April 14, 2025 REGULAR MEETING

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
April 14, 2025
Regular Meeting
In-Person/Zoom

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Branagan, Mrs. Emmetts (Zoom), Dr. Lippencott, Dr. Mattes Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Ms. Coriston

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

Chairperson Coriston 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 taken.

Minutes: Ms. Coriston made a motion to approve the minutes of 2/10/25, seconded by Dr. Lippencott.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, abstain, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Dr. Mattes, abstain, Mr. Szabo, abstain, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, yes

Minutes: Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the minutes of 3/10/25, seconded by Mr. Szabo.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, abstain, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, abstain, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, abstain

Bills: Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Ms. Coriston:
Secretary: $274.00

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, yes

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:09 p.m.
There being no public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:09 p.m.

Correspondence:
– NJDEP Application Notice: PSE&G Vegetation Maintenance to Permit Continued Use of Selective Herbicide Application within the Riparian Zones – Dr. Lippencott referenced the Wild and Scenic River designation with respect to individual wetland permits and requirements that would cost
property owners as well as the administrative hurdles that would be imposed if our community had the designation. Mayor Chammings added she believed the initial PSE&G wetland permit was for the trees and trimming; this permit application is for the use of herbicide.

– SC Agriculture Development Board Minutes: 2/18/25

– SC Open Space Committee Minutes: 2/27/25
Mr. Szabo felt receiving the SC Agriculture and the SC Open Space board minutes has been very helpful and he hoped we will continue to do so on a permanent basis.

Old Business:
– 40-Year Surface Water Quality Report (1984-2024): Dr. Lippencott
The EC discussed future actions based on the Water Quality Report. Ms. Coriston would like to see a public education night, which she and Dr. Lippencott will discuss further. The actions are based on the recommendations included in the report. The original 2004 Water Quality Report completed by Steve Grodsky will be added to the township website. Dr. Lippencott asked for his report to also be included on the EC webpage alongside the Environmental Resource Inventory and other links. Mr. Szabo suggested providing the report to ANJEC and to the list of individuals located in their newsletter. Dr. Lippencott stated he will do so and will work on a press release with Ms. Coriston to accompany the link. A draft of the press release will be provided to the EC for their review. Mr. Szabo suggested inviting ANJEC to a presentation on the Water Quality Report. Ms. Coriston proposed inviting other organizations such as PAC, lake associations, watersheds and local communities along the Paulins Kill River. She felt it was a golden opportunity for a small community such as ours to shine. Dr. Lippencott suggested compiling a list of organizations for the next EC meeting. He would like to see the report provided to communities upstream and downstream from Stillwater.

Mayor Chammings stated moving forward the EC needs to determine what plan it is going to implement
and how to budget for it. The EC needs to review the report recommendations and determine if equipment will be purchased, the possibility of shared services, etc. Ms. Coriston stated whether it be collaborative meetings or purchasing equipment, she would like to see a community event inviting the
public and organizations. Mrs. Emmetts noted if a public event is held it would be appropriate to accept donations for equipment. Mayor Chammings stated funding could be included in the budget and a trust established. Dr. Lippencott stated there may be companies also willing to donate equipment. Dr. Lippencott stated based on the report and data, the EC should determine if the water testing will continue as is or if changes will be made. It may not be valuable to continue the same way based on the consistent results. Adjustments may need to be made to parameters and temperature; E coli readings are better served when tested at the appropriate time with proper temperatures. Timing and seasonality need to be reviewed.

Following the discussion the EC determined a community event with stakeholders will be planned; the EC will participate in the Stillwater Bicentennial Celebration; and recommendations will be further
reviewed.

Ms. Coriston will email the Municipal Clerk for potential dates for the Water Quality Report presentation at the Community Center.

Also following the discussion, it was noted that the ANJEC Environmental Commissioners Handbook is a wealth of information. Mrs. Wunder will make copies of the handbook from the ANJEC website and have them on file for those interested.

TREX Program Update:
Ms. Coriston reported 520 pounds have been collected for this challenge cycle and they are more than halfway to their goal. Issues with trash in the collection receptacles seem to have been successfully addressed. The bench earned for last year’s collection goal has been received.

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.
Trout season opened 4/5/25. Dr. Mattes has found dog feces in his fishing receptacles. Mayor Chammings stated that the “X” wires fixed to the opening of the tube are missing and need to be replaced. This will eliminate anything other than fishing line being disposed of in the receptacles. Mr. Szabo
offered to assist with putting the wire on those receptacles needing it.

Veterans Memorial Park:
Mayor Chammings reported the DPW has been removing invasives and dead trees at the park. The information kiosk, fishing club box and receptacles will need to be relocated, and the Port-a-John will be placed on the other side of the bridge.

New Business:
Site Surveys:
Zoning Board Applications:
Block 1102, Lot 25, 931 Plymouth Lake Drive
Block 3306, Lot 1, 932 Saddleback Road

Planning Board Application:
Block 2701, Lots 14.01/14.04
923-927 Old Schoolhouse Road

Mr. Branagan made a motion to accept the site survey forms for the above-listed application sites, seconded by Ms. Coriston.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, yes

Environmental Commission Volunteer Recognition:
– Ms. Coriston for the TREX program.

– Mr. Branagan/Mr. Szabo/Dr. Lippencott for the site survey inspections.

– The Environmental Commission for the fishing receptacles.

Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings: None

Invasive Species/Gypsy Moth Speaker:
Dr. Lippencott inquired if there was any EC interest in having a speaker on the topic of invasive species. It could be held as a Community/EC event. Ms. Coriston was greatly in favor of doing so. Dr. Lippencott stated he knows an entomologist from Branchville who could provide the presentation. There are local forestry experts also willing to speak. Ms. Coriston stated this could be useful to engage the public and young people, informing them of what the EC does. Mayor Chammings suggested planning six months of presentations to bring interest to the EC.

Swartswood Lake Trout Stocking Program:
Mr. Szabo reported on his experience with the NJDEP trout stocking program at Swartswood Lake that will be taking place on four Thursdays during the month of April between 8:30-9 a.m. He asked if anyone is interested in participating to please let him know. Mr. Szabo described the procedure for
transferring the fish from the hatchery truck to holding bins and then using a boat to distribute the fish from the bins throughout the lake. The process is usually completed by 10:30-11 a.m. He encouraged people to bring their kids as it is a great educational opportunity. Dr. Lippencott suggested placing the
program information on the website. Ms. Coriston noted the EC website needs to be updated to become more engaging.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:32 p.m.
There being no members of the public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 8:32 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Dr. Lippencott
3/19/25 Meeting
-Barbara Fornari, a Planning Board candidate, was interviewed during the public session of the meeting and will be appointed by the Township Committee and sworn in this week.
-Bills were approved for payment.
-Discussed the current parking ordinance and determined it would remain as is. Joe Vuich, Planning Board Engineer, was present and was very informative.
-The intent of the Planning Board is to be business friendly and revitalization forward, working on the ordinances and codes and having the knowledge that there is flexibility.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
-The Open Space and Recreation Plan public hearing will be held at the Planning Board meeting on 5/21/25.
-Autumn Sylvester, SC Planner and Bill Koppenaal, SC Engineer attended the last Township Committee meeting to discuss the State Redevelopment Plan. The Planning Board will be reviewing the State Redevelopment Plan to see if it is consistent with Stillwater Township and to identify any inconsistencies.
-Caldwell Associates (Jessica Caldwell, P.P.) will attend the 5/21/25 Planning Board meeting to discuss the challenge against the State requirement of 64 units for the fair share affordable housing obligations it has determined Stillwater must meet.
-Stillwater Bicentennial Celebration planning meeting will be held on 4/29/25 at 6 p.m.
-The TC has included in the ordinance that tractor trailers are prohibited from using Middleville Road. It will be enforced by the Sheriff’s Officers and State Police and fines have been increased.
-Miss Stillwater Paige DeCaro has accepted a full scholarship to Lehigh University worth $255,000. Her focus is Environmental Studies.
-Two new thermostats have been installed at the Community Center as a result of the Citizen Science for Youth Grant awarded to the 6th grade at Stillwater School. The group will attend a future Township Committee meeting to provide a presentation.
-The procedure for conducting EC site surveys is being reviewed by the Township Attorney and he will provide his opinion in the near future. At this point, all survey requests will be directed to Dr. Lippencott, the Planning Board liaison. He may request other members of the EC to accompany him (three members total) or if he is unable to conduct the survey, he may designate another EC member(s) to do so.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Ms. Coriston made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Emmetts. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________
Kathy Wunder, Secretary