By CHRISTIAN MANAHAN
Staff Writer

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – It has suffered from years of benign neglect.

Apparently, that is the simplest explanation for why American Legion Post 254’s building in Mays Landing is in such a poor condition.

“It has gotten to this point through neglect,” said Mike Callahan, commander of American Legion Post 254. “It could have all been prevented.”

As a reporter for The Current approached the building, it was clear that the structure is in dire need of a paint job.

However, that is only scratching the surface with the work that needs to be performed. And it is also the least of its problems.

A tour of the 122-year-old building, provided by Callahan, showed that the building also has issues with its electrical system, insulation, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, roof and also an issue with a few critters that  have decided to make the building their second home. Apparently, a few of the neighborhood squirrels have decided to gnaw their way through the exterior wall and turn the attic into their home. Notably, one of the squirrels even ended up making the second floor of the building its final resting place.

 “Other than that, it’s fine,” Callahan said in a sarcastic tone.

Surprisingly, the building is fine structurally, he added, meaning members don’t have to worry about the building collapsing on them during the legion’s monthly meetings.

“All it needs is a little TLC and it can be special again,” the Navy veteran and lifelong Mays Landing resident said. 
Callahan went before Township Committee during its Aug. 18 meeting to voice his displeasure with the state of the building and made a request to have a meeting with Township Administrator Ed Sasdelli and possibly a member of the governing body to discuss the Legion’s options.

A meeting date has not yet been set, according to Committeeman Joe Nickels, a member of the American Legion.
He said Tuesday that the “ball was rolling” on ways to remedy the situation.

Meanwhile, Callahan said he understands the municipality has other matters that may trump the needs of the American Legion, and is not looking for the township to come up with funds to fix the building.

Rather, he said, he would like the township to give ownership of the Second Street building to the veteran’s organization.

“We just want them to give us the building,” Callahan said.

Officials said that renovating the building would likely cost the township $300,000.

If the building were under the ownership of the American Legion, Callahan said, it would not cost them nearly as much because the organization would not be subject to the same regulations as the municipality.

“We would just need to comply with residential codes,” he added.

Members would only have to come up with $10,000 to perform the work, such as patching up the roof and insulating the building.

“We can make this a win-win situation,” Callahan said. 

The Legion would come up with the money to purchase the materials and hire labor through fundraising events as well as digging into their own pockets. 

Having the building under Legion ownership would put many of the members at ease, Callahan said, because they wouldn’t have to worry about the township taking it away from them.

Although Nickels said that he would be in favor of giving ownership to the veteran’s organization, the township can’t simply give it to them.

The township just can’t give away property,” he said.  “It is against the law. We would have to go through the bidding process and maybe send out RFPs (requests for proposal).”

Callahan, who is the youngest post member, said the building offers a “solace” to the 86-member post. He explained that many of the guys don’t talk to their families about their war experience – only with fellow war veterans.

“The ones that may have post-traumatic stress disorder don’t freak out here,” Callahan added. “It is almost therapeutic for them to be able to talk to their comrades.

“It is really important for me to give these guys a home,” he said. “Some just can’t wait for that one day a month to get here. I don’t want that to be taken away from them.”

Nickels said the history behind the building is important to many township residents.

“It means a lot to the people in town,” he added. “To a significant group of people that have been born and
raised in Mays Landing, it means something to them.”

In the early 1990s, the American Legion building served as the municipality’s Planning and Zoning Board office.

The building is also part of the township’s historic district, and is currently leased out to the American Legion for an annual fee of $1.