TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
APRIL 7, 2026
MEETING MINUTES
A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor
V. Rumsey at 6:00 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, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey
Also Present: Attorney D. DiYanni and Deputy Clerk J. Leatham
EXECUTIVE SESSION: held in the Stillwater Township Municipal Building.
A MOTION was made by Committeeman D. Manser, seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, with all members in favor, to adopt the Resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 6:00 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: Personnel, Litigation/Potential Litigation, Attorney Client
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 Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, to end Executive Session, and go back into Regular Session at 6:47 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor V. Rumsey led the Flag Salute.
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, to take a 10-minute break at 6:49 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, to come out of the 10-minute break and go back into Regular Session at 6:59 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor V. Rumsey and Deputy Mayor D. Delaney presented Proclamations Recognizing the Compassionate Response to the Abandonment and Rescue of Dogs in Sussex County. The Proclamations were given to all those involved in recovering the dogs in the recent mass dog dumping case that took place across three municipalities, Stillwater Township being one of them. The following individuals and organizations were recognized by Mayor V. Rumsey and Deputy Mayor D. Delaney: OEM Coordinator Lisa Chammings, Hound Hunters of New Jersey, Town of Newton Animal Control Officers, Wantage Township Animal Control, the New Jersey State Police, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department and OEM, and the Stillwater Township Fire Department.
2026 BUDGET INTRODUCTION
Township CFO, T. Leonard, presented the 2026 Budget Introduction. The Budget hearing and adoption will be held at the May 5, 2026, meeting.
RESOLUTION 2026-065 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER INTRODUCING THE 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, to accept Resolution 2026-065.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
RESOLUTION 2026-066 SELF-EXAMINATION OF BUDGET RESOLUTION
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, to accept Resolution 2026-066.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
PROCLAMATIONS
A proclamation was presented and read by Mayor V. Rumsey for Child Abuse Prevention Month. This proclamation is sponsored by Ginny’s House.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Deputy Mayor D. Delaney requested to table the IT Services Quikteks from the Discussion Agenda pending information from Township CFO, T. Leonard. The Township is waiting for another quote, which will bring our total number of quotes to 3.
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION (Agenda items only – 3 min time limit)
Deborah Drumm (via Zoom), spoke regarding her request on behalf of the Historical Society of Stillwater Township. She stated the agenda was confusing, and she didn’t see her request present. Mayor V. Rumsey stated her request was on the agenda and will be discussed.
Public Session Closed.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION & FIRST READING
ORDINANCE 2026-05 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SALE OF REAL PROPERTY TO CONTIGUOUS PROPERTY OWNERS PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(b)(5) [Public Hearing & Final Adoption April 21, 2026]
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, to accept Ordinance 2026-05.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
ORDINANCE 2026-06 ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS OR PURPOSES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY, AND APPROPRIATING $453,900 THEREFOR FROM VARIOUS SOURCES [Public Hearing & Final Adoption April 21, 2026]
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeewoman L. Chammings, to accept Ordinance 2026-06.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward with all in favor.
ORDINANCE 2026-07 BOND ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $610,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $379,430 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP, FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS OR PURPOSES AUTHORIZED TO E UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY [Public Hearing & Final Adoption April 21, 2026]
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott, pending discussion, and seconded by Committeewoman L. Chammings, to accept Ordinance 2026-07.
Committeeman G. Scott stated his discussion was to determine what the use of the bonds is for.
Deputy Mayor D. Delaney and Mayor V. Rumsey both explained to Committeeman G. Scott the
information he was looking for was already included in his packet.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney, Committeewoman L. Chammings, Committeeman G. Scott, and Mayor V. Rumsey. Motion carried forward 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: March 17, 2026 Regular & Executive Meeting Minutes
March 30, 2026 Special Meeting & Executive Meeting Minutes
*CORRESPONDENCE:
- Sussex County Division of Health January – February 2026 Public Health Nursing
- Stillwater Environmental Commission Letter to the NJDEP Regarding Swartswood State Park
*RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLUTION 2026-041A RESOLUTION TO CANCEL GENERAL CAPITAL BALANCES
RESOLUTION 2026-067 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP ENGINEER TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE MT. BENEVOLENCE PHASE V PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $37,500
RESOLUTION 2026-068 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE HAZARDOUS DISCHARGE SITE REMEDIATION FUND PUBLIC ENTITY PROGRAM THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
RESOLUTION 2026-069 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE WONDERS TRIATHLON AROUND SWARTSWOOD STATE PARK IN STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
A MOTION was made by Committeeman D. Manser and seconded by Deputy Mayor D. Delaney to adopt the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Deputy Mayor D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman L. Chammings; yes/abstain from Report #9, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor V. Rumsey; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
- Historical Society Request
Mayor V. Rumsey stated Deborah Drumm, on behalf of the Historical Society, is requesting that a letter regarding American 250 and the Historical Society fundraising be added into the tax bills that are issued by the Township. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that while we’ve done this in the past, she did discuss this with Township Tax Collector, T. Beshada, who stated she was against doing this again due to the amount of additional time and effort it takes on her behalf, but Mayor V. Rumsey would like to hear how the rest of the Committee feels. D. Drumm stated that it was done twice in the past and that the Historical Society has offered to assist with stuffing the envelopes. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that isn’t how T. Beshada works and she wants only the Township employees to have access to those tax bills. Mayor V. Rumsey stated T. Beshada is currently away on vacation, but she will discuss it with T. Beshada when she returns. Deputy Mayor D. Delaney asked if D. Drumm or the Historical Society can provide the Committee with a draft of the letter they’d like to include with the tax bill.
Mayor V. Rumsey also stated that she wanted to bring up some of the road repairs being made, even though it wasn’t on the agenda. Hampton Road was patched, the Committee and DPW are working on Possum Hill but they cannot get a grant until the drainage issue is fixed. The Township Engineers are going to have to go out, take a look at the road, and determine what will have to be done and the cost of repairing the drainage issue. Once that’s handled, the Township can apply for a grant to have the entire road paved. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that this will be a long process, but it’s in the works. The Township will also be applying for a grant for Hampton Road.
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Township Resident B. Tigue stated that the hole that was fixed is great, but now a new hole has appeared, and she has asked that the DPW fix it. Otherwise, she stated that the road looks great. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that the only proper way to fix Possum Hill is to fix the drainage issue first, then have it paved.
Township Resident P. Tigue asked about the timeline for fixing Possum Hill. He wanted to know where the Township was at in the process and if it was known roughly how long it could take for Possum Hill to be fully repaired. Mayor V. Rumsey stated that they can’t get a grant to pave Possum Hill until the drainage issue is fixed, but as of now the Township is in the process of determining what the process will be. Committeeman G. Scott stated it’s a step in the right direction, but it will be a few years.
Township Resident P. Molinet gave background on one of America’s Founding Fathers, Frances Hopkinson, whom was also a New Jersey resident. P. Molinet highlighted some of Hopkinson’s accomplishments, citing the most important one was the design of the American Flag. P. Molinet asked the Township Committee to create a Resolution establishing recognition for Frances Hopkinson as being the designer behind the American Flag. Mayor V. Rumsey suggested he also reach out to Lorraine Hines, the Deputy County Administrator, which P. Molinet stated he already had and was working with somewhere there to get the County to also recognize this accomplishment. Mayor V. Rumsey stated they will draft a Resolution in support of their recognition, and it will be on the agenda for the next meeting.
County Commissioner David Silverthorne stood up and introduced himself. He extended the invitation to anyone that if anything is ever needed, to just reach out. He stated while he may not be our liaison, he wanted to go around to the Townships he wasn’t a liaison for and introduce himself.
Township Resident D. Gatanas (via Zoom) questioned why the Township would be purchasing new DPW equipment; he wanted to know if it was due to wear and tear or another reason. Committeeman G. Scott and Committeewoman L. Chammings both responded, stating the equipment needed to be replaced due to standard aging and wear and tear. D. Gatanas also questioned the DPW staffing. Mayor V. Rumsey stated the Committee will not be discussing personnel at the Township Attorney’s advice, but that things were going in a positive direction. D. Gatanas inquired about the Committee’s stance on the cell tower that is proposed to go up in Fredon, very close to the Stillwater town line. Committeewoman L. Chammings responded, stating that Fredon hasn’t even had another meeting regarding it because the proper notifications haven’t been sent out. The proposed tower seems to have come to a standstill in the Fredon Land Use Board. Deputy Mayor D. Delaney provided an update, saying there is an anticipated meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7 pm.
No further public comment.
PUBLIC SESSION CLOSED.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney D. DiYanni stated this was new for him and that he was covering for Township Attorney E. Bernstein. Attorney D. DiYanni stated he has worked for Attorney E. Bernstein for about 12 years and that he thanks everyone for being so kind and hospitable to him. He stated he had nothing further to discuss.
BILLS LIST #5 $ 148,763.24
RESOLUTION 2026-063 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 April 7, 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 Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser to adopt Resolution 2026-070, funds permitting.
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.
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 7:59 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Ann Leatham, Deputy Township Clerk
