February 10, 2020 Regular Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP  ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

February 10, 2020 –  Regular Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Szabo, Mr. Dvorsky, Mrs. Branagan, Mr. Svendsen, Mr. Branagan

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Emmetts, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Nause

Mr. Branagan called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 taken.

2020 Member Appointments: Sara Branagan, Regular Member – 3-year term to 12/31/22

Cindy Tracey, Regular Member – 3-year term to 12/31/22

Ian Blanchard, Alternate Member #1 – 2-year term to 12/31/21

The above listed members were reappointed by the Township Committee and were sworn in by the Clerk prior to the meeting.

Minutes

Mr. Szabo made a motion to approve the minutes of 1/13/20, seconded by Mr. Dvorsky.

Discussion:

Mr. Dvorsky emailed the EC a sample handout for the Recycling Center for their review. Mayor Chammings asked for this item to be held at this point so she can discuss it further with the Township Committee before distributing it.

Mayor Chammings has not had a chance to speak with Mr. Morville regarding liability issues with having volunteers at the Recycling Center.

Mr. Branagan reported he spoke with the Zoning Officer regarding the beautification project and she is in favor of the proposal. She asked that the EC submit the possible violations in small lists so that it does not become an overwhelming task and can be addressed in a timely manner.

Mr. Branagan confirmed that the “Stillwater School” reference in the 2019 Annual Report was removed. Mrs. Wunder indicated she had amended the report.

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, abstain, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mr. Dvorsky, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Bills

Mr. Svendsen made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Mr. Branagan:

Secretary: $225.91

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, yes. Mr. Szabo, yes, Mr. Dvorsky, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public.

There being no further members from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed.

Correspondence:

-ANJEC 2020 Environmental Commission Open Grants for Open Space Stewardship Projects: The EC agreed the grant funding could be used for additional signage; invasive removal and habitat enhancement at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Mrs. Branagan offered to contact Mr. Blanchard and work with Mr. Branagan on the grant application. The deadline for submittal is April 3, 2020.

Mr. Branagan reported he has been in contact with Julie from ANJEC regarding an article he drafted about the EC work and improvements at VMP, including photographs. Julie indicated it would be in the spring or summer edition of the ANJEC Report. Mr. Branagan recommended putting the article and photos on the township website and Facebook page. The EC reviewed and approved the article.

-NJDEP: DEP Announces Seedlings Gift to Ensure Legacy of Famous Salem Oak Lives on in Every NJ Municipality

-Rutgers Cooperative Extension: Spotted Lantern Fly, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Public Safety Training Academy, 114 Morris Turnpike

Old Business

2020 Beautification Project: This item was discussed under Minutes.

Reminder: Paulins Kill Watershed Collaboration Meeting – February 18th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Blairstown Municipal Building, snow date February 27th.

Fishing Line Collection: All line is to be cleaned of litter/leaves, hooks and lead sinkers. Lead sinkers are to be provided at the meeting for recycling.

New Business

Recycling Center Report:

Mr. Branagan reported he made and installed a sign on the plastic bag recycling receptacle indicating the types of bags that can be accepted. Mr. Branagan dropped off 100+ button batteries from Honda and Par-Troy to Renee Casapulla at SCMUA. Mr. Svendsen referred to alkaline battery disposal and will email the information to the EC.

Mayor Chammings reported SCMUA will hold a FREE E-Waste Day on Saturday, March 28th from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mr. Branagan suggested placing a message on the board leaving the Recycling Center stating, “No aluminum trays.”

Volunteer/Member Recognition:

Mr. Dvorsky: drafting the recycling handout.

Mr. Szabo: drafting the outline of recommendations for the Paulins Kill Collaboration meeting.

Mr. Branagan: drafting the article for the ANJEC Report.

Endangered and Threatened Species:

Fisher cat article to be emailed to the EC.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:32 p.m.

There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed 7:32 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: No report – January meeting was cancelled.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings

-Recycling Center: There has been a great improvement at the Recycling Center. New employee Frank Rooney was hired and he is very enthusiastic about improving the center. He is in charge of proper disposal and will not leave that area of the center unless it is absolutely necessary. Mayor Chammings was impressed by the state of the center last night. She asked the EC to allow the new employee time to adjust and to give him a chance before we discuss volunteers at this time. She suggested indicating “soda and beer cans only” on the aluminum container; and including actual samples of the cans. Mr. Branagan will obtain samples and will introduce himself to Mr. Rooney and discuss the plastic bag collection and aluminum can disposal.

-Commission/Board Appointments:

Recreation Commission:

Tara Tosti, Alicia Gardner, Terry Beshada

Dawn Delaney, Chairperson; Tonya Stark, Vice-Chairperson; Dave Manser resigned.

Zoning Board:

George Lippencott, Chairperson

Kathy Draghi, Vice-Chairperson

Mayor Chammings is the liaison to the Zoning Board and serves on the Planning Board.

Fire Department/Rescue Squad:

The two departments will be merging later in February. This will allow more members to be available to answer calls. One ambulance will be kept at each fire house and response time will improve. The fire department will store their ATV at the former Rescue Squad building and the OEM and CERT team will also use the building.

-Second Amendment Resolution: The resolution was passed by the Township Committee with public input provided.

-Several budget meetings have been held and capital items will be reviewed at the next meeting.

Swartswood Lake:

Mr. Szabo reported a neighbor had contacted him regarding an oil slick on the lake. The neighbor called the State Park and the County came out and put about one hundred absorbent pads along the shoreline. Mrs. Wunder will contact the County Board of Health to follow-up. Mr. Svendsen commented that buoys are normally placed in the area of the oil origin and should be replaced every five days. If necessary, the NJDEP will be contacted.

Community Center:

Mayor Chammings reported a facility use form was reveiwed for the Swartswood Community Center. The 4H Group will use the center on February 12th. The center will be open to non-profit groups at this point and possibly open to the public in the future.

Mayor Chammings thanked the employees, noting it has been a very busy time of year for meetings and town hall staff. She commended Mr. Szabo for speaking at town hall and the Freeholder meeting as well as his news interview, all regarding the second amendment. She stated even though she voted against the resolution she was very impressed with the public and the respect showed to each other.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m., seconded by Mr. Dvorsky. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________

Kathy Wunder, Secretary

 

 

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