January 19, 2022 Regular Meeting

Stillwater Township Planning Board

Minutes of January 19, 2022

The reorganization and regular meeting of the Stillwater Township Planning Board was held via Zoom and at the Municipal Building.   The meeting was called to order by William Haggerty at 7:35 p.m. He announced that adequate notice of this meeting had been given to the public and the press under the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act”, N.J.S.A  10:4-1 et.seq.  Attorney Haggerty administered the oath of office to Mayor Scott, Mr. Pierce, and Mr. Barta, prior to the meeting.  Chairman Pierce led the Board in the flag salute

Members Present:       Mr.  Donofrio

Mr.   Scott

Mr.   Pierce

Via Zoom:           Mr.   Barta

Ms. Stark

Absent:                   Ms.  Puccio

Mr.  Branagan

      Also Present:          Attorney Haggerty

Via Zoom:             Engineer Golden

REORGANIZATION

Election of Chairman

Attorney Haggerty called for a nomination for Chairman.  Mr. Donofrio made the motion to nominate Mr. Pierce as Chairman.  Motion seconded by Mayor Scott.  Attorney Haggerty asked if there were any other nominations.  With there being no further nominations, the nominations were closed.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                 Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Abstain

 Election of Vice-Chairman:

Mayor Scott made the motion to nominate Mr. Donofrio as Vice-Chairman. Motion seconded by Chairman Pierce.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                 Mr. Donofrio-Abstain

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

 Appointment of Board Professionals:

Mayor Scott made the motion to appoint Mr. Haggerty as the Board Attorney and Mr. Golden as the Board Engineer.  Motion seconded by Mr. Donofrio.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                 Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

Appointment of Board Secretary:

Mr. Donofrio made the motion to appoint Alfia Schemm as the Board Secretary.  Motion seconded by Mr. Pierce.  Roll call vote

Mr. Barta-Yes                                 Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

 Designation of Meeting Date, Time and Place

Mayor Scott made the motion to designate the 3^rd Wednesday of the month as the Regular Agenda Meeting (including 1/18/23), at 7:30 p.m., at the Stillwater Municipal Building.  Motion seconded by Mr. Donofrio. Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                 Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

Designation of Official Newspapers:

Mayor Scott made the motion to designate the NJ HERALD & the SUNDAY NJ HERALD as the Official Newspapers, same as the Governing Body.  Motion seconded by Chairman Pierce.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Donofrio-No

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                 Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

MINUTES:

Mr. Donofrio made the motion to approve the minutes of November 17, 2021.  Motion seconded by Chairman Pierce.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Donofrio-No

Mr.  Scott-Abstain                           Ms. Stark-Abstain

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

PUBLIC SESSION

Chairman Pierce opened the meeting up to the public.

Lisa Chammings was present and she stated that it was great to work with the Board over the past seven years.  She thanked the Board and she stated that she will miss working with them. The Board thanked her for her service.

With there being no further public comment, the meeting was closed to the public.

BILLS:     

Dolan & Dolan

             Re:  General                                                                    $ 341.80

                                                           Golden

             Re:  General                                                                     $165.00

Mayor  Scott made the motion to approve the bills, funds permitting.  Motion seconded by Mr. Barta.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Donofrio-No

Mr.  Scott-Yes                                 Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

    #20-001   Michael S. Wills & Agnes M. Toccket, Block 4308, Lots 1, 2, & 3

                      Extension Request

Mr. Haggerty reviewed the history of the 2020 lot line adjustment/minor subdivision  approval and the Applicant’s January 5, 2022 request for an extension of the approval.   

Mr. Donofrio made the motion to grant the relief requested, conditioned upon any cost incurred, be charged to the Appliant’s escrow account.  Seconded by Mr. Barta.  Discussion on the motion:  Mr. Donofrio asked if there is any potential harm to the Township in granting , the extension.  Mr. Haggerty stated that he sees no harm, that the proposed lot line adjustment was/is appropriate and made sense.  Roll call vote:    

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Mr.  Scott-Abstain                           Ms. Stark-Yes

Mr.  Pierce-Yes

    Public Commenting

   Chairman Pierce commented on establishing a policy to limit repetitive public comment.

   Land Use Board

   Mayor Scott addressed the Board on the introduction/adoption of an Ordinance creating a Land Use Board, which was discussed with the Board.  The Board reviewed the timeline to introduce/adopt an Ordinance and the comment period.

 Barns/Family Farms/Commercial Farms

   Deferred

Airbnb

   Deferred

     Liaison Updates-Committee, Mayor, Board of Adjustment, and Environmental

Mayor Scott, provided the Committee update, which was discussed with the Board:  establishing  a Land Use Board and liaison appointments.

Board Secretary Schemm provided the Zoning Board of Adjustment update: Sylvester Appeal to be heard at the January meeting.

Ms. Chammings stated that Mr. Branagan is the Environmental Chair and Ms. Raff is the Vice-Chair.

Mr. Haggherty provided the oath to Mr. Golden for the 2022 calendar year.

 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 

No Public.    

ADJOURNMENT:

With there being no further business, there was a motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  In a voice vote, all were in favor at 8:06 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Alfia Schemm

Board Secretary

2/13/22