January 11, 2025 Budget Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 11, 2025

A SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey at 9:06 a.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: Committeeman D. Manser, Committeewoman D. Delaney, Committeewoman V. Rumsey, Mayor L. Chammings (9:10am)

Also Present: Township CFO Tammy Leonard

Absent: Committeeman G. Scott

FLAG SALUTE: Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey led the Flag Salute.

BUDGET DISCUSSION

Stillwater Township Fire Department Budget

STFD Budget

Fire Department Members Present for the meeting: Chief D. Banghart, Deputy Chief S. Sugar and Treasurer B. Scrudato

S. Sugar stated that they requested an increase in their equipment line item due to the increased cost of everything.

CFO T. Leonard stated that vehicle 42-61 is to be sold to the fire department as one of two vehicles that the township would take off their maintenance schedule when they purchased the new fire truck. S. Sugar stated that he was under the impression that they’d be selling vehicle 42-63 as vehicle 42-61 would need to be replaced in the next 5 years. He stated that he would prefer one of the ambulances to take over. The ambulance could still be used as an ambulance, or as a rehab or utility vehicle. They will review the suggestion with the rest of the members and discuss it at their next meeting. This would be more beneficial to the Township as well since the maintenance on the ambulance is about double the cost of vehicle 42-63. The Fire Department will get back to the Town Committee before the meeting on the 21^st.

S. Sugar stated that the vehicle maintenance increased overall due to the increased cost of everything.

Fire Department Capital Budget

Deputy Chief S. Sugar stated that they put in for a set of 5 turnout gear. He stated that they request 5 sets each year so they can replace older sets as needed instead of needing to purchase a lot at once. The 5 sets of turnout gear is approximately $29,500.00. The Committee agreed the 5 sets of turnout gear are necessary.

Deputy Chief S. Sugar stated that his next request is for portable and mobile radios estimating $58,513.99. He stated that the current portable radios and mobile radios are over 20 years old and are not supported for parts or repair. They are also not P25 capable which is soon to be an FCC requirement. Since the fire department will be purchasing an ambulance, the cost of the quote can be reduced by 2x $1,805.39. S. Sugar will request a new quote with the radios removed. The Committee agreed the new radios are necessary and will soon be mandatory.

Deputy Chief S. Sugar stated they would like to request a thermal imaging drone for approximately $28,838.12. He stated that the thermal imaging drone would benefit the fire department in a multitude of ways such as search & rescue, water rescue, structure fires, and forest fires to name a few. The drone can record images in normal view & night vision on top of thermal vision in daytime or nighttime. It will also be able to stream the view back to the command post so the IC can see what is going on. The Committee discussed trying to have another municipality chip in for the drone since the surrounding municipalities would also benefit from the use of the drone. They stated that they would need to review other capital requests before committing to saying if they approve the request. They will also look into additional funding for the drone.

Department of Public Works

DPW Budget

Due to the weather, the DPW wasn’t present at the meeting.

CFO T. Leonard stated that Tree Maintenance increased from $15,000.00 to $25,000.00 due to the number of trees that need to be taken down on township property and road right of way.

Equipment rentals will increase from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. The DPW is interested in purchasing a small excavator however it’s better to increase the rental line item for this year and plan to purchase one in 2026. A new machine will cost approximately $46,000.00.

An additional $500.00 was added to the line item for the 2024 CarMate Trailer in case anything additional is needed.

Mayor L. Chammings asked if Cedar Ridge Road was part of a plan to be paved anytime soon. She stated that the road was falling apart and that it is a well-traveled road. It also is in two municipalities. Paving the whole road would be expensive, but portions of the road will need to be paved to even oil & stone it. She will speak with the engineer to make sure that there are no stormwater or drainage issues. CFO T. Leonard stated there is some money that she can put toward the paving.

After further discussion, the Township Committee agreed to amend the phase 4 extension from Mt Benevolence Road to Cedar Ridge Road as the need for paving is greater on Cedar Ridge than on the next portion of Mt Benevolence Road.

Mayor L. Chammings noted to look into how to apply for part two of the Stormwater Management Grant. She asked V. Ingles to contact the engineer to see if the town could apply for part two. She also mentioned some stormwater drains need to be upgraded which could be paid for out of the stormwater management grant money.

Under Field Maintenance, the cost budgeted for field maintenance decreased significantly since the DPW will maintain all the fields now. Farmside will just be used to aerate the fields and fertilize.

The Community Center increased by $5,000.00 to cover the rising costs of everything.

Under Vehicle Maintenance, the 2022 Silverado and 2002 Bucket trucks increased by $1,000.00 as they both need some maintenance completed.

DPW Capital Budget

The first item on the list was for a zero-turn mower which will cost approximately $8,700.00. They need a second mower to be able to maintain the fields themselves. The Township Committee agreed that is a necessary purchase.

The next item is for a front-end loader for the Kubota tractor and a pallet fork. These will cost approximately $8,000.00 depending on the type of front-end loader needed.

The DPW would also like a new asphalt roller. Mayor L. Chammings stated that she found one but she’s not sure if it’s the type that the DPW would like so the estimated cost may be more, less, or about the same. The estimated cost for the double drum asphalt roller is $64,500.00. The compaction work on the asphalt top layer of newly built pavement. It’s ideal compaction equipment for municipal maintenance.

The last capital item request is for a storage facility in the DPW yard. This estimated cost is between $9,800.00 to about $15,000.00 depending on the type of storage structure they choose. The storage will be used to house a lot of equipment that is currently sitting outside as well as the asphalt roller and other large items.

Recreation Commission Budget

Recreation Budget

Recreation Commission Chairwoman T. Tosti was present for the meeting.

CFO T. Leonard stated that the cost of field maintenance increased due to the cost of everything increasing.

Recreation Capital Budget

T. Tosti stated that she spoke with Joe Funari to create something to store the pickleball nets. They don’t fit in the shed unless they’re taken apart. She is hoping a door can be installed from the tennis court to go into a storage area of fencing or a poll barn structure with a roof. It would only need to be two sides up against the shed that’s currently there. The nets can then just be wheeled in and out when used. Zoning may deny the request due to wetlands. The cost would be approximately $5,000.00. She will check with zoning and see if it would be an issue. She will speak with the Recreation Commission as well and report back with approval and quotes by the end of February. Committeewoman D. Delaney suggested contacting Paulinskill Lake or Fredon to see how they house their pickleball nets.

CFO T. Leonard stated that the Park Project line item has $45,000.00. Some of that could be taken out and used for the housing structure for the pickleball nets.

The Misc. line item will have $200.00 added just in case it’s needed.

Mayor L. Chammings stated she would like to investigate power at Veteran’s Park. She’d like to take $15,000.00 from Open Space funding to set aside to start the project. Green Township is putting solar lights in, she will ask if there is a grant for that.

Clerk’s Budget

Clerk Capital Budget

Mayor L. Chammings stated that R. Poust Heating and Cooling Inc. will be coming in for a consultation on the heating issue in the meeting room at the municipal office. They will also bring information for an annual contract with them.

CFO T. Leonard stated that the file cabinets that were purchased last year for the bays are already full. They have submitted a request for an additional 4 long-term legal-sized storage cabinets which cost approximately $13,000.00.

Mayor L. Chammings stated she would get a quote for renovating the municipal office meeting room to make the dais area more accommodating. The way it is now isn’t working well and there isn’t much room.

Other Items

CFO T. Leonard stated that she’s still waiting for the new rates from the Sheriff’s Department so the $ 20,000.00 line item will stay as it is until we receive the increased rates.

CFO T. Leonard stated that the Celebration of Public Events line item for the Bicentennial Celebration is $7,500.00 which should cover everything. The fireworks are being paid for by a sponsor. Mayor L. Chammings stated that she would see if she could find any other sponsors to help pay for the Bicentennial Celebration.

ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION was made by Mayor L. Chammings and seconded by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey, with all members in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 11:38 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Ingles

Municipal Clerk