By CHRISTIAN MANAHAN
Staff Writer

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – If you own or owned property in the township, particularly, between 2002 and 2007, you may be owed money, according to a township audit report.
Township Committee discussed property tax overpayments during its meeting Nov. 19, approving a resolution authorizing tax overpayments from 2002 through 2007 totaling about $96,000.
Township Auditor Lisa Donahue of Bowman Company gave an overview to members of the governing body and the public regarding methods current and former township residents can use to obtain tax refunds and what the township can do with the funds if individuals do not come forward to collect their money.
Those wishing to seek a refund must provide documentation that they paid the tax. If they are eligible to obtain a refund, they can have the money either given back to them or applied to a future or delinquent payment, Donahue said.
If the individual does not come forward after a certain period, the township is permitted by law to cancel the overpayment and deposit the money into its surplus funds.
Even if the money is applied to the surplus, township Administrator Ed Sasdelli said the cancellation could be overwritten if the individual comes forward.
Currently there are about $15,000 in overpayments that are eligible to be applied to the township’s surplus.  As of Jan. 1, the township surplus was approximately $5.5 million.
Officials said that they are still in the process of locating individuals that are eligible for a refund.
Aline Dix of Park Road said the township appeared to be dragging its feet when it comes to giving money back to residents.
She said one of the residents on the overpayment list who is still owed a refund is Joseph Graumann, former president of the Board of Education, implying that a well-known citizen in the township should be easy to locate.
By not giving its full effort in locating individuals, Dix said the township is trying to artificially inflate its surplus.
Graumann is owed $91.56, according to the report.
“Take it out of your pockets and give it back to the people,” said Dix, during the public comment portion of the discussion.
In response, township officials reassured the public that the municipality is not trying to keep their money.
“If they give proof of their payment, we will give the money back,” Sasdelli said.
A complete list of who is owed what is available at the Township Clerk's Office, 6101 Thirteenth Street, Suite 200 Mays Landing. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call (609) 625-1511, ext. 400.
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