February 11, 2018

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

 Regular Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Branagan, Mr. Svendsen, Mr. Nause, Mr. Branagan

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Emmetts, Mr. Dvorsky, Mr. Blanchard

Mr. Branagan called the meeting to order at 7:08 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

Mrs. Branagan made a motion to approve the minutes of 1/14/19, seconded by Mr. Szabo.

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, abstain, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Nause, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Bills

Mrs. Tracey made a motion to approve the following bills, pending availability of funds, seconded by Mr. Szabo:

TestAmerica: $2,231.50

Secretary: $ 206.93

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Nause, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

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

J. Branagan – Mileage for Site Surveys: $12.18

Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Branagan, abstain, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Nause, yes, Mr. Branagan, abstain

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:12 p.m.

Julia Geydoshek, Stillwater was present and provided the EC with an update on her bat house project at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The project is a requirement of her school National Honor Society induction. She has conducted research on the requirements for the house, stating it should be 2 to 3 feet in height with chambers and vents for the summer season. She researched the cost of the materials (primer, water-based paint, etc.) and it should be approximately $50 in addition to the wood. The house should be located close to the stream and mounted on a pole approximately 15 to 20 feet in height. She brought the necessary forms from the National Honor Society to be signed by the EC indicating they supervised the completion of the project. Mr. Branagan stated he has an aluminum pipe to post the house on and water-based paint left over from the repurposed shed. He offered both to Ms. Geydoshek. Mr. Svendsen offered to pick up the plywood from Home Depot. Ms. Geydoshek indicated her research also had information on how to avoid mice, squirrels and birds. Mr. Nause offered natural cedar shakes that were removed from his home if Ms. Geydoshek was interested. Mr. Szabo also has cedar shakes for the project and offered his assistance. Mrs. Wunder will follow-up with the Finance Clerk to inquire the best procedure for making the purchase at Home Depot.

There being no further members from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:25 p.m.

Correspondence:

-State of NJ Water Supply and Geoscience – Sinkhole Geologic Survey

Mr. Szabo stated 14 percent of Stillwater consists of limestone. He and his neighbor both had sinkholes on their property. Mayor Chammings indicated areas prone to sinkholes are included in the Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI). The EC further discussed lime kilns located in Stillwater. A map was included with the correspondence and Mrs. Branagan will copy it for the EC members. The deadline for input was January 30, 2019. Mr. Szabo suggested compiling a list of sinkhole sites or possible sites and forwarding it to the State. Mr. Branagan will review the ERI.

-ANJEC articles: E. Szabo

-“Sustainability: The Last Resort,” – Scientific American January 2019

-ANJEC – Final grant payment and congratulations

Old Business

Plastic Bag Collection:

Mr. Branagan reported the two signs for the plastic bag collection will read as follows:

Recycle Clean Bags Here

Place Dirty Bags Here

The signs will be 18” x 12” and the cost is $35 ($17.49 each).

Bob Pierce at the County will be making the signage and the EC discussed whether or not it could be funded through the Recycling Trust. Mrs. Wunder will follow-up with the Finance Clerk.

Mr. Branagan made a motion to approve the purchase of two signs for the Recycling Center plastic bag collection, not to exceed $35, seconded by Mr. Szabo.

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Nause, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

NJ Bills S2505/A2558:

Mr. Szabo reported that Mr. Gettler had asked him to forward information on the proposed bills to Mayor Chammings. The “Vegetation Management Response Act” allows for the chemical destruction of all vegetation in the public utility right of way. Mayor Chammings was aware of the bills and noted they cannot spray without the permission of the property owner.

ANJEC Membership:

Mr. Szabo made a motion to approve the 2019 ANJEC membership at a cost of $350 (7 members), seconded by Mrs. Tracey.

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Nause, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Mr. Dvorsky will be attending an ANJEC seminar on March 2nd. The seminar is free with the ANJEC membership.

Spotted Lantern Fly:

Mr. Branagan reported the main tree of habitat/laying eggs for the Spotted Lantern Fly is the ailanthus tree or “tree of heaven.” He stated there are many trees of this species located at Veterans Memorial Park and he offered to mark the trees for removal by the DPW or contractor. Mayor Chammings suggested marking the trees and then it would be determined how they will be removed. SLAP/SWAP cannot do it. She felt it may also be an insurance question for our risk manager. Mr. Svendsen reported NJDEP grant funding is available for invasive removal. Mayor Chammings noted there is possible funding through Open Space for invasive removal in township parks and it should be available in June, up to $5,000. Mr. Branagan will follow-up on funding with ANJEC.

Stream Water Testing:

Mrs. Wunder will email the results to the EC and will merge those results with the EC site records to be forwarded to Nathanial Sajdak for his review and comment.

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.

New Business

Site Survey Acceptance – ZBA:

Mr. Branagan made a motion to accept the following site surveys:

Block 2001, Lot 2 – renovation/addition of 2’ cantilever to the front of an existing home

Block 2201, Lot 13 – selective demolition of an existing two-story dwelling; reconstruction

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mr. Nause, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Volunteer/Member Recognition:

-Mr. Branagan and Mrs. Branagan for the plastic bag collection.

 

Endangered and Threatened Species:

-Eagle sightings.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:06 p.m.

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

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Mr. Branagan

-ECO Housing was discussed. Mr. Golden will research the matter and forward information to the Planning Board.

-Tree removal at a property in Stillwater was reviewed and whether or not a permit was issued to do so. The Zoning Officer is following-up with Soil Conservation.

-An ordinance to address fill being brought into Stillwater was discussed.

-Reorganization: Karen Puccio, Chairperson; Don Donofrio, Vice-Chairperson

Township Liaison Report: Committeewoman Chammings

-Lien Redemption (7) resolutions were passed for approximately $200,000.

-State, County and Township approval was granted for farmland preservation of 2701/9, 72 acres, with an inseverable exception for one building lot.

-EC Annual Report 2018 was reviewed and commended.

-West End Drive and Duck Pond Road flooding issue was discussed. A survey will be conducted on the drainage easement from the 1978 subdivision.

-Lot donation was discussed – small lake community lots.

-Notification from the NJDEP was received indicating the Plymouth Lake dam project is moving forward.

-Budget discussion was held for the Recreation Commission including a capital request for playground equipment at VMP.

-The Eagle Scout project at the Municipal Building has been completed, adding three rocks around the well head, and benches and memorial plaque at the flagpole. Flowers will be added in the spring.

-The sentencing of the Swartswood Fire Department treasurer will be on February 15th. A victim’s statement was submitted on behalf of the township.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Branagan. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________

Kathy Wunder, Secretary

 

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