December 11, 2023 Regular Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

December 11, 2023

Regular Meeting

In-Person/Zoom

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Coriston, Mrs. Emmetts, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Ms. Wills, Mr. Dvorsky, Mr. Branagan

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Mattes

*Mrs. Emmetts attended the meeting by Zoom with some technical difficulties which cleared up at 7:25 p.m.

Chairperson 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.

Minutes

Mr. Szabo made a motion to approve the minutes of 11/13/23, seconded by Ms. Coriston.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Dvorsky, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Bills

Mrs. Tracey made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Ms. Wills:

Secretary: $255.00

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Dvorsky, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:08 p.m.

There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:08 p.m.

Correspondence:

-Emailed 11/16/23: Christine Dunbar, Paulins Kill Watershed Coordinator, “Call to Action!” – Trees planted on floodplains need urgent attention! – November 30, 2023, 12-3 p.m. @ the Trail Head parking lot on Augusta Hill Road

-Emailed 11/27/23: ANJEC Webinar, “Protect Open Space and Hazardous Cleanup Funding,” November 30, 2023, 7-8 p.m.

-SCMUA FY2024 Final Rate Schedule Effective December 1, 2023

-EC 2024 Meeting Dates

Old Business

EC Member Update:

Ms. Wills will fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Maureen Tsadilas; Mr. Dvorsky will move from Alternate #2 to Alternate #1 replacing Ms. Wills. The Alternate #2 position will be vacant, and Ms. Coriston will contact someone who may be interested later in 2024.

Mr. Szabo questioned Ms. Coriston about her position on the Stillwater School Green Team. He asked for further information on the criteria or requirements to participate. Ms. Coriston stated she participates as a community member not as an Environmental Commission member. There are three meetings per year, approximately one-half hour each. Mr. Szabo felt the Green Team is a statewide concept and the EC should know what is required to join. Ms. Chammings researched the matter and asked Mrs. Wunder to forward a two-page document to the EC members outlining the program. Mr. Szabo expressed concern with things going on in the school that the public would object to that they do not know about. He felt more and more the political world is becoming widespread. The EC needs to know what the program is about in order to determine if they should support it.

TREX Program Update:

Ms. Coriston reported the program collected 163 pounds over the summer and she thanked the DPW for delivering it to Weis. The official collection has begun, and Ms. Coriston will drop off the collections beginning next week. She has reached out for parent volunteers to transport the collection to Weis. The students sort it, and she noted only a very minimal amount cannot be used. Notices were sent out as a reminder of what items can be accepted.

Stream Water Study Subcommittee:

Mr. Szabo reported Mr. Lippencott is hoping to complete the analysis toward the end of the year or early next year. He will reach out to Mr. Lippencott for an update.

Fishing Line Collection:

All lines are to be cleaned of litter/leaves, hooks and lead sinkers. Lead sinkers are to be provided at the meeting for recycling.

Mr. Dvorsky and Mr. Branagan will coordinate to visit the receptacle sites.

New Business

EC 2023 Annual Report: Mrs. Emmetts

The EC reviewed the 2023 Annual EC Report prepared by Mrs. Emmetts. A few additions were made and the report will be added to the January EC agenda for acceptance.

Volunteer/Member Recognition:

-Ms. Coriston for her continuing work on the TREX Program and all other items she has worked on.

-Mrs. Emmetts for preparing the 2023 Annual EC Report.

Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings: None noted.

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 at 7:32 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Ms. Wills

-AF & EJF LLC resolution was memorialized.

-The Planning Board budget was reviewed and the training line item was increased from $200 to $300 to accommodate new member training.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings

November 21, 2023

-The TC interviewed Val Ingles for appointment as the Municipal Clerk due to the retirement of Lynda Knott.

-In rem foreclosures are on hold pending the Supreme Court case. Proof of proper notification to property owners is necessary.

-The Swartswood Deli (formerly known as Tosti’s) has obtained a liquor license for packaged goods.

-The Municipal Christmas Party will be held on December 15^th from 12 noon-4 p.m. Please let Val know if you are planning to attend.

-The Community Center fees are being reviewed to make sure all costs are covered.

-An ordinance for larger item fees at the Recycling Center was introduced to be in compliance with SCMUA.

December 5, 2023

-The TC interviewed the current receptionist Danielle LoCascio and she will be appointed as the Deputy Clerk.

-Salaries were discussed in Executive Session and resolutions will be adopted in 2024.

-The new fire apparatus will be delivered at the end of January or early February.

-The TC will be vacating roads in Crandon Lakes to allow a house to be constructed on several lots.

-Two quotes for the demolition of the building on Fairview Lake Road were received and the TC is continuing to work with ADR.

-The DPW is working very hard. All DPW vehicles have been sandblasted. They are working diligently on the roads and trees and assisted with the delivery of the TREX collection. Mr. Szabo offered his assistance if needed with future deliveries of the TREX collection.

-A cleaning fee deposit is being considered for the Community Center. If professional cleaning is required following an event the deposit will be used and if it is not required, the fee will be refunded.

Mr. Szabo provided an article entitled, “Imagine There’s No Plastic,” by Ronald Starr – December 2023 – Eagle Forum Report. He stated it is from an engineering approach and he asked the EC to review the article and consider what would replace plastic. Mrs. Emmetts noted that in Florida they are limiting recycling as people are not doing it properly.

Mr. Dvorsky referred to trade imports and a similar argument to the article Mr. Szabo provided. A couple decided to eliminate all items in their house from China resulting in 90 percent being removed. He noted plastic bag banning and replacement with the tote bags has resulted in a huge decrease of plastic on the roads. Ms. Chammings referred to the Weekend Bag Program run by Danielle LoCascio, for local thrift shops etc.; information can be found on the township website. Mr. Szabo noted the bags provided by Clean Communities have handles that break easily. Ms. Chammings asked Mrs. Wunder to inform the CFO for future ordering.

Ms. Coriston has spoken to Ms. Ciccolella at the school about Mr. Branagan’s book and once she receives a copy of it, she will work on a program for the spring.

Mrs. Emmetts and the EC congratulated Mayor Chammings on her retirement as a science teacher at Kittatinny Regional High School and wished her well.

Mayor Chammings wished everyone a Happy Holiday season and best wishes for 2024!

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Wills at 7:52 p.m. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________________

Kathy Wunder, Secretary