February 17, 2026 Regular Meeting

TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 17, 2026

MEETING MINUTES

A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor

V. Rumsey at 6:02 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, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey

Also Present: Township Attorney E. Bernstein

EXECUTIVE SESSION: held in the Stillwater Township Municipal Building.

A MOTION was made by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, seconded by Committeeman G. Scott, with all members in favor, to adopt the Resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 6:03 p.m.

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

RESOLUTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting under certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey as follows:

1. The public shall be excluded from that portion of this meeting.

2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows: Attorney-Client, Litigation/Potential Litigation

3. As nearly as can now be ascertained, the matter or matters to be discussed at this time will be disclosed to the public when such matters are resolved.•

A MOTION was made by Committeewoman L. Chammings and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, to suspend Executive Session, and go back into Regular Session at 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

 

Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that he will give his recap after the continued Executive Session following the Regular Meeting.

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

Committeeman G. Scott asked for a moment of silence to remember DPW Jerry Leatham, who recently passed.

PRESENTATION: JESSICA CALDWELL FAIR SHARE HOUSING UPDATE

Professional Planner J. Caldwell stated that on May 21st, the Planning Board adopted the plan for Round 4 Affordable Housing. The town submitted on June 19, 2025. The plan was available for review and challenge by interested parties until August 31, 2025. At that point, the Township entered a consent order with Fair Share Housing Center. That was in order to potentially settle the challenge that they had issued with the housing element and fair share plan. Fair Share Housing filed a light challenge to the plan; more information was requested from the town. What the consent order did was establish and agree to what was in the housing element and fair share plan that the Planning Board adopted and the Governing Body endorsed to agree to what’s in the plan, and then essentially require us to do what we would have had to do anyway, which is adopt the Ordinances and implement compliance documents. That’s what’s on the agenda tonight: to adopt the affordable housing Ordinance. This Ordinance implements all the state laws around affordable housing when it is developed, and how it’s developed. There is a development fee section Ordinance, which the Township already had development fees in place, but it updates it. So everything’s just updating the rules and regulations to the current state law. There were some amendments to the Fair Housing Act and amendments to UHAC. The fees go to a trust fund; the trust fund can pay for affordable housing projects like group homes or the types of projects that would be proposed in the municipality for a gut rehab unit if we were working with Habitat for Humanity and the town could assist them in purchasing a property or rehabilitating the property and selling it deed restricted as a low income unit. Those are the types of projects that they foresee happening in Stillwater. Theres an affirmative marketing plan that says how the units are marketed, A rehabilitation plan, there’s an obligation to rehabilitate some units over the 10 year period which means units that are substandard for some reason and a low income person lives in that unit, they can come to the municipality and the trust fund money can be used to pay if their broiler breaks or the roof is leaking and needs to be replaced, that money can be used to help rehabilitate the unit. The spending plan, marketing plan, and rehabilitation plan are on the agenda for tonight. The Ordinance is being introduced tonight, then it will be referred to the Planning

Board for recommendation, and it will be adopted by the Governing Body. The Ordinance and plans must be adopted by March 15, 2026.

Mayor V. Rumsey asked if anyone in the public had any questions about J. Caldwell on Fair Share Housing. Township Resident J. Robinson said she looked up Stillwater’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan on the NJ Courts, but the last two pages were missing. J. Caldwell responded that the plan is also on the township website. The Township Attorney replied that if the NJ Courts don’t have the full document uploaded, it’s an issue on their end, but that he would look into it.

 

The Township Attorney stated that it’s a proposed plan- not in terms of what was submitted, it’s a proposal as to whether it’ll actually be carried out. There has been a lot of time spent by J. Caldwell and the Township Committee putting these things together, with no guarantee whatsoever that any of these will actually come to fruition in many places. J. Caldwell replied that it’s especially true here because all of the units are durationally adjusted, which is put on hold because there’s no public water or sewer. They do have some aspirational programs, such as group homes and Habitat for Humanity homes, but those we didn’t say we would do for sure because they’re pending being able to find places to do them, interested parties that wanted to do them, and also money in the trust fund. All those things must come together. Then we will complete those units as we can, but it’s not like we said we would do ten no matter what.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated right now, we have approximately $96,000 in the trust fund. The goal is to do one unit per year. If we can do that, if Habitat is willing to do that. The Township Attorney commented that, more importantly, when the town has the money to do that and pay for it, because if it’s not coming out of the trust fund, the township would have to bond for it. Habitat isn’t going to put the money up for it. J. Caldwell mentioned if the township has township property and doesn’t need it for anything else, they could dedicate it to Habitat for Humanity if they can come up with funding from other sources. Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that when she had a conversation with Habitat for Humanity, they mentioned that interested parties can hold mortgages through them. There are options out there to be explored. The Township Attorney stated that this is a 10-year-round. The last one was 27 years due to significant hiccups along the way. We’ll look at where we are in 2030, which is the midpoint, and again on June 30, 2035, which is the end of the round, and we’ll see where we are.

Mayor V. Rumsey stated that they will suspend the order of business and take action on Ordinance 2026-02 and pull off the Consent Agenda and take action on Resolution 2026-044, the rehabilitation resolution, Resolution 2026-045, the spending plan, and Resolution 2026-046, the Affirmative Marketing Plan. The Ordinance hearing and final adoption will be on March 3, 2026.

ORDINANCE 2026-02

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND, REVISE, AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 240, ENTITLED “LAND DEVELOPMENT”, MOST NOTABLY SECTION

240-118, ENTITLED “FAIR SHARE PLAN”

A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney to introduce Ordinance 2026-02.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that she had a quick question regarding Resolution 2026-044. For applications for a rehab request, if J. Caldwell could send a sample application to the Clerk, as the applications that Stillwater has are very old and outdated. She thanked V. Ingles for doing all the work for the trust fund and being the Municipal Housing Liaison.

 

RESOLUTION 2026-044 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY ADOPTING THE “REHABILITATION PROGRAM MANUAL” FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER

RESOLUTION 2026-045 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, RESOLUTION ADOPTING FOURTH ROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPENDING PLAN

RESOLUTION 2026-046 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND GOVERNING BODY OF THE

TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY ADOPTING THE “AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING PLAN” FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER

A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeewoman L. Chammings, to adopt Resolution 2026-044, Resolution 2026-045, and Resolution 2026-046.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

Committeewoman L. Chammings noted that the Ordinance and Resolutions will be posted on the website. She believes the Housing Element & Fair Share Plan is on the Planning Board tab on the website.

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

Committeewoman L. Chammings asked that Stormwater Management be added under Discussion Items.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION (Agenda items only – 3 min time limit)

No Public Comment.

Public Session Closed

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

ORDINANCE 2026-03

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER

COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY AMENDING ORDINANCE 2021-15

ENTITLED “ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER ESTABLISHING FEES FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, Sussex County, New Jersey that Ordinance 2025-12 and Township Code Chapter 182-1, entitled “Use of Community Center” is amended, revised and supplemented as follows:

SECTION 1.

The Community Center deposit and fees are set as follows:

Refundable Deposit Fee

Cleaning & Key Deposit

Not-For-Profit Organization None $150

(1 Time Event Use)

Civil Organization Annual User Fee None $100

For one (1) meeting per week

 

Resident Users $150 $350

Non-Resident Users $150 $450

Non-Refundable Application Fee – $100

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED as follows:

1. All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are inconsistent with this Ordinance shall be repealed as to the inconsistencies only.
2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after passage and publication of this Ordinance in accordance with the law.

A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser to introduce Ordinance 2026-03.

Committeewoman L. Chammings asked if the original fees for when the Community Center was first opened could be sent to her.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes; Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Motion carried with all in favor.

ORDINANCE 2026-04

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 350 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER ENTITLED “STREETS & SIDEWALKS”

TO INCLUDE SECTION 350-6 ENTITLED “MAILBOX DAMAGE DUE TO SNOW PLOWING REINBURSEMENT.”

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Mayor and Council that residents’ mailboxes are inadvertently damaged due to snow plowing; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have determined that it would be in the best interest of the citizens of the Township of Stillwater to amend the Ordinance to include a remedy to the citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Stillwater as follows:

SECTION I

1. Chapter 350, Section 6 – Mailbox Damage Due to Snow Plowing.

350-6.1 Intent; Rationale.

It is the intent of this article to establish uniform procedures to reimburse residents for damage to mailboxes due to snow removal operations. The Township of Stillwater’s primary obligation is to ensure that its roadways are as clear as possible of snow and ice. It is also understood that most mailboxes are located within the public right-of-way and, therefore, while fulfilling the primary objective, mailboxes may be unintentionally and unavoidably damaged. This policy assumes there is a shared responsibility between the Township of Stillwater and the homeowner when mailboxes located in the public right-of-way are damaged during snow removal operations.

 

350-6.2 Resident Responsibility.

Snowplow operators make every effort to remove snow as close to the curbline as practical and to provide access to mailboxes for the Postal Service. However, it is not possible to provide perfect conditions and minimize the damage to mailboxes with the size and type of equipment the Township operates. Therefore, the final cleaning adjacent to mailboxes is the responsibility of each resident.

350-6.3 Landscaping; Hardscape.

Property owners should assume all risk of damage for landscaping/hardscape, including nursery and inanimate materials that are installed within or encroach on the Township’s right-of-way. The Township assumes no responsibility for damage incurred to these nonpermitted elements as a result of snow plowing and ice control activities with the exception that lawns that are scraped or gouged by Township equipment will be repaired by top dressing and seeding the following spring. In addition, inanimate materials such as boulders, timbers, etc., are a hazard and can cause damage to plow equipment.

350-6.4 Reimbursement Policy.

While there is no legal requirement, it is the policy of the Township of Stillwater to reimburse residents up to $25 for eligible mailbox damage caused by direct plow contact or thrown snow coming off the plow on the part of the Township’s Department of Public Works or Township private contractors. Residents seeking reimbursement greater than $25 for mailbox damage caused by Township operators may file a tort claim under Title 59 of New Jersey Statutes Annotated. Nothing in this article shall be construed to entitle any resident to reimbursement prior to an investigation and determination by the Director of Public Works or designee that the claimed damage is eligible for reimbursement pursuant to this section.

350-6.5 Eligibility; Procedure; Investigation.

For the purpose of this article, boxes used for receipt of United States mail and placed outside of residences and established for such purposes shall be referred to herein as “mailboxes”. All mailboxes must be installed in accordance with the United States Postal Service Mailbox Guidelines.

A. Eligibility; mailbox damage claim. The reimbursement provisions shall only apply to those homeowners who satisfy the following criteria:

(1) The mailbox is securely fastened to a sturdy post, which is sufficiently anchored in the ground to resist the impact of plowed snow.

(2) The damaged mailbox and/or post must meet the requirements of the United States Postal Service Mailbox Guidelines, as well as all other requirements in regard to construction and location. Mailboxes that do not meet the requirements of the United States Postal Service and/or any other applicable regulations are not eligible for reimbursement.

(3) The damage must have been caused by direct contact with or thrown snow from Borough Department of Public Works or Township private contractor plows or snow removal equipment.

(4) The homeowner must notify the Township within seven (7) calendar days of the date the damage occurred. Damage reported outside of this time frame will not be eligible for reimbursement.

(5) The homeowner must sign a general release discharging the Township from all debts, claims, demands, damages, actions or further tort claims under Title 59.

B. Claim procedure.

 

(1) Within the time period above, a homeowner making a claim for reimbursement shall contact the Department of Public Works and file a mailbox damage claim.

(2) The mailbox damage claim shall be accompanied with the following:

(a) Name, address, phone number and email address of claimant.

(b) Date and time of damage.

(c) Exact location of damage.

(d) Explanation of what happened/description of damage.

(e) Photographs of damage.

(f) Itemized receipt for the cost of the new mailbox and/or post.

(3) After submission of the claim, the Supervisor of Public Works or designee shall investigate the alleged damage to determine if the damage was caused by the plow blade, vehicle and/or thrown snow coming off the plow. A written response on the findings of the investigation will be mailed to the resident.

(4) If it is determined that the mailbox was damaged by the plow blade, vehicle and/or thrown snow coming off the plow, the homeowner will be reimbursed for the cost of the mailbox and/or post in an amount not to exceed $25 upon the submission of an itemized receipt for the cost of the new mailbox and/or post. If it is determined that the damage was not caused by the plow blade, vehicle and/or thrown snow coming off the plow, no reimbursement will be given. All actual repairs and/or replacements shall be the responsibility of the homeowner.

SECTION II

All other parts, portions and provisions of Chapter 350 of the Code of the Township of Stillwater are hereby ratified and confirmed, except in the event of an inconsistency with the foregoing.

In the event of any such inconsistency, the terms and provisions of Section I hereof shall be deemed to govern.

SECTION III

Should any part, portion or provision of this Ordinance be held unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this Ordinance as a whole, or any other part thereof.

SECTION IV

This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication and final passage according to law.

A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney to introduce Ordinance 2026-04 with changes to include 7 calendar days instead of 3 days, and any landscaping replacement must be within the township right of way.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

CONSENT AGENDA – All items with an Asterisk (*) are considered to be routine

and non-controversial in nature. All such items will be handled by one (1) motion, one (1) second, and one (1) vote. There will be no separate discussion of any of these items unless a Committee member requests the same, in which case the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.

*MINUTES: February 3, 2026 Regular & Executive Meeting Minutes

 

*CORRESPONDENCE

None

 

*REPORTS:

1. Community Center Receipt Report – January 2026

2. Recreation Commission Report – January 2026

3. Board of Health Receipts –January 2026

4. Vacant/Abandoned Property Registration Report – January 2026

5. Convenience Center Report – January 2026

6. Registrar Report – January 2026

7. Certified Copies Report – January 2026

8. ACO Report – January 2026

9. Landlord Registration Fees- January 2026

10. DPW Monthly Report- January 2026

11. Tax Collector’s Report- January 2026

12. Office of Construction Official Report- January 2026

13. Food License Renewal Report- January 2026

14. Zoning Officer’s Report- January 2026

15. 2025 Accumulated Absences Summary

16. Sussex County Health Department January Inspection Report

17. Community Center Civic Groups Report

 

*RESOLUTIONS:

RESOLUTION 2026-047 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKFORD FOR THE SERVICES OF A CERTIFIED PUBLIC WORKS MANAGER

RESOLUTION 2026-048 RESOLUTION ADOPTING A SNOW REMOVAL POLICY

RESOLUTION 2026-049 RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION FOR TSC #23-00008 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 926 DUCK POND ROAD, STILLWATER, NJ

RESOLUTION 2026-050 RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION FOR TSC #24-00006, TSC#24-00009, TSC#24-00010 FOR PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 948 MIDDLEVILLE ROAD, 913 MAIN STREET, AND 923 MAIN STREET, STILLWATER, NJ

 

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor V. Rumsey noted that Resolution 2026-044, Resolution 2026-045, and Resolution 2026-046 have already been removed for a separate vote.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that she also had one correction to the February 3, 2026, meeting minutes; she’s listed as Mayor Chammings in the vote, and V. Rumsey as Deputy Mayor, still on page 7.

Mayor V. Rumsey clarified that on the Food Handler License Report, the North Shore House’s food handler licenses have been updated. They were out of date on the report, but they are current, and it has been adjusted accordingly.

A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney to adopt the Consent Agenda with the exception of Resolution 2026-044 through Resolution 2026-046 that have already been pulled for a separate vote.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

Committeewoman L. Chammings asked the Township Attorney how monies collected from vacant and abandoned properties can be utilized. The Township Attorney stated that usually the money collected for vacant and abandoned property registrations goes back into the general fund and then can be used as the township wishes. Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that she knows one of the properties on the list has abandoned vehicles and garbage on the property. She asked if the money could be used to pay to have the vehicles removed and the property cleaned up. The banks should be maintaining the properties since they have a lien on them, but if they’re not, how do we get them cleaned up? The Attorney responded that one option is to go to the current lienholder and say that we want the property cleaned up, otherwise we’ll put them on notice that the township is going to clean the property up, and we’re going to put another lien on the property for the money we’ve expended. And it doesn’t require the township to go out and retain an outside contractor to do it. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that the Zoning Officer should go out to investigate the property. The Township Attorney added, and pictures should be taken to the best that they can be, then sent off to the lien holder and advise them that they have X number of days to clean it up or else the township will take appropriate action, then place another lien on the property for the money that is expended.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board of Health Meeting Dates for 2026: April 21, July 21, and October 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

A MOTION was made by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, with all members in favor, to approve the Board of Health meeting dates for 2026.

2. Stormwater Management

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that the Township had tried fighting the Stormwater Management for Stillwater being changed to a Tier A category, but they had lost, just as all of the other municipalities in New Jersey. As we move forward, there are deadlines that we must meet. There was one for January 1, 2026; she needs to talk to the Stormwater Management Coordinator, who is either Joe Vuich or Mike Vreeland. Through the work of the engineers, CFO, and some others, they have secured $75,000 in grants that are supposed to help us implement this unfunded state mandate. She spoke with the newly appointed CPWM, Mark Yetter, from Frankford Township, to see what program they use for mapping the stormwater drains. He suggested a program called iWorks. Someone else on our DPW is also familiar with iWorks. The township tried using a free mapping program in the past, but it didn’t work well. The iWorks implementation fees are $4,000 startup, then it’s $4,000 every year for the next three years for each application we use, so it’s $12,000 to start, which can come out of the stormwater grant. The SPPP was submitted, and now the next step to do is the inventory, which we would do by mapping the storm drains. One of the prior DPW employees had started mapping out the storm drains, but it wasn’t on a program; it was just on a phone, pinging where the drain was and writing it down on paper. She stated that she wanted to know if it’s something that the Committee is interested in pursuing. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that it sounds like a very valuable tool. Deputy Mayor D. Delaney asked what we would be using to put the program on.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that a laptop or tablet could be purchased through the grant as well. She stated that everything would be uploaded to the cloud on the portal, and it includes unlimited support and people who can use the program. She will get an updated contract. and check with the CFO. She asked if she had permission to sit with Dr. Lippencott and

 

Stormwater Management Coordinator J. Vuich to discuss the report that was due in January, and if there were things in there that they could refute. The Committee agreed that she could have the meeting.

Mayor V. Rumsey reiterated to the public that this is not something that the township has just decided to undertake; these are state-mandated regulations that the towns must comply with. Just like the Fair Share Housing regulations.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that they needed to amend Resolution 2026-047 and change the date listed.

A MOTION was made by Committeewoman L. Chammings and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, to amend Resolution 2026-047 to change the start date from February 20th to February

19th

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that another positive to having the shared service with Frankford Township is the potential to expand the shared service to include the use of their street sweeper.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Township Resident D. Pelubit asked if the town has foreclosed on any of the properties yet. The Township Attorney stated that a complaint has been filed recently, and he could leave his name and contact info with the clerk to take down, and what properties he’s interested in, so we can look into it.

Township Resident A. Martin stated that this year is America’s 250th anniversary. The Historical Society will be doing presentations throughout the year. They’re looking to make a list of every vet that ever lived here. There are over 300 veterans buried in the town. They are going to be putting a marker on the cemeteries to mark those who served in the Revolutionary War. He stated that the state just awarded them a $25,000 grant for restoring the Mill. The plan is to go up to the 4th floor. It will never run again, but it can be refurbished.

The Township Committee congratulated A. Martin on the recent birth of his twin boys.

Mayor V. Rumsey suggested A. Martin reach out to L. Sylvestor as well to discuss the veterans in Stillwater Township.

Township Resident P. Tigue asked for the mailbox ordinance, if we could ask for it to be proved that the mailbox was not in working condition? He stated that there are people out there who need a new mailbox because their post is rotten or their mailbox is being held on by zip ties then they blame the town and want the town to replace them. Committeewoman L. Chammings stated

 

that residents will need to show pictures of the damage done to the mailbox when submitting their claim. P. Tigue stated that he’s seen some of the mailboxes that the DPW has repaired after a storm, and they’re in way better condition than they were originally before the storm.

No further public comment.

PUBLIC SESSION CLOSED.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

The Township Attorney will continue his report during the executive session.

BILLS LIST #3 $ 490,010.24

RESOLUTION 2026-051 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF BILLS

WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in the proper account; and

WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has approved payment upon certification from the Township Department Heads that the goods and/or services have been rendered to the Township;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Stillwater that the current bill lists, dated February 17, 2026, are on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and approved by the Chief Financial Officer for payment, be paid.

A MOTION was made by Committeewoman L. Chammings and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney to adopt Resolution 2026-051, funds permitting.

Committeewoman L. Chammings noted that $268,153.91 was from tax lien redemptions given to us, and we’re just returning the funds as the lien has been redeemed by the owner. It’s not actual money spent.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

Mayor V. Rumsey stated that some residents don’t realize that when someone is delinquent on their taxes, that comes out of residents’ pockets. The town still must pay the school and county taxes, so that money comes out of the budget.

Committeewoman L. Chammings stated that there are three cell towers in Stillwater Township. Each tower has its own negotiated contract. The Swartswood tower is $3,115.94 a month and increases every year by 3%. Those funds go into the general account and are used to offset taxes.

RETURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

A MOTION was made by Mayor V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeeman G. Scott, to go back into Executive Session for Attorney-Client Privilege at 8:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

A MOTION was made by Mayor V. Rumsey and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, to go back into Regular Session at 8:46 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.

Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that the record should reflect that all members of the governing body were present, commencing from the first executive session and the second Executive Session, are present to recommence the open session, along with the Township Attorney and the Township Clerk. Also present for a portion of the first executive session was Jessica Caldwell; the township’s affordable housing planner, relative to the ongoing litigation involving the Township of Stillwater and its affordable housing obligations. There was a discussion on DPW grievances, and direction was given to the Township Attorney/Labor Council. No formal action needs to be taken. There was also some discussion relative to ongoing legal matters regarding a potential draft Ordinance. Prior to the commencement of the second Executive Session, the new CPWM Mark Yetter was present to introduce himself at the beginning of the second executive session. No formal action needs to be taken.

ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney with all members in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Ingles, RMC

Township Clerk