STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
March 9, 2026
Regular Meeting
In-Person/Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Branagan (Zoom), Mrs. Emmetts (Zoom), Dr. Lippencott, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Mattes, Ms. Kral, Ms. Coriston
ALSO PRESENT: Committeewoman Lisa Chammings
Mrs. Wunder called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with the statement that this meeting is in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. This was a regularly scheduled meeting of the Stillwater Township Environmental Commission. Regular meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at the Stillwater Township Municipal Building located in Middleville, New Jersey.
The flag was saluted and roll call was taken.
Mrs. Tracey made a motion to appoint Dr. Lippencott as Acting Chair for the meeting due tothe absence of Ms. Coriston (Chair) and Dr. Mattes (Vice Chair), seconded by Mr. Szabo.
Roll Call Vote: Ms. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes
Minutes: Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the minutes of 2/9/2026, seconded by Ms. Tracey.
Roll Call Vote: Ms. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes
Bills: Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Mrs. Tracey:
Secretary: $274.00
Roll Call Vote: Ms. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes
At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:15pm.
There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:15pm.
Correspondence:
– SC Open Space Committee Minutes from December 18, 2025
– C. Dunbar: Floodplain Fridays, March Stewardship. March 6, 13, 20, & 27, 10am-1pm
– 2/24/2026 Email from Tara Mezzanotte, WSR: Request to meet with EC @ April meeting
An email was sent to Ms. Mezzanotte indicating the EC has reviewed the information she has provided and feels it does not address their conce4rns, specifically with respect to the NJDEP permit requirement. Absent an amendment or modification of the NJ statutes and regulations regarding those permit requirements for the WSR study, the EC does not believe further presentations or discussion is warranted. The EC enjoyed building a working relationship and looks forward to continuing it into the future. Ms. Mezzanotte responded that she enjoyed the process and thanked the EC for their inspiration to form an EC in Knowlton. She will continue to keep the EC updated.
– Letter to Editor from Steve Ellis, Retired NJDEP, Former Regional State Parks Superintendent
Ms. Chammings provided a copy of the letter to the EC as they are currently drafting their own letter to the NJDEP regarding Swartswood State Park, with some of the same concerns Mr. Ellis has expressed. Mr. Szabo felt such comments coming in retirement from someone who was very high up in the NJDEP is a powerful statement. Ms. Chammings stated Mr. Ellis has a website regarding the State Park issues at fixourparksnj.org for those interested.
Mr. Branagan joined the meeting at 7:25pm via Zoom.
Old Business:
2026 Sussex County Trail grant Program – Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) Trail Improvement:
Ms. Chammings will obtain two quotes for laying topsoil and hydroseeding on the passive trail side, hoping it falls under the $25,000 grant amount. Having a good base of soil, tamping it down and hydroseeding will provide a natural environment. Ms. Chammings offered to provide a presentation before the Open Space Committee. Dr. Lippencott, Mr. Branagan, and Mr. Szabo will meet at the VMP trail before the next meeting. Ms. Chammings stated the grant can also include tree removal so long as it all comes in less than $25,000. She is putting together a PowerPoint presentation with a GIS map and outline, depicting areas that need improvement. She encourages all members to visit the trail and review the application rubric which she will provide.
EC Discussion – Future Guest Speakers/Presentations:
Dr. Lippencott felt the speakers chosen should be in line with the objectives and initiatives the EC are working on.
Swartswood State Park Draft Letter:
Ms. Coriston provided a draft of the revised letter for the EC to review and finalize. Mr. Szabo had a few minor changes. It was agreed that in addition to Acting NJDEP Commissioner Potosnak, the letter would also be sent to Senator Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, and Assemblyman Mike Inganamort of Legislative District 24.
Mrs. Tracey made a motion to send the letter as amended, seconded by Mr. Szabo.
Roll Call Vote: Ms. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes
Cellco Verizon Wireless (Fredon):
The application was carried to the April meeting pending sufficient legal notice.
40-Year Surface Water Quality Report (1984-2024):
Dr. Lippencott discussed follow-up testing to the Surface Quality Report. A determination needs to be made on what sampling to do, adding/removing parameters, and timing. He felt we do not need to do sampling every 2 years once a testing plan ahs been developed and data set generated. Testing every 4-5 years would be sufficient. Timing and temperature of the sample as well as sampling during warmer weather is critical. He suggested sometime between June and August. Dr. Lippencott discussed the possibility of funding the testing though the MS4 Stormwater Grant. there is currently $3,500.00 in the EC budget for stream water testing which can be supplemented with the grant funding. Mrs. Emmetts recommended maintaining a line item for the water testing in the budget in the future. Dr. Lippencott stated it will take a 4-6 week program with multiple samplings to complete a data set.
Dr. Lippencott, Mr. Szabo, and Mr. Branagan will meet before the April meeting to work on parameters, outline a sampling plan, and obtain a quote from the lab.
TREX Program Update:
There are 2 large collections that still need to be weighed.
Fishing Line Collection:
Opening day is April 11th.
New Business:
Zoning Board Site Surveys:
– Ridge Road (B4003/L14.01, 14.02, 14.03): Minor subdivision
Mrs. Tracey made a motion to accept the site survey, seconded by Mrs. Emmetts.
Roll Call Vote: Ms. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes
Mr. Szabo and Dr. Lippencott discussed getting young people involved with the site survey process to learn about environmental and digital tools and data resources before decision making. They suggested looking for a high school or college student who is in need of a project and assisting them with developing a standard procedure. They can learn how to use and interpret active data available on the internet. Mr. Szabo stated he had contacted Ms. Chammings who is a retired teacher and Mr. Wykoff a current teacher to assist in the search for a student. Ms. Chammings is in favor of bringing young people in and will contact Mr. Wykoff to discuss further. Dr. Lippencott explained the person will develop a “cheat sheet” for conducting site inspections and should be a self-starter, preferably either AP Science or college student.
Environmental Commission Volunteer Recognition:
– Ms. Coriston for the TREX program.
– Ms. Coriston for drafting the Swartswood State Park letter to the NJDEP.
– Dr. Lippencott and Mr. Szabo for conducting the site survey inspection.
Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings: None reported.
At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:27 p.m.
There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 8:27pm.
Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Dr. Lippencott
This update is regarding the 2/18/2026 meeting.
– Approved bills list
– Discussed under Old Business: short-term rentals and AirBnB Ordinance, updating current ordinance to cover such rentals
– Fair Share Housing Ordinance was introduced by the Township Committee on 2/17/2026 and approved by the Planning Board on 2/18/2026.
Township Liaison Report: Committeewoman Chammings
– Habitat for Humanity will provide a presentation to the Township Committee in the near future. Currently searching for suitable Township property.
– Committee continues to move forward with stormwater management requirements.
– Purchases the iWorQs Management System for the DPW to promote better efficiency.
– Township Engineer met with the DPW to prepare for future NJDEP inspection of the property.
– Now the Township has a contracted shared service for Certified Public Works Manager with Frankford. The CPWM will work with our DOW 1 day per week.
– Ms. Chammings attended the JCP&L presentation at the Community Center on 2/10/2026.
– Ms. Chammings met with JCP&L at the Municipal Building to identify areas that continue to have issues. She added 430 roads will be trimmed this year with 97 trees in Stillwater. She provided a handout ‘NJ Reliability Improvement Plan’ from JCP&L Blairstown. There will be an upgrade to a circuit out of Blairstown substation extending to Frankford, modernizing the grid, supporting its growing needs, and ensuring sustainability and reliable energy for residents and less outages in the future.
– Zoning Board meeting on 2/23/2026 approved 2 variances. The Zoning Board required the Saddleback Road applicant to provide proper documentation to the Zoning Officer for the driveway. The Morningside Drive applicant was approved. The Board Attorney is working on the Annual Zoning Board Report for 2025.
– 3 members of the Township Committee, including Ms. Chammings, attended the Barnlight Productions presentation at Sussex County Community College to certify Stillwater Township as film ready.
– The Dot Mobile Library will be at the Community Center on 3/10/2026.
– Ms. Chammings will provide a presentation on solar generators at the Community Center on 2/10/2026 at 1pm.
– Community Center fees have been decreased.
– An ordinance regarding mailboxes that have been damaged during snow removal was voted down.
– Heather Falotico resigned from the Recreation Commission. She was commended for her service.
– Stillwater Day will be held on 6/6/2026 at Veterans Park.
– America 250 Sussex County celebration will be held at the Fairgrounds on 6/7/2026.
– Clean Up Day and Shred It Event will be held on 4/25/2026.
– Garage Sale Weekend will be May 16 & 17, 2026.
– Ms. Chammings spoke with Barefoot University and their students will assist with removing the tree shelters at VMP. Chris Dunbar will also meet with the Boy Scouts to assist as well.
Miscellaneous Items:
Healthy Forest Initiative:
Dr. Lippencott reported he had contacted Dr. Matthew Olson and Dr. Min Kim of Stockton University. They will hold a phone conference regarding their expertise in satellite imagery, invasive species, and parameters indicative of healthy or unhealthy forests.
Newspaper Articles:
Mr. Szabo displayed a full-page article written by Ms. Coriston entitled, ‘As Cannabis Shops Multiply, Some Towns Say Enough Is Enough,’ from The Township Journal dated 2/5/2026. He thought it was great to have a member of the EC doing this and commended Ms. Coriston on her work. He also came across a reprint of an article entitled, ‘Low-Lying Lands Could Be Submerged By Climate Disaster,’ indicating that within 50 years of the date of the article, 2/2/1978 WSJ, several low-lying areas would be submerged. He noted it has been 48 years with no change. Copy of the articles will be emailed to the EC.
With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Emmetts. In a voice vote, all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Wunder, Secretary
