February 10, 2026 Special Budget Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 10, 2026

A SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor V. Rumsey at 4:00 p.m. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that this meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of P.L. 1975, Ch. 231, Secs. 4 & 13 the Sunshine Law and that adequate notice of the meeting has been published in the New Jersey Herald as to the time, place, and date of meetings, and is posted in the usual location of posted notices in the municipal building as well as electronically on the township website.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Mayor V. Rumsey, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott (arrived 4:37 p.m.)

Also Present: Township CFO Tammy Leonard & Township Attorney E. Bernstein (until 4:22 p.m.)

FLAG SALUTE: Mayor V. Rumsey led the Flag Salute.

BUDGET DISCUSSION

Department of Public Works

DPW Operating Budget

Acting DPW Supervisor D. Vaughan was present.

The CFO reported adjustments to salary and wages due to new employees. Tree maintenance appropriations increased to address remaining tree removals on Township property and road rights-of-way. Asphalt costs also increased, as additional roads will require oil and stone treatment.

Maintenance allocations were adjusted to account for recently purchased equipment. The Committee discussed the potential transfer of Gap View and South Shore Terrace to the Paulinskill Lake Association, which would eliminate Township maintenance responsibilities. This matter remains under consideration.

At the Recycling Center, the supervisor has been working additional hours and clocking in approximately one hour early. The Committee agreed that the supervisor may begin work up to 30 minutes prior to scheduled hours when necessary. Any additional early time would be unpaid.

A third employee will be scheduled on Saturdays to assist with cardboard disposal. Residents are being encouraged to bring flattened cardboard to reduce on-site compaction needs.

A new dumpster will be purchased using Recycling Trust funds. Four to five unused dumpster shells will be scrapped at George’s Salvage. Two DPW storage units may be relocated to the Recycling Center.

The Recycling Center typically operates at break-even or a slight loss. SCMUA is paid $65 per ton.

Insurance costs increased by approximately $2,000 due to mulch placement around Township buildings, which presents a fire risk. The Committee directed the Clerk to contact the insurance carrier to determine whether the masonry Community Center building may be exempt.

One landscaping quote was received from Farmside Landscaping for aeration and herbicide services.

Township Attorney E. Bernstein exited the meeting.

Vehicle maintenance costs were adjusted due to the sale of certain vehicles and equipment. The Township is considering purchasing two additional trucks this year.

DPW Capital Budget

The DPW proposed purchasing a bed salter for a utility truck, designed for easy removal and capable of holding two backhoe loads. They also requested a Buffalo Blower attachment to clear brush from roadways during roadside cutting. Funds are available in reserve for these purchases.

The DPW also proposed purchasing two 2025 CV515 non-CDL medium-duty trucks to replace Trucks #2 and #5 at an estimated cost of $320,000. These four-wheel-drive diesel trucks are larger than mason dumps but smaller than heavy trucks. They would include stainless steel beds, plows, and be painted to match Township vehicles. Delivery is anticipated in the fall if ordered in April.

Committeeman G. Scott entered the meeting.

Mt. Benevolence Road Phase 5 will be completed this year. Preventative maintenance, seal coating, and line striping are planned for several parking lots. The Town Hall parking lot requires additional repairs. Recently paved lots at the Community Center and Veterans Park will be seal-coated and striped to extend their lifespan.

Mayor Rumsey requested “No Parking” markings in front of the Community Center fire department bays to prevent obstruction.

Five miles of oil and stone materials were included in the budget. The last part of Stillwater Road, Old Tannery Road, Duck Pond, Dove Island, and South Shore will require oil and stone treatment. Potters Road will as well (approximately one additional mile).

Possum Hill Road will receive patching this year. The Township intends to apply for grant funding to strip, widen, repave, and stripe the roadway in the future.

Clerk’s Budget / Capital

The Committee discussed installing an exterior handle on the meeting room door, which is currently exit-only.

The exterior hallway door near the meeting room requires replacement due to improper sealing, which is causing heat loss.

The main office copier requires replacement as it is no longer functioning reliably, and replacement parts are unavailable.

Mayor and Council

The Committee discussed purchasing new meeting room chairs but decided to defer the purchase due to budget constraints and revisit the matter next year.

Other Budget Items

The Committee discussed the Hometown Heroes banner program. Families purchase the banners, and hardware has largely been donated by the Historical Society. The Committee allocated $1,000 in the budget. Approximately 25 American flags for Main Street would cost $825, with the remaining funds available for additional hardware. Additional flags may be purchased in future years.

The Committee agreed to continue additional Sheriff’s patrols at $20,000.

OEM Coordinator L. Chammings declined to accept a salary for the position despite the Committee encouraging compensation due to the workload. She agreed to reconsider. She recommended appointing Bob Wolfe as Deputy OEM. Mr. Wolfe indicated he does not require compensation; however, the Committee agreed the $1,000 stipend for the Deputy OEM position should be included due to the responsibilities involved.

Committeewoman Chammings provided an update regarding the installation of electrical service at Veterans Park. A meeting with a representative was postponed due to weather conditions. The Township would need to purchase utility poles and perform tree trimming. A fuse panel and meter could be installed in a shed, and JCP&L would run the service line.

Recreation Commission Budget

Recreation Commission Chairwoman T. Tosti was present.

Chairwoman Tosti discussed the purchase of a basketball net and inquired whether a portable or permanent installation would be preferable. DPW will assist as needed. A professional company will install the net for insurance purposes. She will also contact the vendor that striped the pickleball court.

The Committee directed the Clerk to post notice on the Township website that there will be no Summer Camp program in 2026.

The Recreation Department requested funding for fireworks at Stillwater Day. After discussion, the Committee declined due to budget limitations. The possibility of alternating fireworks with neighboring municipalities, such as Hampton and Fredon, was discussed. The Clerk was directed to contact those municipalities regarding their costs and potential interest.

Chairwoman Tosti reported that the Commission has narrowed its selection to several playground equipment options and will consult with DPW before making a final recommendation.

ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION was made by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, with all members in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 5:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Ingles

Municipal Clerk