January 8, 2018 Re-Organization Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

January 8, 2018 Reorganization/Regular Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Dvorsky, Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Branagan, Mr. Branagan

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Emmetts, Mr. Blanchard

Mrs. Wunder 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.

Mr. Szabo and Mrs. Emmetts were appointed by the Township Committee, terms expiring 12/31/20.

Mr. Szabo was sworn in prior to the meeting.

Reorganization

Chairperson:

Mrs. Branagan made a motion to elect Mr. Branagan as Chairperson for 2018, seconded by Mr. Dvorsky. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed.

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

At this point the meeting was turned over to Chairperson Branagan.

Vice Chairperson:

Mr. Szabo made a motion to elect Mr. Dvorsky as Vice Chairperson for 2018, seconded by Mr. Branagan. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed.

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

Secretary:

Mr. Branagan made a motion to appoint Mrs. Wunder as the Commission Secretary for 2018, seconded by Mr. Szabo.

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

Meeting Dates/Official Newspaper:

Mr. Branagan made a motion to approve the following meeting dates and official newspapers for 2018, seconded by Mr. Szabo:

Stillwater Township Environmental Advisory Commission
Schedule of Meeting Dates 2018

The Stillwater Township Environmental Advisory Commission, County of Sussex, New Jersey will hold regular meetings on the second Monday of each month, unless it is a legal holiday or is otherwise noted, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 964 Stillwater Road, Middleville, New Jersey.

The dates are as follows:

January 8, 2018 Reorganization/Regular July 9, 2018

February 15, 2018 (third Thursday) August 13, 2018

March 12, 2018 September 10, 2018

April 9, 2018 October 11, 2018 (second Thursday)

May 14, 2018 November 15, 2018 (third Thursday)

June 11, 2018 December 10, 2018

January 17, 2019 Reorganization/Regular (third Thursday)

The agenda for all meetings, more or less:

Call to Order

Open Public Meetings Statement

Flag Salute

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes

Bills

Public Input

Correspondence

Old Business

New Business

Public Input

Planning Board Liaison Report

Township Liaison Report

Adjournment

The Daily New Jersey Herald and Sunday Herald are hereby designated as the official newspapers for legal publication for the Stillwater Township Environmental Advisory Commission.

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

Minutes

Mrs. Branagan made a motion to approve the minutes of 12/11/17, seconded by Mr. Branagan.

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

Bills

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

Secretary: $ 213.13

Mileage – J. Branagan $ 8.03

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

Following a discussion, the EC agreed to table the ANJEC membership renewal to discuss at a future meeting.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:18 p.m.

There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:18 p.m.

Correspondence:

-“Eliminate Single Use Plastic Bags in NJ” – emailed 1/3/18 – It was noted by the EC the article addresses vendors and is not relevant to Stillwater. The EC discussed placing pertinent information on the website and at the Recycling Center and purchasing reusable canvas bags through Clean Communities to be distributed at Clean Up Day and made available at the Recycling Center and local businesses.

-Stokes State Forest Natural Resource Stewardship Plan – emailed 1/3/18 – Mr. Dvorsky felt the plan included good ideas, control area, reintroducing species and environmental progress. Mayor Chammings noted the plan included five goals and all agreed the document was voluminous.

-Fairview Lake & Watershed Conservation Foundation – Chestnut Video – emailed 12/15/17 – The video discussed gene modification to resolve the chestnut blight. The EC commended John Neumann for providing the information and keeping the EC updated.

-Articles provided by Mayor Chammings and emailed 12/19/17:

“Hooked on Outdoor Living” / “NJ Panel Moves to Defang SPCA Police Powers in Animal Cruelty Cases” / and “No Place in Civilized Society for Gas-Powered Leaf-Blowers” – Mayor Chammings noted noise and light ordinances will be reviewed by the Township Committee this year. She briefly discussed a zoning and planning article she read recently and asked when is something detrimental vs. beneficial and is it fair to all or only to specific areas. Mr. Branagan commented that in some instances, light nuisances can be addressed in a neighborly fashion by simply asking for the light to be redirected.

-2018 Township Committee Meeting Dates

-2018 Holiday Schedule

-2018 Mileage Reimbursement – 54.5 cents per mile

-2018 Township Committee Boards and Commissions Appointments

-Articles provided by Mr. Szabo and distributed at the EC meeting:

“Phony prophets painting an alternate global warming reality?” – NJH dated 1/3/18

“Washington’s Carbon Overreach,” – WSJ dated 12/28/17

Old Business

ANJEC Open Space Stewardship Grant Update – Signage:

Mr. Brangan was in contact with Blanca Chevrestt of the State Park and they will meet with the individual that constructs the signage on January 29, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the tree restoration site on Route 610. He has contacted Mr. Vendetti regarding the sign at Veteran’s Memorial Park (VMP) and is waiting to hear back from him on updated pricing. Mr. Szabo added that he spoke with his neighbor, Gary Mabie, who used to construct signs and he offered to submit a quote. Mr. Szabo displayed Red Cedar from the Mabie property. This type of wood is very strong and an example of Mr. Mabie’s work can be seen on Potters Road – the sign reads “Living Springs Farm.”

There is $1,500 in funding available through Clean Communities and $1,500 from the grant. The path signs are estimated at $500, leaving $1,000 for the sign at the VMP bridge.

Recycling Center Update:

Mr. and Mrs. Branagan met with Donna from the Print Center regarding the 4’ x 6’ banner for the Recycling Center. They discussed the size and reviewed photos they would like to use on the banner. Donna cannot provide a draft of the banner until the EC commits to having them make the sign. She would use her own clip art images as opposed to the photo images. Mr. Dvorsky requested samples of similar work the Print Center has done. Following further discussion, Mr. Branagan agreed to obtain a quote for the banner from Staples.

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: Zoning Board – Block 2903, Lot 10 – Front Portico

Mr. Branagan and Mr. Dvorsky conducted the site inspection and expressed concern with the condition of the property. The portico has been constructed and the property is littered with debris, gasoline cans and unregistered vehicles. Mrs. Wunder will notify the Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer is currently looking into the possibility of using the revenue from the abandoned and vacant property registrations to clean up properties in the township. The Township Attorney is researching the matter. It was noted that a majority of actions taken by the Zoning Officer are complaint generated.

Volunteer/Member Recognition:

-Mr. Branagan and Mr. Dvorsky – site survey inspection.

-Mr. Szabo – obtaining the cedar.

-Mr. and Mrs. Branagan – working with the Print Center on the banner.

Endangered and Threatened Species:

-Bobcat sighting in Swartswood Lake area – photo forwarded to the Nature Conservancy for Bobcat Alley.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:25 p.m.

There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 8:25 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Mr. Branagan

No report; meeting was cancelled.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings

-Reorganization Meeting was held – Mayor Chammings; Deputy Mayor Morrison.

-Liaison appointments will be made at the next meeting. Mayor Chammings will remain the EC liaison.

-The Mayor commended the EC on their service and work.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Dvorsky made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Branagan. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________

Kathy Wunder, Secretary