STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
BICENTENNIAL MEETING
APRIL 29, 2025
A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey at 6:00 p.m. Deputy 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:
Town Committee: Committeeman D. Manser, Committeewoman D. Delaney, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey, Mayor L. Chammings (via Zoom)
Recreation Commission: Mrs. Tosti
Absent: Committeeman G. Scott, Committeeman D. Manser, Mrs. Minervino, Mrs. Trotter, Mrs. DiBattista, Mr. Carovillano, Mrs. Falotico, Mrs. Richardson
Also Present: Historical Society Members Debra Drumm, Phyllis McGeehan, and Michelle Vosper
FLAG SALUTE: Led by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey
DISCUSSION: Stillwater Township Bicentennial Celebration
Mayor V. Rumsey began the meeting by asking for an update on vendors. Mrs. Tosti responded that there are currently 6 paid food vendors and the Fire Department. There are 12 paid sales vendors so far, as well as the Little League sponsored dunk tank, Recreation Soccer’s KICKS, KMFL’s Football pass maze, and lacrosse has mentioned that they’re interested in hosting a booth, but they haven’t given her the specifics yet.
Committeewoman D. Delaney asked the Historical Society for an update on the banners and flags. P. McGeehan responded that they have designed a banner that will be double-sided, 26’ x 2’, and that they were looking to order 50 of the flags. They are still waiting for the pricing to come back. The Township Committee expressed concern for the amount of time left. Will there be adequate time for the flags to be made after receiving the pricing and to have the DPW hang them around town? They asked that they reach out to the supplier again and say that they need the price now and ask how long it will take to have them made and delivered. They want the banners to be up by May 10th or 11th.
Mayor L. Chammings stated that the plan for the parade is set. The engineer has prepared the draft, and it was sent to the County on Monday morning. The next step is approval by the Commissioner at the May meeting. Once they receive the official OK, everyone can reach out to have tractors, cars, and floats register to be in the parade. She recommended reaching out to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to have a float, and Miss Stillwater, to ride in the parade.
The parade will start at the Gristmill; they will line up between there and LC Service. Committeeman D. Manser will be there to assist with the lineup, along with assistance from the Sheriff’s Department/State Police. He will also fill out the facility use form for Stillwater Elementary to use the school parking lot that day. The parade will start at 1:30 P.M.
Historical Society
Phyllis McGeehan from the Historical Society stated that the ceremony on Main Street will start at 11:00 A.M. Shelly Vosper has set up a wonderful reenactment program to be held at Whitehall. The Mayor of Hardwick will be coming dressed up in traditional garb. He will even be using a quill to sign his part. The Mayor of Green Township will be there and represent the year 1825. Mayor Lisa Chammings will be representing the State legislature and will read the Proclamation opening the ceremony and will do the opening ceremonies at Veterans Park as well.
Lori Goran will be doing a press release to News 12. The whole event on Main Street will be on Facebook Live. They have even been able to locate a 24-star flag from that time to display. They will also have a bugle and the school time capsule. T. Tosti will check with Smith McCracken to see if they have something or can recommend something for a time capsule that won’t deteriorate underground.
P. McGeehan stated that there will be over 25 artisans coming to the event on Main Street. She has a hold harmless agreement for all vendors participating, and a map prepared for where they will be setting up. She asked about having a porta john set up down on Main Street so that there will be restrooms available. The town will have 2 additional porta-johns at Veterans Park, which will be set up on Friday, June 6th. T. Tosti recommended calling Septicare to see if they can deliver theirs the same day, so they don’t have to pay the delivery fee, if possible.
P. McGeehan stated that they have a band that will be playing old world music on Main Street- the Longhill Stream Band.
Dave from the Stillwater Café has agreed to do the food on Main Street; Phyllis will be discussing German Fare with him. P. McGeehan is still working on trying to procure a pushcart for drinks and coffee.
The newsboys will be out in their caps and garb, handing out brochures to the public.
Rob will be manning the Historical Society tent at Veterans Field. They will have artifacts on display from the museum. They will also be selling books, mugs, t-shirts, and distributing Historical Society applications.
Shelly Vosper had samples of VIP invitations to send to everyone. She displayed the draft copy and asked if there were any guests to be sent a special invitation; please send her their name and address. She is also working on her own Proclamation for the ceremony, which she will discuss with the Mayor and Township Clerk. D. Drumm distributed a save-the-date to people on Main Street so that they know that the road will be closed on the day of and to invite them to the event.
CFO T. Leonard has ordered T-shirts, glasses, mugs, tote bags, magnets, and playing cards for the bicentennial.
Recreation
T. Tosti stated that some of the activities that they will be doing are the watermelon eating contest, frozen t-shirt contest, hula hoop contest, scavenger hunt, face painting & tattoos, bean bag toss, activity club crafts, sack races, the inflatable bounce houses, Rec Soccer’s KICKS, KMFL’s football toss maze, haybale bowling, potential haybale toss, fishing game/duck pool for the little kids, arm wrestling contest, wheel barrow races, axe throwing (fake axes) and a balloon arch provided by T. Trotter for a photo op area. She will have prizes for the contests, such as ribbons and little trinkets.
Snake Oil Willie will play 3- 50-minute sets. G. Richardson has reached out to Tommy Knucklehead, he will be sending his information over.
The Fire Department has its permit for the beer tent.
There was a discussion on having an adult-only egg toss.
Miss Stillwater will be taking place before the Bicentennial on June 1st.
The next Bicentennial meeting will be on May 13th, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. Recreation will also be having an additional workshop meeting on May 19th; they will meet in the OEM office since there will already be a meeting in the Municipal Office.
PUBLIC SESSION
No Public Comment. Public Session Closed.
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman D. Delaney and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, with all members in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Ingles
Municipal Clerk
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