are available at this time.
UPDATE:
Trooper Charles Marchan from the New Jersey State Police, Public Information Unit told MidJersey.News that Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at approximately 3:58 p.m. on I-195 west bound, milepost 2.6 in Hamilton Township Mercer County.
Two vehicles traveling on I-195 west bound were involved in a collision. As a result of the crash both vehicles ran off the roadway and one overturned. Occupants were taken to an area hospital with non-life injuries. There is no additional information available.
Crash investigation on I-195 both directions East of Exit 5 – US 130 (Hamilton Twp) All lanes closed https://t.co/AFk92lmlJH
Overturned vehicle on I-195 westbound West of Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane of 2 lanes closed https://t.co/dm053nceUr
Rubbernecking delays on I-195 eastbound West of Exit 2 – CR 524 (Hamilton Twp) to West of Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) current travel time is 5-10 minutes https://t.co/1gtpie5IMV
Overturned vehicle on I-195 westbound West of Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane of 2 lanes closed https://t.co/DnL7c7UiI1
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–In the wake of numerous issues with voting and counting on Election Day, challenges that are still under investigation, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is calling for a thorough public review of what went wrong and a comprehensive overhaul of the elections process in Mercer County.
“After issues in the last two elections, I have come to the conclusion that we must fundamentally change the management of the election process in Mercer County because it is clearly not working,” the County Executive said. “There are legal limits to what I can do as County Executive but rest assured that I will do everything within my power to ensure the integrity of elections in Mercer County and will tolerate nothing less.”
In Mercer County, three separate entities, the Board of Elections, the Superintendent of Elections, and the Office of the County Clerk each plays a role in elections. Board of Elections commissioners are appointed by the respective County Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Parties, the Superintendent of Elections is an appointee of the Governor, and the County Clerk is an elected position.
“I am happy that Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello requested that the County Prosecutor look into the election. But we also need a more thorough and public review. We’ve got too many people in control and the quality of our elections has suffered as a result, undermining peoples’ faith in the democratic process,” Mr. Hughes said.
Moving forward, County Executive Hughes proposes the following:
Request a special meeting of the Commissioner Board to bring together the Clerk, Superintendent and Election Board Chair explain to the public what went wrong.
Reform and simplify our election process by merging and unifying the Office of the Superintendent and the Board into one, and having an experienced Executive Director oversee our elections.
Call on legislators to enact changes that will allow Mercer County to reform our system.
Pledge any county resources needed to ensure every vote is counted and help get to the bottom of what went wrong hasten and conclude investigation.
“I pledge to you that we will get to the bottom of this and that every vote will be counted,” Mr. Hughes said. “I have listened to the people of Mercer County and have spoken with election officials, and we are committed to finding out how we can improve the election process and to prevent future incidents as the one on Election Day.”
In Mercer County, the Office of the County Executive does not supervise the Board, their offices, nor does it have jurisdiction. The board is responsible for selecting polling places, training board workers, receiving and counting vote-by-mail ballots, and counting and certifying provisional ballots. The Superintendent of Elections handles voter registration, renews registration records, investigates provisional ballots, and is the custodian of voting machines. The County Clerk designs and prints all election ballots, processes vote by mail applications, and officially certifies the election results.
File photo: Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes
File photo: Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried
Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried said in a Facebook post:
“Regarding the events of Election Day, here is what we know so far.
Either the machine scanners did not work, or the ballots were printed incorrectly and the machines did their jobs and correctly spit them out as invalid. An investigation is reportedly under way, and Robbinsville will join other elected officials across Mercer County to see that the investigation is complete and transparent.
Let me be clear: I am not blaming anyone. Honestly, I do not know how this happened. Pointing fingers without all the facts is not productive. We do know that this is the second straight year the County process did not work as it should have, and I am not happy with much of what I saw.
One of the basic tenets of our democracy is the right to vote, and that every vote will be counted.
As of today, it appears our District 5 ballots (Library) have been found after having been misplaced. That information was given directly to our Municipal Clerk Michele Seigfried from the County.
Just a quick note about our clerk’s office. Michele and her team of Deputy Clerk Kaitlyn Macellaro and Sandy DeLorenzo performed exceptionally under extremely difficult conditions this past week. I cannot thank them enough for their service to our Township. The same goes for our Administration team, led by B.A. Joy Tozzi, each of whom worked all hours of the day and night in the chaotic aftermath of Election Day.
Over in Princeton, it seems they discovered ballots still in their machines. During in-person voting on Election Day, two slots for placing ballots were used. The first was the so-called emergency slot. This was used in the early part of the day because officials had hoped the scanner problems could be fixed before polls closed. As the day went on, that emergency bin became full and the scanners were removed so the main bin could be used. They discovered Princeton’s ballots were still in some of those containers since both sides were not emptied. It also appears that the documentation of the chain of custody regarding our ballots was quite poor, allowing the ballots to be apparently misplaced for a time.
The courts have ordered all the machines returned to the Mercer County Board of Elections for inspection to ensure there are no more ballots in those machines, including the ones deployed in Robbinsville.
I DO NOT believe there was any type of fraud, and I DO NOT believe there are any conspiracies at work here. I do believe mistakes were made at a time in our nation when it can ill-afford to stumble on Election Day.
We have spent millions of dollars on these machines and ballots, and they clearly did not work as advertised. It is time to reassess and come up with a better system. Those of you who voted early did not seem to have any issues. Perhaps we need to consider moving entirely in that direction. I will be attending all upcoming Mercer County Commissioner’s meetings until we have a real and fortified plan. Together, I am hopeful we will come up with a solution. Robbinsville has no intention of paying for this process unless real change is implemented.
I have no reason to believe, even with ballots that may or may not still be out there, that our local results will change.
Thus, I sincerely congratulate our three new Board of Education members – Jeffrey Pierro, Raghu Nandan and Peter Oehlberg. I wish each of you the best of luck, and I am sorry your first election was fraught with so much turmoil.
I have always said putting your name on a ballot is one of the most difficult – but potentially rewarding things – a person can do. Although no candidate should have to wait days for results in 2022, each of you earned your rightful place among your other BOE members.
While Ballot Question #1, which sought to combine our Planning and Zoning Boards into a consolidated Land Use Board, did pass, Ballot Question #2 regarding an increase in our Open Space tax to preserve more land and slow development did not. I know times are tough. That is why we put items such as these questions on the ballot. Sometimes we think we know what the residents want, but this process helps us know for certain.”
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police reported they placed Mathew Kerr and Javier Torres under arrest for burglary and theft of copper wire at an electric motor repair business. The pair were caught actively burglarizing Lockwood Electric at 2239 Nottingham Way at 4:30 a.m. on November 10, 2022. Both Parties were charged with burglary and theft for the incident and multiple other incidents involving the same business. Torres and Walker were transported to the Mercer County Workhouse to be held pending a detention hearing.
Arresting officers were Tim Donovan, Nick Avanzato, Joe Avanzato, Brandon Walker and Anthony Lucidi
All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello told MidJersey.News in an email, “Although this is under the board of elections, I have been informed that they were all found by them and are being counted.”
As reported yesterday by MidJersey.news a bag of Robbinsville emergency ballots went missing, and also 3 Princeton districts also appeared to be missing as of this morning.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Spokesperson Casey DeBlasio, told MidJersey.news in an email, “I can confirm the county clerk did reach out to the prosecutor today. We are reviewing her concerns to determine what further action should be taken.”
MidJersey.news did reach out to Mercer County Board of Elections this morning and have not received a reply yet.
Check back with MidJersey.news we will update as information becomes available.
*Results are not official until all votes are counted and certified. This includes ballots cast by mail, provisional, and ballots requiring a signature cure. These first two reports above must be ADDED for a cumulative total (until further notice)! –Note the PDF files below and the above link must be added together to get the most accurate until updated by County Clerk’s Office
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Township reported on social media that due to a Mercer County-wide system outage, all voting machines are currently down in each district across the County.
Voters can still report to their respective polling locations and vote on a standard ballot and insert their ballot into the “emergency slot” in the machine. However, Mercer County officials will be unable to tally those votes tonight and are working to fix the system issue.
8:00 a.m. UPDATE:
Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello posted on Facebook that there is a glitch with the Dominion scanners. Voters can still vote by completing their ballots and placing them in the top of the scanning machine in the slot where the emergency ballots are placed. Everyone can vote manually, so rest assured no one will be disenfranchised.
8:08 a.m. UPDATE:
Mercer County reports: The Board of Elections has advised the county of issues with voting machines. Poll workers will be on hand to walk voters through the process. The board is working with Dominion, the machine maker, to resolve the issue.
“All votes cast in this General Election will be scanned on high capacity scanners by the Mercer County Board of Elections, at their central location, instead of at the polling locations by the voters. The Board of Elections is a bipartisan commission. Fortunately, we have hand-marked paper ballot system.
The Mercer County Clerk’s Office does not oversee voting machines or the voting equipment, but all three offices work together to make sure that the process is secure and transparent.
We made it through Hurricane Sandy, through 2020 and we will make it through this one too and no one will be disenfranchised.”
Update from the Mercer County Superintendent of Elections Nathaniel Walker
November 8, 2022 – 2 p.m.
Soon after polls opened this morning, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, poll workers became aware of an issue with the voting machine scanners. Voters are being asked to fill out the ballot as they normally would. A contingency plan is in place for all ballots cast at all locations to be scanned at the secure Board of Elections office.
Again, ballots will be scanned just as they would at the polling location. Every ballot that has been cast will be counted, no voter will be disenfranchised, and the integrity of the election is intact and secure.
Additionally, provisional ballots are available to those who would prefer to vote provisionally. A provisional ballot can be obtained at a voter’s polling location.
Further information will be reported as it becomes known.
– Nathaniel Walker, Mercer County Superintendent Of Elections
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, and the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton hosted a pre-Veterans Day community celebration of Flags for Heroes on Saturday, Nov. 5 at RWJUH Hamilton.
Approximately 300 full-sized American flags raised by 80+ volunteers affixed with personal messages to local heroes have been placed on the grounds of the hospital and will continue to fly through Nov. 18. Flag sponsorships were purchased by area residents and businesses through the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton to honor heroes in their lives, including members of the military, family members, doctors, nurses, teachers and other COVID-19 essential workers.
“We’re grateful to continue our partnership with the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton on such a powerful display to once again recognize our local heroes ahead of Veterans Day. I would like to thank the members of the community who make this event possible through their flag sponsorships,” said Richard Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJUH Hamilton. “Last year we expanded our display to not only honor our local military veterans for their service but also some of our own healthcare heroes and essential workers for their dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are honored to continue to recognize the heroes that make a difference in our community.”
“We are proud to continue a tradition that brings our town together and allows people to commemorate and acknowledge someone that has had a profound impact on their lives,” said Kalpana Patel, president of the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton. “Not only does the display help honor our local heroes, but it allows us to continue to assist those in need through funds raised.”
The public ceremony included a short program with guest speakers and community leaders, including Robbinsville Mayor David Fried and Hamilton Township Council Member Richard (Rick) Tighe. Proceeds from flag sponsorships will be provided to the Mercer County Military Action Council (MCMAC) to help service members travel home for the holidays, other non-profit organizations through the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton Foundation, as well as help fund programming at RWJUH Hamilton.
Left to right: Regina Arcuri, Mercer County Military Action Council; Linda Greenstein, Senator, New Jersey State Legislature; Kalpana Patel, President, Robbinsville Hamilton Rotary Club; Richard Tighe, Council Member, Hamilton Township; Nina Melker, Chair, RWJUH Hamilton Board of Directors; Richard Freeman, President & CEO, RWJUH Hamilton. Photo provided by RWJUH
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Monday, October 31, 2022, at approximately 7:13 p.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of West Park Avenue and Lafayette Avenue on a report of a pedestrian struck. The female pedestrian was out with her two children trick or treating when she was struck by the vehicle. Her injuries were not life threatening and she was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for further evaluation. While on scene waiting for transport for the children back to their residence Officer Alex Zuzzio with assistance from Officer Sean Dorney and Sergeant Ed Lugo, decided to walk the two children around the neighborhood to go trick or treating until a vehicle with car seats was able to come to the scene and take them back to their residence.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–In a letter addressed to the Hamilton Township School District Community, Superintendent Dr. Scott Rocco, stated that there was a perceived threat observed near Nottingham High School where a male was seen with a weapon. The Hamilton Township Police Department was notified, and Nottingham High School and Crockett Middle School were placed into lockdown. There was no direct threat to either school, but the district took immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff. Once Hamilton Township Police completed their investigation both schools were reopened and returned to their normal schedules. The Hamilton Police Department has deemed this report to not be credible.
UPDATE from Hamilton Police Department:
On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at approximately 8:23 a.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of Nottingham High School, 1055 Klockner Avenue, on a report of a male walking toward the High School with a weapon. Nottingham High School was put on lock down and Crockett Middle School was put on a shelter in place. Further investigation proved the report to be unfounded and the threat was not deemed credible. Both schools were released from their lock down/shelter in place status.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Stacy Pollard of the Hamilton Police Division Juvenile Unit at (609) 581-4026 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
November 2, 2021
Dear HTSD Community,
Today, a concerned citizen identified an individual outside of one of our schools who may have been a perceived threat. Specifically, a male individual was observed walking on the street with a weapon near Nottingham High School. This was reported to our Hamilton Township Police Department. We immediately put our school security procedures in place based on the information that was available at the time. This meant that both Nottingham High School and Crockett Middle Schools were put into lockdown. Although there was not a direct threat to either school, the police department and our district took immediate action to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
As the police department investigated the specific issue at Nottingham High School, we transitioned Crockett Middle School to a shelter-in-place. Once the police completed their investigation inside of the building at Nottingham High School, both buildings were released to return to their normal schedule.
Although this is stressful and scary for our students, staff, and parents, I want to reiterate two key points. First, at no time was there a direct threat to any student or staff member at our schools. The Hamilton Police Department has deemed this report to not be credible. Two, we consistently tell our school community that when they see something to say something. In this case, the citizen saw something and did what we asked them to do. I appreciate that person’s efforts to keep our children and staff safe.
Finally, I would like to thank our students, faculty, staff, and administration at both buildings for their swift action in following our emergency procedures. In addition, I want to express my appreciation to the Hamilton Township Police Department for their immediate response and efforts. Multiple officers responded to both schools and made sure everyone in our schools were safe.
HAMILTON, NJ – Mayor Jeff Martin recently joined My Salon Suite owners Joe Caretta, Aaron Gillaspie, and over thirty My Salon Suite members for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of their second location in Hamilton Township.
Owner Joe Carretta brought My Salon Suite’s unique concept to Hamilton with his first location on Quakerbridge Road in June 2021. Along with Partner Aaron Gillaspie, Carretta has opened a second location in the Hamilton Marketplace with over 30 units and potential to expand. Wishing to continue their growth in New Jersey, they chose the location in the Hamilton Marketplace due both in part to convenient access to area highways and the businesses within the Hamilton Marketplace which will help one another to prosper.
My Salon Suite, a franchise based in Louisiana, offers state of the art salon and spa suites each featuring quiet-glide sliding glass doors for privacy and a 24-hour security system offering secure code access entry for My Salon Suite clients. Each salon owner, called a My Salon Suite member, was invited to customize their suite to best capture their individual vibe and spirit. The services offered at the Hamilton Marketplace location include haircuts for all ages, barber services, makeup, skincare, brow and lash services, hair removal, and massage.
“At the first grand opening, I said we were breaking a record with the most businesses opening in one day, but tonight, we have certainly passed that, with over 30 businesses opening! It is truly wonderful to see so many new businesses celebrate with the opening of My Salon Suite’s second location in Hamilton,” said Mayor Martin.
The My Salon Suite members who were present to celebrate the opening of their new businesses were: Kreative Image, Heartlys Hair Studio, Lash Locks Studio LLC., The Beauty Coven, DNA Hair Lab, Sanctuary Massage Enterprises, Aria Hair Studio, Patel Medical Esthetics, Chrissy’s Studio 202, CV Hair Studio, Studio 23 Luxe, Aimer La Vie, Dawn Lewis Designs, Flaire Beauty Box, Mane Ego, Evolve Thru Fitness, Inabrow, Karlita Lorenzana Beauty, Sakile, Key Beauty, Leslie’s Studio, Hair Studio 501, True Beauty Esthetics, Follow Me Salon Company, Live Love Hair, Bella Mia Hair & Makeup, Dermaart, Distinctive Touch By Rita, Avira By Shira, Trependous, Hakuna Matata Hair Studio, Nail Studio By Yadi, Karma Salon by Heather Michelle, and Head Case Hair Salon. To learn more about My Salon Suite visit and book your appointment, visit www.mysalonsuite.com/hamilton-square.
Visit www.hamiltonnj.com/economicdevelopment to learn of the new businesses that have recently opened or have relocated to Hamilton and read up on why Hamilton is a great place for businesses to call home!
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On October 30, 2022, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a motor vehicle crash occurred on Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd near Godfrey Drive. A 2014 Buick Enclave driven by Linda McBride, a 55-year-old, female from Hamilton, was traveling southbound on Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd near Godfrey Drive when she crossed over the northbound lane and left the roadway. The Buick then struck a 2016 Ford Van that was parked in the driveway of 779 Whitehorse Mercerville Road before coming to a stop against the driveway retaining wall. Members of the Hamilton Fire Division arrived on scene to assist with medical attention. McBride was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash is under investigation by Officers C. Clugsten and J. Galant from the Hamilton Police Division’s Traffic Unit.
Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609)581-4000.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 1:15 p.m. the Hamilton Township Fire Department, Hamilton Police, and EMS were sent to the 5,000 Block of South Broad Street near Old York Road for a vehicle into a guardrail with reported entrapment. Firefighters arrived and reported a guardrail though the vehicle with entrapment. The patient was extricated and transported by EMS to Captial Health Regional Medical Center and a “Trauma Alert” was called. Firefighters requested a hazardous materials crew for a fuel leak from the vehicle. Hamilton Township Police Department is investigating the crash.
No further details are available at this time, check back later for updates.
Back on September 22, 2021, four cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in Hamilton Township, Mercer County between May-August 2021, along with an additional reported case from November 2020. On August 29, 2022 Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in August 2022 from the section of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, served by Trenton Water Works (TWW). Two additional cases were reported, respectively in April 2022 and December 2021. Of the four, one individual has died.
Today the NJ Department of Health made this announcement: The presence of Legionella bacteria was identified in water samples collected from more than half of 30 homes within several municipalities served by Trenton Water Works (TWW), the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) announced today. This includes homes from Trenton, Ewing, and parts of Lawrence and Hopewell Township served by TWW.
The testing was conducted in September 2022 following the detection of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, in several homes that were voluntarily tested within the Hamilton Township area served by TWW in July 2022. The homes tested in Hamilton Township were part of an ongoing investigation to determine potential causes of Legionnaires’ disease previously detected in Hamilton Township, with five cases including one death reported since December 2021. The most recent case was reported to health in September 2022.
To determine if other municipalities served by TWW were affected, health officials recruited an additional 30 homeowners from across the TWW distribution area, focusing on areas outside of Hamilton Township, to voluntarily have their homes tested for Legionella. NJDOH has notified all volunteer homeowners of the results from this sampling.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that people can get after breathing in aerosolized water (small droplets of water in the air) containing Legionella bacteria. Individuals cannot get Legionnaires’ disease by drinking water that has Legionella. Though uncommon, people can get sick when water containing Legionella is aspirated into the lungs while drinking (“goes down the wrong pipe”). NJDOH receives approximately 250-350 reports of Legionnaires’ disease each year throughout New Jersey.
NJDOH is now urging that all residents and building owners who receive water from TWW to take actions to reduce the risk of Legionella growth in their household and building plumbing. These recommendations are available below.
It is not known if individuals with Legionella detected in their homes are more likely to develop Legionnaires’ disease. While it remains rare for a healthy person who is exposed to Legionella to become sick with Legionnaires’ disease, people who are 50 years or older, especially those who smoke, or those with certain medical conditions, including weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or other chronic health conditions, are at increased risk.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches, which are similar to symptoms caused by other respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics. It is important that anyone who thinks they have symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease contact their health care provider and seek medical evaluation immediately.
Health officials are urging healthcare providers to collect lower respiratory specimens for Legionella PCR and/or culture, in conjunction with use of the urinary antigen test, when suspecting Legionnaires’ disease. This is especially important among residents who receive water from TWW. The urinary antigen test is the most common diagnostic method but can only detect Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. PCR and culture of lower respiratory specimens can detect all Legionella species and serogroups.
NJDOH continues to partner with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and TWW to investigate factors that may be promoting the growth of Legionella bacteria and to evaluate remedial actions that can be taken to reduce Legionella in the system.
Following NJDEP’s finding of significant concerns with TWW’s operations and management, including intermittent failures to fully maintain treatment processes, monitor water quality, employ adequately trained operating personnel, and invest in required maintenance and capital needs such as upgrades to aging infrastructure, Governor Phil Murphy NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette issued a Unilateral Administrative Order that will, among other things, facilitate the immediate deployment of a capacity-building force comprised of managerial and technical experts who will focus on improving routine operations and maintenance, as well as resolving immediate capital needs.
According to NJDOH, individuals, particularly those at high risk, can follow recommended steps to decrease the risk of Legionella exposure and best practices to limit the growth of Legionella in household water systems and devices:
Avoid high-risk activities. If you are at an increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease, consider avoiding hot tubs, decorative fountains, power washing, or similar activities, which may generate increased amounts of aerosols or mist. A conversation with your health care provider may help you assess your individual level of risk based on underlying health conditions and co-morbidities. Your health care provider may recommend that you consider installing specialty biological 0.2-micron filters on your showerhead if you are severely immunocompromised and receive water from Trenton Water Works.
Maintain in-home medical equipment. If using medical equipment that requires water for use or cleaning such as non-steam generating humidifiers, CPAP or BiPAP machines, nasal irrigation devices such as Neti Pots, and attachments for nebulizers, follow manufacturer’s instructions for use and maintenance. This often includes using sterile water instead of tap water in the device.
Clean and/or replace your showerheads and faucet aerators (screens) per manufacturer’s instructions whenever buildup is visible. This is particularly important if you haven’t cleaned your showerheads or faucet aerators recently. Cleaning might require you to remove the showerhead and hose and soak in a solution (such as white vinegar or a bleach solution) to remove buildup. If using chemicals, follow instructions found on the back of the bottle for safe use.
Keep your water heater set to a minimum of 120o This temperature will reduce Legionella growth and avoid potential for scalding (hot water burns). Setting the heater to a higher temperature may better control Legionella growth, especially if you have household members at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease. However, if the temperature is set to greater than 120o F, make sure you take extra precautions to mix cold and hot water at the faucet and shower to avoid scalding. If you have household members at increased risk of scalding, such as young children or older adults, you may consider installing a thermostatic mixing valve. A mixing valve allows your water to be stored at a higher temperature within your water heater to help kill bacteria while eliminating concerns with water being too hot at sinks or showers. If you decide to install a mixing valve, be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for routine cleaning and maintenance to avoid bacteria growth within the valve. Consider consulting with a licensed plumbing professional and ensure you are following your local codes and ordinances for home plumbing repairs.
After cleaning showerheads and faucet aerators and increasing the temperature of the water heater, thoroughly flush the water at each tap (e.g., sink, showerhead) for 20 minutes. Try to minimize exposure to splashing and mist generation, for example, by leaving the room while the water is running.
Conduct routine flushing. Sinks and shower taps that are not used often can increase the risk of Legionellagrowth in other areas of the home. Let your faucets and showers run for at least three minutes when they have been out of use for more than a week. Minimize exposure to splashing and mist generation, for example, by leaving the room while the water is running. Additionally, you may consider flushing your water following any water disruption to your home, such as low pressure or discoloration, resulting from a water main break or nearby hydrant flushing.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your water heater and expansion tank, including periodic flushing, draining, and removal of sediment. If manufacturer’s instructions are unavailable, seek advice from a licensed professional.
Clean and/or replace all water filters per manufacturer’s instructions. All whole-house (e.g., water softeners) and point-of-use filters (e.g., built-in refrigerator filters) must be properly maintained.
Drain garden hoses and winterize hose bibs. Detach and drain the hose, shut the water valve off inside the home, and drain the pipe when not in use for the season.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your hot tub.Ensure disinfectant levels (e.g., chlorine) and maintenance activities (e.g., cleaning, scrubbing, replacing the filter and water) are followed. For more information, be sure to review CDC’s recommendations for residential hot tub owners.
Operate and maintain your indoor and outdoor decorative fountains according to manufacturer’s instructions to limit your exposure to Legionella. Household members at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease should avoid exposure to decorative fountains. If manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance are not available, minimum cleaning frequency recommendations can be found in CDC’s Legionella Control Toolkit.
Remove, shorten, or regularly flush existing dead legs. Plumbing renovations can lead to the creation of dead legs, a section of capped pipe that contains water but has no flow (or is infrequently used). For future renovations, ensure your plumber avoids creating dead legs.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR BUILDING OWNERS
Complete this quick yes/no worksheetto determine if your building, or certain devices in your building, need a Water Management Program. Resources to help you develop a Water Management Program and for Legionella control in common sources of exposure are available at NJDOH’s Legionella website.
Store hot water at temperatures above 140°F and ensure hot water in circulation does not fall below 120°F (or at highest temperature allowable by local regulations and codes). Install thermostatic mixing valves as close as possible to fixtures to prevent scalding while permitting circulating hot water temperatures above 120°.
Clean and maintain water system components.This includes devices such as thermostatic mixing valves, aerators, showerheads, hoses, filters, water heaters, storage tanks, and expansion tanks, regularly per manufacturer instructions.
Flush hot and cold water at all points of use (faucets, showers, drinking fountains) at least weekly to replace the water that has been standing in the pipes. Healthcare settings and facilities that house vulnerable populations should flush at least twice a week.
Remove dead legs or, where unavoidable, make them as short as possible. Where a dead leg (a section of pipe capped off with little or no water flow) cannot be avoided, it should be flushed regularly to avoid water stagnation. This may require the installation of a drain valve.
Monitor water quality parameters such as temperature, disinfectant residuals, and pH regularly. Adjust the frequency of monitoring based on stability of values. For example, increase frequency of monitoring if there is a high degree of measurement variability. Pay particular attention to water quality parameters following a water disruption event, such as low pressure or discoloration, resulting from a water main break or nearby hydrant flushing.
Safely operate and conduct regular maintenance of cooling towers to protect staff, visitors, and the adjacent community from exposure to Legionella. Use a Water Management Program to establish, track, and improve operation and maintenance activities.
Follow recommendations from the NJ Department of Health when reopening your facility following a prolonged shutdown or reduced operation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Recommendations are available at: https://bit.ly/3CG2s8S
ABOUT LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE AND LEGIONELLA
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella is a type of bacteria found naturally in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams and becomes a health concern when it enters and grows inside human-made water systems. People can get Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in aerosolized (small droplets) water containing Legionella. Aerosolized water can come from plumbing systems and devices such as cooling towers (part of the cooling system for large buildings), hot tubs, cooling misters, and decorative fountains. Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of tap water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidently goes into the lungs while drinking (“goes down the wrong pipe”). People at increased risk of aspiration include those with swallowing difficulties. Home A/C units do not use water to cool, so these home units do not aerosolize water and are not a risk for Legionella growth. Legionnaires’ disease is generally not spread person to person. Additional information regarding Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella can be located at NJDOH’s website.
Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth and LinkedIn /company/njdeptofhealth.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police quickly responded to Hamilton High School West this morning on an apparent “swatting” incident. The school was quickly placed on lockdown as police checked the school to make sure everyone was safe.
New Jersey State Police reported, “The New Jersey State Police has been made aware of numerous active shooter threats targeting various school districts throughout the state.
Several schools have been placed on lockdown and after thorough investigations by local, state, and county authorities, the threats have proven to be unfounded.
The Regional Operations Intelligence Center is currently monitoring the situation and has not deemed any of the threats as credible.
The State Police and our law enforcement partners take all threats seriously and will utilize every asset at our disposal to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, administrators, and the public.
We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.”
Hamilton Police say that on October 14 2022 at 10:02 a.m. Hamilton Police Dispatch received a telephone call from a person with a thick Middle Eastern or Indian accent stating “there are people trying to get into the door of Hamilton West”. The School Resource Officer along with several responding police units searched Hamilton High School West after initiating a “Lock Down” of Hamilton High School West. After the incident was deemed safe, the “Lockdown” was lifted.
Hamilton Police gained information that other municipalities were affected by the same type of call with a party having a similar accent. Hamilton Police along with the Hamilton Twp. Board of Education determined the phone calls were hoax calls.
No injuries were reported during the incident, no suspicious parties were located in or around Hamilton High School West. Police Units remained on scene until the situation was calm.
Swatting is defined as: “The action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.”
In a letter to parents from Hamilton Township Schools Superintendent Scott R. Rocco, Ed.D. stated:
Today, there were two calls made to 911 that indicated an incident was happening at Hamilton High School West. This resulted in a large police presence inside and outside of the school. It also resulted in the school being put into a shelter in place for one of the calls and a lock down for the other call.
Neither of these calls were real. They have been deemed a hoax. Neither of these calls were generated inside of our school. At no time were any of our students or staff in any danger. Although that is a relief, it does not lessen the fear or scared feelings of our students and staff.
I have been informed that this same situation has happened to other schools in New Jersey today.
I would like to thank the faculty and staff of Hamilton High School West for their efforts in ensuring our students’ safety and I would like to thank our Hamilton Township Police Department for their quick response and constant presence.
We take school safety very seriously in our district. We have safety plans and we practice those plans. Our police department also works collaboratively with us in our planning, drills, and situations that arise in our district. That being said, our best safety measures are when our students, staff, and community say something if they see, hear or know of a problem. Please continue to do so.
Toms River Police said in a Facebook Post, “A short time ago Toms River Police dispatch received a phone call regarding a potential shooting at High School North. Officers responded and the school was locked down as a precaution. The call was deemed unfounded and is being investigated as a swatting incident. We are requesting no one respond to the school as there is no active threat.”
Monmouth County Sherriff’s Office reported, ** POLICE ACTIVITY ** Freehold Twp- Biotechnology High School & Monmouth County Career Center – Kozloski Road Freehold Twp – there is no threat or danger to students.
Jackson Township Police reported, “About an hour ago Jackson Police dispatch received a phone call regarding a potential shooting at Jackson Liberty High School. We had already received information via the FBI that a handful of schools within New Jersey were experiencing the same calls from the same suspect prior to this phone call.
Regardless school security and our School Resource Officer sought out the location given by the caller, and it was deemed not to be a threat as the location given by the caller was inaccurate. Due to the totality of the circumstances, the decision was made not to put the school in lockdown. The call was deemed unfounded and is being investigated as a swatting incident. We are requesting no one respond to the school as there is no active threat.”
Barnegat Police Department made several reports on Facebook, “We received an unfounded report of a “shooter” in the Barnegat High School. Officers were quickly on scene and in the building and have found no indications or reports of anything occurring. Bengal Blvd will be closed as we continue to ensure the security of the building. All other district schools were placed in shelter in place status as a precautionary measure. Parents who are responding to the area are asked to go to the Collins school where we will provide any additional information. It appears that at least one other district in the county has received a similar “report”. Again, we have significant resources on scene to ensure the safety of the kids and staff at BHS and there are no indications that anything has occurred. Updates to follow. –Chief”
The students from BHS are being evacuated and will be bussed to the Collins school for reunification with parents. While we believe this was a swatting incident, officers continue to follow-up with secondary searches of the building. Again, the students and staff are safe and we have significant resources on scene to ensure it stays that way. –Chief
BHS evacuation is complete. Officers have completed the secondary search of the first floor and are wrapping up the second floor. Once that’s done, we’ll open up Bengal Blvd. The school district will then bus any driving-age BHS kids from the Collins school reunification point back to get their cars if needed. Very much appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation.– Chief
Freehold Township Police Reported, “At 10:13am, the Freehold Township Police Department responded to the Biotech High School for a possible report of shots fired. This incident was deemed to be a hoax and is currently under investigation. As part of the response both the Biotech High School and neighboring Career Center were locked down and both buildings were cleared by officers from Freehold Township, Freehold Borough, and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. All students and staff are safe. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective George J. Baumann at 732-252-1950.”
Message from East Brunswick Schools Superintendent Dr. Valeski:
October 14, 2022
Good Morning East Brunswick Community,
This is Victor Valeski, Superintendent of Schools, with a very important message regarding an incident at our high school this morning…and I want to assure everyone that every student and every staff member is safe.
Our 911 police dispatch operator received a phone call reporting an incident occurring at our high school that required immediate police assistance. This warranted a large police response to the high school and the building was immediately placed in a “Shelter in Place” status. Central Elementary School also exercised a “Shelter in Place” because of it’s close proximity to the high school.
Members of our district Central Office leadership responded to the building to support the HS administration.
Ultimately, the call was determined to be a hoax, also known as SWATTING, but the continuous training with our students, staff, administrators, security team and EBPD was evident today.
Lower Township Police in Cape May County reported, “Lower Cape May Regional High School is in a shelter in place for what we believe is a HOAX. Law Enforcement is conducting a search of the school to confirm.”
Other towns with swatting incidents this morning were Newark at Weequhaic High School and another Paterson.
The scene this morning at Hamilton High School West in Mercer County, NJ
Police have identified the pedestrian as Antonio Santiago, 35-year-old male, from Hamilton.
October 13, 2022
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–According to Hamilton Township Police, on October 13, 2022, at approximately 6:29 a.m., a motor vehicle crash occurred involving two vehicles and a pedestrian on East Park Avenue at Berg Avenue. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The pedestrian has not been identified but is described as a 30–35-year-old light skinned male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, and wearing all dark clothing. The pedestrian was in the roadway on East Park Avenue when he was struck by a 2022 Honda HRV, driven by Diego Marin 39-year-old from Hamilton, which was traveling east bound. After the collision, Marin stopped and exited his vehicle, when the pedestrian was struck a second time by a 2013 Nissan Altima, driven by Dominick Rogers 20-years-old from Hamilton, which was also traveling east bound. Both drivers remained on scene and called 911. Members of the Hamilton Fire Division and Trenton EMS arrived on scene to assist.
The crash is under investigation by officers from the Hamilton Police Division’s Traffic Unit.
Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609)581-4000.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 6:30 a.m. the Hamilton Township Police Department, RWJ EMS, Captial Health Paramedics and Hamilton Township Fire Department responded to the 500 Block of East Park Avenue for a serious pedestrian crash. Police found the crash in front of George E Wilson Elementary School between Wilfred and Parkinson Avenues. The Hamilton Township Fire Department is assisting the Hamilton Township Police Department Serious Crash Investigation Unit with the investigation. No further details are available at this time.
Update: As per school officials, “The accident is unrelated to the school or district.”
Today, Thursday, October 13, 2022 we will be closed due to unforeseen circumstances. More info to come! Thank you for understanding pic.twitter.com/SrFJxb9fpk
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Following a months-long compliance evaluation of conditions affecting Trenton Water Works (TWW), Governor Phil Murphy, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora today announced the launch of a new Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiative to better support and improve TWW. Through this initiative, the State will work with the City to enhance TWW’s technical and managerial capacity with the goal of improving the operations and maintenance of TWW to ensure that the system reliably produces safe drinking water that meets all requirements of the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act.
Despite many recent efforts at the local level to improve operating conditions and advance long-overdue capital improvements at TWW, the system continues to struggle in maintaining compliance with regulatory obligations and requirements. To ensure that maintenance and operational needs crucial to the protection of public health are met, and that long-overdue capital improvements may receive the benefit of new and considerable state and federal funding, DEP has determined that a capacity-building program with direct operational oversight is necessary to ensure TWW’s near- and long-term success in meeting the needs of the 200,000+ residents served by the system in Trenton, as well as portions of Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence.
“Since the outset of my Administration, the provision of clean, affordable drinking water and the promotion of healthy communities have remained among our foremost priorities,” said Governor Murphy. “Protecting our children, families, and businesses is a responsibility that all levels of government share, and one that we must leverage every existing partnership to fulfill. Under the leadership of the DEP and in coordination with the City of Trenton, we will work tirelessly to safeguard our residents and return water system quality to the level our communities deserve.”
“The health of the residents is of paramount importance and we want to see Trenton succeed at all levels of government,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. “Ensuring public health and safety is a core principle of municipal services. The Division of Local Government Services, which has some fiscal oversight of the City, will assist DEP in any way it can to ensure TWW succeeds in providing safe drinking water for its residents.”
“Clean and safe drinking water is a human right but delivering this public good is a far more complex undertaking than one might expect,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “The depth of managerial, technical, and financial expertise required to ensure consistent operation, maintenance, and improvement of a water system is significant. Yet, not all systems are created equal, and we must invest more time, attention, and resources in those that need our help. Through direct operational oversight, DEP will help Trenton Water Works build the capacity necessary to better serve the public. Through this initiative, DEP and the City will more fully assess the system’s needs, meet its challenges, and ensure its long-term success for the benefit of the people of Trenton and the surrounding communities that this system serves.”
“We are committed to strengthening Trenton Water Works, improving its operations, advancing capital projects, and maintaining high water quality in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental,” said Mayor Gusciora. “As we’ve dealt with City Council obstruction, we are resolute and determined in our efforts to build on the substantial progress we’ve made, fulfilling the promise I made to modernize the TWW system to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our customers and service-area residents for generations to come.”
TWW draws water from the Delaware River to provide water to more than 200,000 people in Trenton, as well as portions of Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence. The system has intermittently struggled to fully maintain critical treatment processes, monitor water quality, employ adequately trained operating personnel, and invest in required maintenance and capital needs, including significant upgrades to aging infrastructure such as the seven-acre, open-air finished water reservoir that stores and provides already treated water to about 70 percent of TWW’s distribution system. The initiative launched by the Murphy Administration today with the support of the City is intended to remedy these concerns.
This initiative, which will be implemented in accordance with an administrative order issued by DEP, has two primary phases that will be pursued concurrently: (1) immediate retention and deployment of a capacity-building force comprised of managerial and technical experts who will focus on improving routine operations and maintenance, as well as immediate capital needs; and (2) a full-scale assessment and preparation of organizational and operational recommendations.
To effect Phase 1, TWW will facilitate the direct oversight and monitoring of the system by DEP and its consultants, including a third-party adviser that will be embedded in the system for the purposes of monitoring and assessing all system operations and maintenance, adding necessary technical and managerial capacity to the system, and making technical, managerial, and financial recommendations necessary to bring the system into full compliance with applicable law.
To effect Phase 2, the third-party adviser will undertake a comprehensive technical, managerial, and financial capacity assessment of the system that will result in a report of organizational and operational recommendations, as well as short- and long-term asset management and capital improvement recommendations that will serve the basis of future action and investment.
DEP and the City will collaborate to ensure that the progress and outcomes of this initiative are open and transparent to the public.
As of October 12, 2022, water quality sample results submitted to DEP by TWW reflect that the water system meets applicable water quality standards. DEP will continue to closely monitor water quality parameters and other indicators of the status of the TWW system. If TWW exceeds a regulatory standard for drinking water quality, or if DEP otherwise determines that an acute risk to public health exists, the public notification would be issued to all TWW customers.
“First, I want to thank Governor Murphy and NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette for their decision today to bring Trenton Water Works (TWW) under direct oversight of NJDEP,” said Mayor Martin. “I want to also thank my fellow Mayors, State Legislators, County Officials, and the Hamilton Township Council who have remained steadfast in their focus on ensuring TWW meets their most basic obligations to their customers.” Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin
“Said in a more simple way – today the State is taking over running TWW,” continued Mayor Martin. “This is a major step towards reaching our simple goal: to ensure all TWW customers have reliably clean and safe drinking water. Further, the Order from NJDEP requires the City Council to approve all items necessary to ensure our goal is reached; guaranteeing a road block to progress is neutralized.” Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin
“Hopewell Township residents, particularly those in Brandon Farms, depend on Trenton Water Works for safe drinking water. We are grateful to the state Department of Environmental Protection for their quick response to our concerns about the facility,” says Hopewell Township Mayor Peters-Manning. “Thanks go to Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin for his leadership on this issue. The staff at Trenton Water Works has been nothing but professional in their dealings with the Township, and we look forward to continuing to work with them and the DEP to safeguard the future of our water supply.”
For information on DEP’s regulation and oversight of drinking water systems in New Jersey, visit DEP’s Division of Water Supply & Geoscience website at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/
For information about water infrastructure investment opportunities provided by DEP, visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/wiip/
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 2:15 p.m. a Jeep traveling south in the 2100 Block of Yardville Hamilton Square Road (across from Reynolds Middle School and Steinert High School Softball Field) appeared to have lost control as it left the roadway, drove into a yard, hit a car, crashed through a fence and came to rest as it crashed into a home. Hamilton Township Police, Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to the scene. A person appeared to be removed from the vehicle and placed in the ambulance with non-life-threating injuries. Hamilton Township Fire Department made sure the structure was safe and secured the Jeep so it could be removed. The Hamilton Township Building Department was called, and an inspector was responding. The Hamilton Township Police Department is investigating the crash.
No official details are available at this time. It was unclear if the person was transported to the hospital and there was no indication why the vehicle left the roadway. The story will be updated when details of the crash are released.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 9:20 a.m. the Robbinsville Fire Department and EMS along with Bordentown Township firefighters responded to the New Jersey Turnpike just south of Exit 7A for an overturned truck with reported entrapment in the outer lanes of the roadway. Upon arrival at mile post 59.2 it was determined that a person was not entrapped but had a severe ALS type head injury. The person was placed in the ambulance and transported with a trauma alert called to Captial Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, Captial Health Paramedics met the ambulance enroute to the trauma center. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority was on scene inspecting road damage and making repairs. NJTPA also had a sand truck to mitigate a fuel spill from the overturned truck. The New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Trenton Water Works (TWW) Director Mark Lavenberg today responded to a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) letter and report this week discussing ongoing compliance obligations and TWW’s water quality improvements.
“First and foremost, Trenton Water Works has acted with full transparency in self-reporting ongoing assessments to NJDEP. Many details in the report come directly from our staff. We speak daily and meet weekly with NJDEP,” Director Lavenberg said. “Given that level of coordination, the letter and report issued this week unnecessarily seem like snapshots from the past. Many areas of concern in this report are currently being or have been addressed. Forward strides made by TWW are not reflected in the least in these documents.”
TWW’s ability to correct some of the deficiencies in the letter has been diminished by City Council decisions regarding dozens of major legislative approvals for project funding and awarding of bids. The NJDEP letter points out City Council’s rejection of a $15 million bond request as a destabilizing decision.
This decision adversely effected TWW operations and projects, but discussions with NJDEP regarding alternative options or revised timelines have been ongoing. Many of the items declined by Council this year can be presented to a newly-formed body in 2023.
“We are addressing specific requirements from NJDEP. We have been lead-compliant since 2019 and have made major upgrades, for instance the raw water intake which was a recommendation in the 1976 report quoted by NJDEP,” Lavenberg said. “We are being asked to correct nearly 50-year-old problems in four years, which included a global pandemic. Through all of that, we never once had an interruption in service.”
“We want to set the record straight: our drinking water is safe and, day by day, we are working to make it safer. The health of our customers and residents is our primary concern,” he said.
HAMILTON – TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Mayor Martin, State Senator Greenstein, Assemblymen DeAngelo, and Benson, Mercer County Executive Hughes, Mercer County Board of County Commissioners Chair Nina Melker, Ewing Mayor Steinmann, Hopewell Township Mayor Peters-Manning, and Lawrence Township Mayor John Ryan are joining together to call on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to take over direct supervision and operation of Trenton Water Works (TWW) after years of failure to comply with safe drinking water obligations.
TWW supplies approximately 29 million gallons of drinking water daily to more than 200,000 people, including residents of Trenton and four neighboring municipalities – Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence Townships.
In 2020, the Attorney General and DEP filed a lawsuit against TWW, which the municipalities served by the water utility joined, seeking to compel the City of Trenton and the water utility to take the necessary actions after failing to comply with Administrative Consent Orders to provide safe drinking water. These failures include but are not limited to filling vacancies critical to running the treatment plant and the covering of the Pennington Reservoir, which funding for was denied by the Trenton City Council months after the lawsuit was filed. This week, the NJDEP sent the City and TWW a letter again citing failure to comply with these orders and stating that the DEP is “disturbed by the current City Council’s continuing failures or refusals to authorize resolutions necessary to advance critical capital improvements and ensure that ordinary maintenance and operational needs crucial to the protection of public health are met.”
“The residents of Hamilton have suffered far too long due to the failures of Trenton Water Works and left us with absolutely no confidence in their ability to operate the utility,” said Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin. “The Trenton City Council’s refusal to authorize public safety projects is putting people’s lives in danger and has prevented TWW’s ability to provide safe and clean drinking water. I call on the Governor and the State of New Jersey to immediately place TWW under direct state control to end the years of gross incompetence.”
“The most recent inspection report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection validates the charge that, time and time again, the residents of this region have been failed by the Trenton City Council and Trenton Water Works,” said Senator Linda R. Greenstein. “Despite the actions of some to try and resolve these long-standing issues, it is readily apparent that a change in leadership is desperately needed. I call upon the State of New Jersey and NJDEP to immediately take all steps necessary to establish state control of Trenton Water Works, to ensure the health and safety of our residents remain top priority.”
“We shouldn’t wait for another disaster before taking action, the safety of our residents must come first,” said Assemblyman Dan Benson. “The NJDEP letter shows that the current operation of Trenton Water Works is unacceptable, it’s time for action,” added Benson.
“Trenton City Council has showed us time and again that they are not interested in bringing Trenton Water Works up to the standards set up by the Department of Environmental Protection,” stated Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo. “At this point, the gross negligence that they have shown has led to an increased risk of waterborne pathogens that threaten the safety of not just Trenton but also the neighboring towns that it serves. I cannot, in good conscience, watch as this continues to escalate. That is why I believe that the control and maintenance of Trenton Water Works should be given to the State so that they can properly bring Trenton Water Works up to the standards of the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act.
“Access to safe drinking water and a well-functioning water system is not an unreasonable expectation by the Mercer County residents who have no alternative to the city-operated Trenton Water Works,” said Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes. “While I am encouraged by Mayor Reed Gusciora’s determination to address the ongoing compliance issues and substandard water quality noted by the NJDEP, I condemn the irresponsibility and recklessness of the City Council for its egregious neglect of the water system, its disregard for the directives set forth by the NJDEP and the injustices it has placed on communities of color and on all Trenton Water Works customers.”
“The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s latest Compliance Evaluation and Assistance Inspection dated September 27, 2022, of Trenton Water Works, is extremely disturbing and concerning,” stated Mercer County Board of County Commissioners Chair Nina Melker.” It is now evident that an intervention is needed at a state level to ensure that Trenton Water Works can fulfill their obligation to provide safe and clean drinking water to the residents throughout Mercer County in their service designation.”
“The findings in this report confirm why Ewing joined with its neighbors Lawrence and Hamilton to protect its citizens from this failing authority,” said Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann. “ It is time for legislation that will provide a meaningful remedy to the suburban ratepayers being held hostage to the Trenton City Council’s intransigence. On behalf of the citizens of Ewing, we implore DEP to act immediately to compel TWW to correct these deficiencies and ensure the safety of the water provided by TWW to its more than 200,000 consumers.”
“Residents deserve safe drinking water. We are deeply disturbed by DEP’s findings regarding the lack of progress on long-term projects necessary to keep the residents of Hopewell Township and Mercer County safe,” said Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning. “Hopewell Township has appreciated our working relationship with the professional staff at Trenton Water Works. However, change is necessary,” continued Peters-Manning.
“On behalf of the Trenton Water Works customers within Lawrence Township, it is time for the operations of the water utility to be taken from the City of Trenton,” stated Lawrence Township Mayor John Ryan. “For far too long, the customers of TWW have lived with the fear, and at times reality, that the water they drink and use daily is unsafe. The report from the NJDEP dated September 27, 2022, demonstrates that the City of Trenton cannot meet the needs of its water utility customers by producing clean and safe water. We stand with the other municipalities fighting for their residents’ health and safety. We must do better.”
Mayor Gusciora Responds to State and Local Concerns Regarding TWW
TRENTON, NJ – Mayor Reed Gusciora issued the following statement today regarding progress made at Trenton Water Works (TWW), compliance with State agreements, and attempts by state and local officials to enact a “major shakeup” at the City-owned utility.
“I share the concerns expressed by area officials that we want safe drinking water for our constituents. However, the comments made by those elected officials do not recognize the substantial progress made at Trenton Water Works over the last four years. I wholeheartedly agree that if the Trenton City Council had done their job, we would not find ourselves in this position. They voted down critical projects including decommissioning the reservoir, replacing water mains, lead remediation, heavy equipment, facility upgrades, chemical purchases, and debt service. Council leaders even engaged a court battle to stop executive action in support of various water quality improvements at TWW.
In addition, one of the main items I ran on was improving Trenton Water Works. In 2019, we developed a $405-million, six-year capital plan to undertake critical projects within its central pumping station, water-filtration plant, and distribution system. These projects are designed to maintain high water quality and make the 163-year-old public water system more resilient.
Despite the efforts of City Council to undermine TWW as a utility of the City of Trenton, I welcome working in tandem with the State DEP to resolve any outstanding issues and ensure safe drinking water for our consumers for years to come. In that vein, I will announce shortly our proposed plan to address the issues raised by the DEP and to give comfort to our ratepayers and residents by showing demonstrative improvements in our water delivery system.”
Purchased by the City of Trenton in 1859, Trenton Water Works is one of the oldest and largest publicly owned water systems in the United States. TWW supplies approximately 28 million gallons of water per day to a quarter-million consumers in a five-municipality service area comprised of Trenton, Ewing Township, parts of Hamilton Township, Lawrence Township, and Hopewell Township.
TWW operates a 60-million-gallon water-filtration plant and water-distribution system that consists of a 100-million-gallon reservoir, 683 miles of water mains, three pump stations, nearly 8,000 valves, 3,517 fire hydrants, and six interconnections between TWW and other water suppliers. TWW serves approximately 63,000 metered customers.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 2:50 p.m. the Hamilton Township Police Department and Hamilton Township Fire Department was dispatched to the Hamilton Township Public Works Department at 240 Tampa Avenue for a “Hazardous Materials” incident but the worker reporting the hazmat would not say what it was. About 4 minutes later additional fire units were sent to the scene at Hamilton Public Works Garage for some kind of incident in the hazardous materials storage unit. A short time later a NJ State Police Bomb Unit and members of their Hazardous Materials Team arrived. Fire crews stretched a hose line for protection.
Around 4:27 p.m. a man in a full protective bomb suit emerged and carried something with wires away from the scene.
Around 5:20 p.m. the situation was under control and all fire units were returning to their stations.
It was unclear what exactly was found and what the bomb squad was doing there.
This is a breaking news report and when official information becomes available the story will be updated.
Above: A NJ State Trooper in a protective bomb suit carries out something that appears to have wires attached to it. Hamilton Township Fire Department is standing by for fire protection. Hamilton Police closed off Tampa Avene at South Olden Avenue to the entrance to Public Works. It is unclear exactly what the device or chemicals were. The situation was resolved around 5:00 p.m.
Heroic actions by neighbors pulled man to safety from a Honda Pilot well involved in flames prior to emergency services saving the man from possible fatal injuries.
September 22, 2022
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police say that on September 21, 2022 at 9:51 p.m. Yvenson Dossous 33-years-old of Hamilton, NJ, was operating his 2022 Honda Pilot north on Whitehorse Hamilton Square Road when he veered off the roadway and struck a tree on the northeast curb. After the collision with the tree, Mr. Dossous’s 2022 Honda pilot became engulfed in flames. Area residents who heard the crash responded and were able to pull Mr. Dossous from his burning vehicle. Medical personnel from Capital Health and Robert Wood Johnson at Hamilton rendered aide and transported Mr. Dossous to Capital Health at Fuld for injuries and burns from the crash. Hamilton Fire Division responded to the scene for the vehicle fire and remained on scene for assistance in the at scene investigation. The crash is being investigated by Officers B. Wood, P. Micharski, and B. Mandelko of the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609)581-4000.
Last night a witness told Midjersey.News that neighbors felt the ground shake when the car hit the tree and residents ran out and pulled the man from the burning car prior to arrival of emergency responders. Another witness said that after pulling man to safety they patted out the flames of the man’s burning clothing and put him in the driveway and awaited first responders.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police, Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to multiple serious crashes tonight in the Township.
The first crash was reported around 6:40 p.m. on Kuser Road between Perilli Drive and Estates Blvd.-Justice Samuel A Alito Jr Way when a vehicle took out several utility poles. The crash was initially reported as reported entrapment and fire. Upon arrival, police reported a person was out of the vehicle but wires and vehicle was on fire.
PSE&G was on scene to make repairs. Mercer County-Hamilton Fire Police and Hamilton Police had the roadway closed between Perilli Drive and Estates Blvd.-Justice Samuel A Alito Jr Way. The roadway was expected to closed for some time while repairs are made to utility poles.
Above photos from the Kuser Road Crash.
Another crash was reported around 9:53 p.m. in the 2,000 Block of Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road between Klockner and East Bow Road when a sport utility vehicle crashed into a tree and burst into flames. A witness reported that neighbors made a rescue pulling the person out of the vehicle. Hamilton Police, Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics arrived on scene and treated the person for trauma and burns. The fire was extinguished and additional equipment and manpower was called to the scene. The person was transported to Captial Health Regional Medical Center with a “trauma alert” with burns. At the time of this report Hamilton Township Police was still on scene investigating the crash. Hamilton Township Fire Department was assisting with lighting and Public Works was called to help clean up. Further details to follow when they become available.
Photos above from the Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road crash.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting homicide that occurred Tuesday evening in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 7:50 p.m. on September 20, 2022, Trenton police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the area of Howard and Hancock streets. Upon arrival, officers located the victim unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a maroon Cadillac sedan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The victim has been identified as Keenan Anthony Trower, 31, of Hamilton.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 2:00 p.m. a crash between two vehicles left one overturned and another with heavy front end damage on Sloan Avenue near the intersection with St. Clair Avenue in front of Taco Bell and the Clover Shopping Center. Hamilton Police, Hamilton Fire Department and RWJ EMS responded to the scene. Initially there was reported entrapment with injuries but upon arrival of the fire department occupants were out walking around. There appeared to be no life-threatening injuries and it was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital from the scene. Traffic was tied up on Sloan Avenue and Quakerbridge Road until the accident was cleared from the roadway. Hamilton Township Police is investigating the crash.
MidJersey.News 
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