Woodland board discusses $25,000 hot box, staff raises and shared services; votes to enter executive session

At a special meeting March 25, the Woodland Township board discussed preliminary elements of its 2026 budget, including a proposed $25,000 capital purchase for a towable hot box and trailer, potential across-the-board raises near 3 percent for employees, and shared-services and ambulance funding options. The board then approved a motion to enter an executive session under Resolution 2026-41 to discuss public-safety tactics, contract negotiations and personnel matters.

The board’s Chair opened the session and noted the meeting was posted March 16 and on woodlandtownship.org. Committee member (speaker label used throughout) framed early budget options, saying, “I don't think we should go more than 55,000, and I don't think we should pay a cheap 5,000. I think 3,000 is more than enough,” when discussing a fire-related line item. The Chair replied that the amount did not need to be finalized immediately and could be put in the budget and set later by resolution.

The Chair proposed adding “approximately 25,000” to the capital budget to purchase a hot box and a trailer to tow it, saying the mayor had been looking into the equipment. Committee member described the equipment type discussed: a Falcon two-ton, towable hot box that can keep asphalt heated for up to 72 hours and that a motorized tamper (about $1,500) could be used alongside it. The Chair also noted a resident complaint about potholes that had not been sufficiently tamped down, tying the equipment discussion to operational needs.

On personnel costs, the board compared possible raise percentages, referencing recent Social Security adjustments. One exchange discussed whether to use 2.8 percent as a baseline or to make it 3 percent across the board. Staff member noted several hourly employees would need raises to meet minimum-wage requirements and identified which staff currently earn minimum pay; the board discussed giving a larger increase to some public-works employees who cover frequent call-outs.

The board also discussed a deputy clerk position and hours for existing clerical staff. Committee member described a deputy clerk role with roughly 24 hours per week during the first year and suggested preference for candidates already holding an RMC credential; the Chair confirmed Karen’s hours had been discussed and that adjustments were expected.

Committee member reported a recent meeting with a legislative aide (referred to in the transcript as Tyvar’s aide) about potential funding for an ambulance; the aide reportedly reacted positively. Committee member said the ambulance discussion could affect a proposed contract payment to Southampton, noting that a new Southampton ambulance purchase might eliminate a separate $30,000 payment under the existing arrangement.

Before moving to closed session, the Chair said there was a resolution on the agenda regarding the shared-services agreement and related matters. The board read Resolution 2026-41, described by the Chair as authorizing executive-session discussion of tactics and techniques used to protect public safety when disclosure would impair protection, pending or anticipated contract negotiations, and personnel issues. A motion to approve entering executive session was made, seconded, and recorded as passing with members recorded as voting “Yes.”

The board did not adopt capital purchases, raise schedules or shared-services contracts during this meeting; the discussion framed items to be included in the preliminary budget and for later resolution or formal contract action. The meeting then moved into executive session under the authority of Resolution 2026-41.