January 9, 2023 Re-organization and Regular Meeting

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

January 9, 2023 –  Reorganization/Regular Meeting

In-Person/Zoom

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Coriston, (via Zoom), Mrs. Emmetts (via Zoom), Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Mrs. Tsadilas, Ms. Wills (via Zoom), Mr. Dvorsky, Mr. Branagan

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

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.

Reorganization

Member Appointments: Cindy Tracey, Regular Member – 3-year term to 12/31/25

Emily Wills, Alternate Member #1 – 2-year term to 12/31/24

Mrs. Tracey and Ms. Wills were sworn in by the Municipal Clerk prior to the meeting.

Chairperson:

Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to elect Mr. Branagan as Chairperson for 2023, seconded by Mr. Szabo. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs. Tsadilas, yes,

Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Vice Chairperson:

Mrs. Tsadilas made a motion to elect Ms. Coriston as Vice Chairperson for 2023, seconded by Mr. Szabo. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, abstain, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs.

Tsadilas, yes, Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Secretary:

Mr. Branagan made a motion to appoint Mrs. Wunder as the Commission Secretary for 2023, seconded by Mrs. Emmetts.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs. Tsadilas, yes,

Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

Meeting Dates/Official Newspaper:

Mr. Szabo made a motion to approve the following meeting dates and official newspapers for 2023, seconded by Mr. Branagan:

Stillwater Township

Environmental Commission

Schedule of Meeting Dates

2023

The Stillwater Township Environmental 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 in-person/Zoom meeting dates are as follows:

January 9, 2023 Reorganization/Regular

February 13, 2023 August 14, 2023

March 13, 2023 September 11, 2023

April 10, 2023 October 12, 2023 (second Thursday)

May 8, 2023 November 13, 2023

June 12, 2023 December 11, 2023

July 10, 2023 January 8, 2024 Reorganization/Regular

Each meeting may be accessed via the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85976326681

The agenda for all meetings, more or less:

1. Call to Order
2. Open Public Meetings Statement
3. Flag Salute
4. Roll Call
5. Approval of Minutes
6. Bills
7. Public Input
8. Correspondence
9. Old Business
10. New Business
11. Public Input
12. Planning Board Liaison Report
13. Township Liaison Report
14. Adjournment

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

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs. Tsadilas, yes,

Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

At this point in the meeting, Mr. Branagan resumed as Chairperson.

Minutes

Mrs. Tracey made a motion to approve the minutes of 12/22/22, seconded by Mrs. Tsadilas.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs. Tsadilas, yes,

Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

The following items were noted during review of the minutes:

-No response has been received to Mr. Szabo’s inquiry to the NJDEP regarding Block 505, Lot 16.

-The biochar ordinance with the EC recommended revisions will be introduced on 1/17/23.

-The ANJEC Winter Report 2022 was received by the EC members.

Bills

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

Secretary: $240.00

2023 ANJEC Membership (8 members): $435.00

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs. Tsadilas, yes,

Ms. Wills, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:20 p.m.

There being no public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:20 p.m.

Correspondence:

-Resolution 2022-188: Township Committee Acceptance of the Resignation of Sara Branagan as EC Member -EPA Funding Opportunity: Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) Grant Program – Mr. Branagan referred to one of the purpose areas for the grant funding to reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream. He asked if the funding could be used to hire additional personnel to do so. Ms. Coriston felt it would not be eligible for paying salaries. Ms. Coriston and Mrs. Tsadilas agreed to work on the grant application together pursuing funding for improving the community recycling program. Mr. Szabo asked the EC to recognize the political aspect of the grant and he referred to the purpose areas of the grant funding with respect to the first bullet point to Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change, noting there is no proof to support this. He also referred to the third bullet point, Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State and Local Levels. He felt the grant was of a political nature and he disagreed with its link to politics. The grant application is due on February 15, 2023. -NJDEP Application Notice: Block 903, Lot 46, 1025 Owassa Road, application for General Permit to repair a malfunctioning septic system – Mr. Szabo and Mr. Branagan will conduct a site visit.

-Climate Doomsday Is Nigh-Again, WSJ, 11/1/22 (Mr. Szabo)

-Environmentalists Declare Global War on Plastics, Newsmax, 1/23 (Mr. Szabo)

-Resolution 2023-001 Township Committee Adopting Schedule of 2023 Meetings

-Resolution 2023-002 Designating the Official Newspapers for the Township of Stillwater

-Resolution 2023-012 Holiday Schedule for Stillwater Township 2023

-Resolution 2023-014 Township Committee Approving Appointments of Boards and Commissions

Old Business

Biochar Update:

The EC changes were forwarded to the Township Committee and newly elected Committeeperson Dawn Delaney still has to review the ordinance. It may be introduced on January 17, 2023 or possibly the first meeting in February.

Stream Water Testing 2022:

Mr. Szabo and Mr. Branagan met with Bob Lippencott (George Lippencott was also in attendance) to review the water testing results. Mr. Lippencott has a Ph.D. and a tremendous background in water sciences. He provided an outline/agenda for the meeting and 15 points were discussed as follows:

1. All data should be in electronic format.

2. Use trend analysis.

3. Use today’s standards.

4. Exceeding objectives.

5. Trends are down in some locations.

6. Compare locations.

7. Decide to change objectives or not.

8. Monitoring new parameters.

9. Re-evaluate objectives of surface monitoring.

10. Mapping sources: agricultural waste; industrial – underground tanks; residential

11. Deliver information on data over standards.

12. Use State maps.

13. Produce comprehensive review of the program.

14. Consider two things to tackle, for example – road salt usage and concentrated septic discharges.

15. Produce the science, the evidence to back up any conclusions or proposals.

Mr. Dvorsky asked if water quality was discussed. Mr. Branagan stated the results all fall within a safe level. Ms. Coriston asked if there was a key or reference as to what the safe ranges are. Mr. Branagan spoke to Eurofins about including what the safe range for each parameter would be and Eurofins indicated they do not do so. Ms. Coriston noted the NJ Blueprint Map may be useful in locating different areas with respect to #10, agricultural, industrial or residential. Ms. Chammings stated water test results are affected by weather, storms, etc. and she briefly discussed the location of the four wells located at the landfill, an industrial site. She noted the landfill testing range is provided and if that range is exceeded, property owners downstream are notified and remediation addressed if necessary.

Mr. Brangan stated he was very impressed with Mr. Lippencott but felt the EC does not have the skills needed. Mr. Szabo will follow-up with Mr. Lippencott to see if he would be interested in scheduling a presentation at a future EC meeting. Mr. Branagan referred to a 2004 student study entitled, “Stream Surface Water Sampling, Chemical Data and Biological Analysis through Macroinvertebrates,” by Steve Grodsky. Graphs, charts and a trend analysis are included in the study from 1984 forward. Mr. Branagan will provide a copy of the study and comparison spreadsheets to Mr. Lippencott for his review and input.

Fishing Line Collection:

The missing cap for one of the receptacles was located.

New Business

Planning Board/Environmental Commission Liaison:

Mr. Brangan made a motion recommending the appointment of Emily Wills as the EC liaison to the Planning Board, seconded by Mrs. Emmetts.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Coriston, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mrs. Tsadilas, yes,

Ms. Wills, abstain, Mr. Branagan, yes

Mrs. Wunder will inform the Clerk to have a resolution drafted.

Volunteer/Member Recognition:

-Mr. Branagan and Mr. Szabo for the water testing meeting with Mr. Lippencott.

-Mr. Dvorsky for cleaning trash on Old Schoolhouse Road.

Endangered and Threatened Species:

-Eagles on Swartswood Lake.

Membership:

Mr. Szabo informed the EC that he provided a Citizen Leadership Form to Dr. Dave Mattes, who is interested in serving on the Commission.

Swartswood Lake:

Mrs. Tsadilas asked the locations of the weed removal taking place on Swartswood Lake. Mrs. Emmetts stated it would probably be near the former Boat House Restaurant, Hendershot’s Cove and Dove Island. Mrs. Tsadilas asked if the swimming area would be part of that and Mrs. Emmetts stated that area falls under the jurisdiction of the State. Mrs. Emmetts reported they are also going to try and reduce the Lotus population. The weeds are limiting the circulation of the water which in turn increases temperature and can result in Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). The removal will be done by hydro-raking to remove the weeds and Lotus by their roots. Mr. Szabo will contact Randy Sprague for the map parameters for the removal. Mrs. Emmetts noted the Milfoil has decreased in volume in the lake.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:18 p.m.

There being no members of the public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 8:18 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: J. Branagan

-Engineers were interviewed. Mr. Viurch of VanCleef Engineering will be appointed.

Township Liaison Report: Committeewoman Chammings

-Interviews will be taking place for the position of Planning/Zoning Secretary. Three applications have been received.

-Committeeperson Chammings was elected as Mayor and Committeeperson Rumsey as Deputy Mayor.

-Dawn Delaney was sworn in as Committeeperson.

-Liaison appointments will be made at the next Township Committee meeting.

-Currently working on grant funding for the Community Center.

-Interviewed three candidates for the DPW Mechanic position and will be hiring the applicant from Hampton.

-Joe Funari Jr. was hired as DPW Laborer/Truck Driver and started today.

-A provisional position at the DPW was offered to an applicant and is still pending.

-Paul Hawkins was named as Provisional Supervisor of the DPW and will begin his Certified Public Works Manager courses. He has great ideas for the Recycling Center.

-Mr. Funari may also be interested in the Recycling Coordinator position.

The EC congratulated Ms. Chammings as Mayor.

Miscellaneous Items:

Mr. Dvorsky reported he cleaned up trash on Old Schoolhouse Road a couple of times this month and asked if a no litter sign could be posted. This item will be added to the recognition portion of the minutes. He also noted that a school bus has been speeding up Old Schoolhouse Road at around 4 p.m. daily.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m., seconded by Mr. Branagan. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________________

Kathy Wunder, Secretary