SECTION 9.4: TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON 9.4 TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON This section presents the jurisdictional annex for the Township of Hamilton. 9.4.1 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN POINT OF CONTACT The following individuals have been identified as the hazard mitigation plan’s primary and alternate points of contact. Primary Point of Contact Alternate Point of Contact David Carothers, Public Works Lt. Jeff Martin, Police Department 240 Tampa Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08650 1270 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08650 (609) 890-3567 (609) 581-4012 [email protected] [email protected] 9.4.2 MUNICIPAL PROFILE Hamilton Township is located southern Mercer County and encompasses an area of 40.4 square miles. It was incorporated on April 11, 1842. The Township is bordered to the north by Lawrence Township, to the east by the Townships of West Windsor, Robbinsville and Upper Freehold (Monmouth County), to the south by the Townships of Bordentown and Chesterfield (both Burlington County), and the west by the City of Trenton and the Delaware River. Other rivers, streams, lakes and ponds in the Township include: Miry Run, Assunpink Creek, Pond Run, Crosswicks Creek, Doctors Creek, Gropp Lake, and Spring Lake. Within the Township, there are several unincorporated communities: Groveville, Hamilton Square, Mercerville, White Horse, Yardville, Briar Manor, Broad Street Park, Bromley, Chewalla Park, Creston, DeCou Village, Deutzville, Duck Island, East Trenton Heights, Edgebrook, Extonville, Golden Crest, Gropps Lake, Haines Corner, Hutchinson Mills, Lakeside Park, Maple Shade, North Crosswicks, Nottingham, Oil City, Pond Run, Quaker Bridge, Quaker Gardens, Rosemont, The Orchards, Trenton Gardens, Warner Village, White City and Yardville Heights. Van Nest Wildlife Refuge is a 98-acre wildlife management area in the Township. According to the U.S. Census, the 2010 population for the Township was 88,464, making it the ninth largest municipality, by population, in New Jersey. Growth/Development Trends The following table summarizes recent residential/commercial development since 2011 to present and any known or anticipated major residential/commercial development and major infrastructure development that has been identified in the next five years within the municipality. Refer to the map in Section 9.4.9 of this annex which illustrates the hazard areas along with the location of potential new development. Table 9.4-1. Growth and Development Property or Type Known Development (e.g. Res., # of Units / Address and/or Block & Hazard Description/Status of Name Comm.) Structures Lot Zone(s) Development Recent Development from 2011 to Present Hamilton Chase Residential 109 units Block 2154 – Lot 12.02 No Under Construction Panfilli Residential 21 units Block 2226 – Lot 1-18 No Under Construction Walmart Commercial 160,000 sq ft Block 1589 – Lot 167 No Under Construction Twin Ponds Residential 144 units Block 2173 – Lot 16 No Under Construction Homewood Suites Hotel 117 Rooms Block 2594 – Lot 17 No Completed 2015 DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Mercer County, New Jersey 9.4-1 June 2016 SECTION 9.4: TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON Property or Type Known Development (e.g. Res., # of Units / Address and/or Block & Hazard Description/Status of Name Comm.) Structures Lot Zone(s) Development Assisted Homestead 221,116 sq ft Block 2173 – Lot 8 No Under Construction Living Known or Anticipated Development in the Next Five (5) Years Sharbell Residential 55 Lots Block 2575 – Lot 47.01 Hewitt Square Residential 94 units Block 2176 – Lot 2 Sun Cap Warehouse 343,477 sq ft Block 2610 – Lot 26 IPT Warehouse 339,000 sq ft Block 2591 Lot1 * Only location-specific hazard zones or vulnerabilities identified. 9.4.3 NATURAL HAZARD EVENT HISTORY SPECIFIC TO THE MUNICIPALITY Mercer County has a history of natural and non-natural hazard events as detailed in Volume I, Section 5.0 of this plan. A summary of historical events is provided in each of the hazard profiles and includes a chronology of events that have affected the County and its municipalities. For the purpose of this plan update, events that have occurred in the County from 2008 to present were summarized to indicate the range and impact of hazard events in the community. Information regarding specific damages at the municipal level, is presented in the table below. This summary is based on reference material or local sources. For further details on these and additional events, refer to Volume I, Section 5.0 of this plan. Table 9.4-2. Hazard Event History FEMA Date(s) of Declaration # County Event Event Type (If Applicable) Designated? Summary of Damages/Losses This event led to numerous road closures due to heavy rains in conjunction with melting snow causing flooding. High winds associated with this storm caused downed trees and power lines, which resulted in power outages. There were volunteer evacuations and a resource center was available to residents. Public March 12 – Severe Storms assistance was requested for Categories A and B that April 15, DR-1897 Yes and Flooding totaled $85,761.20. The Water Pollution Control 2010 Department responded to numerous high water alarms at the sanitary pump stations. The police department continued to provide protective measures for multiple road closures, traffic control, etc. Barricades, traffic cones and video message boards were used to control vehicular traffic in the Township. Plowing operations, including snow plow contractors to clear 625 lane miles of roadway. Brine was placed on Severe Winter February 4, roadways prior to event. OEM command center open to Storm and DR-1954 Yes 2011 assist PD, Fire and EMS response to residents. Snowstorm Township requested public assistance for Category B totaling $425,357.23. Irene led to numerous road closures in the Township due to flooding and debris. Approximately 146 homes were affected by flooding. There were volunteer August 26 – Hurricane evacuations, a reception center was open and there was September 5, DR-4021 Yes Irene one medical fatality. Infrastructure damage in the 2011 Township included Tattletown Road near the bridge was washed out by flood water. Temporary repairs were made to make the roadway passable followed by DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Mercer County, New Jersey 9.4-2 June 2016 SECTION 9.4: TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON FEMA Date(s) of Declaration # County Event Event Type (If Applicable) Designated? Summary of Damages/Losses permanent repairs. The fire department completed 146 de-watering assignments, five water rescues, numerous assists with downed power lines, and transformer fires. The police department provided emergency protection for multiple road closures, traffic control, etc. Barricades, traffic cones and video message boards were used all over the Township to control traffic. Public assistance was requested for Category A, B, and C that totaled $157,311.52. Sandy led to voluntary evacuations, the opening of a reception center for residents, and the relocation of ambulances to the fire department. Due to the loss of power, there were many requests for assistance for low levels of oxygen. Three residents were transported to the hospital due to oxygen issues. The Township delivered water to the animal shelter for drinking water for the animals. A travel ban was in effect for the safety of the public. Multiple large trees fell and blocked roadways. This caused multiple power outages that lasted for up to 13 days in some areas of the Township. Three township-owned vehicles were damaged by fallen trees. A section of roof was torn off building #6 in the public works complex. Two schools had damage due to downed utility poles. During PDA, Township October 26 – Hurricane inspectors visited approximately 175 structures that November 8, DR-4086 Yes Sandy received damage including commercial buildings. Part 2012 of the roof was torn off the Winding Brook Apartments. The fire department completed 135 assignments, three water rescues, numerous assists with downed power lines, and transformer fires. The Township requested public assistance for Categories A, B and E totaling $1,303,542.09. Other damages noted by the Township included: seven traffic intersection lights were inoperable; police and sheriff officers were used to direct traffic; light plans were placed for the protection of officers; several of the sewage pumping stations were on generator power along with the police department and EOC; fuel truck was dispatched to maintain fuel levels for generators and light plants; debris dumpsters were placed in residential areas; Township collected debris for over 30 days. 9.4.4 HAZARD VULNERABILITIES AND RANKING The hazard profiles in Section 5.0 of this plan have detailed information regarding each plan participant’s vulnerability to the identified hazards. The risk ranking methodology is presented in Section 5.3. However, each municipality had the opportunity to adjust the final ranking based on municipal feedback. The following summarizes the hazard vulnerabilities and their ranking in the Township of Hamilton. For additional vulnerability information relevant to this jurisdiction, refer to Section 5.0. Hazard Risk/Vulnerability Risk Ranking The table below summarizes the hazard risk/vulnerability rankings of potential hazards for the Township of Hamilton. DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Mercer County, New Jersey 9.4-3 June 2016 SECTION 9.4: TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON Table 9.4-3. Hazard Risk/Vulnerability Risk Ranking Risk Ranking Probability Score Estimate of Potential Dollar Losses to of (Probability