STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
December 9, 2024
Regular Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Branagan, Mrs. Emmetts (via Zoom/phone), Dr. Mattes, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Dvorsky, Ms. Coriston
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Chairperson Coriston called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. with the statement that this meeting is in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. This was a regular meeting of the Stillwater Township Environmental Commission beginning at 7 p.m. 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 unless noticed or it is a legal holiday.
The flag was saluted and roll call taken.
Minutes
Mr. Szabo made a motion to approve the minutes of November 14, 2024, seconded by Mr. Branagan.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Mattes, abstain, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mr. Dvorsky,
abstain, Mrs. Coriston, yes
Bills
Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Ms. Coriston:
Secretary: $255.00
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mr. Dvorsky,
yes, Mrs. Coriston, yes
At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:10 p.m. There being no
members of the public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:10 p.m.
Mrs. Tracey arrived at the meeting.
Correspondence:
-M. Coriston: 10/8/24 – Letter to C. Dunbar, re: Wild and Scenic River Program
-Email dated 11/26/24 from T. Mezzanotte re: Knowlton WSR Project Support Resolution
-E. Szabo: -October/November 2024, Forbes.com, “Plastic’s Image Needs Surgery”
-10/14/24, WSJ, “Ziploc Billionaire Crusades Vs. Plastic Waste”
-10/30/24, Epoch Times, “The Green Agenda Versus Common Sense”
-11/13/24, WSJ, “Signs of Impending COP-ocalypse”
-11/13/24, WSJ, “Shell Wins Appeal Against Carbon-Emissions Ruling”
Mrs. Emmetts disagreed with the article on climate change entitled, “The Green Agenda vs. Common Sense.”
Old Business
40-Year Surface Water Quality Report (1984-2024)/Stream Water Testing 2024: Dr. Lippencott
This agenda item was tabled as Dr. Lippencott had a scheduling conflict. He continues to work on the data and is finalizing the report. He will provide a final draft of the report by the end of December for the EC to review and comment on at the January EC meeting. Once approved by the EC, the report will be forwarded to the Township Committee for their review and acceptance.
TREX Program Update:
Ms. Coriston reported the new collection cycle began on November 15th. She believes the first weighing will exceed 75 pounds. Reminder notes were posted asking the community to recycle plastic film which will increase due to packages during the holiday season.
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. Branagan reported the “x” wires added to the receptacles have really helped eliminate trash disposal in the fishing line receptacles. Mr. Dvorsky stated some of the wires have been removed from the receptacles. Mayor Chammings noted that the receptacle at Veteran’s Memorial Park (VMP) had to be relocated due to the parking lot paving.
New Business
Paulins Kill River Projects Update: Christine Dunbar, Paulins Kill Watershed Coordinator, Foodshed Alliance – This item has been moved to the February EC agenda due to a scheduling conflict for Ms. Dunbar.
6th Grade Energy Audit Field Trips:
Laura Ciccolella received a $40,000 grant for educational opportunities, two of which will be held on 1/17/25 and 2/21/25 when students conduct an energy audit at the Community Center. A report will be presented to the Township Committee following the audit. Ms. Coriston would also like to invite them to attend a future EC meeting. One requirement of the grant is that the student group has to meet with the EC Chairperson. Ms. Coriston will meet with them on 1/17/25 if she is appointed as the 2025 EC Chair. Everyone is very excited about the project.
Mayor Chammings reported the first educational event was held at Stokes State Forest School of Conservation. A lesson followed and students talked about the Community Center and decreasing the amount of energy used during heating and cooling seasons. Further discussion included roof structure, solar (ground mount as the roof cannot support it), a wind mill and rain gardens.
2025 Meeting Dates:
The following 2025 EC Meeting Dates were reviewed by the EC and will be approved at the reorganization meeting held on January 13, 2025:
January 13, 2025 Reorganization/Regular
February 10, 2025 August 11, 2025
March 10, 2025 September 8, 2025
April 14, 2025 October 20, 2025 (third Monday)
May 12, 2025 November 10, 2025
June 9, 2025 December 8, 2025
July 14, 2025 January 12, 2026 Reorganization/Regular
The dates will be forwarded to the CFO to be included in the Township Calendar.
Volunteer/Member Recognition: None
Endangered and Threatened Species:
-Bobcats
Other sightings noted were bears and a screech owl.
At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:38 p.m.
There being no members present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:38 p.m.
Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
The November meeting was cancelled due to the NJ League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. A meeting will be held in December.
Township Committee (TC) Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
-992 Fairview Lake Road has been demolished. The slab remains and a 1,000 underground tank was removed by Pierson Excavating. The tank had some holes in it and soil testing has been conducted. Fifteen dumpsters were needed to remove the debris from the demolition and the cost exceeded the approved amount by $4,000, requiring a change order. Soil testing was also done around the septic tank and water testing was conducted to close the well. There are liens remaining against the property from the NJDEP and others.
Mr. Branagan asked if grant funding was acquired to fund the demolition. Mayor Chammings stated not for the removal of the building. The township was still responsible for paying the taxes on the property so the demolition costs offset the two years of tax expenditures. She noted a Hazardous Discharge grant was received for the tank removals and the township will be applying for a third grant to continue working on the site. Mayor Chammings has photos of the property for those EC members interested.
-The rabies clinic was successfully held with more than 86 cats and dogs participating.
-The CERT Team held a class for 20 participants.
-Mount Benevolence Road has been paved to Hampton Road and the issue with the lines has been corrected.
-Lou Sylester has resigned from the Recreation Commission effective January 1st.
-A township representative will attend a Gypsy Moth meeting in January. The State conducted a mass survey and spraying will be done toward the ridge. The township has opted for one spraying due to the high cost.
-Mayor Chammings acknowledged George Morville’s retirement. He was the township’s Risk Manager for 40 years. A very grateful thank you letter was sent to Mr. Morville. It was noted the lighting at Newton Hospital this year was in his honor.
-Residents attended the Township Committee meeting voicing their concerns with zoning issues on Potters Road and Millbrook Road.
-SCMUA rate schedule remains the same at .15 per pound. Plastic car bumpers and boat shrink wrap can be disposed of for free. Ms. Coriston stated she receives a lot of inquiries about shrink wrap for the TREX collection. It cannot be accepted as it is a different polymer.
-The Recycling Center counter checked traffic during two recent weekends. The first total was 570 and the second was 600. Usage seems to average between 550 and 600.
-Mayor Chammings met with the owner of Marksboro Mills and also with the owner of Campana Coffee at the Middleville General Store, Nick Montella. He is trying to incorporate some of the ideas from Marksboro Mills into the Middleville General Store. The Mayor will forward the information from Marksboro Mills to Mrs. Wunder to email to the EC members.
-A brief EC discussion was held on the Recycling Center regarding the change in numbers for commingled and also lack of compliance. Mayor Chammings stated that normally SCMUA will notify the township if there is an issue.
-There is a Mayors meeting in Ewing on 12/11/24 regarding the recent drone activity in New Jersey. Mayor Chammings will try to attend but may have a scheduling conflict.
With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Branagan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m., seconded by Mr. Dvorsky. In a voice vote, all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Kathy Wunder, Secretary
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