December 4, 2018 Regular Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

December 4, 2018 – Regular Meeting

A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor Chammings at 7:04 p.m. noting the meeting date, time and place were duly published in the New Jersey Herald and posted at the Town Hall and advised those present that this meeting was being held in compliance with provisions of P.L. 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 & 13.

Roll Call was taken and the flag was saluted.

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Morrison, Committeeman Gross, Committeeman Scott, Committeeman Fisher, Mayor Chammings, Municipal Clerk Lynda Knott, Attorney Angelo Bolcato.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

After the reading of the following Resolution to enter into Executive Session, a motion was made by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Fisher and carried by roll call vote to adopt the resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 6:39 p.m.

WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting under certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey as follows:

1. The public shall be excluded from that portion of this meeting.

2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows: Personnel

3. As nearly as can now be ascertained, the matter or matters to be discussed at this time will be disclosed to the public when such matters are resolved.

There being no further business to attend to, a motion was made by Mr. Morrison, seconded by Mr. Gross to conclude the Executive Session at 7:04 p.m., unanimously carried by roll call vote.

REGULAR SESSION:

A discussion with the Honorable Glenn Gavan regarding the Joint Court was postponed because Judge Gavan was under the weather.

MINUTES:

Regular Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2018

Mr. Fisher made a motion to approve the minutes of November 20, 2018, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

RESOLUTIONS:

2018-115 Authorizing a Lien Redemption Block 3501 Lot 10

Mr. Morrison made a motion to approve the resolutions as listed, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

BILLS LIST #17: $494,632.54

RESOLUTION 2018-116 PAYMENT OF BILLS

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-116, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: None

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

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

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION 2018-117 Authorizing the Township of Stillwater to Award a Contract for One New 2020 Freightliner 114SD Tandem Roll-off Truck and One 2019 Galbreath U5 or 170 Cable Type Roll Off.

Mr. Fisher made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-117, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

ATTORNEY REPORT: None

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Old Schoolhouse Road:

The Clerk reported the Township Engineer will be working on the bid specifications for Old Schoolhouse Road and the Township will advertise the project after the first of the year.

Request from Joshua Raff:

Joshua Raff submitted a memo requesting that one week of his 2018 vacation be transferred to 2019. Mr. Scott stated that Civil Service rules allow employees to carry vacation to the next year but must be used in 2019. Mr. Scott made a motion to approve Mr. Raff’s request seconded by Mr. Fisher. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

National Day of Mourning:

The Clerk noted that President Trump has declared Wednesday, December 5, 2018 as a National Day of Mourning honoring the passing of former President George H.W. Bush. Ms. Knott said the Sussex County Administrator has closed the County Departments. After a brief discussion the Township Committee decided that Stillwater Township would remain open.

Open Public Session:

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

Mr. Bob Mason, 941 West End Drive came to ask the Township Committee for help in alleviating the water problem surrounding his home. Mr. Mason had called the Town Hall previously and the Clerk told him that DPW Supervisor Joshua Raff would be stopping by to look at the problem first hand. After Mr. Raff met with Mr. Mason Mr. Raff spoke with the Township Engineer. This area has been repeatedly flooded after periods of heavy rain. Mr. Vreeland forward his memos of October 21, 2011 and April 27, 2012 where studies were done to locate and stakeout the subject drainage easement, collect topographical measurements within the study area and develop a plan to address the flooding conditions. The solution is not a permanent fix that will eliminate flooding but believed to help minimize the amount of time that this area would be inundated. Mayor Chammings asked the Clerk to speak with Mr. Vreeland and see if the Township’s easement is part of a recorded deed or a filed map. The Township Committee will continue to address Mr. Mason problem.

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

At 8:05 the Township Committee went back into Executive Session . Mr. Fisher and Ms. Knott recused themselves.

There being no further business, Mr. Scott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m., seconded by Mr. Gross. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynda Knott